August 2009 (almost there!)

Dear family and friends,

As I promised I am (finally) writing my first blog post. :) Here I am at July 25th. I'm exactly one month and one day away from departure for Australia. I cannot believe how fast the last five months have gone by. I know that sounds cliche but I truly am surprised. First off I want to update you guys on my financial situation and then share what's going on with details and some personal stories.

Finances: Philippians 4:4-7 talks about allowing Christ's peace to guard you during times of anxiety and uncertainty. This passage has really blessed me over the past few months because I remember when I was accepted in February to this DTS. I had NO idea where I was going to get ten-thousand dollars! However, ten-thousand dollars doesn't make God blink. There's no other way of saying this: thank you allso much! As Tenley (a mentor and full-time missionary that I love dearly) has told me many times, "You're simply the feet that are going Shanna... there's a lot more to it than you. And there are a lot of people backing you!" The Lord has covered me with 'peace that surpasses all understanding.' However, the first few months were very hard and I have had myttimes since than. Trusting the Lord with money is hard! But he has provided again and again for my family and this situation is no exception. At this point I have my school tuition, plane tickets, visa, passport, and traveler's insurance all covered. (Praise God!) That adds up to a little over $6000. I also have $2400 towards my outreach portion of the DTS (they approximate it costing $3000). So I am about $1600 away form my goal (the last $1000 is traveling money and an emergency fund). The Lord has also provided a full time job for me this summer. I have been working at a wonderful Christian daycare with three of my best friends (Anna B., Heather B., and Joshua R.) :) I love the environment, coworkers, kids, and working with my friends. God has been so good!

Details/Prayer Request: I've hit a bump in my plans (I'm sure there will be many more to come!) and I would ask that you all pray for me. The director of my specific DTS (Sept. Performing Arts) emailed me this week and informed me that the dates have been altered and that I was misinformed. The DTS is now from September 5th - February 18th instead of August 30th- February 12th. Although it's a small change it makes a huge difference becuae of my visa and plane tickets. I have to enter Australia no later than Aug. 28th or my visa will be canceled so that won't change. However, coming home in February is a different story. The director, my parents, and I are looking into either changing my flight or graduating me early. Please pray that this all gets settled and that if I do need to change my flights home ($550 extra) that the Lord will provide me witht he righ path to take. Thank you all!

Youth Group Retreat: Last weekend I had the priviledge of spending a couple of days with my youth group at the Hunsaker's cabin. The weekend was filled with water sports (including wake-boarding, haha my back is still sore!), amazing worship/teachings, and some wonderful fellowship times. I was so uplifted and blessed by that amazing group of leaders and kids. The Lord also really convicted me over the weekend and I'd like to share about it. Denise H. taught in Galations 5 (our theme was Free in Christ!). Galations 5:6 says this, "The ONLY thing that matters/counts is faith expressing itself through love." I know for me this has been challenging lately. the last few months I feel as if I've simply been trying to keep my head above water. Graduating from high school, drama performances/tech week, getting ready for YWAM (visa, insurance, support letter), putting together last minute details for Whitworth University (which I am attending in Fall 2010), working part time and switching over to full time, trying to see everyone before I leave... there has been a lot going on! I've discovered last weekend that I've spent the majority of my time stressing out about silly little details when I should be doing everything in love. I'd lost focus. My focus should be love... loving others. God will figure out when I'm going to fill out that paper work or write that application. My job: love. I dunno... that encouraged me and gave me real peace so I wanted to share it.

Going Away Party: One last thing... I'm having a going away party with two of my good friends on Aug. 2nd. If you're interested or haven't gotten a facebook invite... please contact me asasp!

Thank you all for reading! I will continue to post and let you know what's going on! :) I love you all dearly. Please email me if you have any questions or comments or concerns or whatever! I love hearing from everyone :)

John 6:27
"Structuring my life around that which is eternal and cannot be destroyed or taken away."

God Bless,
-Shanna Larson