Hi everyone. :) My name is Rebecca Gonzales (or Becca) and, like most everyone here, I've never blogged before. So we'll see how this goes...

I was born and raised in Santa Fe, NM and I loved it! Santa Fe is a little, historical, artsy town, and it was sweet growing up there. I now live and go to school an hour away in Albuquerque (much bigger, more urban and diverse -- but equally as great!) at the University of New Mexico. I'm 19 and in my second year here, studying Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in Psychology. I do not currently have a job, but have had small jobs, primarily writing for newspapers or tutoring-type jobs (I've worked and volunteered tutoring elementary age students since...I was fresh out of elementary school myself. I really enjoy it.) My parents definitely do help me with food and the like (my schooling and all things school-related are covered by financial aid/ scholarships), but I hope to have a steady job on campus by next semester.

I love traveling, ministry and volunteering -- desires I really believe are God-given and that God has used to cultivate in me a heart for missions. I started going on missions trips about 2 and a half years ago; when I was a senior in high school I went to an orphanage in Palomas, Chihuahua with my hometown church for the first time and have continued to go monthly. (My next weekend trip is in 4 days actually!) I've gotten the chance to build relations with and minister to the people in the community, predominantly the kids there. They are some of my favorite little people in the world! I also am pretty involved in a campus ministry at UNM called Cru and have both gone on a missions-type trip with them (San Diego Summer Project last summer) as well as participate in outreach on my campus with them. However, I have never been overseas...this will be my first time!

My going on this trip is kind of crazy to me, and I believe totally God-led. I've always had a heart for missions...and specifically for Africa...and more specifically for Kenya. I was planning to go on another summer project with Cru this summer -- the only ones in Africa really available to me being in South Africa -- and a friend of mine from San Diego Summer Project posted the link to this trip on my facebook wall. The more I talked about it with people, both how exciting it would be and how terrified I'd be, the more I felt God telling me to apply. So I "just jumped in" (as my discipler put it). And now I am so excited, but also nervous about a few things. Mainly, meeting a ton of new people all at once scares me a tad (I'm pretty introverted and shy initially) and sooo does raising support. But I am trusting God to do incredible things and bring me nearer to Him, and others nearer to Him, through it all. I can't wait to see what He will do in everyone's hearts this summer.

And in case you all are still interested, here are some various, general likes and dislikes. I am really excited to get to know you all!!

LIKES (AND LOVES):

• Writing and all things poetic
• Going places
• Kids!
• Dogs :)
• Reading
• Good teaching
• Coffee
• Ice Cream
• Autumn
• Flying things (especially hot air balloons)
• The people in my life

DISLIKES:

• Most physical science classes
• Lack of sleep (it's true...let me apologize in advance for any grumpiness...haha)
• Making "dislike" lists...