Booked My Flight

Last night I booked my flight to Ireland!  My dad and I have been comparing prices online for a little while now, but it was so exciting to actually book the flight!  I got my ticket for just under $800, too, so that was quite the bargain.  Praise God for providing such an inexpensive flight.  :)  I will be leaving the States on September 4th for Dublin, Ireland!

On the way to church yesterday morning my mom mentioned that she had visited an Ireland tourist site (www.discoverireland.com), and she was all excited about it.  She said she watched all the videos and she was telling me all sorts of random facts about the weather, food, and tourist spots.  It's so awesome that she's so into my year in Ireland.  She and my dad used Skype to talk to Peter, the GAP director in Dublin, on Saturday...and my dad got to ask all of his questions.  It's really exciting to see everything coming together.

I'm still receiving support checks in the mail and I get so excited about every single envelope!  Every time I see that self-addressed envelope in the mailbox it's a confirmation from the Lord that a GAP year is what I'm supposed to be doing, and this is how He's providing the money for me to go.  Though I have sent out almost all of my thank-you notes, I want to thank you all again for supporting me!  I am so wonderfully blessed with such a great support group.  And just as I think I have so many people on my team, the Lord brings me more!  More people that want me to send them a letter, more people that want to help with fundraising, and more people that are praying for me.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Trickling In

More support, more support, more support!  Like the rain falling from these dark, cloudy skies, the support for my GAP year just keeps trickling in.  Today I came home from work and as I picked up a self-addressed support envelope from the counter, my mom said, "Isn't it nice to be getting mail every day?"  I told her "Yes, it is.  It's awesome."  And I just thought about everyone that has been supporting me financially and what a blessing that is to me.  Not only have I received financial support, but I have also received support through prayer and words of encouragement...despite some of the not-so-encouraging experiences I've had.


In the first "stages" of discerning whether or not to do a GAP year, I experienced quite a bit of negativity from others.  I went to a Bible study late last summer and overheard a woman telling another woman that she was a speech-language pathologist.  Since that is my field of study, my ears kind of perked up.  When that woman finished her conversation, I said, "I couldn't help but overhear that you're a speech-language pathologist...that's what I'm going to school for!"  She and I started talking a bit and I told her I was going into my fourth year of undergrad at Eastern Michigan.  She then asked me where I would be doing my graduate work.  I told her that I was considering taking a year off (I briefly explained the GAP year to her), and she didn't quite take it so well.  She told me, "Oh, no...don't do that.  You'll forget everything you learned in undergrad!  Go straight to grad school or you'll regret it."  By that point I had already heard a clear word from the Lord and was almost positive that He wanted me to do a GAP year...so this conversation was troubling to me.  I had told her that I really felt that God was calling me to do a GAP year, but she was trying to convince me otherwise.


Another similarly troubling experience came from talking to my parents about my GAP year.  They doubted that I'd be able to raise enough money to go.  A few weeks before I graduated, my dad asked me if I would be getting more hours at work once I was finished with school.  I told him I wasn't sure because it seemed like the managers had been trying to cut hours, so I might not get many more than what I had during school (about 20-25 hours).  He immediately told me I should think about taking up a second job, because there was no way I was going to raise enough money to go on my GAP year otherwise.  I guess he just didn't really realize that I'd be asking others for the majority of my financial support, not using what I've saved from work.  And I think he was having a hard time believing that people would actually give me money.  I guess a little bit of that pessimistic attitude kind of rubbed off on me, because I started to think that maybe he was right.  Maybe I wouldn't raise enough money to go to Ireland for a year.


Both of these experiences, along with a few more, really tested my faith.  It was as though God were saying to me, "Okay Rachel...here's what these people have said.  Are you going to believe them?  Or believe in Me?  Are you going to trust them?  Or trust Me?"  It was extremely difficult, but I had to really take a step forward and push both of those conversations (along with others) away.  I had to completely place my trust in God that because He called me to go on a GAP year, He would provide the money.  Not only that, but He would not let me forget what I have already studied in school (unless He wants me to go into ministry instead of speech-language pathology).  I believe that He will do these things because this GAP year is part of His beautiful plan for my life.


