Itinerating (raising support) has been one of the most wonderful, yet terrifying experiences.
HEAR ME FIRST that I’m confident God is going to provide all the finances/resources/strength we need to move and live in Ecuador (and that is truly wonderful). ALSO HEAR while I don’t doubt God, I seriously have no idea who/what/where/when He will use to get us there (and that is bit terrifying… and vulnerable… and kind of stressful).
Yet, the sweetest part of all - which seriously leaves me a humbled, weepy mess - is the people who give their hard-earned-cash to our calling. It may be the equivalent of a cup of coffee each month or much more, but every dime leaves me teary/shocked/loved/amazed. (And then Betty and I thank Jesus for each of you by name! Cue me crying).
Have you ever had someone believe in you or what you’re trying to do at that level? If you have you get my tears. I frequently lay in bed at night and tell sleeping Josh Woolley***(see below) I can’t believe:
1. we get to live the life we live
2. people love and believe in us so deeply
3. we have a blonde haired, blue-eyed baby (I still don’t know how that happened… it’s up there on my list of amazement)
When Paul talks to the Philippians, I get teary with what he writes…. it’s like we’re sitting in the same seat, writing the same note, and thanking the same kind of people. He says,
You Philippians well know, and you can be sure I’ll never forget it, that when I first left…venturing out with the Message, not one church helped out in the give-and-take of this work except you. You were the only one….You helped out—and not only once, but twice. Not that I’m looking for handouts, but I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity. And now I have it all—and keep getting more! The gifts you sent with Epaphroditus were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God to no end. You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes.
-The Message
We’re at the beginning of this journey and I’m deeply overwhelmed by all who have blessed our socks off (through words, finances, texts, hugs, prayers, coffee, free babysitting etc). They are the ones, who in so many ways, have pushed us ahead, rallied around and cheered us on. Thankyouthankyouthankyou. We wouldn’t be on this journey without you. (Cue me crying).
Side note: I don’t know that I’ve mentioned this before (but it’s kind of important) our goal is to make it to South America in August of 2017, and if not then, the next opportunity would be in January (cue me happy crying/freaking out). (Side note side note: THAT’S LESS THAN A YEAR AWAY!) ((side note side note side note: please feel free to come take all of our stuff now.))
Also, going forward I'm going to include the link for our support page at the bottom of each post so that if you would like to help us get to Ecuador by giving it's convenient and available to you. More details on where we're at in support coming soon, but for now, I'll just leave it here.
Thanks for reading this, and in so doing, cheering me/josh/betty/us on. It shouldn’t take so much bravery to follow God, but it sometimes does. Thanks for believing in us and making us brave. (cue me... well you get it)
xo, Karri
***Okay you guys, I know you've read this whole thing waiting and wondering when the heck I'd bring up OJ SIMPSON! So I need to tell you all the ridiculous things that have happened to Josh while he's been sleeping. Well actually it's more like it has happened to both of us while we've been sleeping, but I'm the one making it happen. Apparently, I've started to sleep "walk/abuse/kiss/throw his pillow across the room/hand him my necklaces and tell him to put them away/yell that Betty is rolling on the floor/save him from falling off the bed" in my sleep. For the record, I'm not on any meds, I think I'm just sleeping super deeply since Betty is finally sleeping through the night again. Ironically, this all started the night we finished The People VS. OJ Simpson.
Allegedly(!), I put my hand around Josh's throat as if to strangle him (that's not in character for me) and then tried to kiss him (well that's in character for me) all while still sleeping at 3am (I'm sorry, that's just way too early for kissing.... I'm not guilty!) I have zero recollection of any of this. Thus, I must be acquitted! But I do remember throwing his pillow across the room.... so..... just pray for us.