Writer's Block

So I've been struggling for months now trying to finish up my Thailand support letters. Sometimes I hate my perfectionist tendencies because the fear of doing something poorly can keep me from doing it. I think I have two versions of the letter right now, one on my Mac and one on my computer at work. But I'm realizing that if I want to make it to Thailand, I need to finish the letter and send it out very soon. I'd love to have some feedback from people who have successfully written support letters before. I think that's where part of my problem lies- this is the first time I've ever written one and I want to come off sounding genuine and not too money hungry. After all, this isn't just about me.

Here are a few things I'm struggling with as I write, let me know what you think:

• I want to pour out my heart, so my friends can see the passion I have for what I'll be doing in Thailand. But unfortunately, I'm long-winded and pouring out my heart usually results in two full pages with lots of details and adjectives.
• I'm not sure how to say that I need money. I mean, I'm sure people will figure it out because I mention that I have to raise my own budget to support myself while I'm there... but I haven't found a comfortable way to state my need and give a "call to action."
• I'm someone who loves a lot of details. It's something I struggle with sometimes when I'm writing news stories for work. I want to know everything and how each detail fits together logically, but I have to tell myself that not every reader wants to know every minute detail. Most people prefer to have the story as a whole. So my problem in writing the letter is feeling like I should tell potential supporters every detail of my call, preparation and upcoming ministry, but no one wants to read a novel. (As you can see by this bullet "point"/paragraph, I really need to work on this.)

So please give me some feedback. If you were to get one of my support letters in the mail, what would you want to know? What would you want to see? What would be off-putting? What would make you want to give?

What a Week

Keri, Heather and I are going to Thailand!

Well, pre field orientation is over, my last will and testament has been notarized, I'm an officially commissioned missionary associate and my mom is on a plane back to PA. What a whirlwind week. 

As I mentioned in the previous post, the week was definitely exhausting, but it was also great, as I was challenged and encouraged spiritually in so many ways. The sessions taught me so much, but they also revealed how much I still have to learn. (I don't think I'll ever figure out the complicated tax process.) Some of my favorite sessions were those when the Regional Directors shared insights that they've learned during their many years in missions. I loved seeing how down to earth and real they are. It makes me realize that being a missionary isn't about being some super spiritual saint, but rather being obedient and dependent on God. I'm so humbled when I think about how much room for growth there is in my life, but even so, I'm being called to Thailand at this time. 

I was also inspired by the other missionary associates, many my age, some older than my parents. God has called each of them to a different area of the world to share His love using each of their unique abilities. Nothing is quite as exciting as God-directed passion. 

I'm so glad it's only a four-day work week! It's Sunday night and I'm already in need of a weekend!

PFO

Well, I just got home from my first day of Pre-Field Orientation for Missionary Associates. The best part was meeting new people and hearing the stories of how God has brought them to this time of ministry. It was such an encouragement to see how he directs each life in a special way. 

But, wow, am I tired... we had sessions from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 or so, followed by a reception of sorts and then I stayed at headquarters to get in about 40 minutes of work. It's only 7:35 at night, but I feel like I could go to bed already. I guess listening intently can be draining...

I look forward to what the rest of the week has in store... I'm sure there will be more updates to come.

This is really happening! Crazy!

Friends

This week, life has been a little more fun, thanks to a visit from soon-to-be Dr. Katie, who is on her spring break, and a short weekend visit from Cammy. Since I haven't posted pictures on here in a long time due to the demise of my own digital camera, I thought I'd share a picture from Cammy. I love my friends!

Ups and Downs

It's been awhile since I've posted on here, so I thought I should give at least a little bit of an update.

I talked to my Zumba instructor briefly before class on Saturday morning. We decided to go ahead with doing my Zumba-thon in September since it will be after summer, when many people may take time off for vacations, etc. So I'm glad that we will be having the event when more people will be likely to attend, but it will only be a few weeks before my anticipated departure date. I think that may be both a positive and negative thing. On the one hand, I'd like to raise my budget sooner as opposed to later. But, on the other hand, it could be a good way to do a final push of sorts. If I know I have a certain amount left to raise at that point, I could challenge myself and others to reach that target. Either way, it will be a blessing and I will have a chance to share the needs in Thailand to an even greater amount of people.

Since the last time I wrote there have also been a few exciting new developments in my path to becoming a missionary associate. I got a call from Pastor Bradford's assistant at Central Assembly and she helped me set up a meeting with him to discuss my MA plans. I'm so thankful that with his busy schedule and probably lots of requests for appointments, he's making time for me. The meeting's not until April, but I see that as an opportunity to better prepare myself for what I want to share with him and to pray for what might come out of the meeting.

I had a dinner meeting with Michele Dove (the primary missionary I'll be working with) about two weeks ago and it was great to catch up and hear about all the amazing opportunities God has opened for her in Thailand. One of the most exciting things to come out of the meeting came after I shared what I feel is an increasing burden to work with women in Bangkok who have been sex slaves or worked as prostitutes. It is a huge problem there and I had planned on finding an organization to volunteer with during my time there. However, Michele told me that God has been directing her to create a holistic ministry to reach out to these women and their children and meet their physical, spiritual and emotional needs. After hearing my heart, she asked me to help be on the team to develop this ministry. Wow. It's incredible how God works in the details of our lives, knowing and shaping our hearts for opportunities such as these. I still can't comprehend the way this is all lining up or how it will actually play out, but I am so looking forward to being a part of this new ministry. It will be a tremendous learning and growing experience to see a ministry develop from the ground up. I'm still going to be on the magazine staff of course, but, really, it all comes back to sharing Jesus with the women of Thailand. I only pray that God will increase my compassion and understanding of his unconditional love.

In spite of all this good news, I've been feeling kind of "heavy" lately. I'm sure some of it can be contributed to my own spiritual laziness, which I work to overcome on a daily basis. But I also have times when I get sad thinking about leaving my friends and family in the fall. I'm almost more sad about leaving my friends (don't get offended Chases, keep reading) because they are currently the ones I live with and I know that when I get back from Thailand things will be completely different. So many are getting married and moving to different states. Others are preparing for whatever God calls them to next, which I know will be much bigger and better things. Thankfully, my family will always be stuck with me, but with friends, it can be so hard to maintain those relationships when you are separated and experiencing completely different things. Right now I feel like I have my own little niche here in Springfield (of all places) and it makes me sad to think things will never be exactly as they are right now.

Well, before I get too glum, I better go. I also just typed this during work, which probably isn't a good thing and depending on who reads this (I have no idea if anyone actually does), could be a poor reflection on my otherwise 100% dedication to my job (haha). Back to AG News and all things OPR.