"Couples Bunko Party....YEAH RIGHT!!!"

Wow! I don't know where to begin! Several weeks ago, Emily emailed me some of the "key dates" that she needed me for in December. One of those was 04 December. She said that she and Jeff were hosting a "Couples Bunko Party", and that they would like for me to keep the kids in the basement, and possible their nephews and niece would possibly be there. So, 04 December had been on my Calendar for a while!

Several things had come up for possibilities of other plans that evening, including the Appalachian State Scholarship Christmas Concert. This is a fun concert, where all the groups come together for a great night of Christmas Music. Tara Holt Jackson was in town, so I thought that Mom and Dad were going to the concert with Tara.

Mom made a very yummy dinner, and I ran out the door to babysit around 6:35 or so. I was a little early, but needed to get an extension cord to Emily, before her "party" started. As I was on my way, Emily called to say I could come a little later, but I had already left. In hindsight, I now know that they would have preferred me to come later.

After I got there, I walked into the living room, and there stood Allison, Mary Helen, and Sabrina! I was BEYOND confused! Emily said that it was "my people" there, and I kind of stood there like, yes, those are my friends. Well...THEN, she was like no...its a party for YOU tonight and alot of people are coming over!

I have some of the BESTEST friends in the whole wide world! :) This is the invitation that Allison, Mary and Emily sent out to alot of very special people.

There was soooo much food, and some VERY special people there. I am SO thrilled to say, that through personal financial gifts, from last Friday night alone, I received enough money to cover my flight to Germany! :) God is SO good and SO Faithful!

I stand amazed in His Presence...

I have to add....that Allison has tried to host a couple surprise birthday parties for me, but she has not succeeded! :) I'm kind of nosey, I guess you could say! :) She did an amazing job of pulling it off! :)

I honestly have no clue how many people were actually there! It felt like a house full! Here are a few pictures from the evening! Jeff and Emily did an amazing job of decorating and the house was Beautiful, as was all the food and people! :)
Here is a picture of some of my most FAVORITE kids in the world!!! I've been babysitting Sara Fran (the oldest) since she was about 8 months old! She is now 11 years old! That's right, I've been babysitting for about 10 years now! I cannot even begin to share how much of a Blessing this family is to me!
In addition to Allison keeping the entire party a secret, she and Mary Helen had a BEAUTIFUL Quilt made for me. I will treasure this quilt....it's not just any ole quilt, but they had soooo many people sign the different triangles for me! It was so special to sit and read the things people wrote on the quilt!
Blogspot is having some issues it looks like, so see my Facebook for more pictures! :)

THANK YOU AGAIN everyone for making this such a special evening...Thanks for praying for me and loving me...but most of all, for Loving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

As for support...after I check with a few more people, It looks like I am ABOUT at 100%!!!! :)

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!! I cannot wait to see what God does these next couple of years! It's HARD to believe that I will be leaving in 30 days for Mosbach! :)

A few pictures from MO!

I forgot I had uploaded a few pictures, so here is a couple! I'll add some "thanksgiving" pictures whenever I remember...and I'm at home! :)

Just call me Lindley....;) It's been a Month!?! SORRY

I'm following in Lindley's footsteps and updating once a month! HAHA! :) Love ya Lindley! :)

Sorry it's been so long since I updated. Things have been such a whirlwind, but have been so great! About two weeks ago, I went to go see my sister in MO. It was such a blessing! I didn't know what to do with myself for the first few days, because I am so used to running, running, and running! It was a blessing to be able to sit and chill! I went out there on Wednesday, the 18th of November. Thursday, I went to work with her and played with Richie, Avery, and Carson. On Friday, I went to her Ballet class, and then during Rehearsal, Petra Ballet Company presented an in-studio presentation of "The Call". It was such a blessing to me. There were parts that really "hit home", so to speak. After it was over, they gathered around me and prayed for me. I will have to post pictures later, because they are on my computer at home.

Saturday was alot of fun! Cathryn, Stacey and I cooked Thanksgiving Dinner! Stacey did most of the work, and we enjoyed it!! :) Cathryn did make the mashed potatoes and Sweet potato stuff! It was so much fun!

I got home on Tuesday, the 24th. We went to Easley for Thanksgiving, and it was good to see everyone. I always enjoy the Picken's get togethers with all of my dad's side of the family.

As for support goes, I think I am at 77%!!! :) PRAISE THE LORD! He is so Faithful! I am so excited. This leaves me with approximately $222/month left.

I will post pictures later on! I hope you have a wonderful day! God Bless You!
~Bethany

Update

Hey--

Not like anyone reads this, but in case the one or two of you do....Here is a little of what's been going on lately~

After we went down to FL for my Granny's 80th Birthday party on October 2nd, she came back to Boone with us! We had a great 2 week visit, but it was ten extended to 3 weeks, due to some health complications. She spent almost a week at Watauga Medical Center, and then went back to FL last Saturday! Mom has been down there all week, but is on her way back today! I'm excited! I've missed her mucho!!!

Things at the office have been going pretty well! I have trained someone to take over all I do, and now we are just kind of working together on some things. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to go visit some people before I leave in January. I have 60% of my support, and am still praying about the last 40%! It has been beautiful watching God provide and confirm that the Logos Hope is where I am supposed to be!

I found out this past week that I am pretty much on schedule to leave January 11th! The GO Conference starts on January 12th! Woo Hoo! It is so exciting, yet scary all at the same time! It is super exciting because I have been praying about doing something like this for the past 7 years! And now....the next 2 months are going to be gone before I know it!

Along those lines, 19 DAYS UNTIL I GET TO GO TO SPRINGFIELD, MO!!! I am flying out November 18th and will come home the 24th! I cannot wait to spend some time with the bestest sissy in the world!!!!

Here's a picture from the last time I was out there! It's time for some new ones!! YAY!

Life Action Ministries

I have been challenged, encouraged, and convicted, all at the same time! Ha-ha! :) God is so good, that in the times He is convicting me, He has not given me a sense of despair, guilt, and "woe is me", but that of excitement, that with Him, all things are possible!

Something that I didn't realize until this past week was that I have been bitter towards some people, because I didn't think that they should have treated me the way I have been treated. Outwardly, I have said I have forgiven them, but I have not forgiven and moved on in my heart. This has been eating at me on the inside for the past year or so, but I didn't even realize what it was!

I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit, and the way that He has been shinning His light of conviction on my soul, and showing me areas that I need to let go of and completely surrender to Christ.

In the middle of the meetings at church, this past weekend we made a SUPER quick trip to FL for Granny's 80th Birthday Party! What a blessing that was, and what a Legacy that lady has/is leaving for our family. I love her SOOOO much! It's kinda crazy how much we are alike....little things that she says are very similar to me. Approximately 85 people came to her party last Friday night. It was such a great time to honor her, and thank the Lord for her life! I will post pictures later from home....they are on my other computer.

Here's a support update: 50%!!!!!!! Thank you so much for all of you that are supporting me financially, but most of all prayerfully! I can't wait to see what God continues to do during this time of preparation! Thank you so much! I thank my God upon every remembrance of you! Phil. 1:3

Praise the Lord!

So--yet again--I am so amazed by my Lord. He is so good, and I just love the way He has been reminding me again and again of the ways He is taking care of me and encouraging me! This has been a great week--kinda busy, but really neat!

Monday we had a really neat time at STARS--the girls bible study at the Lighthouse! Wow, I love those girls so much! I have also been able to Tutor some VERY sweet girls for the past 5 years! It's so exciting to see the way God is growing them, and teaching them! So precious!

I've also been able to spend some quality time with the kids that I've babysat for the past 10 years. Wow! We've had alot of fun this week, and have had some really neat conversations. I love those kids sooooo stinkin much and am so thankful for their entire family! The baby of the family and I went to ASU to watch the Equip Black vs. Gold play with each other. :)

Lastnight, my mom and I went to The Cove to the Mandisa concert. Wow, what a wonderful time of Worship!!! It was so encouraging to be reminded of the Freedom that is found in Christ alone. It is not found in a bottle, or in others, or in myself, this joy and freedom that is so fulfilling comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 3:17 says that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." That is soooo true.

As far as support raising goes, PRAISE THE LORD! :) My start-up cost (which covers food, transportation, materials, etc, during the first several weeks of my time overseas) is IN MY ACCOUNT! :-D PRAISE THE LORD!! I am so overwhelmed at His goodness and His provision for me. It is exciting to see Him confirming this call on my life. I am so excited. It's a little overwhelming to think about leaving, but i am so excited about all that lies ahead.

I have 45% of my monthly support raised. PRAISE HIM! I am super thankful.

How can I be praying for you? please let me know! I consider it a joy to partner with you! THANK YOU!

Too long since the last post....I know! :)

Hey! So...yes, things have been super crazy and it has been too long since I last updated. Enough of the excuses!!!

Things have been going really well lately....several weeks ago, Mom, Dad, Aaron, Allison, Candice, Kimee, and I went to Atlanta for the Braves Game! We had a ton of fun just hanging out, laughing, and just spending time together! I was able to find a really nice hotel for a Cheap rate, and had decent seats in Left field at Turner Field. We were about 5 rows from the outfield wall! I am hijacking some pictures from Alli's facebook page! :) I am so thankful for her friendship!!!! I was sick one day this week, and she came over after she got off of work and we had a great time hanging out!!

As for how things are going with my progress on my Journey to the Logos Hope....things are coming! I am in the process of raising support and building my partnership team, and Lord willing, I will leave in January! I am super excited! In a way, it seems like January is FOREVER away, but in reality, it will be here before I realize it. As for support, any support I receive before January (whether it is a one time gift, an annual gift, or monthly gift) all goes towards my start up costs. As of today, (Sept. 4th), I am currently $1505 (plus a plane ticket) away from my start up costs, and $603 away from my monthly commitment goal. So just a little info for those of you that were wondering where I am at, and when you can actually give! :)

God is STILL completely blowing my mind away, that He is allowing me to serve in the way, as well as the entire journey, being able to see the body of Christ come together, and SO many other aspects.

Please let me know how I can be praying for you all!!!!

For His Glory,

Bethany