My freshman year at PC challenged me in many ways. The main part of me that was challenged was my faith. I thought I knew God. I grew up in church and went to youth group in high school. I even went on a mission trip the summer between 9th and 10th grades. When it got down to it, though, I had a lot of questions. I realized I didn't fully understand what a relationship with Him was like. I have been so blessed to have people placed in my life who love the Lord and have shown me more of Him through their actions as well as their lives. As I learn more about my Savior and go deeper into strengthening my relationship with Him, I want to share it with, and hopefully encourage those around me. I will start out with my summer. This summer was not what I had in mind, honestly. I was planning on going to Leadership Project with Campus Outreach and to grow more in Christ there with other believers. God had other plans. Instead of going to LP, I headed back home and then to the beautiful mountains of NC for the summer. Honestly, I had no clue how I was supposed to grow in my relationship with God by myself. I was mad at God because I wanted to go to LP but He had different plans. As I later read in Proverbs, I finally realized that God's plans are so much better than mine and even if I want something really badly, God knows what is better and He directs our steps where He wants us to go; Proverbs 16:9, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." As a good friend I met this year encouraged me, I was supposed to go home and be the image of Christ to my family. I was still not happy about this. I just finished my freshman year of college and I did not want to go home to spend the summer. Even through my stubbornness and anger towards God, He began to really soften me and show me how to grow closer to Him, even when I was by myself with no one around to encourage me daily like I had at school. This summer, I have learned so much not only about myself but also about God and His love for me. It is amazing how much God can work in a person's life despite the circumstances. I hope this blog encourages those around me as I uncover and share what God has taught me so far and what He will continue teaching me in the days to come!