And so it begins... or rather, the end of a beginning.

       This summer I spent approximately 96 hours in a vehicle (not including everyday local trips), traveled about 6,000 miles, and have been 8 states. I swam in lakes, rivers, pools, and an ocean. I've been on roller coasters, water rides, zip lines, ropes courses, boat rides, and parasailing. And then there were the concerts, fireworks, sunrises and sunsets, and countless bonfires under the stars....and oh.. soooo much more. Seriously, I'm never going to forget this summer. So many memories. So many of my favorite things and favorite people. But most of all, I'm never going to forget what God did in me this summer. He was molding me and preparing me for these moments. And what do I mean by these moments? Well today was the first day of school... my senior year. A year of new leadership and responsibility. A year of new boldness. A year that requires my fellow Christ followers and I to go full force. To be His warriors for his kingdom. We are going onto a battlefield each and every day. As cheesy or dramatic as it may sound, it is not in any way an exaggeration. We need to be fully armed and prepared, and I believe that is what God was doing in us this summer. Now, I pray that we would simply be used as open vessels for the Holy Spirit to move through, and that our fear would be completely dissolved, because if our God is for us, who can be against us? I pray for the breaking down of the hearts of those you don't know Him... that their eyes would be opened to the God shaped hole inside of them... and that they see him in us... and they notice Him as the only thing that can fill their emptiness. I pray that they are overcome by hunger and thirst. Because only He can fully satisfy them, and He is the well that won't run dry....... This school year is Going to be different. I pray for childlike faith so that I can purely believe it will be.