Discovering the "Chivalry of God"

The LORD - is paving the way for something! In case you haven't heard the story here's a quick recap:

• I got home from OneThing on Jan 1st with a confirmed word that I was supposed to begin an internship at IHOP-KC
• Jan 3rd: had my application and reference forms sent back to IHOP-Kansas City;
• Jan 5th: had $50 and airfare given to me
• Jan 9th: confirmed housing and had the first amount of rent that was due ($175 - it'll normally be $325, but my landlord was gracious)
• Jan 11th: I flew up AND THEN later that afternoon received an email confirming my acceptance; 
• Jan 12th: Started orientation weekend putting $50 on the table (I was praying all day/night prior for the rest of the $900 to come in and.. it never did...) BUT they were gracious, so I have 2 dues dates coming up where I owe $425. You can read more about that further down.

Since then I have been attending classes hosted by IHOP, have spent over 30 hrs in the prayer room, serving both in the prayer room and in the "Children's Equipping Center" with 3-year-olds on Sunday mornings. This makes for a very full schedule with just barely enough time for lunch! I was blessed with housing only a 10min walk from the prayer room which is Wonderful as I don't have a car, also purchased a big fluffy coat since winter here means COLD! haha God is also working out rides for me to and from class as well as rides to stores and the grocery. Thank you Jesus!

In the midst of arriving here, the Lord gave me a clear word and has given total peace about not "fundraising" but simply stating my need and COMPLETELY trusting Him to do whatever He wants. It's not even, trusting Him to fill "my need" it's simply whatever "HE" wants and I have such peace about it. This is very much against everything I have come to learn and do, usually sticking to the "do the possible and let Him do the impossible," but He has given this as a season of rest and specifically said that the care of fundraising is no longer one I need to be concerned with in this season. It IS scary still- I feel like I just signed up for a marriage and am now realizing all that it means. In His graciousness though, He labeled this season for me on the first day in the prayer room saying it was time that I discover the "Chivalry of God"... and it has been SO wonderful!!!
In the occasional moments where I stop and think about "details," like running out of money in a few days lol.. I have literally been able to just grab hold of Him, close my eyes and trust that He is my ultimate provider, my companion, and that He Wants to Take Care of Me More than I Will Ever Know! -humbling, and exceedingly comforting during this time :)

When all this started, a friend and I were walking to our class and she noticed a guy waiting just inside - I was headed for the nearest door and she stopped me saying, "don't you dare" (she's a very southern black woman -so imagine that with Attitude lol) and it was then that I noticed the man inside the next pair of doors getting ready to open/hold it for us... Later, I was in the prayer room and the Lord took me back to that moment saying, "will you just allow ME to open the door for you? please!" It took my breath away as He started telling me about Himself as a lover... Saying that He didn't just want to Open the door, but also to Hold it for me. That it's His joy to welcome me in because He's prepared the way and was eager to show me exactly where I need to go, is eager to take my coat for me and help take my shoes off. He so desires to be "My Beloved" and has been patiently waiting and pursuing me until the day when I realize I haven't received His love like this yet. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega, God of All, desire to take care for me... little, unworthy me...
It's like going from "my best friend" to being "engaged," and then a few hours later as He continued to reveal Himself. By the end of the night I was literally saying to myself, " shoot, if that wasn't a shotgun marriage.. I don't know what one is!" There's so much to trusting Him and being "His Beloved" -gosh that phrase alone holds such depth.

So as simply stating where I am at financially, so that you can partner with me in prayer as I trust Him to supply all that I need, I have $36 in my bank account and $40 in cash. 

On Feb 1st: $325 due for rent+utilities

Feb 10th: $425 for the 2nd internship tuition payment

March 1st: $325 for rent+utilities

March 9th: $425 for the last tuition payment

This doesn't touch groceries or other needs, but it gives an idea what is needed. I can only praise God because even as I type this there's not a hint of uneasiness or worry about where this is coming from - He is so faithful! If the Lord moves you to give in a financial way, not just prayerfully - there are instructions on the "Where am I?" page. 

Love Always

New Adventures for a New Year!

Happy New Years and Welcome to 2012!! :)

Just got back from the OneThing- Kansas City conference, put on by IHOP (International House of Prayer not of pancakes lol)!!! It was an Incredible 5 days of joining over 23,000 people (not to mention the 60,000+ that joined on the internet) in worshiping our Magnificent Obsession and growing in the knowledge of our God! It was the best way to celebrate the new year, dancing and singing praises to the Lord - thanking Him  for a year of provision and blessing and looking forward to continue walking in intimacy with Him. If you missed it, or would like to know more about it - there are videos online of al the worship sessions and teachings and I would suggest you go take a look (especially if you're simply wasting time on the computer lol) you can do that by going to www.ihop.org/onething/.

While there the Lord was revealing to me that I really don't know how to rest in a healthy way. I usually fall into the "too busy" mode or into a "lazy, uninspired" funk when I try. So through the course of the conference He opened the door for me to do an internship at the International House of Prayer! Now you may be thinking that it doesn't sound like "rest" but after speaking to the leadership there and confirming with God, this is exactly where I need to be. The internship will have 3-4 hours of Biblical teaching a day and will help me expand my knowledge of God and His Word and then will include a few hours of Prayer Room time where I just get to dwell in His presence, focusing entirely on worshiping the Lord, and interceding. A few times a week I'll have ministry time which consists of simply ushering in the prayer room and so it is not demanding or anything like the ministry I've been doing for the past 2 years through YWAM. This is an incredible opportunity for me to do what I was made to do - to sit at the throne and bring my everything to Him every moment of every day. I am blessed to be called to a lifestyle completely dedicated to spending time with the Father, and it is a calling that He is so worthy of and I cannot imagine doing anything else right.

The internship costs $900, which is due on the start date (next Friday) and does not include housing or food. So each month I will need about $500 to pay for rent, food and the occasional transportation costs. I am looking to find a room near the IHOP campus that is within walking distance and I am blessed to have a friend who is there looking for me to. Also, I will need a flight from Dallas (DFW) to Kansas City (MCI) on the 12th (next thursday) which will likely cost about $200. This is way more than what I have but God has proven that it is all His money anyways and that He will hold to the "His will, His bill" quote that I've lived by the last 2 years. For those of you who feel led to partner with me financially during this season of rest at IHOP, I would suggest donating online through Paypal by clicking on the button to the right, or you can mail a check to my new address at P.O.Box 467 Keller, TX 76244. Other than that I covet your prayers as I walk into this new season!

God is lining things up for me so that even in this fast turnaround, He is blessing me with complete peace as He makes all that need to get done move quickly and smoothly. It is such a blessing to be in the presence and service of our God - He is so Holy and Worthy to be Praised. He alone is worthy of my everything and I cannot escape His call to come and set aside everything to simply be with Him. As always I am praying that you are doing well and that incredible blessings come upon you as we walk into this new year! I am honored and so thankful for your prayers, which are so powerful and truly move the hand of God!

Here's a look at one of my favorite OneThing sets with Jon Thurlow

Love Always