Five Days Remain

When I found out 201 days ago that I would be leaving for NET, I honestly didn't give it too much thought. I didn't worry about having to say goodbye to my family, fundraise, or making sure all my things were tucked away. 

I have five days left now and it's all finally sinking in. I still think this is the smartest time in my life to do NET, as I don't have a house, pay rent, student loans, debt, and I'm not leaving behind a boyfriend. 

How many opportunity do we have in life to really travel, to see the nation and begin an adventure? I not only get to be a missionary, but I get to serve with 11 other young men and women from around our country (and world)! Though I don't yet know their names, or even what states and towns they will leave behind, we all will come together and make a NET family. We will, if we choose to, have a closeness and bond that with nine months time, will be nurtured and grow into relationships I will have and cherish for the rest of my life. 

Our towns had NET Teams several years ago, but these last 2 years we haven't had NETters in our town beyond locals and alumni. NET is very active though in the Metro area near the Headquarters in St. Paul. They host events at this NET Center, have a great youth group (which some call "The Community"), have connections and gatherings for Youth Ministers and host "Lifeline!"

"Lifeline" is really how I have stayed involved with NET these last two years. Lifeline is on the First Saturday of each month during the school year and is directed at teens and young adults. They have a live band, mass, talks and amazing priests come in each month to inspire teens and help then to grow in holiness. My junior year I would go to Lifelines regularly, but this last year, I decided to get involved as a volunteer. Through helping out, clean up and just being around them, I got to know the Home Team. They are a group of NETters who travel around the Metro Area and Suburbs, often participating and hosting events at the NET Headquarters where the Lifelines are held. They stay in Minnesota for their whole nine months and really build up our state.

After hanging out with them and seeing them in action, they got me excited to apply and interview with NET. I came a bit too early once at Lifeline and they invited me to play Team Building games with them before everyone got there. I had so much fun just getting to know them. They were just normal young adults, so kind, but they had something so amazing! They radiated Christ in all that they did. It was so evident and easy to see how close they were and how much they cared for one another. Seeing them pray was eye opening too, as it was undeniable how much they loved God! Though they all had different jobs within the team, they truly came together and made one another stronger.

They made me excited to interview with NET and gave me a peek into what my team could be like. As I count down these last five days, I can't wait to set out and begin this new adventure in my life and meet my team!