So, my fundraising deadline came and went. I thought I only needed about $6k in one-time donations. Turns out, I still need $15k. Let me explain.

My monthly budget is $6,500. Whatever amount comes in that is under $6,500 is supplemented by the cash budget. Because my monthly support has only recently reached 100%, I’ve had to utilize my cash budget until now.

Though cash has been coming in, it couldn’t build up as quickly because of the lack in monthly support. Now that the monthly support is coming in, the cash should start to build up. Similarly, the monthly support can also build up the cash. If the monthly support that comes in exceeds the $6,500 it will go into the cash budget. They both feed into each other.

Keep in mind, all of the funds are for four years. If all monthly commitments continue to come in I shouldn’t need to fundraise again until my next term.

The next several sundays I will be speaking at different churches and small groups and I will continue my social media campaign in an effort to finish fundraising. My deadline has been graciously extended to the end of the month.

Below is a graphic that breaks down my monthly and cash budgets. If you have questions please don’t hesitate to reach out!

---

Goodbye event

I was hoping to have a departure date by the time of my goodbye event this past saturday. In my flesh I am feeling defeated. In my spirit I have a peace that surpasses understanding. I can’t explain it but it is undeniable.

I trust the Lord’s plan and his timing even though they aren’t clear right now lol! People say, “God won’t fail you.” As true as that is, I don’t think it isn’t so much that he won’t fail, it’s that he can’t. I am doing all that I can to walk obediently. That includes trusting that the Lord will fulfill his plans for me exactly on time.

If you’ve asked how long I am going to be here please know I’ve asked 10x more. When my heart is in another country I can’t not be eager to get back. I live in the constant tension of wanting to leave and wanting to stay.

Thank you to each of you that showed up to say goodbye. Your prayers and words of encouragement bless me more than you know.

---

Stay connected

This should be my last newsletter until I have a departure date :)

If you would like to see more of what I’m up to outside of the newsletters you can follow me on instagram and facebook!

Other ways to connect with me: email, marco polo, signal

---

Don’t forget, you can read current and past newsletters on my website!

read newsletters
Read More

It’s been a while. The last 3 months have been very busy!

In May I traveled to AZ to attend my nephew’s wedding. I celebrated my 44th birthday in NV with my sister and her family. I shared at Life Charisma church. Then end of the month I drove to MO.

June I was in MO to share at a small group and to catch up with friends and supporters. From MO I drove to TX to spend time with my brother and nephew.

July I started a social media campaign and shared at churches in an effort to finish fundraising. I spent the last two weeks of the month in AZ and NV. In AZ I got to meet my precious little great niece. While I was there we had a goodbye for my niece that is moving to KY to go to Boyce. I also had a goodbye with family. And, I spoke at a couple of churches.

August started with me in NV saying goodbye to my sister and her family. I still have a little bit of money to raise. This month I will be having a goodbye event, sharing at a church, taking the licensing test, shopping and packing, and, Lord willing, leaving for Thailand.

---

About the deadline…

I was given until August 1st to get all of my funds in. Though that didn’t happen, there’s still opportunity to give! I only need $45 in monthly support and about $6,000 in one-time donations. I cannot to back to Thailand until all the money is in. Would you prayerfully consider helping me to finish strong? Any amount you can give today will get me closer to 100%!

Click the link to give now!

give now

---

No time is a good time for goodbye.

This Saturday, August 10th I will conclude my “goodbye tour”. I’ve said goodbye to my brother in TX, family in AZ, and family in NV. Now it’s time to say goodbye to my friends and family friend in CA. If you’re in town I would love to see you and to say goodbye. Though I don’t have a departure date, yet, I will be leaving soon. I want to make sure I have time to say goodbye.

The first half will be a bit structured with a time of sharing and q&a. The second half will be a time of fellowship. Light snacks and drinks will be served.

Please let me know if you plan to attend. I hope to see you there!

---

So many of you have partnered with me and shared my posts and have been praying for me and it doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated. I honesty stay humbled by your love and support and God’s faithfulness. I love you all deeply and pray the Lord bless you for all that you do for me.

Read More

Yes. Yes, I am. But not for long! I’ll be back in Thailand this summer and I cannot wait.

I can’t book my flight until my budget is raised, though. I only need about $600 in monthly support and $20k cash. I have until August 1st to finish fundraising. My hope is to leave in June or July.

