Tuesday, February 17, 2015

My Big Fat Tuesday

Jesus Took the Wheel!

***UPDATED: We have completed fundraising, but you can read more about what motivated this journey in a post of called Q&A.***

I'm writing today to follow-up on my 7QT post this past Friday where I mentioned possible training to become an FCP. Y'all, God has a bulldozer. A big one. And he ran it through my entire world this past weekend and right over top of me on Monday.

I'm officially an applicant, waiting to hear if I've been accepted (and if I qualified for a very generous scholarship through OSV to fund half of it!). So that's how I will start Lent this year...on a journey, waiting in anticipation...how Catholic?!

We learned about the opportunity on Friday when I posted about it. I dipped my toe in the water enough to ask for more information and what I received from the other end of my message was a very sincere, heartfelt cheerleader encouraging me to apply, despite the odds being truly stacked against me. You see, it was a holiday weekend and the application was due on President's Day Monday (yesterday). There were 16 pages between the two applications, a handful of essays, a need for a recent picture, and THREE written recommendations (including one from my pastor).

All of that might sound unlikely, but not *completely* impossible until you add in all of the other extenuating circumstances that surrounded this weekend. Plans to be out of town this weekend (celebrating my birthday with friends), a giant snowstorm that rolled in with fierce gale-force winds and took out the power, internet, and phone access. So add no power, below zero temperatures, and no access to phone, printer, or computer...and you'd have an uphill battle, right?

Add in my vehicle not starting, needing to have written proof of funding commitments to the tune of thousands of dollars, no ability to scan the documents (if I found a place open to print them!), a dead battery on my cell phone that had no calling credit on it, and a closed parish office where the pastor had the day off.

NOW you are starting to get a sense for how big God's bulldozer is, right?? :)

So while the Holy Spirit interceded and literally pummeled every last single one of those obstacles, there is still a need for fundraising. We were not really in a position to take on this challenge financially right now, but all of the people we know (including 3 Na.Pro doctors) encouraged us to push ahead with this rare scholarship opportunity (and because I have the time to focus on studying right now). As much as it pains me to ask, I would be grateful if you prayerfully considered contributing. We have opted not to use a go.fund.me account right now (they take a HUGE % cut from the donations, and I have a terribly unique name and this would be the only search engine result for me). There are a number of important practical reasons why we didn't choose that route to "crowdsource" things, but one of them really is that I'm blogging anonymously here. It's awkward wanting to start a ministry and not being in a place financially to fund it. So...my compromise was adding a Pay.Pal button attached to the top right of the page. You are free to ignore it, use it, pray about it, ask me how fundraising is going, anything! Praying my readers won't be upset at me asking here...

No donation would be too small, and I am deeply humbled for anything that is offered (including what has already been offered to us to get this far!!). Christ has just made it clear what He wants us to be doing right now...so we are listening and trusting and following and hoping our readers will be supportive in prayer first (and only financially, if you feel so called).

Thank you for considering spiritual and tangible help. If we are fully funded and accepted, the immersive education program that would begin in less than 3 weeks. If for any reason we are not accepted, we will be promptly issuing full returns of all of the donations we have received.   With that said, we will also keep you updated here on the status of my application. We expect to hear back soon and we already know that it was received with great hope and joy and the committee is actively reviewing it! (UPDATED: I was accepted!So far, our doctor, a physician's assistant, a nurse, my own FCP, a local FCP center, a famous Catholic apologist, and two friends have been generous in donating to this effort.

Now...with that all out of the way...where are these gluten-free pancakes I'm supposed to be stuffing my face with?? ;)

14 comments:

  1. Husbanido's windshield just developed a really long crack, so money is a little tighter than expected. But the $20 in "pin money" I had in my PayPal account is now yours. I'll try to contribute more later, assuming you don't end up completely funded before then.

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    1. Thank you so much, Stephanie! DH and I are very grateful to you for the contribution and the prayer support. We'll keep everyone updated on where things are for funding and I'll take the button down if we are magically fully funded (hard to imagine, but it would be a blessing!).

      Sorry to hear about the windshield though! The last insurance company for my truck offered free windshield replacement (no deductible, no out of pocket) and we had to use that benefit once. I think it was Progressive? Might be worth looking into for the future...

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  2. So, so amazing to watch God at work! And so excited for you! Prayers that the obstacles continue to vanish.

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    1. Thank you for the prayers, Rita! Yes, we're enjoying watching God's plan and joy unfold over here too. Unsettling, itchy, uncomfortable, and exhilarating at the same time! :)

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  3. I can't believe how awesomely all of this is coming together for you! So clear that God is at work! I'm so excited for you! You definitely have my support in prayers, and hopefully we can do something financially too :).

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    1. You and me both! And I agree...at some point in the weekend (or maybe Monday morning when the bulldozer REALLY got warmed up?)...we just said "ok, we give up, FINE - we'll do it God!". hahaha. We both appreciate your support so much. <3

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  4. So excited God is clearing the path for this! I pray you get fully funded. I will talk to my husband about helping out financially. We just spent a large sum to fix our car so it wouldn't be much but we know every little bit helps. We will definitely be praying for you :)

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    1. It's kind of hysterical how much God is paving the way on this! Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We both really appreciate it! <3

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  5. So exciting! I know I haven't said much since this whole training whirlwind began for you, but I've been secretly cheerleading from the stands. And I'm so happy to hear things keeping getting better!! It sure seems like God wants this to happen. Keep us updated. :)

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    1. Thank you for the secret cheerleading! I'm imagining you miming excitedly with pom-poms now, hahaha!. Hoping for more good news to share soon, but still on pins-and-needles wondering which way this is going to turn out here! I did post a fundraising update in this week's edition of 7QT. Slow going, but I'm hoping fellow bloggers will keep sharing.

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  6. Praying that God continues to open the necessary doors for you, and also praying for your FIL!

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    1. Really appreciate the prayers on all counts, friend. Let's hope there is good news in the morning!!

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  7. I feel like this is only the beginning of the road God has called you too! It's crazy but I love it. Every single thing about it! Follow thsy call through all doubts that enter in and don't look back!

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  8. Crazy and loving it here. It definitely feels like answering a call! Thank you for the kind words <3

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