I have shared with you a small glimpse of daily life here in Gainesville, but I want to be sure that I share this as well:
The last season of life has been pretty tough… and trust me, I would love to tell you that it’s been super easy, that my support has been coming in strong , and that I have found myself in the perfect job. …but that would not be true. The truth is I have I questioned a lot of things on this journey.
“Is this what I am really called to? Why isn’t the money coming in? How do I make this life in the cubicle seem more meaningful? Why do I feel so isolated? How do I walk in faith when I can’t see your provision? Why do I feel so exhausted from trying to perform? You’ve called me to a season of rest, but why do I feel like I am doing exactly the opposite? How do I walk in the freedom that You have for me, when I am constantly haunted by my debt? I know I am called to be doing this, but it sure does look irresponsible to choose this path when I can hardly pay my bills… will others think I am irresponsible or irrational? I want to be obedient God to what you have for me, but it’s not logical….Lord, what do I do?”
However, the hope is this…My circumstances do not determine my joy. The Lord is faithful despite my circumstances. He is good and loving, even when I don’t feel loved. AND He is TRUSTWORTHY…even when I am not completely trusting. So, despite all my questions and circumstances, I CHOOSE Him. I am choosing His plan for my life, even if it doesn’t make sense. Why? Because my circumstances cannot determine my joy.
And one part of this plan that seems to keep coming up is that no matter what I am doing for the organization, I have to stay connected to working with college students: They are a generation that is near and dear to my heart and I strongly believe that I must commit to seeing this generation rise up. I must commit to disciple and invest in them. They need to know that their identity is in Christ and they need to be able to walk in freedom. I have to be a part of mobilizing them and helping them discover the dream that God has for their life. I really believe that if this generation were able to discover the person that God created them to be that this would revolutionize this generation, and the generation after them, and the generation after them.
So, like I mentioned, I don’t have everything figured out, I don’t have the answers to all my questions that I previously stated, but I know what God has called me to, and I know where he called me to do this right now. And I desperately need people to partner with me financially and prayerfully. I need to raise $2500 a month, and I have 1/3of this raised. I need prayer. Right now, I could use prayer for 1) my financial partners who would partner with me monthly 2) a place to live (I have been living with friends for the last few weeks as I am still working to get my support up), and 3) prayer for the ministry that I will be doing as I work with college students.
If you would be interested in partnering with me, I would so greatly appreciate it! If you would like to partner with me in prayer, please let me know, and I would be glad to keep you regularly updated with prayer requests. If you would like to partner with me financially, there are two ways you can do so: 1) You can do so online: simply go to http://julieengelsman.myadventures.org and click on the “support me!” link on the left hand side. 2) You can mail your tax deductible gift to PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA 30353. Please designate “Staff Support: Julie Engelsman” on your check.
Also, if you would be interested in visiting together, I will be in Michigan for December 18th through January 3rd and would love to get together with you! Please free to contact me by calling 616.821.5444 or emailing [email protected]
Blessings,
Julie
