Awake at 4am?!

So I finally fell asleep around 1:30am after saying some long, tearful goodbyes to the students of Hampton Beach Summer Project, 2011. Then I woke up around 4am from a car leaving and despite my efforts of forcing myself to stay in bed til 4:30am, I couldn't return to sleep. So I prayed, got up, prayed, got dressed, prayed, packed the last bit of things, walked to the beach for the sunrise and prayer, and brought some left over food over to the students. My momma always said that if you can't fall asleep, the Lord must be wanting you to pray for something...

...so I did and now I'm just waiting... I'm waiting to take two students to work (so they wouldn't have to leave 2 hours before they start  work because of their only ride). I'm waiting to eat breakfast with the coffee I hope to get from Dunkin Donuts when I drop them off. I'm waiting for my roommate to wake up and pack her last bit so we can go. And I'm waiting for God to answer my prayers as I surrender these girls to Him and pray that He work in their lives.

Alison, Lauren, Me, Julie

Alison, Julie, and Lauren have all been such a blessing to me as I discipled them these last five weeks. I feel like I was in discipleship with them and the Holy Spirit was the one teaching us all. I've learned so much about myself and who God created me to be from these women and I will never forget this summer and how God used them to impact my outlook on life and God's plan for it.
              Julie, a very young believer, challenged me in my thirst and hunger for God and His Word. This young woman soaks up Jesus and enjoys it! I've seen her take steps of faith in sharing her faith and now she is barely nervous. :)
             Lauren, who lost her mom at a young age, has encouraged me to better love others through affirmation, gifts and even just time. She's grown so much in how well she listens and considers others before herself. :)
            Alison....where do I begin? We basically have a nearly identical painful break-up story and God strategically placed us in each others lives to spur one another on towards good. Learning to forgive, love and be patient, Alison has also grown a lot and I'm sure will continue to do so after I leave! :)