T-minus 42 Hours and Counting

Well, there's not much time left until I'm on a plane headed closer to the equator. There is a lot left to do: last-minute shopping, packing, picking up my passport, and final good-byes. No, I don't have my passport yet but will have it in my hands by Monday evening, praise God!

Everything has been on hold for the past week because I had a full work week at the bank and spent half my evenings doing things for my cousin's wedding which was all day yesterday. It was extra fun because I was the Maid of Honor. I loved holding the bride's boquet and straightening her train. :)

The plan now is to finish up the last details and spend some time with my family before heading out. Financially, I am a bit behind my goal at 60% and would still like to be at 85% by Wednesday. If you would like to contribute financially, please see the information under the 'How to Give' section in the sidebar at the right.

Thank you all for your continued prayers! When I write next, it will be from Costa Rica!

Be blessed!

How God said "Go"

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have
received it, and it will be yours."

-Jesus, Mark 11:24

I was reading Mark 11 today, and it reminded me of how important faith is. The context of the above quote is from a time when Jesus cursed a fig tree because it wasn't bearing any figs. Later the disciples and Jesus walked by the same tree and the disciples noticed that the tree had withered. Jesus used it as an illustration to teach them the power of faith. A passage in James expounds on this idea when talking about asking God for wisdom. He says:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind. Those who doubt should not think they will receive anything from the Lord." -James 1:5-7

I thank you for your prayers prayed in faith. Be encouraged by this testimony:

Fundraising went extremely well the first week in June. I was amazed at how quickly everything was coming in. I thought for sure I would be at 100% by the end of June. Then the second week of fundraising came; I was at 42% and on track to meet my goal of 50% by the end of the week. My plan was to buy my plane ticket when I reached 50%, but that week things slowed down a lot. I couldn't make calls because I was already over my minutes on my cell phone, so I received only a few responses from different people. I was becoming worried that I would have to postpone my departure until August, and on Thursday I gave in to disappointment and worry and let myself be dragged down further and further. You see, on Friday I was leaving for a vacation with my family--out of range of phone service and away from my laptop--and I wasn't returning til late on Monday. If I couldn't buy my ticket by Friday morning I would have to wait til August to leave. But on Thursday evening, I sat down, in despair, determined to meet with God as I did not know what to do, and I was hopeless.

Lesson #1: Keep my eyes fixed on Him all of the time. For some reason, I have to continually re-learn this. When will I learn?

I spent time in prayer and wanted to spend some time in His Word as well but did not know what to read. I asked God to show me what to read, and He told me Psalm 34. I wasn't sure if I had made up the number I saw in my mind but knew that I would regret not reading that Psalm. So I turned there, not expecting much, but everything in that Psalm spoke to me very clearly and precisely. I love those times when God leads me to a part of the Bible, and it's like a lightbulb goes off in my head. Things become clear, and I am reminded that God knows everything, loves me, and sees the big picture even when I can't see past my present circumstances. Psalm 34 was no exception, and I was encouraged as my confidence (faith) in God was restored. I came away with confidence that what was or was not happening with my finances was no mystery to God. I just needed to remember that He was meeting all my needs and would take care of everything.

Well, on Friday morning, I still needed 2.5%, and I was not going to buy my ticket until I reached 50%. I was determined on that. As I checked my e-mail for any more responses I wasn't worried anymore, just waiting. One e-mail from a friend brought me up to 49.5%. As I realized this, I was amazed because I had not really expected to receive any responses that morning. Then I checked my inbox again, and there was another e-mail, my first from my sending agency with a summary of the support that had come in so far. An unexpected donation brought me to exactly 50%! Praise the Lord! I could have tried to explain this rationally and totally missed recognizing a blessing from God, but I have been learning that when God says something, to take Him at His word. There is NO other way this could have happened, exactly when I needed it and exactly as much as I needed, so I thanked the Lord for His provision and the miracle that He had done for me; then I bought my plane ticket.

I thank God for allowing me to leave in just two weeks from today. I am beginning to realize that I am really leaving, and soon, too! But I can't wait to see what God will do in July that He wanted me to be in Costa Rica for.

Date of Departure: July 1, 2009

Assignment: Mission from the King, to be revealed