Adventures, Blessings, and some Mama T

Hello loving family and friends!

Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to read this. At the very least, I know my parents will stick with me for the duration. As you may know, I will be traveling to Ghana for 4 weeks this summer to serve some beautiful brothers and sisters in Christ. I have yet to find out my placement, but I do know that I will be working in an orphanage somewhere near the capital, Accra.

As I prepare to take my finals and finish out my second year at The Ohio State University, I cannot help but be amazed at the amount of blessings that have been poured out on me this past year. The opportunities I have had to grow and learn are countless. I never cease to be amazed by the people God has put in my life and the ways that they are changing the world. If you read my bragging for a few moments your mind will be blown. Promise.

My beautiful mission trip co-leader will be serving in India for 8 weeks with a Street Kids Program.

My best friend and better half is serving youth at summer camps in Columbus and in Kentucky with the Christian Appalachian Project.

Every single one of these people is going out and changing the world. One of the power mission trips from the Newman Center.

 My boyfriend is spending all summer in Georgia as a camp counselor at a Catholic youth summer camp.

Now that you're all sick of looking at pictures of people you may not know, I have to brag about my friends a little bit more. Mary Rose is going to be working as a nurse in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in St. Michael, Arizona on a Navajo Indian reserve for a year. Anna is heading off to Africa to teach math as a member of the PeaceCorps. Hannah and Margeaux will be with me in Ghana for the summer. Kara is moving to the Dominican Republic to work with Dove Missions Girls Empowerment Program. I'll stop there, but I could write a novel. See? I have some seriously sweet friends. My trip is just a little piece of how God is using a bunch of college students to serve His people.

In case you didn't know me as a child, I had a serious issue with homesickness, so as this summer draws closer I am getting a bit nervous about how the first few days in a new country will go for me. It is slowly hitting me that I will be across the ocean and not able to see or talk to my friends and family back home. As difficult as that may be, I am also realizing that I am finally living out my dream. I can remember the exact place and moment in 7th grade when I realized that I wanted to serve orphans in Africa. I had no idea at the time what that meant really, but I was in Holy Angels Church praying after school and that is just what came to me when I asked God what He wanted me to do with my life. Ever since then, it has been my dream to serve God through giving of myself to others. Over time He has made it even more clear to me that this is His will for me.

Let's just switch gears and talk about the title of this blog. Mother Teresa (or Mama T, as my Newman Center folks like to call her) has always been a huge inspiration to me. The way she selflessly gave of herself to the poorest of the poor and was full of joy even in the midst of darkness is what I strive for each day. I am also obsessed with quotes, so when you put the two together it's a pretty great combo. My title comes from her quote, "I have found the ultimate paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." So, as I start my African adventures, I intend to love those kids until it hurts. I want to come back from Ghana with the most beautiful pain possible that can only come from loving as Christ did.

My hope is to update this once a week while I am away. I am not sure how internet connection will go, but if I can update it more then I will! I love each and every one of you and will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as I prepare to leave in a few weeks for the beautiful country of Ghana!

Yours In Christ,
Steph