A Precious Story

Tonight we had our Advent service at church. My 10 yr. old sister, Ashlyn, and some of her friends were talking at school about how they had church tonight. Well, one of her friends who lives by our church mentioned that maybe she could go with my sister to the service. So her friend showed up before the service and Ashlyn kinda showed her the ropes with what to do throughout the service. This was kinda surprising in itself because Ashlyn doesnt usually pay much attention during church, but I think she liked knowing what to do and having that responsibility of showing her friend. During the message I guess Ashlyn was asking her questions about her church experience. It turns out her friend has never been to church before. So Ashlyn asks if she knows the Christmas story with Jesus' birth. "oh yeah, Ive heard that." Then shes asks, how about the Easter story? "no..."
So Ashlyn is telling me about this after we drop her friend off. She is so surprised that she has never been to church or heard those stories. My little sister says, "if she doesnt know the Easter story, then its like she doesnt even know about God. That's just so sad." I could see the wheels turning in her head and she goes on saying how she could spend hours telling her friend the story about Jesus... and stories of God's miracles.... I guess her friend was going to ask her mom if she could continue to go to church with Ashlyn. So Ashlyn's already planning things she can do. She talked about sitting in the chapel during church (like I said, she usually doesnt pay attention anyway) and read through stories with her friend. It just warmed my heart to see my little sister so excited about telling her friend about God. And it gives me hope that she "gets it" at a younger age where as I didnt. She really wants to be the light of Christ in her friend's life and its so sweet! :) I hope to talk to my little sister more about this and even pray with her about it. I think this could be a great opportunity to grow closer to her and get into her life in the spiritual area. I praise God for how he is using my little sister to further his kingdom and for how he is working in her life.

Praise God our Provider!

The past few weeks have been challenging, but Im learning from it. Im going to be real honest and say that lately I had been feeling worn out with the whole MPD process. I was just ready to be done with it and be able to work with the students. I know this isnt the right attitude to have and I was forgetting that MPD is ministry too. But my MPD coach has helped me set some goals for my weeks so that I can stay focused and that has really helped. Sometimes I need the little kick in the butt to get me going again.

Well, some exciting news is that I am now at 76%! Over the weekend it jumped 10%! So naturally, I have some really amazing stories to share!

First of all, a lady at my church that I had talked to about supporting me wasn't able to financially, but said her sister and she would put on a euchre tournament to raise some money for me. sweet! Well, in the process of planning this event, my mom and aunt decided to add a silent auction to it as well. Bypassing all the details, the event was yesterday afternoon. 45 people showed up to play euchre and other games, bid on the auction items, and just fellowship with each other! We had no idea how many people were coming so Id say we had a pretty good turn out! And the amount raised from the $5 playing fee, 50/50 tickets and silent auction was almost 3 times what we expected!! I am overjoyed and so thankful that God brought so many people to come and generously support his work! It was a very fun, exciting, and successful day!

Story #2. Tonight while I was making support phone calls there was a knock on the door. My sister went to answer it, turned on the porch light, and nobody was there. My dad noticed an envelope taped to the door. It had my name on it. When I opened it up, there was an anonymous note with the verse, Matthew 6:25 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." And in with the note was a donation of $300! This was definitely a gift from God. I dont know who his messenger was but if you are reading this, thank you so much! What a blessing.

God has been so faithful even when I am not, and I am so thankful for that. I praise him for his provision and the people he has brought into my life to partner in this ministry with me. What a journey this has been but so worth it.

Please pray with me as I am coming to the end of my support raising. Pray that God would guide me to those whom he has already chosen to give and support me, especially now that we are getting into the holiday season, time is more limited and it is more difficult to get a hold of and meet with people. And just that I would finish strong, throwing off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles; running with perseverance the race marked out for me, fixing my eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. [Hebrews 12:1-2]

Revive Me by Jeremy Camp

Consider my affliction and please deliver me
Plead my cause and redeem me
Salvation is not for the wicked
For they don't seek your word
Great are your tender mercies Lord

Revive me, according to your loving kindness
Revive me, that I may seek your word
Revive me, according to your loving kindness
Revive me, oh Lord

You give me understanding
According to your word
Great peace for those who seek your face
I long for salvation
My lips shall praise your name
I rejoice in the treasure of your keep

Revive me, according to your loving kindness
Revive me, that I may seek your word
Revive me, according to your loving kindness
Revive me, oh Lord

For all my ways are before you
I let your hand become my help
My soul longs and adores you
Let my cry come before you oh Lord

Revive me, according to your loving kindness
Revive me, that I may seek your word
Revive me, according to your loving kindness
Revive me, oh Lord

Oh, Revive me
Revive me

I love my staff team!

