First things first - I am now at about 80% of my fundraising goal! This is a huge praise and also a prayer request for the remaining 20%. If you have been thinking about or praying about becoming a financial partner in my mission, this would be a great time! :) I have talked to several people lately who did not realize that I am responsible for raising my entire salary while I serve in Budapest. The school is staffed by missionaries, and all of us raise our own support to remain on the mission field.
Thank you SO much to everyone who has already given to my mission with a financial gift. I currently have 62 individuals/families who have committed a one-time or monthly gift. I am incredibly appreciative of your support and prayers as I prepare for this leap of faith!
Moving is just stressful! There is no way around the clutter - I'm pulling things out of cabinets and drawers, boxes are everywhere, and I've made more trips to Goodwill than I can count! I have also been cleaning out my classroom (my fellow teachers can appreciate the work that goes into this endeavor, and the crazy month of May in our profession...)! So. Much. To. Do.
I know that this step of the journey is only the beginning of feeling slightly unsettled about my future for a while. Leaving this apartment behind is just one step of many I will take over the next few months. When I do get settled in Budapest in early August (God willing!), it will be over 5000 miles away from anywhere I have ever called "home" before. While I am SO excited about this, there is always an underlying twinge of anxiety with all of the unknowns that lie ahead! I have felt this way since God called me to pray about missions last November - the difference is that now my physical surroundings reflect the upcoming change in my life.
As I've been turning over these thoughts in my mind lately, God has reminded me I am able to be content in ANY circumstances (Philippians 4:11) if I rely on His strength. I am praying to joyfully step forward in this new and not-very-normal path that God has placed me on.
I have been using a small daily calendar for years and its words of wisdom have become very familiar to me. This one has been coming to mind lately: "Make two homes for thyself my daughter. One actual home...and another spiritual home which thou are to carry with thee always." (Catherine of Sienna)
So, I am preparing to move twice in three months to "actual homes." I pray for my time living with my dad over the summer and I pray also for my new home in Budapest (I have a place to live and two roommates - so excited)! Most of all, I pray to draw nearer to my spiritual home in the heart of God through it all! Please pray for me, as I am often feeling some combination of tired/stressed/anxious/overwhelmed but I am trying to count it all as joy! And I have SO much to be grateful for! Thanks for reading this and caring about my life!
Laura - We love you so much. Just reading your thoughts throws me completely into the circumstances and privileges of service you have been called to on behalf of our Lord and Savior. Through all the chaos, through all your uncertainness, through all of your anticipation and anxieties, I am affirmed that God has something wonderful in store for your and His kingdom. Know that I have been diligent in praying for you since you first told me of your decision. At the close of my prayers I lift Ps 46:10 in your name...Be still and know that I am God. He's got your back, little one :)
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement! I really needed that today! I too am trusting that God is calling me to this and that His plan will unfold in time. I know He has called me to serve and that is enough to take this leap! :) Thank you SO much for the unceasing prayers and I know you will keep them coming. Love you so much!
Delete