Dear Cru Fam,

I hope your summer is going well and that you are able to see the Holy Spirit in whatever season of life you are in. I want to start off with saying thanks! Thanks to the people who I barely know throughout Central Ohio Cru who stop whether its at the Roosevelt Coffeeshop (winks at Carly) or throughout Columbus just to say, "Hey!" Thanks to the sisters and brothers in Christ at Capital that have shown me so much about faith. Thanks to the sisters and brothers in Christ that do the small things -- a smile goes a long way. Overall, thanks to everyone in Cru, whether I know you like your my sister or barely know you, you are my sister/brother in Christ! I love seeing all the stuff you guys are doing this summer throughout social media and how you are all connecting to Christ at a deeper level. Its so cool to see the simple reminders in life of how JC is so awesome, but there are sometimes when life isn't A+ and great.

I know we cannot wait to be reunited on Tuesday nights worshiping and learning with each other (or at least I can't)! However, I wanted to share this next part with you guys because I find it so refreshing when I want my Tuesday Cru and nothing else. Read this for a second and just think about it:

"Prayer is how we develop a relationship with the living God. Prayer is how we voice our struggles to God so He can take them and release us from them. So often we will pick up the phone to call a friend when we are worried, scroll through a newsfeed to get our minds off our problems, or seek advice from unidentifiable group of "friends" on social media when God is right there ready to help. God needs to be our first call" (Mydlo, 2).

Isn't this just amazing? This has showed me that community is great, but God is FABULOUS! Prayer is something we do not always spend enough time on and when we do it is short sometimes. I am trying to learn more about my faith and learning different ways to pray and be quiet and it has been such an magnificent journey. I'm so hyped to see you all and share summer stories! There is so many things that I can't wait for this year, but when people ask Cru is always mentioned!

Your Sister in Christ,

Emily