In every turning, He will prepare you with grace upon grace...

"But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, 'Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.'  Only do not rebel against the Lord.  And do not fear the people of the land for they are bread to us.  Their protection is removed from them and the Lord is with us; do not fear them." - Numbers 14

Why this verse?  The stories of the Israelites traveling through the wilderness, crossing the Jordan, tearing down the walls of Jericho, and in this case spying out the land of Canaan... these are the stories that teach me more about my sin and more about trusting God than most everything else in the Bible.  I learn a lot through stories.  I needed this one to learn to trust God with raising support... the Israelites saw the mighty men and the large, fortified cities, and were afraid.  They thought it would be impossible to defeat them.  I was tempted to look upon $31,000 in a span of maybe three months and think it impossible.  I was afraid of my inability, of the short time period, of so many circumstances... but I asked God to help me believe the way in which Caleb did when he said 'Only do not rebel against the Lord.  And do not fear the people of the land... the Lord is with us.'  

I was actually very disobedient last night.  I had a bit of a melt down because I was hoping to receive the green light phone call yesterday or today, and I became very fearful and doubtful.  Not trusting God who had brought in $26,000 to bring in $1,000 more.

I also thought of the story Steven preached on on Sunday.  He spoke of Samson and Delilah.  Steven talked about how Samson was not understanding that all the source of his strength was in Christ alone.  Samson thought his strength was in his hair.  He did not understand his position beneath Christ.  

Well, ya'll last night as I sat fearfully weeping, I had put my rest and strength in money.  The Lord revealed the idol of my heart... realizing, Kate, you don't get it.  All power, all strength is from me, alone... not from the money that may or may not be in your account.  Thank you, Lord, for revealing the idols of my heart.

Today, still weary, yet feebly asking the Lord to help me trust Him... I called Emily Shriver at the office just to check on things, and after looking over my account, she said I had the green light!

I have raised 87% of my support and will leave for Winston-Salem in the morning!

"Man is never so near grace then when he feels he can do nothing at all." - Charles Spurgeon

What a crazy summer this has been.  I can testify to that wonderful statement by Spurgeon.  I have certainly experienced the grace of God this summer.  This support raising has had nothing to do with any strength of my own.  Nor will being an intern at Wake Forest.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you have supported and encouraged and prayed for me during the support raising!  I pray that the Lord would abundantly bless you in your giving.

I get to be an RUF intern at Wake Forest, ya'll!!!!  I am SO excited!!  There is quite possibly nothing else I would rather be doing right now then continuing in ministry with RUF, especially at this school.   Praise God!

PRAYER

- that I would continue to trust God's strength, not my own, not my own, not my own

- Wisdom in getting to know, spending time with, and listening to the cares of these girls

- easy transition with my "team" and in Winston-Salem

I am still raising support... I have 13%, $4,040 left to raise before the end of the year.  You can continue to give if you feel so led.  Donate HERE.

"Be still my soul, 

Your God will undertake to guide the future as He has the past

Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last."

"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." - Frederick Buechner

North Carolina, here I come.