Daily Update T-2

Another day has gone by and I am a little closer to hitting that benchmark. Two more monthly supporters brings us to... $675 left until 80%.

Let's see what this weekend brings... one thing that it will definitely bring is my new roommate. The Chi Alpha CMIT intern at Georgetown, who has thankfully hit her benchmark. =]

God provides... and I am getting more and more excited to see how He is going to make this all work out as time ticks away.

.. and I think that clock may actually stop on the 10th, not the 9th ... so maybe this post should be entitled Daily Update T-2.5.

Daily Update: T-3

Sitting here with my guitar at my side,  I'm hoping to get in a worship session before I go to bed. A funny thought because I pray that it is a sweet sound to God's ear even though I know it isn't the most pleasing sound to any other ear. (I'm still learning how to play.) But I have a music instrument and the desire to praise Him, so with all that I am and the little ability I have, that's exactly what I want to do... worship Him. And, that's exactly what I want to do with all my life. 

I am amazed at who God is and what He is doing. I spent the last few hours talking with three Chi Alpha alumni about how we have changed in the last few years. There have been so many victories in people's lives- over depression, eating disorders, self image issues, phobias, healing in family issues, the list goes on... There are so many reasons to thank God.  

The discussion morphed into a prayer session, for a half hour we prayed for a friend of ours who is struggling. Not to be cliche, but it was truly a beautiful sight. One of the girls afterwards said, "These are the moments that should be advertised. This is Christianity. This is community." And may I add, this is what Chi Alpha is all about. An authentic movement of people who love Jesus and want others to see how much Jesus loves them too! 

So there is my advertisement, and also my heart. It is for that amazing God, for this community, and for all the people who have yet to meet Him that I want to be on campus this year. 

Three days away from my official start date and I am still $800/month away from beginning my internship. Two monthly supports and another special gift today... which means I have 30 individuals financial supporting me and at least a dozen more praying with me. I am so grateful that I stand with many, that I stand in community. Thank you all for being in this with me! God is going to come through for us! =]

Daily Update: T-4

Another monthly supporter, another special gift... and we are $835/month away from the benchmark. I also have some awesome friends that have sent out some referrals for me... so we'll see what happens.

God can totally do it! Tonight at church, the sermon was on God's authority and how He is more than capable of doing miracles if we have just a bit of faith.

I think I can muster up a little faith, and I'm expecting a big miracle. =]

Daily Update T-5...2.0

Since writing my daily update, before the midnight hour struck...

thanks to one of my dearest friends... we can change that figure to an estimated $900/month left to raise to reach my benchmark.

Woot! Woot! Five days... and God is definitely big enough to do this! =]

Daily update: T-6

I broke one of the support raising rules of thumb: I sent out a mass email today to over 100 people at once. Essentially, I spammed my entire address book. Why? Because I care about the work I will be doing, and I really want to be able to be on campus full time this year.

My support raising coach reminded me of something pastor Mark Batterson often says:

"Pray like it depends on God; Work like it depends on you"

Here is to six more days of doing exactly that. If it depended on me, I would handle support raising like I handle non-profit fundraising- mass emails and mailings. That is the work I know, so that is what I did.

Within two hours of sending it, I had four responses. One monthly supporter, two special gifts, and one interested supporter.  The result  the equivalent of at least $16/month in support that I wouldn't have had if I had not sent that email. Little by little, God is providing.

There is much work and even more prayer to be done.

Faith like that.

"I caught a glimpse of what You want from me.

And what I have is not enough.

I read the story one more time.

Of those who gave to You their lives

with no fear or compromise

I want a faith like that...."

This is song is my prayer for this next year, and life in general. The song recalls the incredible and simplistic faith of the early Church, and how they saw God move... not because they were great men, but because they had great faith in a great God.

What I have is definitely not enough, but God is continually reminding me that He is more than enough. Last night another alumni joined my support team, another reminder of how awesome it is to be a part of the a community that loves and follows Christ.  =]

I also have a specific prayer request. To truncate a very long story. I got permission from a scholarship agency to use the remainder of my funds for expenses during my internship year, but due to some red tape, the funds are tied up. In other words, I could either be getting a check for $6000, no check at all, or a check somewhere in between those two amounts. If you think of it, could you pray that God will overcome the red tape and release to me the exact amount of money from this resource that He desires to release. Obviously, the full amount of $6000 would be incredibly helpful, but my prayer is for at least $3000 because that is the amount I have factored into my monthly budget (I intended to use the remaining amount to pay off the balance of my credit card which currently has all of my summer/support raising expenses on it). Thanks for your prayers!

Keep Rollin'

With about two weeks of support raising left, I have  about $1200/month estimated....  just under half of my budget!! These next two weeks will be busy, but I'm excited to see how God provides!

I am about $1300/month short of my goal... so if you are considering joining my team  or  if you know of anyone who may be interested in supporting my internship, please shoot me a message. I would love to talk with you!

You can also check out the page links on the right hand side of this page for more information about me and the internship. I will continue to update this blog- more frequently- as my support raising journey continues and will use it as a method of keeping my team updated throughout the year.

For all of you who have joined my team, thank you for your prayer and support!  =]

numero uno.

Today, my first official supporter joined my team. A dear friend of mine was the first to commit to financially supporting me throughout this next year. As we talked about the upcoming year, I was reminded of the first time we met and how much has happened since then. She was my small group Bible study leader my freshman year of college, and has supported me through the best and worst of the last three years. Her faith is admirable, her character remarkable, and  her friendship highly valued in my life.

As she signed the paperwork, I had a revelation of sorts, a simple one. Support raising is all about allowing your friends to continue to support you, allowing those with your shared vision to invest in what God is doing, and joining together with those you care about for a common purpose.  The thought of raising $2,500 a month by August 1st is intimidating and challenging, and I quite frankly don't know how it is going to be accomplished. Yet, I do know this: God is faithful and it will get done... and part of that is because I have the support of amazing people. As the Beatles sing, "I get by with a little help from my friends". 

Thanks for being there for me! =]