Regrann from @jeremy_kraus - Write your plans down. It’s ok if God changes them, but if you don’t have plans, he doesn’t have anything to change. The point is get started, right now, write down your vision! Tag a friend, and look out for more info on my strategic vision launching experience session! • • Habakkuk 2:2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. • • #thrive #closer #thrivelife #closerdevotional #serve #strengthen #getclosertoGod #devotional #newauthor #wisdom #thriveexperience #stophumantrafficking #endit #closerdevotional #thriverescue #thrivejusticeschool #2018 #thejusticeschool #justice #freedomfighter #equip #empower #trustgod #buildothersup #peoplematter #notforsale #missions #knowledgeispower #livelaughlove #livelaughlovelife
Travel to Thailand was LONG! Jet lag was very real and exhaustion took over, but I think I'm adjusting well. The food is amazing by the way!! We started orientation today and exchanged our U.S money for Baht. It's finally becoming real! I'M IN THAILAND!! It's the most surreal feeling ever. I would have never pictured my life to look like this at this very moment and it is all because of Him that I can. The hearts of the staff members of Thrive and my fellow classmates are incomparable. The passion that lies in each individual is unreal and I am so blessed to be a part of this. God is doing amazing things here already. Thank you to every person that made this possible for me through your support. Nothing has gone unnoticed and it has been a vital part in getting me here! You're continued prayers are appreciated! I can't wait to update you as we get through orientation and get started in our field work. You can follow my blog here as well as the Justice School blog to stay updated. https://thejusticeschool.wordpress.com
When I chose to follow Christ I would have never imagined the beauty it would bring into my life but also the trials it would take to get to each destination He has called upon my life. When you first get started they don’t really inform you that the journey isn’t always easy, but I have found it’s always worth it! The last six months have been a whirlwind of emotions. After choosing to say YES and venture out into the world of uncomfortable and uncertainty, I can officially say I AM GOING TO THAILAND!! I have been fully funded for this trip and there is no other explanation for raising $6400 in just a short six months than JESUS!!
When you say yes to something God has called you to do it’s amazing to see the things He does to get you there. I have been blown away by His faithfulness and provision. It has taken my relationship with Him deeper than it was before! Through this I have learned that it’s okay to not be in control of every aspect of your life and it’s okay to lean in, press in, and trust Him. He is perfectly capable of making what seems impossible come to life!
I know when I started this journey I wasn’t sure how it would all play out. I didn’t know how the funds would come in or what I would do about my job. All I knew is that God told me to go after it and I did because at that time nothing else mattered. I had complete trust that He would make all of the pieces come together and He did.
Shortly after I was accepted into The Justice School through Thrive Rescue, I received a promotion at work. It would have been so easy to lay down my dream in that instant and take that promotion and forget everything else. Little did I know that God had everything all worked out far before I could have even known it was going to happen.
I have been given favor to leave my job (promotion and all) for a total of SEVEN WEEKS and come back from Thailand to a job and not have to worry about looking for work or if my bills will get paid! FAVOR!!! Come on Jesus! I seriously cannot get over how amazing He is. You hear stories of how incredible God is, but to experience those amazing things is a new level of incredible. Until you actually put action to those steps that He is calling you to take, He can not move through you.
I am so grateful to all of you who have believed in me, prayed for me, prayed with me and have had such generous hearts in giving! I am blown away by those that have given from people who I have known for years to people I haven’t even met! WOW! How incredible is our God!!!?? It is because of each and every person that has believed in me and listened to God when He said “give” and “pray” that I am even able to partake in this adventure!
This weekend I took a trip to Austin to spend some time with one of my very best friends as she prepares to become a mommy in the next week. It was so fun getting to shop around for last minute things to finish Hannah Rose’s room. Even though it was nice to get away for the weekend and have some fun, I couldn’t help but feel slightly discouraged. Not because I wasn’t married or about to have a baby, simply for the fact that I have my dream at my fingertips, yet it feels so far away. In seven months I will be in Thailand learning more about human trafficking and how to prevent, raise awareness, and restore these children that have been beaten and broken down. I get to share the love of Christ with them and be a part of God healing their brokenness. I’m so overjoyed by that thought. How cool will it be to get to see lives transformed in the midst of such a horrific scene. Yet I find myself discouraged. Why....
When I think about my dream big moment it’s me having an organization and teaching people about human trafficking and helping restore the lives of those that are SURVIVORS. Of course there are always obstacles that come with big dreams which can be very discouraging.
I know deep down in my heart that this is my next step to learning how to use what I already have to stop this injustice. The discouraging part for me is knowing that I have to raise $6400 in 6 months. My first deadline of $1500 on December 7th secures my spot, and when you are uncertain of how funds will come in it can be scary. I pride myself in doing things on my own and I absolutely hate asking for help, because then I feel like I have failed. This is something God has been working on in my life over the past ten months. It’s not easy to let go of the reigns of your life and it’s most definitely not easy to ask for help, but God did not intend for us to do things by ourselves. (Not an easy lesson)
On my drive home from Austin, I was praying and listening to worship music and talking to God. I was telling Him about my frustrations and my fears. That alone made me feel less discouraged. I began listening to Natalie Grant and her song “Your Great Name” came on and these lyrics just stayed with me.
Every fear has no place
At the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave
At the sound of Your great name
He used this song to remind me that He is not a God that discourages or places fear or doubt, that is what the enemy does. He is a FaithFULL God that PROVIDES, ENCOURAGES, and BRINGS HOPE and JOY.
I am so thankful for these little reminders that speak volumes. There is NO room for doubt in my life!
If you would like to partner with me through prayer, I would absolutely love that. I feel the enemy so strongly working against me which means I’m supposed to go to Thailand because HUGE things are going to take place.
What to pray for:
1. Finances. Please pray for finances to come through in abundance and that there would be no place for worry.
2. Pray for my spiritual walk in this season that I may grow deeper with the Lord.
3. Pray for my team! I see Satan is already plotting against quite a few of us, so we all need a covering of prayer.
4. Pray for the Staff of The Justice School and Thrive Rescue. Pray for a refreshment of energy and for love that moves mountains. Also pray against all attacks of the enemy.
Lastly, if you would like to donate to me or any of the other team members you can go directly to my fundraising site or The Justice School Website below!
