Tiring but Jolly Times

In the past week I went to Chattanooga for a couple of days and had 3 "support parties." I am exhausted, to say the least. But ultimately, explaining my passion and call to missions in India has been a huge blessing because I get to share it with my family and friends who are like family, and so many others who God has placed in my life. And they are able to catch the vision of seeing the gospel taken to the nations. It is amazing how God is providing the support through people, surprising even them. I'll share a couple of stories...

My friend Deb (I call her Debster) moved to Greenville, SC for the summer to do an internship for Grad School @ UTC. And she hasn't been able to find a job, so needless to say the funds are simply not there for her to financially support me. I got in town on Thursday night and saw that she had a new pair of chaco's (it's a kind of sandal), black skinny straps without the backstrap. Being the chaco lover that I am, I tried them on because we wear the same size. They fit perfectly, and I admired them in the mirror and said that I'd love to get a pair of black chaco's like hers. After a crazy day of moving her stuff, going to the DMV to get a chance of address (she loves the state of TN now), hanging out with Suester (the 3rd member of the trifecta), going to Camp Vesper Point for an hour to say goodbye to sweet friends...

Deb hands me a present, saying it wasn't much. So honestly I thought it was going to be stationary or something random and silly. But I looked inside, and she had wrapped up her new chaco's for me to wear in India. I immediately started crying, saying, "No Deb, no. I can't accept these. This is too generous. No." I cried because it was such a generous gift, and honestly I would never give away my chaco's (especially brand new ones). I was so humbled by her generosity and her being led by the Spirit in that way. She definitely did not have to do that. But she knew God was leading her to, and I'm so thankful for her heart and the way she is obedient in giving generously. Again, it was so humbling to receive such a gift. I am finding the joy and love in receiving, and it reminds me that is exactly what we're supposed to do with his grace...receive it. Not try and deserve it or justify ourselves or rejecting it out of shame or guilt. Simply being grateful and humble receivers.

These chaco's fit my little feet perfectly!

Here's some other pics of friends from camp:

J-Paul and Anna...this is such a camp pic...no make-up and all!

Jessica shared her "Grace Testimony" with me before I left, and I was so blessed by her witness to Jesus' grace in her life and how abundant his love is! She read Psalm 130, which is stinkin' good!

Love you Kris!

RC Cola slash Rachel Carlton!

This girl is only a freshman in college but she is one of the most encouraging and passionate girls I know. She truly experiences God's love in her life.

Suester at the DMV - B231...pleeease call her number!

ps-Sue came from the ATL, where she is faithfully dog-sitting. She hearts dogs...psyche!

Debster

Trifecta together again. Jolly!

I wish I could take all of you in my pocket to India! God has put each one of you in my life for a specific purpose and I'm so grateful for all of you!

Trifecta Reunion

So I'm about to leave for Chattanooga...partially because I'm addicted to that city and mostly because I'm meeting two of my closest friends for probably the last time before I move to India :( Deb Jones (aka "Debster") and Susanna (aka "Suester") are two of the funniest, most sincere and sweet girls I know. They are always so encouraging and constantly praying for me. We worked at Camp Vesper Point for 2 years together, upon which we received the nickname "Trifecta" from either Ryan Davis or Preston Davis. We were shamelessly inseparable and constantly talking in Gus Chiggins voices most of the time. Even though Deb lives in Greenville/Chattanooga, Sue lives in ATL, and I live in Nashville our hearts seem to always love each other, and we're able to catch up in an instant. I love these ridiculous girls because they lead me to love Jesus more and seek after him. And we are always laughing. Here's to you Deb and Sue! I'm puttin' you cousin men in my pockets and you're comin' to India!

$4.46 = 5 loaves and 2 fish

A few weeks ago I spoke at Judson's "Soul Summit" (Kindergarten-4th graders) about being a missionary in India. I started off by reading a story from the Jesus Story Book Bible (which is incredible! i love it, and i'm almost 22), explaining that telling stories about Jesus is a way to tell Indians about Jesus. I also taught them the way Christian Indians greet one another in Hindi - Jay-ma-si. It means victory in Jesus. One of the funniest moments was when I told them that most Indians don't have toilets (most have "squatty potties" or just places in their back yard). They couldn't believe it! I was tempted to tell them they didn't use toilet paper, either...but I resisted more potty humor in church. Squatty potties created a good enough "shock effect."

But the most memorable moment of the day was when they took up an offering for me at the end. First they passed around a basket for their tithes, and then Julie Robertson asked for everyone who had an offering for me to come up to the front and put it in the basket. It was so precious to see those kids run up and give all of what they had...quarters, dimes, nickels, and even pennies. All together it was $4.46.

A couple of weeks later I received the check in the mail, and I almost started crying because God reminded me instantly of when Jesus fed the 5000 (probably even more people including the men's wives and children) with the 5 loaves and 2 fish of a little boy. I have to raise $10,000 which is unfathomable to a child and sometimes to me. But I am positive that feeding 15,000 people (filling Belmont's Curb Center 3 times!) with 5 hunks of bread a couple of fish seemed CRAZY to the disciples in Jesus' time. They knew they couldn't do it on their own. They needed Jesus. And boy did Jesus show up! There was an abundance of food! God doesn't do things half-heartedly. He uses what we give in generosity and turns them into glorious things out of his great riches! So that has been my prayer...Jesus, turn this $4.46 into $10,000, and give me a heart of faith that You have the power to do it and you will!

I ask that you would pray this with me and ask if God is wanting you to be a part of his gospel-sharing mission in India.

(By the way, after Julie announced that they gave $4.46 to help me go to India, a little girl who was 10 whispered to her friend, "Maybe she can buy a toilet!" Ha!)