This past week I have been e-mailing the school and my Big Sister and it looks like all my t's and i's are crossed and dotted. Everything is set to go! Although, I still need to raise $1,700 but I know the Lord will provide. Next week I will begin packing and sorting through my clothes. I have everything that I need as far as bath supplies go thanks to Wal-Mart and Target, and a BIG thanks to my supporters!
God always keeps his promises that is for sure. As I look back on this year of planning, God has really made all of my trials and all of my victories come into place. I can see His hand prints all over. This trip means so much to me, I feel like my life is forever about to change and God has been giving me such a peace of mind. I am leaving everything behind and looking forward to what is ahead. I know that this trip is the beginning of something but I don't know what. God is going to use me in whatever way He wants because I am holding nothing back. My life could not be in better hands than in the hands of God.
"You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you." Psalm 86:5
April 05, 2011
March 18, 2011
Are we there yet? (Costa Rica Update)
I have some exciting news, I received more information on Costa Rica! This week I have been introduced to my Big Sister, who will preparing my housing and transportation. I also have received my host family's information and let me just say they sound wonderful! I can't wait to meet them. God has been so good to me throughout this whole process! As I sit back and look at all the wonderful things God has done and put into place, I stand in awe. Without God none of this could be possible, it is only through Him and by His grace that I am able to go to Costa Rica. I am so excited to see what God has in store during my time in language school.
Currently, to prepare for language school I have been practicing my Spanish. Right now I am trying to master the Spanish alphabet. I know most of the letters but I struggle with a few. I have also been trying to recall any and all of the Spanish that I already know. I am actually surprised at how much Spanish I do know.
(As I get closer to my departure date more and more updates will be coming, thank you all so much for your prayers and support!)
Currently, to prepare for language school I have been practicing my Spanish. Right now I am trying to master the Spanish alphabet. I know most of the letters but I struggle with a few. I have also been trying to recall any and all of the Spanish that I already know. I am actually surprised at how much Spanish I do know.
(As I get closer to my departure date more and more updates will be coming, thank you all so much for your prayers and support!)
March 13, 2011
Just listen...
I love listening to people's stories. There are very few things that I enjoy more than listening to people tell me stories about their lives. Whether that is their testimony about what God is doing in their life or just about their daily life, I love listening to people. Don't get me wrong I do my fair share of talking but I really love hearing other people's stories. For example, these past few months I have been able to go listen to two incredible people share their life stories, what a blessing.
One story was about a woman who went from prostitution to evangelism. She went from nothing to still having nothing but after coming to know the Lord she started giving generously and she began loving on children and teaching them about the Lord. Through her teaching and giving she has been able to help hundreds of woman and children in the Chicago area come to know the Lord. Needless to say I was in tears by the time Ms. Pearl finished talking, but I love that woman.
Another story was about a man who grew up in a missionary home in Africa but then came to the states and began working as a nurse. He was a mountain climber filled with grief and heartache, but instead of living his life with that pain he turned it into his inspiration for helping others. Since his failed attempt at climbing K2 he has become a bestselling author and an internationally known humanitarian worker in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Greg Mortenson's passion for educating children is sweeping through the U.S.A.
Those are just two of the amazing stories that I have had the privilege of hearing these past two months. I am constantly surprised at how God is working in other people's lives and at how God is working in my life. God touches my life through the stories of other people. I love learning from those who are older and wiser. Although, not all stories are happy ones but still God can speak to us through those stories. There are hundreds and hundreds of stories waiting to be told but someone has to be there to listen.
To ignore them is to deny that they ever existed. - Three Cups of Tea
Costa Rica Update
I can't believe the time is drawing near but I have 43 days left til I leave for Costa Rica. I have purchased my plane ticket and I have received my acceptance letter from the school! Also, today I have received some information about my host family and let me just say they sound great! I am so excited and I can not wait to leave! It is finally starting to sink in that I will be leaving soon and all my worries are going out the window because I know the Lord is Lord and I am not. I have less than $2,000.00 to raise and just this past weekend I stood back in amazement at how the Lord provided for me. From this weekend's sale, I was able to raise $700.00 thanks to some of my wonderful church friends and family members, who donated items and for all of those who prayed for success of the sale. Thank you all so much!
