It’s taken me about four or five times to write this blog and kind of fathom what Jesus has been doing..so here it goes!
I am not alone. We are not alone. Though we may feel alone, Jesus is always there and readily available. It’s just up to our personal selves to decide if we want to invite him in or not.
He is there.
But it takes us to trust.. Trust in what we don’t see and what we don’t know. We have to trust that He has our future in his hands even when we are struggling in the moment. Because what else do we have to lean on?
Yes, we have ourselves, our family, and friends but I know I tend to find myself running in a circle trying to find answers and fill my void from humans. My friends and family are great but they don’t hold my future. They can encourage me and try to give me advice but I’ll still feel empty.
Coming to him sounds so easy but why do we make it so hard? Because it’s not tangible and we don’t get a direct response. We can’t necessarily dialogue with Jesus on our couch.
Surely it takes some effort on our own. I need patience. I need to be willing to stay silent and listen. I need to ask for wisdom and I need to keep hope.
And you know what? Jesus always comes through. Every. Single. Time.
Let me fill you in what Jesus has been doing in my life lately.
The month of February and first half of March I was seriously struggle busing with fundraising. I felt alone in my efforts, in my connections, and well…almost everything. I went right back into work from the Philippines and had to snap myself back into reality, especially the reality of fundraising. I knew being back in America I had to take things even more seriously than I did before. My head was racing with, “I only have 4 MONTHS until training camp and 6 months until launch!”. I was overwhelmed. & I already knew what everyone around me was trying to tell me.
“It’s okay, just rely on Jesus..it’s all in his timing” “Jesus will provide, he is faithful” “You have to be bold and step out in obedience” I knew all of these things and I got so tired of hearing it around me. All of these encouraging talks were very true but in the moment they were not encouraging for me. I was terrified to approach people and it gave me anxiety, literally. I was avoidant and stressed. I was thinking about the race 24/7. I was thinking about it so much that I didn’t even want it to cross my mind anymore. So that’s what I did.
And then it slowly hit me and then all at once. Just like a wave.
Within one week I had numerous people approach me willing to give their time to help me figure out fundraising plans.
And then the next week I had very generous donations from people and when I responded with thankfulness and tears, almost every single one of them replied with something along the lines of, “For Gods Glory! Now go out and bless others”
Like wow wow wow. Did God show up or what?! He is so incredibly real and faithful and never leaves us hanging in any situation. Whether I contract Malaria in Africa (hopefully not) or struggle to fundraise.. He never forsakes and He never leaves me. Even when I doubt and even when I look towards myself or others for answers. He is the coolest Savior ever and blows my mind. Thank you Jesus for knowing me better than I will ever know myself.
The faithfulness of all of the incredible people around allowed me to reach my first fundraising goal of $3,500! I was supposed to achieve this goal by June 12, 2015 and I not only reached it but surpassed it by $100 in the month of April! Two months early!
So with all of this being said,
I may be still terrified, but I’m not stressed. I’m not worried but I’m at a complete peace. Gosh, Jesus is so real. & there are many things that we may know because we hear it all the time. And we may be told it won’t stick unless we apply it. We know these things. But when Jesus is right there next to you to show it all.. that application and everything that comes with it completely changes you. You are with filled with a sincere joy and peace. You start to wake up each morning and tell yourself “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34
Yes I still have thousands of dollars to raise and I have a few short months to raise it, but God is really faithful and I really really know it.
I also know i’m still going to struggle, i’m going to cry, i’m probably going to stress again at some point but I pray that I will be placed at a peace through it all.
Lord thank you for your provision. Your perfect timing. Your faithfulness. Thank you for Christ centered relationships and for people to walk alongside me in life and encourage me on this journey. Thank you for friends that draw close to you and are faithful in the plans that you have for them. Thank you for your Holy Spirit and for that power to live through me so that your will may be done. Thank you for your promises. You have truly given me a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Continue scrolling for some updates!
If you’d like to partner with me in future fundraisers I could most definitely use your skill!
A few ideas I have for the future are:
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hosting a 5k
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throwing a fundrasing party
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partnering with local businesses
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have a fundraising night with restaurants ex:Chick Fil A, Chipotle, etc.
- silent auction or raffle
- car wash
- & anything else! I would love your suggestions! (:
Just to update you:
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I’m selling homemade canvases, bracelets, journals, magnets.
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I have bracelets that I’m selling from Threads Of Hope, which is an organization that helps families that are in poverty in the Philippines. Half of the proceeds I make go to me!
- I still have T-SHIRTS! $25 and super soft!
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Also, the wonderful Shane & Emily are dedicating one show a month to me! They play at various venues around the area. If you’d like to know which venue they will be at each month message me for details!
