Ok guys!! So if you read this, then you know I have been waiting to announce something Big!
First, I want to say THANK YOU to all of you who have supported me through this, the prayers, the donations etc! It has been amazing to see the outpouring of love, compassion and support not only for myself and family but for the Ministry we are going to serve in! I am now officially OVER halfway to my goal of $4500! This has all happened since February!! I still have 4 months before I leave! I am just so thankful to the Lord for blessing me with this opportunity to share my faith, and for giving me opportunities here as I prepare to take this journey. Please continue to keep myself, my family, my team and the Kenyan people in your prayers!
Ok, here comes the BIG news!
About a month and a half ago Jenny (my team leader and co worker) had a dream. She dreamed of starting a Non Profit organization funding small ministries in Africa. She was so excited and wanted to tell someone immediately, but the Lord held her back. He told her to wait for a week. Once she was ok with that and a week passed, she was eagerly ready to 'Spill the beans' once more...the Lord said wait one more month. She waited. The month finally passed and she pulled me aside and told me her dream, and from that dream Imani Ministries was born!
I have said before that Missions have been on my heart for a long time, I had a dream of being a full time Missionary but have known this dream is an impossible one with my blended family. I have a peace with that and just asked that the Lord show me how He wants me to be involved with missions, whether that be frequent trips out of the country or just supporting missions etc.
When Jenny came to me I about fell over! It was exactly what I had been praying for!
We have a LONG hard road, and we are trying to stay grounded, trying to hold back to make sure we are taking care of EVERY aspect of this Ministry so that it is successful and glorifies the Lord!
I will go into more detail very soon, but basically it involves in the beginning, an online boutique selling Clothes, Shoes, Jewelry etc from the different regions in Africa.
The first Ministry we intend to support is Jason and Kari Segner. An AMAZING couple whose heart's are for the Lord. They know the Lord is calling them to move their family, which includes themselves and their 4 young children, to Jinju Uganda in Africa.
I have spoken about Kari a few times in my blog. Her and her family mean the world to me, they are such examples of Faith and living their life fully for Christ.
Please be in prayer for the team we have working with Jenny and I on making this "Dream" become reality. I cannot stress enough the difficulty we will face starting this. But know that this is the Lord's calling and because of this He will get us through it!
Thank you all for your continued support! I will be posting more on how to become involved and support Jason and Kari, and Imani Ministries and what that will mean!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Faith!!
The Lord has been pulling on my heart strings lately. I have been falling back on my reading! Ugh! I have been craving the Word so much, yet time seems to slip right through my fingers everyday. So last night, I told myself and the Lord, I will wake up on time and have a quiet time with you Lord!
This morning when the alarm went off, I looked at the numbers and made out through the small slits in my eyelids that it was 6:30...6:30! UGH UGH!! I am NOT morning person!! Ok Lord, I will wake up, just 10 more minutes. The alarm went off at 6:40, I reached over to push snooze and...I got a muscle spasm in my neck that felt like someone was PINCHING ME! I think the Lord reached down and said WAKE UP!! YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD SPEND TIME WITH ME!
Well, I got up! I went to read, and mind you I have been reading through the Bible and I was in the middle of Exodus, however, the Lord has had it on my heart since Sunday to read 1 Samuel. So I thought, Ok I can detour. So I turn to 1 Samuel, and it wasn't really the Word that got me, but the Devotional next to it that I turned to. It was all about Faith! Having Faith in things that some might see as crazy or dangerous, but if you know that the Lord called you to it, then do it! 110% Go after it! He will make the way!
This spoke to me in so many ways. Including my Mission Trip, but also other things that I have been waiting to announce!
You will have to wait just a little bit longer! But, I will be announcing by next Monday! I just ask that those who read this, please continue to pray for the Kenyan people, for the Ministry we are going to help, for our Team members as we prepare to go on this journey, and also for the Anonymous news I have planned for everyone:) God is a Big Big God, and He has been soo evident in my life!
Oh and PS, I have a history of getting those muscle spasms in those exact spots, however, they normally last all day...this one went away as soon as I got out of bed!