Its been a while... but Im still here! I just got back from a weekend down in Oxford, where I will be doing ministry. We had a Student Venture staff retreat on Friday so they invited me to come down and join them even though Im not there yet. It was absolutely wonderful. I spent Thursday with Rox, a SV staff woman in Oxford, and was able to experience some of what daily ministry will look like. We met with a high school student, had an outreach for the soccer team where Rox shared her testimony, met with 2 college students who are interested in helping out with SV, and attended Miami University's Reverb (Campus Crusade) meeting. It was a full afternoon & evening, but it was so great!

Then at our retreat we basically just spent time together, talked about life, and got to go sailing! I LOVED it! One thing that has been hard about living at home is that I have no community here. I talk to friends on the phone occasionally, but its just not the same as seeing them face to face and being with them. There just isnt really anyone around and I always joke that my best friend is my 10-year old sister. :/ I enjoyed spending time getting to know my fellow staff a little better. They are so encouraging and challenging. I love that they ask deep questions, questions that matter, and really want to know how I am doing... in all areas of life. Im not used to that, especially right now. And although it is sometimes challenging, its good for me. This weekend was a wonderful time and I cant wait to be with my staff team for good!

As far as MPD goes... I have reached past the halfway mark and am at 60% right now! Praise and thanks to God for his provision! I have about 2 more months to receive 40%. I dont know where it will come from, but I am trying to keep persevering with my part of it and trusting God with the rest. I dont really have a lot to say about MPD, because these past couple weeks have been kinda slow, due to busyness and laziness on my part. But I do have an appointment tonight and a presentation on Thursday night, so please be praying for those if you will.

Thanks friends for your prayers and support. I just wanted to update you on my life a little. Maybe Ill post sometime soon with some of my deeper thoughts, but for now Im still processing them. :)

Keep Climbing!

This was a devotional I read yesterday and it applies so much to what I expressed the other day.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres..." James 1:12 NIV

It's said that halfway up the Swiss Alps there's a popular rest house. It's a good day's climb from the bottom to the top, but you can usually get to the rest house by lunchtime. And that's where you separate the men from the boys. When some amateur climbers feel the warmth of the fire and smell the good cooking they say to their companions, "I'll just wait here while you go to the top. When you come back down I'll join you and we'll go to the base together." A glaze of satisfaction comes over them as they sit by the fire, or play the piano and sing mountain-climbing songs. But about 3:30 in the afternoon everything changes; they start looking toward the mountaintop as their friends reach it. Suddenly the atmosphere in the rest house changes and they think -- If only I'd kept climbing!

Three things can cause you to lose sight of your God-given goals: (1) Weariness. Jesus told Peter, "Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not" (Lk 22:21-23). We all have to overcome the failing faith syndrome. (2) Fear. Some days the mountain just seems too high and we're tempted to give up. Then a voice whispers, "Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous... for the Lord your GOd will be with you" (Jos 1:9 NIV). (3) Comfort. "Woe to them that are at ease [become complacent] in Zion" (Am 6:1). Conflict and hard times keep us on our toes -- and on our knees. But too much comfort can seduce us into settling short of our goal. So keep climbing!

[Monday September 3 excerpt taken from on the right note daily devotional from K-LOVE Radio]

