A New Chapter Begins...

I am now working from home, which I really love. We have been blessed to make amazing relationships with families and singles in the DC metro area. Our family began inviting those relationships into our own family rhythms and festivals when we moved here and we are now bearing the fruit of this practice. We have created a ministry called Planting Sequoias, you can find us on the web at www.plantingsequoias.com. I am now working from home for Planting Sequoias, managing the everyday communication, project development & implementation, and I am pursuing our incorporation and 501(c)(3) status. I have really enjoyed this work so far. It is challenging and fun, and getting me back into full time ministry.

I have also applied to substitute teach in Loudoun County, VA. This is the next county over but there are enough schools close to us that I could work often if I wanted to. I have been to orientation and am now awaiting the results from my background check, from 3 states over the last 6 years, that's what I get for moving around a lot. Em and I sat down with my budget and determined that 2 days teaching equals what I was paid for a full 40 hour week at Starbucks. I hope the checks come through soon. I am eager to get back in the classroom, even if it only for a few days each week.

The best part about pursuing this type of work means that I am free to pursue missions opportunities that arise. I will be headed down to GA this next week for training to become part of a team of alumni/staff who will run future training camps for racers preparing for the field. I have also been asked to consider team leading a group of prospective racers for the month of June. We would be heading down to Haiti to continue work on relief efforts. In order to help in this effort I would need to raise $1000 to cover costs. AIM has been one of the first to respond to needs in Haiti and they will continue until the work is finished there. Another opportunity has also arisen within AIM. The Ambassador department has short term trips each summer that are 3-5 weeks. Ambassadors creates trips for teens 14-18 years old. This ministry is close to my heart because I was in my teens when I was drawn to the importance of missions and it's call on my life. I understand what it is like to be in these kids shoes and have a huge desire to serve but not know exactly how to put it into action. I am excited about the possibility to be a mentor in the lives of these teens, to encourage them to seek God's direction and not worry about anything else besides obedience.

I am still praying through the opportunities that have been presented but I know right now that support is my biggest hurdle. The Lord has shown me that I have not been the best at making my supporters feel as though they have a stake in the work that we do. I have been a terrible communicator and for that I am truly sorry. I am working to turn over a new leaf and to pursue my supporters as much as I want to pursue these ministry opportunities. The truth is, I couldn't do any of the things God has called me to do without those He has called to be a part of my community of supporters. I am blessed to have you and I pray that I will truly honor you as God desires me to for the future. I still have support to raise in order to cover the last of my commitment from H squad. I want to honor my commitment to AIM and turn in my full support amount. I feel this is important for me to accomplish before I take on any other trips. My total still to raise for H- squad is $2000. This is not an impossible goal. If 20 people give $100 the goal would be reached in no time.

Please pray with me as we trust God to bring in the support and as He draws me to the trips He has planned for me this year. I am blessed to have a relationship with each of you and with the folks at AIM, who I know seek God's direction and are good stewards of the resources God brings them. Thanks for your prayers and consideration of joining in what God is doing.