Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Dolphin Trainer Turned Teacher/Missionary





A couple weekends ago I shared the exciting news that God has called several families, individuals, and a church to partner with me in my calling to Uganda and I have been blessed with 50% of the financial support needed to make the move! Without supporters here at home I would not be able to go live in Uganda and teach the kiddos of the World Harvest team in Bundibugyo. Missionaries are only able to go to the field because people at home are providing them with financial and prayer support that is vital to their ministry. Believe me when I say I know there are many giving to me sacrificially and I am SO grateful to each and every person supporting my calling. I have been blown away by the generosity people have shown me. It is completely humbling to have people supporting me financially and in prayer so I can go to Uganda. During the missions conference I shared that 5 years ago I never would have believed I would be where I am today. It is so true! Five years ago I wanted to train dolphins in Florida for the rest of my life. I NEVER thought Jesus would call me to be a missionary, and I NEVER thought He would send me to Africa! What a blessing that God did stir up a passion in my heart for teaching, Africa, and missions. Teaching is such a joy and I am excited that is what Jesus is sending me to do! Will you please pray that God will continue to miraculously provide the rest of the support I need? My prayer is that 4 supporters will commit to $50 a month, 4 supporters will commit to $100 a month, and 1 supporter will commit to $500 a month. If you or anyone you know might be interested in partnering with me please let me know. I LOVE being able to share about what Christ is doing in Bundibugyo, Uganda.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day

Here is what I loved about today: This morning when I woke up there were flowers and a card from my pup Addie (aka: my mom) on my desk. When I got to work my best teacher friend gave me chocolates and a sweet note. My kiddos poured into class all morning spoiling me with flowers, candy, and cards. Everyone was wearing pink and red and looked so adorable. We had a class party in the afternoon, and ate cupcakes, brownies, cookies, chips, and drank juice boxes. After school I went to an early dinner with my best teacher friend. Then when I came home I had the cutest Valentine’s Day card from the sweet Johnson boys! I felt so loved all day and had so much fun. Plus my kiddos were really good which was the cherry on the cupcake! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Love Beyond Measure

I’m taking a course right now through World Harvest called Sonship. Perhaps some of you have heard of it or even taken the course. It is similar to Gospel Transformation (which my church offered last year as a Sunday school class).  I am in Lesson 4 and have really been thankful for Sonship and my counselor, who I discuss each lesson with. So far I haven’t necessarily heard anything that I hadn’t ever heard before, but I have been reminded of some things that I needed to be reminded of. For one, I need to hear the gospel every single day of my life (which is something Ande Johnson, my RUF minister always reminded me of.) As I was speaking to my counselor on the phone this past week I was struck by something in Lesson 3. There was a question in the homework that said, “Think of someone close to you. What is your view of them?” Well I was thinking of a friend of mine, and I described that friend as someone who has been an encouragement to me, an inspiration, patient with my faults, someone who I enjoy spending time with, etc. Then my counselor reminded me that the things I love about that friend are nothing compared to what Christ feels and sees when He looks at me. I was thinking “ what!? WOW!” I know that is true. I know Christ loves me as He loves His own Son. He sees Jesus' righteousness when He looks at me, not because of anything I’ve done, but because of the work of Christ. I don’t deserve this gift, but nonetheless it has been bestowed upon me. Thinking about how much Christ loves me blows me away, brings me to tears even. If I could grasp the depth of the love Christ has for me think how it would truly change my life, and the way that I would love others. I'm so unbelievably thankful that I am a chosen daughter of the Creator of the Universe and beyond.

Romans 5: 6-8
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ dies for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though for a good person one would dare even to die- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Halfway

We just passed the halfway point in the school year! With every week that passes I come to the realization that I am getting closer and closer to moving to Uganda. The past few years have been hard, wanting to be in Africa, but needing to wait for just the right time. I've also reached the halfway point in my support. I sent an email today reporting that I was at 40%, but after hearing from a couple more people today I am actually at 50%! Every time someone tells me they want to partner with me in this ministry to Bundibugyo it brings me to tears. I am so humbled that Jesus is sending me and I am in awe of how He provides. I have such little faith and yet Christ continues to give me more than I can imagine on a daily basis. I am so thankful for His provision. Please pray that I will trust Christ to provide another 50% of the support I need to go. Thank you so much to my supporters who are giving sacrificially to send me to Uganda.