This weekend we had our fall leadership retreat which was incredible.  The women below came and we discussed how to get plugged into a local church, how to serve in CO, what follow Christ as a woman and our design means, as well as enjoying football (Dawgs and Jackets are both 2-0!) and fellowship. 

Please pray for the women God has entrusted me with this semester, that their identity would be fully put in Christ and that we'd die to ourselves and care more about others' thoughts toward our Savior and not ourselves, we'd be faithful in ministry, that we'd understand who we are in the gospel more full and therefore see our need and the beauty of Christ's work even more:

1. Bethany- 3rd year, going into ZTA with me
2. Katelyn- 2nd year, ADPi, became Christian last fall, has freshmen small group
3. MK- 2nd year, ADPi, has freshmen small group
4. Kristin- 2nd year, ADPi, became Christian in Spring, has freshmen small group
5. Meghan- 2nd year, ADPi, lives on and is in charge of freshmen dorm hall
6. Lauren- 2nd year, ADPi
7. Darrah- 4th year, ADPi, has small group, super missional
8. Megan- 4th year but will take 5th year next year, ADPi, has small group, so missional
9. Investigative study with ZTAs

1. That our Father would build up the young women in ADPi and involved with CO into laborers.  Pray He'd clearly show who to invest in.  Pray He'd be faithful when we aren't and that I would change my focus from independent evangelism to doing it all through and with my sophomore girls (Kristin, Lauren, Sam, MK, Katelyn, and Meghan).

2. God would build consistency and discipline in my life (and in our staff team).  I'm praying for spiritual discipline, financial, time, and self control in general life-management.

3. Open doors in ZTA. Pray with me that God would build relationships with spiritually interested women and give me "in"s to the sorority to share the gospel. 

4.  That we would see new life and women would be exposed to Christ who haven't experienced Him before.

5. Support

6. My sister and her fiancee as they are getting married in a month!

7. Dr. Betty, who was an amazing college professor and influence on me at UGA, who is having surgery Thursday morning. Pray for her health, healing, strength, and for her family.

The Summer Beach Project officially ended yesterday as we all pulled out of our hotel, the La Breeze, that morning and headed back to Georgia.  This summer has been an amazing time of personal growth in dealing with sin, learning how to handle conflict Biblically, dying to myself, and dependency on the Spirit.  On top of that though, I have been able to see so many lives change! 

Here are some huge answered prayers:
    We've seen more new believers!  This summer, we saw at least 4 people turn to God and start a relationship with him: 2 students from UGA (Jay and Matt), one co-worker (Michelle) at Chick-fil-A, and one co-worker (Dion) at McDonald's, two guys students met on the beach.  All of these men and women have shown fruit in their lives since they accepted Christ as their redeemer.  It has been an incredible journey to see each of these people grow to hate their sin and desire the Word and God more. 
    Our Father built great relationships with hotel staff Jeff and Katrina and opened doors for them to hear the gospel several times.  I know He used this summer to somehow move them closer to the cross.

Prayer Requests:
    REST!  After non-stop working all summer, I am hungry to be refueled physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.  God has been faithful and I am excited to be back to full capacity soon. 
    Please also pray for preparing for the fall semester.  We are gearing up for students to return in a few weeks.  Classes begin the 18th, but sorority recruitment begins the 11, so most of my girls will be back here shortly!  Let's pray God would guide me in who to disciple and invest deeply, that He would provide for relationships with non-believers, and I would be able to reconnect with those who did not go on SBP (Kristin, Sam, Lauren, Lauren, Kelsey, Hallee).
    Time with my family, especially my sister Courtney as her wedding gets closer (Sept. 27).  She is very anxious about all she has to do and I want to serve her and show her Christ. 

