This past Sunday I was invited to speak at all three services at Marysville First United Methodist Church, and I was pleased with how things went. I am grateful to Pastor Aaron Brown for allowing me to share how I have been called (going along with our reading from Jonah chapter 1) and inviting our congregation to partner with me prayerfully and/or financially. I am so blessed that, as of today, through donations and pledges over the next two years, I have received almost 25% of the amount I need to fundraise! God does provide!
My online giving site (through www.umcmission.org/give) is taking a little longer than expected to get completed and uploaded. The website functions, but I have yet to be added to the drop down menu under "Select a Missionary". Hopefully that will happen early next week. I am excited that, even without online giving being available yet, people are still generously donating via checks and pledges to support my missions work. I trust that when I have been added to the website, it will make it more convenient for others to give as they feel led.
I am also fortunate that my home town's newspaper The Marysville Journal Tribune ran an article* about me today (in Melanie Behrens' Off the Hook Column, on page 5). I am happy to share my story, and am thankful for people to read it and share in my journey. I know that I have chosen to follow the path less traveled, but I am still glad to tell others about it (and eventually share another corner of the world with them from Mexico). Thank you to my friends who connected me with Melanie, and especially to Melanie for interviewing me, writing the article, and printing it!
Tonight I am finalizing a PowerPoint to use as I prepare to speak at another church in London, Ohio this Sunday. I am grateful for the opportunity to reach out to more people and share my new calling.
The polar vortex plummeting temperatures in Ohio to below zero, with a windchill closer to -25º or colder tonight makes me long to be in Mexico sooner than later. Piedras Negras' high of 43º and 33º low seem warm in comparison. While the three days of cancelled school this week (ode to cold and snow) have also cancelled my substitute teaching jobs and pay for those days, I have been able to use the time to work on missions stuff and fundraising, as well as getting ready to move out of my apartment in the next couple of weeks. I'm not heading to Mexico quite yet, but am moving in with two generous friends until it's time for me to go abroad. So step by step, I keep on trekking getting closer to moving to Mexico.
Be blessed!
*Especially for family and friends outside of Ohio, here's a copy of said article:
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