He Lifts Me Up

God is awesome! You could probably tell from my last post that I was a bit frustrated. It spurred on some difficult conversations, but ones I am so grateful to have had. The biggest thing I have learned is that I need to be proactive in letting people know when I am praying for them. Being reminded this week that we have some faithful prayer warriors out there, has been such an encouragement! So, I encourage you to let your prayers be known. Not the "praying in the village square for all to hear how righteous you are" type of known, but the simple "hey, I've been praying for you" kind. 

Our Kenya Date Night event happened this past weekend. It wasn't as well attended as we had hoped, but we had a great time! The love that was shared with us that night will fill us for a long time. We were even blessed with an unexpected extra donation. And then when we showed up for church today we found out two more support checks came in! I don't know how He does it, but God always spurs His people to encourage us when Satan is trying to take us down. I am so grateful to be a child of God, and the recipient of unconditional love.
Ready to Continue- Anne

"But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus." - 2 Corinthians 7:6

Ben and I 

I was so happy to get to dance!

Mr. Gyro's donated some really awesome food!

Ben and Jonathan, lookin' good!

Me with one of my favorite people, Kristine

The Hollowoods! Love them!

Just Keep Going

We're at the point in our journey where we have raised the majority of our funds, but still have a little ways to go. So many people have been so generous!!! However, I am finding myself burned out with the fundraising. I just want to go!!! We have a really fun event coming up that I really want to be successful, but it is not getting the response I expected. It's kind of frustrating, but I know if I'm burned out with this whole process then everyone around me must be too. It's just so hard to see the same people giving time and time again, and I have no real way to repay them. I'm begging God that He will just blow them away with His goodness on my behalf. 

I try not to think about those that I love that have not supported us. I know that not everyone is called to give...I get that. But, somehow it feels like betrayal. I don't expect everyone to give us large sums of money, but when they can't even give us $10? It all adds up! And when I have seen mere acquaintances give so much more than that! We've had single, hardworking women, that live on a very tight budget donate. It blows my mind! I hate that I allow myself to worry about the family that is not giving when so many of God's people have given so selflessly. Oh Lord, if only I could be so selfless! I'm getting real with you here, because I feel like there is a lesson in this for me. Perhaps for you too. There are three verses right now screaming at me. I'm going to share them all at once so I can fully bathe my mind with them:

"Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." -Galatians 1:10 

"Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." -2Timothy 2:15

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding." -Proverbs 3:5

So, I am going to walk in these verses this week; trusting that it is part of God's plan and that He is just waiting for the right moment to blow us away and surprise us. Or perhaps He's not. Perhaps He needs us to struggle a bit right now to prepare us. I'm okay with that too. I am going to continually remind myself that we are not doing this for our friends or family. I still love them and am trusting that they are supporting us through prayer. I hope that if you are praying for us, that you will let us know. Satan is coming after us on a daily basis and it is such an encouragement to know people are actually praying! 

I am going to keep on working for Him, and delight in the ways we have been blessed thus far.  And now for my shameless plug: If you are looking for a fun night out as a couple, please join us for our Date Night for Kenya!

Grateful and Humbled- Anne