Praise to The Father, Who Gave Us the Son

Wow, what a month! Life looks so different than what I expected it to right now, but God’s plan is so much better than anything that I could have dreamed of or imagined. I cannot wait to tell you all about it, but first, I would be remiss if I didn’t say thank you to each of you who allow me to do the work that God has called me to do. Thank you for remaining faithful to what God has asked you to do, for praying abundantly, and for letting me do work on campus to advance the Kingdom. 

Fundraising Update

As some of my greatest supporters, I wanted to keep you all updated on where I am at in terms of fundraising. As all of you know, all of us on staff are full time missionaries and fundraise our salaries in the summer to be able to be on campus full time in the fall. As of right now, I am about $9780 away from my annual goal and need your help! I am running out of people that are in my immediate network and wanted to see if any of you knew one or two people that would be excited to hear about campus ministry that I could talk to. Even if they are not in a position to give financially, I’d love to connect! Feel free to text or call me if anyone comes to mind. Would you join me in praying for the rest of my fundraising season- that I would be obedient to what God is calling me to do and that people would be excited about what is happening on campus?

Rhythms of Rest

During this season, life just feels slower for so many reasons. For most of the month of June, I have been recovering from surgery at home and having people come hang out at our new house (we moved just days before I had surgery because life couldn’t get crazier lol). These slow days have brought renewal to not only my body, but also my mind and spirit. I have spent these days reading, getting to catch up with both old and new friends, and creating new rhythms of rest that have been so sweet. Anyone who knows me well knows that I do not like to sit still for too long, but in this season of being forced to be home, I have found that I actually like different ways that we can slow down with God and His people. I love getting uninterrupted time with my closest friends and not knowing what time it is or what appointment I have to get to next. I want to carry these rhythms with me into the school year and create systems of slowness in the hustle and bustle of the semester. Will you join me in praying for this upcoming semester and that I would remember to continue to rest in God + His people when life becomes busier?

Once Upon a Time…

During our summer service (Summer FOCUS) this week, my friend Cathryn was leading worship and it took me back several years to a parking lot in Mansfield, TX where she, her sister Sarah, and I got into my car and headed back home from our first time going to youth group. We were seniors in high school, sitting in the VERY last row of chairs, singing songs I really didn’t know to a God I was only beginning to follow, but we made a promise to each other that night. We told each other that one day we would raise our hands in service without worrying about what the people around us thought- a symbol of reverence to God and reminder of our complete need for Him. It is now nearly seven years since that conversation, and life looks SO different from what we thought it would be, but that promise remains true. Sarah is now married and has two little girls of her own, Cathryn is working for FOCUS in Denton and is becoming an incredible minister to the girls there, and I am still at UTD- the school that we found community in together. We are continually in awe of what our God is doing and can unashamedly say that Jesus is Lord. I think the girls in the parking lot would think that our present lives are very different from what they expected, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Oh what I wish I could tell those girls about what is about to come! Would you join me in praying for our incoming freshman? That they would be excited about God and what He is doing on campus?

Thanks again for joining me in ministry this year and for being so supportive of all that God is doing at UTD! Your prayers and support have been so apparent and appreciated!

Until next time,

Jessica :)