Support-Raising Summer Strength Excercises
Family Update
The last few weeks of my life have been a circus. We welcomed our daughter, Charlotte Madison into our family a few weeks earlier than her due date. She is doing great. Just three days later, I found myself back visiting another doctor for my youngest son, Jacob. He managed to bruise his manhood and didn’t know how he managed to injure himself. He was checked out and nothing was seriously injured, the doctor just recommended ice and Motrin for the pain. I know what you are thinking, rough week.
Well, just hold on, it gets better.
Just about 24-hours later, my oldest son, Mason was outside playing with his brother, Jacob on the play gym we have in the yard and broke his arm (ulna & radius) while he was jumping off the slide. Urgent care took an x-ray and told us that his arm was broken. They sent us to the ER where we waited, and waited, and waited. At about 2:30 AM they set his arm back into place and put on a cast to protect his arm, allow swelling to go down and healing to take place.
God’s Gift of Family
I could not have asked for a better person to be my mom. She felt the Holy Spirit tell her to take her vacation a week early and make the trip to NC to help us as we transition to be a family of five. She graciously cleaned our house, pulled weeds, watched the boys, changed diapers, and so many more things I might not have even realized yet in the three short weeks that she stayed with us. I believe that one of God’s greatest gifts to us is the family that we are born or adopted into. My dad also ended up having a three-day weekend and made the trip from FL to visit. My family and I have been blessed with an unbelievable family that loves us and support us.
Support-Raising Is Not Easy
This summer I have met with people in NC and FL over the phone, in person and pretty much any other mode of communication to share my story and where God is leading me and my family over the next few years and asking for their support. These last few months od support-raising have helped shape my character and dependence on God’s provision for my needs and not my own merits. This experience has taught me that God is ultimately in control of my life and where it is He is leading me.
My 80% funded goal by August 15 seems too far from achievable, but is still possible. I am nearing the end of my deadline and believe that God is still good and deserving of praise. I am sitting at 30%. My support-raising efforts have not gone as hoped; however, I have heard stories about supporters that have reminded me that financial support is vital, but not all that matters. People, their lives, their faith and their dependence upon God is the goal.
Down But Not Out
I am not quitting! Rest assured that this is what God is calling me to do. I have much to learn when it comes to being a Shepard Pastor. Whenever God calls people to lead others in Scripture, we always see a waiting period paired with a calling or desire. We read that Noah waited over 100 years before the rain came, Abraham waited 35 years for a son, David was anointed as king and sent back to the pastures to lead and protect the sheep. Story after story reflects this pattern of waiting. My waiting was purposely and mercifully crafted for me. God does this with every person who offers up their lives in obedience. God is using this experience and every experience to strengthen my character and deepen my dependence on His plan for my life.
Praise To The Almighty
One of my supporters mentioned to his Sunday School class that he had prayed for me for almost two months and this very week his boss at work gave him a pay raise. The raise was equal to the amount that he pledged to support me over the next two years. This conversation sparked a movement in the class where others joined in and began to praise God for His goodness.
A supporter and family member has battled cancer for months. A few days ago visited their doctor and they are now cancer free. God be praised!
Reflect
I have experienced God doing amazing things through His people. The fast-paced culture we live in prevents us from stopping from the hustle of life to reflect on what God has done for us.
Support-Raising Information
Click here to visit my webpage on Reliant’s website. The video my friend put together provides information about what I’ll be doing over the next few years as I learn to be a Shepherd Pastor. Click here to watch the video.
I am looking to build a team of partners that will join me on this missionary journey.
There are 3 ways people can support me:
PRAY | CONNECT ME WITH OTHERS | FINANCIALLY
Specifically, I am praying for supporters to join me in this ministry through donations between $35-$500 a month.
Will YOU partner with me at one of these amounts?
