A few weekends ago I had an amazing thing happen to me. I have wanted to blog about it for awhile but have found myself busy with the holidays and preperations to leave. I am in Fort Collins CO now, staying at my mothers until I leave for D.C. on the 6th. I have packed up most of my belongings and left them behind in my sisters basement. I have said goodbye to friends and family and left my dear little companion Jasmine (my chihuahua) at my aunts. Tears of joy and sorrow have fallen as I have said goodbye to friends and family and a life I loved. Now, I am left feeling comfort and peace here in my makeshift room. But I want to tell you about what happened in Beaver Dam, AZ on December 15th 2012!
In short, I was blessed beyond my wildest imagination and dreams with love and support and was able to raise just over $2,000 to my support account in just over 3 days. It was nothing short of miraculous and showed me more than any one single thing has in this process that this is God's plan for me. I was showered with love and favor by a town of people I barely knew and was shown true selflessness and generosity and love from the Father.
The night began with introductions and setting up the raffle table as I met all of the wonderful people who helped organize and facilitate the evening. We had been given a pig to pit roast, numerous raffle donations, food donations, and musical talent to be displayed onstage. To be honest I was feeling a little overwhelmed not knowing how much of the night was going to work and knowing very few of the people around me. My aunt and cousins had spent weeks preparing and organizing, spending time and money getting the food and raffle ready and I was trying to figure out what to do, how to help, and my place in all of this. (I have never been great at being the center of attention and was feeling unworthy as I had done little to help).
Then it happened. It was only about 10 minutes after 3 and we were still putting the food table together. A man (I still don't know his name) came up to me and asked,
"Are you the girl going on the mission trip?"
"Yes," I replied simply.
He grabbed my hand and shoved a wad of 20's in it saying, "This is for you." Then he briskly walked away and out of the building and into his car. I sat in shock and amazement, staring down at my hand and not knowing what to think or do. I turned to the person nearest to me, who I think was my aunt, and told her what had happened. She smiled and began asking questions as to what he looked like and was wearing.
I still don't remember exactly what he looked like or even know who it was but I will always choose to remember him as my angel of favor because from that moment on that same thing kept happening to me over and over again all night as people who I didn't even know began pouring in, buying raffle tickets, handing me wads of cash, hugging me and telling me they were proud and excited for me, and showering me with love and attention that can only come from above. The night in its entirety was beautiful, and the next 24 hours would bring my total funds raised to $2039.20.
It was one of those nights you wish you could relive over and over only to do it better and better and deserve it more and more. Through this night and time in Beaver Dam God showed me (and many others) that when you step out in faith you will be blessed, and that we can do nothing (besides loving and believing in Christ) to deserve the great gifts of life and salvation that is ours, a free gift from a loving father above.
Through this mission and experience this has become one of my favorite scriptures and versus (it is printed on the back of my prayer card), because it continually reminds me how much He loves us, what grace is, and of the gift of our father.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8
Our God is a God of greatness, miracles, favor, and love. The only thing that limits Him is our own understanding and faith in His great power. I encourage and challenge everyone to step out in faith and believing that God can do great things. Our God is a God that loves, heals, and conquers. I promise that if you can only trust in Him and believe, and take the first step in giving Him your heart, He will take care of the rest. I am a living testimony of this.
He has blessed me so much and I am eternally grateful for this opportunity to serve and go out into the nations to spread this message of love and salvation.
I hope you all had a great Christmas and celebrated the birth of our savior with friends and family and were surrounded by love. Blessings and love to you all. T-minus 12 days to launch.
Dez out.