One story was about a woman who went from prostitution to evangelism. She went from nothing to still having nothing but after coming to know the Lord she started giving generously and she began loving on children and teaching them about the Lord. Through her teaching and giving she has been able to help hundreds of woman and children in the Chicago area come to know the Lord. Needless to say I was in tears by the time Ms. Pearl finished talking, but I love that woman.
Another story was about a man who grew up in a missionary home in Africa but then came to the states and began working as a nurse. He was a mountain climber filled with grief and heartache, but instead of living his life with that pain he turned it into his inspiration for helping others. Since his failed attempt at climbing K2 he has become a bestselling author and an internationally known humanitarian worker in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Greg Mortenson's passion for educating children is sweeping through the U.S.A.
Those are just two of the amazing stories that I have had the privilege of hearing these past two months. I am constantly surprised at how God is working in other people's lives and at how God is working in my life. God touches my life through the stories of other people. I love learning from those who are older and wiser. Although, not all stories are happy ones but still God can speak to us through those stories. There are hundreds and hundreds of stories waiting to be told but someone has to be there to listen.
To ignore them is to deny that they ever existed. - Three Cups of Tea
Costa Rica Update
I can't believe the time is drawing near but I have 43 days left til I leave for Costa Rica. I have purchased my plane ticket and I have received my acceptance letter from the school! Also, today I have received some information about my host family and let me just say they sound great! I am so excited and I can not wait to leave! It is finally starting to sink in that I will be leaving soon and all my worries are going out the window because I know the Lord is Lord and I am not. I have less than $2,000.00 to raise and just this past weekend I stood back in amazement at how the Lord provided for me. From this weekend's sale, I was able to raise $700.00 thanks to some of my wonderful church friends and family members, who donated items and for all of those who prayed for success of the sale. Thank you all so much!
February 12, 2011
Spring Cleaning Begins Early This Year
Do you ever realize how much stuff you actually own? I mean seriously go in your home or if you are straight out of college your bedroom and count everything you own. If you are like me you will be shocked at how many items you actually own. I am talking about counting every piece of clothing, every book, every piece of furniture....EVERYTHING! Things will start to add up fast!
I was reading in a magazine the other day about a guy who commited for one year, in order to simplify his life, to live with only 100 things. Now I am not exactly sure what his 100 things were or what he included or didn't include, but if he did include everything he owns I am sure that he gave up a lot. So after reading this magazine article I went into my bedroom and throughout my house and started counting everything I own, when I got to 350 I stopped. I stopped counting because I was ashamed. I couldn't believe that I owned over 350 things.
Then when I started taking into consideration all of the people that I have met over the years in both the U.S.A. and in other countries who had next to nothing....my heart just started to break. I have seen with my own eyes people living out of cardboard boxes. I have seen a family of 6 sharing a one room hut so how did I let myself accumulate this much stuff? At first, I attempted to blame it on television and department stores for their advertisements, but honestly the only person I could blame was myself. I have realized that throughout the course of my life, I have been at times an unwise steward of the money that I have received. My room and my boxes in the basement are my proof.
So with keeping in mind all of those who have none, I have decided to clear out my things. I have been trying to narrow everything down so that it can fit into one car, of course this does not include furniture and the car is not a compact car but I am taking a step in the right direction. I am trying to streamline my life and the things in it. I don't really need everything that I own so then the question is raised what do I really need in my life in order to survive? That is something to think about.
If I truly believe everything that I do about the Lord then is it really wise for me to be accumulating all of these possessions? Probably not. I know that there is a better use for all of the money that I have spent and that others have spent on these possessions so it is about time that I start making wise decisions when it comes to spending money.
