Getting Started - raising the money

 I want to take this opportunity to share an amazing opportunity that I have with you. After much planning and dreaming I will be leaving in January to study abroad in Ireland for a semester. I was not accepted into the ISEP Exchange program, so I have had to be flexible in my plans and I have decided to go ISEP Direct. Going through the direct program means that, instead of trading places with a student in Ireland, I will be enrolling directly into Magee College at the University of Ulster. I have been dreaming of this opportunity for a long time and I can't believe the time is here now.

While I am in Ireland I will get to experience a culture that is affected uniquely by religion. The religious culture in Ireland gives me the opportunity to conduct research while I am there that I wouldn't be able to do in any other place. Though it is a part of my undergraduate curriculum, this research will influence my future work. I have been discerning a call to ordained ministry and I believe this research will tie my undergraduate work with my future.

Though I could not be more excited about starting this new adventure, living in another country for 4 months is going to have its challenges. That is why I want to ask you to keep me in your prayers over the coming months as I prepare to leave and as I spend time away. Prayer is the most powerful thing in the world and I believe that if I have a community of people praying for me while I'm gone I will have no choice but to flourish and grow in what I am doing abroad. I also ask for prayers for the people I encounter in Ireland that they will see the glory of God in me and prayers for my family while I am away that they will find comfort that, though I am far from them physically, they are always in my heart.

I also want to ask for your support financially. I have the HOPE scholarship and I am applying for a global learning scholarship through Kennesaw, but because I have had to change my plans and go through the ISEP Direct, the costs of the program are significantly higher. The cost for tuition and housing, not including my plane ticket and expenses once I get to Ireland, is $11,100. I have taken the leap of faith that, through support from my friends and family, I will be able to raise the money I need before I leave. There are multiple opportunities for you to help. If you feel lead to support me financially I would greatly appreciate it. I have also come up with ideas beyond the typical donation if you would prefer to help in that way. I have planned a few fund raisers to help me reach my goal. All of the following events will be held at St. Catherine's Episcopal Church in Marietta:

• Bake Sale after each of the Sunday services on October 21st and December 2^nd
• Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday November 11^th

I would really appreciate it if you can help in any way possible whether that includes prayer, financial support, or both. Your support will be significant for the journey I am following to ordained ministry. Please feel free to go to my blog for more information about any of the events, to stay updated on my fund-raising progress, and eventually to see pictures and read stories about my experience in the beautiful city of Derry where I will be studying.

I will be posting updates here so that you can keep up with how my fund-raising is going and, eventually, you will be able to see pictures and read stories of where I am and what I'm doing.  If you have any questions for me feel free to ask!