The End of a Chapter

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV) Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Hello to all my blog buddies!!
I realize a blog post is way overdue but I wanted to give a life update as a chapter of my life closes with the ending of my internship with RUF. But before I update, I want to just say a few words about the internship

The RUF Internship changed my life. Radically.It took me out (WAY OUT) of my comfort zone almost immediately. It started with support raising then a big move out into the wild west. I started “friend speed dating,” as I like to call it, with freshmen girls who were pretty unsure why I wanted to drink coffee with them so badly. 

It took me almost a year to transition from Mississippian to Texan, Rebel to Aggie, student to intern, scared to trusting. I had as many breakthroughs as I had breakdowns and they were all met with grace at the hands of my Campus Minister, Ben Hailey, and his wife, Beth. They interjected the Gospel whether I was laughing or crying and showed me what real freedom in Christ looks like. God used them mightily to shape me and heal me. 

 My students…

I can't even.  

But truly, they have my heart. I came in with a strong Mississippi accent, big hair and lipstick and they embraced me (eventually). They introduced me to Aggieland the Beautiful, Whataburger Honeybutter Chicken Biscuits at 1am, obscure YouTube videos and the inevitable conference chant/clap combo. They took me country dancing and endured my eye rolls (I hate country music). They are truly the most fun and gracious people I have ever had the pleasure of calling friends. My heart hurts when I remember I’m not going back but I know these little rascals will be a part of my story and my life forever. 

The internship stretched me and stretched me and broke me and picked me back up. Jesus is all about our sanctification so he must be all about the RUF Internship. I am in no way shape or form done with my sanctification but I do know that Jesus sits on the throne in my heart and he is making me newer as each day passes. Thank you RUF. Thank you Ben, Beth, Hannah and Nathan. Thank you Jeremy and Lauren. Thank you to the Aggie RUF clan. Thank you Westminster Pres. And you, my supporters—thank you. From the bottom of my heart. You have given me a gift I can never repay. 

Now for the update!
At the end of May I left the great state of Texas and moved into the Belhaven neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi, with some of my very best friends from college. This provision of community and housing location was nothing short of a miracle. The Lord also provided a full time job for this summer working for a decorative paint and faux finishing business. Having a history in art makes this job super fun. 

In August I will be headed to RTS (Reformed Theological Seminary) to start the Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling Masters program! And speaking of the Lord’s blessings, RTS has awarded me with a full tuition paid scholarship through the RUF Intern partnership. I wish words could describe how excited I am and how blessed I feel to be on my way to joining such an incredible community. 

In preparation for the fall, I have been praying and seeking counsel to come up with a way to make ends meet while in seminary. I will be working part time as much as possible with my current job; however, I am a full-time student which means I will be going to class and doing homework for about 45 hours out of the week. I have considered loans, multiple jobs, etc. and I have seen the Lord close those doors. At this point in time I feel the Lord leading me to raise support for my additional financial needs. I have had such an overwhelming outpouring of support from friends, family and even strangers towards my internship with RUF and I know the Lord can provide and will provide again. 

I will be mailing out this letters in about a week and I ask that you consider staying on my team! Please contact me if you have any questions or want to know more!

Now I ask, to Him who is able, that you would know how He has poured out blessings through you in the lives of many. 

Grace and Peace,

Anna