Well since I completely deleted my first attempt at this, here we go again...

I'm LaTisha Justine Williams, pretty much only known as Justine - brought to you by Monroe, North Carolina. I attend school at arrrghuably the best school on the east coast, East Carolina University (Go Pirates!) where I am a sophomore studying Biology. And if you're wondering, yes we are the "Gunbrella" school. I live on campus where I work as a Resident Advisor, I love my job...not to mention my single room ;)

I stay pretty busy during the week so on the weekends I love nothing more than ordering pizza and watching movies. I collect books and love being crafty. In my spare time I hit the gym or spend way too much time on Pinterest. I'm in a Christian sorority and am a leader in my church's college ministry, FUSE. And I could eat fried okra and dumplin's everyday for the rest of my life, did my country just show a little? Acts is my favorite book of the bible, Matthew 10 is my favorite chapter and my all time favorite verse is Psalm 18:6. I aspire to be an evangelist's wife or an international missionary - both, and I just wouldn't know what to do with myself.

I've been adoped twice, the second time when I was 8. I spent a lot of time when I was younger questioning why God put me through so much but the older I get the more He uncovers a burning passion within my heart to reach other young women. I want to spend my life telling other ladies that no matter how unworthy others try to make them feel, God's eternal love gives them indescribable worth. Lately, God has spent extra special time on teaching me to see Him as my doting Prince and I want other women to see that too. 

I've spent the past 4 or 5 summers going on mission trips to West Virginia. I've fallen so in love with it, last summer I went with a youth group to Sylvester, West Virginia where the coal mine blew up in 2010. What a surreal moment when you meet the widows of the men who lost their lives mining coal. 

This Thailand trip is a collaboration of everything that God has placed in my life. The past few months have been like a scene from a movie where the main character receives a sudden epiphany -flashbacks racing through my mind, cue dramatic music- and suddenly it's all quiet as I envision myself in Thailand, where God is gently guiding me to go. It's ALL been leading to this, my ENTIRE life. My gracious, isn't He wonderful? I had known God was calling me to something big for this summer but I couldn't figure it out so finally one day I told God He was going to have to come right out with it. And let me tell you, He smacked me right in the forehead, and then in the back of the head, and just in case I didn't get it - He smacked me right to the ground, right to my knees where there was no escaping His calling. FINALLY, through all the years of begging Him to send me, it is my time to go over seas proclaiming His name. 

My God,

You have placed each young women on this trip because You are sovereign and all-knowing. All the reasons that you have placed us together may never be seen on this side of eternity, but we know You are leading us. As we prepare for this trip, may our hearts become unified in our goal of reaching others with Your saving grace. Let us grow closer to each other as we drawn nearer to You. Take any fear, anxiety, or worry away from our willing hearts that we could be more filled with Your love to spread it to those around us. 

All for YOU,

Amen

"Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn,"