Alrighty, Good Night!!! Thank you for your prayers...now go spend some time with the Heavenly Father, He just wants to talk to you:)
This morning when the alarm went off, I looked at the numbers and made out through the small slits in my eyelids that it was 6:30...6:30! UGH UGH!! I am NOT morning person!! Ok Lord, I will wake up, just 10 more minutes. The alarm went off at 6:40, I reached over to push snooze and...I got a muscle spasm in my neck that felt like someone was PINCHING ME! I think the Lord reached down and said WAKE UP!! YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD SPEND TIME WITH ME!
Well, I got up! I went to read, and mind you I have been reading through the Bible and I was in the middle of Exodus, however, the Lord has had it on my heart since Sunday to read 1 Samuel. So I thought, Ok I can detour. So I turn to 1 Samuel, and it wasn't really the Word that got me, but the Devotional next to it that I turned to. It was all about Faith! Having Faith in things that some might see as crazy or dangerous, but if you know that the Lord called you to it, then do it! 110% Go after it! He will make the way!
This spoke to me in so many ways. Including my Mission Trip, but also other things that I have been waiting to announce!
You will have to wait just a little bit longer! But, I will be announcing by next Monday! I just ask that those who read this, please continue to pray for the Kenyan people, for the Ministry we are going to help, for our Team members as we prepare to go on this journey, and also for the Anonymous news I have planned for everyone:) God is a Big Big God, and He has been soo evident in my life!
Oh and PS, I have a history of getting those muscle spasms in those exact spots, however, they normally last all day...this one went away as soon as I got out of bed!
Alrighty, Good Night!!! Thank you for your prayers...now go spend some time with the Heavenly Father, He just wants to talk to you:)
Monday, March 21, 2011
Calling
I haven't blogged in a while. Like I said in the beginning, I am not a writer:) So for me it is hard to find inspiration to write a whole blog post about my day to day life. However, today I am inspired!
Jenny, my team leader, went to Haiti on a short notice trip that the Lord placed on her heart this last week. Her pictures are heartbreaking but encouraging at the same time.
Heartbreaking to see the children in the rags they run around in, the tent camps instead of housing, the total chaos that these people live in day to day.
Encouraging because there are people who are taking time out of their lives, who don't live this way, who live a life of "luxury" at least in the Haitians eyes, to come and love on them! And not just to Haiti, this devastation is everywhere. Even in America. To see people who care about those less fortunate, is to see the hands and feet of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Some of you know, well I'm sure all who are reading this now know:) I have had a heart for missions for several years. Its been stronger at times than others, and I kind of pushed it aside when I was in rebellion from the Father. But it is something that consumes me now! I feel Him speaking into my life constantly!
There are some big things happening right now.
One thing I have always said was that I would LOVE to be a full time missionary, but I did not take the chosen path for my life. I went astray and took my own path, which led to destruction and utter chaos in my life. The Lord has graciously forgiven my sins and become number one in my life. I am listening to Him and His calling. And He is still willing to bless me incredibly in this life!
Well, I have known that I can't be a full time missionary for a long time. Especially with a "blended" family. There is no way either myself or my husband feel led to leave our children here while we go. However, the Lord has opened a door for me to be apart of Missions in a BIG way but not have to live overseas! I am not going to announce it just yet, but big news is coming! I am soo excited in the way the Lord has used people in my life, and hobbies etc for His ultimate Good!
The first thing that is happening, is my photography "business" is now a Not for Profit. Meaning, I only take donations right now, and I mean donations towards the Missions. As soon as my mission trip is paid for, I will continue to donate the money to missions. I am so excited about this!
I am blessed to have a full time job, and one that I absolutely LOVE!! The Lord has poured out His love on me and my family. And honestly, I was getting tired of charging a set fee for what I considered my art. I like being able to take pictures of children, families, anyone really and not have it be a business. I love to do it, and I don't want to ever feel differently about it!
Ok this is getting long winded, I'm sure it won't be long before you see another post from me though!
