Happy Easter everybody! I hope the reminder of Jesus’s painful death and miraculous resurrection has splashed a glass of nice and cold ice water over your life today. He has definitely done that to me – this weekend has been full of crying, singing, dancing, smiling, and shouting at the top of my lungs. He is a glorious, life-changing man, this Jesus!
So it’s been a while. I wanted to give some updates.
First of all, LOOK AT HOW MUCH YOU’VE RAISED FOR ME. LOOK AT THAT BAR AT THE TOP. IT IS GLORIOUS! IT IS INCREDIBLE! Guys, seriously, it is NOT normal. I have over 90% of what I need to fundraise, and it has been only 4 months. Seriously insane.
I really don’t think I can explain accurately how much it means to me. I feel so, so…loved! You people constantly surprise me with your care, your support, and your generosity! It doesn’t even make sense to me sometimes, but all I can do is thank you. Thank you thank you thank you. And of course, I am on my knees thanking God for the ease at which He has provided these funds. This has affirmed my calling. I have wanted to do this for years, and through this incredible fundraising, I have felt unshakeable confidence that this is exactly what God has called me to.
Oh, I also haven’t gotten to update you all on some big news! Instead of Guatemala, our squad is now being sent to Costa Rica! We were all very surprised by this change, but if anything, our squad has actually felt our trust in the Lord grow stronger because of it. We are sure that this change was intentional. He is moving in our squad and in Costa Rica. Through this unexpected shift, we have heard God affirming our squad’s power and significance in this upcoming year of Kingdom building. He is going to use us in big ways – it’s such a huge honor!
There is so much more that God has revealed to me the past few weeks, but the main thing, or really person, that I’ve come to know better is the Holy Spirit. He is present, and He is powerful. I’ve started inviting Him more and more into my everyday life, and He has shown up constantly. He has led me to grander adventures, to bolder acts of obedience, to actions of faith that have surprised me. I never knew I could feel Him or hear Him like this, multiple times a day. And I definitely never realized all I have to do to get more of Him is ask. Jesus in Luke 11:13 said “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” This has transformed everything!
So thank you again, everyone. Through your support and through the Holy Spirit’s work in me, I’m becoming more than I ever could’ve become on my own.
Loving you close,
Claire
