Fear, Focus, Boston Marathon & Moving Forward.

Things have seemed pretty quiet on my blog lately. 
Life has been anything but though. 
This month I have stepped back a little from being here, and online in general, 
to be entirely present in real life. 
It was needed friends, as much as I enjoy blogging...there will always be other things which are and should be my first priority. The Lord has made it very clear to me that when this becomes more important than several other things, I should make a quiet exit from being a blogger. So family, marriage, being a wife, being a part of our local church, all come first. 



With that said, it has also been a great month for focusing on things outside of my immediate view of life. My Purpose Project with the Mocha Club has given me such a focus on the needs in our world, things I have become desensitized to. 
Things which should hurt my heart, like it does the Lord's but often it doesn't. 
My focus has been on providing for three children this month.
I haven't had much else to write about except this need. 
Everytime I sat down to write anything, it seemed meaningless in light of those posts.....



It has been a month of feeling deeply.
Not long after I announced my plans to run in order to raise money, the country was shaken with the news of what happened at the Boston Marathon. 
This shook me friends. 
As I have been running to train and planning to participate in a city run next month. 
It was so close to home and raised so many questions.
How it could have been the race that I am due to be a part of where this took place. 

(via)

Fear has been creeping in all month, little by little. 
What if the goal is not reached? What if I can't run the race? What if the proposed time of 26mins is not beaten? What if we only raise enough for one child instead of three? 
Have I failed? What did I do wrong? 



Honestly, I am still wrestling with most of these fears. 
But God has started to show me the hindrance of fear and need for trust. 
How fear has been taking my eyes off Him. 
He has been reminding me not to fear certain things - like what people will think of me if my proposed goal is not met. 
Because the whole point is focus on Him and obedience, not the number.



These words from a famous hymn have been going round and round in my head.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face.

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the Light of His glory & Grace. 

When my eyes are fixed on Him, it doesn't matter whether the goal is reached or not.

Already it is a privilege to watch funds come in to provide for one child. 

Through our willingness, He has worked through us. 

Even if it isn't what I think it should be.

It is always how God wanted it to be.

I know that God is able to go impossible things, He has shown me in the past. 

All of this has been orchestrated by Him this month, none of this is done by me. 

I'm not sure He could have shown me that if the funds had been completed by week one. 

He knew what else I would be walking through and knows the exact number for the final donation total - it will be no surprise to Him. 

And regardless of the goal being reached or not - It was all to bring Him glory and be obedient! 

So I am rejoicing in the knowledge that whatever happens, I or we together friends, 

have not failed. 

What a huge weight lifted! 

That being said, we still have a couple of days to finish raising the money, I would love for you personally to join us friend! 

Any amount makes a difference, no matter how small you think it is. 

>>DONATE HERE<<

A Giveaway

I also want to thank those of you who have partnered with me already! It is only with your help, this is happening! And I want to encourage those of you who haven't yet joined me that it isn't too late! 

And to thank you for partnering, I am giving away a pair of earrings from my store to one of you who donates in these last few days!! 

(see full collection here)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No matter the amount - if you donate, you may be receiving a pair in the mail soon!!! 

Loving the least alongside you friends! 

L

Mocha Club: Purpose Project Launch!!

The Goal: Raise $750 for orphan projects ongoing in Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe 

(This will provide care for 3 orphans for a year) 

My Project:  Once the money is raised, I will be running a 5K race aiming to beat my high school record of 26mins. 

(I have started training!)

I have been SO excited to share some news with you guys.

This month (April), I am partnering with the Mocha Club to raise money for their orphan care projects as part of a Purpose Project. I'm SO excited you guys!! 

The past year or so, the Lord has really been giving me a passion for Africa and orphans (specifically in Africa) and have just felt stirred by Him to partner with the Mocha Club to raise money for their orphan care projects.

I shared on a friend's blog here how the Lord worked out details for me to head to Africa after high school which was so not a plan I had for myself. 

Read more here and here.

I had not figured out why He had me there until recently, when I felt my heart stirred again for East Africa and orphans. 

So when I heard about the Mocha Club and their purpose projects, I felt a nudge to participate and do something to raise money for something that I am passionate about. Something that would touch the lives of others. 

A way to work together to provide for the least among us. To make a difference.

To be obedient to God's calling.  

---> Donate here <----

Link to Mocha Club Orphan Care Projects

How can You help?

If you want to partner with me financially, you can find a link to donate securely through the Mocha Club website directly here. 

Better still, you can be in prayer for this project and the ongoing orphan projects being run by the Mocha Club that the Lord would continue to be at work in the lives of the children.

I would also love it if you would share about this project through social media! 

Please tweet or post to fb so that others who have a heart for Africa and Orphan care may hear about this project!  

Verses related to the project:

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,you were doing it to me!’

Matthew 25:40

'She extends her hand to the poor,

Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.'

Proverbs 31:20  

'Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.'

James 1:27

Forever Changed.

Hey there! My name is Elise and I blog over at Forever Changed. 

My journey really began almost a year ago when I traveled over to Africa for the first time. Long story short, God broke my heart for the people of Rwanda. Before I had even touched American soil I had made up my mind that I would be moving to Rwanda, and four months later I did just that. 

I have now been living in Rwanda for almost six months. These six months have been the most challenging, but also most rewarding, time of my life. God has stretched and pushed me in every way, and though it was not always fun, I am so thankful. I thank God everyday for this opportunity. I am thankful that He cares enough about me to give me a purpose, and that this is my story. 

