So my Mom brought home this letter that she is sending out to some friends of hers along with my letter. So I thought I would share it a little bit of it.
Dear Family and Friends,
Our daughter, Ashley, has had a calling to do missionary work placed upon her heart. After meeting much resistance from us, from us first saying absolutely not, you have a great career started, you’re safe, we know you are okay to her telling us that she “had promised God she would go wherever He called her to go” because she felt it was God’s calling and she was willing to give up her life to serve Him, what can you say as a parent but we support you, love you, and will help you make it happen because we know without a doubt the only other person who loves and cares for Ashley as much as we do is our Lord and we know He is directing her path.
A dear sweet person sent us the following and it is exactly what we needed to read and I attach it to share with you.
No Approval Needed
John(the Baptist’s) clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. Matthew 3:4
Many a parent has been delighted to see his child make progress in spiritual matters, showing unusual sensitivity to discerning God’s will. Until, that is, the young adult child decides to go to Bible college instead of a prestigious university. Until, that is, the child announces her plans to go to a dangerous mission field to work among an unreached people who suffer from disease, strife, and poverty.
Zacharias and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, might have felt that way. The angel Gabriel seemed to indicate a respectable career path for their son, John: “To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” They never imagined that John would leave them as a young man and live in the desert, dressing oddly, eating locusts and wild honey, and preaching radically. He was likely a source of embarrassment for his parents. If you have a child, a parent, or a friend who is obeying God and pursuing a path you don’t understand, pray Acts 21:14: “The will of the Lord be done.”
God is not obligated to receive the approval of the family and friends of those He calls into His service.
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So I thought that was pretty cool to see what my Mom thought of me going onto the mission field. I know it was hard for her to accept that this is what I was supposed to do, and it means a lot to me that she supports my decision to do the World Race. Mom if you read this I love you and Thank You for supporting me in everything I have ever done…even when you think it’s a crazy idea. You taught me how to give to others and expect nothing back…and to do the right thing even when I’m too stubborn to do it. (Me stubborn? No way!) I will always be proud to be your daughter.
Love is Change.
Ash
