After 8 months in Portland, Papa is finally bringing me to Africa. I love how He plans my steps! At first I was looking for a direct flight from Portland to Cape Town, but He wanted to give me a trip home to NH first. To bless me even more, He gave me 10 days at then end of this season to visit friends and family all along the west coast from Seattle to Napa Valley!
On my drive down to Redding, CA I met 2 hitchhikers at a gas station. I had been having such a beautiful time with Holy Spirit on my drive, dancing and partying like a rock star lol.... I wasn't sure if I wanted to pick them up. Plus I needed to know it was safe. So after using the bathroom I went back to my car to see what God wanted me to do. I knew they were meant to come with me, so they loaded up their stuff and we set off. I quickly learned they had been stranded for 2 days and had become very discouraged. So much, they had actually just prayed before I picked them up. It was cool to show them how God answers prayers. They also said they would feel much better if they could just get to Redding, 4 hours closer to their San Diego destination. They were shocked when I told them that's exactly where I was heading. I love when God exposes himself to seeking and sincere hearts in need!
Amazing! 15 mins after I dropped off Shaun and Tree, the hitchhikers, I sold my car! I already had plans to show it to an interested craigslister... and with the advice and approval of his whole family, Evan bought my car on the spot! He paid $4000! Money in my pocket!! But the best thing is that I'd bought the car 2.5 years ago for $4200 and put 30K miles on it...!!! I basically drove the car for free! Afterwards I rented a car to visit my aunt in Napa Valley. The weekly cost was $215 (more $$ than owning my car for 2 years!), but when I got to the rental place the guy saw we were believers. He gave us a discount, and by the end, we only ended up paying $103, JOY!
My friend came to Napa with me to visit my Aunt and Uncle. I hadn't seen them in almost 3 years and I'm so grateful for the opportunity. We spoke a lot about my dad's life and passing 2 years ago, it was really cool to hear some of their childhood stories. Fran took us around through the valley and we did some wine tasting. We played games, ate tasty food, drank good wine, and shared quality fellowship.
The morning Samuel and I left we decided to let Holy Spirit guide our drive. We ended up on the coast and drove hours and hours along CA 1. We stopped off and walked along the beach, we drove to see a Redwood grove without much success, and we went up a hill and hopped a fence to share a picnic with remarkable views! Such a beautiful day; I'd like to have Spirit always guiding me like that! Our 3 hour return journey to Redding, however, was exchanged for a 14 hour road trip in the glory!
Finally my bus trip back to Portland was very fruitful as Papa gave me a divine appointment. I met a man who had been greatly hurt by the church and felt no compassion from God in his current circumstances. Thanks to all my experiences this summer, I felt equipped to love him as he is and share new perspective with him. He was so interested and kept asking me really deep questions for 4 hours non-stop! We both left feeling more encouraged and open to authentic Jesus.
Now I'm in NH with friends and family, perhaps another update to come, and I leave for Africa on 2/23, less than 2 weeks away!!
On my drive down to Redding, CA I met 2 hitchhikers at a gas station. I had been having such a beautiful time with Holy Spirit on my drive, dancing and partying like a rock star lol.... I wasn't sure if I wanted to pick them up. Plus I needed to know it was safe. So after using the bathroom I went back to my car to see what God wanted me to do. I knew they were meant to come with me, so they loaded up their stuff and we set off. I quickly learned they had been stranded for 2 days and had become very discouraged. So much, they had actually just prayed before I picked them up. It was cool to show them how God answers prayers. They also said they would feel much better if they could just get to Redding, 4 hours closer to their San Diego destination. They were shocked when I told them that's exactly where I was heading. I love when God exposes himself to seeking and sincere hearts in need!
Amazing! 15 mins after I dropped off Shaun and Tree, the hitchhikers, I sold my car! I already had plans to show it to an interested craigslister... and with the advice and approval of his whole family, Evan bought my car on the spot! He paid $4000! Money in my pocket!! But the best thing is that I'd bought the car 2.5 years ago for $4200 and put 30K miles on it...!!! I basically drove the car for free! Afterwards I rented a car to visit my aunt in Napa Valley. The weekly cost was $215 (more $$ than owning my car for 2 years!), but when I got to the rental place the guy saw we were believers. He gave us a discount, and by the end, we only ended up paying $103, JOY!
My friend came to Napa with me to visit my Aunt and Uncle. I hadn't seen them in almost 3 years and I'm so grateful for the opportunity. We spoke a lot about my dad's life and passing 2 years ago, it was really cool to hear some of their childhood stories. Fran took us around through the valley and we did some wine tasting. We played games, ate tasty food, drank good wine, and shared quality fellowship.
The morning Samuel and I left we decided to let Holy Spirit guide our drive. We ended up on the coast and drove hours and hours along CA 1. We stopped off and walked along the beach, we drove to see a Redwood grove without much success, and we went up a hill and hopped a fence to share a picnic with remarkable views! Such a beautiful day; I'd like to have Spirit always guiding me like that! Our 3 hour return journey to Redding, however, was exchanged for a 14 hour road trip in the glory!
Finally my bus trip back to Portland was very fruitful as Papa gave me a divine appointment. I met a man who had been greatly hurt by the church and felt no compassion from God in his current circumstances. Thanks to all my experiences this summer, I felt equipped to love him as he is and share new perspective with him. He was so interested and kept asking me really deep questions for 4 hours non-stop! We both left feeling more encouraged and open to authentic Jesus.
Now I'm in NH with friends and family, perhaps another update to come, and I leave for Africa on 2/23, less than 2 weeks away!!
