There is something so powerful about a young person who is willing to let the circumstances of others break their heart to a place that they are compelled to act. Don’t you think?
We see so much on an almost moment to moment basis that we feel helpless to help or change. We press on attempting to not feel it. To not let it break us. I would argue, however, that it is when we allow the things we cannot change to break our hearts, that we see the fullness of the one who can change anything with a single thought.
And that is what I saw a year ago as I sat across the table from Taylor and listened to her explain her time in NYC.
Taylor is my niece. She has spent her entire life right here in East TN as the only daughter of her hard working, Christian parents. In many ways, she is a bright light to our family and maybe just a tad spoiled rotten. (She’s a wonderful kid… er… woman and deserves every bit of the spoiling)
Most kids like her are looking to their future to see how it can serve their needs. Especially when heading to college. It’s the “finding yourself” phase of life. And while you wouldn’t meet her and think she’s anything but a quiet, sweet, good girl with a loud laugh, she’s anything but “average”. She is definitely in the “finding herself” stage, but it’s where she is looking that is making such an impact.
Last Spring, Taylor acted in faith and accepted an invitation to attend summer mission with CRU.
CRU is an international campus ministry. With over 2,300 campuses in the U.S., it is also the largest campus ministry in America.
Now, maybe you’re thinking that it wouldn’t be such a leap for a young woman to head to New York for the summer with friends to do some service projects and enjoy seeing the sights. I can assure you, that is far from what happened to my niece last summer. Sure, they saw some of the tourist stops in the big apple, but their days were spent actively looking for those who needed to know peace and hope on various college campuses. Even the choice to go presented the first challenge.
To start, you’ll remember how I said that she is a very cherished member of our family. The eldest grandchild and a very special God wink amidst the aftermath of deep tragedy. Even getting us to be willing to let her go, was her first hurdle. Five weeks in New York? That’s a far cry from a weekend retreat.
She actually initially mentioned going to China. I think she may have a future in sales because she sure did set that up to make NYC look a bit less intense. (I’m kidding. I think.)
But, as we all know, when the Lord opens any door, no man can shut it.
And, while it’s not my story to tell, I will never forget the only time I’ve ever seen my brother in law “get something in his eyes” as he held the room in the kitchen and told us briefly how her choice to follow her King had impacted him in ways that changed him.
Our children do that, don’t they…. change us. Over and over again.
The next hurdle was the funding. $4500 is a lot of money for a junior in college. (Though it does provide her room and board for her entire stay of 5 weeks)
Especially given that she wouldn’t be getting a pay check while away and her current job would only last until the end of the semester. If we’re honest, most college jobs barely provide the money to drive to them. They are more about experience with people and responsibility, etc.
Again though, the Lord had opened the door and down to the very last minute, it felt like, her funding came in from many generous hearts moved to participate in this call on her life.
So she told us.
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She told us about the 15 people who made a decision for life in Christ.
She told us about the other 205 seeds of good news planted. And, she also told us about a professor who was so visibly shaken by the presence of the Lord that he shouted at them demanding that they leave.
As we listened, I didn’t know if I was scared for her, worried she’d experience a crisis of faith in the face of so much brokenness and warfare from the enemy, proud of her, or just thankful she made it home somehow with a deeper drive to tell one more person that Jesus deeply loves them.
I don’t know about you, but as a mother, I want my kids to “find themselves” like this. To have their hearts broken for the broken. To be compelled to be courageous and speak boldly the cure for the malignancy of the soul. To trust God again for safe travels, provision, his Spirit to move for those called unto his name, and the money.
I want my children bold for the impossible because that is where their King will show up. That is where hearts will grow and change and they will experience Him. In the simplicity of just being available to him. He is able all on his own.
This summer, when most in her class will be heading to grad school and careers, Taylor has decided to again respond with a “yes” to the call to spread the good news at campuses in New York.
How can we help her?
We can pray. We can ask the Lord to stir hearts to give of their prayer time and their finances. We can pray for her while she is there also and for hearts again to be stirred for Christ. For the plans of the enemy to silence this ministry team of students to be thwarted and for the Spirit to speak to these young adults for the glory of Christ. He is the one who never leaves one behind and as I sit here comfortably in my bed behind a screen, those traveling with CRU this summer will accept the commission in Matthew 28:16-20 of spreading the good news – the gospel – to every nation.
I cannot help but think of Billy Graham as I write this. It has only been days since he left this world for Heaven and I believe that God is moving among our youth to take up the baton and run the race to the finish.
What we want to do is make options available to you to support her trip. I know firsthand that if I can help my family while helping others, it’s a good thing. I also know that a lot of you are very curious about Young Living and essential oils but maybe haven’t had the push you needed to order yours.
During the entire month of March, every single person who orders a Premium Starter Kit (Any of the options available: Oils, Thieves Cleaner, Ningxia Red, or Savvy Minerals make up) through me will be a partner for Taylor. I will donate my full commission from each Kit ordered at $50 each.
This means that if this message reaches 90 people who have been on the fence about supporting themselves and their families with Young Living essential oils and oil infused, clean, non-toxic products, the trip will be paid in full.
Premium Starter Kit Options + Prices:
(All Diffusers have a 1 year warranty)
Additionally, because life is better together, when you purchase your Starter Kit, you will be joining a community of oilers ready to walk out this wellness journey with you. We run a private Facebook group where you can find everything from how to support your throat in winter to how to keep the summer bugs at bay.
+ Learn More about the different Premium Starter Kit Options HERE
March 2018: Purchase a Kit, join a community, fund a ministry.
Need to know more about Essential Oils?Click Here
The link to order your Premium Starter Kit is HERE
The link to donate to Taylor’s trip directly isHERE