Right now I have so many people on my side.  I have my family, friends, coworkers, managers, and even strangers on my side.  Who are the strangers?  Right now it's everyone that came to my garage sale and the people I talk to at Costco.  I use every chance I get to have it be part of my conversations with others.  When they ask me about school, I explain that I just graduated and that I'm going to be taking a year off.  Then come the questions...and then comes sharing Christ.  If someone asks, "What's new?" or "What have you been up to lately?", that's my chance to share the blessings I'm receiving every day as I follow the Lord's plan for my life.  It's really a beautiful thing.


Before I close, I'd like to share that I am extremely thankful for the unexpected blessings I have received at work.  One of my managers is following my blog and has been so supportive of my trip to Ireland.  She's also given me great fundraising ideas!  She even suggested that we do some kind of fundraising luncheon at work before I leave, and I can't wait to see how God blesses that!  One of my other coworkers randomly told another coworker today, "Hey, guess what?  Rachel's going to Ireland at the end of the summer!  She's going to be a minister there!"  Okay, so I'm not exactly going to be a minister in Ireland...but he kind of got the point.  And I thank him for that, because it started up another conversation about my trip!  :)  I am so excited for what the rest of this summer holds.  God, keep showering me with Your blessings!

Graduation Party

I had my graduation party yesterday with a bunch of family and some close friends, and it was wonderful!  My parents and my brothers worked so hard getting ready for the party...and it all paid off.  We had delicious food, lots of people, and perfect weather!  We really were blessed with such a nice change of weather after so much cold and rain!  :)


Here's some pictures from the party for those of you who didn't see them on Facebook.

Me with both grandpas...mom's side on the left and dad's side on the right.

Some family on my dad's side.

The delicious food!  :)

Lovely Costco cake thanks to my wonderful co-workers.  :)

Jennifer and her grandmother Sittie (Arabic for "grandma")

All of the cousins (minus my bro Jake) on my mom's side.

My mom's parents and brother & sisters :)

Some of my cousins on my dad's side.

My cousin Kara (dad's side)!  :)

Hannah and her boyfriend Jake.  So glad they came!

My younger brother Joel.

My parents. :)  Love them.

I was blessed with an abundance of nice cards and financial support for my GAP year from my graduation party.  People were so generous and I am extremely grateful for that.  It was not only nice to receive this support from all these people, but it was so encouraging to have them come to my party and celebrate with me!  I loved talking with everyone and sharing about my GAP year.  One person who I am especially grateful that she came to my party is my godmother, Mrs. Gallagher.  I am so sad that I didn't get to know her more as I was growing up.  She is such a wonderful woman of Christ and she is a great person to talk to.  She just has a really loving and caring way about her.  At my party yesterday I had the opportunity to share with her how I discerned whether or not to do my GAP year, so that was awesome.  I love when people ask me questions like that...it makes it easier to share my heart with others.  It's like...the more you practice sharing your heart the easier it gets.  And then the more it'll flow naturally in conversation!  :)  Soon there'll be no more surface-level conversation (or at least not much).  It'll be just straight to the good stuff!

That's all for now.  As for a financial update, I now have (with the money from my graduation party added) a total of $4,572 out of $11,000.  I'm getting close to halfway there!  Come on Lord...keep providing support for me!

Really Blessed

All I can say tonight is "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"  :)


The Lord just keeps sending support!  Every evening when I come home from work (unless it's a Sunday), there's an envelope on the counter addressed to me with a check inside.  Whether it's a big amount or a small amount, it's all going toward my GAP year and I'm so very blessed for all the financial support I have received.  


What I've really been blessed by is receiving support from people I didn't expect to receive support from.  You know...the addresses my mom gave me of the neighbors I haven't seen in a while.  I sent support letters to these people but kind of only half-expected a response from them.  I imagined they'd read my letter and think, "Huh.  We haven't talked to her in years!  Why should we send her any money?"  I should have known better...God is so good! 


Aside from receiving checks in the mail, I've been able to share with so many strangers about my GAP year!  I have plenty of opportunities to talk to people at work (Costco), and you'd be surprised how easily my GAP year comes up in conversation.  I'll get talking to someone and they'll ask me if I'm going to school.  I'll tell them that I just graduated from Eastern, then they'll say "Congratulations!  Any prospective jobs?"  Then I'll say something like, "Actually, I'm taking a year off from school and going to Ireland at the end of August."  Of course they start asking "What will you be doing there?"  ...and off I go.  :)  Telling people about how I'm going to help build God's kingdom.  I never thought it would be possible at work.  But hey...they asked!  :)


I pray that God keeps providing support for my GAP year.  I pray that He blesses the hearts of those who are considering whether or not to support me.  I pray also that He would keep giving me more and more opportunities to share with people about how I'm going to be spending the next year of my life.

Continuous Support!

God is continuously providing support for my GAP year.  I got a check on Friday from a friend's parents, a check on Saturday from another friend's parents, and a check in the mail today from my friend from church.  It's really been great to check the mail and see support in there each time!  I am praying that the Lord will bless everyone else's hearts that are discerning whether or not to support me on my GAP year.  To those that have supported me already:  thank you!


My parents had lunch with a couple from church the other day, and even though that couple doesn't know me, they want to help support me on my GAP year.  The lady owns a salon in Westland, MI  called Set Apart Salon, and is offering to do a fundraising party for me.  This means that I can invite a few friends, and she will do hair cuts, hair styling, scalp treatments, "hair repair", and other services and give me ALL of the money from it!  I will keep you posted as soon as I find out more information.  Snacks and refreshments will be provided, and gift bags are included.  :)  I praise God for her willingness to help out.  I know this will be a fun event!


For those of you who would like to know where I am with my support, I have about $3,500 out of $11,000.


Coming up:
Mocktail party at my house (details TBA)
Bonfire at my house (details TBA)
Salon party at Set Apart Salon in Westland (details TBA)

Day 3+4 : Garage Sale (Useless Junk Sale)

Unless you have some good friends to keep you company for a while (thanks Jake, Hannah, and Lauren!), a garage sale can be an extremely long and boring event.


Yesterday was a bit of a slow day, but my older brother Jake helped me set up in the morning, and then sat with me all day in the garage from 9am-3:30pm.  Then he helped me take everything back in when we closed it up.  He even goofed around and played frisbee with me while we waited for more "customers" to show up.  Now, you have to understand something...Jake and I haven't gotten along for as long as I can remember.  We're about 2 years apart and we have completely opposite personalities.  I can't remember the last time we spent that many consecutive hours together.  It really meant a lot to me that he put so much time into this garage sale when he could have been doing other things.  Thanks so much, Jake!  My good friend Hannah stopped by sometime in the morning to hang out with me for a while.  She brought me a drink from Starbucks, which was really thoughtful of her.  Her mom ended up coming shortly after to buy a couple of things, and she let me keep the change as a donation to my GAP Year.  :)  Thanks Hannah and Mrs. Gill!


Today was a bit of a different story.  I had much more customers than I did yesterday!  There was a steady flow of people from 9am to about 1pm.  :)  And some people that didn't want to buy anything made donations to my trip to Ireland!  I think it helped that I had signs up that said, "SEND RACHEL ON A MISSION TRIP TO IRELAND" and "Even if you don't buy anything...consider donating to my mission trip".  One lady came up, bought a book, and then told me, "Your sign is what stopped me.  Good for you!  I hope you have an excellent time in Ireland."  And she donated a couple of extra dollars.  :)  Another lady was jogging by the house and stopped to browse around for a bit.  She glanced at the sign and said, "So you're going to Ireland?  What will you do there?"  I got to share with her about the work I'd be doing in Ireland, and she seemed genuinely interested.  We finished our conversation and she jogged off.  She said she'd come back if she saw something she liked.  She came back about 20 minutes later and handed me a $20 bill.  She said, "I don't want to buy anything, but here's a donation to your trip.  Have a good time!"  I couldn't believe it.  That was the most generous anyone had been!  God bless her heart.  I had several conversations with different people about why I wanted to go to Ireland for a year and what kinds of things I'd be doing there.  I never thought about being able to share like that at a garage sale, but God is so great and He gave me plenty of opportunities to talk to people!  :)  My good friend Lauren came to the garage sale at about 11:00 this morning and stayed with me until about 2:00.  It was really nice to have company.  We even got to play cards when it slowed down a bit in the afternoon.  :)  Thanks Lauren!


