Inching Closer...

It has been a very busy last few months. I have to give all the praise, honor, and glory to God for all of my financial support being raised in a matter of about 2.5 months!!! I needed to raise $12, 053 for my eleven month stay in Paraguay, and $13,000+ came in from friends and family alike!!! I am so overwhelmed by, not only the love and support of those around me, but by the love of God! He never ceases to amaze me! So, financially I am in excellent shape, and I pray for my future roommate, Cassidy, that her finances pull through. I know she still needs quite a bit of funding. I have no doubt the money will be raised if this is really what she is supposed to be doing!

Aside from raising support, I have booked my flight for January 21st, meaning that I will arrive in Paraguay on the 22nd. At this point it seems so far away, yet so near. It's just an odd feeling that I can't explain. I know that with the holidays coming up, time will seem to fly even faster. My heart is still quite anxious, but I know that my God never leaves me nor forsakes me! It has helped talking a bit to Cassidy and also to my future Paraguayan mom, Felicia. That has comforted my soul lately. I trust that everything truly does work out for the good of those who love God. It may not always be in our time, but it does work out.

I have kept busy subbing, volunteering at local ministries, participating in different Bible studies, helping with other church activities, and much more to occupy my time. I was really worried about this limbo period from August to January after I found out I wasn't leaving this fall anymore. But, the Lord has provided! I have earned some extra money and have experienced some things I normally don't have a chance to experience because I'm away at college. I am happy to announce that I have applied for my certificate in Spanish translation through The University of Texas at Brownsville (online). I hope to work on that part of my Master's degree while I'm overseas teaching English so that I can find a good translation job when I return. It greatly helps to be certified! I am just waiting to hear; everything on my part has been completed.

Ways you can be praying...
1) that God would continue to bless me in unimaginable ways
2) that His love and peace would surround me like never before, affirming that He never leaves nor forsakes     His children
3) for the children to whom I will be teaching English
4) for my host family and roommate
5) for my roommate's financial support

Praises...
1) that my financial support has been raised in full!
2) that, even though much anxiety still exists, deep down God has given me excitement for this adventure

Until next time... :)

Training, Training, and More Training!

I was in Atlanta, Georgia from Sunday to Thursday this week for training for my time overseas. It was one of the most draining weeks I've had in a LONG time (we spent 12-13 hours a day in lecture and discussion), but I have to say that I was blown away by the information presented to us! These are some of the topics we studied throughout the 4 days: theology of mission (the Bible is a missionary book), the Wesleyan perspective, incarnation (specifically Philippians 2), worldviews, paramessages, confusing cultural forms with the intended meanings (i.e. baptism and Holy Communion), culture shock (its causes, symptoms, and cures), spiritual warfare (ways the enemy can get a foothold on our lives), personality types (using the MBTI), and practicing the spiritual disciplines (specifically meditation of Scripture and prayer). As you can see, we had a very busy week!! I feel more than prepared to go overseas!

Speaking of departure date, mine has been postponed to mid to late January 2014. This is for 2 reasons specifically: Their school year begins in February, and the missionaries I'm working with would like me to arrive at the start of the school year instead of toward the end (their seasons are opposite ours, so February is like our fall). Also, the missionaries will be back here in the U.S. for 6 weeks over the students' summer break (late December until the start of school), and they don't really feel comfortable having me in the country during that time without anyone I know. 

All that being said, any donations that have already come in or that will come in between now and January will still be deposited in my online account. No worries...none of it will get lost in the 5-month waiting period. It will all be put to use still! A HUGE thank you to everyone who has already donated! You are much appreciated! I will send out my thank yous once I know for sure what has come in. Right now I don't have an exact amount because my online budget hasn't been updated. I will keep everyone up to date.

Ways you can be praying...
1) that all of my support is raised in a timely manner
2) that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, would fill my heart
3) for my host pastor family
4) for the students to whom I will teach English
5) for the staff I met this week at The Mission Society

Until next time... :)

We've Only Just Begun...

It still hasn't sunk in that I am going to be living abroad for an entire year. I think it has sunk in even less for my parents. I've done two months in Macedonia and four months in Spain, but I've never been out of the country for a year. I have written my support letter and am currently sending it out to family and friends everywhere. I must raise $10,000-$15,000 for my year in Paraguay...around $1,000/month, plus a few other expenses along the way. There is so much of which I am uninformed about this journey until I attend my 4-day training in Georgia in a couple of weeks. I know one thing for sure: I will be there a year. I am fairly certain I will be teaching English, but I'm not sure what age group I will have. I will either be living in an apartment near my missionary mentors (the Eisenbergs) or actually in the Eisebnergs' home. I am on an emotional roller coaster right now, as one moment I feel incredibly excited to experience yet another culture, meet many new people, and take my Spanish to another level, and the next moment I am extremely nervous about all of the challenges the coming year will bring. I can cling to one promise: God is always faithful and remains the same no matter what we do!

There is not much else to say at this point in time, but I wanted to at least begin my blog that I will hopefully be keeping up to date throughout my time in Paraguay as a GreenLight intern through The Mission Society.

Ways you can be praying...
1) that all of my financial support is raised in a timely manner
2) that I would have an open heart and mind to everything God is revealing to me
3) that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, would fill my heart
4) for my host missionary family
5) for the students to whom I will teach English

Until next time... :)