Jenny, my team leader, went to Haiti on a short notice trip that the Lord placed on her heart this last week. Her pictures are heartbreaking but encouraging at the same time.
Heartbreaking to see the children in the rags they run around in, the tent camps instead of housing, the total chaos that these people live in day to day.
Encouraging because there are people who are taking time out of their lives, who don't live this way, who live a life of "luxury" at least in the Haitians eyes, to come and love on them! And not just to Haiti, this devastation is everywhere. Even in America. To see people who care about those less fortunate, is to see the hands and feet of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Some of you know, well I'm sure all who are reading this now know:) I have had a heart for missions for several years. Its been stronger at times than others, and I kind of pushed it aside when I was in rebellion from the Father. But it is something that consumes me now! I feel Him speaking into my life constantly!
There are some big things happening right now.
One thing I have always said was that I would LOVE to be a full time missionary, but I did not take the chosen path for my life. I went astray and took my own path, which led to destruction and utter chaos in my life. The Lord has graciously forgiven my sins and become number one in my life. I am listening to Him and His calling. And He is still willing to bless me incredibly in this life!
Well, I have known that I can't be a full time missionary for a long time. Especially with a "blended" family. There is no way either myself or my husband feel led to leave our children here while we go. However, the Lord has opened a door for me to be apart of Missions in a BIG way but not have to live overseas! I am not going to announce it just yet, but big news is coming! I am soo excited in the way the Lord has used people in my life, and hobbies etc for His ultimate Good!
The first thing that is happening, is my photography "business" is now a Not for Profit. Meaning, I only take donations right now, and I mean donations towards the Missions. As soon as my mission trip is paid for, I will continue to donate the money to missions. I am so excited about this!
I am blessed to have a full time job, and one that I absolutely LOVE!! The Lord has poured out His love on me and my family. And honestly, I was getting tired of charging a set fee for what I considered my art. I like being able to take pictures of children, families, anyone really and not have it be a business. I love to do it, and I don't want to ever feel differently about it!
Ok this is getting long winded, I'm sure it won't be long before you see another post from me though!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Stressed but Blessed!
So the last month or so I have just been stressed, but only for personal reasons. So many many things going on.
This last week though has had some really good things happening! The marriage Small Group we lead went amazing on Friday, and we have a new couple who joined! I really felt the Lord there with us!
My mission meeting on Monday went so good as well! We skyped with Chris and Lisa (the missionaries who run REAL 4 Christ ministries), and I am so excited to be able to go over to them and help them!
I will soon have a list of things I will want to bring to help them with supplies etc. They told us about some of the things we will be doing though and I am just so excited! We are going to bring ideas for games and crafts and we have to come up with lessons! I am so in my element here! I cannot wait to work with the kids! We also went over our testimony and the things to remember about when talking to someone thru an interpreter, which was really cool too. I am just being so blessed by this ministry and hope that I can in turn be a blessing!
With all that being said, I've got to get on the ball about fund raising! So I had planned on having a garage sale this Saturday, until I was reminded my daughter Reagan has a creative writing contest for school on Saturday! I was a little down, not because of the contest because I am soo proud of Reagan and cannot wait to see her in action! But because I had had my heart on it! Well let me just tell you guys, I have the most amazing, wonderful, loving, caring and generous husband in the world! He will be having the garage sale for me! Soo if you have anything you would like to donate or would like to just donate your time to help it would be soo appreciated!
Don't worry if you want to help but this weekend is too short notice for you, I will be having one every couple of weekends until I go!
My sister in law also mentioned the possibility of having a silent auction, so if any of you have anything you would like to donate for that as well I am going to do that!
Thank you all for your loving support, you are a blessing!
This last week though has had some really good things happening! The marriage Small Group we lead went amazing on Friday, and we have a new couple who joined! I really felt the Lord there with us!
My mission meeting on Monday went so good as well! We skyped with Chris and Lisa (the missionaries who run REAL 4 Christ ministries), and I am so excited to be able to go over to them and help them!
