I wanted to write my first post as an explanation of how I got to this point!  I will try to make it short!  Basically, I have been unsatisfied with college and how little I am able to do there when all of my attention goes to school and the work necessary to finish my courses.  When my mom and I went to Shawn McDonald's concert in our area, there was a video of Africa, and, after many months of discontent in the university life, doors were opened for me to look into a year off of school and on the field as a missionary.  God first closed so many doors in order for me to get to this point.  It began with courses not transferring from my local university in St Cloud to the University of Minnesota Duluth, continued with people telling me that I would not be able to get jobs in my major, then I was not able to register for the courses I needed in order to finish in the spring, and I was not able to find any housing for the fall (this included having submitted my information to an apartment complex that people were "asking multiple times daily" if anyone was looking to move in, for roommates).  Then, He opened many doors.  Both of my parents stood behind me in my decision to take a year off, I was able to get the references I needed to get my application going, and a short (but how long it felt) week and a half later, I was interviewed and accepted into the program!  It is amazing to me that it all moved so quickly and everything just fell into place!
    Right now I am beginning to raise support.  I have plans underway as well as ones that have yet to take place.  As many of you know, I have sent out my support letters already, I am hoping to raise a decent amount through support of my family in Christ, I know, however, that I will need to pay some of my own way as well.  With that being said, here are some of the projects I am working on.  I have multiple jobs within an apartment management company, I have also made two different designs of button pins that I will be selling for a dollar a piece, mostly to friends who want to help but cannot afford a lot (but anyone is welcome to buy them!), I am also selling a TON of my stuff at our garage sale in June and, since I LOVE baking, I will be making cookies, cupcakes, krumkake, and who knows what else to sell there along with soda and water.  Half the proceeds from the garage sale will go to the trip (the other half to my sister as we both have a lot in the sale) and the profit from the baked goods will go to it as well!  Feel free to stop by Goetten's apartments for some good treats and an easy way to support me on June 14th!  :-D