Okay, well technically my suitcase is not full yet. Not even close. But even though I will not move to the field for another six months, I did just wrap up an intensive training week with GoCorps in Minnesota. Every lecture I sat in and every email I sent has gotten me one step closer to my March departure.
Sometimes I meditate on my departure for so long that I neglect to lift up this new fundraising season in prayer too. What I have realized is that this phase I am entering can feel like an in-between at times. And "in-betweens" are everywhere! They are the traffic on the way home, the studying for the degree, the training for marathon, etc.
But what I've learned is how God can be just as glorified in the in-betweens of life as he is in the "end destinations". Mentally my suitcase is packed but in reality, I have an ever-growing list of potential ministry partners to meet with in the coming months. I initially struggled with the concept of fundraising for a plethora of reasons... not wanting to be a burden, feeling needy, fearful of rejection or coming across as inauthentic, etc. But this last week in Minnesota has stretched my beliefs in new and beautiful ways I could have never imagined.
I've learned more about how to foster a biblical worldview of God's intentions for fundraising. I learned that when I invite others onto my support team, I am including them into the kingdom work that God is doing through my life and in his global church. I learned so much that if I tried typing out a comprehensive list, I'd likely have arthritis by the time I finished.
*Enter* Empty hands
I have nothing but my surrender. A heart abandon for the Lord and an expectation to see him move. So although I am excited to move to Spain, I am learning to grow in enthusiasm for this "in-between" that I find myself in. Trusting the Lord in surrender is hard at times but he is so worthy. Every time he is worth it.
Sooo maybe I should change the name of this blog post? "Empty Hands and a Full Suitcase But Not For Spain - Just To Take Me Back to Phoenix from Minnesota Because I am Not Built for Midwest Winters". Or something like that. I'll work on it and circle back