Pray for: Relationships

      Mom suggested I keep things simple today. Pray for the people of Ethiopia because they have NO idea what they have coming. :) As valuable as her insight was, we will take it just a tad bit deeper.

     God created us to be relational, to need people, to need to connect and bond with others around us. I am very much a "relationships have a purpose" person--I take quality over quantity and invest all that I can into the people I am blessed to have in my life. Now there are two completely different sides to this prayer request. In my time in Africa I will be building new relationships daily, and for those I will ask you to pray for opportunities to share Christ with people. Then there are the relationships that are established here in the states, the ones that, at least for the next year, will take on a completely different status. Right now, the transition seems to be a natural part of going onto the mission field, but I'm sure in about 6 months (or less), it'll be difficult as connecting won't be quite as simple as it is here in the US, and I'll want to share life and experience that cannot possibly be relayed.

      Today, I'll ask you to pray for my relationships: both at home and abroad.

At Home...

• Pray that my close friends and family members and I would stay connected and not lose the value of the relationships we share
• Pray that we would continue to support one another, and pick up where we left off when I get back
• Pray that God would use this year to mold each of our lives and give us all a desire to seek Him first and our earthly relationships second. 

Abroad...

• Pray for me that I would be open minded and yet wise about the people I allow into my life and the people's lives I invest in
• Pray that God would open doors with the people of Ethiopia, young and old, to share the Gospel, and pray that I would be confident and bold in doing so.
• Pray that the language barrier would not be a hurdle, and that I'll pick up on the language quickly!!
• Pray that God would bless me with one or two GOOD friends to be in community with

Beyond that, pray as our Heavenly Father leads you in regards to the way this trip will affect relationships both at home and abroad. 

Pray for: Dad and Mom

      My parents. I could write for pages about how amazingly wonderful they are, but that would not really help you know how to pray for them. For the sake of keeping things short and sweet, let me just say I could not have been more blessed in the Dad and Mom dept. From day one they raised me to love and follow God. They did not know all those years ago that that would mean putting me on anairplane  on course for Ethiopia, but I have no doubt the lessons would have remained the same. It takes strong people to say "OK" to what I am getting ready to do, to be content in sending a piece of themselves across the ocean for a while, but their faith in God's plan is far greater than any reservations they may come across.

       If you are already a parent, then I don't think you need any direction in how to pray. Lift Mom and Dad up to The Lord in the areas that you would want somebody to lift you up.

       My mom has declaired 1 Thess. 5:16-18 as her life verse during this new phase.

                                  

For my parents, please pray that:

• They would be strong and support one another as they make this adjustment together
• Pray that God would give them an extra does of strength to support Emma and Noah 
• Pray that they would continue to hold fast to the charges in 1 Thess. 5:16-18
• Pray that fear and the distance between us would not be a struggle, but a reason to turn to God and seek comfort in His ever present love 

Pray for: Siblings

     It is less than a week away. Seven days from this very moment I will be in an airplane over the ocean well on my way to the year of my dreams. So with the last seven days before my departure, I want to ask you to join me in prayer as you have been so faithful to do. Each day I'll be highlighting a different area for you to focus on specifically, as you feel lead throughout the day. 

     Today, I'm feeling a particular pull on my heart towards my siblings: Jacob, Holly, Emma, and Noah. 

• Pray that they would understand the why?
• Pray that God would be so very real to them during this year. 
• Pray that our relationship would continue to be as tight-knit was we are now, maybe just in a different way. 
• Pray that they would adjust well to the new family dynamic.
• Pray that they would be one another's biggest supporters. 
• Pray for me as I experience life apart from them, and all that goes along with that. 

 I believe with all my heart that the best gift our parents ever gave us was each other. We go through the typical ups and downs of being brothers and sisters, but at the end of the day I could not dream of a life without them. Lift them up to The Lord with me today, because after all, this decision to GO affects so many more people than just me. 

To Him be Glory

     Single digits. With 9 (yes, you read that correctly: NINE) days to go things in my life have slowed down considerably. I have let go of all of my responsibilities and am taking the last week to spend with my family and tie up loose ends. With that slow down I've had time to process my thoughts and return after over a month without posting here. Finding something to post about was easy this time, it pretty much slapped me in the face last night and I was like--GOD MOMENT. Must share.

 

       With so few days left I have been reflecting on and thinking back over the 7 months of preparation that has brought me to this point. During this time of reflection, whether it be at the stoplight on my way to work or as my final thoughts of the day pass through before drifting off to sleep, I have been reminded of so many details both large and small in which my only response remains "to Him be the glory".

