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!