Hey God, I'm knocking.

SEEK is FOCUS’ National Conference this year based off of Matthew 7:7. It was held in Orlando, FL January 2nd-6th. Over 6,200 students from across the country came! It was life-changing to see so many college students on fire for their faith. I wish all of you could have seen it. ASU took over 55 students to the conference, and of those, 35 were in my Bible studies alone! My women had an amazing experience and many of them were only able to go because of your generous donations, so thank you! 

Another exciting thing that happened at SEEK was that I actually gave a talk! Eeeek! I spoke in front of the largest audience in my life with about 600 people in attendance. I was a little nervous, but I drank a beer before I went up and I do have to say that I nailed it! :D I was asked to give the recruitment talk. It’s for students who may be interested in becoming a missionary. I shared my experiences and fears about becoming a missionary. The whole room laughed the entire time, so I took that as a pretty good sign. Overall, it was a great experience and huge honor for FOCUS to think so highly of me!

The aftermath of SEEK has been phenomenal. SO many students signed up for Bible studies and are on such a spiritual high! The women are ready to do work on campus and I’m so blessed to be apart of their faith journey. I have 15 women who want to learn how to lead their own Bible study this semester!!! That’s a crazy huge number! God is truly blessing the ministry at ASU. 

6,200 students came to SEEK!

Beautiful

Sorority Sisters!

My pretty girls prayed over me before I gave my talk at SEEK!

Just chill in' with Mary

Megan wanting to be taller than me.

Haha...that's one of my girls, Liz, right in front!

cute friends.

After SEEK party at my house!

After SEEK party!

As if I’m not busy enough, I’m starting a Catholic Sorority!!! Yay! Mu Epsilon Theta will be starting it’s Gamma Chapter with the Alpha Class at ASU this spring! Rush runs from Monday-Friday and I’m so excited to see this beautiful sorority take off. I was in Mu Epsilon Theta at Texas State and it really launched my passion for the mission of the Catholic Church. I can honestly say that I do not know if I’d be a missionary without the guidance of such an amazing sisterhood.

I held 2 information meetings and over 40 women came! Many of these women have not been involved at the Catholic Newman Center at all, so getting them into the sorority and Bible study would be a HUGE accomplishment. Please pray for the women rushing and for guidance through the pledge process!

Mu Epsilon Theta is based on 3 major pillars:

• Spirituality-Going to Bible study, Mass, and other events at the Newman Center
• Service-Volunteering throughout the community and at the Newman Center
• Sisterhood-Movie nights, bowling, crafting, baking, etc

Our Motto is:

• Our strength is from above.

Our info table!

Man panel is an idea some women in my study came up with (they call themselves the Modern Madonnas....so clever!). They have gathered a group of virtuous men to be on a panel and women can ask them ANY relationship question they want. To clarify, it’s an all women’s event and open to any woman on campus. The only men in attendance will be the men on the panel. The main goal of the event is to show the women at ASU that good, quality, holy men are out there in the world and they want those same qualities in their future wife! I am confident this will be an amazing event and is happening on February 5th, so please keep it in your prayers! I’ll keep you updated!

Bible study is in full swing for the Spring semester. I condensed my studies from 7 to 5. It has been a HUGE relief on my schedule. I still have around 45 women in study, but I have 3 of my women leading their own study! The main goal of FOCUS is to equip students to be able to lead their own study, so I am so excited this is happening. Hopefully, by next year I’ll have 20 women leading their own study!

I was given the honor of going to a FOCUS interview weekend as an interviewer! I got to interview students who want to become a missionary. :) This is an honor because most first or second year missionaries do not get asked to help interview potential missionaries. I felt so official! It was a great experience and I interviewed some great potential missionaries. The interviews are 1 on 1 for an hour, so sometimes it was a little difficult, but I made it through. It was so nostalgic from when I interviewed. I remember being so nervous and just uncertain about wanting to do FOCUS. The interviews are also very intense because the first night is testimony night. This is where you share your testimony in front of a large group of people. The second day is your 1 on 1 interviews. Each applicant has 3 of these and they can be very emotionally draining. People often cry because they ask very intimate and deep questions. Many applicants cry because they realize something about themselves, they find out they aren’t ready to be a missionary, or the interview requires them to talk about something from their past. I didn’t cry, but I remember thinking: “Well crap, I didn’t get it.” hahaha, but I did! Overall, I loved the opportunity and I hope I get to do it again!

I was so excited to interview! I'm so official...and professional. lol

I know I haven’t blogged in awhile. Missionary life seems to be very busy at the beginning of a semester, so hopefully I’ll be better now that it’s gotten started. I feel like I've been knocking on God's door so much this year as a missionary and He sure has opened it! I have the best job EVER. I pray you’re having the most beautiful day, Anna.

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