Greetings.

Hey everyone! I made this blog primarily to document my summer project to Chicago, but who knows where it will go after this. To start, the story of how I got here. It's a long one!

I've always known that I wanted to go into the arts, but I didn't know how or why or any details. Junior and Senior years of high school I took a graphic design/journalism course, and fell in love - I was actually Editor in charge of the Senior Book and other publications my senior year. When I decided on Appalachian, it was primarily because of the art school, and the excellent graphic design instruction I could receive there. The natural beauty and mountains didn't hurt either. Little did I know God had so much more in store.

As I went to my introductory art classes as a freshman, the brokenness and hurting of my classmates began to unsettle my heart. These people, these artists, were creating dark and confused artwork, mirror images to what they were feeling. Many of them were lost, and many of them had not been reached out to by a Christian in a way that they could understand. By the time summer approached that year, I was certain that God had placed the passions for people, art, and ministry in my heart for a reason, and I was just starting to see how and why. That summer I went to NYC on Cru summer project with a group of artists, where we learned how to incorporate art and our faith, to use as a ministry tool. We also served a poor community in Brooklyn and put on an art show during those few weeks.

As I came back to school as a sophomore, I experienced a period of waiting and formation. I was unsure how God wanted me to use this calling, and the wait was almost unbearable... but it was worth it. During that time I took a break from art courses and began co-leading a freshman small group. This spring I started graphic design courses, was hired by Electronic Student Services on campus, and met several Christian artists in my classes who shared the same heart I did. We are currently working on a gospel-based art show to display next spring in an on-campus gallery, and are building relationships with our classmates.

And this summer, the reason most of you are reading this, I am again going on an inner city summer project with Cru. I was set on going somewhere in the UK this summer, to explore another country and be a light there. But a whisper in my heart from my Savior changed all that. He pointed me to this internship in Chicago, this opportunity to serve in my field, in my country, to reach the nations in a diverse city. He humbled me and showed me how much better His plan is than mine. After much internal struggle, God answered every concern I had about the trip. After taking a leap of faith, I am confident this is where I am supposed to be.

All that to say, God is so faithful, and I can't wait to see what He has in store. And thank YOU for joining me on this journey! Much, much more to come.