Here are some pictures to document my first fundraising event.  Enjoy!

The useless junk sale :)

I had food, too!  Hot dogs, chips, cookies, and bottled water.

Didn't sell much...  :(

Hannah and me!  :)

                      Both of my Day 1 helpers (Jake and Hannah)

Lots of money!

My Day 2 helper (Lauren)

A couple of notes before I close:  

I made about $200 total from the garage sale, and I got my first support check in the mail today!  Praise God from whom ALL BLESSINGS flow.  :)  

I am at about $3,400 so far out of about $11,000.  

Coming up:

Mocktail Party at my house (details TBA)

Bonfire at my house (details TBA)

Day 2 : Support Letters - SENT

Thanks to my good friend Lauren, I mailed out my support letters today.  She came over at around noon, and in just about two hours we folded the letters and stuffed, addressed, & sealed all 73 envelopes.  And we had fun while doing it!  :)  I praise God not only for giving me such a great friend to help me with this whole process, but also for providing me with 73 people to contact for support for my GAP Year.  I can't wait to see how He provides the money for my trip.


Tomorrow I will be spending all day getting ready for the garage sale that starts Thursday.  I have mostly everything priced, but I have to organize it on tables, set it up in the garage, and start getting together the food I'm going to sell (hot dogs, cookies, chips, bottled water).  I'll be doing a lot of junk-organizing and cookie-baking...but it'll be fun.  If you're reading this and would like to help for any amount of time tomorrow, please contact me and let me know!  I need help with the following things:


1)  Sign making
2)  Organizing items in bins or on tables
3)  Baking cookies (chocolate chip & oatmeal raisin)
4)  Staying sane through all of this  ;)


So far, with my first 3 donations (mentioned in "Day 1"), I have about $3,000 for my GAP Year!  So I have about $8,000 left to go!  Keep praying that God will provide all the support for the year.  And pray about what God may be asking you to give.  Time?  Money?  Prayer?


Coming up:
5/12-13   - Garage sale
June something    - Mocktail Party at my house (details TBA)

Day 1 : The Fun Has Begun!

My fundraising for Ireland has officially begun!  The "GAP Year" section of my bank account now has money from babysitting last summer, teaching guitar lessons this past semester, selling my old laptop, and my first three donations.  And I haven't even sent out my fundraising letters yet!  Praise God for providing so faithfully.  

One of my donations is from a friend from UCO.  I told the story in my "Beauty All Around Me" blog (http://beauty-all-around-me.blogspot.com/2011/04/so-faithful.html), so read that if you haven't.  Basically, my friend had been setting aside a small percentage of her paychecks for a while to give to church.  She decided that giving the money to her church didn't feel right, so she prayed more about where she was supposed to give the money.  She told me that after she heard my talk at UCO, she felt that God was calling her to give the money she had been saving to me.  

The second donation was from my parents.  I am blessed to have such loving parents.  These past few months have been a bit of a rollercoaster with them...but it's been a true test of faith.  I know with all of my heart and soul that God will provide all of the money (and maybe even more) for my GAP Year to Ireland.  My parents on the other hand were having a bit of trouble with such great trust.  They're getting much better now and have been much more supportive, so I'm thankful for that.


I'm super excited about the third donation.  I got together with my friend's parents last night...the ones mentioned in the "So Faithful" post (see link above) in my other blog.  Not only did they have chocolate fondue set up when I walked in the door, but we had a great discussion (kind of a Q&A session) about my GAP Year. They are very interested in the work I'll be doing in Ireland and gave a very generous donation to my trip.  I'm so grateful to have them in my life!


My first fundraising event is going to be a garage sale this weekend.  I'm selling some of my junk, and my mom's letting me sell some of her stuff that she doesn't use anymore.  Along with that, I'll be selling cookies, chips, hot dogs, and bottled water.  *Please let me know if you want to help me sell this stuff on either Thursday or Friday 9am-3pm!*  I'm going to put up posters to explain that all of the proceeds are going towards my trip to Ireland.  I can't wait to see how the Lord uses this first event to bring in money for my trip!


Coming up: 
5/13-14  - Garage sale 
5/21 - Family graduation party
June something - Mocktail Party at my house (details TBA)