Somebody Praise Him

So many of you have been texting, emailing and asking me about how my deadline turned out.

First off, I can not even tell you how much checking up with me means! In my mind, this means people are actually following my journey and are invested in what I'm doing. That alone is so exciting and thrilling to know that you have been thinking about me, praying for me and maybe even financially investing in my journey.

Second, Here's how I turned out funding wise ...
Let me tell you how awesome God is and how he showed how his sovereignty in my funding process:

So last week I had $450 dollars to go on my trip. Let's just let that sink in.
I need $5,950 and I had $450 ... leaving me $1,700 short for my deadline of $2,150 that I had to meet in 3 days. So needless to say I was a little stressed.
But as I prayed bluntly with the Lord (sounded a bit like this: God, I have to make this deadline and I need some help so if there's anything I can do you HAVE to let me know), He gave me the idea to make a video. Most of you probably saw it ... I think it's incredibly embarrassing, but apparently: it worked!

After I published the video, I had my team manager Cody call me to tell that in just a few hours I made $350 dollars. Then about an hour and a half later I got a text from Cody: "Another $200! Keep praising!" I'm sorry, WHAT?! God was (and still is) blowing my mind.

I spent the following day responding to emails from you guys about funding and my trip, almost all of them leading to confirmation of donations! I was so excited ... and later that night, the team got a funding update via email. Before I opened it, I prayed. I knew I made money the day before, but if that was the same number I saw, I couldn't be disappointed. God was still working so I took a breath and double clicked on the email. I read through it and saw my update: $1,615. I think I got a little dizzy at the sight of such a huge number, but under it was a note from Cody: "SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS!"
After about 4 weeks of getting funding emails, seeing $450 and a note under it that said "let's talk about your strategy again," I was so excited to finally get pumped about funding with Cody and have it hit me in a big way that I am actually going to Kenya.

The money wasn't the only thing God was doing. About every hour, I'd get a Facebook notification that someone tagged me in a post. Usually, it was my name and link to this here blog and a link to donate. I had lots of friends share my need, but I was surprised to see so many sorority sisters do the same. Not only was it an affirmation of how the trip is ordained, but also such an excitement to see how much favor the Lord has blessed me with in my sorority and how He really does work where we least expect it. I can not even say how excited I am to see God's plan and desires reveal themselves. I even had sisters walk up to me and hand me checks towards my trip! WHAT?!

But finally, Friday came and I couldn't wait to see if I met my deadline. When the email arrived in my mailbox, I scrolled down to see: $1,905. In one day I made almost $300 more!
So ... funding turned out pretty good. I am still $245 short, but in two days I made $1,455! Unreal.
Attached to my update, was a list of people who donated (but not their amount). That was the most exciting part to me. I got to see all of my family and friends who decided to invest financially in my trip! What surprised me the most was that I had SO many sorority sisters donate. Realize that this means kids in college still thought it would be an awesome idea to give ... even when on a tight budget. I even had a donor WHO I DIDN'T KNOW!! How cool is it to see how God works?

But the funding journey is not nearing an end. In about a week, I should have $3,075! That puts me about $245 short with $925 to raise by February 7th. I KNOW that this deadline can be met. So keep praying, keep getting the word out and if you feel called, donate!

I am so excited that y'all are getting excited with me! I'll be leaving in only 108 days ... SO SOON! Thank you for all your support and encouragement and love. I honestly couldn't do it without every single one of you.

"I thank God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now."
Philippians 1:3-6

In Him,
Catherine

Just A Reminder ...

Okay, guys. I have a HUGE deadline coming up Friday ... and I'm $1,700 short. Yikes! So if you and your family feel called to give, I'd LOVE your support!

Ultimately, I know that my God is the God of ALL money and He will move it around at His will. If that means patiently waiting until May 17th (one day before I leave), I will. But until then, I  gotta do what I can to get the word out and pray that God meets my needs. So here it is, I'm laying down all my funding deadlines and worries knowing God will do His thing.

So, for all of you who opened my letter and was like: "Oh! that sounds great" or your letter is still being processed by the U.S. Postal Service, here's a reminder (just ignore my developing video editing skills and slight verbal mess ups):

Feel free to make my video your Facebook status or email it to all your friends and family or tweet about it! Whether you're supporting me in funds, prayer or both! I seriously am SO thankful for every single one of you. I don't think I could say that enough! Thank you for keeping up with me during this time. Can not wait to see what God makes happen for Friday!!

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 

Matthew 6:20-21

In Him,
Catherine

Silver Linings

Hey guys!

Here we go. Let me see if I can get my thoughts together. So initially, I want to apologize for the delayed update, but honestly there has been no better time than now to tell you all what's been happening in my crazy life, so let's begin ...

So since my last post, classes have started.

If you were unaware, I'm in sorority and that means: chapter, chairmen meetings, leading sister bible study, and step practice.

In the midst of that, I've been trying to find a community for myself here at school. That was the hardest part of my first semester. Not only has that consumed my time, but also my thoughts and emotions this week.

Trying to find a place to live next year has been rather ... confusing. 

There's prepping for Africa: letters, calls, addresses, licking envelopes and even worrying about this blog post.

Oh yeah, then of course there's eating and sleeping.

All sounds a little melodramatic (I know), but wait, just let me paint the picture for you ...

Despite my rather heightened level of stress, the Lord has been breaking me ... in a good way. I honestly thought I would not mentally or emotionally make it through this hectic week, but every time I thought about breaking down or giving up, the Lord showed up and gave me little things to be thankful for: the mid 70 degree weather (in January!!), His control of time, rain, my big--Claire, the support of my friends and family, deep sleep, music and journaling. Oh, how I am blessed.

So even when I wanted to cry because of all the work I had to do, I rejoiced--my God is sovereign and works all things together for good. Even when I felt incredibly alone, I rejoiced--my God is a great comforter, my best friend. Even when I felt inadequate, I rejoiced--for I am a vessel for the Holy Spirit who works in and through me. And even though I'm $1700 short for my deadline next Friday, I will continue to rejoice--for all the money in the world is God's and He will move it around at His will. 

For all of this, I am sure.

It's all about viewpoint. All situations' tenses can be changed with a slight shift of view. How convicted I felt after realizing how truly blessed I am. The week that I thought would be horrible turned into days absolutely filled with silver linings. And for so many of those things I have to be joyful for:

Shout out to these lovely ladies for helping me with my funding letters

Meet Lexi, my roommate.

And Claire, my big sister within my sorority!

For all of you who have been praying for my week and leading my sorority's bible study,

I am deeply thankful for you and your thoughts and prayers. I am so excited for my sisters, our fellowship in Christ and their desire to learn more about having a relationship with the Lord.

And for all of you who have responded to my letters,

Thank your for your donations and/or prayers. They are incredibly appreciated. And I'm so over joyed to know that the envelopes with "the little Africa" on the back are being looked forward to and that my trip is already being deeply thought about and prayed for. 

Yes, it all depends on your viewpoint and no matter the circumstance, with joy these blessings I will remember.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice."

Philippians 4:4

In Him,

Catherine

And They're Off!

Well guys, FINALLY!
My funding letters have been sent out ... well the first round of them. I have a feeling that I'll be continually writing and mailing things in the upcoming months. I can not wait to see everyone's response to my letters and upcoming trip! I can already see the work the Lord is doing through the early phases of this process. Honestly, I'm overwhelmed ... my first funding deadline is Friday ... so be looking out for one of these:

Coming to a mailbox near you! Thanks for joining me in this process ... So thankful for every one of you!

In Him,

Catherine