If you have made a pledge to give or have been considering partnering with me today is a great day to get started! You can click the button below to do that. It is quick and easy! It will also get me back to Thailand asap.

How to give:

Click or enter the amount you want to give then add to cart

If you want to give monthly click box to make it a recurring payment.

Then put in your card info.

It’s that easy! You don’t need to log-in or create an account.

When AGWM sees that I’m nearing 100% funded I will get clearance to purchase my ticket and to apply for a visa.

If you can’t give but would like to help me leave this summer you can: host a small gathering with your family and friends that you think would be interested in partnering with me, you can ask your pastor or small group leader to invite me to share, you can do a yard sale fundraiser, pray for provision. There are many ways that you can help me to get back to Thailand.

Since my last newsletter so many new partners have joined MissionThailand. I stay humbled by the love and support that pours in. It is a constant reminder that God is my ultimate provider. When I feel like I can’t think of any other ways to fundraise or when I’m exhausted from the hustle, He shows up. He sends others to show up. He doesn’t grow weary like I do.

Thank you for your love and generosity. Thank you for believing in my calling. Thank you for lending your shoulder to bear the burden of taking the Good News to those that have never heard it. Thank you!

Give

---

What’s been going on?

It’s been 3 months since my last newsletter.

I’ve celebrated two of my nieces 18th birthdays. Not sure how that happened so quickly!

I had the opportunity to join the SoCal missions meeting and dinner. What a blessing to be in the company of such incredible people. They encourage me to keep going.

I got to share with the SoCal missions committee and executive presbytery. Talk about humbling. Men and women that have far more wisdom and experience than I do. It was a privilege to share with them the spiritual need in Thailand and the ministry God has called me to to address that need. Pastor Rich Guerra and Dan Campbell have played an integral part in influencing who I am as a missionary. They have believed in me when I didn’t know how to. Forever grateful for your consistent love and support.

I have taken 3 more classes. The short story is, I finished the licensing classes then found out that there were 3 class that I still needed. Now that those are done, I can work on the next steps to getting licensed. Which is a test and an interview.

I did some church services and other meetings.

This month I have some church services, my nephew’s wedding, and I will be celebrating my birthday. I was really hoping to be in Thailand for my birthday, the 16th, but that didn’t quite happen. But it will be nice to be here with family!

---

Prayer partners still needed

There are a few days open. If you would like to partner with me in prayer pick a day of the month that works for you. We can pray for each other on that day. Let me know which day you’d like and I’ll add it to my prayer calendar.

---

Stay connected

Here are some ways that you can stay connected with me while I’m in Thailand:

You can also iMessage me if you have an iPhone. Email me if you don’t have my number or the email that I use to iMessage. I don’t have what’s app or a google number. I prefer email or Signal as they are more safe and secure for me to use.

---

Let’s hang out!

If you would like to meet for lunch or at a coffee shop let me know! I’d love to see you before I leave.

---

visit website
Read More

I’m not a farmer or a gardener or even a “plant mom”. But that doesn’t deter the Lord from pruning. He’s pruning me. Throughout the Bible there are references to fruit. Bear much fruit. The fruit of the Spirit. They will be known by their fruit.

Just like plants and trees need to be pruned, we too need to be pruned. Pruning is necessary for health and growth and a greater yield. I desire to know Jesus more and to be more like him. At times that requires pruning. There are people and things and habits and ways of thinking that God is asking me to cut off or cut out of my life. It is difficult. It is painful at times. But I know that it will bring more glory to God and will produce more abundant fruit in my life.

I’m finding the closer I get to Jesus the more narrow the road gets. Probably because “small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” When I see Jesus face to face I don’t want to wish I had done more or tried harder. We only have this life to live for Christ. There will be no need for sacrifice or evangelism or discipleship in heaven. We will be living in the reward of the fruit of our labor this side of heaven.

---

Past, present, future

December was full of great things.

My youngest niece’s adoption was finalized! I can’t go into detail but, my sister and brother in law endured many hardships over the course of adopting my niece. Though there were many failures by those that are meant to uphold the law to serve and protect, God was the true hero. His sovereignty can’t be thwarted!

My niece will get to grow up with her biological sister that was also adopted into our family. Not many adoptees get to grow up with their siblings. Another blessing from the Lord that they will get to be together forever.

I also got to share at my home church, Canyon Hills. It was such a blessing to get to say thank you and to update them on all that God is doing in Thailand.