God I need you

So I havent been doing very well on keeping updated on here. I always want to start one of these blogs but then its hard for me to stick with it. I think thats a trait of mine that Im not so fond of. I am eager about starting things but its pushing through the middle, sticking with it, and getting to the end, completing that goal that often hangs me up. I have even felt this with MPD. There have been times when I just feel like giving up. Where I just dont feel like I have the motivation to make it to the end goal. Where Ive got so far to go and it seems easier to just quit now than persevering to the end. Like I said, this isnt a trait that I admire and I have seen me struggle with this in many different areas of my life: academically. socially. spiritually. And honestly, a lot of times I do give up and try to take the easy way out. And maybe why I give up is because I try to handle it all on my own.... and I just cant. Im not meant to. It wears me out physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I have seen that in my life especially in the past few weeks. I was blaming it on working 40 hrs/week (which I do think was part of it) but it was pointed out that maybe I was so exhausted because Im trying take control of this on my own. and I agree. I often get so caught up in the things that I "have to do" and quit trusting God and depending on him to completely provide for me. I have always been a "do-er." While I know that nothing I do will affect my salvation or make me a better Christian (Ephesians 2:8-9), part of me is still in that mindset where I think I should be doing this or doing that. And that comes more out of guilt or duty because thats what "Im supposed to do."
Lord Jesus, free me from this thinking. You do not want me doing these things out of guilt or because "I have to." Your word is true and you have given me the gift of salvation through faith, not anything I do. You ate with the sinners and loved them just the same. I confess that I am a sinner and often try to live my life under my control. Take my life into your hands and your complete control as I loosen up my grip. Especially in regards to MPD... you have already chosen those you want to join my support team. Lead me to those people whose hearts you have been preparing. I have a long way to go in support raising and you are the only one who can finish this task. Everything in this earth is yours and you have entrusted it to your people. I praise and thank you for your provision this far and am putting my full trust in you and your timing. In all things you work for the good of those who love you, who have been called according to your purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Ok...so this really isnt the direction I intended to go when I started writing, but there it is. It pretty much sums up what Ive been feeling lately.

Please pray:

• for perseverance through these middle months of MPD
• that each day I choose to give up control of my life to God
• for next weekend, Sept. 8 & 9 as I am speaking at my church and asking for support
  
• for this next week as I figure out a schedule and that I would be spending my time wisely in a way that glorifies God

Thanks friends. :)

::EDIT:: so go figure my pastor speaks about this the next day... we are saved by grace through faith, not by works and we should spend less time and energy trying to "be the best." God just seems to pound me over the head with these lessons until I truly get them and live them out. :)

needing to get away

Tonight I am feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. I feel a need to be refreshed and rejuvenated. I dont know exactly how or where, but I feel like I just need to take a few days to get away. To get away from all the things I have to do. To get away and just spend time with God. With MPD I have become so focused on the financial part of it. While I do have physical needs that will need to be met over the next year, thats not what is most important. If my focus is not on God, then I wont be able to minister to the students at all. Also, prayer is so important. Asking others to support me with prayer and communicating with God through prayer myself. When I get caught up in all the things to do this often gets left out. Honestly, because when I have a choice I usually choose to do things rather than go to God in prayer. I need a renewed perspective.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. Matthew 6:33

Lord Jesus, thank you for your truth and I pray that you will bury it deep into my heart so that I will never forget it. Thank you that I can find rest in you. Help me to take some time to get away from all the tasks and just rest in you. Rejuvenate my soul and passion, being reminded that all that I do is for you. Renew my perspective and my focus on you and your Kingdom, knowing that you will provide all my needs. Thank you for your saving grace and that you never leave me. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:24

The lack of me writing here has been parallel with the lack of me working on MPD... :/ The past few weeks have been really rough. I am starting to feel the weight of working 40 hrs/week. Ive been so exhausted and unmotivated to do anything when I get home, including MPD and spending time with God. So consequently, barely any support has been coming in. And Ive been feeling a bit discouraged lately.

However, I did receive an exciting phone call last week that God just used to bless and encourage me. A little background first... After student teaching I have kept in contact with one of my 6th grade students and we have gone out to dinner a couple times. So the last time I dropped her off, I decided to give her parents a support letter since I have gotten to know them a little bit through hanging out with their daughter. While I was there, they had another couple over and I ended up sitting and talking with them all for a little bit about what I will be doing with Student Venture. So when I called them back a week later to follow up on the letter, I talked to the dad and they said they would probably be able to support me but he had to talk about it with his wife first. Well, then last week the mom called to tell me they were going to support me but would need to wait till next month. They are supporting me with $1000!! I was so excited and barely even knew what to say! She also told me that the other couple may be interested in supporting me as well and said to send them a letter! In a time of feeling dry and down, God showed up and proved how he provides. :)

The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. ~1 Thessalonians 5:24

prayer

Tonight I made several phone calls to contact friends I sent support letters to. But before I made the calls, I prayed. And I prayed specifically. Out of about 30 phone calls I have to make this week, I prayed that I would at least talk to 10 of them. Then out of those 10, that 5 would choose to support me. Ive never really prayed for specific numbers like that, but it showed me that God sure does answer prayers. I made about half of the phone calls tonight, and out of those calls, I talked to 5 people, but ALL 5 of those people have decided to support me financially in some way! PTL! (Praise the Lord! hehe!) When I looked at those numbers, I was just amazed! God totally blessed me tonight. :) Honestly, prayer is something that I have a hard time doing because most of the time I picture it as secluding myself to a quiet place. And if you know me, I dont really like spending time by myself, especially if Im not up and "doing something." However, this has been a reminder for me to be faithful in prayer. God really does show up and can do marvelous things. Pray, and pray earnestly, purposefully, and specifically.

