This blog idea has been on my mind for awhile, so I hope it comes out the way I mean to….
At the beginning of the school year I called one of my dear mentors to tell her about the Race and talk about fundraising. After a long conversation of catching up the final thought that she left me with was a story about a girl in her church who just left for Italy. This girl was fundraising, just like me and was stuck in a rut. She spoke with her mentor about all the fundraising events she had done, letters she had sent, prayers, everything; the money simply wasn’t coming through. Her mentor said these kind, wise words that mine relayed to me, “How’s your giving?” It struck a cord deep in my heart.
During this past week I was reminded that I would need money next week for my second round of shots for the countries I was going to, and for the rest of the materials I would need while I was on the field. It seemed like I was seeing dollar signs every thought I had. Then, during a worship fundraiser I had, the people that came were more generous than I can even begin to describe. It makes me speechless.
This past Sunday at church while I was praying, I gave God all my money– again. I know that I will get the money I need for my shots, whether its extra shifts at work, or someone gives it to my cause. As I say and prayed, God told me a number to give to my church. I had planned on giving some but definitely not the amount He showed me. It straight up scared me, it was going to drain my bank account. Then He told me to look down at my arm, at my bracelets. I wear a blue bracelet that says ‘All In.’ It reminds me that I am All In on God’s plan. I wrote the number, yes a little shakily, but wrote it whole heartedly, knowing that He would provide. Little did I know just how much.
From my fundraiser Friday I had a lot of goodies left over and began to place them around my dorm and in the Student Center to sell. People were simply giving donations rather than taking buying the goodies. It shocked me; first off who doesn’t want a homemade cookie! Second, I am amazed at the support I am getting from my school community and everyone!
I know that God is going to pull the hearts to give the rest of the money I need to make it to launch and to stay on the field. But for now and for life, generosity is going to get me farther than penny pinching.
