It's finally here! In less than an hour I'll be on a plane headed to the windy city :) Thank you everyone for your prayer and support so far! It wouldn't be possible without you, and I'm not just saying that.
I'm a mix of butterflies, excitement, and pretty much every emotion there can be, but with it is the Lord's overwhelming peace. This is where I'm supposed to be, and He has provided in such a way to show that. I can't wait to see what He has in store. Although it's still a miracle that I'm sitting here so calmly, to be totally honest.
A little side note, it's been really neat to see how God has prepared my heart so readily for this trip, especially this week. A new city, new friends, and being away from my comforts - that's scary. But He's been teaching me about His family, His love, and security in Him, first.
Ephesians 3:17: "...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love..."
A well-known passage but still a powerful one nonetheless. He will never leave us, and He will provide no matter what. It's a comforting thing to remember in the midst of change.
Please continue to pray for my team and me as we travel and start our ten-week adventure. It's going to be a whirlwind, but God is faithful and He will get us through. And... I think that's it for now! Talk to everyone soon!
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
He is Here.
Hey friends.
What a difference intentional prayer makes. Many of you know exactly what I'm talking about. I've been spending my mornings this week in intentional prayer over this summer, and something that I keep coming back to is the reason believers go and do missions - it's all about Him. Not the internship experience, not the cool city, not the new friends. Those are all great things, but we are going to bring glory to Him and share His truth.
Convicting, right? I always get so caught up in stressing about things that I forget the whole reason I am alive in the first place! But He is good, and there is grace. There's a Kim Walker-Smith song called "Waste", and the chorus goes like this:
At the end of Ezekiel it was speaking of the new Jerusalem, and how the new city would be called "The Lord is there". So. Cool. He is here. He is also there. He is everywhere. I underestimate how powerful that is. No matter where I am, He will be there. And the Word speaks of cities often, about bringing the good news to a place that is filled with lost people. I love cities for that reason - and the architecture is a plus too.
These three weeks have been the longest I've been at home since last summer, and that's been really cool and also challenging, as it's given me waaay too much time to freak out about what's ahead. But I'm starting to see how intentional that was on God's part, and how I've been able to use this time in prayer and proper preparation. So neat.
But anyways, those were a few things that stuck out to me this morning. Please continue to pray for my team and me, that our hearts be prepared for a challenging and exciting summer. Soften our hearts to be sensitive to the Spirit, and His will above our own.
Blessings!
What a difference intentional prayer makes. Many of you know exactly what I'm talking about. I've been spending my mornings this week in intentional prayer over this summer, and something that I keep coming back to is the reason believers go and do missions - it's all about Him. Not the internship experience, not the cool city, not the new friends. Those are all great things, but we are going to bring glory to Him and share His truth.
Convicting, right? I always get so caught up in stressing about things that I forget the whole reason I am alive in the first place! But He is good, and there is grace. There's a Kim Walker-Smith song called "Waste", and the chorus goes like this:
I wanna waste it all on You
I wanna pour my heart's perfume
I don't care if I'm called a fool
I'm wasting it all on You
I initially thought that was so strange, because nothing we every do is a waste when it is for Christ. But I realized that by "waste" she means "to give without holding back, without moderation, without selfishness" - to literally give everything she has. That phrase "my heart's perfume" is such a wonderful one as well.
These three weeks have been the longest I've been at home since last summer, and that's been really cool and also challenging, as it's given me waaay too much time to freak out about what's ahead. But I'm starting to see how intentional that was on God's part, and how I've been able to use this time in prayer and proper preparation. So neat.
But anyways, those were a few things that stuck out to me this morning. Please continue to pray for my team and me, that our hearts be prepared for a challenging and exciting summer. Soften our hearts to be sensitive to the Spirit, and His will above our own.
Blessings!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Long Time, No Talk
Hey Everyone! I apologize for my huge gap between posts. I was busy with finals, moving out, and getting settled in for my three short weeks at home. It's been good to be able to relax a bit and catch up with my family and friends, but it's also time to buckle down and get things done. I'm getting more and more excited to be in the city for the summer.... ahhh!
