I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support that has been shown to me as I prepare for my journey. I have a HUGE support system and I am truly grateful for it. I have so many things going on right now, and more times then not, I have been finding myself stressed, sometimes to the point of it giving me a headache. I can tell you now, working 3 jobs which total 60-70 hours per week, one of those jobs Teaching children with special needs (which means LOTS of paperwork, data, IEP’s, behavior planning, etc…
Let me just say this, I LOVE MY LIFE!!! I am not complaining about the work load, considering I have a lot on my plate right now, I know how truly blessed I am. I make enough money to support myself; I live on my own, pay my bills, have enough money to buy food, and I can buy different things here and there if I plan accordingly. I am not, in any way, rolling in money (I am a teacher after all), but I make enough to provide for myself. I work super hard to do this; it also helps that I LOVE my jobs.
What also helps me get through everything that I need to get done is my support system. Between my family and friends, there is always someone around if I ever need to talk/ or if I need a supporting hand. God has introduced some AMAZING people into my life. There are no if, ands, or buts about it. No matter the obstacle, He has placed enough people in my life, to remind me that I am not alone. That not only will He provide what I need and be there for me, but there will always be enough family and friends to help encourage and support me.
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But Take heart! I have overcome the world.”
As I say this I realize that there is something I do not say enough, that I don’t remind those who are always there for me, or who are a major part of my life; I LOVE you all!! I repeat, You are LOVED!! By more than just me. But, I want you all to know that I will always be there for you as well. All you ever need to do is ask, and without hesitation, I am there.
“LOVE is Patient, LOVE is Kind.
LOVE does not envy,
Is not boastful, is not conceited,
Does not act improperly,
Is not selfish, is not provoked,
And does not keep a record of wrongs.
LOVE finds no joy in righteousness,
But rejoices in the truth.
It bears all things, it believes all things.
LOVE never ends.”
Corinthians 13:4-7
So why am I leaving you all for a year if I love you so much? Because there are those in other countries who do not receive all the love and compassion that I both give and receive so freely. There are those who don’t have a support system to remind them that they are not alone. That not only is God there for them but other people as well.
Have you seen the movie “White Christmas?”
Bing Crosby sings a song “Count Your Blessings”
“If you’re worried, and you can’t sleep,
Just count your blessings, instead of sheep,
And you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.”
I find myself falling asleep most nights thinking how blessed and lucky I am, and how there are so many people who do not have all the luxuries that we have here. And yes, in the great United States of America, we have luxuries. Things that we take for granted every single day, that others would give up all they own for.
By going to all these other countries, I wont be able to provide them with the “things” they would want/need but there I something I can do. I can show them love and compassion. I can help to bring a smile to a child’s face; I can help to repair churches, homes, and schools; I can help to plant churches; I can help to speak life into places most other would never attempt to speak life into; I can give people hope and show them how powerful faith can be.
A smile, a hug, a hand, a listening ear, A PRAYER.
LOVE.
Simple, yet powerful.
Things we take for granted, I could help to give to others. This is my opportunity to make a difference in the WORLD. The one thing I will be gaining from this experience is growth in my faith. I must raise the funds in order to help me do this missionary. Everything raised will go directly to support my journey (travel, housing, food). When I return I will be starting from square one (finding a place to live and returning to work to provide for myself) I will not become a millionaire from this journey, the gains will all be internal.
Please, continue to help support me as I prepare for this journey. Pray for me, this is going to be a life-changing experience. And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help to fund me as well. As I said, I cannot do this alone. Donations small or large, I will be truly grateful for. You can also support me by telling my story to your friends and asking them to help me as well.
THANK YOU to those who have already shown SOOO much support!!!!
THANK YOU to those who are planning to support!!!
THANK YOU for all the prayers!!
THANK YOU for being there for me!!
THANK YOU for sticking around and reading my story!!
REMEMEBER, you are LOVED!!!
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