1/5 and an update

Well, I completed the first two of at least three garage sales that I am doing to help raise support for my trip to the Philippines. I raised a little over $250. I am also selling bracelets through Threads of Hope as part of my fundraiser...so it's hard to know exactly how much was raised as I sold lots of bracelets the second day. I get to keep half the cost of each bracelet and the other half goes to provide an income for the Filipino families who make the bracelets. I am at 1/5 of the $5000 I need to go on my trip. I need to order tickets next month--which will run probably $1350-1500. I am leaving in November which gives me about 7 months to raise $4000. That really seems overwhelming, but I have to realize that God doesn't work just like I work. He likes to surprise us and teach us to trust Him. He does amazing things. Therefore, I just have to keep pursuing my trip and trust Him to provide the money. And honestly, the last 2 times I went I had maybe 4 months to raise $4000...so it's not an unrealistic goal.

Speaking of amazing things that God has done, I mentioned several posts back about a sad time during church a few weeks ago. One of the expectant moms had gone to the hospital for a stress test because she was not feeling her baby move. A couple people prayed and then during the singing at the end of the service, the wife of one of the pastors announced that the baby has a good strong heartbeat. And of course I let out a cheer. The sadness in the room had turned to joy. And today, I got to hold that little 9 day old baby boy in my arms. God is good. We serve a God who is not only alive--my pastor said today that if Jesus hadn't rose again, then our faith would be a fraud--but He gives life. And this tiny boy is proof that He still works miracles today. It's things like this that I need to look at when I am tempted to wonder if He is going to provide money for my trip. It's silly to worry about money. God will provide that in His timing. Money is a small thing in comparison to the miracle of life. Today we celebrate that Jesus lives...and also we get to see Him breathe life into people everyday. Babies are such an amazing reminder of the life that God breathes into each and every one of us. We are all here for a reason. Now go out and do something about it.