As my mother has always said, "You can't take it with you."
On March 12th, I will be selling a lot of things in order to raise money to fund my schooling and mission work in Costa Rica. This schooling is going to help prepare me in my future ministry with Spanish speaking people. This week I purchased my plane ticket to Costa Rica and by Friday the 18th I will have my application forms mailed to the Spanish Language Institute.
I was reading in a magazine the other day about a guy who commited for one year, in order to simplify his life, to live with only 100 things. Now I am not exactly sure what his 100 things were or what he included or didn't include, but if he did include everything he owns I am sure that he gave up a lot. So after reading this magazine article I went into my bedroom and throughout my house and started counting everything I own, when I got to 350 I stopped. I stopped counting because I was ashamed. I couldn't believe that I owned over 350 things.
Then when I started taking into consideration all of the people that I have met over the years in both the U.S.A. and in other countries who had next to nothing....my heart just started to break. I have seen with my own eyes people living out of cardboard boxes. I have seen a family of 6 sharing a one room hut so how did I let myself accumulate this much stuff? At first, I attempted to blame it on television and department stores for their advertisements, but honestly the only person I could blame was myself. I have realized that throughout the course of my life, I have been at times an unwise steward of the money that I have received. My room and my boxes in the basement are my proof.
So with keeping in mind all of those who have none, I have decided to clear out my things. I have been trying to narrow everything down so that it can fit into one car, of course this does not include furniture and the car is not a compact car but I am taking a step in the right direction. I am trying to streamline my life and the things in it. I don't really need everything that I own so then the question is raised what do I really need in my life in order to survive? That is something to think about.
If I truly believe everything that I do about the Lord then is it really wise for me to be accumulating all of these possessions? Probably not. I know that there is a better use for all of the money that I have spent and that others have spent on these possessions so it is about time that I start making wise decisions when it comes to spending money.
As my mother has always said, "You can't take it with you."
On March 12th, I will be selling a lot of things in order to raise money to fund my schooling and mission work in Costa Rica. This schooling is going to help prepare me in my future ministry with Spanish speaking people. This week I purchased my plane ticket to Costa Rica and by Friday the 18th I will have my application forms mailed to the Spanish Language Institute.
January 07, 2011
I have a New Job....
Starting tomorrow I will be working at Kroger as a Pharmacy Technician. I am excited about this experience to be able to learn new things and meet new people. I am also very excited that I will be able to continue saving for Costa Rica.
December 15, 2010
December 09, 2010
Coming Home For Christmas
I am excited as I begin to move towards the next chapter in my life. I am not sure what God is going to do or what He is currently doing in me. My heart is constantly being transformed and sometimes even bulldozed by God. He is hitting me right now left and right with ideas and changes, I love it! I know that everything works out for the good so even though I may have to endure some changes everything is going to be alright. I know I have said this more than once but I don't really care for change but I do welcome it none the less.
Leaving Wisconsin and preparing for Costa leaves me full of questions and uncertainty but I am excited! I have enjoyed being here and I am going to love using what I have learned in future ministry work. Whether that is in Costa Rica or even during my 4 months at home. I don't know what God is going to do today or even 4 months from now but He is in control so I will continue to go wherever my desires, passions, and His love lead me. I know God blesses my efforts towards spreading His Word.
If you have a few extra minutes listen to this awesome music video from the youth band at RiverGlen!
Leaving Wisconsin and preparing for Costa leaves me full of questions and uncertainty but I am excited! I have enjoyed being here and I am going to love using what I have learned in future ministry work. Whether that is in Costa Rica or even during my 4 months at home. I don't know what God is going to do today or even 4 months from now but He is in control so I will continue to go wherever my desires, passions, and His love lead me. I know God blesses my efforts towards spreading His Word.
If you have a few extra minutes listen to this awesome music video from the youth band at RiverGlen!
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