I am so sorry I haven't blogged in a long time!!! I have been incredibly busy. I am 100% fully funded! Praise God! Since last blog post I have been to Haiti and Chrysalis (a youth version of Emmaus). The Lord has taught me so much I cannot even begin to put it into words. I am so ready for this Trip. I am a little bit overwhelmed with all that has to be done. Please keep praying! Love all of you so much!
Madison
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Change is a good thing!
Hey guys! Things have been crazy lately! We had an EMERGENCY CONFERENCE call about a week ago. We found out that because of violence in Kenya we are no longer going to Kenya, but instead we are going to Rwanda. Also Katie Davis' ministry is doing so well that we would be using the time, resources, and love that God has given us so much better if we chose a different ministry to serve while in Uganda. It has been interesting to see how the things that drew Annsley and I both into this trip have changed completely but we still know this is where God wants us. He has provided is too many ways to count! I am so blessed to be loved by such a wonderful God. I am so unworthy but so thankful for all He has done for me.
I continue to ask for your prayers as I will be traveling to Haiti next week and finishing up with my sophomore year of High School. This year has been such a wonderful with the Lord showing me things I need to let go of and bringing new wonderful friends into my life! I can't wait to see how He will continue to challenge my faith and grow me through tough new situations!
Love Always,
Madison Aulner
I continue to ask for your prayers as I will be traveling to Haiti next week and finishing up with my sophomore year of High School. This year has been such a wonderful with the Lord showing me things I need to let go of and bringing new wonderful friends into my life! I can't wait to see how He will continue to challenge my faith and grow me through tough new situations!
Love Always,
Madison Aulner
Monday, April 30, 2012
Passion
WOW! It has been so long since I have posted. I know this is really long so I am going to apologize ahead of time, I really hope you keep reading. So much has happened since the last post! We had our first conference call, which was such a blessing to be able to hear everyone's excitement about this summer. I already feel that much closer to our team. It has really made everything feel so much more real. So many people on our team have been experiencing spiritual warfare, where the devil is attacking their faith. We have all been praying that the situations bring them even closer to God. Hearing the passion in the voices of Gina and Jason Root, our leaders, is incredible. They love Jesus so much and have moved beyond the point of excitement of all Jesus saved us from, to the point where they are completely and utterly in LOVE with Him and Passionate about not only what He saved us From but what He saved us FOR. I want to learn all how to become that passionate! Marc Baugh (Our Co-Youth Minister Person) talked about that a few Sundays ago. When we figure out our place in this world, figure out our purpose, that's when we become passionate.
A week or so after our first conference call we got an Urgent Email that we need to have an Emergency Conference Call that night! Me and Annsley where so curious about what was so urgent. Once we got on the phone we realized the dates had to change. For "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them". (Romans 8:28) and “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9). The thing is these verses hold true because the dates worked even better for everyone!
The Lord has blessed me with so many people who have a servants heart and have been able to serve God by giving to my trip. There have been many opportunities that have rose to earn/raise money such as a Restaurant Night that will be held May 14th, and babysitting opportunities. Its amazing! I have about 2/3 of the funds and praying God to provide the rest. This has been the place I have struggled the most with being "rich in faith". Even though I know in my head that God will provide, in my heart sometimes I just don't feel it. He is really stretching my faith so much! I can see the Lord has been working in so many ways including bringing me two new friends and providing for me in so many more ways than I can ever fathom!
Praise God!
Madison Aulner
A week or so after our first conference call we got an Urgent Email that we need to have an Emergency Conference Call that night! Me and Annsley where so curious about what was so urgent. Once we got on the phone we realized the dates had to change. For "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them". (Romans 8:28) and “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9). The thing is these verses hold true because the dates worked even better for everyone!
The Lord has blessed me with so many people who have a servants heart and have been able to serve God by giving to my trip. There have been many opportunities that have rose to earn/raise money such as a Restaurant Night that will be held May 14th, and babysitting opportunities. Its amazing! I have about 2/3 of the funds and praying God to provide the rest. This has been the place I have struggled the most with being "rich in faith". Even though I know in my head that God will provide, in my heart sometimes I just don't feel it. He is really stretching my faith so much! I can see the Lord has been working in so many ways including bringing me two new friends and providing for me in so many more ways than I can ever fathom!
Praise God!
Madison Aulner
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Blessed
Hey my lovelies!
I am so blessed, and I have persistently been amazed by all that God is doing in my life. He has been showing me continually how much He cares about me and how He wants so much more for me. When my pride starts to get in the way He lets me fall on my face a little. He knows exactly what I need to be reminded that He is all I need, whether it's something as big as a failed friendship that you know isn't right or the MYF band playing "my song". The Lord keeps me humble because there is now way I could do it on my own.
I have started to worry a little bit about the money for Africa. I know God has it under control in my head but it seems so far away. We are half way there and have about three months to get the rest in. It will be here before I know it. Fundraising has been difficult too because we can't do anything with the church or the school. I have been praying for ideas and provision. If anyone has ideas, I would so appreciate it! I am trusting God with this! Thank you everyone for all your time, prayers and financial gifts! I love ya'll so much and am so thankful God has put you guys in my life! I am so excited for this summer!
