Aslan Is On The Move...

Hello everyone! I hope that I find you well this fine March! Firstly, a little update on life. I've just recently returned from a short (not really... not short at all...) trip to Florida. I was able to go for the wedding of a dear friend, and I'm so glad that I could make it to the beautiful celebration! I also went to get things a bit more in order for my imminent departure. Now, I'm still a ways off, but I'm certainly closer, so I wanted to make sure all my things were packed and ready to be shipped when I'm ready to ship them, which made things feel a bit more real, and a bit more exciting!

I just want to give a side note, I have about 28.4% of my monthly actually pledged. What this means, is that I have had people sign up, and start giving monthly, and this accounts for that 28.4%. I have had verbal promises of 24% more of that. So, to those that have promised, thank you! But until those promises have been entered into the system, those promised amounts cannot officially be counted. I just wanted to clarify all of this, so that everyone is on the same page about everything. Also, when you start giving before I leave, it goes into my set up budget, so it isn't as though it just disappears or just sits there, it goes into the monies I will use for my visa, plane tickets, setting up my apartment, etc. Now if any of this is confusing, or you would like clarification on any of it, feel free to email, message, txt, call, send smoke signals. I will get back to you as soon as possible!

So, I'm at 52% of my monthly budget! This is very exciting! I still have a little ways to go, but please be praying as I may have some potential opportunities coming up very soon to share with possible financial partners. I am so excited to share the vision and the heart that I have for my time in Belfast! Speaking of, I wanted to take a little bit of this post to share what exactly it is I'm planning to do in Belfast. I recently had the pleasure of talking with my Belfast family (as I have lovingly begun calling them, because they will be my family over there, and I am so looking forward to joining them! I don't think they know I started calling them that, but now they do!) and discussing a bit about what my roles will be, and what I will be focusing on. Many of you have asked, "What are you going to be doing over there?" and I vaguely reply "I'm working with a church plant." Well, there is a reason my reply is sometimes so vague... Mostly because when you are working with a church plant you have so many roles, you cannot begin to possibly go into it... Some days you'll be leading worship, others leading children's ministry, another day you're doing admin, it can get pretty hectic. But recently we were able to discuss a bit more about what roles I should be focusing on, in other words, I'll be doing lots of things, but these are the ministries I'll be focusing on.

1. First, I'll be focusing on youth ministry. This is huge for me, because I never thought I would really have a heart for youth ministry. But recently, I believe in preparation for this moment, God has opened my heart to reaching out to youth. I also believe, and have been told, that my testimony of deliverance from depression and self-harm will be an asset in working with the youth in Belfast as there are so many that are struggling with similar issues. 
2. Second I'll be helping with children's ministry, this is a place my heart has always been, so I am looking forward to helping out with the little ones! 
3. Third, I will be helping out with worship. This is something I am so looking forward to. Worship is such a big part of my life, as I am musically inclined. It is something that I very much look forward to, in growing and expanding my abilities and giftings in worship ministry. 
4. Fourth will be helping with the campus ministry we have as well. I'm looking forward to being a part of this ministry, and being able to build relationships and disciple the college age students that are getting involved at our church. 

So all of this is a brief overview of the major roles I will be taking on in my time there. I will also be working with prayer and deliverance ministry, doing admin work, and any other parts of ministry that need filling. My role at EN Belfast is very important, especially being someone who will have the freedom and flexibility to do a little bit of everything no matter what time, day or night, that it is required of me. My heart is so incredibly excited to be able to serve, and be the hands and feet of Jesus in every role I take, in every part I play as I am getting ready to leave and be with my team, with my family over there.

