Last Day of Travel

Well, we saw LA yesterday, which was really fun, but Satan was definitely attacking hardcore. Multiple frustrating things happened to set both Johnathan and I off, beginning with the wheels being stolen from right off my bike. It's funny how Satan knows exactly how to hit you the hardest without ever physically destroying you. It's also funny how these attacks, in my experience, always coincide with the beginning of a mission trip, or some sort of venture designed to build the Kingdom.

Well get this, Satan. I'm not going home. I'm not giving up. You can take everything I have but you won't take my Salvation or my Jesus away from me.

2 Cortinthians 4:7-11

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.


Today is our last day driving and we should arrive in Santa Cruz tonight.

-D

Safely to Kingman

So yesterday we made it from Arkansas to Albuquerque, NM. We saw some pretty interesting stuff, including the "Largest Cross in the Western Hemisphere" in Groom, TX, and the "Bugg Ranch" in Conway, TX. Pretty cool stuff. I was lucky enough to grab this shot of a man reading the inscription from Mark in front of the recreation of the Crucifix.
for more pictures from today, go here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2299040&id=11831006&l=f2f84e1dc9

This was a long day of driving met by an instant unavoidable journey to sleep as soon as I hit the bed on my part. Hence the lack of update yesterday. Tomorrow I will add updates from today about our trip to the Rio Grande and the Grand Canyon.

Til then,
D

Day 3

Hermitage, TN to Russleville, AK


Today was pretty chill, we drove through Nashville to Memphis where we ate lunch at the hard rock cafe. It reminded me a lot of Detroit: dirty, full of homelessness, but buzzing with life and culture. After a delicious lunch and a quick rest stop, we made it to Arkansas, which incidentally, contains absolutely nothing of interest. Apparently there is a zoo in Little Rock, but we aren't planning on spending money on anything that costs more than free. Now we're chilling at the Quality Inn in Russleville, along with about 5 other people.



Tomorrow is a long day of driving so it's time for some QT and bed!



Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
Phil 3:8

-D

Day 1: successful travels

Well I am safely tucked away at the Suburban Inn and Suites in Hermitage, TN. Jesus, Nickel Creek, Jack Johnson and many others got us through the beautiful and treacherous Smokies. After a 14 hour drive starting from Raleigh going to Wilmington (you have to go coast to coast...duh ! :) ) to Asheville for a nice hippie lunch, through the mountains and finally to rest here just outside of Nashville; I am sitting down to enjoy room service and burn some more music for tomorrow!



The extra hour we gained is going to be CRUCIAL. For 59.99 a night, these rooms aren't bad at all. Tomorrow we're exploring, so now it's time for rest!

-D

p.s. our car is completely packed. There is no possibly way we could have brought another person.

The Final Count[down].

This is my last night in North Carolina! I am all packed and ready to go and in about 7 hours I will ship out t0 CALIFORNIA!! I seriously can't wait. I know God has great things in store! He has provided....

$2,717.00

out of the

$3,200.00 that I need to raise for the trip by July! AWESOME! However, to have every single expense (including food and the like) I would love to get to at least $4,200. We'll see what the Lord's plan is! :)

If you all still would like to contribute towards the cost of my project, you can send any and all checks (made out to Campus Crusade for Christ) or cash to

712 Tadlock Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27614

PLEASE SEND THESE BY JUNE 15th!

It will make its way out to me =) Thank you all so much for your support and your prayers! I will do my best to update this blog at least every other day during the project. For the next week I will be driving across the nation, so entries may be few. Glorious pictures of the USA to follow....

Best,
D

Preparations

It is kind of sad, I have already said my goodbyes to many close friends for the summer! Today Sarah went home, and Kerianne and Jessica went to the beach. When I get back, we won't be roommates anymore! :( I know you will all have a great summer in Raleigh and I can't wait to see you all again in the fall!

I'm starting to pack up for my trip! I can't believe I leave on Monday. Ridiculous! Keep praying that the Lord will send the funds my way so that I can make it out to CA [AND BACK-- haha!].

Tomorrow is my last day at work, so that is cause for rejoicing! I'm going to ride my bike to and from work just for kicks!

-D

Speaking tonight!

Tonight I am sharing about my trip to Santa Cruz with my home church of Mt. Vernon Baptist! I am praying for the Lord to grow my support team and to really move in the hearts of my church family.

-D