Welcome!

Precious friends and family,

        As many of you know, I am planning to go with Cru to serve overseas in Haiti over my Spring Break. While we are over there, we will be providing fresh water filters to people who may not otherwise have access to clean water.  While I am definitely planning on writing an update letter to all those who supported me through prayer, or financially after the trip, I figured this may be the best way for me to be able to update all of you as training begins, and life happens.

     I have chosen to title this blog "Gratefully Chosen" very intentionally, for two specific reasons. First, the selection process for this trip was completely and totally random, there were about 70 students who were interested in this trip, but Cru could only take 30. While I prayed about it, I began to feel more and more like this was truly what the Lord was calling me to do with my break, and I allowed myself to get excited and attached to this trip, until the day that I found out I had been placed on the waiting list. I was confused, hurt, and just frustrated that I had been so sure that this was the Lords plan, and I just didn't understand at all. About 3 weeks later, I got a text message from our team leader Eric, saying that two people had pulled out, and I was officially on the team! With all this being said, I have realized just how grateful I am to be chosen for this trip. The second reason I chose this title was because of the beautiful truth that Ephesians 1:4-5 talks about, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." What a sweet reminder that is, that millions and millions of years before we were born, and started messing things up and making the world ugly, he set US aside as HOLY and BLAMELESS. Before we made a single mistake, he had already covered and redeemed us. That is something to truly be grateful for! My prayer is that we as a team are able to confidently share this message with not only the people we encounter overseas, but also the people we encounter in our daily lives at Appalachian, whether it's someone eating at the dining hall, or that person who sits next to us in class.

     Speaking of being grateful, I want to take a moment and thank each and every person who has been supporting me whether in prayer, or financially as I prepare to leave, it truly means the world to me, and I am so thankful for each of you. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such loving and God-honoring friends and family who would support me so whole-heartedly, and I cannot wait to share with each of you how God uses our team not only over Spring Break, but over the next semester as we train together, and get to know each other better! If you would like to support me, my fundraising page can be found here:https://missionminder.com/Give/Hq2a7N6JrE .  

In Christ,

Rose