You know you live in Oregon if:
If you never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.
If you have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.
If you are more concerned about packing a sweatshirt or a jacket when going to the beach than packing a bathing suit.
If you feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.
If you consider something a “hill” if it doesn’t have snow on it or has not recently erupted.
After some airline delays I made it home to Southern Oregon and have had a busy few weeks. Looking at my options, I decided to go ahead and sell my car to raise more money for my trip, so I left it in Murfreesboro and flew home on donated airline miles. Once I arrived, I applied and have worked some hours as a substitute teacher’s aide for the Ashland School District. So far I have only worked at the three elementary schools so thankfully I have been taller than most of the kids. It has been a very fun but eye opening experience. One day, coming out of a “staff/adult only” bathroom I was informed by three young girls that only adults were allowed to use that particular bathroom. I replied, that it was good then that I am an adult and had the impulse to stick my tongue out when they still looked suspicious. Hahahaha. It also takes time to get used to kids named Jet, Chase, Sailer, Jeep, and Terrain.
After my brother’s wedding on November 23rd in Portland, Oregon I spent the week of Thanksgiving up in the Seattle area visiting with extended family. On the 29th we then returned to Portland for my brother and his new wife’s reception before heading home. Tonight, I have a meeting with the outreach board of my parent’s church, First Baptist Church of Ashland. They have also generously offered to let me host a small informational session on December 15th combined with a going away party so I’m looking forward to that.
Now that I’m back, my list of things to do keeps getting longer. As one of my squad mates put it, it’s not like we’re preparing for a 2 week or even a 1 month trip. Vaccines, more online training, a living will, Power of Attorney so my parents can take care of my taxes…now that I’m down to T – 1 month it all feels much more real. I have been doing a lot of thinking since training camp. While at training camp we were asked a lot of deep questions and were encouraged to really take a look at ourselves. Was our foundation of “truth” from the bible or what someone had told us? Have I properly grieved the seasons of my life? Have I lost my faith in the super natural? On a scale of 1-10, how is my soul health? How am I wired to connect with God? What makes me feel most vulnerable?” The speakers brought up the gifts of prophesy, of tongues, and of healing. I was raised conservative Baptist, and please know that nothing I write is meant to say one denomination is better or worse than another. For myself, it was all very eye opening and even a little shocking. During worship at training camp some people collapsed onto the ground. My immediate response was concern, then it was cynical “it’s just the group mentality, one falls because others have fallen,” and then curiosity, “pssst, what are you doing down there?” At 27 I had never spent any time looking into healing prayer or prophesy or tongues, assuming it only happened in the past. Was I letting my comfort level instead of biblical discernment dictate where I was willing to see God work? Had I been approaching God not only with expectations but an agenda of what His work should look like? Was I seeing little because I believed little? I, personally, find it very easy to recognize and admit that I’m broken but what I’m realizing is that God uses broken people, and He wants to use me.
At the end of December with all known donations accounted for, I will only be short $2,000 which is amazing. Especially since in the beginning of this process I always had a “plan B” in mind, knowing this was too awesome and would never work out. I have been so blessed by not only people’s financial support but also personal interest that friends, family, and even strangers have taken in my trip. Thank you again to everyone for taking part in this journey with me. This will probably be my last blog before Launch or even entering my first country. As a team leader I need to be in Atlanta by the 5th of January, the rest of the squad will arrive the 6th, and we will leave the country January 9th. Holy Cow! Will you consider committing to pray for me while I’m gone? As always I’d love to hear from you, my email is [email protected] and I’m also on facebook.
