My Cup Overflows!

Hey Friends!

For those of you who don't know, yesterday was the day of my open-house and what a success it was! During the weeks leading up to the day, my mom and I traipsed up and down the streets of our little town, asking businesses we frequent for donated items. We also told friends about our need. Lets just say we weren't left empty handed.

This is a picture of the main raffle table. Other raffle and silent auction items lined the sides. It's safe to say that about 80% of the items given out that day were donated to us for the event. How amazing is that?

As promised, Jordin Funk and Andrew Power were auctioned off in chef's attire for the hefty price of $120! I certainly hope they can pull off an evening of food and entertainment worth that much!

After everyone (about 25 people from ticket counting) had left, the money was counted up. Between raffle tickets, auction totals, candy sales and donations, the grand total of the day came out to an unbelievable $2110!!!!!! This total is more than I ever could have expected. My hope for this event was to get some people together, share what I was doing, have some fun and maybe raise $300, but God provided for me beyond my wildest imagination!

I am completely overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who has supported me up to this point; whether they came out the the event and put in tickets or bid on something, or donated money or an item to be raffled or auctioned off, or simply promised to keep me in their thoughts. I am so amazed at how all of you have really come together to support me, whether we've known each other for a long time or barely at all, you've been an incredible help! 

But it all comes back to God. He's brought all these amazing people and opportunities into my life right now to affirm that this dream of mine is truly a part of His plan. He is using all of YOU to make it possible in a way that's inspiring me even further! 

I'm getting close to my goal. I don't have an exact figure of where I am yet, but I know there's roughly $2000 left to raise. This will hopefully account for my plane tickets and gear. Now that this major fundraiser is over, I will approach this new leg of the journey with continuous hope that God will provide!

Thanks for reading!

God bless!

~Kathleen

The Big Event

Hey Friends,

Well, YWAM emailed me an acceptance package. It's full of all kinds of goodies like lists on what to bring, visa application DOs and DON'Ts and their rules, regulation and policies. A hard copy has been sent to me as well. It's just another reminder that this is legit, it's actually happening! It's crazy to think that in less than two months I'll be leaving the country that I love in full unadulterated pursuit of the heart of God! Then, in less than five months, I'll be leaving the continent that I love, with the same zeal, in pursuit of the heart of the nations!

On to the reason for this entry: Now that I've realized that this isn't simply a dream in my heart anymore, but an approaching reality, there's work to be done! I've got to get support raising!

So, in an effort to spread awareness and help fundraise, I will be holding an open-house at my home on Sunday November 21 from 1-4 pm. Lunch will be offered. There will be treats for sale and items for raffle and silent auction. Plus, as a special highlight at 3 o'clock, there will be a live auction of "An Evening of Funk and Power". You can bid on having the opportunity to have Jordin and Andrew, two strapping young men come to your house, cook dinner, clean up and entertain for you! What could be better?

As it is an open-house, you are free to come and go when you please. Winners of all raffles and silent auctions will be announced at 3:30, but you be will notified if you have left by that time. Tickets will be $3.00 or 4 for $10.00. There will be a box for donations as well.

If you would like to support me financially but are unable, or don't feel called, to do so in a big way, the open-house is a great chance to donate through buying tickets and bidding on items. If you would life to hear more about YWAM from me, this is also an excellent opportunity.

The more successful the turnout, the closer I am to reaching my goal. I sincerely hope to see you there. If you need information on how to get my to home please feel free to email me (kathleenf29@hotmail.com).

Thanks for reading,
God bless!
~Kathleen

Baby Steps

Hey Friends!

Well it's my first post on the blog! I've never thought of myself as someone who had an interesting enough life or viewpoint to write a blog, so this is all very new to me, but I suppose this is just one more step in getting myself set up for this crazy adventure I'm going on. It's a baby step really, but lots of baby steps can make up for a lot of distance and before you know it, your little feet have taken you all the way across the kitchen to the cookie jar that's just in reach. 

I'll back up for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about. The last few months have been crazy for me. I've had some pivotal points where I realized that I really need to take a stand and decide who I'm living to please, the world or God. I decided that I wanted please God alone and since then I've had a radical shift in perspective. My life is filled with joy, peace and purpose beyond myself. That is why I decided that I needed to give something back since so much has been given to me.


I felt strongly lead to attend a Discipleship Training School (DTS) in January with a large, global organization called Youth With A Mission (YWAM), but there was the matter of choosing the base. YWAM has bases all over the world. I have friends who attended, or are attending, a DTS in Australia, but the schools are as close to home as Toronto. I started on a massive search for schools, shooting emails left and right and praying hard. Oddly enough, my choice of school depended very little on the emails I sent out. 


I had total peace about going to YWAM Colorado Springs Strategic Frontiers. Just thinking about being anywhere else made me feel uneasy. When I got my call for acceptance while sitting in the dentists office, I could barely contain myself! The combination of good news from YWAM and bad news from the dentist somewhat resembled the sensation of eating the most rich chocolate cheesecake ever made while at the top of the Drop Zone at Canada's Wonderland... it's awesome, then down you go! 


Here's more about the DTS: I'll be spending 3 months at the base in Colorado for an intensive "Lecture Phase" The topics include: Hearing God's voice, God's heart for the nations, Worship and intercession, Spiritual Warfare, the Character of Christ, Worldview, Principals of Evangelism and more
Then, I will be heading out to the 10/40 window (Northern Africa to Eastern Asia) for 10-12 weeks of outreach to put all that I've learned into practice. The 10/40 window is an area where only 2% of the people have even HEARD the story of Christ. The exact location is not determined, but I know I'll be working with missionaries already in the area teaching english, working with children, AIDS and human trafficking victims. These are people who need to know the unconditional love and hope of God and it will be our team's job to bring it to them through our words and actions. 


Unfortunately, there's a pricetag. Lecture and Outreach phase cost $5200 together without airfare to Colorado or the outreach location or other expenses. This figure is daunting, but I'm not backing down. I have full confidence that this is where God wants me, so I know that he will provide the means to get there. If it is in your heart to support me financially, don't hesitate to contact me at kathleenf29@hotmail.com. It's not necessary to give. The fact that you care enough to read my story and keep me in your prayers means everything. 


Well that's about it. As I take more steps towards the start of this journey, you will see this blog updated. Once I set out for Colorado Springs and even my outreach location I will do my best to share my thoughts and experiences with all of you. 


Thanks for reading,
God bless!
~Kathleen