"So now, go.
I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
But Moses said to God,
“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
And God said, “I will be with you."
Exodus 3:10-12
I love how in my last email, I mentioned 2011 already looking incredibly blessed... And I love how I mentioned the 'fear of man' being a whole different email... I should have known it wouldn't be long before BOTH of those things would need to be addressed!
So... here goes!!!
About a week after I sent that email about embracing stagefright, I got a call from a friend at church. She wanted me to apply for a job at the Samaritan Center (www.samcen.org.) So I applied.... no expectations.... and I got an interview! So I interviewed.... and they offered me the job the next day! So I turned in my notice at Honda, and two weeks later started my new job. I hate leaving jobs, even when I'm not happy there, but I felt so very much peace about this that I wasn't even a bit emotional!
HOWEVER, I was scared out of my mind and VERY emotional over the fear that I wouldn't be equipped for my new position... Program Coordinator of an incredible ministry! And after three days of training, I'm not gonna lie, I was sooo more scared than I was before any training!
It was actually a really great time of experiencing God for me, because when the enemy continually tempted me and said, "You can't do it..." in one ear, I continually heard God in the other ear whispering, "He's right, you can't! BUT I CAN! And I will. And I'll use YOU!"
So in the middle of all of this inner turmoil, Chris and I were reading through Exodus. I don't believe in coincidences, and I certainly don't believe that we just so happened to be reading about Moses during all of this. The night after my third day of training, we opened the Bible, and read the passage this e-mail began with. It was like this massively huge weight lifted off my shoulders when I read the words, "I will be with you." And those words have continued to stick with me over the last two months. I know I'm not equipped. Who am I to do this job and serve these people? I'm NOBODY! And God softly whispers, "I will be with you." And He has been!!! And He continues to be!
It has been an incredible couple of months, I have so many new family members who I love dearly! I actually can't figure out how I've managed to exist here for so long without knowing these people! I have about 30 volunteers throughout the week... They meet with clients who come in seeking help, then they come to me for a decision on how we'll help them... If a client is seeking financial help, I'll meet with the client and go through this whole process with them that takes a week or so...... I have met some of the most beautiful people with the most beautiful faith that has inspired and encouraged me greatly! One of my greatest fears about this position, though, was... How am I supposed to know how to help these people??? How can I provide what they need, physically or spiritually??
In my moment of great distress over this fear, the Lord brought me this story:
He continues to remind me of how unequipped I am and how totally equipped HE IS!!! He knows just what these people need, and HE will provide for them! He has taught me so much about Himself and His nature, about how GOOD He is and how much He loves us, and I just can't express what a blessing this opportunity has been!
That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.
When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.
Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.
This is what the LORD has commanded:
‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’”
The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little.
And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much,
and the one who gathered little did not have too little.
Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.
Exodus 16:13-18
As we continued to read through Exodus, we came across the following story, and I couldn't help but think of how thankful I am for each of you and your prayers for me over the past many years and into this new journey:
When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it.
Aaron and Hur held his hands up
—one on one side, one on the other—
so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Exodus 17:12-13
Thank you, thank you, thank you for holding my hands steady with your prayers! Please continue to pray for me and the people I come into contact with in my new job.
I love you all so so very much!! I hope you have had a blessed Resurrection Sunday!! We will be heading out with the youth tonight to our favorite place in the world, CAMP EAGLE!! Please be in prayer that our students will open their hearts and experience God!
His,
Anna Kathryn
"I thank my God everytime I remember you!
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy!"
-Philippians 1:3
