HI. My name is Drayton and yes, I am pretty much always this enthusiastic. I am a sophomore at Clemson University and I love love love it. I will officially be studying Parks and Recreation when I return to school in the fall. (Operating under the assumption that I am not going to refuse to leave Africa and stay there forever, which very well could happen) I am from Ocean Isle Beach, NC, I have one sister and two fantastic parents (who are the greatest), I go to this crazy church called NewSpring, I am a leader in CRU, and I am pretty chill and low maintenance.

In the past year the Lord has radically changed my life by showing me that I have a greater purpose than to do what is pleasing to me, and that purpose is to serve him wholeheartedly. He has also called me into full time ministry after I graduate. So here I am. Through twists and turns and the magical powers of Google I ended up on the AIM website and read about the Expeditions trip. I prayed through it and decided to apply the first week of October. Needless to say there has been a lot of crazy confusion and hustle and bustle to get me to where I am now but God is oh so faithful. 

Some random things about me: I coach beginners and preschool gymnastics, I used to compete back in the day… I can still do some cool stuff though, I own a massive amount of tshirts, I have changed my major 5 times officially and 6 unofficially since I have been at Clemson, and I am five feet tall (on a good day).

I love… Jesus!(obviously), making lists, people, working with kids, watching movies, looking at the stars, exploring new places (especially at night), the beach, talking for hours, frozen yogurt, telling stories, my hammock, Clemson, Clemson football, the rain, running down the hill in Death Valley (look it up), waterfalls, getting on the roofs of buildings (goes along with the genre of exploring), reading, climbing trees, Harry Potter, singing, listening to the same song over and over, music, Broadway plays, hanging out with people, people who can make me laugh, snuggling, doing crafty things, PINTEREST (recent addiction),  making bracelets, being barefoot, popsicles, traveling, thunder storms, randomness, awkward situations, laughter, finger painting, acting like a kid, trying new things, Peter Pan!, Disney movies, t shirts, friendship, inside jokes,  my two best friends Kaitlyn and Sydney (they said I had to put that in there somewhere), bonfires, airplanes, leadership, eating cookie dough, frolicking, meandering, ICE CREAM, tie-dye, going with the flow, unexpected situations, napping, Camp Willow Run (where I work during the summers), Mexican food, happiness, smiles, medicine and health, and hugs.

I can’t wait to meet all of you. I know that the Lord has so perfectly planned each of us to be able to go and it an awesome thought to think that we are all seeking after His will in our lives. I am praying for yall and for the work that God has planned for us halfway across the world. He is going to bless us in ways we can’t even start to imagine. I want to encourage yall in these last few months of being home to think through and pray the prayer in Psalm 139:23-24. It says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” God wants us to be prayed up for next semester. He wants us to go into it and count the cost of the work we are doing for ourselves as nothing and to give our lives over to Him. To be dying to live the life He has for us! What an awesome God we serve, right?!

Love always, Drayton