So, what happens next?

Yes, now it's definitely official - I'm completely approved to join Student Venture! I was jetting around on my last SU recruitment trip in NYC and was so excited to get the word from Warren & Lynn that all my final paperwork (medical, psychological, and background check) was approved. Yep - I like to think I'm sane, healthy, and not a closet criminal...and the officials think so too! hahahaha =)

What happens next...
(Synopsis:)
1) *Tell the boss (done!)
2) *Tell the room mates (done!)
3) *Prep the move (doing now!)
4) *Go to FL for 1 month training (Jan 4-Feb 7, 2010)
5) *Return to Syracuse for MPD (Ministry Partnership Development)
6) Move to FL when full funding is secured
7) Only God knows...!

(*Read on for Details! Details! Details!)
1) Tell the boss: I actually told my boss the day after I got my acceptance (12/2/09) that I was putting in my 1 month's notice at work. It was both a scary and encouraging time as I heard my boss express his happiness for me, and as his "dad-mode" kicked in and he asked me lots of questions too. I was so touched, and very glad to have things out in the open. It did make it feel so surreal when the official memo went out to ALL the office staff about my having accepted a new position elsewhere. People were so encouraging and positive, it really reinforced my love for all these wonderful people I've come to know and treasure after working at SU for 5+ years.

My official last day in the office will be Dec 23rd. My official last day as a University employee will be January 1, 2010. WOW, huh?! It's kind of scary to think about leaving a job that seems so secure, certain, and the "logical choice" that society and family and others would say I should hold on to. But, what I know is that I told God I'd follow Him wherever he led, and I'm doing that regardless of the cost because He's worth giving it all up for - there's nothing I've found that satisfies and brings joy or fulfilment like what I've found in my relationship with God! So, here we go...onward!

2) Tell the roommates: I told my 2 roommates and they were happy for me...and then we realized the reality of our having to find someone to sublet the apartment in the Spring because my plan is to move back to my parents' house to save money during my upcoming support-raising months. We put an ad onto craigslist and got a bunch of possible leads. Things are looking good - but keep praying. I'm still trusting God to come through as He's promised.

3) Prepare the "move": My brain starts reeling a bit when I even think about having to move from my current cozy apartment to my parents' house. I have SO much stuff to move! And, after 3 years of living in my own place, it's going to be an adjustment living back at home. But, I know it's going to be important and good for me to spend time with my family before I move to FL. But, goodness gracious - I started to clean today, but didn't get far as I felt kind of daunted by all the stuff I'm gonna have to remove from this place. =P

4) Go to FL for training (Jan 4-Feb 7, 2009): I'm super excited about training!! I already bought most of my books online at Amazon, have joined the facebook group for the New Staff Training (and subsequently "friended" all the 37 people in that group! hahah - hope they don't think I'm crazy...hehehe), and took the leap and bought a plane ticket. Training will be in Daytona Beach, FL at a conference center. It's gonna be interesting, though, because I signed up for a 3-4 person room (it's much cheaper than the 2 person room), and I have NO IDEA who I'll be paired with. Also, the funds I need to raise (approx $4000) for Training will be covering things like food, transportation, books (for classes), and other ministry expenses. But, I believe that God has already been preparing financial support for me - and it's just about where it will come from...not if it will come in. So, I look forward to sharing praise reports with you about that as things unfold. =)

5) Return to Syracuse to start MPD: I'll return to Syracuse after New Staff Training ends in February so I can start talking with people (hopefully you!) to share more in depth about what this call to ministry means and see if you are feeling led to partner with me. This will be a precious time for me as I learn to trust God to put it on peoples' hearts to invest into this ministry He's called me to - either financially and/or in prayer. Regardless, I'd love at least the chance to meet or talk with you to share about what God's doing and will be doing in my ministry, see if and or how you feel led to partner with me, and keep in touch with you during and after my move to FL.

Let's keep in touch!
If you have not already done so, please e-mail me at gahlai@gmail.com with your mailing address and phone #, what you're up to, and any prayer requests you may have. Let me know what's going on in your life too! I hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you =)

In joyful pursuit of Him,

Kar-Lai

Praise God! It's good to move forward...=-)

YAAAAH! As of 10pm tonight (Dec 1, 2009) via an e-mail acceptance letter, I am now "pre-accepted" to join Student Venture! Which basically means I now just have to fill out a few more forms for the sake of making sure I've a clean bill of health (mentally, physically, & background check-wise) needed for this job. Regardless, I'm just so overwhelmed with excitement, relief, and a healthy dose of trepidation at the unknown - but most of all, I'm excited because it confirms for me that I am headed in the right direction and correctly following God's leading!

Honestly, I waited all of yesterday and today with pins and needles on my heart, waiting to hear whether or not my application had been accepted/approved. And, after a great bible study last night where we listened to Mike Bicklen of Kansas City IHOP (International House of Prayer) talk about waiting on God and allowing Him to intervene in situations, I was well prepared today to step back and be patient and show that I've really entrusted all of this to God. Admittedly, I was very tempted several times today to take control of the situation and call or text someone here or there to get an answer, but then I was reminded that I told God I'd trust Him to provide me with His answer in His timing in His way...so I held back. And it was so worth it!! Because I can now say that I have waited on the Lord to answer me, and He has come through with the answer!

Waiting on God"But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me." ~ (Micah 7:7, NIV)

At the beginning of this year, I had a strong feeling that "this would be a year of change" - but I had no idea what it would entail...all I could do was wait, like the verse says. I've actually had the Micah 7:7 verse on my wall for at least half a year now. Now, when I think back on the past year or two, I see that all the striving I'd done on my own to "take charge of my future, my career, etc." was so much more difficult (& unfruitful!) than allowing God to show me the direction to go in! It's like God allowed me to go through all the stubborn-headed strivings of interviewing for different jobs I thought I should go for, or striving for a master's degree in what I thought I'd want, and so on - just so I could exhaust my "to do" list and give up control of my future, career, relationships, etc. to Him and really begin to understand what it means to wait and watch in hope for God to hear and answer me.

Sure, if I didn’t get accepted to SV, the road might seem like a much easier and comfortable road because I’d stay in my comfort zone. However, now that I'm accepted to join staff, I know I’m not “in the clear” per say because the road ahead will be wrought with more struggles, nail-biting times of uncertainty and faith-stretching, trust-building situations. But I am confident that God will follow through on his promises like he said he would in Jeremiah 29:10-14 ~
“"10 This is what the LORD says: 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and will bring you back from captivity. [b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,' declares the LORD, 'and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.'"

I feel like God has allowed me to grow and learn in my season of wilderness these past few years, and now he has reminded me of the hope I can have in Him when I entrust my future and present and past to Him. And, if God’s promised that he's got a plan for my life, I’d much rather follow HIS big plan instead of my little plans! God dreams much bigger for us than we ever could...so I'm truly excited to follow His lead this time in an unforeseen adventure.

And here we go!
Thank you for walking with me through this adventure!! It’s just the beginning…so hang in there – it’s gonna be AWESOME to see what happens next! =) And please – do keep praying and asking me questions and keeping me accountable as I move forward with the Lord. I treasure your thoughts and prayers, and love to hear updates on your lives too.

Till next time, may we be found always...

In pursuit of Him,
Kar-Lai
gahlai@gmail.com