Happy New Year friends! I pray all of you enjoyed ringing in
the New Year while watching the ball drop! For those of you faithful to Perry, I
pray you enjoyed ringing in the New Year while watching the buzzard drop! (I’m
not so sure what I think about that buzzard yet…) At the start of my New Year, I
can’t find anything better to do, than to jot down and share the goodness of
2013 and the dreams of 2014!
This past year of 2013 has been one wild ride. Looking back,
its surely a journey I asked for, but I just couldn’t imagine it would have
been that crazy. At the end of 2012, I mustered out a wee little yes to the
worthiness of God to fulfill the great commission, God’s response to that was
me being sent like a flaming arrow into the nations. I had been well equipped
while waiting in the quiver at Cross Point Youth. The leadership of Jason and
Katie Mangrum deserves more than a standing ovation. Those two commit their
lives to loving Jesus, and seeing young people fall in love with Him too. Their
love doesn’t stop at the graduation of the youth group. They are committed to
every single person they meet, as long as they are able to keep in touch. At
Cross Point, I was also prepared by the stand-up youth leaders who are committed
to teaching small groups, making youth feel accepted and welcomed, and by being
an appropriate model for Jesus in the youth’s lives. Not to mention the many
late nights of preparing, or the many car loads driving students to events. I
am thankful for all who have been involved. As follows, Jason Tomberlin,
Audrey Spires, Phyllis Lockaby, Denise Davis, Christina Brown, and Alison
Humphrey. These are just a few who were committed back in my day, there are
many others involved today that are just as honorable. Thank you for saying
yes. Thank you for giving yourselves in providing an awesome environment for
kids to be met by the love of the Father and to be ruined for the ordinary. I
have also had the support of my pastor, Jeremy Morton, throughout the years. A
man with a burning heart to lead His sheep well. He and His family have
recently moved following the call of Jesus, I love how God is continuing His great work in
their family.
At the start of 2013, soon after I said yes, I found God
lining up divine appointments just as He aligned those stars so long ago. He
certainly knew what was coming, but I was about to be taken on an adventure.
What He ordered was a new level of faith and trust. It began with the faith for
provision. As He calls, He will send. I didn’t understand that just one year
ago. Every bit of my cost this year has not come out of my pocket. I have
experienced the truth of the body of Christ, just as the bible says it should
be. Family, friends, and complete strangers have supported me this year.
Bringing in a grand total of over $20,000!! Let me repeat that. Over $20,000 came
to me in the form of cash, checks, and gifts. When I started this journey, I
had $100 to my name. Praise Him for His provision! Not that I should really be
surprised though, He is true to His word.
>> Thank you to the MANY faithful in obedience to the
Lord. He calls people to stay home and to send, and He calls the willing to go.
Thank you for your partnership in the great commission. If it weren’t for you,
I couldn’t go. Many lives have been made new by the powerful testimony of Jesus
this year! I’ve seen Religious spirits bound to Catholicism transformed in finding
a new freedom in a personal savior that desires to have a relationship with
them. I’ve seen physical ailments healed all because of the faithfulness of a
loving Father. I’ve experienced two physical healings myself! I’ve seen His
provision, in ways I couldn’t even imagine. I’ve broken free from insecurity,
and now align my identity with my rightful place as the daughter of a king!
Lies that I have believed for years have been demolished, He will impact lives
through me! I say all that, to say this; because of you I am a new believer
overwhelmed by the mercy of a Holy King and by the grace of a loving Father. I
am ruined for the ordinary life and I cannot dream of any other life apart from
following Him and by telling others of the freedom waiting for them. I believe
for your abundant blessings as God also promises those who are obedient to Him.
I pray too, that you will experience His presence and be overwhelmed by the
love that satisfies!
After making an everlasting Ebenezer or monument of
remembrance for everything in 2013, I have also been dreaming of for 2014.
(Note: This hasn’t been shared with many, so here is vulnerability at it’s
finest.) Some people believed I was crazy when I spoke of going into missionary
training at the end of the world (New Zealand) in just two weeks time, with
$100 to my name! Now that we’ve seen what the faith of a mustard seed will do,
let’s see what faith the size of a mango seed will do!
Through a series of prophetic words and dreams being awakened
in my heart, I have envisioned a ministry that suits my gifts and a ministry
that is crucial to the full time mission. Picture this: A home of hospitality
for full-time missionaries to come and stay for no cost to take a ‘sabbatical’
or vacation from being out in the nations. This place is similar to a bed and
breakfast. Meals are completely provided; clean sheets and hot showers are provided.
A place of serenity and rest is in the atmosphere. A place of fun activities,
like snow-skiing, golfing, or a ride out on the lake. A provided place to
lounge on the couch while reading a book, or a comfy place for a late night
movie with the family. A place where the ‘Jesus face’ can come off and where
ministers can relax without feeling the need to counsel, or teach. This is a
place to come and drink from the living water. A place to be rejuvenated and
filled. This is my dream.
Where did this dream start, you may ask?
I was in the
Philippines in May and June of 2013, when I found myself missing home. I
imagined what it would be like to be away from home for a period of years. I
imagined selling my home and creating a new home in a country foreign to all
that I knew. I imagined what it would be like taking a break and leaving the
nations to return home for a period. My thoughts led to, what if full-time
missionaries don’t have homes to come home to. What if they don’t have a
parent’s home to come back to? From that thought, I decided my home would be
that home. I started imagining me taking the women to get a mani/pedi when they
arrive. (Something I look forward to doing each time I come home.) I want to
provide some luxuries and comforts that you just don’t have money or time to do
when you’re out in the field.
With all of that shared, Here’s what I am now believing for…
I am believing for a hospitality house in a great location. A freely given gift,
provided by God, for this ministry. I am believing for a non-profit
organization that will provide these missionaries with a nice place of rest and
renewal versus couch surfing. I am believing for a partner, someone who has a
similar heart and vision that we can run with this together.
I am thankful for those of you who encourage me to keep
dreaming with a God who desires to do far more than we can ask or imagine! If
we can achieve it, it’s probably not big enough. Yes, this may seem crazy and
not ordinary for a 21 year old, but that’s okay, because I’m not ordinary!
Here’s to 2014, a year of fulfilling dreams!
I would love to hear some of your dreams, please share so I
can believe with you for what you want to see God do in you and in the nations!
Be blessed friends!
