Wow! I feel like it has been forever since I have written on my blog and updated everyone. It may be a disappointment to you that I am not traveling throughout Europe running into crazy Aussies and eating pastries at the base of the Eiffel Tower but I will tell you this - I am experiencing what will be one of the best summers of my life. I am in Ocean City, New Jersey!! Why am I here you ask? Well, my freshman year of college at Loyola I got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and started to really live life for the Lord, which has been fantastic! He is sooo good to me! Anyways, Campus Crusade has these summer mission trips called Summer Projects. They have international and state-side projects. So I applied last fall to be part of one this summer for about 8 weeks in Ocean City. And... here I am! I like to think of this Summer Project as more of a "practical" (if you will) missions trip. We are asked to find jobs in the community and learn to share our faith with our co-workers and people we encounter through our work. This will help me in the future because I may not be called to missions in Africa or East Asia. It is just as important to share the Gospel in your hometown as it is to share in a remote village. Also, we do a lot of different activities on the boardwalk and beach - because OC is a vacationers' town. In addition, we survey people as well about their spiritual life and what is important to them. I am here with 110 other Christian students (plus staff) and therefore it is a great place of Christian community, which I have been lacking since I was in Spain for five and a half months!
Today is the one week anniversary of my being here in Ocean City. And it hasn't been all that easy or a walk in the park. The first few days were completely overwhelming. I was thrust into a group of semester students who were right in the middle of one of the busiest weeks of project. (I came with all the quarter students because I was studying abroad). It was difficult at first to remember everyone's names and I was disappointed that I wasn't having deep conversations right away (ridiculous expectation, I know). But anyways, a few days ago I started orientation with the quarter students which has helped build relationships and feel like I belong. I have also been hanging out with the Loyola students (yay!!! represent!!!) as well as my "Action" group (which includes my three roommates and discipler) AND my "Impact" group (which includes my action group and another guys' action group). We have had a fantastic time! I have been learning so much about the Lord and how BIG He really is. But honestly, I haven't had much time this week to process stuff. So busy getting settled and all. I will be taking pictures soon so be excited! Ocean City is beautiful! The boardwalk absolutely blew my mind - it is soo much fun and there are soo many people! (You will see what I mean when I post pictures). Although I haven't found time to go to Mack and Manco's for a slice of pizza yet, I have been to Wawa numerous times for coffee, sandwiches and much more! FANTASTIC! Oh and best news of all - I found a job!!! Praise the Lord! I will be working as a receptionist at a popular hair salon in OC.
Well right now I need to get ready for the last day of orientation but I will surely update you soon with pictures and other insights into life in SoJO (south jersey haha).
Dos besos
Sarah
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