OGN- SAN DIEGO!

Hey girls!  
I know you've heard Abi and Katie's experiences on OGN and since I have some time I'll share some of my experiences.  First, thank you ALL for praying for us even at the end of last years small group and throughout the summer.  
It was crazy to see how real God is.  I guess everyday, I dont sit down and think about what God did that day but I did at OGN and it was amazing to reflect on Him.  For me, it was such a great time to get away from my family, Little Rock and my constant phone.  I had nothing to worry about, just focusing on the Lord was our top priority.  It is interesting to reflect now, seeing how much our conversations were Christ-centered and soley focused on God especially for the whole week.  I need to remember to not let this go.  
I do not have a favorite day, all the days were amazing and unique in their own ways.  On the first and second days of the beaches, I was partnered with Andrew Jensen.  It was so cool to get to know him and see His STRONG heart for the Lord!  The first day, nothing too big happened.  Rejections were everywhere of course but we got a few good conversations in.  I was just blown away by how many people think believing in God is crazy and unheard of.  So many of them weren't interested because they "just weren't religious".  It was super eye-opening to see how lost people are; in desperate need of a Savior.  I guess the problem many said that has kept them away is they haven't fully experienced him in their circumstances.  So they think, "Why waste my time believing in this?"  I understand; its hard to just "believe" if you haven't "experienced".  
One conversation I had with Andrew was wonderful and unexpected.  We were walking to end of La Jolla beach because Andrew wanted to see if someone he talked to last year was there, so we walked all the way down, keeping an eye out for the family he talked to.  We didn't see them but instead had good conversations on the way; just learning what others believe.  Our last conversation was with a lady named Tonie.  I saw her in the corner of my eye, trying to avoid her because she looked a little "risky".  She had tattoos all over her arms, red and black hair and was on her phone..Why would she want to talk to us about SPIRITUAL things?!  Andrew asked if we should go talk to her and I guess we were supposed to, so we did.  It lasted quite a while.  We heard a little background on her life, she was raised Mormon (I had to do a project on Mormonism earlier in the year and who would've thought I would ever need to know their background?!..God was faithful there for-sure!).  She grew up knowing all the right things and when she was a little older, made some bad choices.  Thankfully her family forgave her but she seemed to show she still felt guilt.  She is a single mom and wants the best for her daughter; she sends her to church with her parents on Sundays while she cleans the house.  She desires her daughter to be raised up well.  Anyways, she just felt judged ALL THE TIME.  She said one time at work, someone asked her if she regrets getting those tattoos.  I think she was just tired of being judged and felt thats all people do.  It was cool to see how open she was, listening to our stories.  Andrew was able to share what he believed and I shared how I've seen the Lord work in my life.  One of the things she said that I can totally relate with is reading the Bible.  She said she has tried before but when she reads one page, she forgets what she just read and thinks its too overwhelming.  So Andrew had a pocket-sized Gospel of John to give her.  She was super interested and said she will forsure take time to read it.  We prayed over her at the end which was humbling.  It was so sad to see how she has been hurt in the past, yet encouraging to know she was trying little by little to seek something more.  I think it was great for her to be opened to some questions we asked since she mentioned she hadn't thought of spiritual questions in a while.  I was reminded to NEVER JUDGE because from a glance, I have NO IDEA what has happened and is happening to that person.
Also, I got to witness Miss Abi speak fluently to someone in French.  It was so amazing to see how God used her, what she has experienced, to share with others.  The girl did not speak English and of course we needed to know what she spoke, it just happened to be French ;)  They hit it off right then, it was so powerful to just hear them, not knowing a word they said, just knowing that God heard them!  
Another day was with Barrett which was good.  At the beginning, we had a great start, talking to some old women who were believers who gave us a mustard seed with the verse in John about mustard seeds, growing and maturing.  It was so encouraging to know there are people out there who were supporting us!
What a wonderful experience!  I can not wait to do more missions.  Thank you again for your prayers that week :)
<3