my support deadline is coming up in a matter of days.
right now, i am at 85% of my goal and believing the Lord for more people who want to help change italy. pray with me for 14 families who want to be a part of bringing the Gospel to florence.
i know that the Lord is in control. i know that He will raise my support.
i can't wait to see how He does it.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
music to my soul.
so i don't usually listen to christian music. at least in america anyway. music is one of my favorite pieces of life. i love so many different kinds, but i rarely find my radio tuned to the local christian station. until today that is.
driving in the car, i was absolutely blessed by the Lord. there are three songs that i believe He has used to call me back to italy. no lie, i heard all three back to back to back. absolutely fantastic.
walk by faith.
god of this city.
mighty to save.
thank you Father. i needed that.
driving in the car, i was absolutely blessed by the Lord. there are three songs that i believe He has used to call me back to italy. no lie, i heard all three back to back to back. absolutely fantastic.
walk by faith.
god of this city.
mighty to save.
thank you Father. i needed that.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
it's not easy.
what a whirlwind it's been. i've been back in america for just under a month and in that time i have managed to spend two weeks in dallas, a weekend in branson, made two trips to stillwater, and just recently married off my best friend. not only has it been crazy, it has been emotional.
in all the insanity and busyiness it is easy to lose sight of why i am back. it's been easy to hide from support raising and from the thought of returning to italy in general.
as i rode away from the wedding with my teammate sarah, i knew that the hiding was over. it was time to get serious... about italy, my distrust of the Lord in sending me back, and of course raising support. the tears were hard to stop. in two short months, i was scheduled to get back on a european bound plane and i wasn't sure i wanted to be on it.
i spent the morning at panera today- spending time in the word, and making a list of all the reasons i'm excited about returning to italy. it boils down to this... i'm scared. i fear going back. i fear another all too challenging year. i fear losing relationships back in the states. i fear missed time and opportunities with the team that is currently serving at oklahoma state university. but He is bigger than all these.
the truth is, there is much to anticipate in returning to florence. there is much to look forward to. and although for me, it is the harder choice, i know that it is the right one. it is His best. and there is no other place i'd rather be.
"bless our God, o peoples,
and sound His praise abroad,
who keeps us in life,
and does not allow our feet to slip.
for Thou hast tried us o God;
Thou hast refined us as silver is refined.
Thou didst bring us into the net;
Thou didst lay an oppressive burden upon our loins.
Thou didst make men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet Thou didst bring us out into a place of abundance."
psalm 66:8-12.
in all the insanity and busyiness it is easy to lose sight of why i am back. it's been easy to hide from support raising and from the thought of returning to italy in general.
as i rode away from the wedding with my teammate sarah, i knew that the hiding was over. it was time to get serious... about italy, my distrust of the Lord in sending me back, and of course raising support. the tears were hard to stop. in two short months, i was scheduled to get back on a european bound plane and i wasn't sure i wanted to be on it.
i spent the morning at panera today- spending time in the word, and making a list of all the reasons i'm excited about returning to italy. it boils down to this... i'm scared. i fear going back. i fear another all too challenging year. i fear losing relationships back in the states. i fear missed time and opportunities with the team that is currently serving at oklahoma state university. but He is bigger than all these.
the truth is, there is much to anticipate in returning to florence. there is much to look forward to. and although for me, it is the harder choice, i know that it is the right one. it is His best. and there is no other place i'd rather be.
"bless our God, o peoples,
and sound His praise abroad,
who keeps us in life,
and does not allow our feet to slip.
for Thou hast tried us o God;
Thou hast refined us as silver is refined.
Thou didst bring us into the net;
Thou didst lay an oppressive burden upon our loins.
Thou didst make men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet Thou didst bring us out into a place of abundance."
psalm 66:8-12.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
hello, again.
hi dear friends.
i know that it has been far too long since i have updated this blog, and for that i am sorry.
the craziness of packing up my italian life got the best of me, and there were moments i wasn't sure i was going to be making it onto the plane. but all is well. students were farewelled, boxes were packed, final gift purchases were made, and an apartment was officially cleaned.
i'm back in america! oh it feels so good to be back. i love that as i sit here in a certain coffee shop, there is a young man across the way reading his bible and taking notes. i love that two tables down there are two men talking about john piper and how his teachings have affected their walks with Christ.
this is my vision for italy. how wonderful to think that one day, these same things could be seen at novoli [the business/polysci campus] or at martelli's bookstore. please hope and pray with me.
this summer, i'll be raising support and reconnecting with those who have supported me over this last year. i am so thankful and i look foward to sharing all that has happened over the year.
for those who have so sweetly asked about sarah, she is still at home. please continue to bring her health situation before the Lord. she has just begun a new medication that we are hoping will increase her ability to eat and digest. i know that she too appreciates your prayers and feels them.
i'm looking foward to connecting with you this summer- what a joy!
i know that it has been far too long since i have updated this blog, and for that i am sorry.
the craziness of packing up my italian life got the best of me, and there were moments i wasn't sure i was going to be making it onto the plane. but all is well. students were farewelled, boxes were packed, final gift purchases were made, and an apartment was officially cleaned.
i'm back in america! oh it feels so good to be back. i love that as i sit here in a certain coffee shop, there is a young man across the way reading his bible and taking notes. i love that two tables down there are two men talking about john piper and how his teachings have affected their walks with Christ.
this is my vision for italy. how wonderful to think that one day, these same things could be seen at novoli [the business/polysci campus] or at martelli's bookstore. please hope and pray with me.
this summer, i'll be raising support and reconnecting with those who have supported me over this last year. i am so thankful and i look foward to sharing all that has happened over the year.
for those who have so sweetly asked about sarah, she is still at home. please continue to bring her health situation before the Lord. she has just begun a new medication that we are hoping will increase her ability to eat and digest. i know that she too appreciates your prayers and feels them.
i'm looking foward to connecting with you this summer- what a joy!
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