My first step was in January 2012. I decided to sell cookie dough. I was hesitant at first but within my first day I had sold nearly 30 containers. I made this an everyday routine. I would walk door to door telling people what God was doing in my life and his plan for me and everyday God moved! It went so well I continued selling cookie dough well into February and by the time I was done I had raised nearly $3,000. Wow.
Throughout March and April I held concession stands at local auctions, selling sandwiches and drinks. People just kept pouring in week after week. I was amazed! April 1st I held an art show at a local coffee shop. It was a one-day event and I can’t believe how God moved. “The night went absolutely wonderful! God provided Big time. I KNOW it was Him! I sold 19/25 pieces of artwork within 12 hours, raising over $2,000! I’m absolutely speechless. Did that really just happen! YES! And I’ve been commissioned to paint more pieces this next month! God is AMAZING.” (from my personal journal).
In May I hosted a missionary benefit bike ride, “Bike for Hope.” I had over 30 riders that day and was able to share my story and how God was moving! In June, I put on two garage sales and as you can probably guess GOD MOVED! Late June I was helping as a councilor at a youth church camp and while sitting at lunch one day I explained to a stranger what God was doing in my life. As the week came to a close I didn’t think much of the conversation I had had with the stranger until the last worship service, they invited the director of the camp up on stage. He then begins telling the entire camp about a girl he met this week and how he was seeing God move through her, that she had such passion and life. Then he called “Ciera Nelson” up to the stage. WHAT!? I nervously walked up onto a stage and looked out into a crowd of over 600 people and told them how God moves. I only asked for prayers, they donated.
July, I held another art show. August, I finished school and took my Kansas State Boards test, which I am now a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. September, God provided me with an amazing Physical Therapist Assistant job. I had no application process or interview; it was literally placed in my lap. I am filling in for a lady who is currently on maternity leave and wanted off until January which is my launch date. That is God Moving! I could not of set that up or planned that in any way. I’m amazed at his movement.
During the month of October, I worked a few more concession stands, hosted a supper before a high school football game and held another bike ride. Riders were able to bike over the Kanopolis Lake Dam. Of course God showed up at each and every one of those. O and how can I forget the countless donations throughout the year, from friends family complete strangers. It blows me away how God is so alive and present, moving for us each and every day of our lives! Towards the end of October I spoke at a local church during their monthly meeting to let them know what I was doing this next year. I only spoke for 15 minutes, answered a few questions and then left. As I walked home in the dark, I remember thanking God for his incredible power and love for me. It was quite and I felt his love cover me. The next day I was told that the church had given me some money. But wait , here’s where God leaves me speechless. My grandparents Kenneth and Marie Nelson were members of the church. I can barley remember them, but I always hear how sweet Marie was and how Kenneth was so kind and compassionate. They both died when I was very young, but before they passed they had left money to the church. Some of that money had not been spent in over 15 years! When I spoke that night the Holy Spirit MOVED and the members remembered my grandparent’s account. This is what God had intended the money to go towards. This was why they had not spent it. I was handed a check for $1,000 that day from Kenneth and Marie Nelson. God MOVES.
I'm in complete awe of how God Moves. "if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" Matthew 17:20. So I’m nearing the end of my fundraising and although I have some left, I’m not stressed or overwhelmed; I’m Confident! Confident that my God is crazy about me, that he provides, and that he is alive and constantly moving for us and through us.
Now I told you my story, what’s yours? Will you let God move you? Push you into wonderful, new adventures in Him? All it takes is that one small step. Trust me, it’s worth it.
-Ciera
