Hey friends!
I’m sorry it has taken me some time to get this most recent update out to all of you but I’m just going to dive right in! I’m still here in Southern Utah right outside Zion National Park and loving it greatly. This place and this season of life has been one filled with rest and regrowth, and as my departure date for this trip quickly approaches, it is slowly turning into a season where I feel ready and compelled more than ever to go!
Last month my church held some luncheons after service to allow me the time to share about my trip, talk more intimately with the congregation and allow church members the opportunity to financially and prayerfully support me. I just have to say that I am beyond blown away by my Mountain View family. The body of Christ, this community called Church is SO special and I can’t help but feel like this is exactly what Jesus meant when he called us to BE the Church. Having the church lay hands and pray over me and this mission was something I’ll cherish for a lifetime as well.
As much as I hate to admit this, it is easy for me to get caught up in the busyness and chaoses of life. Sometimes when I am in that busy mode it’s easy to just fall asleep to myself and not even realize the extent of it. So I’ve been asking for prayer that I would use this time I have to the most and be in the right here, right now, allowing the Lord to work at all times – that I don’t just get swept up in the busyness and miss the miracle work being done right now as I wait for this mission that is ahead of me.
Intentionality is what I am striving for and no matter what season, what the circumstance, whoever the people may be or whatever is ahead or behind me, I want to be intentional – with others, of course, but also with stewarding my God given passions, desires, and purpose! I fail often at this but recently I’ve been learning more about myself and patterns of behaviors through some coaching and it has helped me become more aware and alert so that I can live life more abundantly and awake to all that the Lord has gifted me. Ultimately, by the grace of God, I have been working on being more awake to my voice, my ideas, and deeply acknowledging how much my presence matters in this world and for the kingdom of God!
WOW, & the Lord has definitely answered prayers the last couple months beyond what I could have ever imagined and life has felt fuller, friendships have felt deeper and more genuine, and the time has felt a little more purposeful. Now the calendar days keep ripping by and I can’t believe it’s been two months since I posted on here but here are a few important thing coming up that I want to share and hope you will be in prayer and celebration with me over these things-
- Training camp in Georgia starts in 42 days (GULP!)
- I am more than 50% funded and with monthly pledges I only have about $6,500 more to go to be fully funded by August!
- Our official launch date is August 6th which is only 69 days away (BIGGER GULP!!)
- We have a squad/group prayer night coming up on June 1st – which I am SO excited about; to be intentional with our team praying over this trip, the regions, relationships, reconciliation, and more – it fills my heart!
- Lastly, some verses that I have been meditating over in preparation for this trip and encourage you to look up and mediate on as well:
Revelation 7:9 — After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands
Ephesians 4:2-5 — With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling
1 John 2:2 — And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
2 Peter 3:9 — The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 — Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I am earnestly praying that the Lord will provide all the necessary resources for this mission trip as my launch date quickly approaches. I ask that if you have not donated or even if you have, that you would playfully consider asking the Lord what ways you could contribute and ask how He would have you steward your resources. However He may be calling you to participate in kingdom work, I hope you respond! I am beyond grateful for His faithfulness and provisions thus far in my life and pray that you see those in your own life as well.
I would love to connect with you or anyone you may know that might have an interest in hearing more about missions and kingdom work and how we all play a part in this! I can always be reached by text/phone call 480-815-6167 or email [email protected].
In Christ,
Nicole
