It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

I know it's not Christmas, but let's be honest, I think we've begun to get more excited by pumpkin EVERYTHING than snow! Or maybe not... But if you're like me, you love fall! The color of the leaves as they change from green to brilliant hues of orange, red, and yellow. Unfortunately in South Florida all the weather change we know is from disgustingly hot to moderately hot. But hey, at least we still get pumpkin everything! 

I digress, if you're part of my Facebook group, then you know the exciting news I received, I am officially at appointee status! Woo-hoo! This means that: I can start support raising, and really get the ball rolling on heading to Belfast! I am SO excited to be in this stage of the process! At the moment I'm working on figuring out my budget (taxes can be a pretty tricky thing to figure out...) but once that's all done, I can really move forward, and let you all know about how you can help me in my support raising endeavors. 

This is a journey that I am taking with you. Keep that in mind! Your prayer, financial, and encouragement support are all part of making this possible. God created each of us to be part of this process, and I'm so thankful that you are here, walking alongside me, helping out in whatever capacity you can! I'm looking forward to joining the team, who just got offices for the church, which I'm so excited to see! They're also starting another school year with the students at Queen's University by holding another leadership course for them, teaching biblical principles of leadership in practical ways. Tomorrow night they're having a party for some of these students, and over nineteen countries will be represented, how cool is that? I can't wait to get over there and join them! But in this I am most definitely learning patience! It's all in God's timing, and I know that in each season, each place that I am the Lord has me here for a reason, and is teaching me more about who He is, and His heart for the people of this beautiful world that He created. 

I encourage you, that no matter where you're at, no matter how hard it is, to find contentment in the season God has you in. I understand, believe me, and I am in no way perfect at this (see last blog post....), but it is an area I'm trying to grow in. So let's grow in this together!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

Finding Contentment In That In-Between Stage...

Hello All! Sorry I haven't written in a while, I've found it a bit difficult to write, to be perfectly honest. So I just want to give an update on everything going on!

I went to New York in June to be a part of my sister's wedding! It was a wonderful time of family, friends, and getting to spend time with my sister and her husband! It was also a bit of a rough time for me as well, dealing with certain things within family dynamics, but the Lord is good, and those things were able to be resolved. Overall though, I'm so thankful for my time in New York, and for my family, whom I love so much!

After my trip to New York came my trip back to Minnesota! Yes, I know, I just came from there, but I had to return for candidacy*. Unfortunately I was not able to do candidacy* with fellow candidates, but I really enjoyed my time back on campus for two weeks, getting to say good-bye to those that I didn't get to say good-bye to before. It also got me even more excited to continue on my journey to Belfast!
*Candidacy: A process that all candidates of Bethany International are required to go through. This process includes classes on all aspects of missional life, from support raising, to member care. It also involves meeting with a therapist to ensure the candidate is fit for fielding.

After my time in Minnesota I returned here, to Florida. This has been one of the most difficult seasons of my life. During this time I've been waiting to move from candidacy to appointee* status with BIM (Bethany International Ministries). I've been seeking employment that fits with my carless, missionary-in-waiting status with little luck. So in the meantime this has left a lot of free time on my hands. This has been very difficult for me, because while I might enjoy having some time on my hands, I'm not so sure I like having quite so much time on my hands. The lack of social life here has also left a lot of time for over-thinking. To be totally honest, it's been rough. I'm not sure when I'll be able to start support raising, and I haven't had too much to occupy my time... While I have been taking advantage of some of this time, to spend it with the Lord, I've been struggling a bit in that area as well. I'm being completely honest with you all in saying that these are moments when I question everything: what am I doing? Why am I doing this? Why am I putting myself through all of this? These are real questions that I really do ask.
*Appointee: After candidacy has been completed, and the therapist has submitted their report, clearing you for fielding, a process which can sometimes take months, candidates become appointees. Once an appointee, you can begin raising funds, and are essentially in a pre-field position.

I am telling you all this because I want you to know: I'm not perfect, and I never have claimed to be. I have doubts sometimes, and I question everything. Just because I have chosen to dedicate my life to ministry does not mean I'm better than anyone, or that I'm a perfect person. I get frustrated that I can't move forward at this time, and I get annoyed that I have to wait to begin support raising, which in turn means I have to wait to go to Belfast. But when those questions come up, when I have moments that I just want to throw my hands up and say "I'm done, I'm going to get a normal job, get an apartment, a car, and be a normal American girl." I have to remember that's not where God called me. He has called me to share His word, to bring healing, and to love people, not here, but overseas. That is my heart, that is my life. It's not easy, especially in this in-between stage, when I feel like I'm just floating aimlessly while I wait. But I have to trust in Him, something which does not come easily to me at this moment. What it boils down to is a choice: am I going to choose to trust Him, to love Him, and believe that He has my best interest in mind, or am I going to choose to go off of how I feel. Am I going to choose to put Him or me on the throne of my life. This isn't an every day choice, this is an every hour, every minute, every second choice. And sometimes, I choose wrong, and have to repent. But I am not going to give up my faith, I'm not going to walk away from God just because it gets hard. It's hard, believe me, but I know that following my own path, that putting myself on the throne of my life leads to a hollow, empty existence. I know this because I chose that path eight years ago, and it led to one of the darkest times in my life. I can't always hear God's voice, but I know that He is here, with me, loving me, guiding me forward. I hold on to all the truths that He has spoken to me through His words: "'Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.'" (Psalm 46:10 ESV) "'Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.'" (Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV) "The LORD will fight for you; you need only be still." (Exodus 14:14 NIV) God will not abandon me. There will be times of trouble, Jesus said there would be (John 16:33), but He hung on that cross for me until it was finished, so that He could be with me, to show me how much He loved me. I can handle this, not because of my own strength, or will-power, but because He gave me the strength to. The same power that raised Him from the grave is alive in me (Romans 8:11), I can make it through this time.

