Moving Day

Hello World!

First post ever... although I'm sitting behind this computer, I find myself slightly nervous to have my first blog ever.  First off, a little bit about me,  I'm Rachel and I am a student at South Dakota State University.  Music is one of my biggest passions in the world and I intend to share that passion with the world (however God wants to use me).  Right now, I'm a music education major and I am definitely being steered to teach elementary students.  Kindergarteners are just so cute!!  I am actively involved in the Navigator Ministry on Campus.  Their motto: "To Know Christ and To Make Him Known."  This ministry helped lead me to Christ and I am so grateful to the people involved in it.

My reason for starting this blog is so I can have a record of my journey with Christ and so that others can know some of what is happening in my walk and how Christ is working in my life.  Right now, Christ has led me to a 12 week Summer Training Program in the Wisconsin Dells, sponsored by the Navigators.  By having this blog, supporters can read what I'm doing and people can be updated on my life!

Tonight was my last evening with my family and boy did I find it emotional.  See, this weekend my grandparents are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary and as a gift, my parents are putting together a digital picture frame with a ton of pictures of family in it.  As I was looking through the slideshow of photos, I realized how much time has changed and exactly how much I love my family.  I am so thankful for everything they have given me and for how they have impacted my life.  As my mom says, "You have the best qualities of both your father and I."  I am so happy to have a loving family that is so excited for me to go to the Wisconsin Dells!

Tomorrow the 14 of us from SDSU  begin our trek to the Dells.  My friend Jon and I are traveling in my vehicle aka Judith.  She's tiny, but she is powerful!  She is also going to packed full of so many clothes and miscellaneous items... It'll be fun to see if Jon and I even fit!  I've been told that our car is going to be insanely fun... Probably because Jon and I may just be a couple of the craziest people Navs has ever seen. I am so glad to have a car buddy who also happens to be one of my very good friends.

At the end of each blog post, I'll probably have a few prayer requests.   Right now, I pray for safe traveling and patience with other drivers.  Also,  please pray for all 50 Navigators that are attending this STP.  It is an exciting time for us and I'm sure there are nerves in every one of us.  May we all have open hearts and minds as we begin our interaction with some of the 4000 international students that frequent the Dells every summer!!

May God bless you all!

Rachel Marinka