"And God is Able....."

"And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, 

so that in every way, always having everything you need, 

you may excel in every good work."    

2 Corinthians 9:8

I LOVE this verse. This was part of Russell's sermon yesterday.  I love how God's word comes alive.  You can read a verse for years and then one day it strikes you deep.  Differently than all the other times before.  It parallels so nicely with  Ephesians 3:20, our life verse.  I'm kind of amazed that  it's never caught my attention so deeply before.

For a few weeks, I have been feeling like I am on the verge of something.  God has obviously been working but I couldn't put my finger on anything specific. 

I have been praying about returning to Haiti.  Discussions were floating about a Board Meeting at the Apparent Project House.  When Shelley and I were in New York, we discussed bringing a team back, but the dates we were looking at were already taken.  Nothing else was really working.  I've always had clear direction when it has come to this and it just wasn't clear yet.  I felt like I was continually trying to put a square peg in a round hole.  My mom used to always say - "When in doubt, don't."  So, I waited.

Some very exciting changes are happening with Apparent Project right now - but I'm not at liberty to share all of that just yet.  But these changes have made it clear as to why my taking a team wasn't really feasible right now.  The Board Meeting didn't fruition either but I still knew that I was supposed to go again.  I feel that I represent Apparent Project best when I visit.  Things are growing and changing quickly there. Visiting makes it so I can better answer questions and explain things when speaking to churches and groups. 

I spoke with Shelley about some dates and began looking at flights.  It still had not become clear to me as to how I was going to fund the trip.  Last year, all three of us (Jarod, Russ and I) went with the team so raising support was needed.  Our savings account has been depleted this year because of car repairs.  I was willing to do whatever (letters, using AP's Fund Raising Bracelets and Christmas Ornamants, etc) but wasn't sure yet.  I had not even really mentioned the trip to anyone.  I just continued to pray about it and wait.

A few weeks ago, we had a "Family Gathering" at church.  (Basically a quarterly business meeting) and I got up and gave an update on Apparent Project and all that was happening with our cereal box shipments, the bridge we were collecting for, etc.  I had to break the news that we were not taking a team in the Spring - but would look at it again in 2015.  I BRIEFLY mentioned that I would be going in February and that I would give more details about it at a later date.  (I really did not have anything narrowed down.)

It was never really discussed again.  I continued to pray about it and stayed busy with my Open House preparations this past week.  Last night, completely out of the blue,  we were told that my entire trip would be covered by a family in the church!  Needless to say, all I could do was cry!  Completely and totally overwhelmed by God's grace and provision.  Amazing how I didn't even have time yet to "worry" about all the financial details!  He just took care of it.  The verse above immediately came back to mind.  He has poured his grace out to me, providing all that I need to continue in his work.  And for now, that's my next trip to Haiti. 

One thing that I have learned over and over in the last three years is that everything I do with Apparent Project is the building blocks for the next thing.  Always growing, learning, stretching my faith, moving forward.  I am continually overwhelmed that God has chosen me to be a part of all that he is doing in and through AP - both in Haiti and here in the states.  It is humbling and amazing at the same time.

This really has been a wonderful week!!!  Friday and Saturday was my 3rd Annual Apparent Project Open House.  People came from all over Jacksonville and my house was a buzz!  I moved furniture and completely morphed my house into an Apparent Project store and in two days time, raised just over $4000!  What a huge blessing!!!

Many of the "shoppers" brought cereal boxes that they had been collecting and on Sunday afternoon, several volunteers at church came and help me pack another 29 boxes to ship to Haiti!  All of that in about an hour and 15 minutes!  What a great team!  They are becoming pros!!!!  Putting the new boxes with ones that were previously packed - we have another 43 boxes to ship.

And to top everything off - I received a call this morning that we collected the remaining balance of the bridge yesterday!!!  For details on that - click here!  Goodness!  God is so good!  He truly is "able to make every grace overflow to us, so that in every way, we will have everything we need to excel in His work."  He has proven that over and over this weekend! 

All I can do is weep.  I am overwhelmed again and again by His great love and care for ALL of us.


To Him alone be the glory!!!!!!

So - exciting stuff is happening!  I look forward to filling you in on all that lies ahead.  I KNOW it is going to be good because God is ALL OVER IT!!!!!


Until next time......