On my last update, we only had one years worth of funding for our journey. Since then LOTS has happened!!!
As you know Eric and I sent our almost 100 letters for fundraising to individuals, as well as an additonal 20 or so to different churches around arkansas, ohio, and west virginia.
we waited and waited and waited.. we recieved here and there, and then all of the sudden the blessings just started pilling up, one on top of the next!!!
we recieved numerous individual donations- .....many of which were extremely generous and made us re-evaluate our own regards to money. we have prayed intently that God will bless these people who seem to understand the blessing of giving best. By their donations, not only are they helping the ministry in Italy to grow, they are increasing our faith and further preparing us to embark upon this journey.
Aside from the individuals, the churches began trickeling in as well. Rock Creek Church of Christ, a very small congregation between the mountains in West Virgina, a church family of maybe 100, has pledged money to us monthly for the two years. WOW. congregations here in cabot, little rock, and parigould have also pledged monthly and one time support!
even still, all of these blessings did not yet add up to the two years worth of funding we needed. in the mean time, the interest in our house was lacking. we had no offer and it seemed a little fuzzy. i can tell you that i was troubled with doubt. meaning subconsciously. i tried desperatley not to give in to it. instead i sought God the best i knew how, and He God gave me the real faith i needed to not give up. so with all things laid asside, we stood still and waited in prayer.
A few weks prior we had sent a letter to West Side COC in Searcy. my art professors Dr Keller and Dr Choate (both excellent professors, artisits, and mentors, whom I vary much admire and am thankful for their presence in my life) both happened to serve on the missions committee there. Dr Keller and his wife Sally led the Avanti Art program in the summer of 2008. Along with nine other girls, this was when I first discovered and fell in love with Italy. I emailed Dr K to inquire about West Side's decision, or if they had even received the letter. He wrote back with good news, the committee wanted to meet with us.
After LOTS of prayer that following Sunday we met with them.
we laid out a budget breakdown, along with our story and aspirations as part of the Avanti program. the head of the committee then explained the church's wish to support only members and to support them %100. they enjoy being a part of the journey. he then proceeded to ask if we would consider becoming a part of their family. The elders would have the final say in regards to funding, but he was hopeful that the answer would be yes.
the answer was indeed YES! i cant explain to you the affrimation i felt at that moment. for the first time in my life i truly felt that i was where i was supposed to be, doing exactly what God had planned for me to do. I felt justified. everything, every moment of disappointment, hurt, fear, all of it was worth it to be standing there in that moment of JOY. ive never felt this type of joy before. its real. its pure and %100- nothing lacking from it. its peace and understanding- all of the fruits altogether! WOW. it felt good. not to mention being able to share this change and growth with my parnter in this life. this is the cherry on top of it all.
as wonderful and as much of a mountain top experience as this is, THERE IS MORE.
our house was becoming stagnant. you know what i mean, just sitting here. no action, no interest. i wasnt really worried about it, especially because of the miracle we had just witnessed. it was until a neighbor pointed out the slow moving of the selling process. he reminded us how much we would be upside down financially and was wondering what we thought about this. i mulled this over in my mind for a few days. we began considering trying for sale by owner. we prayed some more. about a week later, my realator txted me and was asking us to maybe consider dropping our price.
this was the red flag. i called her that evening and explained that if we dropped it anymore, it would not be possible. we were already upside down 1000s of dollars only becasue we were paying the relator. i explained that we just did not feel that it was being good stewards of our money to pay them that much ... this was very difficult because she is a wonderful woman of faith and has been a blessing to us as a friend. she understood and we let her go.
not even a week later, eric was talking to some friends at work about out journey and our progress so far. a friend overheard him mention our house then came over and said "your house is for sale? ive been looking for a house now for months in maumell area." he continued that he had had no luck. the area was too expensive for what he was looking for. he became interested in looking at our house.
the following week he couldnt wait to come. he instantly fell in love with it. he even wants the furnishings. he told us that he would love to have the convienience of it already being designed and there.
by next week he will have given his apt the one month's notice they need and we will begin the paper work. thus putting us moving out beginning of july. perfect timing because my family is taking us on vacation with them starting the second week of july. following this training for avanti is last two weeks of august, and then by second week of september ciao ciao america and bounjourno italia!!
all of these blessings are only possible because we are Gods children. He has made this possible, He is moving so steadily through us and around us, and it feels good. His timing is truly perfect. ALready we have witnessed many miracles and we cannot wait to see the rest of the goodness He has planned!!
Get ready- this will be a life canging journey.
