I don't know where to begin!! November….you have been a blessed month. I am not one to advertise or make public that I am fasting, but I want to let you know what the Lord does through our obedience! This month I decided I was going to fast from "sugars" any treats, pop, or candy. I was believing God for many things pertaining to my trip, basically wanted to set up the next 7 months for a win; as I prepare for this adventure. So here are some of the AWESOME things He has done this month.
#1 awesome thing God has done in November–> this month I ve been partnering with Threads of Hope, Inc selling bracelets. These bracelets are made in the philippines, money raised goes back to the families so that they can be self supporting. In this case because I am fundraising for them $1 goes back to the families, and $ 1 dollar goes towards my my trip for every bracelet sold! I first heard about this fundraiser through some of my teammates and I looked on the website and quickly dismissed the idea of partnering with them. I mean really isn't the whole friendship bracelet craze over? But after one of my teammates mentioned it again I thought what do I have to lose? I ordered 700 bracelets thinking well maybe I can sell them all before I leave before in July…..let me just tell you its been exactly four weeks (11/30/11) and I have 29 LEFT…… I AM ESTATIC!!! These bracelets have sold themselves, I feel honored to be able to help such a great cause while I am helping raise support towards my trip at the same time! God has blown me away with the support Ive received selling these bracelets. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE BOUGHT! BTW I have 600 more on the way! WOW GOD!
#2 awesome thing God has done in November–> Near the middle of November I was sharing with our childrens ministry at our church about missions! I got to share a little bit about the world race as well as the bracelets. At the end of it my sister bought all the kids a bracelet. I told them when they see it to remember that they are all missionaries and to pray for the families in the philippines, as well as missionaries around the world. After all was said and done 10 year old Teagan came up to me and asked if she could make a donation to my trip. My eyes well up as I type this…I was just so touched; that God could use a child to bring such blessing to me. SHE "GOT IT"! She understood the value in missions and there aren't words enough to say how amazing that is! She will be blessed no doubt! Needless to say the following week she showed up with $ 10 dollars in hand! Not the amount, but the sacrifice to give the amount. I will never forget that!
# 3 Awesome thing God has done in November–> My support letters are finally under way. There was a bit of confusion surrounding the fact that I am Canadian, and AIM is an american organization, therefore they would not be able to issue taxable receipts to my sponsors. The exciting news is the my church has approved that they will be able to issue them out! I don't believe a tax receipt should make or break a decision to give, but I know it may be incentive for some. So if you are in my world you can probably be expecting a support letter in the mail this coming week. AND IF YOU WANT ONE AND DON'T GET ONE LET ME KNOW:)
#4 Awesome thing God has done in November–> God has given me soooo much opportunity. Whether it be a random conversation in a coffee shop, or telling someone about my bracelets. I ve been able to share about my trip. The coolest thing that happened though was just the other day I was like God give me an opportunity…I need an opportunity. AND WHO WALKS INTO THE COFFEE SHOP…..THE WOMEN WHO WRITES FOR OUR TOWN NEWSPAPER. I was nervous…but I asked her if she would be interested in my story, and also about the bracelet fundraiser….she gave me her card and I need to set up a time to chat with her! HOW AWESOME IS GOD'S TIMING!
#5 Awesome thing God has done in November–> I was at work and one of my co-workers has been having to walk to work, because he is without a car right now, a 45 minute walk for him. The other day he was telling me he wanted to get an ipod or mp3 so he'd have something to listen to on his walk. I dismissed what he said that day but a few days later I just was thinking…God how can I bless him? I mean ideally i would love to get/give him a car…but considering I still need mine for the next 7 months that wasn't an option. God reminded me though that I did have my old ipod that I hadn't been using…THAT WAS IT…IM GOING TO GIVE HIM MY IPOD. Today (11/30/11) at work I told him I had something for him….he was smiling ear to ear when he saw it, he said thankyou so much and gave me a hug. It was the best feeling in the world.
November has been such an eye opening month…as much as I ve faced my doubts of raising the finances to do this mission trip, God always gently reminds me its His timing, and He is never late! I want to live generously…..I want to put others before myself ALWAYS! How can I expect people to be generous towards me if I can't be generous towards others. Am I giving to get….I can honestly say NO and it is a beautiful place to be. I just want to be a little bit more like 10 year old Teagan…willing to give whatever it takes to make a differnce, to give because she sees the VALUE in it! It is who she is and not what she does! Lord make me more like that! Can't wait to see what December has in store!
