God had Other Plans, and so Did My Friends (PT 2 of â€¦Sense of Humor!!!)

God had Other Plans, and so Did My Friends (PT 2 of …Sense of Humor!!!)

Ok so this is part 2 of this amazing weekend where God provided more than I ever expected. I left off last blog where I had $1700 raised in 2 days, and was searching for how to raise the last bit to hit my next goal of $6500 by June 16^th.
            It was Saturday and my friends were throwing a party at their house. That wasn’t too unusual, they have a pretty great house that accommodates large crowds nicely. They also would try and do something for major holidays or something. I was told it was an end of the year party for all the graduates, and others leaving either for good, or just the summer. Let me preface this even more, many of my friends are still in college, or just out of college. I myself am only a year out, and am still involved in the leadership for the college ministry. With that being said, I have a lot of college friends, and the college ministry has been such a great support to me.
            My friend and I was getting ready for this said “White Out” party, where you wear all white and there were going to be black lights and such. It was a cool idea, and I was excited to see everyone, potentially for the last time for some! Well we were running late, nothing new, and driving to the house. On our drive we were talking about all that God had provided this weekend, and how amazing it was that I was getting closer to my goal. We also started talking about other fundraisers that I could do before I leave. When we finally got there the street was lined with cars. The line was so long we were AMAZED! We were trying to guess who was here by the cars we recognized, but there were too many! We finally parked and made the hike to the house and went in. At this point we were about an hour late… whoops… Well when we got in, one of the guys that lived in the house got everyone gathered around, all 70 or so people stopped and listened. He started out talking about the graduates that were only 2 weeks away from receiving a diploma, and then called out our college pastor to come over and pray. That part was a little off to me, I didn’t realize our pastor was there, but little did I know… When I looked up after praying a few of my friends were in front of me holding a vase full of money, and a GIANT card full of encouraging words. The party was for me, not for anyone else, not to just have an excuse to get together, but for me, and to help me raise money. Everyone was there for me, and to help support me. They charged $5 at the door, and kept people aware and updated about my cause so that people would feel good about donating more if they wanted. They had this party planned for months, had a facebook group and everything, everyone around knew for weeks! they invited everyone and anyone. I was overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness. So we celebrated, and danced the night away! Praise God!
            A couple of my friends took the jar towards the end of the night and counted out the money. They came to me with the total, and I just couldn’t believe it. Completely overwhelmed by the love from my friends, the love and provision from God I stood there in tears. Couldn’t believe it was real. The final total of that night was $2,280 raised, so that I can go travel the nations and declare the name of Jesus to the world. A bunch of broke, college age students raise over 2000 dollars for me. Praise the Lord.
            The next day I was just in awe, and shocked. I could not describe in words the thankfulness I had felt. I cried most of the day. Tears of joy, tears of gratitude, tears of anxiety, and just plain tears. I still don’t have words to say to tell my friends, and family how thankful I am for them, and what they have done for me. They have all have taken care of me and supported me and loved me more than I knew. If you all are reading this, thank you! Thank you for everything. I will continue to praise the Lord for you and with you! I will continue to pray for you and the people you are broken for. I will make you proud, and give God the glory, and make His name famous!
            That next day, I also got handed a $100 check from a family from church who really wanted to support me somehow, and someone else gave me an ipod touch with a camera, so that I can bring it on my trip and use it for facetime, skype, and pictures to keep all of you updated more easily! SO there you have it! My full total in 4 days was $4000 and an ipod touch. Talk about overwhelming. PTL! So God’s sense of humor took me from completely lost and defeated, to completely overwhelmed with gratefulness.

Support update, I am at $8000 after that weekend, and have had one other fundraiser since then, and other responses to my letters sent out, and am now about at $9000. Thank you so much for all of you! I am not only $6000 away from my final goal!

Here enjoy some pictures from this awesome party of my awesome friends!!

Great friends enjoying the White Out party!