How Being Still is Causing Me to Go

It’s funny how I feel so close to you – all of you. Though there is a computer screen and miles and miles of cyberspace between us, I feel connected. Some of you have been faithful readers since I began this blog.

As I’ve poured out my heart in words, you’ve read them. This blog has been a journey. I started it in August of 2007 when the Lord was doing a great work in me – a revival.

I shared with you my heart for missions. You’ve walked with me into the prison. You celebrated and laughed with me when I found out I was expecting a surprise blessing. You cried with me when she was placed in the NICU at birth. You, dear reader, have watched me stretch my amateur legs and take a wobbly stand in the world of writing, and you rejoiced when I was published.

I’ve read email messages of how you were blessed by something the Lord shared with me. You’ve called me to give encouragement. I knew how proud you were because you told me.

For that, sweet friends, I am thankful – and perhaps why I feel so connected.

Some of you will remember how I pray and choose a verse for each new year. In 2013, my verse was “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) God asked me to stop pushing. Stop trying to control everything and just let Him work out the details.

And so I was still.

While I was still, I watched as God provided opportunities again and again. I stopped focusing on where I wanted to go and what I wanted to accomplish and started focusing on God. Just God. I found the incredible blessing of being in His presence – of finding an intimate fellowship with Him.

I’ve wanted to go on a mission trip for a while now, but things never seemed to fall into place. But at the end of 2013 while I was basking in God’s glory and being still, He provided an opportunity, perfect for me.

My cousin Emily works for a non-profit organization called One Vision International. She called to tell me One Vision was putting on a women’s conference in the Dominican Republic and wanted to know if I would be interested in going as one of the speakers. Then today, the coordinator emailed and asked if I would be “the” main speaker.

I couldn’t believe God would choose me. I am completely humbled. And honored. Our pastor has been preaching an incredible sermon series about living a life that is bold. On Sunday, he spoke about bold obedience and asked us to pray for bold obedience this week.

I listened to the sermon thinking, “Okay, I’m already being bold! I’ve agreed to go to the Dominican. I’ve never left the country. That’s a pretty big deal.” I left thinking the sermon was a confirmation of the decision I made to go on the trip. Then today, I received the email asking if I felt comfortable being the main speaker. And I knew God was preparing me yesterday for my “yes” today. I think you know my answer.

I have to admit to you that my biggest concern was raising the money to go. The trip is $1,600. My closest friends have encouraged me not to let that stop me. I just didn’t want to be one of those people begging for stuff. Everybody is hurting. I didn’t want anyone to feel burdened in the asking. But if God is in this, and I know He is, He will work out those details, too.

So, my husband Alan has created a t-shirt with my life verse, Matthew 25:40 and that passage in Matthew where you find “sheep to the right.” (Matthew 25:31-46 in case you want to read it.) I am in love with the shirt. We are using a t-shirt fundraising site called Booster to sell the t-shirts and raise money for the trip at the same time. The fundraiser will be on for only two weeks!! The shirts will be shipped at the end, so they should come by March 3.

If you are able to buy a shirt to support my trip, I would LOVE it. Can I also ask you to share the fundraiser with your Facebook friends? Some of them might like the t-shirt, too. And it well help me so much!

But I’m also asking for your prayer. Please pray for the team as we prepare for the trip. Pray for my family back home while I’m gone. The trip is March 27th – 31st. And pray for the ladies who will be hearing the message we bring. Pray for lives to be changed – both theirs and ours.

If I’m allowed and have a connection, I’ll blog from the trip. If not, I’ll tell you all about it when I return.

Thank you all for your support all these years. ☺ I’m glad you are part of the flock.

Click HERE to go look at the shirt and read my story about saying “yes.” You can decide if you want to buy one or not after you get to the site. You can also just make a donation on the site, if you so choose. Thank you so much in advance.

Anticipating Him,