From CO to BA

So, in these past few weeks, I have experienced the biggest spiritual and emotional rollercoaster of my life. One minute I think I'm going to Argentina, the next I'm not, and the next I am again! I just praise God that He reminded me of His faithfulness and sovereignty through the entire experience.

Jan Sherard, a Crusade staff woman at Clemson, called the CRU regional headquarters and begged them to make an exception for me so that I could apply for STINT late and still go. I got a call during my internship one day from the offices and they told me I could go! Wow!

So, following that phone call was a flurry of applications, paperwork, supporter-brainstorming, and flight scheduling in preparation for the STINT/Intern Kickoff weekend that was this past weekend in Asheville, NC. God was good and everything got finished.

I flew into Greenville and got to spend some time with my parents, which was so nice. :) I had a wonderful time in Asheville meeting my STINT team and learning how to raise support. We got so much information though and this whole support-raising has started to intimidate me a little. However, God has convicted me time and again that I should not be intimidated by any amount of money--He owns the cattle on a thousand hills! He has also blessed me and my family with so many Christian, mission-minded friends. I have no doubt that all of my support will come in, though it will take most of my time this summer. I can't wait to see what miracles God performs!

So, right now, I'm at this place called The Jericho Center, which is a place that has a live praise band playing worship music 12 hours a day, every day. They also have little rooms to the side where you can go read Scripture, pray, or even do homework. It is such an incredible place and has an amazing atmosphere. In each room, there are touchscreens that will give you prayer guides, worship music playlists, and will even read any Bible passage to you aloud! We need a place like this in Greenville. :)

Please continue to be in prayer for me as I start raising a full year's salary for my STINT in Buenos Aires (BA), Argentina. I'll leave Greenville September 6, 2011 and return November 1, 2012.

Thanks for reading!

My STINT team going to Buenos Aires with me!

God, I choose to trust You

Hey everyone! So, I'll briefly update you on my Spring Break with the fam and then let you in on what God has been doing in my life over the past few days. Here was our Spring Break schedule for the week:

Sunday, March 20: 1) Visit Manitou Springs, CO 2) See Manitou Incline and Pike's Peak Cog Railway

Monday, March 21: 1) Tour the US Olympic Training Center (Brandon LOVED this) 2) Hike/eat lunch at Glen Eyrie

Tuesday, March 22: 1) Visit Eldorado Springs/Estes Park/Rocky Mtn National Park in northern CO

Wednesday, March 23: 1) Tour the Air Force Academy (again, one of Brandon's favorites) 2) Visit Garden of the Gods 3) Attend Isaiah Bible study at Calvary Worship Center (my church here)

Thursday, March 24: 1) Head to Copper Mountain for snowboarding (Brandon) and snowtubing (mom, dad, and myself) 2) Eat dinner in Idaho Springs, CO

Friday, March 25: 1) Tour Focus on the Family

What a busy week! I felt like Spring Break lasted a month! But we had so much fun and spent some great quality time together as a family. I loved staying in the Embassy Suites with them all week and getting away from my apartment, where I've spent SO much of my time these past few months. I've never missed having a car as much as I do now. Haha It's so hard to have any alone time because people are always in my apartment and if I want to go somewhere else, I have to get someone to give me a ride--not very convenient! I don't think I'll ever take my car for granted again! :)

So, about this past week...

I can't remember whether or not I blogged about this, but over the past several weeks, I've been looking at two different jobs here at Focus. One was with Enfoque a la Familia and, after being interviewed, both the hiring manager and I decided that the position wasn't the best fit for me. My Spanish skills need to be greatly improved before I work for a Spanish-speaking organization like Enfoque.

The other job was presented to me by my internship supervisor. A position opened up in our department (Direct Marketing) and he asked me if I would be interested in applying and interviewing for it. Of course I was ecstatic about the opportunity. However, this past Monday, my boss informed me that he had interviewed and hired someone else while I was away on Spring Break. Obviously, this was very disappointing for me since I at least expected to be interviewed for the job before they chose someone.

So, after that happened, I talked with my parents and we decided that since I had fervently pursued job options and God had closed those doors, He was giving us confirmation that He might want me to go to Argentina on STINT with Campus Crusade for Christ this fall. However, once I started applying for STINT this morning, I found out that the deadline to apply was March 1st.

Needless to say, I was confused. Why would God wait until after the deadline to give my parents and me confirmation about STINT?

Amidst all of these changes, God has been speaking louder than ever, "I'm in control. I never make mistakes. I gave you and your parents confirmation about Argentina at this specific time for a reason. Trust Me." So, that's what I'm doing. I'm trusting Him. Though I don't understand at all, I am choosing to have joy and trust that He is still in control, because I know that He is. I feel like Abraham, when he was told to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. I have surrendered all of my plans and I've been willing to stay in Colorado Springs, but God shut that door. Again, I surrendered my will to God's and was completely willing to go to Argentina, but it seems God has shut that door too. It's as if God is testing me to see if I'm willing to give it all up for Him, then He relinquishes and doesn't require the sacrifice of me, just like He did with Abraham.

I don't know what exactly He's doing right now, but I know He's in control. And that fact alone gives me so much peace in this extremely confusing time of my life.

God has been so faithful in the past and I know this time will be no different.

Continue to pray for me as I figure out if any exceptions can be made for the STINT application deadline. If not, my plan is to move home and look for a job there. Please continue to pray for wisdom. God brought Psalm 19 to my mind this morning for a reason. I know that His "statutes are trustworthy" and so is He.

Therefore, I have absolutely no reason to doubt Him or His plan. None at all. :)

"The one aim of the call of God is the satisfaction of God, not a call to do something for him." -Oswald Chambers

Snowtubing at Copper Mountain

At one of the most beautiful locations in Colorado Springs

At the famous and beautiful Air Force Academy chapel

US Olympic Training Center