Adventures with Karli

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Still Going

I saw a blog title the other day that caught my attention: God calls you to go even though you may not know where by Mark Altrogge. I feel as if I am right here...with Abraham. This was an excellent reminder to me that God is trustworthy and not knowing is a great place to be! Here is the short article for you to read....

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. Heb 11:8-9

Faith fuels obedience
God called Abraham to leave his homeland and go, not knowing where he was going. Abraham didn’t know how long it would take to get there or what he’d do when he arrived. He didn’t know what hardships he’d face along the way or what enemies he might encounter. All Abraham had to go on was God’s promise he would receive an inheritance. His faith that God would fulfill his word fueled his obedience.
The whole Christian life is going not knowing
Jesus calls us to follow him, not knowing the details of our future, but having his promise to be with us, care for us, guide and transform us.
When Jesus first saved me, I had to quit my rock band. I thought I’d never have any social life or fun again, but figured that Jesus created friendship and fun, and that he was capable of giving me new friends and a new life. And eventually he gave me more friends and greater joy than I’d ever known in the band.
Where is Jesus calling you to go? He may not be calling you to a foreign land, but calling you to go to someone to seek reconciliation, not knowing if they’ll embrace you or slam the door in your face. Jesus may be calling you to give money to the kingdom, not knowing how you’ll pay for your tuition. He may be calling you to share the gospel with your Muslim neighbor, not knowing how he’ll respond.
Jesus may be calling you into marriage or parenthood. Buckle up. You have no idea the adventure that lies ahead. Or Jesus may be calling you to rejoice while you have tears in your eyes. Early on in my Christian life I heard someone say that if God commands something, just trust him and obey, even if you don’t know why. If God says it, he has good reasons and untold blessings in mind.
The whole Christian life is going, not knowing.
It is obeying God’s word in faith when we can’t see over the horizon. Jesus doesn’t give us the answers to the test in advance. It’s not for us to know the times and seasons. Though he doesn’t give us the details, he gives us the map and compass of his Word and his Spirit. He gives us himself. And if we have Jesus, that’s all we need. We go with the one who’s our portion and fountain of joy.
We go by faith in a mighty, loving and infinitely wise Savior, who never disappoints but does far more than we can think, ask or imagine.
- See more at: http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2013/07/going-not-knowing.html#sthash.jr5axi8H.dpuf

Faith fuels obedience

God called Abraham to leave his homeland and go, not knowing where he was going. Abraham didn’t know how long it would take to get there or what he’d do when he arrived. He didn’t know what hardships he’d face along the way or what enemies he might encounter. All Abraham had to go on was God’s promise he would receive an inheritance. His faith that God would fulfill his word fueled his obedience.

The whole Christian life is going not knowing

Jesus calls us to follow him, not knowing the details of our future, but having his promise to be with us, care for us, guide and transform us.

When Jesus first saved me, I had to quit my rock band. I thought I’d never have any social life or fun again, but figured that Jesus created friendship and fun, and that he was capable of giving me new friends and a new life. And eventually he gave me more friends and greater joy than I’d ever known in the band.

Where is Jesus calling you to go?

He may not be calling you to a foreign land, but calling you to go to someone to seek reconciliation, not knowing if they’ll embrace you or slam the door in your face. Jesus may be calling you to give money to the kingdom, not knowing how you’ll pay for your tuition. He may be calling you to share the gospel with your Muslim neighbor, not knowing how he’ll respond.

Jesus may be calling you into marriage or parenthood. Buckle up. You have no idea the adventure that lies ahead. Or Jesus may be calling you to rejoice while you have tears in your eyes. Early on in my Christian life I heard someone say that if God commands something, just trust him and obey, even if you don’t know why. If God says it, he has good reasons and untold blessings in mind.

The whole Christian life is going, not knowing.

It is obeying God’s word in faith when we can’t see over the horizon. Jesus doesn’t give us the answers to the test in advance. It’s not for us to know the times and seasons. Though he doesn’t give us the details, he gives us the map and compass of his Word and his Spirit. He gives us himself. And if we have Jesus, that’s all we need. We go with the one who’s our portion and fountain of joy.

We go by faith in a mighty, loving and infinitely wise Savior, who never disappoints but does far more than we can think, ask or imagine.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Operation Boe-Go

English Standard Version

This morning at church, the youth group was called up to the front. About a month ago they stood up in front of the church and quoted all of James 1 together. As the youth leader was talking, it sounded as if they were then going to quote James 2 and I was thinking how awesome was that in how fast they memorized that chapter together! He quoted James 1:26-27 and then said that earlier in verse 22 we are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. They wanted to apply Scripture to their lives and do what God said to do. He went on in stating that they weren't able to visit orphans, but knew of someone who was.

