Ode To The Studio

Stephanie.. Jessica... What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger! :)

Where would I be without you guys.. The visions. The teamwork. The fights. The outcome. I love you guys from the bottom of my heart. The ministry that we began together, that we watched grow.. It's all been to prepare us for where we are now. God used you two to teach me a lot and to prepare me for the adventure ahead of me. Although we will be continuing our ministries from two opposite sides of the globe, I feel as though our hearts will always be connected and we will in fact be able to look back and see the difference that we made. I thank you for your dedication and loyalty and I will miss you guys incredibly! I love you both!

The Man at the Yard Sale

So, I told you all the great news about the yard sale and how God truly blessed and multiplied. It was so great sunday to teach my children in children's church about faith and courage, and be able to give a recent and personal example of God's Grace and what happen's when you have faith. We began the yard sale determined to raise money that would go towards my plane ticket. That was our objective. We looked online, and plane tickets ran approx. $1,500. I raised $1,500. How amazing is that!

But, I also have another story to tell. A man, someone I had never met before in my life donated $100 to me at the yard sale. He actually didn't even come to the yard sale. He was told what was happening, and he gave it to someone to give me. No personal boasting at all, he wasn't even going to let me see his face. Well, mom and I ran across the parking lot and caught him just in time as he was leaving. This man, named Billy, let us know that God had used him to bless us. That he was not the one to thank. He also said to go by the icecream shop when we were done, get something, and just tell the owners (which he knew), that it was on Billy's tab. Mom quickly said that we could never accept his offer, especially seeing that he had just donated $100 to a complete stranger (me :)). He said, and this is the part that got to me, that when you receive a blessing with no strings attached, it's straight from above. Strings = the devil, but a generous offer and blessing is when God uses someone else to help you out. It made me soo happy to know that people are still willing to give like that and allow God to use them! With the economy in the shape it is, and the wickedness in the world, there are still those who are completely surrendered to Christ, and are willing to do whatever he tells and uses them to do. Lord, please use me! Let me be a "Billy". Allow me to bless others, not for my own gain, but to show your love and your power! Amen.

Yard Sale Outcome

So... I just got home from the yard sale fundraiser. It was nice this morning, but "whoa" did it get hot! Got up at 5:00 this morning, finished loading up, started setting up around 6:10 at Brown's BBQ parking lot. We raised a total of... are you ready for this... $1,200. With some other donations, I have a total of $1,500. Whoa!! Isn't God great! I couldn't have done any of it without my mom... she gave of herself tremendously and I thank God so much for her. I also want to thank Tanya, Mama, Papa, Lee, Taylor, Tyler, Mary Jo, Chantelle, Aunt Peggy, and even Kayla, who were all ready to unpack at 6:00 this morning. Dad and Mr. and Mrs. Peterson for dropping of their rather large donations. Aunt Lisa, Kandie, and others who came out and spend their time and efforts to help. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such great friends and family. God has truly blessed me and this ministry that He is only beginning. I pray that he uses me to do great things for His kingdom, because I am fully ready and I give my all. ... side note.. Kandie (Deana) your so great! Thanks for all you do and for traveling "SO FAR" to help us out and for your great ideas on "How to better sell yard sale items." You def. have a gift! lol :) Just Saying! Anyways, sorry I rambled on, God is Blessing, continue to tune in to Dustin's Blog to find out what all is going on.

Ps. Thank you to all of the people who donated stuff to the yard sale. We had SOO much stuff. :) I think mom is really happy it's out of the house now. :)