Most of you know that I have been struggling with my life direction since I have been home from Uganda. I am very pleased to announce that I have good news!!!
After endless nights praying and practically begging the Lord to show me what to do and when to go etc. I finally feel like I have an answer. In fact I know I have an answer. Begin.
It was as if the light bulb just clicked one day (aka the Lord spoke to me) and all of my questions about going and doing and what that meant were answered. Begin. Begin fundraising. Begin planning. Begin preparing my heart. Begin praying relentlessly for every aspect of this trip. Begin enjoying the things about being home that I will miss when I'm gone, without complaining. Begin, with my actions, trusting that the Lord is faithful and that He did not bring me this far to leave me.
So with all of this beginning I have some very real, very humbling, things to do. The most humbling of all is to begin asking for help. I have to say that when it comes to fundraising I feel a bit bipolar. I absolutely HATE the beginning of the process. Writing letters and sending them knowing that I am asking for people to give me money is very, very, painful. However, after I am obedient to do so, it is amazing to watch the body of Christ respond! Let me just say that God is faithful and His children are generous!!! I am always amazed at the Lords timing and the selfless giving from my friends and family.
The next couple weeks are going to be spent writing and re-writing my support letter until I cannot bear to look at it anymore. Then sending entirely too many letters, through snail mail, and praying praying praying for The Lord to do what He does best and come through! If you don't mind praying with me I would appreciate it so much!
This thing just got real. I'm excited!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
A breath of fresh air!
I received a phone call from a sweet new friend last night that really gave me encouragement and a breath of fresh air! It was wonderful to be able to talk to her and just know that she knows how my heart feels. It was also nice to hear that I am not alone in some of the things I went through/am going through/will go through. I walked away from our conversation feeling refreshed and ready to go. This time I actually feel like I know what I need to be doing!
Lets take a couple steps back...
After my last blog post I got an email from Patti, my wonderful step mom, that was so sweet and encouraging. She basically reminded me that God calls us and directs us in the middle of what we are doing. I know this to be true. I had a plan when God directed me to Uganda. I even had a plan about Uganda! (one that did NOT involve falling in love and hearing the call from God to be there long term, I might add.) Then in the middle of all my plans God redirected me, and by choosing his plans, he set me on a new path. Now I am on this new path and I'm not quite sure what the next move is. So I have two choices: I can just stop moving all together out of fear that I'll be moving in the wrong direction, or I can continue moving and "doing" until I hear the voice of God directing or redirecting me again. When I look at those options it becomes crystal clear. Keep moving!
Last night in conversation with this friend I realized that the time God is giving me here is going to be time I cherish once I'm away. It is also time that God does not want me to waste! This is preparation time! In dance, a good preparation is completely necessary in order for whatever jump, leap, or turn you are doing to be successful. I know that applies to life as well. A good preparation is necessary for every season of life. It is not time to be wasted.
So where does this leave me in terms of real life?
Well first of all, I need to keep looking for a job that glorifies the lord and not let myself get discouraged by the amount of time it takes to find one. God always provides. I have found this to be true every time I am put to the test.
Second, If God is leading me to serve him long term in Uganda then I need to be preparing for that! So the preparation begins in every aspect now.
Last, I have decided to cherish the time I have here now. Not passively, but actively cherish the time I have here. I know there will be days down the road that I will miss this terribly. So I will be present and joyful in every moment God keeps me here.
How can you help? I thought you would never ask! First and foremost please continue to keep me in your prayers! I firmly believe in the power of prayer and appreciate all the prayer I can get! Then, if you feel led to help financially, contact me! This isn't restricted to personally giving a donation. If you would like to help me network with people that are interested in giving, or organize a benefit night etc., that would be helpful as well! Just contact me at callie.r.eacret@gmail.com.
Lets take a couple steps back...
After my last blog post I got an email from Patti, my wonderful step mom, that was so sweet and encouraging. She basically reminded me that God calls us and directs us in the middle of what we are doing. I know this to be true. I had a plan when God directed me to Uganda. I even had a plan about Uganda! (one that did NOT involve falling in love and hearing the call from God to be there long term, I might add.) Then in the middle of all my plans God redirected me, and by choosing his plans, he set me on a new path. Now I am on this new path and I'm not quite sure what the next move is. So I have two choices: I can just stop moving all together out of fear that I'll be moving in the wrong direction, or I can continue moving and "doing" until I hear the voice of God directing or redirecting me again. When I look at those options it becomes crystal clear. Keep moving!
Last night in conversation with this friend I realized that the time God is giving me here is going to be time I cherish once I'm away. It is also time that God does not want me to waste! This is preparation time! In dance, a good preparation is completely necessary in order for whatever jump, leap, or turn you are doing to be successful. I know that applies to life as well. A good preparation is necessary for every season of life. It is not time to be wasted.
So where does this leave me in terms of real life?
Well first of all, I need to keep looking for a job that glorifies the lord and not let myself get discouraged by the amount of time it takes to find one. God always provides. I have found this to be true every time I am put to the test.
Second, If God is leading me to serve him long term in Uganda then I need to be preparing for that! So the preparation begins in every aspect now.
Last, I have decided to cherish the time I have here now. Not passively, but actively cherish the time I have here. I know there will be days down the road that I will miss this terribly. So I will be present and joyful in every moment God keeps me here.
How can you help? I thought you would never ask! First and foremost please continue to keep me in your prayers! I firmly believe in the power of prayer and appreciate all the prayer I can get! Then, if you feel led to help financially, contact me! This isn't restricted to personally giving a donation. If you would like to help me network with people that are interested in giving, or organize a benefit night etc., that would be helpful as well! Just contact me at callie.r.eacret@gmail.com.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Umm...?
Umm...? That's how I've been feeling. some people ask the question "How do you know when God is speaking or calling you to something?" I've been there. I have asked that question. In fact, I've wrestled with it quite a bit. I came out in the other side realizing that it's never exactly the same. God has plans and I firmly believe that he speaks to us in ways that will most glorify himself in those plans. That being said, I'm at a completely different question now. How do I "go" without a clear destination? Here is what I know for sure:
1) God has placed a love and a longing for the people and the country of Uganda in my heart. I do believe, without a doubt, that God has plans for me in Uganda.
2) God does not want me in Uganda right now. That one is a little more complicated. But I know that I am supposed to be in the states right now so here I am!
3) God does NOT want me just wasting time while I'm here. I know that I can't just find "fillers" for my time until God says I can go back to Uganda. That applies to my job, my relationships, etc. I need to be fully here while I am here.
4) God is very clearly calling me to "go." I know that He wants me to get moving and I'm ready to just start walking until I find what he has for me but I don't even feel a nudge in the right direction!
So how does one "go" when they don't know where they are going? I would love to hear what you have to think about this! (I know I'm going out on a limb here thinking that anyone other than my best friends and my mom actually read this blog. Haha) leave a comment with what you think it looks like to just "go" even if it's unclear what the destination is.
Thanks! -Callie
P.S. Since I wrote this blog a little bit has changed. I had been searching job ads on Craigslist and came across an ad for a job at a children's home in Austin. This was the first time I had felt like God was saying "There! Go there!" so I applied! I haven't heard back yet and I would appreciate your prayers! I want what God wants for me so just pray that His will be done. I really do think this opportunity would be amazing but I know that His plans are ALWAYS best. Thanks!
1) God has placed a love and a longing for the people and the country of Uganda in my heart. I do believe, without a doubt, that God has plans for me in Uganda.
2) God does not want me in Uganda right now. That one is a little more complicated. But I know that I am supposed to be in the states right now so here I am!
3) God does NOT want me just wasting time while I'm here. I know that I can't just find "fillers" for my time until God says I can go back to Uganda. That applies to my job, my relationships, etc. I need to be fully here while I am here.
4) God is very clearly calling me to "go." I know that He wants me to get moving and I'm ready to just start walking until I find what he has for me but I don't even feel a nudge in the right direction!
So how does one "go" when they don't know where they are going? I would love to hear what you have to think about this! (I know I'm going out on a limb here thinking that anyone other than my best friends and my mom actually read this blog. Haha) leave a comment with what you think it looks like to just "go" even if it's unclear what the destination is.
Thanks! -Callie
P.S. Since I wrote this blog a little bit has changed. I had been searching job ads on Craigslist and came across an ad for a job at a children's home in Austin. This was the first time I had felt like God was saying "There! Go there!" so I applied! I haven't heard back yet and I would appreciate your prayers! I want what God wants for me so just pray that His will be done. I really do think this opportunity would be amazing but I know that His plans are ALWAYS best. Thanks!
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