February was a busy month!
I had the privilege of speaking at two Florida Bible Institute quarterly forums at the beginning of the month! I remember when I first started Bible school there. I started after a word from the Lord through my pastor. We were at a dinner with missionaries, I’d felt the call to missions in Africa but wasn’t sure where to go from there. I was working as the Nursery Coordinator at the church and had just finished nursing school and gotten a job as an LPN. Toward the end of the dinner my pastor said something along the lines of the Lord saying for me to go to Bible school, get my license, and use that along with nursing on the mission field. I was excited and expectant and just jumped in to follow the Lord.
I’ve learned that anything that is a “word from the Lord” should really be confirmation to what the Lord is already speaking and doing in my life. I need to be seeking Him, reading His Word, and pursuing His direction. He will speak and lead me then bring confirmation if and when it’s needed. It’s not always a whole new revelation of a whole new direction. Maybe for you it’s different, this is just what I’ve found.
In January we had our time of prayer and fasting, we had an evangelist who moves in the gift of knowledge. One night we were all at the front, he passed by me and told the pastor that was closest to him to anoint my feet because I would be going to Africa, he also said he saw a stethoscope and I would be doing nursing and giving vaccines to kids. (He said a lot more but it’s too much to fit in here.)
There have been many moments/seasons where I’ve questioned if I’ve done the right things in my life. Was going to nursing school the right thing? Was going to bible school at that time for that length of time the right thing? Were the ministries I’ve been involved in right? Have I messed up too much and gone too far? The Scripture that comes to mind is “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28. All of my life He has interwoven His plan for me. That first word from my pastor was in 2012 (or close to it) and this most recent word was in 2020.
My word for this year is “Be Still”. I knew the Lord wanted me to be still, reflect, receive, and grow in this time as we make changes for this next season. The story above is, I’m sure, just one of many sweet realizations of how God works all things for good.
Like I said in my last update, there is nothing particularly extraordinary about me. God is writing your story, too. Sometimes we just have to step back and ask Him to show us how.
Missions Update –
Monthly Budget Raised: 11.02%
Cash Budget Raised: 44.44%
I’ve noticed that some of the monthly giving is not being counted as monthly giving. I created this image in hopes that it helps navigate the online giving. If you have any questions, let me know!
Your prayers and support are … I could sit all day and try to think of a word to express what they mean to me. This God sized dream and adventure has been a longing of my heart for so many years, to know that you are praying and supporting me means the world to me! Thank you!