Transformers Youth Ministry

Summer Linville

Wow. What a year. This has been quite the season for me. It all started with “The Dark Knight”—I felt like it was on repeat in my life, as I watched it about five times in the movie theater—then there was the Pacific Coast for the first time, a new level of communion with God, Jane Austen, Cracker Barrel, Christmas, 2009, new haircuts, and now I’m left preparing for Northern Europe and then Melbourne once again. This has been one of the most academically challenging, spiritually stretching, love-filled years yet in my life. I have seen God’s hand move in my life in ways that I never dreamed. That is one of the beauties of God—he’s always doing the unexpected.

I spent many weeks praying about God’s will for my summer vacation. As much as I desired to return to FUMC of Melbourne, I desired even more so to be in God’s will. In January God told me to go, to love, and to be fully alive. As I prepare for the summer that is what I desire to do.

First things first though—that is Northern Europe. After receiving some unexpected scholarships, I have been blessed with the opportunity to cruise through the Baltic Sea and witness God’s creation in eight different countries. I am going to study advanced digital photography while on this adventure. For a while I struggled with the idea of traveling for pure pleasure—although I will be taking classes while there I still don’t expect there to be much work required. On the one hand, I have always felt that such trips should be reserved for mission work. On the other hand, I have desired to visit Germany for years. By the blessings of God, who seeks to give me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4), my plane ticket is now booked and my seat is reserved in the class.

Not long after I return from my trip—really about 24 hours afterwards—I will be in Melbourne ready to par-tay! Until then, study hard, dream big, and laugh loudly!!! See you at the School’s Out Party!