God has been incredible, and as I've had to admit my own helplessness and rely on Him, crazy things have happened. I've raised most of the support I need, bought my plane ticket, and officially "met" my roommates for this summer! We've had a few unexpected changes in housing and logistics for the summer, but God has it all under control. I've been saving all year for a new camera, and yesterday I was officially able to bring a new Nikon home! I'll be sure to keep y'all updated with pictures on here, I'll take any excuse to use the new camera :)
As I and my team prepare for project, please lift us up in prayer. There are many unknowns, but we are going to serve this community, build relationships, and share the gospel. That's not going to be easy, and there will be many things standing in our way. Pray that we will be sensitive to the Spirit and allow Him to shape us and prepare us for what's ahead, and to trust in Him no matter what. I've been trying to learn what a life modeled after Jesus looks like, but I (of course) always fall so short. But He is good.
Many of my good friends are going on missions trips this summer, and many have already left. If you have a chance, lift them up in prayer as well. Many of them are doing projects around the country, such as South Carolina, California, and Florida. I can't wait to see what God does as they are faithful and step out in faith. Pray for safety, boldness, open hearts, and all the little details to fall into place. Those details will getchya!
I've loved being able to catch up with you guys too, many of you sent me letters or emails and that has been a huge blessing. I still don't have many details about what my days and weeks are going to look like yet, so expect more updates once June rolls around.
I think that's about it! If you guys have any specific prayer requests feel free to email or comment on here.
God bless!
God has been incredible, and as I've had to admit my own helplessness and rely on Him, crazy things have happened. I've raised most of the support I need, bought my plane ticket, and officially "met" my roommates for this summer! We've had a few unexpected changes in housing and logistics for the summer, but God has it all under control. I've been saving all year for a new camera, and yesterday I was officially able to bring a new Nikon home! I'll be sure to keep y'all updated with pictures on here, I'll take any excuse to use the new camera :)
As I and my team prepare for project, please lift us up in prayer. There are many unknowns, but we are going to serve this community, build relationships, and share the gospel. That's not going to be easy, and there will be many things standing in our way. Pray that we will be sensitive to the Spirit and allow Him to shape us and prepare us for what's ahead, and to trust in Him no matter what. I've been trying to learn what a life modeled after Jesus looks like, but I (of course) always fall so short. But He is good.
Many of my good friends are going on missions trips this summer, and many have already left. If you have a chance, lift them up in prayer as well. Many of them are doing projects around the country, such as South Carolina, California, and Florida. I can't wait to see what God does as they are faithful and step out in faith. Pray for safety, boldness, open hearts, and all the little details to fall into place. Those details will getchya!
I've loved being able to catch up with you guys too, many of you sent me letters or emails and that has been a huge blessing. I still don't have many details about what my days and weeks are going to look like yet, so expect more updates once June rolls around.
I think that's about it! If you guys have any specific prayer requests feel free to email or comment on here.
God bless!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
He is Faithful.
Hey, everyone. I'm sorry that I haven't updated this nearly as much as I wanted to! Final projects and exams have started this week and I haven't had any downtime. In the midst of all the craziness, I have been reminded that even when I fail, our Papa doesn't.
This trip is a huge undertaking, and I have been worried about it much more than I would like to admit. But yesterday as I was working on one of my final projects, I remembered: this is the God of the universe, of all creation. If this is where I am supposed to be, and I believe it is, then He will provide for me, and more than I ever expected. So far, just two weeks after my official letter went out, I have raised about a third of what I need to go. This itself is a huge praise.
So that's really it for now. Just trying to get through finals week, but trusting that He is faithful in every aspect of my life. It's been really neat to see what opportunities He has provided here at school and things He is revealing about Chicago.
I've also been praying against the negativity, doubt, and anxiety that is a normal part of life especially around exam time, but asking to be filled with His peace, joy, and confidence instead. I can't live for Him if I'm not seeking Him first, and I can't do anything in my own strength. Hard lessons to learn, but wonderful lessons nonetheless.
Keep praying, and thank you for all of your support so far!
This trip is a huge undertaking, and I have been worried about it much more than I would like to admit. But yesterday as I was working on one of my final projects, I remembered: this is the God of the universe, of all creation. If this is where I am supposed to be, and I believe it is, then He will provide for me, and more than I ever expected. So far, just two weeks after my official letter went out, I have raised about a third of what I need to go. This itself is a huge praise.
So that's really it for now. Just trying to get through finals week, but trusting that He is faithful in every aspect of my life. It's been really neat to see what opportunities He has provided here at school and things He is revealing about Chicago.
I've also been praying against the negativity, doubt, and anxiety that is a normal part of life especially around exam time, but asking to be filled with His peace, joy, and confidence instead. I can't live for Him if I'm not seeking Him first, and I can't do anything in my own strength. Hard lessons to learn, but wonderful lessons nonetheless.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Keep praying, and thank you for all of your support so far!
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