The Letter

I wanted to add a little more to this than the original note I placed on Facebook. Very few people have been given the web address to this site and the ones that have it our people that I love very dearly or have asked about it. I want you to know that I am excited, nervous, scared, impatient, contemplative, and a million other things. But I am at peace with this decision and I know this is what he has for me.

To anyone who may read this:

I received my acceptance letter for Masters Commission in the mail yesterday!For those of you who don't know what Master's is, it's a 9 month intense discipleship program hosted by different churches around the country and it trains young adults for leadership within the church through hands-on experience and biblical training. And it has been a dream of mine for quite some time. Patiently waiting on God for every step I took and now I have the letter in my hands.I know that if this weren't from God that this door would have been closed in my face. And as Jeremiah 29:11 says I believe these are the plans he has for me to prosper, plans for a hope and a future.

The tuition for this program is $5,500 dollars. This includes my housing, training, curriculum, and ministry trips. However it does not include my food, gas, or insurance costs.As well as wanting to share this exciting news, I am writing this note because I need your support. This is a big step and I could really use your prayers. And while I am working very hard towards this goal, I know that I can not do it on my own. If you feel like this is something you would like to be a part of financially, I would appreciate any support you are able to offer. I know these are hard times.

Any checks can be made to Metro Atlanta Master's Commission and mailed to me or directly to the church:
MAMC
5985 Financial Dr.
Norcross, GA 30071
Any contribution you make to the MAMC tuition fund is tax deductible as long as it is written to Metro Atlanta Master's Commission.

No matter what, I appreciate any support whether it be monetary or in your prayers. I am anxiously looking forward to the next year of my life. I know God has great things for me in the next year that go beyond my wildest imagination. You are all in my prayers. Thank you all for being a part of my life.


Love you,
Patti

PS for more information you can go to their website at www.MAMC.org

The Visit

This weekend I took a trip to Atlanta to see where I will be living next year... and I didn't want to come back!

It was such an incredible time getting to meet the people that I have been talking to since about October. They are as amazing in person as they have been over the phone and they made me very comfortable. After watching Judah, we took a tour of the massive facilities of the church, and then went out to lunch at Bahama Breeze (so good, by the way). Shortly after we got back I was warmly welcomed by one of my roommates back to their apartment. Which was way nicer looking than I expected, with 2 bathrooms, dishwashers, washing machine, dryer AND a fireplace! I then went to the park in the apartment complex with the girls and got to play soccer with a bunch of kids while showing them the love of Jesus. And then we went home and the girls made one of my biggest dreams come true. And that was just Thursday.

Friday we woke up rather early and I met all the guys that I hadn't gotten to meet yet. Then James invited me to join the worship team in prayer before we started Corum Deo. Corum Deo is an intense worship service for Masters students only. The students have an opportunity to give short sermons and Matt (the director) speaks. Besides the friendships that I made this week, this was one of the highlights of this trip. Within a few minutes of worship I was wondering why I felt so strange in this place. Then it hit me like a flood (literally I could not stop crying) this undescribable feeling I was having was that I was home and I had peace. That sealed the deal. Then we went to lunch and I came back to watch human video/ skit practice. Lets just say I laughed a lot.

Later that evening I had the great privelege of seeing my old pastor and friends the Crumps, where I saw the city from their rooftop and had dinner at Tin Lizzy's. I was so great to see them after so long and I appreciated their support so much.

Saturday we got together with some friends we haven't seen in almost 10 yrs. This man read me Dr. Seuss when I was 4 yrs old and now he has his own 4 yr old. When we got back we made dinner for the girls and my 52 year old mother started an all out pillow war.

And Sunday it ended with an adult service, jr high service, and high school service.

My trip was amazing. I about cried as we pulled away because during this trip I made amazing friends and God changed my heart. I am filled with joy!

(there are more pics but this is taking to long and I am tired)

Tomorrow...

In about 6 hours I will be leaving for atlanta. I have an anxiousness inside of me I can't quite pinpoint. This is going to make it all real. I have so much to do and so much to see and so much to hear. I can't wait! There will be pictures when I get back!

Thoughts and Numbers

6 months ... since I started looking at MAMC.

6 months ... until I might be there.

4 months ... since my first conversation with Angel.

10 days ... until I visit.

Approximately 10 days ... until I have an answer.

All I can say is that these numbers are stuck in my head. Along with dollar signs $. And hows ?. This morning my analytical drive kicked in. My insecurities and doubts came rushing in like a hurricane trying to destroy everything in its path which happened to be my confidence in what I was doing. But then I remembered that I serve a God who says, "Peace. Be still", and the winds obey. So I stopped in the middle of getting ready, sat down on my bed, and just talked to my father. He reminded me that this isn't just my dream. That I had already handed this situation over to him. It's his to give or take away. And so far he has continued to guide my steps in this direction. Sometimes, I let my imagination get the best of me. This journey will be long. This journey will probably be hard. But it will also be amazingly rewarding. Most likely life changing.