God opens doors

Well, I was driving to San Marcos on Saturday morning, when I decided to turn the radio off. It was then, that I noticed something different with the clouds. It looked like I was driving right into Ecuador. The clouds were a dark gray color and so it made them look like mountains with white at the top. That got me thinking about our journey, and how God has been so good to conquer my fears!

I guess we all come up with excuses/fears as to why we "can't" do something. My first fear was that we might not be accepted with HCJB for one reason or another. I remember feeling nervous about all the interviews. The morning before we left, I opened up my bible study and read in Genesis. This was the verse for the day: 4:7 "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?" As I read those words, God gave me a peace in my heart, and I knew it would all work out. I just had to wait to hear the words.

About a week after our interviews, Chrystal from HCJB called to let us know that we had been accepted! My heart raced and was filled with joy! I was so excited to tell Larry. The only dilemma was when to go to training. We couldn't go in August b/c school was starting. Larry couldn't go in February b/c at the time no one could take vacation in February due to ratings at the station. So that meant June, a whole year later. So I prayed, and God answered. Larry came home one day in September. He said, "Hey babe, guess what? You know how we couldn't take vacation in Feb.? Well, they sent out an email today saying they are going to lift that ban." Wow! That's awesome!

Then around Christmas I began to wonder about this support raising that we were going to have to do. Psalm 121 was so encouraging "I lift my eyes up to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." One morning at church, someone asked me how things were going and when we would be going to training. I was really excited b/c I had just had breakfast with some missionaries from HCJB at a friends house. I told him that we would be going in Febr. He asked if we had bought our tickets yet, to which I replied "No, not yet." He then said, "Well, I think we can take care of that." Wow! Oh my goodness! God was already providing, and we hadn't even technically started!

All of that to say, don't let your fears hold you back! God has a way of walking you through them. I look back and smile as I praise God for encouraging me through his Word, his beauty, and his people! What an amazing God we serve!

how we got here-larry

I was reading a bible study recently and it got me thinking about how I got to this place in my life and giving in to God. I say giving in to God because at first I didn't want to go out of the country on missions. God set me on this path before I even knew it. It started with my interest in radio and then progressed to Christian radio when my walk with God grew. Then in college it was a call to missions. But I didn't want to go. I wanted things to happen my way. I wanted to work at a Christian radio station in Texas. I got frustrated and started to complain and get angry with God when things weren't working out my way.
The bible study talks about how Jeremiah was beaten after prophesying. He then prays to God letting out his honest feelings. The bible study asks "Do you need to write a prayer to God about your honest feelings? Remember, Jeremiah did not complain simply because times were tough. What happened resulted from his obedience. If you choose to complain, make sure you are justified in doing so like Jeremiah. Otherwise, pray to obey God first."
That reminded me of when I realized I wasn't obeying God, but complaining because things weren't happening the way I wanted. I felt God say "do you want to work in Christian radio for YOU or for ME. At that moment I realized I needed to serve God and not be concerned with my wants. That night Amanda and I prayed about joining HCJB Global and we decided we would walk down this path until God closed the door. So far the doors have been open.

Whooo Hooo!

Thanks to recent supporters who have decided to join with us, we are now at 10% of what we need to get to Quito, Ecuador! Only 70% more to go before we can go to language/culture training in Colorado Springs. Thank you God and thank you family and friends! Larry and I are so excited. It has already been a great journey. We are so thankful for all of your prayers, encouragement, and support! We will keep you updated. Go God! Check out the new support thermometer :-)