It's something else when you get to watch God work. This summer has been a huge exercise in faith, but wow it's been amazing to watch the outcomes!
So, when I started writing this blog post a few days ago, I was at $2000 dollars, Then by the end of the week I realized that I was actually at $3000. Wow!
God has been working in incredible ways that really confound. He's continued to provide enough work for me throughout this entire process. I've been doing yard work, housework, car work, computer work, etc to raise support and it's been amazing how the support has been pouring in from the people I know. As I've wondered how the next two or three days will play out, God provides more support! When I'm not sure what to do that day, more than once someone calls and needs something done. I'm never quite sure how my week will look, how the next two days will look, but it always manages to work out. God always provides exactly what is needed exactly when I need it!
A question I've gotten a lot is, "What if you don't get all the money? What then?" I think about it for a moment, and realize, if God means for me to go this summer, all the money will be provided. There will definitely be enough, I have nothing to worry about! If he will decides to keep me from going, I'll help support the others on my team and, if nothing else, it will be donated to the relief efforts.
But, I have to maintain faith in God that this is his direction, and keep following his lead. I'm ok if he changed my course right now and told me "Go to Mexico" or some other place instead. This process has taught me so much, and brought me so far in my faith that I wouldn't have traded it for anything! But, I have faith that this is his plan for me this summer, because he everything continues to lead this direction!
But anyways, thank you so much everyone who has provided, and given to my trip. You have blessed me, and helped me spiritually already because God has used you to show his providence in my life. And wow I can't wait! only 23 more days!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Past the $1000 mark!
So, I want to give an update, and I am in fact beyond the $1000 mark. God has really been good to me so far. He's leading me by the hand and forcing me to have faith and let him provide. And so far he has been! So, I have around $5000 left to go. Which, although it may seem daunting, it can and IS being done!
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the might hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
It's incredible to know that the reason he wants me to come to him and cast my fear of not raising enough, my worry that it's too little time, etc on him is because he cares for me, and at the proper time it will all work out.
"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened"
I must continue to rely that if I continue asking for God's direction, and his provision that he will provide, and he is. I've already gotten some good ideas to continue raising support by doing yard work, odd jobs, washing cars, etc to raise money. It's tiring, but It's a way I can be a blessing to the people who are donating to me, and a way I'm not being a burden. God has been present already by giving me more work than I had anticipated today when I went to the Carson's house to wash their cars. I ended up washing not just theirs, but the window salesman's car and another church member's car! That was totally unexpected, and really God used that to reassure me that he's working things out.
So, please continue praying, supporting, and spreading the word! I can't do this alone, but with your help, I can! Thank you so much for the moral, monetary, and prayer support. If there's anything I can do for you, please don't be shy to ask!
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the might hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
It's incredible to know that the reason he wants me to come to him and cast my fear of not raising enough, my worry that it's too little time, etc on him is because he cares for me, and at the proper time it will all work out.
"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened"
I must continue to rely that if I continue asking for God's direction, and his provision that he will provide, and he is. I've already gotten some good ideas to continue raising support by doing yard work, odd jobs, washing cars, etc to raise money. It's tiring, but It's a way I can be a blessing to the people who are donating to me, and a way I'm not being a burden. God has been present already by giving me more work than I had anticipated today when I went to the Carson's house to wash their cars. I ended up washing not just theirs, but the window salesman's car and another church member's car! That was totally unexpected, and really God used that to reassure me that he's working things out.
So, please continue praying, supporting, and spreading the word! I can't do this alone, but with your help, I can! Thank you so much for the moral, monetary, and prayer support. If there's anything I can do for you, please don't be shy to ask!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Why Japan?
I should start at the beginning to say why I chose Japan.
When I was little I had no idea that I would be interested in Japan. My first year of college while dual enrolling (doing senior year of high school at a college getting credit for both) I was the stereotypical American. I thought foreign food was just weird or gross, and that it didn't make sense to speak any other language. Really the whole world should speak English, right?
But, one day I was driving towards Clayton state university, and listening to talk radio to stay awake. Because it was so early in the morning, the radio hosts hadn't started talking yet, and the weather, traffic, and news casters were on. Right after they had their traffic update, the newscaster came on and I heard something like this, "So, for all you moms out there, the Japanese government is offering full ride scholarships to study in Japan, before you start packing your bags though, there are some requirements, but it's worth checking out. The weather for today is brought...."
I don't know why, and I still don't know why, but I stopped and this is what went through my head: "I could do that, I'll check it out."
I ended up not getting that scholarship, but God used that moment to forever change me into who I am now. It was then I starting learning language. As soon as I realized I would have to go abroad, I began making myself eat anything. When we went any foreign food place, if it was something I wasn't sure what it was, I ordered it. I've gone from PB&J only to having tried chicken feet and tripe (cow stomach).
But, the interesting thing was, when I went to the Japanese Embassy of Atlanta, I was interviewed as part of the scholarship process. When they asked how I got interested, I told them what I had heard on the radio. Their response was this, "That's interesting... We're good friends with those guys and I know we never asked them to play that on the radio. I'll have to ask them about that."
So back to the question, why Japan? In the simplest form, I feel it's what God has been leading me to do. What that's looked like? Well, I'll cover that in another post.
When I was little I had no idea that I would be interested in Japan. My first year of college while dual enrolling (doing senior year of high school at a college getting credit for both) I was the stereotypical American. I thought foreign food was just weird or gross, and that it didn't make sense to speak any other language. Really the whole world should speak English, right?
But, one day I was driving towards Clayton state university, and listening to talk radio to stay awake. Because it was so early in the morning, the radio hosts hadn't started talking yet, and the weather, traffic, and news casters were on. Right after they had their traffic update, the newscaster came on and I heard something like this, "So, for all you moms out there, the Japanese government is offering full ride scholarships to study in Japan, before you start packing your bags though, there are some requirements, but it's worth checking out. The weather for today is brought...."
I don't know why, and I still don't know why, but I stopped and this is what went through my head: "I could do that, I'll check it out."
I ended up not getting that scholarship, but God used that moment to forever change me into who I am now. It was then I starting learning language. As soon as I realized I would have to go abroad, I began making myself eat anything. When we went any foreign food place, if it was something I wasn't sure what it was, I ordered it. I've gone from PB&J only to having tried chicken feet and tripe (cow stomach).
But, the interesting thing was, when I went to the Japanese Embassy of Atlanta, I was interviewed as part of the scholarship process. When they asked how I got interested, I told them what I had heard on the radio. Their response was this, "That's interesting... We're good friends with those guys and I know we never asked them to play that on the radio. I'll have to ask them about that."
So back to the question, why Japan? In the simplest form, I feel it's what God has been leading me to do. What that's looked like? Well, I'll cover that in another post.
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