I was notified that I have been accepted to the LEGS team at LeTourneau. This is a 2 year commitment. I will be on the Rehad portion of the team studying energy expenditure and repirometry this year. To see more of what the LEGS team is about check out www.letu.edu/legs

I am now back at home in Athens, TX!! I had an awsome time in Latvia these last 5 weeks. From the times in Terveta, Jelgeva, to short time in Cesis, God taught me so much.
Our time in Jelgeva ended well as we grew even closer to them. By the end of our time, we were having 20-30 kids at every event, if not more!!! God really proved our expectations to be wrong in this orphanage!! Please continue to pray especially for the kids and leadership at Jelgeva orphanage. The Jelgeva orhanage needs as much prayer, if not more, as the Tervete orphanage and the others around Latvia. Lola, an older Christian girl that lives at the Jelgeva orphange is God's light there. As far as we can tell, she is one of the only christian kids there. Pray for here boldness and faith in Christ.
I had the opprotunity to go over to Cesis the last few days of my time in Latvia. While there, I was able to work along side my home church of Athens in Cesis at a basketball camp. I was able to meet up with some old friends and catch up of things. God gave me the opportunity to share with the kids of Cesis the influence they have had on my life. Their influence was a pivoting factor for me choosing to intern in Latvia. While in Cesis, we were able to visit an orphanage. It houses about 20 kids from 12-18 years old. Our meeting with the director was an informational meeting to learn how Cesis churches, Buckner, and USA church might could be of help. From humanitarian aid to rebuilding the kid's kitchen are a few of the needs they discussed. The director told us that a minister previously came to the orphanage but stopped coming because he said "the kids are hopeless". This motivates Pastor Olegs and the Wimberley's even more to get somthing started there.
The kids influenced my life and the team's in so many ways. We were blessed more by them than we blessed them. I saw God work in the lives of the kids, the team, and the interpreters. He taught me so much and showed me how faithful he is.
I could not have done anything on this trip with out God's help. I realize everything we did was because of Him and through Him. He provided us with the opportunities and ideas to love on the kids. I want to thank all of you for your many prayers!! They were felt during our time in Latvia. Thanks to our interpreters to their long days helping us communicate. Thanks to Kristene for her constant support and help as she worked with us everyday and all the extra things she added to our experience. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Bush for sharing this opportunity to serve with Buckner and their additional help. Thanks to Pastor Olegs for his help in transportation and inspiration to me. Thanks to Steve and the Wimberley's for their willingness to serve the Latvians and make opportunities availabe for others to join them.
Thanks to Buckner!! Tanks for creating this opportunity for us to serve the Latvians and God this summer. Thanks to all the people in the background of Buckner who made this possible.
Most of all thanks to the Latvians and my team. Their blessing to me has forever changed my life. The teams faithfullness and love has been an inspiration to me. The Latvians hugs, kisses, and smiles have have showed God's love to me!!!

Annija's Baptism