So, I'm sure you might be wondering about the title of the blog at this point, and I will try to make it quick, as I did not want this post to run too long... So recently I have been listening to Kari Jobe's new album, The Garden (oh my goodness, please go listen to it if you haven't already, it's such a great album!). From the first moment I played the first song I felt so encouraged. I felt the Lord's presence in such a way that I have not felt for so long. It was so fitting for me, in so many ways. I felt like the Lord was breathing me back to life. The first song on the album speaks of the garden that brings hope as hope springs forth again, and I couldn't help but be reminded of Aslan in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. This was one of my favorite books growing up, and I can't help but tear up when I think about the beauty of the allegory of God's love, the sacrifice of Christ, and the triumphant resurrection of our Savior painted in the beautiful words of C.S. Lewis, a man who hailed from Belfast no less. The past several months I had ben clinging to my faith, in God, in His calling, in His love for me. As the beginning of the song states, "I had all but given up"... But so much hope has come, and as it is officially spring, how fitting that this season of my life fits the season we are currently experiencing. Everyday since has been a reminder, that I have hope, that God has called me, that He loves me, and He is working all things together for good. I feel as though, in my life, Aslan is on the move... "Faith is rising...Hope is stirring... Making all things right." I have so much peace, hope and joy. I feel like God has breathed life back into me, and how incredibly fitting is it all? God is speaking, He has given me so much, and I will not forget, I will remember, and I will cling to His promises.

I hope that this post has encouraged you! I certainly feel so encouraged! I am so thankful for all of you that are praying for me, supporting me, and cheering me on! Please continue to pray and encourage, we are almost there, over halfway, and the best is yet to come!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

Information Superhighway

Hello everyone!

Hope you are all doing well, and had lovely holiday seasons with your family and friends! I had a very relaxing time, and I am thankful for it. It's almost the end of January (Crazy!!) And the reason I'm writing so late this month is because, well I've been a bit busy. This month's blog will be mostly informational, because I actually have a bit of information to share, so yay! Okay, I'll try to keep this as entertaining as possible, so there may be a few jokes, or a bit of dry humor thrown in here or there to keep you all entertained. Ready? Let's take a journey on the information superhighway of my life! Woo-hoo!!

1. I have begun support raising! Yay! This is a wonderful time for me, because I have been able to start support raising, which I have been itching to do for a while now! Well what does this mean? Okay I'll explain: I'll be sending out letters, postcards, making phone calls, setting up meetings, etc. to meet with potential partners that want to help me on my journey to, and during my time in Belfast. I have a love hate relationship with this process, but mostly love. I love spending time with people who have it on their hearts to be part of my support team, who have caught the vision that God has given me for Northern Ireland. It is really exciting time to connect with old friends and meet some new ones. I'm just not a big fan of licking envelopes....

2. I had the opportunity to briefly share at church on Sunday, and I had a great response after service with people coming to me and asking for more information. I'm so excited to follow up with them, make appointments, and share more about the vision God's given me for Belfast!

3. Now this is half news half prayer request: Dad was in the hospital this week. He's home now, and it wasn't too major, just low blood pressure and some other issues, but he's home now, and he's doing well. My sister is here helping my mom and I out which has been such a huge blessing! While dad is doing better, this has thrown off my support raising schedule a bit. While of course this is by far not the biggest issue, it is something that has happened. SO all that to say please be keeping my dad and his health in your prayers. Also please be keeping my mom in your prayers, since she is his primary caregiver, and takes a lot of this on her shoulders which has taken it's toll on her in the past. And please keep the rest of my family in your prayers, as this is always a difficult time for our family, and puts us all a little bit on edge.

4. Okay now a full on prayer request for me: please pray for encouragement for me during this time. I firmly believe that during this time satan will try to use different things to discourage me, to keep me from getting to Belfast. I am so excited to get there, and join the team, but the waiting can really be a time of growth and encouragement, or a time of frustration and discouragement. I ask that you pray that this be a time of growth and encouragement. That I would not grow weary, but keep pushing on strong.

Okay, so that's it for this month. Thanks for bearing with me, for praying with me, for agreeing with me. It means the world! Keep being encouraged in the Lord, and know that He loves you, He is for you, and He is a great and merciful God. Love you all and hope that in this new year you are blessed beyond measure, and that the love of Christ be revealed to you in new and wonderful ways!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

It's Time to Begin...

