On the road again!

T-minus 17 hours...
The past couple of weeks have gone a slightly different direction than I'd thought, so I apologize for the delay!

On a positive note, since I last posted, God has faithfully added partners to my prayer and financial teams and I am at 30% my monthly budget of $3000. That is an increase of more than 2% per week! I look forward to how He will continue to develop the rest of my team as I follow Him in faith to begin my call in Oregon.

Have you ever been praying faithfully, wondering why God wasn't showing you an answer?! I'd been praying this spring for God to confirm when I should leave to start staffing at YWAM Salem and just didn't see a clear answer. In mid-May, with a friend's guidance, I allowed myself to consider that maybe God didn't "care" when I went, that the important thing was that my heart was in the right place and my hope in HIM.....not the control I felt I had or the visible finances coming through.

Since I left Oregon last November, I knew God was calling me back to Salem to continue the work He'd begun there. I specifically have a heart for discipleship, training, and cultures/languages. The Salem, OR Youth With A Mission campus has a mission to Inspire, Train, and Go. Sounds a lot like what God's placed on my heart!

I had a positive trip to Emporia and Osage City last weekend, visiting friends and family who have supported me in this journey. I feel very blessed I had that time with them. This week has been spent packing and saying "see you later" to my friends in the Wichita area. What a wonderful treat (the time with friends, not the packing ;))

I leave tomorrow morning (Monday, May 30) for the 3-day trek to Oregon, solo this time. I'll miss my travel buddy, but will try and treasure the 8-10 hours "alone" time in the car each day (aughh!).

When I arrive Wednesday or Thursday, I'll jump right into this summer's responsibilities. Last summer, I received training through Crossroads Discipleship Training School (CDTS) on the YWAM campus, specifically designed for adults who are sensing God's call on their lives to make Him known to the nations. This is a little different from the stereotypical "Youth" With a Mission bunch of 18-24 year olds. ;) What that means is some will bring children who are preparing to be missionaries alongside their parents, wherever God calls them.

I'm excited to announce that this summer I'll be working with these children in a daily class called "Children of Destiny" (COD), mentoring them in the same concepts their parents are learning. We'll learn about hearing the voice of God, spiritual warfare, and similar topics, in a way that applies to their lives. What an answer to prayer! I'd enjoyed substitute teaching this spring, and had been asking God how He'd help me transition from this area...I'd really be missing it a little! He's so good to provide when we relinquish control! It's not where I thought I'd be ministering this summer, but God knew just what He was doing!

I don't want to take all your Memorial Day weekend with this update, so I look forward to being in touch soon! I'll try and update facebook each night this week to let you know I've arrived safely at my destination. :)

Partnering in Prayer
* Safe travel Monday-Wednesday/Thursday.
* My heart to remain faithful to God and His voice.
* For God to be preparing the hearts of the young people I'll be working with in the COD class this summer.
* For God's provision as I continue to work with His guidance to develop prayer and financial partners for His work.

Partnering in Praise
* Treasured time with friends and family in the last few weeks
* Continued weekly increase nearing the budget for this ministry
* A specific role working with children this summer that brings joy to this teacher's heart :) and meets a need for missionary families.

Thank you all for your love and support! I pray that God is drawing you near to Him today and that you experience His presence this week in abundance!

In Him,
Amy

Who's in control?

As promised, I'm back a week later. :) God continues to provide and add to my support team. Despite missions ventures in the past, this longer-term support-raising journey is teaching me a lot. About patience, about my job vs. God's job....all sorts of stuff!

Today, I stand at 23% financial support raised (up 3% from last week), with friends also renewing their commitment to support me in prayer. Thank you God, and thank you friends!

In life, I battle with control. The less I feel in control, the more I try to control. It's not pretty! Sometimes I control my food (good/bad choices). Sometimes I interupt in conversations more. Sometimes I teach ;) .... the list could go on. But these are the times I experience the most internal tension too, until I can return to that place where my heart's submitted to God.

In short, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). That could really frustrate (why plan at all?!?!), but it comforts me most days, and reminds me to return to the One who holds my days, and my heart, in His hands.

Until next time,

Amy

Sunny days

Sunny May to all...at least most days in Kansas lately. ;) Though it has a beauty all its own, I guess I need to get used to the idea of NOT having all those sunny days throughout the year as I prepare to move to Oregon!

It's been a while since I met you here last, so I'll catch you up on my progress toward working on staff with YWAM in Salem, OR (check out their link on the right side of my page!).

After meeting my 4th niece and spending time with all 5 nieces/nephew and their parents in March, I substitute taught almost every day in April. Thank you, God, for that provision! I enjoyed "bridal shower weekend" :) with Angie, a good friend and roommate, who serves as a missionary in Mexico. I continued to share with Sunday Schools and friends how God's called me to train missionaries through Discipleship Training Schools in Oregon. And God continues to meet some of my personal and ministry needs through friends like you, like a computer and phone to use after both of mine died! He is so good!

With a plan to move to Oregon at the end of this month, it's essential financial support is raised. God is teaching me a lot about support-raising and the joy it can bring both you and I as we partner together to reach some of the most unreached nations with the gospel and train others to do the same! If you've not received a personal call or email from me recently, please expect one this month! I'm doing my best to reach those I know with the opportunity to support me in prayer or financially on this journey.

I'll be updating the blog weekly (or more!) to let you know how close I am to full monthly support. If it's not in a new entry, check the thermometer at the side of the page! Thanks for keeping me in your prayers and please let me know how I can support you in prayer!

Prayers
* to reach full monthly support this month
* wisdom how to use my days ~ balancing sub jobs, sharing my vision with support team, and preparing to leave...plus leaving some room to breathe!
* my niece Baylie, to stop having seizures/find the cause

Praise!
* 20% support raised
* God's provision for daily needs and technological ones
* Joyful times sharing life and vision with friends and family

By His strength,
Amy