Since moving to Rwanda I have had the opportunity to go on a safari, bungee jump, white water raft down the nile, I even became a mom, and still, God had something in store for me that would prove to be my biggest adventure yet. 
You see, I came to Rwanda with the intention of working in an orphanage. I thought that would be Gods plan for me since He has gifted me in that area. Well, God had a completely different plan in mind, and His plans are always better are they not? I no longer wanted to be self-seeking, but to truly be Gods servant; His hands and feet and love the people of Rwanda in whatever way He directed. So, I relinquished my plans and said "use me," and He did just that.  

In September God began directing me to open a business, something I never wanted or intended to do with my life, but wanting to be obedient I said "OK" and started down that path. He began to open doors making His will become my reality. 

God broke my heart for 25 men, their stories and their circumstances. They didn’t have jobs and were doing everything they could just to survive. These men aren't lazy or unable, they want to work, they want to learn, they want to provide but until now have been unable to do so and as a result of suffered.

Opening a business offers these men an opportunity that is sustainable and a chance. A chance to learn, a chance to provide for themselves and their families, and chance to give back to the neighbors in need, a chance to make a difference, and so, His Imbaraga was born. 

His Imbaraga crafts hand-made leather products. We have only been up and running for two weeks so but currently we are producing wallets, passport holders, laptop cases and are messenger bags. Once our production picks up we will open a website and begin selling. A portion of every sale will go into the feeding program. So not only does His Imbaraga provide for 25 men but it will also start and support a weekly feeding program for local village families. We will be able to offer people in need a meal and show them the love of Jesus in the process. 

From the beginning I have said this business is Gods. He is the boss. He is the one making this possible. And because of that I want this business to honor Him in every way, giving back all the glory to Him, and Him alone.

The truth is I could never run a business. I have never had an interest in owning a business. I have never taken a single business class in school. I know nothing about finances. I am an introvert and avoid being a leader. I am not creative in the ways of designing. I am not fit to run a business in Rwanda, yet here I am. I have learned that God did not choose me because I am qualified to run a business, I believe He choose me because I am unqualified. My weaknesses allow Gods power to rest on me.

“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses” 2 Corinthians 12:9

*If you are wanting to support His Imbaraga you can find out how to do so here. *

*All photo credit goes to my incredibly talented roommate*

{Elise can also be found on twitter: @e_coop57}
{Please head over and leave comments on Elise's Blog HERE}

{On My heart} Mondays. [Part 6: I'm just Me.]

Driving around in my car this week, I heard the song 'Who Says' by our friend, Selena.

I've heard it SO many times before, perhaps overplayed for a little while in the summer there,

but the part that really struck me while driving was 

'I'm no beauty queen, I'm just beautiful me....'

I've been stuck in a rut this past week of comparing myself to others.
Feeling insignificant & unhappy about the way the Lord is using me in my life.

Why can't I be seriously involved in our church and making a difference right now? 

Why can't I be mentoring young girls, something so close to my heart? 

Why doesn't my blog reach thousands of women and encourage them towards Christ? 

Why don't I have a gift for writing or taking amazing pictures?

The answer He has been trying to tell me....

Because I am no-one else but Me. 

He has not called me to live anyone else's life. 

He has called me to live my own.

His purpose for me is not the same as any of the other people in my life.

My life is not about me, it is supposed to be about Him.

The Lord may never give me a flair for writing what is close and dear to my heart. 

He equips me to do the things which He wants me to do in this life.

I really need to stop worrying about how other people are living their lives, and 

focus on Him.

Easier said than done in a blog world focused on the number of followers you have, 

or even in the real world which puts those with power and talent 

high up on a scale of importance.

God Himself does not value what this world values.

I may never be an important person in the world's eyes.

But I do want to do what the Lord wants me to do.

The Lord has given me a heart for children. (Among many things)

I currently work with them, love them & learn SO much from them.

This passion has become more obvious in my life since finishing High School.

After Graduation, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life,
or even what the Lord was calling me to do with my life.
I was young, interested in so many different things &
the world seemed so big and exciting at the same time.

I took a gap year to serve at my church and figure out what God wanted of me.

I had a crazy year...at the end,
He opened doors to send me to India & the heart of Africa on mission trips.

As I walked through a market in the heart of Africa, I saw a whole variety of things strange to the world I had come from.
Yet, I felt a sense of home about the place.

From the chickens for sale in the marketplace to the butcher with its 'unsanitary' methods of harvesting meat. The place felt like home.

Remembering my long skirt around my heels and side bag lying against my side.

How I long to be back there.

To be back where I can work with the children that followed us, along the path to the village, out of curiosity for what we were doing.

The same children that did not speak our language, but understood a smile, a game of tag, hopscotch or even how to braid each other's hair.

Back to where a child was so tired, she fell asleep in my lap, feeling secure.

I ache to be back in these situations.

While I may not be the next Katie Davis, you should totally check her out here.

I understand what she means by her life's purpose being simple.

To love the least,
as we are commanded to do.

While the Lord has taken me through India, Asia, the Middle East & Africa to serve in this way....
He has currently called me to where I am.

This country.

This place.

This situation.
With the same command, to love the least.
To love those around me and continue to pour myself out for them on a daily basis.

Does this mean I have figured out what He wants me to do from now on?

Not yet. 

But I'm excited by the uncertainty, the expectation of all that is to come in life.
The hope that He might call me back with my own family to the heart of Africa.
Or wherever He wants to lead us.

As Elisabeth Elliott once said,

I'm excited with how the Lord plans on writing my story, with where He will take me.
What a wake-up call to stop comparing myself to anyone else and stop complaining about what He is currently withholding.
He has perfect plans for me, as He promises.

So as Selena continues in her song....

I wouldn't want to be anybody else.

Watch this video to feel challenged by your actions: