resignation, mens event, garage sale, discouragement, encouragement

So...lots to write about today

This weekend was a very interesting weekend...

We started the weekend off with officially putting in our letters of resignation at the Academy for Academic Excellence. This is a huge step. Obviously. But it means that no matter what happens with our support raising...we won't be coming back here.

Saturday was a very busy day. I attended a men's event at Apple Valley Baptist Church which was chock full of amazing and encouraging Bible teaching...and a fantastic breakfast burrito. While I was at the church, Rebecca was taking care of our garage sale, selling all our stuff. We were able to get rid of quite a bit of stuff. It has been a very freeing experience to begin to empty our home...My mom and dad came up to help us with the sale which was a HUGE help to Rebecca. My dad took Justin to his game while mom stayed with Rebecca, and I went to the Men's event.

I must say that all these events were extremely encouraging...it was nice to spend some time with family...but also for me, it was really great to spend some time completely focused on God's word and his amazing grace...

Despite this encouragement I have to share how I feel today...completely and utterly unable to do what needs to be done in order for us to be prepared to embark on this mission. I know that we cannot do it alone...perhaps this is what is so hard for me. It is quite obvious to me that we do not have the power, ability, or wherewithal to make this happen. Our dependence on God's provision must be total and complete. But its hard. I am frozen to inaction by my own concerns and fears. I am allowing set backs and disappointments overshadow God's victories and examples of provision.

Our pastor has been taking us through the book of Mark recently, and in the last couple of weeks he has been talking about the reality of Spiritual Warfare. I feel that more than ever I need to realize that we are being attacked...I know that for many, this thought of spiritual warfare is one that is looked upon as something crazy or weird...I know there's many of my friends who will think I have absolutely lost it...But spiritual warfare is a very definite reality. I am suffering from physical pain (my right hand) that was nonexistent before we started this process, thoughts of doubt are constant, and the temptation to give up is baiting me. The great wonder of it all is that the I have the power, through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, to resist all of this. God is in control.

Please, pray for Rebecca and I as we continue to go down this road of ministry. Pray that we will continue to do all the things that we need to do, yet be patient enough to take the time to abide in His presence...