Hey, my name is Heidi.  Heidi isn't realy a nickname-friendly name, but sometimes my housemates call me Heids.  I am from the small town of Milton, Pennsylvania...it's in the middle of nowhere, but Chef Boyardee used to be made there!  Right now, I'm a junior at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.  My major is exercise science and I'm hoping to go to grad school for physical therapy. 

At JMU, much of my time is devoted to a ministry called Young Life.  Young Life is an outreach organization where college students spend time at high schools or middle schools building relationships and sharing the Gospel.  We focus on reaching kids that no one else is reaching.   It's about going to where they are because Jesus came to us.  Currently, I am a leader at Pence Middle School (who names their school PMS?).  I spend time getting to know girls, leading Bible studies with a few seventh grade girls, coaching track at the school, and leading a weekly " breakfast club" where we eat breakfast, play games, and give a talk about who Jesus is.  I never thought I would say it but I have learned to LOVE middle schoolers so much.  I would say I've learned more through leading Young Life the past two years than I have through any other specific experience in my life. 

Other things about me...

I live in a house with 9 other girls.  Our house is named Narnia because you can walk from one room to another through the closet doors!  Living here is a small glimpse of heaven.  My housemates are the greatest...and we have a porch with hammocks.  It doesn't get much better than that.

I love running, exercising, hiking, anything outside. 

I'm not great but I love to paint.  My house is full of canvases.  Basically, I love anything artsy or crafty. 

My favorite movie is Mrs. Doubtfire.

I love to be on the water.  I've been waterskiing since I was ten.  Going to the river is just something my family does together.  Two summers ago, I taught waterskiing, wakeboarding, and sailing at a summer camp for two months.

I love old people a lot.  I spent last summer taking care of a woman with Alzheimer's disease...going to the park, painting, dancing, talking.  I learned so much from Karen.

Like every other girl, I like chocolate and ice cream a whole lot.

As far as international mission trips, last summer I went to Israel and Palestine for two weeks last May.  I went with other students from JMU Young Life.  We spent a week in Palestine serving people at Bethlehem Bible College and helping with Young Life in Palestine.  The second week we spent in Israel touring the Holy Land.  Since the trip, I don't read the Bible the same.  It makes the Bible so real when I can picture what the Sea of Galilee or Jerusalem or Capernaum look like!

I would consider this trip my first "real" mission trip and I am so excited!  The Lord has been teaching me that love is not efficient and that following him can be uncomfortable.  It sounds crazy, but I am excited to be uncomfortable and stretched this summer.  I can't wait to build relationships and serve Jesus with you all!

Here is a picture of me and some housemates!