I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
TeachBeyond encouraged its missionaries to send out specific year-end asks for support, and so by the first weekend in December, I had mailed a group of them out. Just after finishing these, I received news that Trinity Alliance Church in Redding would be sending me a significant, one-time gift out of the funds they raised at the yearly missions yard sale. This was a tremendous encouragement but the blessings and support didn't stop their. I was given about another 500 dollars in support through a number for year-end gifts, and I am now in a place to reach next summer without worrying about a lack of funds.
Shortly after receiving the news about funds from Trinity Alliance, Kelly Brazil, a good friend and supporter, offered to use her airline miles to fly me home as she was unable to come to Germany to visit me. We decided to keep this a secret to surprise my family. I was able to spend 10 days of break in Redding with my parents and oldest sister, Lorelei, who had come up from Sacramento with her family. It was so good to be with family over the holidays! (Check out the video on my Facebook page for my parents reaction.)
Side Notes...
While this December has been filled with blessings, January is starting off on a more solemn note. My aunt (dad's sister) passed away after a long battle with cancer. There are also a lot of tasks and projects starting right off as I return to school. I am co-leading a presentation on progress monitoring to the Academic Support Staff, I am overseeing the extended-time testing setting, and I am preparing my Algebra students for their mid-term, among other things. Student will be taking their semester finals the second week back. I am encouraged by how far my Algebra class has come, but I still need to carefully plan how to help these students finish the required coursework during the second semester.
Please Pray...
Praise God that I am well supported through this school year
Praise God that I was given the opportunity to visit my family over the holidays
For my family as we grieve the loss of my dad's sister to cancer
For a good start back into the work routine on the 11th
For the students traveling back to school and starting back into their routines
If you would like to make a monthly pledge or other financial contribution at this time please click on this link or enter the web address: https://give.teachbeyond.org/usa/ You can designate giving for Rebecca Swanson or account number 40335.