Well, the Halloween candy is set at Target, fall cosmetic shades are being stocked, and pumpkin spice lates will soon be tempting me every time I drive past a Starbucks. Yes, fall is here and along with it school and all of the busy-ness that seems to come simultaneously.
For me, one week from today I will have the honor of starting my 2nd year at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry here in Redding, Ca. I say honor, because the honor really is mine. Sure, I will walk out next spring having learned and experienced so much. And no doubt I will learn more in one year than a seemingly longer period elsewhere. But the honor really is mine. To sit under this calober of teaching. To go to a church where so much is happening. Where miracles and signs and wonders are just a natural part of the DNA. A church where on any given Sunday I go and meet people from nations all over the world. Where I look around and there are doctors, former gang members, teachers, the homeless. People from every walk of life in a glorious, beautiful mess...people who are passionate about The Lord and making Him known.
This year of school is so different for me. Last year as I walked into 1st year I had no idea what to expect. I had no expectations. I literally went to 1st year out of obedience to The Lord. In my mind I was done with school. I wanted to go DO something. But The Lord had other plans and it is safe to say that I learned things about my life, my future, that I would have never learned had I not been there. 2nd year is different. As I walk in next week I feel that I have a very clear picture of what I'm going after, what I hope to see. I'm sure God will change some or all of that because that's kind of how I operate with Him. But I am so excited to see all that awaits me there.
This blog is to serve as an update for those who care to know...
-I start 2nd year next week, September 3rd.
-2nd year is designed to do more leadership develop, offering more leadership opportunities, including the chance to travel with pastors from the church here.
-in 2nd year there's more freedom to choose more focused classes on specific things.
I believe part of this year includes for me:
-gaining vision for future ministry including a vision for what my role is in the Middle East of just in general.
-opportunity to make connections with people all over the world that I will be working alongside for years to come.
-learning as much as I can from leadership here, more of an opportunity to connect and glean from them.
-chances to lead worship again and hopefully travel to speak, etc.
-beginning to learn Arabic.
Other things I have going on:
-helping in a ministry that works overseas in Ireland. Being as involved in this as I can.
-working 30 hours at Target, one evening a week at a bakery to subsidize.
-in the process of joining a missions board so that when I'm out of school I am covered and ready to begin in the area of my life.
So yes, this is what's going on. Life is very full, but very good. I would love if you would pray that I get everything out of this year of schooling as I possibly can and everything that I'm supposed to. Pray that work wouldn't be overwhelming for me, that The Lord would provide pockets of time and energy to develop deep, strong relationships. And that when its His timing I would be able to step out of work and into ministry as a vocation.
I am still in the process of raising funds for school. It is my dream that school would be paid by day 1. This way I wouldn't have to worry at all, and I would immediately be able to start traveling (a certain portion of our tuition goes to traveling).
Thank you so much for loving me and standing with me in prayer. If you do feel like you would like to give towards tuition I would so appreciate it. Thank you for partnering with me in whatever way The Lord leads.
Much love,
Lara
To give:
Go to ibssm.org, on the bottom click on "give to tuition" type my name in. Push give towards tuition. Or you can send a check to Bethel Church ATTN: BSSM Tuition 933 College View Drive, Redding, CA 96003 and put a note in with my name.
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