I just might bend; but I won't break.: PRESS IN.

Summer has been absolutely amazing & I cannot believe it is almost already over! I've been so incredibly blessed these past few months.

Creation 2011
Missions Trip: Nenana, Alaska!

Creation 2011 was amazing! Sermons, speakers, bands, fellowship with friends, and worship just put you in awe of God. Seeing 60,000+ teens worshiping for Jesus is just absolutely breathtaking, it makes me think of what Heaven is going to be like!

At the lookout, just snapping a picture of SOME of the people :)

Worship = <3

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I don't even know where to begin with Alaska. I start sentences and before I even complete them I remember another awesome memory! I will attempt to sum it all up to the best of my ability. No matter what though, words will not do it justice. At all. I never went to bed the night before I left, stayed up til I finally could go to the airport at 3 in the morning. Instead of heading straight to Alaska, I had to fly to Texas, where I spent the next three days in the 110+ degree heat training. During layovers in the airport a lady from Texas said to me, "Texas is hot and ugly. You'll hate it." At the time I laughed her comment off, thinking she just didn't appreciate where she lived. Honestly though - she was quite correct. I'm sure some places of Texas are beautiful - but it definitely made me appreciate my PA hills and beautiful views. Anyways - training was beyond intense. I remember hearing people saying they just wanted to go home. It definitely was tougher than any of us had ever imagined, and Satan was definitely trying to divide us all, break us down, and completely rip us apart. Praise God for Him allowing us to make it through the doubts, sweat, tears, and hard work! Finally - we left for Alaska! It had seemed like we have been waiting forever - but at the same time - so weird that it was right in front of us! I do remember feeling and thinking. This missions trip is supposed to be TWO WEEKS. We just spent a few days TRAINING. We could've spent those days witnessing to the Alaskans! I remember being frustrated on the plane - thinking why does it have to take so long to travel, all I wanna do is get there and spread the Word of God! After awhile - it dawned on me. Though this missions trip was TO Alaska, I can witness and talk to people about Jesus ANYWHERE. On the plane, on a bus, in the airport, EVERYWHERE. I believe that Jesus wanted me to realize this vital piece of information, to be able to come home and tell kids that they don't have to go on some big fancy trip to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All of my frustration seemed to dissolve away in that moment. Many airplanes, bus', and hours later, we had arrived in Nenana, Alaska! FINALLY! :] The excitement was overwhelming, in such a wonderful way. The entire Alaska group got split up into three villages - I was placed in the beautiful village of Nenana. Everyday that we were there we were quite busy. Hanging out with natives, working in the graveyard [might sound strange, but their graveyard is very special and meaningful to them], hosting movie nights at their REC center, having a worship night in the town hall we stayed in, and so much more And honestly - I didn't expect to get so much out of this trip myself - now, don't take that the wrong way. I just thought I would be pouring into others lives, not my own. But our God is so wonderful! It was like I was a dry sponge, and Jesus dumped me in a bucket. I came back so filled, so on fire, so..changed. I could go on about this forever. It just puts me in awe. I'm amazed. Wow. But anyways - I have LOTS of little stories about meeting AMAZING people - talking to people - work we did there [ha, good times in the cemetery!] and an awesome story on healing, in Texas on our last day of debriefing! A day we spent in Anchorage, we had praise and worship going on in the middle of the park - and seeing Jesus draw people in, to watch, to listen, to get saved..was something I will NEVER forget. We had done the Lifehouse "Everything" Skit in Nenana, on our night of worship, and at Anchorage that day, we had to do it 3+ times! It was WONDERFUL. Seeing people's lives touched through a drama is so powerful. All in all, this doesn't even come close to describing my complete experience in Alaska. I can't exactly put it into words, I just know that Jesus did a mighty work in myself, in the people I met in Texas, and the people of Alaska, and for that, I am truly thankful. I'm sure there will be individual stories that I will want to share later - so be expecting of it!

PS- "Press In" was the name of our specific group in Alaska!