affirmation

We got back from FC08 on Sunday evening. I will post pictures as soon as they become available. It was an incredibly powerful weekend for the staff and students of the Central Region. I had the privilege of co-leading a seminar with Gerry Chappeau about mobilizing chapters to integrate social justice into their ministries both on campus and in the community where their school is located. Serving in a teaching capacity was so good for my heart in the midst of being off campus. The icing on the cake was that I received an invitation from our Associate Regional Director to attend training for prospective manuscript Bible study teachers for Urbana 09, InterVarsity's triennial student mission convention that will take place in St. Louis in December 2009.

I am grateful that God knows what I need before I even ask for it.

turning blessings back to praise

It's Wednesday and as a reflective person I like to take stock of things on a regular basis. As I look back on the past three days it is clear that God is proving himself faithful in the midst of my internal storm. Stepping into full-time fundraising has felt like walking onto a battleground. I spent a good chunk of last week feeling deeply discouraged and the whispered lies that I am not really called to advance the kingdom at Wash U sounded more like shouts. In the midst of the storm I have experienced God's provision in the following ways:

1. People have been available to pray for me in the moments when I have felt most discouraged.

2. An additional 7% of my budget has been raised in the past 48 hours. I am nearly to 50%!

3. I get to hang out with my students and help lead a seminar on social justice at FC08 this weekend. This is a huge gift that I do not take for granted since I am not able to hang out with them while I am off-campus fundraising.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!