Prayer Update

Hey everyone,

just wanted to give you and update as to where the fundraising is going and where to be praying specifically.

I have sent over 20 letters to businesses asking for a donation and making it clear that their business can get a tax deduction on it. Only one has contacted me back so far and I'm doing follow up calls with them this week. If you know of any companies needing a tax break let me know.  Please be praying that God will do great things in that.

As far as churches go, I've been pretty hesitant to contact any more churches because very few will let me fill out applications let alone invite me to talk to the missions board. BUT Grace Church in Indianola has asked me to come out in 2 Sundays to do a presentation in front of the congregation. I'm super pumped about that. 

Since I've been in Ames, I've been attending Cornerstone Church and recently got the opportunity to speak with the missions pastor. He didn't sound really hopeful that I would get funding but he still said he would talk to the financial staff. 

So 5 things to be praying about:

-That those business letters will be fruitful and we would see a miracle within that attempt

- For God to touch the hearts of people at Grace church to respond in a positive way and that they will partner with me

- That Cornerstone will truly consider my request and at least support me in prayer

- Austria: the youth disparately need to know of God's love. Pray that their hearts will be soften and His name would spread throughout Europe through the youth.

- And finally, pray that my heart will be in tune with God's. I need direction on where to go next and I need to know that everything will play out like He wants it to.

God has blessed me with $7,000 so far, that means $30,000 left to go!

Thank you for your support and prayers.

New things

My heart is heavy tonight as I attempt a blog tonight.

Heavy because of..... tough decisions that had to be made and executed
                              ....changes
                                .....internal struggles
As I think of words to describe this month, nothing actually comes to mind because it's been so
...different. Let me tell you why; the Lord has been at work in my life.
The plan to be in a missionary in Austria starting in September got moved to January due to the lack of funds. And from that came the decision to go to DMACC this semester and from that- moving to Ames and
continuing to work at Fareway. 

When you have your heart set on going to do something like move to another country then are told you can't, it hurts. Flat out sucks.
But here's the deal; I'm going to move to a town where people need to Jesus too. People still need to know about the saving Christ and it's my job to tell them. I'll still be building relationships, connecting in with a church, learning new things and furthering my knowledge about life.

Situations change all the time, people change, you change, life changes....but my God is the same yesterday, today and forever.


It's sad to have to leave all my friends at Fareway who've become like family, my small group, church, friends and family but thinking about meeting tons of new people is exciting!


And to those who are wondering; Ian and I did break up. Nothing was wrong with our relationship but it felt like God was wanting us to direct our undivided focus on Him. We are still friends and it's not awkward between us. It's awesome to have a friend like Ian that will understand things like this and be so in love with the Lord ans who will cling to Him even more through this. It was hard don't get me wrong but God never said that doing the right thing would be easy.


With all this being said I have to leave with this: when you hear the will, the call of the Lord always go for it, never looking back on what could have been. #noregrets

Give Me Rest

About 3 months out and this is what I've been learning...
God is big
My plans aren't His
He knows what will happen
He's obviously teaching me something
I can't do this myself

These things He's teaching me aren't easy; not knowing what will happen in 3 months scares me so much and the fact that God knows...honestly? It makes me a little mad sometimes. After so many times of having to rely fulling on God, you'd think that I'd learn that He knows what's He's doing right? NOPE. I'm dumb and un-trusting of the one who planned out my life before I was even born.

Lately the book of Psalm has been speaking to my heart and uplifting me.

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
-Psalm 9:10
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation 
- Psalm 13: 5

Encouraging.

This weekend I listened to a speaker at Hidden Acres and she was telling a story about how when she asks students about there relationship with God they respond with 'I could do better.'

My first reaction was 'what's wrong with that?'

They could do better...
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9

It's not about us doing better, it's about us resting in His love, His grace, mercy and forgiveness. That hit me because I have the same reaction. I always want to be a better Christian by doing good things and trying to be a better person- but it starts with me realizing that I need to fall back on Christ.

Over and out.

Random Thoughts

This week has been quite the week. It's been full of change, stressful situations, times of relaxation, hello's , goodbye's , happy and sad moments, rejoicing over accomplishments and cake.

So graduation week, yes?

My grandparents from Florida came on Tuesday and it's been great to catch up with them. They keep suggesting I go to Florida soon so that looks like a possibility!
Friday night we had a Mother Daughter Tea....Sounds boring right?  Yup, it was.
Smoking Sawee was the high-light of my Friday night/ Saturday morning. There's just something about sitting with  my dad watching smoke at 2:30 in the morning that's really enjoyable.

Maddie and I had a great party and a big thanks to all who came! I'm blessed to have a friend like Maddie!

Commencement ceremony today was nice. As I watched my friends walk across that stage, I couldn't be more proud. They have accomplished many things in high school but it's their relationships with the Lord is what I'm most proud of. Walking and growing closer to our God with them has been such an incredible journey.
It really hit me today that I won't be spending next year with them. As much as that sucks and hurts, I rest in the fact that God will provide replacement relationships in our lives.
Also, sitting next to a nice fellow(Ian) was pretty fun. I'm blessed to be dating such a good guy.

Fundraising has been not so great lately. It's been very slow and discouraging the last couple of weeks. Talking to churches hasn't been successful. Here's where the faith, trust and hope comes into play. If this is something God wants me to continue, then so be it. If it's not, so be it.  Amen.

Threads of Hope

Threads of Hope is such a cool ministry!
Families in the Philippines make a living off of making bracelets that missionaries buy and then
sell in the United States. These people have very little but they are amazing at making these things!
I contacted them and asked for 1500 bracelets and they said all I need to do is give them half of the profit and
send the bracelets that I don't sell back. The other half of the money made will go towards my mission trip to
Austria.
I'll be selling them at Hidden Acres this summer so hopefully that goes well!
If you'd like one or would like to help sell them give me a call!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5uUC6tzCuY

Being Satisfied

A few weeks ago I went to a Tenth Avenue North concert with a couple of friends in Clear Lake.
(totally sweet concert by the way)
As an intro to one of their songs they brought of a verse that's been stirring in my mind for the last couple of weeks - Psalm 90:14
It goes like this: ' Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love; that we may sing for joy and be glad all of our days.' 
Now think about that.
What does it mean to be satisfied by Gods love? 
Maybe being consumed with the fact that some body is crazy in love with you and that He's the God of everything? Or not looking for love in other people, places or things? Or knowing that you've been forgiven from that sin you thought no one could forgive you for?


I've been trying to pray this every morning but sometimes it's just hard. 
It's hard to put down the things that I want to satisfy me and let God be the one to do it.
I mean come on, my friends, family, job, social life, money, and things can do the same thing God does right? Some days it feels like they can but eventually the are going to leave me disappointed and alone. 


Satisfy means to...
fulfill the desires, expectations, needs or demands of a person
 give full contentment
 put an end to -
 give assurance to


When I pray ' God will you be the only thing that I look to to fill me up today' it allows for Him to be able to do His work through me. If I abandon all my selfish desires first thing every morning, I can only imagine how God will begin to use me. 
If everyone prayed and meant this every morning what would our school, church, community and country look like?

Fundraising update and stuff

The week after spring break is always a little crazy. It seems that teachers realize they actually need to start putting in grades so they over-load you on homework and make you take lots of quizzes, which is a rude awakening coming back from a week of no school.  Not cool. Not fun.

Almost everyday I receive a donation card in the mail saying that someone has given me 50, 100 or 500 dollars. This has been one of the most encouraging and humbling experiences- watching people give and commit to praying for me.
Marty Smith has been putting together a garage sale to help with the fundraising. This will take place at my house on April 7 from 7- 12. People have been dropping off donations for the past week and as my house fills up with clothes, toys, books, tv's, ect, I cannot help but feel totally blessed.

Along with sending letters, I will be going to many different churches to talk about what the Lord will be doing through me in Austria. (Slightly nervous to this but I'm sure it'll be fine)

I'm praying that God will provide $48,000 and patience as I watch Him do is work.


Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.