Well, I want to say that today's hairstyling fundraiser was a flop, but that wouldn't be completely true. I did kind of have fun hanging out at The Styling Boutique with the ladies. I just tried so hard to have a positive attitude even though I felt let down by the lack of people that came. Not a single client came to get something done by Patricia today for my fundraiser. :( A couple of clients that came in for the other stylists gave me a donation for my GAP year, so that was really nice. I guess I just was expecting more people to come. Why did God allow me to put so much effort into this fundraiser and then have no one show up? My mom and I made some really awesome posters, I bought cookies for the tent that we set up outside The Styling Boutique, I bought balloons for the tent...all this stuff and then no turnout. I just don't understand why things like this happen. Is God testing me to see if I'll still have a positive attitude? Well if He is, then I failed the test. I drove home crying this afternoon. I was just feeling so discouraged...I have $3,000 left to raise and this fundraiser didn't work out. When I pulled into my subdivision, I felt inclined to check the mail. I thought, "I just need to see one encouraging thing in that mailbox...just one." I didn't care if it was a Joyce Meyer magazine...or even an advertisement for a Joyce Meyer magazine. When I reached into the mailbox and pulled out the stack of mail, I was surprised to find an envelope with my name handwritten on it. Could it be a support check? I hadn't gotten many checks in a while (with maybe one exception). I tore open the envelope to find a nice letter from an old family friend named Deb.
When my family lived in Wisconsin, we were involved in a nice Christian group called Home & Hearth. We got together once a week (I think) for dinner, Bible study, and worship. At least that's what I remember it being. Anyway, Deb was a part of that group. I remember her being so sweet to me. She helped me start a postage stamp collection when I was younger. She used to give me all kinds of cool stamps from all over the world...I remember they all had such interesting pictures on them. When I moved to Michigan in 2000, Deb and I were pen pals for a little while, and she would still send me stamps. Eventually I outgrew my stamp collection, and then somehow Deb and I lost touch with each other. I never forgot her though. The Lord told me to include Deb in my fundraising mission for my GAP year in Ireland. My mom still had Deb's address, so I sent one of my support letters to her, hoping she'd remember me after all this time. It took her a couple of months (I sent the letters out in May), but Deb did remember me. And she sent me some money for my GAP year. Not only did God provide some funds through Deb, but He picked just the right time to have her send it to me. I had been feeling so discouraged about my fundraiser...this letter and money from Deb was just what I needed to pick me back up.
Another thing that helped lift my spirits was visiting my friend Liz after work tonight. Liz works at Starbucks right across the street from Costco, and we recently discovered that we work very similar shifts (4ish-close). When I got off work, I felt like going straight home. As I put on my blinker to turn out of the Costco parking lot, however, my friend Liz came to my mind. I think the Lord was telling me, "Go across the street to Starbucks and see if Liz is working." I know better than to argue with God or to not do what He says, so I pulled into the Starbucks parking lot and found a spot. While still sitting in my car, I peeked into the store to see if I could spot Liz. There she was, sweeping the floor. I walked in and as soon as she saw me she gave me such a big, welcoming smile and a big, welcoming hug. I then realized how happy I was to see her. She asked how my fundraiser went today and I told her it was a bit of a flop. After a little bit more chatting, she said, "Let me get you a drink. It'll make you feel better." She went behind the counter and whipped me up a delicious black and white hot chocolate. She was right...it did make me feel better. :) Thanks Liz!
Today was the hardest day in my fundraising this summer. Although the day didn't work out quite like I thought it would, God helped me to get through it. He revealed to me two good friendships that I am very blessed to have. I think this is His way of showing me that life with Him isn't always easy. He uses our toughest times to help us learn that we need to trust Him and know that He has a greater plan...no matter how bad the circumstances may seem.
I am leaving for a family vacation on Sunday for a week, but when I come back I'll begin my can and bottle drive in my subdivision. Please pray that God touches peoples' hearts to donate their empty cans and bottles for my year in Ireland. Please also pray for an optimistic mind for me as I go about this last month of fundraising. Pray that I will resist any doubts from the devil that may arise while my departure date draws nearer.
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