Life to the Fullest

Just wanted to send out an update on my first 4 months of being on staff with Mission of Hope.  First, it's crazy to think it's been FOUR months already.  I feel like it was just the other day that I was arriving and wondering what a year of LIVING in Haiti would look like.  To describe the last 4 months in a single word, I would have to choose .... ADVENTURE.  I never would have imagined that I would have so many amazing experiences in such a short amount of time.  Some of the highlights would be: having my brother come down and serve alongside me, flying in a private plane, meeting Jay Feely, seeing a good friend move out of a tent and into a home, meeting David Barnett and countless other experiences!

I think the most beautiful revelation that I've had in the last few months would be this: doing things for God, is NOT the same as knowing Him.  I have always struggled with finding my value and my worth in what I do and not always in the fact that I am a child of God.  For whatever reason, “works-based faith” is much easier for my mind to grasp than the actual TRUTH of being saved simply by grace….. but then that’s what makes grace so amazing.  Another hurtle I face, especially working for a Christ-based organization, is that yet again it is much more easy for me to do things for the Lord vs. knowing Him more intimately and letting my relationship with Him grow.  It has been a challenge not to equate working for the Kingdom as quality time with the Lord. It has been another beautiful step in this journey of progressive sanctification.  It makes me all the more thankful for grace.  It makes scripture like Eph 2:1-10 become more and more alive in my life.

The next 8 months of this year are FULL!  May, June & July promise to be busy!  Hundreds if not thousands of short term team members will be coming down to Mission of Hope to serve.  I eagerly await the new adventures that will come with these months.  I covet your prayers as they will also prove to be a trying time, not only physically but emotionally and spiritually.  Words like peace and organization are what I am praying over my life.  Wisdom and strength for the days to come.  I would also appreciate your prayers for my finances.  It has been another facet of my journey that has been both testing and rewarding.  I’ve never lived in a season where my finances were literally a month to month basis.  It has been such a gentle reminder that everything in my life is ultimately in His hands.  I’ve included the link to my support page if this is something you are curious about or would like to prayerfully consider.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my heart with each and every one of you!  I constantly talk about the support base I have back “home.”  Whether home is Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, Haiti or anywhere else the Lord will take me, it has been a constant testimony to the sovereignty and wisdom of the Lord.  It has never made sense when He has moved me somewhere new, but then the amazing support structure I have developed along the way makes all the sense in the world!  So no matter where you fall into my story, know that you are there for a reason and I cherish your involvement in what the Lord is doing in and through me.  Blessings – and let the adventure continue!!