I am beginning to be excited for the summer! In less than two weeks I will be home. My mind is frequently occupied with plans for the summer. I want to do so many things. I will be working on different art ideas and projects and drawing in my sketchbook. I will get to spend time with my family and help out around the house- can you imagine actually missing chores? well, i still prefer washing the car to the dishes, but i will be glad to do normal home things. I may get a part time job, i will get my drivers license, and play lots of tennis and run. The list is long and probably won't be completed but the feeling of potential is always exciting. Thinking of plans reminds me of the future; every child is used to the question: what do you want to be when you grow up? No one really knows what the future holds, but I do have dreams for my future. I know that I want to graduate from Belhaven with my fine art degree and hopefully connections and art shows that will sustain my ability to make successful art-hopfully illustrating childrens books as well as some painting and drawing. But this really isn't my most important goal. I want to get married, have a family, and create a home for them. This is an enjoyable thought to daydream about, but I know that it is not easy. My dream is that my home would be a place people would come to, somewhere my parents or siblings or friends could stay if they wished. I have always admired my mother's gift of hospitality and desired to make that a ministry of my own as well. I have another dream: I want to be a tennis coach for a high school team. I also want to be a part of children's ministry. I enjoy being in charge and I love kids so running a vacation bible school or teaching sunday school appeals to me as way to serve in the church. And last, but probably most importantly, I want to help end abortion in our generation. I feel that the Lord has laid each of these things on my heart, but I do not how or when they will happen. Or if I can do all of them. But God does. If i walk in his ways then He will show what I am to be doing. Proverbs 19:21 says: Many are the plans in a man's heart but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand.

We must be ready to surrender all of our plans and hopes and dreams to the Lord. After all we are His and His plans are infinitely so much greater than ours even when we do not understand why things often do not work out the way we wish. But I still dream and aspiring to service in the kingdom is a good thing. And we do not have to wait till we are older, we can accomplish things now.

Please pray for me in this upcoming week as I face finals and late nights drawing on my final projects. May the Lord give us His peace.