1. Energy in perseverance: we are nearing the end of the summer and instead of coasting and getting overwhelmed with exhaustion, lets pray that we would run the race hard and finish the summer well.  Pray we would maximize the next couple of weeks and persevere. Hebrews 12:1-2
2. Renewal with staff: all the staff return to SBP next Friday, so please pray with me that they would have safe travel, would be able to easily reconnect with students and the staff here (Steve, Ryan, Ginnie, and myself)
3. New life: after seeing students for the summer and thinking for their growth, a few seem to have little fruit in their lives.  Pray with me that Lauren, Matt, and Ashton would desire the Word, desire to become like Christ, and would have conviction from the Holy Spirit about their sin.  Pray they would have relationships with Christ and they would be free from living a life of rules.  1 Thessalonians 1:4-6
4. Women's time: tonight we will take all the 50 women on SBP and talk about God's promise to restore us! What he has already done by bringing us from death to life and restoring a right relationship with Him.  Beyond our salvation, He promises to continually restore us when we believe lies and instead bring truth through the Gospel. 
5. Employer's banquet: Saturday night will be a huge way to share the Gospel with students' co-workers this summer. Please pray He would use it to open many eyes and hearts to the Gospel.  Pray for Steve as he speaks and for the hearts hotel staff who I will be with at the banquet (Betsy, Mike, Mikey, Chris, Katrina, and Jeff). 

Encouragements and prayer requests:

1.       Gospel going out- Jay, a junior from UGA on SBP, gave his life to Christ last week during our training teaching students how to share the gospel through their testimony.  Also, I've been able to build relationships with our hotel staff and share the gospel with them: Ann, a housekeeper, and Rebecca, the step-daughter of the hotel maintenance man.  Please pray for Katrina and Betsy who both live and work at the hotel that we would get to spend more time together and they would hear and understand the gospel!

2.       Jobs- God provided jobs for all 81 of our students, which proved to be more difficult than ever with the poor economy.  Please pray that students would be a light in their workplaces, share their lives with their co-workers, and that they'd be refined in their jobs.

3.       Building convictions- I've been able to see the Spirit work in guiding students in being good stewards of their time, money, and bodies.  Please pray students would continued to be moved by the Holy Spirit and would desire to chose God over the world through obedience.

4.       Vision- Especially with the GT girls, we've gotten to brainstorm about how we hope to be used on the campus this fall.  They are ecstatic about getting to intentionally share their lives with their room mates, friends, and sorority sisters.  Please pray our Father would prepare the hearts of women back at GT, He'd deepen their (and my) desires to see the Kingdom advance in Atlanta, and we'd be willing to do whatever it takes for Him to be known!

Sorry it has been so long since I've updated this!  SBP has been non-stop.  I've seen God already beginning to transform girls' hearts and breaking their cultural paradigms with Biblical truths. 

1. JOBS! -We've never seen such a shortage of jobs at an SBP before.  Three weeks into the summer almost a dozen students still are looking for employment.  Normally, all of our jobs are secured in the first few days.  Now we're turning to raising support for some students who are in need.  We want this to be an incredible way to see the body of Christ come together, so, please beg God with us that we would see Him powerfully provide for this need.

2.  Health -Many students and staff, including myself, are getting sick down here.  Let's join together in asking God to supernaturally protect us from illness and for healing. 

3.  Gospel -Please pray students would be excited and faithful in sharing the gospel at their work places and on the beach.  Pray too for Ann, our hotel housekeeper, who is HUNGRY for God.  We got to discuss the Gospel and she feels like she's too dirty and not good enough to come to God.  Pray she'd be broken of that lie and would commit her life to Christ.  Pray for Dr. Miguel, who works at a walk-in clinic I had to go to for my cough, who seemed encouraged by SBP was didn't understand what "becoming a Christian" was while we talked. 

4. Big piThat this summer would be a means to an end and not an end for students. That girls and guys would resolve to follow Christ for the rest of their lives this summer and would faithfully walk with God and share their faith even when they're in their 70s. 

1.Gwen: I was thankful to met Gwen, who was staying at our hotel along with her two young kids.  She is a single mom and has gone through a lot and needed an escape from her current home in Orlando. Please pray for her as she does not believe that Christ's work is the only way to know God.  Please pray God would provide for her and would continue to reveal himself to her.

2. Galin: God allowed me to meet her while eating at Moe's with students.  She has been going to church here in the Daytona area for years, but admits she knows nothing about it.  Please pray God would work in her and she would know God!  Pray that the Bible would become real to her.