Hello all! So this is going to be a mostly informative blog. Things have been pretty crazy around here because we're getting ready to leave! I've been trying to spend time with friends before I go which has been fun, yet sad. So here is all the information! I am at 100% for my funding! Praise God! My plane ticket was bought, and I leave on November 8th at 12:30 PM for Marseille. Claire, Christine and I are the three young ladies that will be going, which we are all excited about! We have started our Bible study class, studying the book of Philippians, which has been SO great! The Lord has definitely been using what we're learning in class to teach me lessons that are applicable outside of class.

Please continue to pray for us in these last few days in the states. We are all going to have a hard time with good-byes, packing, and getting last minute things together. I am excited to share with all of you about Marseille, and what life is looking like when we get there! It still doesn't quite seem real yet, but in some ways it does feel very real.

Thank you all for all of your support in getting me here! I could not have gotten this far without your prayers and financial support! I thank God for all of you, and please remember that I would always love to hear from you, and pray for you all specifically if you wanted to share prayer requests with me, please feel free! I love you all very dearly, and once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all of your support! Stay tuned, because my next post will be written from France!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

Waiting Patiently....

Hello everyone! My sincerest apologies for not writing sooner! It's been a hectic month, and things have been pretty crazy! I'll start with news: 1. I got my visa! Which was super exciting! Claire also received her visa later that week, after a very interesting trip to Chicago (which included some delicious deep dish pizza!). 2. I am about 76% funded! Yay! I still need about $900 for set up, and $600 in monthly pledges. 3. I was approached by a new friend, Candy, who is helping me do a candle fundraiser to raise the rest of the money I need! It's such a great and exciting opportunity! If you're interested in helping me financially (and getting a little something extra in return!) Please check out the link at the bottom of this page! 4. My team has shrunk DRASTICALLY! We are now down to three team members: Christine, Claire, and me! I am excited to share this experience with these two wonderful women! 5. My classmates that were headed to Kenya had a huge change in plans, and will now be joining with out Thailand team! That was a big, but exciting change for many friends of mine! Please keep them all in prayer as well! That is all for the news updates!

So, what is God teaching me in this season? PATIENCE! It is definitely a lesson the Lord is constantly teaching me! It is an area in my life that I have had to grow in quite a bit, so I am continuing to grow in this area now, through this process. The Thailand team has their plane tickets bought, and will be leaving in about two weeks. I am SO excited for them! Our France team is still waiting to buy plane tickets. There are a few logistical things being worked out still, as well as Christine and I needing to fundriase a bit more. It's hard. Hard when you want to leave, you want to go out, and share the gospel, learn a new language, and start ministering overseas. But we're having to wait. And pray. And wait. While it feels like there are constant obstacles in our way, and we are barely inching forward, I am having to be content, and stay joyful. It's hard! But the Lord is always speaking to my heart, reminding me that while it feels like I'm not in the right place, I am right where He wants me to be. That while I feel like I'm stuck in limbo, I'm not. I'm right where I should be. And when I stop trying to see far beyond my sight, take a second, and look around, I realize all that I have right here in front of me. I have been so blessed by my friends that surround me here in Minnesota, people I thought I wouldn't see again until after I got back from internship are able to hang out with me a few times a week. I am able to share in the celebrations, the trials, the joy, and the sadness that they are experiencing. Able to be there for them, and with them. And more importantly, the Lord is teaching me to learn from them, to glean wisdom from them, and love on them while I can. I am blessed to be in a place where I am able to spend time with Jesus. To slow down, and take time to let Him speak to me. To read His word when everything isn't making sense, or I am frustrated beyond belief. And most importantly, He is teaching me all about patience in the times when we're ready to jump out of the gate, but the gate just isn't opening yet. I am also learning to be patient with the people around me, to learn that not everyone thinks the same way that I do. It's a hard lesson to learn.

