What 6 months ago I would've never imagined I'd be doing and had seemed impossible before has now begun to take shape and become a reality as I see how God's unveiling his "I'm doing something new in your life" plans for me: I'm finally here in Daytona Beach, having completed my first full two days at Campus Crusade for Christ's New Staff Training (NST)conference! Really...I can hardly believe I'm actually phyiscally here in Florida!!
But, I got here alright and was able to settle into the room without the other 3 roommates having arrived yet. Admittedly, I was a bit surprisedat my surroundings because not only did my hotel look really old from the outside and small from the inside, it's quite cold here too with 35 degree weather and wind that chilled me quickly. But, as I've spent time with people, bonding with them over food (yes, I took photos of my food...hehe) and kind of camped out in the conference room (more on that later too!) doing music, this place is growing on me as I'm seeing oceanic/beachfront beauty all around me, and "re-seeing" God's presence with me as a friend reminded me that I'm here not for vacation but to do God's work - so I've learned a good lesson about perspective and thankfulness already, within the first few hours of arriving here. =) (Click here for my 1st picture posts!)
Still, it totally seems like a dream sometimes because it seems like only yesterday I was conducting student admissions interviews at Syracuse University - but, in truth, it's been a good few weeks now since the office threw me my official going away party (where I bawled unashamedly once I realized how much I loved working there and with such wonderful people). It first felt surreal when I cleaned out my office of all the things I'd accumulated over 5 years and looked at the empty room I'd gotten so attached to. =P
On top of that, my roommates and I had found someone to sublet the apartment for the Spring semester (through Craigslist - she's a PhD candidate at SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, which is relevant to what my other 2 roommates are studying (Environmental Engineering)!), so the days after I cleaned out my office and was on "holiday break" were spent moving myself out of my apartment! And so, like deja-vu, I found myself looking into an empty room yet again once I'd cleared stuff out. I had about 5-6 carloads of stuff that I brought over to my parents' house, which is where I'll be staying while I raise support and develop ministry partners in order to reloate to Orlando.
Now, talking about surreal stuff...moving back into my parents' house was and has been interesting unto itself too - it's been both like being time warped back into high school days yet much better in different ways! I don't know if that makes sense, but I do love my family so much and know that as I make the move to FL, having this time to spend with them will be invaluable and precious. However, I started to realize just how carefully I'd have to budget my time as the last week in December was spent juggling time with family, and then learning that I have to prioritize the time being spent on prepping for this new staff position.
What I love about this phase of my new staff position is that my primary focus will be to connect with people and convey the heart and vision of what the ministry is that God's called me to. I've been able to connect with so many of you who say you'll be praying for me (THANK YOU!), and that you'll prayerfully consider partnering with me in this endeavor in other ways too. This is where I can humbly say I am in awe of what God's done to show me what love and support really looks like as I scroll through my contacts list and see so many names in there that say "Yes, I want to continue our friendship/relationship and support you in _____way." Words cannot express how grateful I am for you and for God showing His love to me through you =)
Being Humbled; Answered Prayer; Pray!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~Phil 4:6-7
One of the things I cannot help but do is "brag on God" as He's shown me during this last few weeks that He IS my Provider and is caring for my needs in ways I could've never imagined. I must confess that I while I said I was confident that God could fulfill His promises to provide for me, I don't think I really fully believed it because I found myself feeling quite anxious (like some people have also said) about just having quit a perfectly stable source of income and certainly anxious about my finding the funding I'd need to become full-time staff. But, friends, let me tell you - God is amazingly faithful to His promises, like the one listed above and what's promised in Jeremiah 29:11 ("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..."). Because as I clung to those promises, I prayed earnestly and humbly, felt more at peace and pushed away my fears of asking for help and forged ahead and spoke to some of you about my needs. I didn't want to broadcast it because it's not just about finding funding - but it's about establishing partnerships with people who want to team up with me through prayer and resources to see lives changed and God's work done here on earth. I literally cried in amazement as God moved in many of your hearts in such a way that within the first 24 hours of my having said anything to a handful of you, ALL of my costs for coming to training in Daytona Beach were covered and the responses that came in (quickly!) thereafter from others have set the foundation for precious ministry partnerships and actual funding that is going towards what I need to raise in order to be full-time and relocate to Orlando - Praise God!
A Taste Of What Is Yet To Come
And so, I find myself here, 7 states away in Florida sitting at the table in the little kitchenette of the room I'm sharing with 3 other new female CCC staff members at a conference of about 90-100 people (also CCC new or senior staff) after having watched the moon and sun yesterday glistening over the waves of the Atlantic ocean. I woke up this morning to marvel at the beauty of God's handiwork when I looked at the rosy sunrise and listen to the surf pounding on the beachfront that's literally in my backyard...and I am BLOWN AWAY by truly, how surreal this is and how REAL God's faithfulness and love is. That I'd be here, going through extensive orientation and be rigorously trained up to become a fully commissioned missionary(yep - just found that out tonight) continues to boggle my mind!
nference and just helped lead the music for tonight's first official evening of the NST conference! And, with this bit of info, I ask for your prayers because the temporary worship leader guy asked me to take over the coordinating and leading of the worship team for the rest of the conference when he leaves tomorrow...and while I am excited for the chance to be stretched in this way, I'm also kind of scared out of my mind! I want to allow for the healthy dose of fear to exist in me because it'll keep me glued to God in prayer - but I don't want it to overtake me and prevent me from being effective, a good leader, etc. Thank you in advance for your prayers...and please know that I'm praying for all of you who are following my journey too! You are precious to me, and I'm grateful for your friendships.