a small set back financially, but a worthwhile advance in trust

As my financial documentation deadline draws nearer, the last thing I want is to incur additional expenses. Unfortunately, my car blew its power steering pump while I was on the highway a couple days ago. I was grateful to be safe, having had just enough time to steer the vehicle off the road into a grass median. But as soon as the moment of emergency was over, my next thought was, oh no- what about the money? 

Before anxiety could even hit my heart, the Lord laid the situation out for me in clear terms that immediately shifted my response: Are you seriously trusting Me for $50,000 and about to be fearful about how you will pay for a car repair?

A friend graciously used her AAA benefits to get my car towed to a mechanic. The shop had my car ready with the parts replaced in one day flat, and a friend picked it up for me. The bill was $330- about half of the worse-case-scenario that I was bracing myself for. 

God graciously empowered me to choose in that first moment to trust Him and not open my heart to the fear or anxiety that were crouched at the door.  I found myself enveloped in a steady peace and, somewhat unbelievably,  joy.

Regardless of the small setback financially, I am all the more assured that my Father in Heaven knows what I need before I say a word. 

New power steering pump, belt, and installation: $330

Deeper trust relationship with the Lord: Priceless

moving on up

While my fundraising progress bar has moved up, so has my documentation deadline.
I've realized that to process the proper documentation of my funding and then get all those papers off to England will likely take more time than I originally planned- so I've widened the buffer.... and consequently, moved up my timeline.
The current goal is for another $16,000 of funding to be committed within the next month. 

So, behold! The new countdown calendar:

tea and a chance to breathe

The past few months have clipped along, all the staff on base here investing in our winter Discipleship Training School students and keeping the facilities running by serving in our various departments. We've been a small staff during this season, so suffice to say we've kept busy. The flurry of activity intensified over the last couple weeks as we pushed through final preparations for sending  the students to Asia. I felt like I was about to drop. 

Then, just before six this morning, it was finally time. Our students were headed out to the airport, grouped in their outreach teams, to depart for the field assignment portion of the program. (They will be gone serving in various nations across Asia for nearly three months before returning to us in Maui to graduate.) It is exciting, as always, to see them launched into the nations to advance the Kingdom- knowing God and making Him known! But I admit, I was also just excited to have the school wrapped up so we could catch our breath out here!

Today has passed by in unusual quiet, the dozen or so remaining staff just cleaning and setting everything in order after the rush of the early morning departures. Its like making your way downstream from a waterfall. The roar dulls almost abruptly when and the quiet quickly overtakes you. 

I am glad to have this interval of time on the base to slow down a little, to rest, to breathe. And a cup of tea is always a fine way to unwind and announce to yourself that you are doing just that:) So tonight I am curled up like a cat- and I confess, I am content just to be cozy and to be still. To drink my tea and breathe.

two months and counting

This week the calendar rolled over the two month mark on my countdown to when I need to submit documentation showing that my tuition finances are accounted for. I am currently about a ninth of the way there...

Please continue in prayer with me!