So be encouraged! If God has you in a place that feels like a waiting room, you aren't the only one! Trust that He has a plan for the time He has you there. Learn from the people He has around you, and never write anyone off as someone you can't learn from, they might be teaching you the biggest lesson of all!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy


P.S. Here is the link for my fundraiser (mentioned at the beginning of the post!): https://www.facebook.com/events/554631631276534/

The Heart and Soul...

Hello friends and family! Thank you all for your continued support! First to start off I want to praise God for His faithfulness and unfailing love! I am blessed to serve such and amazing and awesome God! He sends encouragement when I need it most!

So to keep you all updated on fundraising, here is where I'm at: For one time donations I've got about $10,500! Which means that I still need roughly $3,000 still. This is very exciting for me, because I'm almost done with fundraising for one time donations! I'm so much closer to my goal! Now for monthly I'm still sitting at $800, so I still need monthly pledges of $1,000. At this point I am asking that if you are thinking of supporting me financially, please consider a monthly pledge! Every little bit helps, even if it's only $10, it adds up over the 13 months and brings me closer to my goal! Thank you to all who are praying for me, and supporting me, it does not go unnoticed, and is appreciated more than you know!


So this week has been a week of loving encouragement from the Lord. And I really want to share this with you, because He has also brought me back to the heart and soul of the work He is doing in me, and the work that He has called me to.

Early this week I was challenged, by my sister, to really examine what I was doing. And I really took it to the Lord, because honestly I've been so focused on my goals, I haven't stopped to think about what I am giving up and sacrificing by answering the call to be a missionary. I saw before me a life, that I could choose if I wanted to, a life that was simple, and comfortable, and beautiful. A life that was cozy, and lovely. And I wept, because it was a life that I would never know. But then I saw the life I was choosing, and in my heart I felt such a powerful warmth, knowing that I was not wasting my life, or ignoring its purpose. I was answering the call that had been placed on my life, to be a mother to orphans, to show women the strength and beauty that they could only see when looking at themselves through God's eyes. And I wept in pure joy and excitement for what my future held.

Now, I am not trying to say that if you are not doing what I'm doing your life has no meaning. Please, do not think that is what I am saying at all. We are all called to a different purpose. Mothers that raise their children, whether that's while holding down another job as a single mom, or being a stay at home mom that homeschools her children, are just as important to the kingdom of God as I am. We all play a part, and have a purpose in the kingdom of heaven. Moms and dads alike are raising up a generation of believers! Bravo and hats off to you all because you are fulfilling your purpose right there! But my purpose is different. I do feel called to be a wife and mother, but not just a mother to my children, but to children without families. and I am so incredibly excited to do so!

That being said, I began to ask God for help. To get to that place, to go on internship, and begin down the road of being a missionary. And man did He help me! He sent me so much encouragement this week I am blown away! I was able to meet with Tim and Heather Williams, who are very excited to hear what God is doing in and through me, and in this ministry to Marseille! And I was just so incredibly blessed and encouraged by them, and their enthusiasm! They are such a wonderful couple, and I couldn't begin to thank them enough for their encouragement and support, so I pray many blessings over them and their beautiful family!

Then today, I was so blessed in meeting with Pastor Violet. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and encouragement. And I truly began to catch the vision once again of my mission: love. This is not a mission to hurt people, tear them down, or cause anger and strife. I am on a mission to love people, to show them how Christ has loved me. To witness in love, and speak in love to them. It is not a message of hate, or an argument of my God is better than yours, but rather a message of hope, and of love. Now, in saying this, do not confuse love with tolerance of anything and everything, and do not confuse hate with speaking up when something is wrong. I would not be a very good mother if I did not grab my child up as he wandered off into the street, would I? Now he might get upset about it, but once he sees why it was dangerous he knows I did it out of love, to protect him from being hit by a car. It all comes from a heart full of love.

So, thank you, to everyone who has encouraged me this week! Thank you all for being so faithful to God, and His purposes and promises for your lives! Keep pushing on, set aside those things that could have been, and look at the possibilities of what God has for you, I promise you they are so much better than you can begin to imagine!

Love and Blessings,

Chrissy