'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus....

I am continuing to pray and move forward. Pastor Daniel would like a response soon...

I am working through some issues that need to be resolved in order for me to make the trip at the end of January. I have also begun my fund raising. Please pray that the Lord will stir hearts for the great need in France and that folks will yield to the Lord's calling and partner with me.

A dear friend and sister in the Lord (who shares my vision and burden for France) has updated my blog. If you've been following, I'm sure you can see the huge difference! She has also added additional tabs at the top of this page. You can now see my brochure online, fill out a support card, and even donate! Thanks, Connie.

Please pray for my car situation. I was using my sons car, which my brother fixed, but just died tonight. We are without again. Please pray for the Lord's wisdom as to what to do.

I truly appreciate your prayers regarding these things.

I was sharing the other day how I am learning (and re-learning) to slow down. I have realized that when I get frantic, I often fall in one way or another.

I'm also working on being a better steward of my time.

A New Timeline

I received a call from Pastor Daniel (in Lyon) last night. We spoke for over two hours. With the deadline for January enrollment passed, I was now looking at September. He had an idea. He suggested I pray about coming for a three month, short-term mission trip - late January to late April. I could do this without obtaining a visa.

I will need to raise $3,000 for this missions trip.

While there, I will have the opportunity to work with the church and get to know the people they serve. In addition I can familiarize myself with the city. I think this is a wonderful idea and cannot see a down side. I am praying and asking the Lord for confirmation and will respond to Daniel in a week. Please pray with me as I seek the Lord on this decision.

Note: It is interesting to me how quickly things change. I'm excited to "stay loose" and see what the Lord will do next.

The Lord's timing...

Well, my cut-off date for registration for the University spring semester has passed. It was a difficult time for me. So many things seemed to conspire against my efforts. I needed my diploma in order to register (as well as some additional documentation). I graduated in 1974 and probably haven't looked at my diploma since. So I spent many days trying to find it without success. I contacted my Alma mater to try and get a copy, which they could not provide. In the meantime, I needed to register with CampusFrance, an organization which works in conjunction with the Universities in France. This registration is also mandatory. In addition to these two applications, I also needed to obtain proof of housing and a letter proving I had the funds necessary to sustain my life in France for the year. And I couldn't even find my diploma!!

In addition, the three cars we use were all down. One with brakes not working, one with a bad gas leak and one overheating. I had spent countless hours on applications, finding the correct websites and internet helps, etc. and stored all of it on a flash drive (which suddenly disappeared). Our internet was (and still is) down. All this had severely hindered my efforts to get anything accomplished. My neighbor graciously provided me access to her internet in her home, which has been a big help.

I found myself frantic one day, close to the cut-off date for registration. I was frustrated and depressed and frantic. It occurred to me that I could not remember a time in the scripture when Jesus or his disciples were rushing, or hurrying. I realized that perhaps it was the Lord and not the enemy who kept throwing up road blocks. Perhaps this was not the Lord's timing.

I prayed and tried to rest in His will and, in spite of my continued efforts (though less stressed), the date came and went. I would need to make a new plan. So, I decided to shoot for late summer/early fall. This would give me the additional time I needed to do fund raising and give me time to investigate my options as far as aligning with an organization, or not.

God's timing is perfect. It is so sweet to rest in His wisdom and timing. Did I mention the flash drive was on my bedside table (where I had searched many times) and I found my diploma when I wasn't looking for it?

"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directs his steps" Proverbs 16:9

An Organization...to keep me organized.

I am excited to have found a Calvary Chapel Missions Organization with an opening - Saving Grace World Missions (http://sgwm.com/). I had an initial conversation with the head of this organization today and it sounds like a good fit. I am praying about whether or not to affiliate myself with an organization or go it alone.

The up side is that they would help me with bookkeeping, insurance, website hosting, and taxes. They also will help with any additional training. This would also mean that all contributions to me through this organization could be claimed as a tax deduction by the contributor. I would pay the taxes at the end of the year (which the organization will file for me).

My other consideration is that I have already completed some training and I believe the Lord has been preparing me as well so I don't know if I need additional training. The school I will be attending offers discounted insurance. And a down side is that I would need to raise additional support to cover the 10% I will pay the organization (as well as the taxes I will pay on all funds I raise). If I go alone, I don't need to pay taxes but contributors do not get a tax deduction.

I am applying and prayerfully considering the options. Please pray with me for wisdom in the best way to use my resources (monetary, time, etc). Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts...

Two steps forward...one step (or many steps) back...

This process has been very difficult in many ways. I think I was expecting everything to just fall into place, once I was sure of my calling. I have learned a lot. And I've learned a lot about myself. God is faithful and always with me, but I am not always with Him. I strike out on my own, in my own strength, with my own agenda. Then I wonder why I am not hearing from the Lord and realize I have left Him behind. Then I go back and get on my knees and fellowship with Him and get His perspective. I realize this is not a pass or fail test, but a learning process...all of it. Life. When I fall or misstep, it is an opportunity for me to learn and grow. I realize I am not consistant. I am not a good steward of my time. A lot of times it is the little stuff that trips me up.

I have also realized I cannot do this alone. I need prayer support. So many things need to be done, so many doors opened. Please join me in praying that the Lord open doors, provide funds, give wisdom and direction and get me to France. Also, please continue to pray for the nation of France. Pray the Lord will stir their hearts and give them a thirst for the truth.

I feel so inadequate to serve Him. But I can give him my loaves and fishes...