These 3 boys and one married couple raised $245 for me through Operation Boe-Go. They collected cans and bottles and apparently sold leis for graduations back in May. I was and still am very humbled by their sacrifice on my part. Each of the boys then made a card and gave it to me....I don't know whose idea it was for all of this, but I can guarantee you that the babies at Amani Baby Cottage will be blessed because of what they did for God's glory. They truly went out and were doers! I would say Operation Boe-Go was a success!!!!

Friday, July 12, 2013

Comfort zone...what's that?

Uncomfortable...that's how I've been feeling lately, also inadequate. The more I think about going to work in an orphanage with children the more my heart rate gets going. If I don't have to work in nursery at church I don't. I somewhat enjoy children, but my interaction with them is very limited. I have worked more with teens and know how to relate to them. I'm nervous about this....yet I know God wants me to do this, so I will follow.

I'm not a teacher, the thought almost gives me hives. I've been there, done that, have no desire to do it again. I still don't know what I'll be doing at the orphanage. I do know that ever since this idea was given to me by God, that I must do it, so I will follow.

Obedience to Christ is following after Him....and doing what He says to do. This is no different. He told me to go to an orphanage, I did the research, He led me to the right one. If He led me specifically to this one orphanage out of the MANY I looked at and applied to, then what else can I do but follow.

Since starting to write this post I have received an e-mail from Amani Baby Cottage. I still don't know specifics of what I'll be doing, but the orphanage has a great relationship with local ministries and possibly and at least once a week I will go volunteer my time and talents at these places. Wow - talk about exciting!!! I'm thrilled that God would find me even minimally qualified to do this for Him and His glory.

I feel like in this time of my life I am really stepping out of my comfort zone. It's happened before, God has completely taken care of me along the way. So, why would this be any different. It's often during these times when we are at our most comfortable that there's a nudge to get out. These are the times that I'm growing more in God than if I were comfortable....kind of like right now. I know I'm growing in my relationship with Jesus, but I don't feel like I'm being pushed to Him. That time is coming and as nerve racking as it is, I can't wait for it.

Come along with me as I journey far away from my comfort zone!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

I'm sorry, how many did you say?!

I had my appointment today with the travel doctor provided through my insurance. Way back in the day when I went to Kenya my mom had to scrounge up shot records for me. Those were then put on a Wisconsin state immunization piece of paper. I took that in with me today to show the doc what I had. He started making notes of what I had and what I didn't have. He then pulled out a "booklet" of different shots and what they were for. When we were done going through that, he had pretty much highlighted the whole thing. At least I didn't need all the shots on there, you know, like the 2 or 3 he didn't highlight!

In total, I need to get at least 8 shots. Today I got 3. The nurse did 2 in my left arm and 1 in my right arm. The right arm was Hep B (which I probably got as a child, but since there was no record he wanted to be safe, rather than have me sorry) which felt like it took a while to get in. The left arm got a TDap and Yellow Fever.

Now, I'm not necessarily one to HATE needles, but I just don't enjoy shots...come on, who really does? As I was getting the Hep B, I thought, ugh, I have to get 2 more of these?! Plus one exactly 52 weeks after the 3rd does....yick! Not really looking forward to that particular feeling again. However, the Yellow Fever vacc got put in the softer flesh on the backside of my left arm. The nurse said it would hurt, but I thought it wasn't too bad....until 3 seconds in. I literally wanted to cry like a little girl it hurt soooo much! It. was. awful. When I was done with that one, the nurse said it was good for 10 years and that I needed to travel as much as I could to take advantage of the pain I just went through. You know what, I think she's right!

After getting my 3 shots, they ushered me down to the lab where I got poked again...thankfully this wasn't as painful. They are going to check to see if I've had chicken pox....because we can't remember if I did or not. If the test comes back negative, well, then I get some more shots....so totaling 9 or 10, depending on if they make me get 2 of that or just 1.

Another one he recommended was a rabies shot. This shot will cost between $500 or $600!!!!!! WHAT?! I told him I'd think about that. I e-mailed the baby cottage asking if this is something the volunteers normally get and will wait on their reply. I hope they say no because that's a lot of money for 1 shot.

