Relationships.....

As I count down my days left here in Colorado; my time left at home (48 days) and in the office (1 day), I am trying to remind myself to take in every moment instead of hopeing and wishing for it to be May 17th already. At work I’m realizing how deep my relationships run with each client. So many are near and dear to me and I will miss working with them. I even had a client make me a beautiful going away cake! Thanks Stacy, you are so sweet!

It wasn’t until I was in Boise for my interview with Extreme when mobilization coordinator Travis Miner pointed out I’m a relational person. My life revolves around my relationships with others. When people ask me, like Travis’ wife Heather did, ‘What do you do for fun?’; I don’t always know how to respond because fun for me is doing whatever I’m doing with the people I love and have relationships with. I love movies, camping, putt putt, shopping, hiking, photography, anything really, but especially when I’m with my friends and family.

I see now as I step back, that my daily life revolves around my relationships. Like this morning when I got starbucks and I chat with the barista’s that are used to seeing me on occasion, we talk about jewelry and shoes mostly. Hehe! I also stop and chat with Mike, the homeless man who hangs around the coffee shop and never asks me for anything other than a smile and a moment of time.

I know I will have days and moments of sadness in Peru, missing my friend, family, clients, the barista’s, Mike and so many more, but I’m so excited to build new relationships with the other 40/40’s, my Peruvian partner, and the women, men, children and teens, of Peru! And to top it all off….thanks to this wonderful thing called the internet; I can still keep in touch and continue my relationships with all of you whom I love!

Speeding.....

Many of you know I have a tendency to speed when driving, especially to work as I'm usually running late. I have been so excited that I will have a clean driving record by the time I get back from Peru. (Although my dad says I would find a way to get a ticket even down there.) Yesterday on my way to work.....I got pulled over. I was speeding and got a ticket, just what I need! I know it was my own fault, it's just really frustrating and was the start to a yucky morning.

My mom and dad knew I was having a rough morning as I had called my dad to vent and laugh (what else can you do?), about the ticket. So my awesome mommy and daddy took me out to dinner because they love me and wanted to help make my day better! But not only did they take me out to dinner, when we got home, they presented me with my first donation! They wanted to be the first to contribute to my funds needed for Peru. Needless to say, I cried out of love and happiness!

This day turned out to be pretty awesome! Just reminds me that God is in control and He can take a bad day and make it better through the people you love.

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

If you are interested in supporting my journey prayerfully or financially, please visit my link at www.extremenazarene.org/sailsbery to join as a prayer partner or make a donation. Your prayers and contributions are greatly appreciated! Also, if you would like to sit down with me and hear more about how I have come to this opportunity and how God has been working in my life over the past few years, just email me from the link and we can set a time to get together before I leave!

Flexibility.....

When you're on a road trip and three miles away from the rest stop, and you really need a potty break, but you stop for an accident because moments before two drunk guys that spun off the road and you check to see if they are ok, which they are, and wait for the cops to come....flexibility.

When you have packed for springtime weather and have a maxi dress and ballet flats set aside for church on Sunday, but wake up Sunday morning to a few inches of snow.....flexibility.

When you have traveled from Denver to New Mexico with the intention of joining our adopted Navajo church on Sunday and have loaded in the car and heading that way, then you get a call that church is cancelled due to the snow....flexibility.

When you go to Starbucks because church is cancelled...this is the kind of flexibility I like!

When you go to a different church instead and five minutes into the service get a call the Navajo church is back on....flexibility.

When you have things planned out a certain way and things don't go your way, be reminded that God has a bigger and better plan which rarely fits into the little molded plan we have in our minds. So that was the theme of my weekend trip to New Mexico, God is preparing me and teaching me....flexibility!

Praise God....

I haven't even left the country and the devil is already working against my journey. About two weeks ago I noticed a large lump moving around my collar bone. It was really weird and creepy so I scheduled an appointment with my physician. The lump appeard just a day or so before I was leaving for my interview with Extreme in Bosie. I felt confident this would turn out to be nothing as God has directed me to this opportunity in Peru and I know He would continue to pave the way. My doctor said she wasn't very worried about the lump other than it is in a strange location and I am leaving the country for a few years, so she sent me to a specialist. Yesterday I went to the specialist and the lump has shrunk down to almost nothing! The specialist said he is honestly not worried about this lump even with me leaving the country. He feels it's nothing harmful although he does agree with my regular physician it is in a strange location. But the best part is that the lump shrunk! I know that was God! Praise God for taking care of me and continuning to lead me toward His will. Thanks to everyone for your prayers!

Why Peru???

It is with much excitement that I share with you what God is doing in my life. Since the age of five I have had a desire to travel to Africa for missions. Over the years I have put this aspiration and desire on the back burner of life and even tried to ignore the calling. During the past two years God has stretched and molded me tremendously, through this growth period He has again brought upon my heart the desire for missions.

About a year ago at a mission's seminar, missionary Marilyn Laszlo spoke of her experience in Papa New Guinea for 28 years. Her heart and passion for the tribe she became member of ignited my passion to help others physically and spiritually. Since I hearing Marilyn Laszlo speak I have been praying for God to show me how I am to use this desire He has instilled within me to glorify and expand His Kingdom. I knew the Holy Spirit was telling me I need to be in missions yet I was unclear of how this was to look in my life.

Going back through my prayer journal makes me laugh! I can see looking back how God has been preparing me and leading me to this moment. In July I wrote about being depressed being single, living at home with my parents and in the same job, but that I knew God had a plan and reason for all these things. And even more dramatic, in November while on a missions trip to New Orleans with NWCC I wrote that I had a feeling from God that this next year will not look as I had planned but be His better plan instead. So let me tell you, finally, the exciting news! God has directed me to an opportunity to work with Extreme Nazarene in Peru for 27 months! God has orchestrated everything perfectly and my soul rests knowing this is His plan and as Marilyn Laszlo said, "The safest place to be is at the center of God's will".

So, no, I'm not going to Africa right now, but I know God will present that opportunity in His perfect timing. Peru is the right path for the next two years and I am excited to use this passion God has put in my heart to help those in need and share with others the amazing grace and love God has shown me and can show to them as well.

I leave May 18th and will be in Arequipa for nine months of training. The first three months will be intense Spanish training and living with a Peruvian family. After Spanish classes, my remaining time in Arequipa consist of missions and evangelism classes....in Spanish, with my Peruvian partner. Then I will be off to Tacna, where my partner and I will be planting three churches. We will be building replationships with local people, playing soccer with kids, starting Bible studies, and more. Everyday will be different and come with its own rewards and challenges.

You can check out more about Extreme Nazarene at www.extremenazarene.org, also check out my link at www.extremenazarene.org/sailsbery. I'll be using this blog to post photos and stories of my life in Peru. Join with me on this journey!