Introductions...

Hi! My name is Annie Hall, and by God's grace and with your help, I'll be an intern with RUF at Western Carolina this fall. This is where I'll post updates about support-raising, ministry, and life in Cullowhee, NC.

This adventure/journey/whatever you want to call it really started over 3 years ago... but that's somewhat of a long story. Fast forward to about 3 weeks ago, where I found myself at a hotel in Atlanta, surrounded by over 60 other incoming interns for new intern orientation. Orientation was simultaneously intimidating,encouraging, overwhelming, and really, really fun. (My fellow interns/friends Kelsey, Derrick, and Rachel wrote some interesting blog posts about orientation - check them out!)

Last week, I drove up to Cullowhee, North Carolina, to meet my new boss (campus minister Dave Osborne) and his family, meet a few students, and check out the area. It was a fun, exhausting, and eye-opening few days...

On my first night there, about 15 - 20 students came over to the Osbornes' house for a summer Bible study, and I was able to get my first sample of the types of students I'll be working with at Western. RUF at WCU is unique in that very few of the students have PCA/reformed backgrounds... many of them are new Christians or have grown up in churches and homes that taught a moralistic works-based salvation. As a result, many of them are learning about the Gospel and God's undeserved grace for the first time. As I sat and listened to them discuss and apply the Gospel, I was overwhelmed - they have a sweet excitement for the Gospel that's indescribable. The topic for the night was Luke 15 (the prodigal son) from a study series by Tim Keller. (Check out THIS SERMON  - it's so good!) After Bible study, Dave told me about some of the struggles his students face/have faced... and I was overwhelmed again. After meeting the students and talking to Dave, I realized that working with these students is going to be much more exciting and much more challenging than I could imagine... and I realized that really, really can't do this without prayer. So when I ask you to pray for me, it's not just because I want to sound spiritual - it's because if I try to do this in my own strength, it's going to be disastrous.

The rest of my time in North Carolina was spent touring WCU, finding a place to live (success!), and exploring the general area... 

Western Carolina is located about 40 miles of Asheville, surrounded by the mountains... it's beautiful! (And consistently at least 10 degrees cooler than middle Georgia - a welcome change!)

I'll end this post here, because I originally planned for this to be a brief introduction... but there's still so much to be said about Dave and his work at Western. I can't wait to start working under him and I'm excited to see what God is going to do in, through, and for me over the next two years!! Thanks for visiting my blog, and come back soon for more updates! (If you'd like to get my blog posts via email, enter your email address into the "follow by email" box on the right.)