The next thing I need to decide on is what malaria medicine to take. There is 1 that is taken weekly and 2 others that are taken daily. I have an ongoing disease, so the cheaper of the taken daily pills is probably not going to be a good mix for me he said. That leaves the weekly or the other daily. Oh, and this other daily will cost somewhere between $60-$90 for 1 pill. Yes, I will be there around 90 days and I will need to take some before I go and after I get back, so that would be a grand total of around $6000. Yikes! So, with all that said, this was an easy pick for me....the weekly one.

I'll be taking a typhoid vaccine orally - yay for one less shot!!! My head is kind of spinning with all of this. I go back in one week to get at least 3 more shots. Thankfully I got into the dr when I did because with the way they have the series of Hep B shots set up, I will take the 3rd shot 2 days before I leave island....and that's covered by insurance! My poor arms......

I know how he feels!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

God-thing

I definitely know that God wants me going to Uganda. I love it when He gives me little confirmations along the way. I had two God-things happen this past week.

I have been forgetting for a couple weeks now to contact Kaiser's travel clinic. (For those that don't know, Kaiser is my insurance and they have their own network of clinics and hospitals.) I finally called last week, but was told that the clinic only has one secretary, so I would get a call back within 2 days' time. Ok, no biggie, it's still June.

I got a call the next day and told the lady what I needed. She then told me that the ONLY travel clinic dr would be on vacation for the month of July, but she would check to see if there were any openings left. She had that sound in her voice that made me think it wasn't going to happen. I immediately prayed the same one liner about 5 x's before she spoke again....and they had one more opening on July 2 before the dr left. Hallelujah!!! This was totally a God-thing!

Please pray with me that any shots or medication I need are covered by insurance. If not, thank you for those that have donated to me as that money will go towards this!

That was the first God-thing....now the second one. As of last week Thursday, I hadn't gotten my ticket to leave island. When I first got to island I got a Hawaiian Airlines visa card to help rack up miles. You know, for a rainy day when I would actually have the money to pay for hotel and car rental on another island. Yeah - never did use my miles to go anywhere. I've been planning on going to Phoenix to see some friends of mine and Hawaiian has a direct flight from here to there.

It takes 30,000 Hawaiian miles to get there. I've been watching the sight to see if I could find a day around the day I wanted to go that would be cheaper. Well, the Sunday after I had planned on leaving ended up being only 17,500. I had 20,350 at the time. I really wanted to see my friends, but also didn't want to have to spend over $250 for my ticket (to buy the extra miles). I would have gotten in at midnight on Sunday and then flown out at 7 am on Monday. Not ideal at all, but it would save me money.

I thought this through and then asked someone if I could get some advice. I laid it all out for them and then thought they would take their time in giving me an answer...nope. They got up and said, "Problem solved. I'll give you 10,000 miles!" I was honestly speechless. After I composed myself I immediately said that I couldn't accept the miles and what would they do then without those miles. Of course, something I have said before came back to haunt me. They said that those miles were the Lord's, not theirs to give. Wow - completely humbled by it! I not only got a FREE TICKET to the mainland, but I also get to spend time with my friends. Yes - this was totally a God-thing!

I will be saying this to Hawaii soon!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

And the Winner is

Miss Jill Peterson

(hailing all the way from Minnesota, eh)

Thank you all for donating for this drawing!!! I was able to raise one month's rent/living expenses in just one week! That's $700!!!!

Overall I've raised $3,870 - I'm almost to my goal of $4500!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!

Monday, June 17, 2013

RAFFLE TIME

This isn't all that will go in the box....gotta leave a few surprises!

These Hawaiian-made goodies could be yours for ONE easy payment of $99.95...

If you call within the next 15 minutes we'll double your order.....

JUST KIDDING, that just popped into my head as I was writing the first few words and couldn't resist! In all seriousness, these Hawaiian-made goodies COULD BE YOURS. On the right side of this blog you'll find a donate button. For every $10 you give towards my missions trip, your name will be put into a drawing to WIN! If you aren't familiar with my story, you can click here to read all about it.

What: Hawaiian-made goodies raffle (worth more than $50)

Why: Help raise money for Karli's missions trip to Amani Baby Cottage in Uganda

How to enter: For every $10 up to $100 you donate (use the Paypal button to the right) your name will go in a drawing (that's up to 10 times your name gets put in!)

How long: From June 18 to June 24 at 4 pm Hawaii time

How many winners: JUST ONE - it could be you!

Tell all your friends! Tell your family members. Do it now!!!!!! Who doesn't want some Aloha goodness coming your way?!

For all of you that live on a Hawaiian island, unfortunately you are not eligible to enter. However, you can still donate! I will announce the winner here on my blog as well and will e-mail you as well.

It's ready to ship!!!!