Well, this is my first ever blog post. I've thought about getting into blogging, but I always stopped myself because I'd probably be one of those people (actually, I know I would be one of those people) who blogged once and then nothing happened for like 8 months and then maybe another post and you know what I'm saying. So, anyway, here it goes:

      My name is Emilie, I'm 22 and I'm from southeastern Pennsylvania. Fogelsville to be exact, around 2 hours northwest of Philly. I graduated in 2010 from Clearwater Christian College with my bachelor's degree in communications and have spent the last year and a half of my life working full-time for a doctor and an ambulance (in the office, I'm not nearly cool enough to be a paramedic ;) ). I love school and miss it dearly so, Lord willing, next fall I'll be starting my master's degree in English Education. I'd like to teach middle school English and perhaps one day be a principal. 

In my spare time, I love to read. I know that makes me sound a little nerdy or whatever, but I love reading and you might as well know it upfront: :). I also love buying books, but thats another story. I help out with the junior high youth group at my church which takes up a good amount of my spare time. Let's see, I'm not crazy into sports, but all of my friends are so I'm used to being the "one whose not crazy into sports." I do run and (usually) enjoy it. 

       For other sorts of fun, I love going into New York City whenever I get the chance. My sister lives right in Midtown so I usually grab a few friends and head over there for the day. I like most outdoor activities, hiking, boating, picking apples, bike riding, beach visiting, skiing, and have even made some feeble attempts at snowboarding which usually don't work out very well. 

      Hmm other things, I don't particularly care for broccoli, I love chocolate milk, and I do love to travel. As far as experience, I've been out of the country six times (including Canada) and on three missions trips. My first missions trip was to Mexico City when I was 15 and that was when God opened my heart to another culture, another place, another language, and another people who needed the Gospel just like I did. I credit this trip to a significant spiritual push in my life as well as leading me to study spanish and intercultrual communications in college. Anyway, moving on, second trip was to Buenos Aires, Argentina and then the thrid trip was to China. I was in China for 3 weeks (the longest I've ever been out of the country, so 4 months will be interesting :) ) and I absolutely loved it. I was in Brazil last fall for a few weeks as well, but that was more of an "exploration" trip and less of a formal missions trip. 

     I'm really excited about India and cannot wait to experience life in another part of Asia. Life post-college hasn't necessarily been easy but God has worked in my heart and life in so many ways and I guess, I'm just really thankful He continues to change me no matter where I am.  I can't wait to meet each of you and live and serve alongside of you :)