21 Days

3 weeks...so short and yet so long...I ordered my British Pounds (GBP) the other day and now all I have to do is wait for enough money to order my Euros and then go get them. I am amazed at how God has provided in every way and continues to provide. People keep asking questions about where I'm going to be staying and even though I'm not exactly sure, I know that it's with an organized program so it is under control and God has given me a peace about that. I am so excited and I want it to be the 24 hours before my flight so that I can call the airlines and confirm all of them. But I know that if I runs the 3 weeks leading up to the trip, the 3 weeks of the trip will fly by even faster. So I'm going to drink it in. Enjoy every second for what it is. Be focused on the here and now. Be prepared for what lies ahead but be firmly planted in today.

Is It Ok to Countdown Now?

I have 25 days until Ireland!!!!!!! :) I went to a wedding today. the first one of the summer and the last one before I go (surprisingly) Anyhoo I caught the bouquet! hahaha so this can only mean one thing...I'm getting married in Ireland...what else could it mean? I'm going to a wedding a week after I get back so that's the only explanation right? riiiiighhttt.....

So, It's Been a While...

I know it's been forever since I've updated this, but I haven't had anything to update until now. I've raised about half of my funds for the trip! Now I have a donate button that links to my paypal account so that donations can be made all the easier :)

Also, I finally heard back from the people at Baptist Youth this past week! The first email came on last Wednesday asking for my references email addresses. I sent them to her, and then Thursday she emailed me again asking for me to get a background check (I'm not a criminal, YAY!) and suggesting that I purchase travelers insurance :) Sitting here writing this at 1:30am I'm all nervous and giddy and excited and ready to go and not come back. Forget UTK, I'll just find a college over there and finish in Ireland. Maybe its the lack of sleep talking...

New subject! First goal before Ireland, Finish all my "in progress" books...not sure if that will happen with 37 days till I leave. Goal number 2, get KidStuf prop room all clean and sorted. Goal 3, I'm starting to reset my internal clock to avoid jetlag...my goal is to be going to bed by 9pm and waking up at 6am which is like going to bed at 2am and and waking up at 11am, which is what I normally do and then I can adjust to whatever the camp schedule is. Speaking of lack of sleep, I'm going to be waking up early to go down to Soddy to visit family tomorrow morning around 7 or 8...yay lack of sleep!

Can I have a stamp?

Saturday I sent out my support letters. I always feel kinda awkward sending them out, but I know that it's the best way to ask people to give. Here's a copy of it:

"As you may already know, I have been presented with an opportunity to participate in a mission trip to Ireland this July. I will be working in 3 camps, each a week long, in different areas of the Republic of Ireland as well as Northern Ireland while I am there. I believe God has shown me how I can contribute directly to this effort and help fulfill His commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15.

Ireland, though once called the land of scholars and saints, is in what One Mission Society UK is calling “A Famine of Faith”. The camps I will be working with are children's camps and will hopefully raise up a generation of God-fearing Irish people. You can read more about the camps at http://www.byouth.org/

I am writing to ask for your help in 3 areas. First and foremost I ask you to pray for the success of this trip. It’s not automatic just because I show up. I’ve already begun searching for transportation, gathering the materials I might need, checking formalities, etc., and frankly, unless the Lord is directing these efforts, I would just as soon stay home. So your prayers are extremely important.

Next, I am asking for your financial support if you are able to help. Some part of me cringes to ask for money like this, but on the other hand, I truly believe the Lord IS directing this trip and your money will not be wasted. I need about $2000 for traveling expenses and cost of the camps where I’ll be working. Unfortunately because I am going on my own and meeting the organization there, your gift is not tax deductible and checks should be sent and made out to me. Every penny that you send will go towards either this trip or future trips to Ireland as that is where I feel God is calling me to go.

And lastly, I need you to pray again. Yes, the money is important, but “where He guides, He provides”, so I know He will make a way, but I need to be assured that People of faith are interceding as I take on this task with others in the Irish Baptist Association.

Thanks for taking time to read this and thanks in advance for your support. I’d like a chance to tell you about my experiences when I return, but while I am preparing, and while I am gone, you can keep up with all I’m doing here: http://shenanigansofdrew.blogspot.com/ "

Do with this post what you will, but I hope that you support my trip, whether it be through prayer, financially, or both.

Takin Care of Business

Today is the day that my application was turned in to the Baptist Youth office. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. Today is also the day that I sit down and hammer out my support letters along with the list of people I plan to send them to. I still need between $1500 and $2000, but if God wants me to go on this trip, I trust that He will provide exactly what I need. Any money that goes over my goal this year, or that I don't spend while I'm over there is going to go into an account to go towards my trip next year. The huge downer is that since I'm not going through an organization, any gifts that I receive are not tax deductible for the giver. I'm praying that this doesn't keep people from giving to the advancement of God's Kingdom.

This video was sent to me by Peter Lawther. It's a very powerful video that shows the spiritual climate of Ireland. Please watch this and keep the people of Ireland in your prayers!!

From Whom All Blessings Flow

97 Days to go! We are in the double digits!!!! :-)

In other news, I bought my plane ticket! God is so good! My ticket ended up costing $1522.40, but God has blessed me already by providing $1000 of that cost. The more I think about it, the more I want to stop everything and go right now. More and more each day, I feel God's tug on my heart that the island of Ireland is where I need to be in July. There are so many things running through my head that I don't even know what to say. I'll keep you guys posted as much as I can. Thank you all for your continuous prayers! I love you all!!!

Rollin, Rollin, Rollin

So, I've been in more contact with Peter. I've found out that I need to apply to work at one (or 2) of the camps in N. Ireland. I'm completely fine with that! My heart races with excitement every time I think about this amazing opportunity God has given me! I'm so excited I can barely sleep! Although, not sleeping for 4 months would probably not be good.

Today was a fantastic day! 2 of my 3 classes were cancelled, I got Keith and Kristyn Getty music synced up on my iPhone, the 3 books I ordered (Crazy Love by Francis Chan, Radical by David Platt, and The Dawkins Delusion by Alistar McGrath) came in a day early, and the biggest thing of all, one of my friends found out today that one of her friends is now CANCER FREE!!!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!!

There are a few options with what to do with 2 of my 3 weeks there that I'm praying over doing. Just different camps that I can do. Please continue to pray as I prepare spiritually for this trip and try to raise support. I thank you in advance for your prayers!!!