Happy August!!! WOW...I can't believe those words are able to be said right now...where has the summer gone? I hear that anytime now the snow will start, September is when it starts getting cold and coats are coming out. I don't know how I feel about that yet! So this week was Halloween on the seasonal job calendar. I helped with the carnival so I got to dress up like a gypsy carnie and help with the games and set up/clean up. It was pretty fun and I'm so blessed that the Human Resources team here at Signal are so involved with entertaining the employees. We had turkey legs, corn on the cob, frozen chocolate covered bananas, funnel cakes, and SWEET TEA!!! (Kourtney we need a road trip filled with tea) Then on Friday we headed to the middle school in Jackson and played some soccer and ate some amazing Asian food. I thank God every time I eat those delicious foods from Asia! That's my favorite way to worship my Lord, by eating food! So Saturday was another day of work and also the first day all summer that I put in 8 hours...a very exciting achievement! Then Sunday I drove up to Flagg Ranch (almost to Yellowstone) and did services there with Kylee an ACMNP member from New York. When we first arrived we had no idea where to go or where to get the stuff (worship books, cross, Bibles, etc.) for worship, and we were running late. Well Kylee and I laughed all morning to try and not become bitter from the lack of information about this place. Kylee and I finally got our act together and arrived at the place right at 8. We sat and talked for about 10 minutes and then a family arrived. At first I was shocked that anyone showed but then became intrigued! This family was from Taiwan traveling from Philedelphia to San Fransico on a three month family trip. That morning when Kylee and I planned the service we decided that the songs would all start with S (Shine Jesus Shine, Sanctuary, and Shout to the Lord) not thinking anything of it. When the family arrived I was feeling a little nervous about our song selection not knowing if these Taiwanese would know them. In the back of my mind I wanted to ask them what songs they knew or which they would like to sing but I stopped myself since that looked really unprofessional making us look unprepared so I went with it and Kylee and I started the service. I soon realized my lack of faith in the body of Christ. We started Shine Jesus Shine thinking that Kylee and I would be the only ones singing but six voices started the song. We had no tempo or pitch but it was beautiful. The language barrier caused the song to go slow so through the whole thing I felt like I was taking each word and really savoring it thinking through what God is saying through the song. I was so used to the fast tempo that I usually sing that I was stopped from the ordinary and it changed my whole worship time and focus. I felt like I was actually worshiping! Kylee and I also had the same thought that American culture is so into speed and getting things done that the slow tempo for the song really made us slow down our thoughts and our hearts to really be aware of our surroundings, the meanings of the songs, and the beautiful people there also worshiping. After that song we sang Sanctuary and it was awesome to see them translating the Taiwanese version they were used to into the American words. It was awesome to see Jesus break cultural barriers through worship songs. Then I gave the message on good works using Ephesians 2:10 for the main verse. My beginning story was about when I first met my new Taiwanese friend Abby and how my good works on that day grew our friendship and how she felt comfortable around me. It was crazy to think that the only people at worship that morning were from Taiwan and my story was about Abby, making the world seem so much smaller. Then Kylee and I wrapped up the service feeling so blessed from this amazing, Godly family's presence. The four of them and the two of us worshiped that morning like there was no difference, we all love our Jesus and that was all that was needed for the best worship service I have ever attended. After that we discovered that the family is having car troubles and so I ask for prayers on their behalf for safety, provision, and a great trip experiencing another part of God's creation. I feel amazingly blessed just writing that story down, Jesus was there in so many ways yesterday! Also on Sunday Lee (another ACMNPer and close friend) went White Water Rafting down the Snake River. Which was another blessing because the Munoz's (an amazing family of friends!) came through the Tetons checking out the mountains and checking in on me for my mom...hahaha...also were in Jackson White Water Rafting. I couldn't have asked God for such great timing that he showed. After the trip down the river (with a family from St. Louis/Kansas City who had never gone before and kept me laughing the whole time) we ate some BBQ (appetizers, main meal, and Chocolate Buttermilk pie...yeah we ate everything on our plates...) and then met up with the Munozs for an amazing conversation. Then this morning my roomies and I were awoken with "Hey let's go horseback riding". We put on our jeans and headed out to ride some horses. We also discovered that the second time is not free like the first time but the second time was so much better. It's just awesome to sit back on your horse and surround yourself with nature and beauty. Better then on a hike because you can't just gaze everywhere or you might trip over a rock! After that I slept all day recuperating for another week of keeping house. That's where I'm at now, Monday evening, awake from a nap, typing my life to you, getting ready to go back to sleep!!!! :) So I ask you all now for prayers for my body. It's starting to get run down and weird things are happening (like last night I got super sick after drinking some Powerade), I ask for prayers for better health! I ask for prayer for the people getting ready to head back home after their contracts are up. That the summer will bring back amazing memories, guidance for the new season of life, and safe travels. Lots of ACMNPers are leaving this month and it's going to start getting lonely here at Signal towards the end of the month. Prayers that these relationships that were made weren't in vain and that we can continue to encourage each other as we part! Lastly prayers for the roomies that God will continue to work in our relationships and continue to draw us closer to his heart and to each other! Love to you all from Wyoming and the bears all say hi and to come bring them a picnic basket! Pictured: the carnies at the carnival! :)