Orphan Sunday: Two Girls

*This was written shortly before I went to China for the first time in 2009. As I am currently preparing to return to China to serve at a foster home the story of these girls and their impact in my life rings even truer. 

One of the hardest parts of being a Christian can be having faith. The idea of having faith in something that we can’t see can be hard to understand, and even harder to grasp. One of my friends at college shared her favorite quote with me on many occasions, Faith is not knowing that God can, but that God will. - Norm Patton.  Throughout the Bible we see examples of how important faith really is.

Imagine being a shunned by society, never being able to go out on your own, if at all, but, you know that if you close enough to touch this man they call Jesus you will be healed, and finally after so many years be able to live a normal life. Or you are a prominent man whose daughter is very sick. The only thing you know to do is find Jesus, for He can heal your daughter.

These who people come from completely different backgrounds, completely different lives. The one thing they have in common is their faith. Jesus says to the women, “daughter, your faith has healed you” and to the father “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” They both believed not that God can….they knew that God would heal, they had faith when those around them lacked.

Having faith often happens when you have no idea what the end result will be. The story of the little girl who everyone thought was dead in the Gospel leads me to introduce you to two little girls who have played a vital role in keeping my faith strong, and even testing my faith. These two girls started their lives very much the same, but I came to know them in very different ways. These two little girls were placed in orphanages on opposite sides of the world, which began their journeys toward me.

My journey toward the first of these girls began in high school when I desperately wanted to go on a mission trip. Opportunities came up, but just as quickly passed as I had to have faith that God was planning the perfect trip for me to be a part of. Finally my chance came, and I was ready to head to Leon Mexico, not fully knowing what to expect, but I had complete faith that God was planning awesome things, and was ready to use me and the rest of the team.

That was when the first little girl came into my life. Her name is Luz, and there is still not a day that goes by that I do not think of her. She captured my heart, and even though I didn't know it at the time, she worked her way into my life, opening my eyes to the world around me, and planting the idea of mission work deep inside of me. When I returned home, I knew my life had changed forever, but only God knew where it would go from there.

Shortly after I returned I babysat for dear friends of mine. I had prayed for their sweet little girl for months and was beyond excited that she was finally in her forever home and thriving. As I held and played with this little girl, who had been adopted from China, my thoughts drifted back to a few weeks before, when I was doing the same things with my little girl from Mexico, and how much they reminded me of each other. That day I had no idea how much their impact on my life would be intertwined.

Before Kristen was adopted I really didn't give much thought to China, other than it would be pretty cool to get a chance to visit there someday. After praying for her, and then meeting her I knew that had changed. She captured my heart as quickly as Luz did, and I began to hear a small, still voice. God had placed China in my heart, counting on me to have faith to follow His lead. My thoughts quickly gravitated towards giving another child a chance, by adopting a child from China in the future. Little did I know that God was already planning to use me in much bigger ways, and was slowly preparing my heart for this life changing experience.

Nothing is possible without faith. In Matthew Jesus tells us, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” We are not called to have all of the faith in the world; our faith just has to be the size of a mustard seed. God can, and will work through any situation he has to when we have faith that He will. By taking just one small step of Faith, God takes as many steps necessary to see His will completed for those who believe.

Support Raising Isn't for Wimps

Right now I am deep in the world of support raising. It's a world I've entered before, and now more than ever I'm learning that it isn't for wimps.

• Support raising requires asking people to come alongside you and believe in your vision
• Support raising is putting yourself on the line
• Support raising is setting yourself up for possible rejection
• Support raising is entering the land of the unknown
• Support raising is going against the worlds idea of success
• Support raising can be seen as selling yourself

Yet, I've learned support raising really is a huge honor

You are able to continue a long line of people of God who were supported by others to do His work. In the Old Testament the Levites were set apart to do the Lords work, and God provided for them through the tithes and offerings of the Israelites.  God promises that He is their portion and inheritance and that they could trust in Him to provide all the needed (Numbers 18:20). Throughout the Bible there are countless examples of how people set apart for Gods work were supported by Gods people.

"If it were wrong to be supported by the personal gifts of others, Jesus Christ would not have allowed it in His own ministry. If Jesus became vulnerable enough to be supported by others, you and I must be willing to as well." -Scott Morton (via The God Ask) 

Jesus, our ultimate example shows us that is it perfectly ok to be supported by others, and if we are not ok with this, are we really following His example?

Having a support team is a huge blessing. You have a group of people who are behind you and are invested in the work that you are doing. These are people who will pray for you and celebrate each victory. By choosing to support raise you are choosing to allow people a chance to partner in Gods work throughout the world. You are allowing people to be a part of the Great Commission by sending you, which is just as important as the going, as one couldn't happen without the other.