 

 

        The largest area in which I struggled to give control over to God was when it came to money matters. When Ethiopia came onto my radar and I had committed to traveling there, my family in Ethiopia helped me figure out how much money I would need to meet my needs while in
Africa. The number: $14,000. Now to a girl who just graduated college, this seemed to be an astronomical number, which had a lot to do with my reluctance to give God the reigns. How in the world was $14,000 going to fall out of the sky? God said to me, "Child, I have brought you this far. Don't you know I'll make sure your every need is met? Put your faith in me." Well, now with roughly $17,000 and counting I am wondering why I ever doubted that the money would be there. God did not just meet my needs, He provided far more than I ever could have imagined, and He continues to provide! Each and every dollar that comes in now goes beyond my personal needs to God's plan for me while I'm there. I am overjoyed as I continue to watch hearts soften to the need to further God's kingdom in Ethiopia. I am overwhelmed to think of all the ways I can bless people because of people here that have and continue to choose to give. God has a plan for each and every dollar He provided, and all I can say is "to Him be the glory".

   

        Looking back on the past 7 months, I think of the people that God has allowed me to share my faith with here simply because of what He will have me do in the coming year. People at the churches I have been to, where I have been able to share with them a passion to spread the gospel. Random people in the store who have commented on the copious amounts of stuff I was buying--ever shopped in advance for a whole year? The man at the phone store. The lady at the post office when I got my passport. My eye doctor and dentist. Random people I talk to who ask me what I'm doing now that I graduated. The list goes on and on. What a great opportunity to share my faith and open that door with family, friends, and complete strangers. To Him be the glory.

 

        My family. Let's talk about them. I have my parents, 2 brothers, a sister, and a sister-in-law. When we are all home together our house erupts with laughter. Of all the things I enjoy in life, my family is at the top of the list and laughter comes shortly thereafter. I come from a close knit family, so naturally this up and coming change (while extremely exciting) will mean some days of wishing we were all together again. I try to always embrace time with my family, but here recently I have worked on taking in each moment. As we sit around the table for dinner and join hands to pray together I get this surreal feeling like, if it were not for these people and the faith that they poured into my life, I would not be the person I am, nor would I be traveling across the world following the calling of a lifetime. This love, these roots of mine..... To Him be the glory.

 

       Suitcases. I can fly with two large suitcases maxing out at 50lbs. Today I began packing my bags. And by began I mean, my plan was to begin, but reality is I was so excited about doing it that I ended up packing everything but my carry on! If only we had pictures of the bag-weighing process. 'Twas quite a show! I hopped on the scale as Mom hoisted the bag onto my back. I stood there hunched over like a turtle only to discover that bag numero uno was just at 50lb. Onto bag #2. I filled it up with nearly all the items I needed and once again hoisted it up to weigh. 43lbs.. Phew. I made the cut-off. With all the items left to stuff I'll be right at my limit. Post packing, there are two things on my mind... First, I'd love to meet the man who came up with the 50lb. max and give him a little talking to (I say man because no woman in her right mind would put a weight limit on luggage). Second, I am praising God that all the items I need for a year weigh a total of only 100lbs. To Him be the glory.  

 

     Four scenarios, all completely different, in which I find myself looking to God and praising Him for the ways He is in control of every detail both large and small. I return once again to Eph. 3:20-21

 

 "Now to Him that is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power

that is at work within us, to Him be the glory."

 

All Systems are a Go

Ladies and Gentleman,

     I am pleased to announce that I am ready to hit the skies. It was 6 months ago today that I got an email from my family in Ethiopia sharing their interest in me joining their work with The Forsaken Children. It blows my mind to think that 6 months and 1 day ago I had NO earthly idea of where God would send me. What is even harder to believe is how quickly God got the ball rolling when He was ready to show me His plan. My story (here) can give you a deeper look into how things came about, but here is the super short version: I have spent 6 solid years desiring to go to Africa--2 1/2 of those years I had my "perfect Hannah plan". God called me to give up that plan just about a year ago leaving me clueless as to where He might send me. It was this time in my life when I was called to unconditionally put my trust in Him, which included faith in His timing, His location, and His plan! God did not let me down. From July until December 25th I was handed a blank canvas that was my opportunity to exibit trust without borders. A trust that was not conditional on a plan, not dependent on an opportunity I could connect to, and not wavering because of a lack of both.

