Returning to the Desert.

Hello friends! I've had an incredibly busy summer thus far, but also a very blessed one. I will be returning to Arizona State University this fall to complete year #2 as a missionary! Hooray! I cannot wait to see what God has planned for me and the students. Well, I just returned home to Oklahoma about a week ago. I spent 6 weeks at Ave Maria, Florida for missionary training. A lot of interesting things happened to me while there, one being, that I'm the new Team Director for ASU! Basically, I lead the team of missionaries that will be serving at ASU. I'm really pumped for this new opportunity God has given to me. 

So many people have been asking: "Anna, what are you doing while you're home?" Well, as some of you may know, missionaries have the privilege of raising their own salary. Basically, I spend my time talking to people and telling them about the mission of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). I absolutely LOVE sharing what I do and talking about the importance of a relationship with Jesus. If you want to meet up with me, let me know! ;)

I learned A LOT at summer training. We start the day with an Eucharistic Holy Hour, go to class all day, and then have small group things at night. I also had the privilege of being a small group leader for the college of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American Saint! She was such a great fit for me and I loved growing closer to those women. Training can be kind-of intense. We learn a lot in the 5-6 weeks we're there. I am truly blessed to be apart of such a beautiful organization and to receive the quality of training that we do.

Here are some pictures of my adventures: 

This is the beautiful Church at Ave Maria. Us women had a night procession that ended inside of the Church.

We were only about 20 minutes away from the closest beach, so I spend Sundays as a beach bum.

Part of team ASU!

Dr. Sri, a super famous Catholic author and co-founder of FOCUS, taught some of our classes!

Pretty Liz who was a student at ASU and is now starting her 1st year as a missionary.

Maddy! One of my greatest friends from Texas State...we became missionaries together. :)

Ave has LOTS of alligators.

Ave aslo has LOTS of armadillos.

I found a turtle at the beach! 

I am so excited to continue my missionary journey at ASU. Please keep me, and my teammates Emily, Zach T., and Zach P in your prayers! This last year has been one of struggle, hardships, battles, and immense grace. I continue to pray for God to make me small and that I may be a servant to all, but above all to God. Please join me in prayer for the campus of ASU, the incoming freshman, and the students that are farthest away from God. Ask the Lord to send His graces upon them. 
Let's set the world on fire, Anna.