I will soon have a list of things I will want to bring to help them with supplies etc. They told us about some of the things we will be doing though and I am just so excited! We are going to bring ideas for games and crafts and we have to come up with lessons! I am so in my element here! I cannot wait to work with the kids! We also went over our testimony and the things to remember about when talking to someone thru an interpreter, which was really cool too. I am just being so blessed by this ministry and hope that I can in turn be a blessing!
With all that being said, I've got to get on the ball about fund raising! So I had planned on having a garage sale this Saturday, until I was reminded my daughter Reagan has a creative writing contest for school on Saturday! I was a little down, not because of the contest because I am soo proud of Reagan and cannot wait to see her in action! But because I had had my heart on it! Well let me just tell you guys, I have the most amazing, wonderful, loving, caring and generous husband in the world! He will be having the garage sale for me! Soo if you have anything you would like to donate or would like to just donate your time to help it would be soo appreciated!
Don't worry if you want to help but this weekend is too short notice for you, I will be having one every couple of weekends until I go!
My sister in law also mentioned the possibility of having a silent auction, so if any of you have anything you would like to donate for that as well I am going to do that!
Thank you all for your loving support, you are a blessing!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Closer than I think!
So a lot has been going on! My best friend and Co Worker, Rebecca, worked her last day yesterday! Maternity leave starts TODAY! Her beautiful bundle of joy will be joining the world tomorrow afternoon and I am ECSTATIC! Cannot wait to hold him! But, this also leaves me with more responsibility at work! EEK! I'm totally up for it though, so glad I can be here for her!
So I've got that going, plus I am trying to plan fundraising events and just preparing myself and my family (extended and immediate) for my departure.
I got all the information on shots needed, and thank you Lord! My Dr's office actually has a travel Dr in it! I was telling Chris about it at the dinner table last night, and Reagan pipes in, "WHAT SHOTS!" I would like to add that she has a completely healthy, normal and sane aversion to shots that she has inherited from me! Lol! I explained that the shots were for me and that they were to prevent me from catching any diseases. She then says "Sooo they're like a forcefield!" to which I reply "huh??" and she explains "A force field keeps bad things from getting in, you know like aliens and stuff, so the shots are like a force field because they won't let bad diseases get in your body! I mean force fields aren't real, but thats what shots are like!"
I just love the way she thinks:) She is getting more and more used to the idea, and I think this will be so good to teach her about helping others, and I hope it instills in her a heart for missions!
Right now I need your help though! Some of the girls who work at Sweet Memories (thank you Jackie Tinnell for asking them!!) have offered to donate baked goods to sell for fund raising! Soo, I need a place to have a bake sale! I have also had other people offer things to sell as well, so I am thinking it will be a bake sale/garage sale! If anyone knows of a place please please let me know! I am wanting to do something within the next month. I have to have at least $2605 raised by April in order to pay for the plane ticket, which means the time for raising funds is NOW! LOL!
Thank you for any help you can provide!
So I've got that going, plus I am trying to plan fundraising events and just preparing myself and my family (extended and immediate) for my departure.
I got all the information on shots needed, and thank you Lord! My Dr's office actually has a travel Dr in it! I was telling Chris about it at the dinner table last night, and Reagan pipes in, "WHAT SHOTS!" I would like to add that she has a completely healthy, normal and sane aversion to shots that she has inherited from me! Lol! I explained that the shots were for me and that they were to prevent me from catching any diseases. She then says "Sooo they're like a forcefield!" to which I reply "huh??" and she explains "A force field keeps bad things from getting in, you know like aliens and stuff, so the shots are like a force field because they won't let bad diseases get in your body! I mean force fields aren't real, but thats what shots are like!"
I just love the way she thinks:) She is getting more and more used to the idea, and I think this will be so good to teach her about helping others, and I hope it instills in her a heart for missions!
Right now I need your help though! Some of the girls who work at Sweet Memories (thank you Jackie Tinnell for asking them!!) have offered to donate baked goods to sell for fund raising! Soo, I need a place to have a bake sale! I have also had other people offer things to sell as well, so I am thinking it will be a bake sale/garage sale! If anyone knows of a place please please let me know! I am wanting to do something within the next month. I have to have at least $2605 raised by April in order to pay for the plane ticket, which means the time for raising funds is NOW! LOL!
