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!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
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!
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!
Friday, April 2, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
My Beautiful Buddy
A couple days ago Becca and I went to town to do a photoshoot! I have been dying to take pictures and Melissa kindly lent me her camera....so, Becca and I (FINALLY) were able to go to town and take some pictures...I am just putting up a few of my favorites :) Hope you like them...oh, and don't forget to give me tips if you have any! I need all I can get!
A Packed Car, Hugs, Tears, Goodbyes = New Beginning
Hey Everyone! I made it to Florida safely! I am so excited! I really am. Nervousness creeps up into my throat sometimes, but right now, I am content and happy. I am sitting in my Supervisors house...on the edge of Lake something-or-other...watched the sunset through the palm trees, sun reflecting on the water; soaked in the hot tub (needed to relax those tight muscles from driving!)Pictures to come later!
This morning was crazy...waking up early to clean, shower, pack last few things in the car, hugs, tears, goodbyes....and then the seven hour drive here! Thankfully Davie and Vern called me to keep me company! :) They totally cheered my day :D
Sorry for the random ramblings...I will write more sensibly when I have more of a brain after catching up on sleep!!!!
Ta-ta!
:)
This morning was crazy...waking up early to clean, shower, pack last few things in the car, hugs, tears, goodbyes....and then the seven hour drive here! Thankfully Davie and Vern called me to keep me company! :) They totally cheered my day :D
Sorry for the random ramblings...I will write more sensibly when I have more of a brain after catching up on sleep!!!!
Ta-ta!
:)
Monday, March 15, 2010
GPS? Why use one of those? Lost? Never. It's just another Adventure....
Why would you use a GPS? Well, let's just say they could save you a lot of time, gas, and worry. But, look on the bright side, life without one makes more memories. This last weekend Renee was able to come down all the way to Atlanta from Michigan! I couldn't miss the chance to go and see her, but sadly, I didn't get to spend as much time with her as I could have if I would have had a GPS. When she told me where she was going to be, I looked it up on Mapquest and thought, "Well, I'll just follow the signs to Fayetteville, How hard can it be?" I drove up to the exit I needed to take and asked at a gas station which direction Fayetteville was. The guy told me to take a left, cross the freeway, and follow the signs...my instinct automatically told me that was the opposite direction that I was supposed to be going, but I swallowed my fears and went ahead. I finally called Renee and asked her if she knew how I could get there. She handed the phone to someone from the church in Fayetteville who stayed on the phone with me until I got close enough to the church to make it there myself. God is good to me! :D
When I finally made it to the church Renee was already up front singing....I looked around and soon realized that I was one of four "white" faces in the group. I quickly looked for a seat and sat down. After an amazing concert, I finally got to hug Renee!!!! After an agonizing decision of whether or not I was going with her to the next concert (it was an hour away) I decided that I HAD to go. It was such a long ways to drive to spend only and actual 15 minutes with her. So we decided that she would drive with me to the next church.
Then, the REAL adventure began. We were in a group of about 5 cars when we all passed the road we were supposed to turn on. Everyone started to turn around in driveways and by the time I was turned around...we were left behind. And...let me add. They do NOT drive slowly. After going down the right road TWICE and being told we were on the wrong road, we finally waited for them to come and find US! We felt terrible about holding everyone up, but we finally were on our way. We arrived at the church ten minutes before the concert was supposed to start with a sigh of relief and I had to hug Renee goodbye before I started the 2 1/2 hour drive home.
The way back was uneventful, I just prayed a lot. God is the best GPS I am sure. Random note: I have decided that driving really...just...isn't my thing. I don't mind driving...but I don't like driving by myself, in the rain, in the dark, or in the city. All of which I had to do yesterday. But, I survived! :)
Until the next adventure...
When I finally made it to the church Renee was already up front singing....I looked around and soon realized that I was one of four "white" faces in the group. I quickly looked for a seat and sat down. After an amazing concert, I finally got to hug Renee!!!! After an agonizing decision of whether or not I was going with her to the next concert (it was an hour away) I decided that I HAD to go. It was such a long ways to drive to spend only and actual 15 minutes with her. So we decided that she would drive with me to the next church.
Then, the REAL adventure began. We were in a group of about 5 cars when we all passed the road we were supposed to turn on. Everyone started to turn around in driveways and by the time I was turned around...we were left behind. And...let me add. They do NOT drive slowly. After going down the right road TWICE and being told we were on the wrong road, we finally waited for them to come and find US! We felt terrible about holding everyone up, but we finally were on our way. We arrived at the church ten minutes before the concert was supposed to start with a sigh of relief and I had to hug Renee goodbye before I started the 2 1/2 hour drive home.
The way back was uneventful, I just prayed a lot. God is the best GPS I am sure. Random note: I have decided that driving really...just...isn't my thing. I don't mind driving...but I don't like driving by myself, in the rain, in the dark, or in the city. All of which I had to do yesterday. But, I survived! :)
Until the next adventure...
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
...all on a sunny day...
It was a gorgeous, sunny Sunday! The great outdoors were begging me to come outside! I was SO excited to see sunshine and have some warmth!!!!! I randomly suggested that we go play Tennis (it's been forever since we have played) and my parents thought it was a great idea. So, off to the Idle Hour Tennis Court we went! Here are just a few pictures I took! :)
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