In Christ,
Madison Aulner
1 Samuel 15:22
I am so blessed, and I have persistently been amazed by all that God is doing in my life. He has been showing me continually how much He cares about me and how He wants so much more for me. When my pride starts to get in the way He lets me fall on my face a little. He knows exactly what I need to be reminded that He is all I need, whether it's something as big as a failed friendship that you know isn't right or the MYF band playing "my song". The Lord keeps me humble because there is now way I could do it on my own.
I have started to worry a little bit about the money for Africa. I know God has it under control in my head but it seems so far away. We are half way there and have about three months to get the rest in. It will be here before I know it. Fundraising has been difficult too because we can't do anything with the church or the school. I have been praying for ideas and provision. If anyone has ideas, I would so appreciate it! I am trusting God with this! Thank you everyone for all your time, prayers and financial gifts! I love ya'll so much and am so thankful God has put you guys in my life! I am so excited for this summer!
In Christ,
Madison Aulner
1 Samuel 15:22
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Sacrifice
Okay, so this post has little to do with Africa and so much more to do with how much our God has been doing in my life.
First I'll give you an update on Africa:
Roughly 1/3 of the funds have been raised/donated for the trip. Praise God. I have seen God be so faithful in so many ways and I thank everyone of you who has donated. There is still 2/3 of the way to go and I pray for God to continue to provide. I ask all of you to keep praying for my heart and my teams hearts as we enter this opportunity. We have received the names of those going and I ask for all of you to pray for us by name ( listed below). Thank you for your support.
Now on to everything else! I have learned so much over the past few weeks about God. He has taught me about trust, sacrifice, and love. God has asked me to sacrifice a few things that I hold close to my heart, one specifically. It one of those situations where you know it will be so much better if give it to God because you are tired of carrying all that baggage but you just keep holding every little bit. This past weekend at our church's Winter Retreat, The Lord really showed me that all the stress and hurt I put myself though isn't worth it, that I will be let down time and time again by people I put my trust in, but when I completely trust him he will never ever let me down. His love is unfailing; He will never leave me or forsake me. Also, that sacrifice is giving something (money, relationships, time, anything) to God knowing that He might take it from you, but only because he knows that there is something bigger and better out there for you. I pray for His will, I pray that I can trust him and his plans, that His Desires become my hearts desires. He always answers them, and sometimes you are not prepared for the outcome. Letting God chisel out the parts of your life that are not bring Him glory is going to be painful. Let your heart be broken before God because He is the only one who can put it back together.
Kenya and Uganda July 2012 Team:
Alicia Wilkins, Allison Fuller, Amber Perona, Annsley Rendleman, Emily Campbell, Emily Melson, Erica Voss, Erika Hofacker, Galilee Webb,Kathy Slone, Lexie Anders, Madison Aulner, Mandy Galambos, Meredith Chinnis, Michela Kuykendall, Ragen Cripps, Trish Yocum, Cathy Wicks, Doneva Cooper, Carol Harper, Mark and Lori Kanode, Jason Gina Brooklyn Nathan and Corbin Root, Lauren and Emilee Thompson
First I'll give you an update on Africa:
Roughly 1/3 of the funds have been raised/donated for the trip. Praise God. I have seen God be so faithful in so many ways and I thank everyone of you who has donated. There is still 2/3 of the way to go and I pray for God to continue to provide. I ask all of you to keep praying for my heart and my teams hearts as we enter this opportunity. We have received the names of those going and I ask for all of you to pray for us by name ( listed below). Thank you for your support.
Now on to everything else! I have learned so much over the past few weeks about God. He has taught me about trust, sacrifice, and love. God has asked me to sacrifice a few things that I hold close to my heart, one specifically. It one of those situations where you know it will be so much better if give it to God because you are tired of carrying all that baggage but you just keep holding every little bit. This past weekend at our church's Winter Retreat, The Lord really showed me that all the stress and hurt I put myself though isn't worth it, that I will be let down time and time again by people I put my trust in, but when I completely trust him he will never ever let me down. His love is unfailing; He will never leave me or forsake me. Also, that sacrifice is giving something (money, relationships, time, anything) to God knowing that He might take it from you, but only because he knows that there is something bigger and better out there for you. I pray for His will, I pray that I can trust him and his plans, that His Desires become my hearts desires. He always answers them, and sometimes you are not prepared for the outcome. Letting God chisel out the parts of your life that are not bring Him glory is going to be painful. Let your heart be broken before God because He is the only one who can put it back together.
Kenya and Uganda July 2012 Team:
Alicia Wilkins, Allison Fuller, Amber Perona, Annsley Rendleman, Emily Campbell, Emily Melson, Erica Voss, Erika Hofacker, Galilee Webb,Kathy Slone, Lexie Anders, Madison Aulner, Mandy Galambos, Meredith Chinnis, Michela Kuykendall, Ragen Cripps, Trish Yocum, Cathy Wicks, Doneva Cooper, Carol Harper, Mark and Lori Kanode, Jason Gina Brooklyn Nathan and Corbin Root, Lauren and Emilee Thompson
Friday, December 23, 2011
Longing!