I wan to be honest with you, which is why I've shared all this with you, but I also want to encourage you. I know it's hard. Being a Christian is hard, following God's plan for your life is hard, look at all the obstacles in this world that don't want us to succeed: our flesh, the devil, those alone are pretty formidable. But remember God's promises, remember that you are not struggling alone. It might feel like your drowning (believe me, I know the feeling... very well...) but when we feel like we're drowning, we need to stop looking at the storm. We need to look up, we need to look into those eyes that hold all the love, all the shelter we need. Then we need to reach up and take hold of the nail pierced hand and hold onto it for dear life. We have been given the tools to survive this, we need to start using them. Like I said earlier, we were promised troubles, but Jesus goes on to say this: "'But take heart; I have overcome the world.'" (John 16:33 ESV)

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

Summer Time....

Malus Beauregard House,
New Orleans

Some pictures from the road trip!
Gateway Arch, St. Louis

Hi Everyone!

So I've been home for about a week and a half now! I had an incredible road trip with my best friend and her brother, we got to see and experience so much! It was such a great trip! And, I got to show her around the place where I (sort of) grew up, so that was a lot of fun too. Now I'm back, I was also able to spend some time with my sister and her best friends during her bachelorette weekend. I really enjoyed getting to hang out with and talk to them. It was a really great time, laughing, talking, and just spending time with each other.

Eating some barbecue in Memphis!

National Civil Rights Museum,
Memphis

I wanted to share a little bit about some time that I spend in New Orleans. On our road trip we decided to stop in the Big Easy for a few days and just explore the city. It was so much fun! Especially since so much of the city has a lot of French mixed in! So while we were there I was able to see another side to it, I'm not sure if it's because I'm just more aware of these things, or because the Lord was pointing them out to me, or maybe this is totally normal to see, but I saw so much hurting, and pain. I saw people trying to make themselves happy, people who were selling themselves to make others happy, and people who were just downright miserable. It broke my heart. I saw devastation of a different kind, devastation of the spirit. I saw a hollow emptiness, and it stirred something in me. I knew in that moment, this is why the Lord has called me to a life of ministry. This is why I have such a big heart, because there are so many hurting people in this world that need to know the greatest healing that can come to their soul is the love of God.

As I reflect on my calling, I'm also reflecting on the next step I'm taking in my life. I am so excited to be going to Belfast, not just because I'm going to be working with an incredible group of people, or because I get to live in an amazing place full of history and beauty, but because for the next few years it is a place where I get to work, full time, reaching those that need to experience love. I get to just love on people, and live out the testimony of Christ's love for me. This is the truth: every person, no matter who they are, or what they've done is worthy of love. Christ taught us this. Love, God's love, has the most incredible power to heal, restore, and transform. This is my heart, this is my calling and my purpose. I want to love, radically, to be an example of the love of Christ. I'm not perfect, far from it, I make mistakes, and unfortunately sometimes I hurt people, but my hope, my passion is to do my best not to hurt others, but to show them love where there is none. Yes, there is more to being a follower of Christ, but it all starts and ends in love. "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV

Beignets at Cafe du Monde,
New Orleans

Claire and I in the French Quarter

So, my challenge to you is this: love radically this week. Love outside the box. Instead of judging someone for what they are doing, try to understand where they are coming from. Just because you are trying to love by understanding them, and their past does not mean that you condone their behavior. You are simply trying to show them the love that Christ showed you when you came to Him broken and desperate. So step outside the box, think of those that frustrate you, irritate you, make you downright angry, then think of a way that you can show them love this week. I'm challenging myself here too. I think it'll change our lives, don't you?





Blessings and Love,


Chrissy

Gulf Coast, Mississippi

One Season Ends, And Another Begins.

Ready to Graduate!

Some of my closest friends here at Bethany!
Love these girls so much!

Yesterday I graduated from Bethany Global University (Formally Bethany College of Missions). It's crazy to think that I'm done. Like, CRAZY. It still hasn't hit me that I may not see some of my classmates again for a LONG time. A season of my life is over. And what a wonderful season it has been! I have grown and learned so much. The Lord has shown me so much more of His character, His love, and His patience in this time being here. He has used my classmates, my teachers, the staff, so many people have been a part of this time. I can't even begin to thank all of you who have been such a big part of this journey! I love you all, and pray that the Lord blesses you abundantly for your hard work, and the time and energy you have put into the lives of those around you, especially mine. From the very depths of my heart, thank you for being here for me, and for loving me.

