I wanted to give you guys a quick update on my life and ministry plans. First of all I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU SO MUCH for your prayers and financial support. I'm honestly in massive shock that this whole year took place! What a miracle!!! When the company I was working for experienced financial hardship and I lost my job last June, I honestly did not believe God when he said he would make a way for me to go to Bethel this year. None of it made any sense! I had to raise $4,000 within a month just to get out there with my first months rent and my first deposit for school!!! CRAZY!
And within those 5 weeks, miracles happened. Various "jobs" came out of NOWHERE: Rebecca Nordman needing her house and animals watched over for two weeks, various babysitting gigs, dusting and cleaning for Elise and Todd Durell's new move, dog-watching positions provided by Jackie O'Bold and SO MANY MORE! Checks coming in the mail, and that random suspicious letter that was in my mailbox with no return address that contained $400 CASH!
And just like that... I was headed to California. I told God I would go if he made a way... and he did. Gulp.
Just as quickly as that money slipped into my hands, it slipped back out.... to tuition, rent, gas to drive across the country.... and there I was.... again....needing his hand to sustain me.
God provided so many strange ways for me to make money, from starting my own airport shuttle company (which now has other employees) to selling my artwork. The expenses combined from ministry trips, school, and my own bills made me CONSTANTLY doubt God along the way even though HE was continually faithful.
Much of the time he worked through YOU! $4,327 of my expenses were provided by YOU through donations and buying paintings!!!!!! I was able to work for part of the year also which made up the rest of my expenses. In the end, 100% of my expenses were provided by God!!! I am shocked and amazed at your generosity! Around $1400 of that money was given ANONYMOUSLY. That always AMAZES me... that people give with no way of someone saying thank you or responding to that generosity.
So for you anonymous rascals, I say THANK YOU!!!
I was accepted into the 2nd year program in May and have been praying since then about what to do. That is one reason I have not sent out an update in quite a while. I also still need to update you about my time in Tijuana, but please also feel free to check my blog: www.songsofthesongbird.
I was offered a job a couple of weeks ago, assisting adults with disabilities in Redding, CA. This job would be able to provide for me much of my expenses and since the hours would be on the weekend, would not interfere with my school schedule. It is an amazing opportunity, but I am still figuring out all of the logistics.
Currently I need to raise about $1,000 just to get out there again and pay for my first months rent and pay the first tuition payment.
I want you to know that when I am talking about the money I need, I am not necessarily asking for money. I ONLY want you to give if it is out of the abundance of your heart...and it is what you WANT to do. I don't want you to feel guilty or worried or shamed when giving because you love me and you feel you should. I also don't want to give if you feel resentful towards me or other short term missionaries who raise support through newsletters. I want you to give out of joy if you are going to give at all.
I want you to see a letter from me in your inbox and be excited about reading the account of God's goodness inside and not dreading the inevitable request for funds and money. I don't want to do things that way, so please hear my heart. I WILL let you all know when I need money, but you are not obligated at ANY time to give. I WILL also let you know when I DONT need money! And share testimonies and accounts of God working throughout the world.
I want to be more intentional about my newsletters and blogging this year so that I am posting about how good he is MORE than I am posting my needs!
There are SOOOO many testimonies from this year that I want to release over you for being such amazing prayer partners and supporters! I want THAT to be my focus when I write to you.
All that to say....YOU have been one of my biggest testimonies this year. The alarming delight of God's people coming behind one another in support and family love. To see God say he will make a way for me and then BACK IT UP. I am sad to say I really did not believe him when he said that it was going to be taken care of... but here I am... a year later...with an abundance of his love and experiences from this year in my heart and mind.
He really can do so much more than we can ever think or imagine.
Please pray for me this summer as I make plans to head back for 2nd year. It will be a year of activation as we will be sent out more to minister to the world and to the local American church as well.
It will be another miracle, but I believe this time. I believe that God will make a way clear...and if he diverts my path, I will follow him whole-heartedly. My pursuit and passion is HIM. Not Bethel. Not IHOP. Not a "ministry".
It's just Him. I love him, I love him, I love him! And where he goes I'll follow. HE IS MY DESTINY.
Love you all!!!!
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