Hey! Hey! My name is Annie Montgomery and I'm from Montgomery, Alabama (I know it can be slightly confusing)! I have attended Auburn University for four years, and am graduating from nursing school this May! I am surprised every time I realize that college is almost over. It just went by so quickly! I will be turning 22 while we are in Israel which to me is the most amazing place to be on my birthday! I am the middle child in my family, and I love reading, laughing, and just being silly.

     I have loved reading all of your posts! And mostly I have loved seeing all the things we have in common and the similarities between our hearts for Israel and for this trip. I can't wait to meet all of you and continue to get to know each other. I love that you all have continued to say we are all going for a reason.

     Until now my life plans were simple; go to school, go to more school, graduate and get a job. This plan made sense. And although I am not quite ready to be cut off from the Montgomery checkbook, I could at least accept that it was time. And I still do want to get a job, I love nursing and am excited about using my degree, but this past fall one truth hit me again and again, that my purpose in life is to glorify God. And at the Passion conference Beth Moore said something that still echoes in my head: "What a tragedy it would be to waste your twenties." To become so caught up in this life and its earthly associations that you miss the purpose of life: to glorify God. And that is the desire of my heart and my soul. I love Isaiah 26:8 that says "Yes Lord, walking in the way of your truth, we wait eagerly for you, for your name and renown are the desire of our souls." That is what I want my life to be about!

     Following in these truths I felt called to do something more than just get a job directly after graduation. I have always had a heart for missions. Throughout high school and college I have gone on several one-week trips, but this time I was being called out of my comfort zone, to take a longer trip allowing more time to build relationships in the country I serve. I always pray that the Lord will give me a heart that looks like His, and break my heart for what breaks His. So really, I knew I could go anywhere, serve anywhere, and love everyone, but I was drawn in by the description of the Israel trip and what we will be doing while there. And now I'm going!

     I am graduating in May and until now, the plans had been simple. But I am so glad that aren't anymore. It is so exciting to say yes to God and let him direct my future! I truly am excited about this time with all of you on this trip. I can't wait to see how the Lord will use us and mold us!!

 Hope you are all having a great week!