My mom came back from Haiti a week or two ago, and in hearing all her stories, I felt an excitement and longing to be in Africa. Seeing pictures of the poverty and hearing the conditions, many people would be like "Oh My! Somebody should help them, but that is way to dirty, I could never do that." but I feel an overwhelming desire to be there!! I have started to write the fund/awareness/prayer-raising letters, and begin to feel overwhelmed with all that has to be done. It seems like a simple task, but it has many more steps than I ever thought. Once I finally finished and printed each one with each persons name and address on it separately, I showed it to Rebecca Duffield. As a writer, She found one spelling mistake. Of course she pointed it out and I am glad she did, but it did take lots of work to fix them all. As I fixed them, I started to think, Just when we think we are perfect, God points out that one thing we still struggle with. I am glad He does because we are always striving for perfection in his eyes. I wonder how frustrating it is for God to always have to "edit" us!
Two days ago the opportunity arose for Abby and me to meet this missionary named Ginger. She lives in Rwanda, Africa and works for Visa. She is working to create electronic banks the poor can reach for their phones, which in Africa is seen as a necessity not a luxury. The banking system is so corrupt over there that it is difficult for the working men to use the money they make to buy things such as food and clothes. It is a very unique mission field, and the Lord is working through her in very cool ways. Anyways, meeting with her was very helpful. She gave us pointers and advice on what to take and what to use electronically. She also was so sweet and wanted us to know that she knew people in Uganda and Kenya both. Also, that Rwanda isn't far and if either of us needed anything then we would know how to contact her. she was so sweet and it made my mom feel so good about us going over there.
The Lord has shown so many ways that he will provide for us; He knows all of my needs and provides daily. Not only have I learned all about God saying that he is enough for me and that He wants all of my heart and He will make Himself a priority even if that means taking someone else out of my life, but I've learned that God will change your hearts desires. " Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 (ESV) That doesn't mean that the Lord will give you anything you want, it means that if you seek Him and long for Him, He will change your desires to match his. Then if your desires match His, is there anyway that He won't fulfill those desires? I Long to be in Africa, and I can't wait to see the Lord to provide.
Two days ago the opportunity arose for Abby and me to meet this missionary named Ginger. She lives in Rwanda, Africa and works for Visa. She is working to create electronic banks the poor can reach for their phones, which in Africa is seen as a necessity not a luxury. The banking system is so corrupt over there that it is difficult for the working men to use the money they make to buy things such as food and clothes. It is a very unique mission field, and the Lord is working through her in very cool ways. Anyways, meeting with her was very helpful. She gave us pointers and advice on what to take and what to use electronically. She also was so sweet and wanted us to know that she knew people in Uganda and Kenya both. Also, that Rwanda isn't far and if either of us needed anything then we would know how to contact her. she was so sweet and it made my mom feel so good about us going over there.
The Lord has shown so many ways that he will provide for us; He knows all of my needs and provides daily. Not only have I learned all about God saying that he is enough for me and that He wants all of my heart and He will make Himself a priority even if that means taking someone else out of my life, but I've learned that God will change your hearts desires. " Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 (ESV) That doesn't mean that the Lord will give you anything you want, it means that if you seek Him and long for Him, He will change your desires to match his. Then if your desires match His, is there anyway that He won't fulfill those desires? I Long to be in Africa, and I can't wait to see the Lord to provide.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
AFRICA BOUND!
The Lord has opened many doors in my life recently! He has also put a burden on my heart for missions. I can't tell you how often I wonder if the Lord will bless me with the opportunity to be a full time missionary in the future. One opportunity opened up a month or two ago for me and my best friend, Annsley Rendleman, to go spend a week and a half in Uganda, Africa. It sounded like a great trip and everything seemed great. My parents were both in and thought it would all work out. The more we got involved the more things started to fall apart. We decided that the Lord really wanted us some place else. So we both decided to check into other trips and other opportunities. The Lord brought about this organization called Visiting Orphans. Through this organization we would be able to visit Katie Davis' ministry, Amazima, which was a ministry that was brought to our attention awhile ago from the book Kisses from Katie. All the doors opened and everything from there happened so fast. We both just knew that this is where the Lord wanted us to go. The hardest part for the both of us is going to be the money. Both my parents and Annsley's parents are making us pay for the trips on our own. The cost of the trip is almost $4000 each. We are having to solely rely on God to provide fundraising, donating, and ways to earn money. We are going to trust him completely. For we see in the bible over and over again. The Israelites need deliverance, food, rules, guidance and a leader, God provided didn't He. The disciples needed to feed 5,000 people and God provided through 2 loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus tells us to "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11: 9-10. We see many more times when God provides throughout scripture, and I believe that he will provide here. I can't wait for this trip and to see God work throughout this process.
In Christ.
Madison
In Christ.
Madison
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