Dearly Loved

I've never been one to categorize myself as your A-Typical girl. I like sports (and understand what's going on. thank you very much!). I could care less if I broke a nail. The color pink often makes me sick (especially on sports jerseys). The Notebook is NOT my favorite movie and I don't think Brad Pitt is the hottest man alive. Matt Damon or Jake Gyllenhaal on the other hand... 

But the A-Typical quality that I've seemed to "pick" up is this incessant crying, mainly in my car. Many times in the last year and a half I have found myself touching up my make-up after getting into a semi-spiritual moment and becoming so overwhelmed I have no other option then to just let the river of tears flow. 

This Saturday and Sunday was one of those times. This weekend I took my fear of the stage and faced it to share with the congregation what I will be doing while in Ethiopia. I wish I could say I smashed my fear like I use to smash the moles in whack-a-mole, but unfortunately I feel I only smashed it like a 3 year-old flatening their play-doh. By the third service only my knees were shaking...progress right?

Well after the service I had a table set up where I could talk more with people and if they felt called to help me with support funds they could. I went into this weekend needing just over $6510. My budget was set at $18,600 for the year (if only I could make that happen here in San Jose!) and now I'm just one short-term mission's trip away of completing my goal.  As of today-I'm only in need of $3150. In a mere 18 hours I raised $3360 and possibly have 2 kids sponsored! Can my tears be justified now? 

As I drove home from all three services I couldn't help but be so overwhelmed as I thought about this song called Dearly Loved by Jimmy Needham. It's become a very big favorite of mine. If you have a chance listen to it. **don't be scared by the intro. I promise it is not a phony-lullaby-drag-down-drop-out-kind of song.** It became so powerful to me driving home thinking about all the people who have no idea how dearly loved they are by such an amazing God. And how much it's worth it to know our maker and lose our sins. I love my church family and their hearts and willingness to extend the hands and feet of EVC half-way around the world. I love they that they are so passionate to transform hearts in love and support those called to do things that they may not be able to do.