Sunday, May 11, 2014

May Newsletter

My last newsletter as an unmarried woman! From now on you'll get to hear from me and my soon to be husband, Davy.

Fresh Bread


Recently I read the book of Esther. I love the drama of that story and the faithfulness of God in the midst of persecution and evil. What struck me the most, however, was how personal our God is, how he can change the course of history through one person. He can   alter the course of our life so drastically for His glory and our good. As you know Esther was chosen to be the new queen and her identity as a Jew was kept a secret. All the seemingly random and strange events that took place were part of a bigger plan.

As I read in my study Bible I learned that when Haman wanted to destroy the Jews, it would have been every single Jew that remained in exile under King Xerxes. At first I didn’t  realize the magnitude of that fact. But as I read my notes I realized that had the Jews been destroyed so would the lineage that led to the birth of Jesus. Queen Esther had no idea that her brave actions would someday bring salvation to the world. I think back to last summer when I read the book of Ruth. She too, could have no idea that her actions would be directly linked to bringing Jesus to earth. In the midst of her suffering, God reached down and intervened. He met her personally and used her life for good.

The stories of Esther and Ruth are not isolated accounts. I see evidence of God’s hand all over the Bible and all over my life. When I think about the “random” events that led me where I am today I’m in awe that God would see me. Of all the billions of people in the world, he knows me by name. Isaiah 43:1 brings such peace to my heart: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” I pray that we experience the overwhelming peace and security that comes from knowing that God is personal; knowing that he sees me and knows me and loves me deeply. 


 
We can't wait to get married! It's only a week away.

From Campus

Our semester is coming to a close and summer is fast approaching. The reason I love summer is because students get time off of school and many of our Cru students choose to go all over the world to serve God. They could do anything with their summers and they choose to bring the gospel to the nations and comfort to the hurting. Please pray for the girls I disciple this summer as they serve God.
  • Kiley is heading to Juneau, Alaska for her second summer project. She will be on student leadership,   helping fellow students grow in their faith and teaching them how to communicate the gospel to their co-workers.

  • Jess will be in Seattle, Washington working for a ministry that serves disturbed youth through outdoor therapy. She will be leading them in Bible studies and taking them on hikes, rafting trips, and other outdoor adventures

  • Alaina and Olivia are traveling to Vail, Colorado on summer project. They will be sharing their faith daily and learning what it means to live on mission in their workplace.

  • Karly and Kinsey are going to Uganda to serve orphans and widows. They will share the love of Christ with the hopeless and encourage local communities to care for the less fortunate.

  • Ruth is heading to South Africa to work in a children’s hospital. She is looking forward to providing comfort to hurting children and taking opportunities to share the gospel with the girls that are on the trip with her.
Be encouraged! College students have had their lives changed by Jesus and are taking the message of grace to places at home and all around the world. 
 

 

Ways You Can Pray

  • Please pray that God will provide support for Davy and I as we head off to New Staff training in June. The training will cost $5,500.

  • I’m still on the hunt for an affordable computer. Please pray God provides for that need.

  • Please pray for our wedding. We want Christ to be honored and the gospel to be preached. Please pray that unbelievers are impacted by our ceremony.