Hey everyone! Welcome to the first post of the new year! I’m excited to update you all on my fundraising progress, and what I’ve been up to this past month. It’s been a great holiday season, and I can’t wait for the many new adventures waiting just ahead.

Life

During a busy holiday season, it’s easy to neglect time with friends and family. But as I prepare to move to the Czech Republic, family time is more important than ever. I’m grateful for the chance I had to spend Christmas and New Years with my parents and siblings. We didn’t keep all of our holiday traditions. We usually spend more time traveling. But the chance to welcome in 2017 with my family in the comfort of our own home was very special. Thank you to those who were praying for me during the holidays.

Now that it’s January, it feels like the countdown has begun. I’ve been looking at my calendar and counting the weeks until March 22, and … there aren’t very many of them left! I keep writing down in my planner all the things I need to do before moving to the Czech Republic, and the list grows longer and longer. Please continue to pray for me as I make the necessary preparations to move overseas.

Before Christmas I was able to create and mail a bunch of Christmas cards to friends and supporters, along with the mission brochure I recently created. Making those cards reminded me how much I love scrapbooking, and also how much I care about all of you. Having so many friends to write to at Christmastime is very special. Writing each note reminded me just how far we’ve come together. Know that I’m very thankful for all of you, and that I’m so happy to get to make this journey along with you.

Christmas Cards – Some Assembly Required

Fundraising

You might remember that the amount of monthly support I need to raise before moving to the Czech Republic is $2,100. Well, I’m pleased to report that over the past month my total amount of monthly support pledges has increased. It grew from $480 at the end of November, to $640 by the end of December. I’m just $60 short of being a third of the way to my support goal.

Growth of Monthly Support Pledges

Of course, these are still mostly pledges, but a few of you have started turning your pledges into actual donations starting this month, and I am very grateful. Because of your generous support I am able to continue to pay rent on the apartment in the Czech Republic I will soon be living in. My hope is to be receiving enough support by February to be able to pay for the plane tickets I will soon be needing, along with all the other travel and moving expenses that will occur before arriving in the Czech Republic. I may not seem like I need your support now while I am in the States, but I really do.

My hope is still to move to the Czech Republic in March 2017. The earliest date I would leave, March 22, is only ten short weeks away! If you know that you are interested in providing monthly support for my mission work, would you please contact me and let me know? Even if you aren’t quite able to give yet, or aren’t sure about an amount, I’d love to be able to connect with you. Your support is making my mission work possible.

Prayer Needs

I’m looking for opportunities to speak to churches about my mission work before March. If you or your church are interested in hearing from me, please let me know. I’m excited to be able to share pictures and stories of how God is working in the Czech Republic. Please also pray that the Lord would help me to make the connections He wants me to make, and that He would open the doors He wants to open. I am excited to see where He leads.

I have an opportunity this Friday to make some new connections as I continue to sell off my large collection of books. I can’t take them all overseas with me, and I’m hoping to find good homes for them. All the proceeds will go to my mission work. Please pray for wisdom as I prepare, that others would be blessed, and for some good conversations as well.

Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Until Next Time!