This little man gives me the strength to keep moving forward. 

September feels like it is just days away, and time is moving faster.  The last few months has been some of the hardest during this process.  I have never felt my trust in God so tested before. I have never thought my relationship with Him would be so strained while trying to do something He is leading me to do.  It has been a roller coaster ride of emotions with the ones I love the most.  It is all so real that I will be gone for a year in a place far from home, but God has given me peace that all with be alright while I leave.  The fundraising process has been a challenge.  I still need over 15,000 dollars by September.  Anyone out there have ideas on how to raise that much money? :) I have a new found respect for missionaries who do this for years and years....and WITH a family! Their trust and faith in God truly has to be so strong for doing this for years.  It has been crazy to see who has been so supportive, and those who have doubted me.  I have a fundraiser at applebees, on June 28th. Please come out and support me, but you MUST bring your flier!!  I have been so blessed by so many people who have donated, encouraged, and continue to pray for me! I feel called to Monterrey, and I know there is something He wants me to do/learn.  Please help me get there. 

   

This summer I will be be turning in my scrub top for a back2back staff t-shirt for a year. I have taken a position with back2back ministries as a Stinter.....Stint stands for short term international. My main priority during my year will be the clinic which is located on back2back's campus. I will be working with medical teams that come down to Monterrey, and I will also be networking to get medical care to the different facilities back2back is affiliated with. It is still all so real to me that this is really happening! As I am typing this my heart starts to beat a little faster with every letter. For all my nursing friends, lets just say my heart gets a little tachy! After graduating from Malone I had no idea God would make this path for me. For the last year I have been working as an RN at Akron City Hospital. During my time working I often thought of my time spent on mission trips. Luckily, God blessed me with a trip to Mexico with a medical team this past October. During that time God made it clear to me that He was making a path He wanted me to take. I am nervous to take this path, but I am trying to walk it by my faith in Him, and I am excited to see what He has in store for me. Please walk this path with me and be a part of my support team. I am excited to share every step with all of you!

Walking with Erik in one of the orphan homes in Mexico