I love how God can give you the scripture you needed to read, the story you needed to hear, or the prayer you needed to pray.  God has really been providing me with sweet encouragement and I received it again today at Life Church.  Craig Groeschel has been sharing different sermons he has done around the world.  Toady's sermon came from Acts 20:22-24

"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.  I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-- the task testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

Paul was leaving his comfortable life in Ephesus to take a leap of faith with God.  Craig pointed out 4 things that will happen when you take a leap of faith.
1. Spirit's prompting- It wasn't MY choice or My idea but I am compelled by the Spirit to move to Haiti.  There is a longing in my heart for this poor country and kids. What is the Spirit prompting you to do?
2. Certain uncertainty- This is the fear of not knowing.  In order to step into your destiny you have to step away from security.  If you are not living with uncertainty then you are not living by faith.
3. Predictable resistance- it is in the rough times when God is doing something inside you.
4. Uncommon Clarity- This is what I was made for... this is why God put me on Earth.

All of these 4 things from Paul are what is going on in my life.  At times no one understands, it is hard to explain why I am moving to Haiti, but I am compelled by the Spirit to trust God and take the leap of faith!  What a blessing this sermon was in my life.  It is Gods way of telling me to be patient for 1 more month... He will provide, I just have to fix my eyes on all that He is. Not what the world is.

Thank God. Why God?

I often find myself asking God so many why questions.  Why did I have to break up with my boyfriend?  Why can't I raise all of my support?  Why do I have to be gone when a lot of great things will be happening to my friends this year?  Why can't I just get a job here?  Today I was reading my devotion that I read every morning and today was God speaking directly to me, it came from Sara Young's Jesus Calling focusing on Psalm 116:17 and Philippians 4:4-6


Thank Me for the very things that are troubling you.  You are on the brink of rebellion, precariously close to shaking your fist at me.  You are tempted to indulge in just a little complaining about My treatment of you.  But once you step over that line, torrents of rage and self-pity can sweet you away.  The best protection against this indulgence is thanksgiving.  It is impossible to thank Me and curse Me at the same time. My thankfulness can and will make a difference in my heart.


Wow!! How much do I need to reverse my thinking?!  I should be thanking God for allowing wonderful parents and friends and family supporting me!  I have the honor to help God further the kingdom because we all know that He can do it with out us;  however he uses weak, sinners like you and me to help me!  What a blessing.
 

"Don't worry about anything.  Instead pray about everything.  Tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for his answers". Phil 4:6.  I have been praying to move to Haiti for as long as I can remember.  Instead of focusing on what I will be missing here at home in the States,  I need to be thanking God for allowing this dream to become reality =)  

One Step Closer

I feel so bad for how I have not been updating much on my blog.  However, I have been busy preparing for Haiti and spending time with friends.  I am still in the process of raising support.  I am about 40% of the way to reaching my goal.  I feel beyond pleased for the way my friends and family have been supporting and encouraging me.  I am praying God will provide more funding for me;  if you would like to donate please click this link Outside the Bowl Donation Link and then donate =)  if you have any questions please just contact me and let me know!  If you can put me on your prayer list to let all of my support and funding to come in quickly because I am leaving in a little over than a month.

As Haiti is getting closer (about 40ish days away) my heart gets scared and Satan is all around trying to tell me lies.  One of my friends once told me, when you know Satan is trying to work against you, you should take it as a compliment because he is fearful of how you are impacting God's kingdom.  God has been walking with me every step of the way.  One day I was talking to one of my friends and I said I don't know if I am ready for this change, he told me I think you are more ready than you think.  It is moments like that, where God uses friends to show me that I am ready, that I will not be alone, and that God will never leave me nor forsake me.  I am a child of God and there is not anything better than knowing you are safely with your Father.  I do get fearful of leaving my comfortable life here in the states with my friends and family, but I am more fearful of not listening to God's calling for my life.  I want nothing more to do His will.  It doesn't mean it will be easy, but I know I will not be forsaken. 

I have gotten all of my bedding for Haiti and it is with the Tugwell family to be shipped to Haiti.  They are planning on leaving the first week of July and I will come a few weeks later. I just found out today that my brother, mom, and dad will be going to Haiti with me when I move!  I did not think my brother was going to be able to come but God can make the impossible, possible and I am SOOO excited he gets to be a part of this new move.  I will keep you posted and hopefully get some pictures updated soon!  God Bless.