      Friends, it was 6 months ago today that God blessed me with the most amazing opportunity for service. It seems only fitting that on the same day 6 months later I get the final items necessary for me to leave--my Visa and finances.

      What an affirming reminder of the amazing power and faithfulness of our God! I had no idea what all went in to leaving the country when this journey to Ethiopia began (which is probably a good thing, finding out once piece at a time worked for me). I am here to share with you that my God is so much bigger than the long list of details, He is so much in control of each and every item that had to come together.

      What a joy it is to be able to post that I am READY TO GO! I have my passport, plane ticket, shots, training, and as of this week I have my visa and have reached the $14,000 mark. The only thing keeping me away from my dream come true of serving in Africa is the date on the calendar.

      What a journey it has been--but to know that my all of my legal needs are met brings such joy. Likewise, I find joy in knowing that he has given me all I need financially to meet my basic needs while on the field, but I cannot wait to see how far above and beyond He goes in order for me to do all that He has in store for me and His children.

      I am sitting here with butterflies in my stomach. What a blessing these past few months have been, watching God lead my fragile heart to depths that we have never plunged to before. God called me to trust Him with things far beyond what I could handle on my own. Just looking back on how much my relationship with my Heavenly Father has been strengthned through this process overwhelmes me. Taking it a step further, looking at how far God and I have come in the planning process, I cannot even fathom how much my time on the field will deepen and strengthen my connection with God. Wow: that is all I can say. Just... WOW! We serve an amazing God, it is as simple and yet as complex as that.

      I have 41 days until I take off. That is 41 more days for God to blow me away with how He provides. We're talking 41 days for God to prepare me emotionally and spiritually to head off while simultaneously forming the depths of who I am to further His kingdom in a rural village in Ethiopia.

      God's timing is amazing--sometimes early but never late. To think, 6 months ago today this journey literally just began for me, and now, 6 months to the day later I have reached my fundraising goal and received the last of the necessary paperwork items. I have been blessed!

Take a moment to praise God with me today for these blessings. Now, think about how He has been at work in your life over the past 6 months, and praise Him for the journey.

I'm All About Africa

       Let's face it y'all, I'm obsessed with Africa. There is no way around it. I have a passion for the continent, would happily talk about it until I'm blue in the face, and desire nothing more than to serve the people of a place I know only in my heart. That's the key though, it's in my heart, it is ingrained in me as deeply as it can get.

       Friends, I am only fifty-one days away from setting foot on warm African soil, filling my lungs with air from the place that has filled my heart for years now. Fifty-one days away from living out my dream. Fifty-one days away from the faces of the precious children that are so a part of my zest for service. Fifty-one days...

        Over the past few weeks in preparation to go:  

• I tried Ethiopian food for the first time. Yumm-O!
• I traveled to Mississippi for a week to go through Global Outreach International's training program: a week of intense mission field prep. From 8am-6pm, a trainer, myself, and 8 other missionaries covered everything from how to best use the abilities that God has given us to dealing with medical issues that may arise. We worshiped and prayed together, we talked about our hopes and fears, and we went through the ins and outs of being a GO missionary. What a blessing the week was.
• I BOUGHT MY PLANE TICKET! Enough said.
• I sent off my Visa paperwork--please pray that everything goes through the system without a hitch.

       As it seems like over the past month my life has oozed conversation about Africa, I am beginning to realize that this mission trip is no longer a long ways off in the distance. It is well on its way. I have less than two months until take-off, and as these short weeks close one after another, I will only share more and more about my passion. A window into my heart... That is what these conversations are. Luke 6:45 describes this portion of my life to a tea.

"Her mouth speaks from that which fills her heart."

It is quite obvious what fills my heart.... A not so little place called Africa.



Announcing a New Partnership

        I am so excited to be sharing with you that I have a new sending organization: Global Outreach International.  After completing a week of training at their home office in Mississippi, I feel even more confident than ever in going onto the mission field. Global Outreach (GO) will be taking care of many of my administrative details so that I can focus on the job that God has called me to. One of the items that GO will handle is my budget and finances: Let me share with you a few changes to donation opportunities...


How to Donate*:

• By mail: (Put Acct # 4260 in memo)

Global Outreach

PO Box 1

Tupelo, Mississippi 38802

• Online: Click here to go to GO's missionary page. Click "donate" by my picture.

     *Global Outreach is accredited by the ECFA, and 100% of all donations made to my account go straight to my mission.