New friends

Two weeks in and so many friendships made. Common experiences truly bonds people and in a matter of weeks it's hard to imagine the end of eight months.

These are the girls in the Forge...so many different, unique, and fun personalities.

These are the girls that are in my hub and that got me through Rope's Training...

This is my dear friend Mackenzie who makes me laugh and who I am forever bonded with after we both shared tears on the Ropes Course...

Ropes Training

Three days of intense ropes training...tying knots, harnessing harnesses, setting up courses, sending people off the zip line, coaching them through walking across wires and climbing ropes and passing a written and skills test.

It was a more intense training than I ever thought...but we are now certified to run the ropes course for retreat groups and conferences on the weekends.

Climbed these 50ft telephone poles twice in order to set-up and take-down the high-ropes course...

Bowline on a Bight knot...took me a few times to master. 

This is my hub for Shores and Bluffs. We will be working together on most weekends, and I couldn't have made it through Ropes Training without these guys.

Sweet little ones

I had the privilege of nannying for the Jervis family this past summer at Pine Cove. I spent six weeks living life with Lacey and helping her take care of her sweet little 16-month old, Elah. After eight weeks of being a part, seeing her again and having her giggle and say "Ta" in her attempts to say Tabs was the best reunion.


Less than a week after I moved to Texas, Elah became a big sister and the Jervis' had their second little girl, Meritt Avery. I got to hold her just a few hours she was born and it was one of the sweetest moments. She was so little and it was truly like my baby doll came to life in my arms...


This is sweet Meritt Avery barely four days old...


I am so thankful for the Jervis family and the blessing they have been to me the past few months, and I love that I get to watch these two little girls grow up over the next eight months. <3

Weekend at The Shores

My first weekend at the Forge, my roommate, Anne, and I were able to serve a retreat group coming to the Shores. I was the Work Crew Director and had the the privilege of leading our Work Crew that came in to serve for the weekend. We helped get out all the meals and helped behind the scenes, so that the retreat group could spend the weekend learning and growing more in their faith. It was such a fun weekend leading and serving.

One of the chefs at the Shores gave us a knife skills lesson and taught us how to cut and chop...felt like I was on the Food Channel!

This is the Work Crew that I got to work with for the weekend...they were so eager and willing to serve. It was a joy to spend the weekend with this youth group.

"I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls."
2 Corinthians 2:15

A New Adventure

Moving into the Forge...

What a whirlwind it has been moving 13 hours away from home and trusting that this is where I am supposed to be. Calling this place home for the next 8 months and living and learning in the little town of Tyler, Texas.

As 28 of us sat and watched the sun set over the lake our second day at the Forge, I gave these next eight months to Lord, as I am trusting that this is where I am supposed to be right now and walking in that faith. Watching the Lord's glory proclaimed in the sky and praising Him that His will is not fragile and He is ever-sovereign.