Thursday, July 14, 2011

An Attitude of Gratitude

I can't help in this time to stop and thank God. There is so much to pay attention to, to pray about and to plan for, but I have to look at why I am planning and praying and know that it is worth stopping my new busy time to thank God! The opportunity before me, to serve the Rasmussen family, Wycliffe Bible Translators and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is more than I could have imagined at almost 19 years old. While I am helping the Rasmussen's with their three little ones, I also hope to learn about myself, and about the people of the DR of Congo. I hope that this opportunity will bring me closer to the Lord's will for my life and show me the many different types of ministry that God will use me for as an ICS major. I have to thank the Lord for the love He gives me, the knowledge that He will always be by my side no matter what, and the knowledge that greater things are yet to come. I am also grateful that he would choose to use me, a young girl just out of high school, just starting to really get to know God. It makes me think of Jeremiah, who was called at a young age into the world and given God's words. I can only wonder what God's will for my life will be, but nevertheless thankful for where I am now, and where I am headed, no matter where it may be!

I also thank the Lord for each of you! For your prayers and support! Each prayer is such a powerful weapon, and so important in this ministry! Please continue to pray for Wycliffe Bible Translators, Wycliffe Associates Volunteers, the Wycliffe members in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and the country and people of the DR of Congo.

Jeremiah 29:11 <3

Monday, July 11, 2011

The Nerves Kick In

I know these nerves aren't coming from God. I think back to reading and learning about partnership development through Wycliffe and the things they they could almost promise that satan would use against me. The feelings of I'm not good enough, they wont remember me, I'm horrible on the phone and won't be able to get information out, and any other nasty lies he decides to put in my mind. The fear of being to young to reach out and help this family, or that people might think so also comes to mind. But thankfully, I have an AMAZING GOD who reminds me through His word that I am good enough, and He is going to use me in any way that he can! I am really learning to trust him, as I previously mentioned, and the test continues to get harder, but I have God on my side! I know that as long as I am looking for his will, I will have nothing to worry about.

I'd love to share with you a few scriptures that I am trying to focus my heart on lately!

Jeremiah 1:7-8 "But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you
to and say whatever I command you."

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you." Declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future!"

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."


As I read these verses again, I am reminded and given some peace about the partnership development that I will officially start this week as I start calling friends, family and churches. I ask for your prayers that I will listen to the words God gives me and follow his will as I continue my journey toward the Democratic Republic of Congo! :)

PS. I leave for Minneapolis in 7 days! Prayers that all goes well and I adjust for my new home for the fall semester well and adjust to moving 2,000 miles from my family to study God's amazing word would be great! :)

Saturday, July 9, 2011

What a Test

Working on Partnership development, I have really started learning how to trust God. It really is quite a tough thing to do. We as people want it all our way, right away, and that is just not how it works! There is a bit of a struggle going on in my heart at the moment, as I push myself to trust God and know that "Father knows best!". I am constantly thinking about my favorite bible verse: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you." Declares the LORD,"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future!" I always think about this and how He has a future for me. Whether it is working with friends and family to volunteer in Africa, or studying for 4 years at a University that I did not think would have been possible for me to attend. College was my first test in trusting the Lord. In July 2010, I had no plans for a university and I was headed to community college, by July 2011, I am all ready and set to go, with financial aid taken care of, a dorm picked out, and classes registered. God must really have some great plans for me at North Central University. Which brings me back to a small sign He had for me in March on a flight to Chicago, when an elderly man I had never met was placed next to me on a plane and when I told him I planned to attend NCU, he told me his friend just thought the world of it, and God would do great things for me there. He moved on to a new seat and I didn't see him again, but I wish I could thank him for giving me Peace about NCU!

Knowing that God can do great things if it is His will for us, I am beginning to worry less and less about going to the Democratic Republic of Congo in January 2012 with Wycliffe Associates! I am extremely excited and I know it would be an amazing experience. It would be a dream come true, but I remind myself one again, that God knows best and that I need to listen and wait on him. I ask for your prayer as I continue on this journey that God has me packing for and planning for. Please pray that I listen to my Heavenly Father and learn to trust Him in everything! I never thought that any of this would be in his plans for me, but now that I think about it, all I can do is praise Him and thank Him!