Saturday, March 24, 2012

March Newsletter


“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let
us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us
run with endurance the race that is set before us...” HEBREWS 12:1


Farwell, Boise.  You’ve been a good home!


A little over a year ago, I was camping in the Australian
bush with my school.  We were going through lectures on
Lordship.  During one of our response times, we prayed to
see if there was anything God wanted us to lay at the foot
of the cross.  (Yes, we literally had a cross set up.)  After
praying about it, we got up and confessed our idols or
things we were clinging to that kept God from being Lord
over every aspect of our lives.  Then, we laid a symbol of
that down at the cross or we gave it away.


I had a few, but the biggest was Boise.  For the first time
in my life, I felt rooted to a place.  It was home.  I have a
great church here, great group of friends, and so many
favorite spots to run, have coffee, rock climb, etc….  I
spent most of my 20’s in Boise; some of the most formative years of my life.  It’s where I made a lot of mistakes, a lot of wise choices, and learned…. a lot.  It’s where I became ME, essentially.
In that moment, before my peers, I knew I had to give it
completely to God along with all the comforts I had accumulated over the years.  I didn’t know at the time God would ask me to leave it behind, but I knew it was something I was holding onto for my security.  While it was very difficult, God didn’t just rip it out of my
hands but He changed my heart.  Slowly
over the rest of my Discipleship Training
School, He was giving me the ability to let
it go. By the end, I knew it wasn’t going to
be my home anymore and I was okay with
that.


It’s about trust.  Do I trust God?  Do I really
believe that what He has for me is greater
than what I know or cling to? Am I willing
to follow Him?  Is following God worth giving up Boise (or whatever it is you have as
your security)?  Can I praise Him for what He has given me,
even if He takes it away?  It’s Lordship.


“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this
day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers
served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the
Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my
house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15.


PRAYER POINTS:
I am so excited for this new chapter in life!  I fly out Tuesday March 27th.   Please pray for smooth connections, luggage making it, and some rest on the flights…. I haven’t
been able to sleep on a plane yet.  LA to Sydney is over 10
hours!
Currently I am at about 84% of my support.  I still need
about $200 a month to meet my goal, but have enough at
this time to be okay.  (I also have a tax return to help get
me through a few months.)  My visa has been approved,
upfront costs paid, and all the pieces are falling into place.

Prayer for my placement into a house or flat on base; that
I am placed with the right roommates.  There are so many
cute houses that are possibilities for me to live in and a set
of apartments right on base.  

Praise that it has stopped raining in Boise
and Townsville.  I will not leave or arrive to
flooding!!!


For those of you who do support me financially, I
will be making a few changes to how you can
give, so keep your eyes open this month for an
update.  The YWAM account takes some fees and
then withdrawing from my bank into Australian
dollars also hits me with fees.  I am looking at
switching to a PayPal, which will save me $25-$50
a month.

Friday, March 16, 2012

So Many Answered PrayersI

With only 12 days left until my flight leaves for Australia I can confidently say that I serve a Big God, a Powerful God, a Providing God, a Loving God, and a God who cares about my little details in life.

Tonight after life group I came home to one of the best e-mails of my life.... Australia has accepted my visa application!!!  Despite the teeth clenching, extreme mountains of paperwork, and a million follow ups with paperwork from supporters, I can happily say it has been worth it.

I am also only 16% away from being fully supported.  At the beginning of this week I started off at $1100 and within a few days was up to $1240!  $1200 was my minimum goal to go.  I have an unbelievable peace that God knows what I need and will provide the rest.

So, to end this week of craziness (flying to and from Denver to see the family, eye Dr. appointments, dental appointments, biking in extreme traffic and weather all over Boise, etc...) I will get to have a nice day of getting my hair cut tomorrow, trying out Heidi's new skin care and make-up, and buying new running shoes!  It will be a perfect way to wind down this hectic but awesome week!