Christine, me, and Claire
Les Trois Filles!

So, what's next? As I said in my last post I will be going to Belfast (woohoo!! So excited!!)! So, what does that actually look like from here? Well, first, I will be staying on campus for the next two weeks. After, I get to take a road trip with my best friend, Claire, and her brother down to Florida. I'm pretty excited! I think it's going to be lots of fun! I'll be in Florida for about three weeks (one of which will be spent at my sister's bachelorette party!). Then I'll be flying up to New York for my sister's wedding! I'm so excited to celebrate with her, it's going to be a blast! After that, I come back here to Minnesota for a week. I'll be going through candidacy with Bethany International Ministries (This is an organization that is connected with my school, and the organization I was under while in Marseille). Once I finish going through candidacy, I can begin support raising! So the beginning of July will probably be the time I begin to raise support.

My Friend Amanda and I

With flowers and balloons
From my siblings!

I am so excited for this process, and for everything to get underway! As I described in my last post, I'll be working with Every Nation Belfast (I worked with Every Nation Marseille, formally Evolution 13, while I was in Marseille. So I'm pretty familiar with Every Nation as well as Bethany International, which is so great!). It's a church plant in Belfast (http://everynationbelfast.co.uk) pastored by Johann and his wife, Andrea. I felt the Lord place this on my heart when I visited back in November, and after a lot of prayer and seeking the Lord, I believe this is where He wants me! I am excited to be working in prayer ministry as well as children's church! Ireland has had people of great faith come before, C.S. Lewis from Belfast for example, and I want to be a part of helping people find out who Jesus really is. That they might go and share the gospel all over the world. I want to see them healed, and called up to leadership. I want to help equip them with the tools they need. I want to work with children, to help bring them up in the knowledge of God's love for them, and this world. I want to see Christ and the true gospel once again burn in the hearts of the Irish. I want to love well, to be a light, and to take the gospel to those who so desperately need it. I believe the Lord is asking me to do this in Belfast, to learn, to grow, to love, and to share. I am so excited to have you partner with me in this, whether through finances or prayer.

My Partner in Crime, the Peanut Butter to My Jelly, My Best Friend
Miss Claire Pinney, I'm going to miss this girl more than I can say!

So stay tuned! There will be more details to come! In the mean time, the Lord bless you and keep you, continue seeking His face, continue to love Him and seek Him in all that you do. Know that you are cared for, prayed for, and deeply loved. Thank you for everything, and I'm looking forward to the years to come!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

Everyone's Getting Married, Engaged, and Having Babies And I'm Over Here Like: I'm Going to Belfast...

That's right! This is my big announcement for those of you that haven't heard, I'm heading to Belfast, Northern Ireland! It's still early on in the process, but I've spoken with the pastor of Every Nation Belfast, Johann, and I'm working towards heading out there by the end of this year! I'm so excited! I'm not sure if you could tell by my blog post about Belfast, but I completely fell in love with the city when I went! My heart was captured by the people, and the love God has for the people there. I also feel that there is so much that I can learn there, especially from the team I will be working with! I will be helping with the church plant there, so I will be wearing plenty of different hats as far as what I'll be doing, but I'm so excited for what God is doing there, and what He's going to do through me!

So in the next few months I'm asking you to pray alongside me, that the Lord continues to guide me through the process of figuring out these next steps to go to Belfast, Northern Ireland. I am currently planning to go under Bethany International Ministries and work for Every Nation. Since this is such a special circumstance I'm having to work through a lot of details with these organizations, to make sure that everything that needs to be covered is covered. Please just be praying into this situation and that God would just be in it and all over it. I'm excited to be able to work with both organizations since both are so dear to my heart!

Also please pray for me as I'm finishing up my time here at school. I only have two months left until I graduate (What?!?) and I want to finish strong! Once I graduate, it's going to be a crazy, hectic time! My sister is getting married, then I need to come back to Minnesota to finish up the process of being sent out under Bethany, then I need to head back to Florida to start partnership development! So please keep me in your prayers during this critical time as one season comes to a close, and another begins.

To all of my long time supporters and friends: I am SO excited to take this next step with you all! You have been there for me, loving me, praying for me, and let me tell you, I would not be where I am now without you! My heart is overflowing with love and gratitude for you all! I am so blessed to have you in my life, and I cannot begin to express how much you mean to me! I am such a different person, the Lord is molding and shaping me into the woman He has called me to be, and you all have been an important part of that process. My heart is full of His promises, and the hope that He has given me, and I just pray that He fills your hearts with promises and the same hope. He loves you so much, and wants to continue to lead you. Just love Him, follow Him, give Him everything and you will be amazed at what happens! I never thought I'd be able to go to the UK, no matter how much I desired it, I thought it was a desire I would have to give up. But the Lord took the time to show me that it was a desire He had planted in me, because He has a plan and purpose to send me there. So open your heart to the possibilities the Lord might have for you! Seek Him, and He will reveal them to you!

I love you all, and will keep you updated on the process of everything! So excited to share this with you!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy