"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

God is SO Faithful!

The past couple weeks have been...interesting to say the least! There have been times when God's Faithfulness has completely overwhelmed me!!!

My brother, being the nerd that he is ;) sent me a link to a computer that he would recommend me purchasing. He didn't know that I had some dental work done that very day, and didn't have the money to buy that particular computer. Well, about a week later, my brother surprised me BIG time with an early birthday present. He said with the combined facts that he doesn't keep a secret very well, and the fact that I tend to be nosey, he was going to give it to me early. Well, he did!...IT WAS THE COMPUTER! I just sat there and cried, speechless at the generosity of my brother, but most of all, the Faithfulness of God! I LOVE MY BUBBA!

That next weekend, my mom and I went to Greensboro for Deeper Still, with Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer, and Beth Moore! Wow! God's presence was all over the Greensboro Coliseum! Momma and I had an amazing time of just relaxing and spending time together!

Since we got back to Boone from G'boro, things have been...kinda difficult. I have started to train the person that will be taking my job when I leave. The reality that I really am leaving was overwhelming! This is what I've dreamed about and prayed for for so many years!!However, at the same time, it is hard to believe that come January, I WILL be leaving! :)

I am so excited that Thursday (the 13th), Kaci is coming home!!! WOOT WOOT! I think I'm more excited about her coming home than I am turning another year older....however, I do get to eat at Carrabba's as a result! Looking forward to some quality family time....if only my sissy could be here! ANYWAY!! God is sooo Faithful!! I am so thankful!

Friends....

I am sooooo incredibly thankful for the gift of friends. Not just any friends, or not just shallow friends, but friends that are not afraid to challenge you, to tell you what they REALLY think, even if it's not what you want to hear. I am so thankful for the bond that believers have in Christ. With that being said, I had such a refreshing weekend with Emily and my family! What a blessing. There was an amazing amount of information that she shared with me about life overseas, what she experienced, the hardest things for her, the most rewarding, etc. It was great to have someone right here that has been there, (living and ministering overseas) and is there! She leaves tomorrow to go back to Hungary and continue serving. We went to Upper Creek Falls on Friday, and then on Saturday, Emily and I hiked Boone Fork Trail! I forget how much I really enjoy being out in the BEAUTY of God's Creation!

In case you were wondering, I have the BEST parents EVER!!!!!! I love them SO much!!!!

Logos Hope

Hey there!

Just thought I'd post the link to Logos Hope's website in case you want to learn more about it! :) As of yesterday (July 14th), they are sailing from Cork, Ireland to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

I have letters that share a little about what has been going on with me and ways that you can be involved in the spreading of God's Word to ports around the world. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support!

Praying for you all!

For His Glory,

Bethany

FIELD ACCEPTED!! :)

Around February or so, I started the application process to serve overseas with Operation Mobilization, based out of Tyrone, GA. Since we lived in Fayetteville and Conyers for several years, I had heard of it, as well as known several people that have served in years past.

In May, I went down to Tyrone for a week of interviews, training, and an amazing time of worship. Probably, one of the things from the week that blessed me the most was the fact that I was with about 20 other people who were at the same phase of their lives as I was. We were all desiring to serve God in some capacity, whether on a ship, in the States through Arts, or by assisting others to be more effective.

We were placed in "Tribes" the first evening! Honestly, I was a little nervous. We then created a "Tribe Name", a tribal skit, and a tribal flag. Pictured here is my Tribe: SWARRD! This is the first letter of our last names. From left to right: Stela R, Me, Ben A, Libby D, Shelby W, and Seth R. Let me say, these 5 people continue to be such a blessing to me!! I find it awesome to see the way God hand-picked us to be in this group together.

I found out about 3 weeks after I returned from GA that I was accepted to OM USA. After a little delay on my part, I FINALLY got all my forms submitted in order to be reviewed by OM Ships in Germany. On June 22nd, I found out that I was FIELD ACCEPTED!!! This means, that Lord willing, I will be leaving in January 2010 to head out to the LOGOS HOPE!

This is a picture of the LOGOS HOPE. This photo was take in Cork, Ireland I believe?

I am so excited to see all the ways God demonstrates His faithfulness and provision over the next 5 months, as well as the 2 years I'm away. At this point, I am starting to raise my support. I would appreciate you prayers as I trust God for His provision through His people!

I'm praying that God is doing big things in your lives, and that HE is receiving all the Glory!

~Bethany

Amazing things....

Wow! Let me say, God is so amazing! :) The things that He has been teaching me, allowing me to walk through...carrying me through, and experiencing lately are completely blowing me away!

As many of you know, I have been anxious to serve overseas for many years now, ever since I went to Moldova my senior year of high school. The things that God laid on my heart and showed me that summer were definitely life changing. I have been floored!

One of the things I realized that summer was the fact that I take SO much for granted. Anything from silly things such as the fact that most people in America wear deodorant and respect your personal bubble, to porcelain toilets and toilet tissue, to most importantly, the fact that I have heard the name of Jesus daily from the time I was in the womb probably. My eyes were opened to so many that have never had the opportunity to hear the name of Jesus! The burden that had on my heart was indescribable.

During college, God intensified my love for numbers and accounting! I know it may sound silly, but I love working with numbers and doing random office work that most people do not like. Since graduating from Gardner-Webb University with my BS in Accounting, I have been waiting and waiting to see what God has planned for me next. I knew that my first step in serving overseas was to be Debt Free! As of April 30th, this became true for me!!! My car is paid off and I am now DEBT FREE!!! WOO HOO! I am so thankful!

I am incredibly thankful for my job that has become so much more than just a job....it is a part of my life....and such a joy to me!! I have been working with the same family for almost 10 years now! So yes, almost 10 years later, and 3 more kids, I still love each one more than words can say!!! I have been working in their family business for 3 years now. I am very grateful for this opportunity. I have received experience in several things I had learned in school, but now I get to apply it!! It's been a blast! :)

So...as for now, I will continue to Worship during this waiting period....to continue to serve Him with all that I am, wherever that may be. It appears for the rest of 2009, it will be here in NC, but we will see what God has planned! I praise HIM!!! He is truly worthy of all praise....More to come later!