Thank you to everyone that has given so far!!! You are such a blessing to me, both through helping me financially and with your prayers! Every time someone gives and or knowing that others are praying for me, it encourages my heart so much because I am seeing God provide for me.
A while go someone sat in front of me at church, and during the meet and greet time I told this person about my up coming trip. Minutes passed by and the pastor began to give his message, and soon we began to pass a few notes back and forth. On a piece of paper, one of writings said, "I believe Gal. 2: 20 is your verse." This person didn't really know anything about me, though when I looked it up, I said to myself, "Wow! That verse describes me, and one of my recent posts about what my heart is believing to see happen on this trip." A few Sundays later, I told this person about it, and it really encouraged them too.
Today I happened to be reading Galatians 1 verse 10, which says, "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. (NASB)" This verse made me think about two things:
1) A quote from my young adult pastor that I heard him say this past summer, "There is a difference between craving and striving. One is birthed from sonship, and the other is birthed from an orphan heart." – Alyn Jones
2) I am to always be who God created me to be in Him, which is a daughter of Father God. This means He is my protector. He is my provider. I can put my trust in Him, and know that He will always take care of me. It also means that I know no longer have to fear how others view me because my confidence comes from Him and not from others.