Support raising requires faith, it requires confidence. If you approach support raising questioning if you'll raise the money, you never will. But, if you have faith that you will be fully funded, you will. "We never utter the weak phrase, 'If I raise my support,' but only the strong and faith-filled, 'when I raise it.' (The God Ask. The weak and wimpy say if, the strong and faith-filled say when. And that is why support raising isn't for wimps!

I have taken the leap and am full of faith that God will provide the supporters I need to serve Him in China. I have chosen to believe in Gods perfect plan and not to listen to the lies the world tries to tell me. I feel privileged to be set apart for this call and look forward to the huge responsibility God has given me to steward His resources well.

Do you believe this?

Do you believe God wants to use you as part of His plan to reach the nations?

Would you join me by becoming part of my support team? 

*If you want to know more about Biblical Support raising I can't recommend The God Ask by Steve Shadrach enough!

Etsy Shop Open!!!

I am SO SO SO excited to be able to announce that my Etsy store is now officially opened.

I would be honored if you check it out. I will be adding more designs in the next few days and am always taking suggestions for new designs as well. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EvenBetterDesigns

Thank you for all your support, encouragement, and prayers!

Orphan Sunday: Part 2, a HUGE announcement

About a month ago I attended the Influence Conference. The Conference was all about how everyone can use the influence they have to further the kingdom. As I was listening to the speakers and writing down truth after truth an idea was becoming clearer and clearer to me. As this happened, I became more and more unsure.  But I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt this idea was from God and was a way He was revealing to me of how I can use my influence and talents to further His kingdom.

So, without further ado I am SO excited to introduce you to Even Better Designs!

The whole idea behind this business is orphans and how I can help them in creative ways. Since my nephew was born I have made him appliqued shirts which has expanded to making them for friends when their babies are born. Now that is expanding to making them for you! But here is the big deal, the thing that makes me really excited, you get an awesome one of a kind shirt, and 50% of the proceeds will be donated directly to an orphanage! (yes that number scared me at first, but I believe God absolutely has a reason!)

For the past month I have been researching like crazy, making designs, and preparing everything for the ambitious opening date in November. I want you to be the first to see what I've come up with. I'll be opening an Etsy store in the next week or so and am so excited to see how God grows this business.

Scrappy Christmas Tree (with or without bow)

Polka Dot Elephant

Cheery Giraffe

I'm 1! iron on

(just a sampling of designs. I have a few more Christmas ones in the works and am absolutely open to ideas!)

For the months of November and December 50% of the proceeds will go to New Day Foster Home. This is amazing foster home just outside of Beijing that cares for special needs orphans. Check out their website to learn more.

If you want to know more or want to partner with me in any way leave a comment or send an e-mail to evenbetterdesigns@gmail.com. 

Feeding the Hungry

As I was watching the news this morning I saw that September is national hunger action month. While traveling around the world the past year I saw countless examples of hunger and poverty. Many of the organizations I served with offered the only balanced meal a child would receive each day. However, one experience sticks out in my mind. Here are the events that unfolded minutes after we arrived at our ministry site for the month of October...

As we arrived to our new ministry site we were welcomed by two trucks full of tons of food. Beam Africa had received a donation of tomato sauce, bananas, butternut squash, and cabbage just in time for our arrival. So, of course, we were immediately put to work unloading everything. 

As quickly as we had everything unloaded people started showing up ready to receive food. Several area organizations came to stock their pantries and word quickly spread in the community as mothers, fathers, and grandmothers came with wheelbarrows, baskets, and boxes to see what we had to offer. Lines quickly formed and in the organized chaos we distributed all we could.

It was such a humbling experience. About half way through we could no longer give out fresh vegetables. Many would ask if they could have just one for their children, but we had to say no again and again. The people understood, but at the same time it was hard for me to say.
 

But, at the same time, we were able to serve so many people. We were able to give these families a little more, a little extra so they could eat. I prayed over the food the it would nourish  the families who would consume it and over the recipients that they would use the food wisely being a blessing instead of a curse. I was able to tell them that God loves them and to have a great day. God used me to be His hands and feet feeding His hungry children.

Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with my now three days and have nothing to eat. and I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way."    -Matthew 15:32

We may never know how many people we interact with each day struggle with feeding themselves and their families. How many parents sacrifice so their children have enough to eat. We are called to do our part. Not to just give out of our excess, but to give generously. 

How many of us have food in our pantry that has been sitting there for months? Today I want to challenge you. Find that food, and even add a few of your favorite things and donate them to a local food pantry. Do you part in helping to feed the hungry.