blessed

Yesterday I had another appointment with a friend from high school and her husband and they were so excited about what I am doing and have decided to support me monthly! I was kinda nervous going into it but she asked a lot of questions so I didnt even have to pull out my presentation album. I thoroughly enjoyed it this way because we were able to just sit and have a natural conversation about what I will be doing and how I felt God has called me to this ministry. I was able to talk with them about some of the struggles I've had through this process and they just replied with encouragement and faithfulness in what the Lord can and will do! They also took time to pray for me while I was there, which I appreciated so much! When I asked if they knew anybody that might be interested in supporting me and the SV ministry, they told me to contact their church's pastor and said they would definitely be praying for other peoples names to give me. God encouraged and blessed me so much through meeting with them. I am so happy to have them be a part of my team! :)

first supporter!

hooray! :)

first appointment!

I have my first MPD (ministry partner development) appointment tomorrow (Wednesday) at 6 in BG with a friend, so if you think of it say a prayer for me! :) thanks!

encouraged

Working in a factory is not always the best environment. From my experience, which has only been in one factory, there just always seems to be a lot of foul language, crude talk, and people talking bad about their coworkers. Maybe thats just "real life" most anywhere. I dont know. Anyway, so as a Christian in this place it can be tiresome to hear this kind of talk day after day. Its hard to be involved in peoples conversations when theyre often talking bad about somebody. And I dont want to seclude myself either. I really try to be nice to and talk to everyone, even the ones that seem like outcasts. I try to help people out with cleaning up or whatever when I can (but there are some times when I just dont feel like it that day. :/) But Im trying to shine the light of Christ into what can be a dark place. And actually this year I have found out that there are at least 2 other Christian ladies working there too. They have been really encouraging. I worked with one of them, Sandy, a couple days and it was nice to talk about spiritual things and how to talk to non-Christians coworkers.

There is one lady specifically whom I had worked with before and whom Sandy works with almost every day. My first day back I was telling this lady about my internship with the Student Venture ministry and she replied with, "Well, just dont preach to me. Im Lutheran, you know how we are." I assured her that I wouldnt preach to her, but I wanted to know more. So I didnt shy away from asking her questions through out the day that led to spiritual things. For example the topic of death came up some how and we had an interesting conversation about that. I didnt take it real far because she didnt seem real friendly or interested in the answer.

So then today I was talking to Sandy again and she was telling me how she thinks I had gotten to this lady when I was talking to her about death because she has made some comments to Sandy about me. The lady noticed that I sometimes read my Bible during break and even commented that I shouldnt be allowed to do that. wow. But after hearing this, all I could do is smile! I wasnt discouraged or upset at all. I was glad that she is bothered by what I said to her and that Im reading my Bible because I think God is working in her heart.

Then I was also encouraged today because the other Christian lady made a point to tell me that she feels that I bring a peace to the factory. She said its like God is present. And that she notices that I take time for prayer and devotion, focusing on what I should. I really appreciated that comment because I dont even know the lady that well and she felt the need to tell me what she saw in me. It brightened my day and helped me realize that I really can be a light just by my actions when I dont feel like Im talking to people about spiritual things as much as I should. God continues to bless me and encourage me through people at the factory-the last place I would have expected it! What a mysterious and wonderful God we serve. :)

Friends, could you please pray for the people at the factory I work in. For God to open their hearts to his truth and grace. For opportunities for me to have spiritual conversations with my coworkers and show them His truth and love. And for me to have boldness when God has placed the opportunities in front of me.

Saving Grace

She had her father’s blue eyes. He left home before she arrived. Mama named her Grace.
Just getting by on their own. When Grace was fifteen she ran from home one December day.
Grace is lost and alone in a world as cold as stone. God is counting on us to reach her with His love.

It’s all about saving grace, all about living love, being Jesus to those He came to save, sharing life and giving our own away. It’s all about serving God, all about saving grace.

She'd never darken the door of any church. She would say, "What for? No one there would care for me.
We have to go where she lives, simply show her who Jesus is. Watch Him set her free.
For grace flows down from above. And faith requires a selfless love for a world that’s dying to see the hope in you and me.

