The days are just packed!

So, Spring break was a great and much needed break....however it is OVER!...and I have hit the ground running without stopping since I've been back.

Let's see....

Strangely enough I am nearing the end of the semester, or so it feels, as I have been given details for all of the thousands of final projects and papers of the semester. I have started working on them and my goal is to get the done way ahead of time.

I have recently increased my running days and distance. I was feeling as though my in-shape-ness was dwindling and since the weather was nice I figured it would be a good time to pick up the pace. So far this week I have increased my schedule to a 5 day a week plan (previously only 4) and increased my cardio time (mostly running) from 30 minutes to 40 minutes...and hopefully will continue increasing as I get into better shape.

I am really on a nutrition kick! This is mostly due to the fact that I am taking an awesome nutrition class. We recently did this awesome computerized food diary project and it was super eye-opening. A few (but not all) of my new additions are: literally half my plate at dinner is comprised of veggies, drinking 3/4 cup of grape juice each day (not old enough to drink wine yet...but I still need those anti-Occidents), and eating a VAREITY of foods. The best way to get in all those macro and micronutrients is variety. The rule in our class is NO food is bad. Granted moderation is key, but it has been fun learning how to incorporate random things into my diet to increse my nutrition...like potato chips?!?!?...that's right! (check out MyPyramid.gov it's the new and improved PERSONALIZED food pyramid website!!!).

Destino takes up a lot of time, but I love it. We continue to grow each week!! and I am currently meeting weekly with both Gladys and Berenisse for disciplship... they are fun girls!

I am tutoring a sweet ESL girl every Wednesday morning. She is in the 11th grade and can't read English well at all. This week we worked on her English homework and it took us 35 minutes to complete one question. The book she was reading was WAY over her level and just helping her understand the question (without just telling her) took 10 minutes. We have to break down each work individually!

I have a little bit of a tan from Spring break!!!....WHAT WHAT!

I got a 100% on my most recent School, Politics, and Society Exam....which is great considering I got a 75% on the first exam in the class (thankfully she drops the lowest exam grade!).

This Saturday I am doing Breast Casting with the Women's Center. Yes, you read that right...Breast (and adomine) casting. It's to raise money and awarenss for breast cancer. A few other RA's, some of our residents, and myself are going to do it together. ...what better way to bond and get past insecurities!...haha.

...well that's probably enough schocking news for now. Thanks for reading.

Destino Conference Update...the one I sent to Trinity Missions Committee

Dear Trinity Missions Committee,

I wanted so badly to share with you all in person so that I could better express some of the things that God had been doing in Destino on NC State’s campus; however I will do my best to give you an encouraging glimpse of His work through this letter. First and foremost I wanted to thank you for supporting me to go to the Destino National Conference in Texas. My purpose in sharing with you all is so that you can see how God used the Conference in the lives of our Destino members in Texas, and also how He has worked since we have been back from Texas. I also wanted you all to get to SEE how your service as members of the mission committee is helping fulfill the Great Commission on NC State’s campus!

A little background before I share…The theme of our conference was “Here I am Send Me”. Six girls from NC State’s Destino attended the conference. The conference consisted of large group teachings, worship in Spanish, multiple seminars to choose from, and small group time. NC State’s Destino is comprised of several new Christians and several of the seminars were perfect for our group. There were seminars on prayer, reading your Bible, evangelism, etc.

I could share so many things with you all, but I have decided to stick to my Top 10 Moments during the conference and after the conference. (In no particular order…)

10.) When Blanca, who was Catholic and became a believer last semester, said to me during the conference “I want to help more in Destino and have more of a leadership role.” (Since the conference Blanca has helped with advertising!!)

9.) Spending two nights in a motel room and long plane rides with the five other NC State Destino girls. As you can imagine we laughed A LOT and it was a GREAT time of unity and bonding for our group!

8.) When Berenisse and Gladys (both new believers this year) said to me after a very challenging seminar “We want to start inviting more of our friends to Destino. They are lost.”

7.) Being able to attend a seminar on “How to Build a Destino Movement” with Jessica Olivares. Jessica started Destino on the campus of Texas A&M when she was a freshman. The first two years the group was consistently 8 people and now four years later Texas A&M Destino has 80 members. Jessica gave practical advice on what worked and what didn’t. She also encouraged us with the power of prayer and being prayer minded so that God leads the ministry.

6.) Listening to Alex Garcia, the main speaker, and founder of Destino. He really emphasized how God created Hispanic culture a certain way on purpose and we as His followers can embrace it and allow Him to use His creation of Latinos and their culture for His glory…hence “here I am send me”.

5.) Silvia agreeing to lead one night of Bible study. (Previously Ekaterina and I have been leading, but other members are starting to take more ownership of the group.)

4.) When our first boy came. Up until the conference our group was ALL girls. We have been praying for boys and since the conference we have had a new boy each week (and they keep returning!).

3.) When Rolando, an exchange student from Honduras, stopped by. He randomly stopped by a Destino meeting because he saw Spanish writing on a white board. He is not a Christian, but faithfully attends Destino and brings his Bible each week (the Spanish Bible we gave him at his first meeting.) God is reaching the nations.

2.) Working with Holly and Ekaterina. Holly is our Campus Crusade Coach and is awesome. God created her for our group. She puts in a lot of time, prayer, guidance, and support with our group and disciples both Ekaterina and me. Ekaterina co-leads Destino with me and she has been a great example and encouragement this year in service to God.

1.) My text from Gladys. I meet weekly with each Gladys and Berenisse for discipleship. On my way back from Spring Break I receive a text message from Gladys saying “Hey Lara! I’m excited to meet with you tomorrow and learn more about the Lord.”

PRASE GOD, and THANK YOU for your continued support of me and this ministry.

With Alex Garcia (above)