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! :)