Hey friends! I am sorry it has taken me so long to write another update of life here in Searcy! It has been an amazing time thus far and I am so thankful this is where the Lord has brought me. If I had to create a perfect job, it would be what I am doing at this very moment! I don't' even know how to put into words the joy I feel everyday when I get to wake up and "go to work." It is a perfect combination of task oriented things and relational time with kids, leaders, and families! Small groups are starting this week and I am going to be leading a group of 8th graders and 10th graders. I am excited for this opportunity to dive into these girls lives and share the love of Christ with them! Our theme this year is Doulos - which means bond-servant. In Philippians 2:3-8 it talks about Jesus being a bond-servant, giving His life, all that He is for us. This week instead of doing a normal club we took the time and packed bags for kids in Haiti for their Christmas. It has been a neat opportunity to see the kids get excited about serving and putting their faith into action. This is what it is all about!
I think I have acquainted myself with the small town of Searcy pretty well. Everyone asks me if I have experienced any culture shock, but really it is not that different from home (minus a target) A McAlisters opened up on Monday and I have already been there twice! It is a really nice deli that has AMAZING sweet tea! It was definitely a selling point for me coming here when I learned they would be getting one! :) The weather here is also really nice, still in the high 70's low 80's at the beginning of October! AND gas prices, yep that is right 3.37 - much better than at home!
So overall things are REALLY great and I have a visit from the whole fam to look forward to next weekend! I hope things are going well for everyone at home! Love you all!

Nicole

Home Away From Home

Well it has officially been a week and a half since I left the great state of Michigan and began my 13 hour journey to Arkansas! What a full 10 days it has been. I have been welcomed in so greatly though and every has done more than enough to make me feel at home. I think I have eaten more meals away than I actually have at the house I am living in. I am staying with an older couple, with 2 other college age girls and 2 college age guys. I have my own room and share a bathroom and closet with one of the other girls. It is huge, so there really hasn't been a problem with sharing the space. My room is pretty much complete with just a few posters yet to hang. I have a nice leather chair next to my window which looks out onto the large pond in the front yard. It is a nice place to sit when I am journaling and reading the morning.
Work has been great so far. We have been spending a lot of time in the office making sure things are ready to start the year. Tonight we had our Kick-off club which I think was a success. I am starting to get better with names and faces of the kids as I see them more. We have been to the schools for lunches every day which has been good to meet lots of the kids. The families around here are absolutely WONDERFUL! They have definitely done their part in taking care of me and treating me like one of their own. It makes me really excited to think I will be here for at least 3 years and how far and deep these new relationships will grow.
There have been a few freak out moments, but the Lord has been good to provide me with people or other good moments to show me that He has me here for a purpose. I can't wait to see all that He does/continues to do in this place. But as for know I am going to get ready for my day off tomorrow! Fortunately I am only an hour away from my dear friend Ashley, so I am going to visit her and hope to do so often! I hope all is well for you!

Love you much!

Staying Connected

Well, as I am moving from home yet again, I thought this would be a good way to keep in touch with those that mean so much to me. I can't believe the time is quickly approaching when I will begin my new journey to Searcy, Arkansas. I am still over my head with unpacking from the summer and participating in all the festivities home has to offer me this next two weeks. (Siblings day, sisters 21st birthday, moving Mitch to college, jury duty, picking blackberries, beach volleyball, and camping with the fam). I am excited for what the future holds because I know the Lord is in control and has taken this last year at the institute to strengthen my faith so that I can share it with others. I will write soon after I make the big move and settle in. Please keep me updated on what is going on in your lives as well!

Walking in a winter wonderland

Well I figure it is time to make a second post. Groundhog's Day was almost a week ago, however, I am still severely disappointed in the results. 6 more weeks of winter...really? This is one of the main reasons I moved to Missouri, to escape the frigid and snow filled Michigan winters. Don't get me wrong, I love the snow and the activities that take place when the snow comes but I like to do those all about twice and then I am over the snow. So really what I am saying is that I wish the days were back when Priscilla and I would play around at the pool every afternoon while everyone else wrote papers. Those were the days! Each post I plan to enlighten all readers with a few new facts about me so this week I have decided to give you my 5 favorite things about winter:
1. Drinking peppermint hot chocolate while sitting in my favorite blue recliner wearing my snowflake pajamas
2. Being snowed in and having to play games all day long!
3. Sledding behind the four-wheeler in my back yard
4. Sitting in the hot tub with the snow falling down on the vineyard
5. Eating icicles off the rooftops and making diet coke slushies with the snow!

Thanks for reading!

A Whole New World

So really, what do you know about me? What do you know about blogging? Unfortunately, I am clueless. I have just recently been acquainted with this new fad that seems to be taking over the Institute. It was exactly a week ago when I was introduced to blogging, and like most things it does not take me long to join in! You might wonder what I will post on this and how often I will update it, don't worry I ask myself those same questions. Therefore, it will be a suprise to us all what will end up on here! However, one thing will stay the same and that is the theme of my titles! Shouldn't be too hard to figure out!