It’s all about saving grace, all about living love, being Jesus to those He came to save, sharing life and giving our own away. It’s all about serving God, all about saving grace.

There are countless millions just like Grace who need a merciful embrace. They won’t believe our God is real until they feel His touch.

It’s all about saving grace, all about living love, being Jesus to those He came to save, sharing life and giving our own away. It’s all about serving God, all about saving grace.

So this morning I woke up to my little sister singing this song, Saving Grace. I had heard it before. Didnt know all the words, but kinda sang along with her anyway not really thinking about the words too much. But tonight as I was praying God reminded me that raising support is not about me. Its not about making sure I get the money that I need for next year. Its about the people whos lives will be impacted by Jesus because of it, whether it be the students, my ministry partners, or my family. And ultimately its about Jesus and his love for us and his saving grace. Its about sharing this truth with people that have never heard! So after being reminded of this, I decided to go look at the words of the song. And they really just moved me. These kinds of stories break my heart and are the kinds of students that I really want to reach out to and show them the hope that is found in Jesus' love for us! I just cant wait till I get to go to Oxford! :)

Taking the first steps

Tonight I made my first phone calls in reference to support letters that I sent out. I called 8 people and got 6 answering machines. Its not what I expected, but nonetheless, Im not too discouraged. I was feeling pretty nervous thinking about making the phone calls, but after I left a few messages and talked to a couple people I gained some confidence. Its really not that bad for as much as I dont like talking on the phone! This may turn out to be fun! :)

Be Thou My Vision


Be Thou My Vision O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father and I Thy true Son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise
Thou mine inheritance now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven my treasure Thou art

High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven's joy, O bright heaven's sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all

Random Fun Fact!

Just in case you didnt know... my placement is in Oxford, OH! Although I am a SV intern, I will also be part of the Miami staff team! so thats fun! And... thats all! :)

distractions

I feel like I have a lot to say to update about how Im feeling right now cuz I didnt want to throw it all out there at once in the first post.

So Im living at home with my family for the summer. And Im working 40 hrs at a factory every week (with the option of overtime). And I have a little sister that wants me to do everything with her. And I havent really sat down and talked with my parents about the whole support raising process. And my room is filled with boxes and furniture so I have no place to go to really be by myself. And... I feel like the list could go on and on of things that distract me from focusing on God and support raising. Its so hard to focus here. But I suppose it could, or would, be that way no matter where I was. I just need to choose to spend my time on what and who is most important right now. I need to set up a "work" schedule so that I can be more disciplined. I need to set myself up for success, and by not doing that Im setting myself up for failure. I think theres a quote that says something like: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. I think I do this often where I dont plan things out or formally make goals for myself. I can think to myself, "oh I need to do [fill in the blank]." but if I dont write it down or have someone hold me accountable to it and dont end up doing it, then I dont feel too bad and just push it back another day. Thats also the procrastination in me I guess. But I cant be doing that this summer. I would love to be on campus at the beginning of school! Although that is ultimately up to God, I still have to do my part.

Speaking of doing my part... I sent out my first batch of support letters Saturday and will be calling some people either Wednesday and/or Thursday to set up appointments! yikes! I totally need Jesus' help with this cuz I imagine that Ill be holding the phone for a long time before I actually push the send button! Im nervous thinking about it already! Ok, well I think thats enough for tonight... keep coming back for updates! :)

Please Pray:

• that I will not let the distractions of life keep me from running after Jesus and living my life for him
  
• that I am dedicated and determined to do my part with support raising, yet...
• that I depend completely on Jesus
• for courage and boldness as I make my first calls this week

Thanks friends for your prayers! I appreciate it so much! love you!

its just the beginning...

I am starting this blog to keep friends informed and involved in the ups and downs of my life as I start a year of interning with Student Venture, the junior high and high school ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. I will write about the daily steps of faith I have to take, how Im feeling, the exciting things that God is doing in my and others' lives, or even prayer requests. I just dont want to do this all alone... and I cant.
So just to start off... this has been a long and crazy process to finalize the decision, but Ive finally made it and believe this is where God wants me, with Student Venture. It could have been much easier to back out when my parents were against it, but I am taking the step of faith and trusting God and pursuing this passion of mine! This summer I am beginning my journey of support raising and learning what its like to be an intern with Campus Crusade. When I first started college, and even last year, I would have never seen myself at this place, but I am so thankful for where God has brought me and am soooo excited about this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of teenagers!