Wow. I'm sitting here at training camp now--and it has been INTENSE. To be honest I wasn't completely looking forward to coming...but I'm glad I'm here. I have grown so much in my faith and have made some friendships that will last a lifetime.

BUT...I am now going to England instead of Africa. Shocker, I know. Here's the story:

Saturday, Chelsea Geyer (one of my Africa teammates), came up to me and told me that she had a dream the night before about me leaving the team. We both thought it was really random, and figured it most likely
wasn't prophetic! So we just kind of laughed it off and forgot about it.

Saturday night at worship, Dave Gross (leader of the FYM program) was speaking and he repeatedly made the point, "If you aren't completely sure that you're supposed to be here, we can put you on a plane back home." Now, I knew I didn't want to go
home, but I felt uneasy...like something wasn't right. I just shrugged it off as nerves.

Yesterday morning I was writing in my journal during quiet time about something completely unrelated when all of a sudden God put England on my heart. I couldn't get it out of my head, and I couldn't get it out of my heart. I was like, "God...what the heck do you think you're doing?? We leave in THREE DAYS...I can't change teams NOW!" But as hard as I tried, it was one of those things that you just
know what you're supposed to do. I kept praying about it though...I knew that I had to be absolutely sure that it was GOD telling me to change teams, instead of the devil trying to keep me from going to Africa if that's where God really wanted me, or even just to make sure that it wasn't my own selfish desires.

I texted my mom because I felt like I needed her blessing before talking to any leaders. She told me that if God was truly calling me there, then she would support my decision to change teams. That morning at worship, I talked to several of the leaders and they said they would see what they could do.

I talked to Dave & Vicki Gross about it yesterday afternoon, and all the leaders and the team were fine with me switching teams, but the only problem was my finances. I had enough money to make it through this first semester in Africa, but to make it through the entire year in Africa I would need $2,000 more. To make it through all of England, I would need $4,000. So I got on the phone and started calling people to see if they would be willing to give monthly pledges. Within an hour of talking to people on the phone, I was able to raise $3,395 in pledges.

A sign from God? I think so!

After I told my friends back home what was going on, a few of them even told me that they never felt like Africa was right for me but they didn't say anything. It's just crazy how everything is working out!! I am SO excited to go to England...I feel like that's truly where my heart is this year.

I would appreciate so much your continued prayers and faithful monthly support. I love all of you, and I wouldn't be here without you--or God! Praise be to the Almighty!