It Never Rains...It Pours

God is still in the business of working Miracles. Amen? Yes! He is! I have been trying to keep my Sundays free, but this last Sunday, I decided that I would go out door-to-door trying to get some more bible studies going. I only had about 4 and I am trying to work up to at least 20! It is estimated that you have to knock on over a hundred doors to get one person to agree to anything. Which means...I have a LONG ways to go!

I had been feeling slightly overwhelmed and frustrated with my current situation of going door-to-door by myself. I had been hearing all over..mind you, not once, not twice, but several times that Lake County (the county I am in) has the most sex-offenders in Central Florida. Not a very comforting thought for a 100 pound-5'2"-19 year old girl!

I talked to my dad and he told me I needed to pray. Pray about all the things I needed to pray about, and pray that God would lead me to the right people. So, I prayed. I said, God, can you please PLEASE, help me find some people to have bible studies with today?

I called some of the people I have been trying to get ahold of for weeks now, and finally TWO of them answered the phone, and said YES to personal bible studies! Praise God! One had moved, and the other one was supposed to be a drop-off study that turned into a personal study. At least that's what she agreed to! :)

I went to an apartment area I had been eyeing but saving for a time when I saw a lot of cars there, and was sad to see that it said "No Soliciting" so, I called Mike and said, "Can we go in there?" We're not asking for money! He told me that I should just go in and if they say "No Soliciting" explain what I am doing, and hope for the best! I went to the doors, and withing 24 doors, I had SIX BIBLE STUDIES signed up! I got a little worried that my schedule would get mixed up, so I ran back to the car to check my schedule to see what was left. Especially since everyone seemed to be asking for Tuesday! So far, I have 5 people that want studies on Tuesdays! I went back going door-to-door and by the end of the evening had a total of 11 people (including the two phone calls) signed up for bible studies! Praise GOD!!!!

I was floating on air. After going door-to-door quite a few times with no one setting up an ACTUAL appointment for Bible Studies, I felt like God had poured out Heaven's blessings on me. You can be so tired, tired of walking, tired of rejections, but when you find just ONE person, it all seems worth it! AND I was blessed with 11! It was truly from God. There was no other way anything like that could have happened.

My prayer that asked for five people (and I thought I was asking a lot for one day) was answered and more than doubled! God is Good!

Week 2

Wow! I can't believe that I have already been here in the sunny state of Florida for two whole weeks...two and a half really, I guess.

The first week...d..r...a...g...g...e...d......by! But, after that! Things were looking up and going better. I am grateful that time is going by faster. I sometimes wonder if it's just me...or if time has really sped up!

Well, the first week I was here, I went and knocked on doors, went to a couple bible studies with Donna McDonald (it's so funny to hear her say "Hi, Donna, this is Donna!"), went to an afternoon prayer meeting (3PM!), and got familiar with the area! I tried to follow up with all the bible study cards I had, but only got two bible studies scheduled!

Let me tell you a little about Michelle. I went to her house, ragged, porch falling off the house, all broken. I was scared to step on it. Then, I got to the door...and heard what sounded like a pack of wild dogs! Wow. You never know what is on the other side of the door. Well, I built up courage and knocked on the door. A very tired looking lady came to the door. I thought, "Wow, it's going to be interesting giving studies at THIS house!" But, God had it all worked out for me! To my great DELIGHT, she said, yes! I want studies, but not here... * my face fell....* "Oh," Well, we could have them at our church! She said...Sure! I'll see you there tomorrow, 3 o' Clock! God is SO GOOD!

Since that day, we have had two lessons. She is very interested in the bible, and so far has no objections! She took a whole bunch of Spirit of Prophecy books including, Desire of Ages, Great Controversy, Christ's Object Lessons....she loves to read, so I said! Sure, take all you can read!!!! :)

Anyhow, I wish all stories could be as happy as that one, but God is refining my character and showing me that not everyone is as open as she is! He's also showing me what it's like when people say "I'm not interested..." after all the time and effort He has put into us!

Happy Sabbath!

April Fool?

No April fools around for me today!

I spent the morning at my supervisors house and then the early afternoon with Donna McDonald, my bible-working partner. As she drove me around showing me stores, post offices, Subways, and a million other things I felt slightly overloaded with information! Donna took me to the church (a beautiful church)and around 4 p.m. I came back here to the house where I am staying. I can hardly wait to post pictures up of this area! It's different than anything I have ever seen before!

I have a few bible study contacts that filled out cards that I need to follow up with! I am really happy. That saved me a lot of walking. I have heard that it takes knocking on a thousand doors to get one bible study, and I already have some leads! Praise the Lord.

I'm going out today to get more familiar with my surroundings, drive around a bit in my ginormeous territory, and get ready for Sabbath!

- me