Hello!! I hope your week is going fabulous! As always, thank you for reading my blog! I truly appreciate your support!
This week has been a little stressful. This weekend in my devotion and in church I heard the story of Peter walking on water, Matthew 14:28-30. I figured it was just coincidence; I didn't really think it would be as pertinent as it has ended up being this week! Verse 30 in The Message version says, "Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink." On Tuesday of this week I received some very aggravating news. I bought my plane ticket about two months ago. Since I did not know where I would be on my outreach, I only bought a one way ticket to Belize, then my plan was to buy a returning ticket from wherever I ended up. Apparently though, you are not allowed to enter the country with just a one way plane ticket. I was pretty taken back with this news. Why would they sell me a plane ticket knowing I couldn't enter the country? I immediately called American Airlines to try and figure out what I should do. I was on hold for over thirty minutes!! When someone finally picked up, she was so rude she had me in tears. I was told I would have to add a returning flight from Belize which would cost me another $700, have to carry $50 for each day I would be there, plus I would have to get a Visa. I admit, after this phone call I was crushed. All I could think was great, what am I suppose to do now? Why is this happening God? Then I had an epiphany. God wants me to go to Belize, I know this, so He will provide a way. All I could think was DUH Brittney!! All I have to do is trust in God. I told my mom what was going on. She called American Airlines back, talked to a super nice lady, and after about 45 minutes she had it all taken care of! AMEN!! I ended up having to buy a returning ticket home, but I got it for $251. She got it for November 23, which is when I leave for my outreach, but I can change the date and location of the return. The only thing that has to stay the same is the country I am departing from. This was absolutely great news! Once again, everything felt like it was falling into place! Then, me and my OCD self started making a list of things I needed to do and things I needed to get before I leave. Talk about a panic attack! I leave in 67 days!! This is where the parallel with Peter's story and my life hit me. Peter had the guts to jump out of the boat, but when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost faith. I had the guts to jump out of my boat and into YWAM, but I started to sink when I stopped focusing on God and starting focusing on the situations around me. I do not want to be like Peter and start to lose faith because of all the stressful things going on. If Peter would have kept his eyes focused on Jesus, he wouldn't have almost drowned. I know I need to have tunnel vision that is in sync with God's vision for my life. He is in control of the storm, Mark 4:37-41. Some coincidence haha! This whole week hasn't been stressful though. I received some more donations for my trip, got three more houses to clean with my dad, put together a list of things I plan on selling at my fundraiser, and had my photo shoot with Marcello for my touch cards! I do have a couple of prayer request-would you pray that God keeps my nerves to a minimum as I am preparing for my trip and that things keep falling into place? I would greatly appreciate this! I am also working on a link to where you can send me your prayer request as well! I would like to be praying for you too!
Thank you all so much for your continuing support!! I love you all!
-Brittney
Mark 4:37-41
Brittney Timberlake
