Back from Dutchland!

I'm officially back in the states! Words cannot express how amazing Holland was. I have fallen in love with that country like no other. The country, architecture, and landscape are beautiful, but the people there are more precious than anything! The missionaries that we were serving over there are Steve and Julie Kramer. Steve is absolutely hilarious! And Julie is the sweetest person that has ever walked this planet. She has such a servant's heart. I also had the priviledge of meeting two amazing girls named Rebecca and Trinke. They both love the Lord and we bonded right away. They told me how difficult it was to be a Christian in a country like Holland. People there are very private, and even if they are Christians, they tend to not mix "religion" with their everyday life...it's considered their personal life. This made me so sad, because if you're a Christian, Jesus IS your life! But that's just not something everyone understands over there. We went prayer walking around the city of Groningen (where we stayed the whole week), and we could definitely feel the deadness. It is such a cold city that desperately needs the Light of the Lord.

This is Trinke, Danielle, Rebecca, Ruthie, and me on the island of Schiermonnikoog.

We all had so much fun over there. We did some unexpected things like, watched a football (soccer) game and biked around an island for an entire day. Steve and Julie took great care of us and made sure we never got worn out. We also did a not-so-fun thing. The Dutch love to eat raw red herring. They literally take the fish, chop off its head, scrape the scales off, and top it with chopped onions. Steve insisted that the whole team try it and just count it as a cultural experience. So we did. I can say without a doubt that it was the most horrible thing I have ever eaten! The taste wasn't too bad, but the texture almost made me throw up. It was slimy and watery, and disgusting! But I guess now I can say that I've had Dutch red herring...not many others can say that!

Overall, the trip was absolutely awesome! The Lord guided us through the entire week and opened up conversations and brought people our way that really needed to hear the word of God. I know that He has huge plans for Groningen. There is something about that city that makes me think the Lord is about to break through the flood gates and sweep over that city. The only problem right now is that there is no one there to help Steve and Julie. They have intense visions for that city, they just don't have anyone to carry them out. He is so desperate for a team of Sam Houston Chi Alpha students to go out there for at least a year. And I really want to be on that team. I have already committed to giving a year somewhere, and after seeing the needs of that city, my heart is there. I feel like I left a piece of it when we left. I miss Rebecca and Trinke and that city so much already! ...And I've only been gone for 6 days!! I'm praying that it's in God's will for me to go back, because there is almost nothing else I would rather do. Please pray for Groningen and the Kramer's! =)

All of us and Steve (on the bike) in front of a grocery store on the Vismarkt (fish market).

The streets of Groningen at night. Isn't it gorgeous?!

Necklaces.

Soooo, as most of you know, I have been selling necklaces to raise money for my missions trip to The Netherlands this May 18th through the 28th. Well, as most of you probably don't know, I'm finally done support raising!! I am so grateful to everyone who bought a necklace and supported me on my trip. You guys are absolutely amazing! I've raised more than $500 selling these things! And that is an absolute miracle. I had no idea that it would get the response that it did. I can't take credit for any of it either...it was totally the Lord that gave me that idea, and He's the one that continually blessed me along the way.

I've been praying a lot about whether to keep selling my necklaces, and if so, what does the money go to since I'm done with my budget for The Netherlands?? I have decided to devote these little necklaces and all the profit from them....to missions. I could very easily keep the money for myself (especially since I'll be doing a non-paid internship at Anthropologie this summer, leaving me paycheck-less for 10 weeks), but I really feel like the Lord is wanting me to do this. So I know He will provide for me financially in another way. Most of you might not know this, but I have committed to giving a year after graduation in December. (a.k.a. serving a missionary and his family in another country for a year.) So the money I raise from selling necklaces now is going to go towards my budget for that. I am going to need all the help I can get with raising it, so I figure selling necklaces is a good place to start. =)

This is the official launch of "Leafy Tree Creations", my friends. Each necklace is made out of a Scrabble tile, and is $5. I will be posting pictures of all my different designs here on my blog, so you can see if any tickle your fancy. The easiest way to order one is to email me at leafytree316@gmail.com. Include your name, phone number, address you want it mailed to (if I don't see you on a regular basis), which design you want, and any other details you want to add (ex: the specific length of the cord, a custom order you might have, etc...). I am "spare-time challenged" currently, so I'm not sure how quickly I will be able to get your orders to you, but trust me, I will get them to you as soon as possible! This is just a little taste... ♥