Thank you for any help you can provide!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Evangelizing
I have finished Genesis! I can't believe how much in there I hadn't read before! Or at least I hadn't paid attention to while reading before! I've started on Exodus and can't wait to continue on!
The Lord is preparing me to evangelize in so many ways. Chris and I have had many conversations about our beliefs and from these conversations we have been digging into the word, scripture upon scripture that tell us why we believe the way we do! I love reading about my Lord and Savior, my God, Jesus Christ. I love reading about His walk on earth and the promises He makes us in heaven. I cannot wait to see Him one day. I am so ready and will be completely prepared because of the Holy Spirit who works through us to preach His name!
I just wanted to quickly post how I've been doing! Thank you so much to you all who have emailed me your support and prayers! I love you dearly and am so thankful for each of you!
I also wanted to let you all know that Jenny (the leader of the trip) has started a blog for our whole team. www.MissionMombasa2011.blogspot.com. On this blog there is a link to donate through Paypal! It will go directly into our sub account for the organization and is completely tax deductable. If you do this please let me know because there is no where to make a note of who you are donating for. Thank you guys again so much!
The Lord is preparing me to evangelize in so many ways. Chris and I have had many conversations about our beliefs and from these conversations we have been digging into the word, scripture upon scripture that tell us why we believe the way we do! I love reading about my Lord and Savior, my God, Jesus Christ. I love reading about His walk on earth and the promises He makes us in heaven. I cannot wait to see Him one day. I am so ready and will be completely prepared because of the Holy Spirit who works through us to preach His name!
I just wanted to quickly post how I've been doing! Thank you so much to you all who have emailed me your support and prayers! I love you dearly and am so thankful for each of you!
I also wanted to let you all know that Jenny (the leader of the trip) has started a blog for our whole team. www.MissionMombasa2011.blogspot.com. On this blog there is a link to donate through Paypal! It will go directly into our sub account for the organization and is completely tax deductable. If you do this please let me know because there is no where to make a note of who you are donating for. Thank you guys again so much!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Priorities, Hobbies, and Love
So many things that I want to talk about! Let's see if I can do this eloquently!
Over the last few weeks I have really spent time thinking and praying about my time in the Word. I hate to admit this, but it has always been a struggle to get into the Word! Where do you start? And how do you sit down and figure out what He is trying to say! Sometimes I read, and its almost as if I'm reading a foreign language!
I envy my husband. He sits down with his bible, and one or two other versions along with his concordance and his iPhone so he can google if necessary! He reads the Word with such diligence... I envy him. I know I shouldn't though! I continue to pray for a hunger to learn His Word!
This year I have decided to read the Bible, beginning to end. I have started, and must admit, I am not going at the pace I need to. However, now that I know He has called me to the mission field, I have decided to also read the New Testament. I want to study Matthew, I crave a relationship with my Heavenly Father!
The last several weeks, Pastor Will has been going over a series called TIME, he talked about our time here on earth and what we are doing with it. Then Pastor Brian this week spoke about Trust, but what I took from his message was this: My time is not being used wisely! Brian didn't tell me this, I know this. I find myself coming home from work and vegging out in front of the TV. I think to myself, I don't know how people find so much time to study the Word! But, after this weekend I know, there is plenty of time, I am just choosing to waste it! So my goal now is, when I get the urge to watch TV at night, I am going to open my Bible. Because, if I really crave a relationship with my God, I will spend time with Him! I will get to know Him intimately! I want to know everything I can about my God, and I want to share my knowledge with the lost!
Yesterday I did a photo shoot of one of my favorite subjects, a little girl full of life, prancing around in her pettiskirt and holding a bouquet of purple balloons! I want the care free innocence of a child! She loves her mom and dad, she loves the Lord and she loves me! Awe to be a child again, and have the faith they have, you don't think about the details that encompass God, you just trust in Him. I love capturing this innocence, however this is something in my life that has been consuming my time.