Christmas was interesting this year. It didn’t feel like Christmas at all. Because most of my family got together for Thanksgiving everyone decided to stay home for Christmas. My parents flew to TX to be with my brother. I spent the morning with my sister and her family and had dinner with some friends. All in all it was a good day.

January was full of opportunities.

I shared about Buddhism in my life group. I attended the SoCal Leadership Conference. So good! I met with supporters. And, I got to share at Bakersfield Christian Church. The first time I’ve done two services in a row. I’m still growing in my public speaking skills but I had a great time. The Lord is so faithful to use our obedience for His glory.

February is just about full!

I will be sharing in a sunday school class. I will be doing a service in Colton, CA. I will be in AZ. Twice. Meeting with supporters and potential supporters.

March is open.

Next month is pretty open. I’m hoping to book more services and to continue making progress on getting the last bit of my funds raised. I’m really hoping to be in Thailand in May.

---

I’m almost there!

I’m getting closer to getting back to Thailand! I can feel a shift in my heart and my mind. I am starting to make lists of what I need to buy and what I need to pack. I’m starting to think about what part of Chiang Mai I want to live in. It might be premature of me to do that since I don’t have a departure date yet lol! But I know that a lot goes into moving to another country and I want to be as prepared as I can be. So when I get the green light I’ll be ready to go.

I still need about $1,700 in monthly support. Here’s a breakdown of what that looks like at different amounts. Any amount is a blessing! Click on the graphic to donate. 

---

Lastly

Lastly, I would love to partner with you in prayer. Choose a day of the month that works for you and we can pray for each other. You can respond to this email or message me with a date and I’ll add you to my calendar.

---

As always, thank you for all that you do to join me in making Jesus known in Thailand!

Read More

We’re a ragamuffin bunch but we sure do love each other lol!

We almost always go to Tucson or stay in Bakersfield for Thanksgiving. But this year we went to Stacie’s in Nevada. Only about half the family could make it. It was a great time and a nice change of pace. While we were there I started thinking about traditions.

As a kid we would all go to grandma and grandpa’s house. My grandma’s birthday was the 26th so sometimes we would celebrate her birthday and Thanksgiving together. Good times! Then as we started getting older we would celebrate at my parents house. Now, as my siblings are spread across the country and I mostly live in Thailand, traditions are changing yet again.

Changing traditions is not always easy. There’s a comfort in knowing what to expect. There’s a comfort in knowing that you’ll hear the laughs of your loved ones. Sadly, over time things change. Family member pass away, new members are added, people move.

With all the things that have changed over the years there’s one thing that has remained the same. Love. I’m so thankful for my family. We all get along and look forward to spending time together. We pray for each other. We cry together. We help each other in times of need. My great-grandparents and grandparents might be gone but their legacy of love lives on.

---

What’s been going on?

October was a very full month! I finished the last class for the licensing requirement. Yay! I went to Tucson for my niece’s quinceanera. So fun! She was beautiful and everyone had a great time. I did a church service at Bethany Church LA. The pastor and his wife are wonderful people! If you’re in Alhambra and don’t have a home church I highly recommend Bethany Church. I went to NV for a week. I had meetings throughout the month. It was non-stop!

November we less busy but went by just as fast! The Saturday with Sara event went really well! It was so good to be face to face with friends and family that have partnered with me. I shared about how my time in Thailand has been going and my time in the US and when I plan to get back. They asked some great questions. Thank you to everyone that came out!!

This month is a bit slower, kind of. Is December ever really a slow month? I won’t be traveling out of state. I don’t think. I’m going to soak up my last Christmas in the US, for a while, with my family.

---

You make it happen!

I’ve mentioned before that I get to help sponsor a student to go to a christian school. She’s started her second year there and is doing well. I’m happy to share with you that I get to help sponsor another student!

He has had a rough life so far. Filled with abuse and abandonment and criticism. Last month he started attending the christian school. Now he, along with the other student, get to learn and explore their faith in a safe environment.

Your faithful generosity allows me to invest into the lives of these students! Thank you!! As the Lord provides, I would love to sponsor more students.

Would you join me in praying for this young man? He’s been living with one of our Thai staff which has been a safe, secure home for him. The staff member is getting married this month so this young man must find a new place to live.

---

Prayer partners needed!

I’m still looking for monthly prayer partners. Pick a date and we can pray for each other that day each month.

---

I’m so grateful for your love, prayers, and support. I hope you have a very merry Christmas!!

visit website
Read More