Faith Like a Child & Thirty One

It's amazing how the enemy will attack you from every direction when you are following the will of the Lord. It seems like from the moment I made the commitment to go to Kenya, I have been inundated with challenges. Ironically, many of these challenges are positive things, but they have been used to steal my time and focus from what should be a priority. Over recent weeks I have been plagued by doubt as to whether the Lord will provide, and questions about how such a small group of us are going to accomplish the work the Lord has set before us. However, for every time the enemy using his clever tactics to distract me, the Lord in His sovereignty helps me see that He is behind me and guiding me on this journey. It is no accident that my Bible study in recent weeks has been from Mark where Jesus asked the disciples to have a childlike faith, and to just believe. Yesterday, when I was completely overwhelmed with stress and anxiety, I read Mark 11:12-26. Christ is telling his disciples that whatever they ask they shall receive, but they must believe. So, I am asking in faith that Christ lead our team and provide for all of our needs. I ask that you pray the same as well.

Now, onto the EXCITING news, especially for you ladies!!! A friend of Anne who is traveling with us to Africa sells Thirty-One products (adorable handbags & accesories that can be monogrammed from a company based on Proverbs 31). She has agreed to hold a fundraiser for us and donate her commission to every item sold to help with our trip. There will be an open "party" at the Aversboro Coffeehouse on February 27 from 2-4. If you are at all interested, but cannot make it to the event, you can also purchase items online. Please click the link below and make sure when you place your order you click Kenya Benefit so that we can get the proceeds:

www.mythirtyone.com/marla

There is also a February special: February's customer special: For EVERY $31 spent, guests receive a second item at 31% off. When entering an order, guests must add a "S" (sale) after the order number for their sale item. Note: $31 (before tax/shipping) must be input before the sale item will become effective.

- Embroidery is just $6 (No set up fees or price per letter)

If you are at all interested in helping us, please let me know, and I can send you in the right direction! Keep the prayers coming!

Katie

Let the Adventure Begin!!

Katie is Kenya bound! For those of you who do not know, this June I will be traveling to Kenya, Africa. I am traveling with a small team of teachers from my church to work in a Christian school and orphanage. Although I could spend pages detailing the journey Christ has brought me on, I will just give you a brief summary of how the Lord has orchestrated events over the past year. Many of you are aware that for years I have wanted to once again travel abroad to do mission work, yet the Lord has not seen fit to make that happen, and at times I have not been obedient when he has opened a door. About two years ago I began to seek missions opportunities, and in the fall of 2009, I had applied for a year long missions excursion. I was accepted, yet the Lord slammed that door shut (for those of you who know me well, I sometimes don't listen when it's simply closed, so Jesus needed to SLAM it for me). Last summer, I realized that I could no longer leisurely seek opportunities, but I needed to actively pursue the passions Christ had placed in my heart. I completely surrendered my life to what Christ has for me. In October, a dear friend and fellow teacher Anne, shared with me a CRAZY story about a student in her classroom whose family began a Christian orphanage and school in Kenya. Not only were they the founders, but they wanted her to come visit, and bring friends! Little did we know, this would lead to a mission's team traveling to Kenya in June to help them develop a library in their new facility! It's amazing as I reflect on the journey I have been on in the past year, and how God has been refining me spiritually in preparation for this adventure. I cannot begin to put to words how much Christ has revealed to me about His character and my relationship with Him.

I will close this post for now, but I cannot wait to share this adventure with you, both the struggles and successes!

Love to you all!