Most of you know of my love for photography. When I first started doing it as a part time job, I dove in head first! My free time was consumed by picture taking and editing. To the point that I was missing out on my family, and my relationship with God was taking a back seat. I have finally come to the realization that I need to slow down. I know! Me! Slow down! Not in the vocab! But, I will have to try! I still LOVE photography and do not plan on quitting, but I have slowed down quite a bit. I can't wait to take some beautiful pictures of the Kenyan people. I am taking my camera, with my small lens, because I want you all to see a part of what we see while there. I love Photojournalism, and I will be in my element! I hope to capture the essence of Christ in these children's eyes! I am so looking forward to this! This love for photography is God given and I need to use it for His glory!
So now you know my two "vices":) I love watching TV and Photography, two things that are not bad in and of themselves, but have a priority in my life that I do not want them to have. I am making the choice to change this!
One last thing, I just have to say how much I love my husband. He is so supportive through this whole thing, and has been instrumental in bringing my relationship with Christ closer. His faith is amazing to watch and I am so blessed to have him in my life. Valentines day is right around the corner, I cannot wait to spend it with him. I am so thankful that I have a Heavenly marriage. I never thought I would have this, especially with our past, but God is good to turn the dark to light! I love the way the Lord has changed our lives!
Over the last few weeks I have really spent time thinking and praying about my time in the Word. I hate to admit this, but it has always been a struggle to get into the Word! Where do you start? And how do you sit down and figure out what He is trying to say! Sometimes I read, and its almost as if I'm reading a foreign language!
I envy my husband. He sits down with his bible, and one or two other versions along with his concordance and his iPhone so he can google if necessary! He reads the Word with such diligence... I envy him. I know I shouldn't though! I continue to pray for a hunger to learn His Word!
This year I have decided to read the Bible, beginning to end. I have started, and must admit, I am not going at the pace I need to. However, now that I know He has called me to the mission field, I have decided to also read the New Testament. I want to study Matthew, I crave a relationship with my Heavenly Father!
The last several weeks, Pastor Will has been going over a series called TIME, he talked about our time here on earth and what we are doing with it. Then Pastor Brian this week spoke about Trust, but what I took from his message was this: My time is not being used wisely! Brian didn't tell me this, I know this. I find myself coming home from work and vegging out in front of the TV. I think to myself, I don't know how people find so much time to study the Word! But, after this weekend I know, there is plenty of time, I am just choosing to waste it! So my goal now is, when I get the urge to watch TV at night, I am going to open my Bible. Because, if I really crave a relationship with my God, I will spend time with Him! I will get to know Him intimately! I want to know everything I can about my God, and I want to share my knowledge with the lost!
Most of you know of my love for photography. When I first started doing it as a part time job, I dove in head first! My free time was consumed by picture taking and editing. To the point that I was missing out on my family, and my relationship with God was taking a back seat. I have finally come to the realization that I need to slow down. I know! Me! Slow down! Not in the vocab! But, I will have to try! I still LOVE photography and do not plan on quitting, but I have slowed down quite a bit. I can't wait to take some beautiful pictures of the Kenyan people. I am taking my camera, with my small lens, because I want you all to see a part of what we see while there. I love Photojournalism, and I will be in my element! I hope to capture the essence of Christ in these children's eyes! I am so looking forward to this! This love for photography is God given and I need to use it for His glory!
So now you know my two "vices":) I love watching TV and Photography, two things that are not bad in and of themselves, but have a priority in my life that I do not want them to have. I am making the choice to change this!
One last thing, I just have to say how much I love my husband. He is so supportive through this whole thing, and has been instrumental in bringing my relationship with Christ closer. His faith is amazing to watch and I am so blessed to have him in my life. Valentines day is right around the corner, I cannot wait to spend it with him. I am so thankful that I have a Heavenly marriage. I never thought I would have this, especially with our past, but God is good to turn the dark to light! I love the way the Lord has changed our lives!
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