3. Our students: There are a few students on our SBP who may not fully understand the Gospel, but pray with me that the Spirit would be moving with power and full conviction.

4. Our staff: That we would be able to serve the students well while honoring God by making Biblical decision and stewarding our time and money well.

5. Bethany: She is a rising junior I've been meeting with.  Please pray that she would not believe lies any longer about her identity in Christ.  Please pray God would bring her healing and that she would believe the Gospel for each area of her life. 

6. La Breeze staff: Please pray for the staff at our hotel.  We have a lot of interaction with them and have an incredible opportunity to share our lives with them.  Please pray that they would understand who they are in God's sight and what Christ has done for them. 

7. Jobs: students start the job hunt tomorrow.  Please pray that God would provide the 81 jobs that we need for students.  Please pray students would be brought to their knees and would really be able to rely on the Lord and watch Him fulfill His promises. 

All the staff are leaving for SBP this Friday, which is so exciting.  I cannot wait to be with students again.  It has been hard to feel relationally disconnected from so many girls.  I thankfully got to see both Kristin and Mary Beth today and was encouraged by both. 

1. Kristin really has a desire to give her life away.  Please pray for the Bible study she'll be leading with several key girls that are staying in Atlanta this summer (Hallee, Kelsey, Lauren, Lauren, etc.).  Pray it would be a gospel-drenched time and that these women would give their lives to Christ this summer.  Pray that in the fall there will be more laborers to join with us. 

2. Pray for Mary Beth as she is transitioning from college to the working world.  Ask that God would protect her from complacency and that she would make God-centered decisions in her life. 

3. SUMMER BEACH PROJECT!  It's finally here.  Please pray that this summer would be eternally significant and that lives would be changed forever these next two months. Join me in asking that God would refine me in the areas of discipline, patience, pride, grace, and leadership.  My role is to serve the other women so they can give more and more so please also ask for energy. 

Here are some highlights of the school year:
1. Gospel reaching the lost
     -At ADPi and ZTA sororities
     -By getting involved in students lives and meeting them where they             are (intramurals, fraternity parties, and sorority events)
     -Through studying the Bible in groups and one-on-one with girls
     -Through meeting women across campus and having gospel                         conversations
     -Through Campus Outreach formal evangelistic meetings
2. New Christians!
     -You and I have been a direct part of three women becoming believers      -At least 10 students at GT confessed to beginning relationships with             Christ and following after Him
     -Through process of life-on-life evangelism and sharing truth we've             seen students come to faith
3. Establishing young believers
     -1st year ADPis Kristin, Katelyn, Meghan, MK, Lauren, Sam and 2nd             year Bethany
     -Studied how to have a Gospel-centered life and authentic Christianity
     -Met in formal group, met with them individually, and spent time getting         in their lives
     -Give Biblical perspective on their daily walks with God
4. Equipping older believers for ministry
     -3rd year ADPis Megan and Marisa
     -Did ministry with them and modeled it before them
     -Helped with ADPi investigative Bible study
     -Gave them opportunities for leadership (helping plan for CO meetings         and sharing their testimonies at meetings/retreats)
5. Summer Beach Project
     -More than 20 GT students are giving up their summers to receive                 training to grow in Christ
     -Katelyn, MK, Bethany, Megan are hungry to focus on knowing Christ             and making him known more this summer

Thank you for your prayers for our women's retreat!  Despite our last minute running around and our exhaustion, God came and did abundantly more than we could have imagined. 

We had great hang out time and were able to discuss finding true contentment in the Lord.   We used Phil. 3:7-11 to press into what girls put their identity, hope, and contentment in.  Many GT girls (and myself included) put so much hope in their careers and resumes.  So it was great to talk through Paul's incredible credentials and how he gave it all up and counted it as rubbish for the sake of knowing Christ.  The Lord fueled great discussions with girls and created community among these hungry women.

Thanks for your hand in influencing these women through prayer.  Praise God for hearing our pleas and His faithfulness.