Every leap of faith has moments of uncertainty...

The beginning of the school year for a teacher...who is not teaching...

This summer and beginning of August has been full of so many emotions as this is the first year that I am certified as a teacher and could be setting up my own classroom and welcoming in little ones who I get to call mine and love on throughout the school year. Feelings of making the wrong decision, of feeling behind, of second guessing my path that I am on... However, even though I am not "teaching in a classroom," I know my year will be full of teachable moments, both as the teacher and the student.

"Don't dig up in doubt what you planted in faith." -Elisabeth Elliot 

My journey through the Forge isn't the same path that most of my friends/fellow teachers are on, but as one of my mentors and Education professor's said, "Stay focused on your purpose - you KNOW you are walking in His will and being completely obedient. Don't think of it as a delay to teaching - you were called to do this work and you answered in complete faith."

This isn't how I imagined spending my first August out of college, but it is neat to know that this is where I am right now, and I will continue walking in it and trusting that it is where I am supposed to be.

"The fear of making a wrong decision shouldn't strip the faith right out of our faith." 

"As long as you desire to please God with your decisions, no decision you make will be completely awful. Nor will any decision you make be completely awesome. Every decision is a package deal of both. Every thrill has an element of risk. Every leap of faith has moments of uncertainty. And every great success story has elements of failure." 

-Lysa TerKeurst, "The Best Yes"

In these moments of uncertainty, I am holding fast to the faith that I have, and trying my best to walk daily in obedience and trust. Thank you for walking alongside of me in this journey. I can't thank you enough for every prayer, donation, word of encouragement, and support.

With so much love and thankfulness, and a heart learning to trust,

Tabitha

Fundraising

Wow...who knew one word could hold so much fear, excitement, anticipation, trust, faith, reliance, and lessons all in one. I am just embarking on the path to raising $12,000 and in a lot of ways it seems daunting and impossible. But I know we serve a bigger God who is not limited by money or funds.

In so many ways asking for money is uncomfortable. It goes against society and the cultural norms of "supporting yourself." It is humbling and hard to admit that you honestly cannot do it on your own and have to ask for help. For me, as a teacher, I love and find joy when I can help others and support and serve them in so many ways. However, when it comes down to me needing help, it is a harder story.

For six weeks now, I have talked, prayed, and sought wisdom from people about fundraising for the Forge. I have walked away from some conversations feeling encouraged and from others feeling like I may not be able to do it...but that's where I have to stop myself - it is not me doing this at all it is the Lord. In this journey, I am simply walking in faith. So far, so many doors have been opened and I have to continue walking in and trusting that He will provide. And if there comes a point where that provision is not there, I know then that it is a closed door, but not now. For now, I am doing my part of honestly asking and seeking help, trusting and praying, and learning so much along the way.

I have always loved to "save my money" and agonize for days over the smallest purchases, but after four years of college, there is only a small amount in my savings, and as I continue to put that toward the Forge, I see that amount continuing to dwindle. However, instead of being sad about the amount going down, it is exciting to think that the Lord has given just enough so that I can be my first donor in this long journey. I have been praying and asking for who I should ask in this journey and where the money is going to come from. I will continue to pray, and also believe, truly believe, that the Lord will provide in this. From the few donations I have gotten already, tears have to come to eyes that people would actually want to support me in this and join my team of praying for this year. I am excited for all the ministry that will happen and the foundation that will be created to serve and glorify Him for the rest of my life.

If you are reading this and do feel like you are in a place to help support, any amount is appreciated with an open heart and hands filled with more gratitude than you will ever know. Prayer, however, as I am learning, is so much greater. I am thankful for all the times that this has been prayed for by so many people, and wish I could express how grateful I am for your support and encouragement in this journey and ministry. I hope to keep you updated as the progress continues to unfold this year.

With so much love and thankfulness,

Tabitha 

A Step of Faith

A journey of stepping out in faith and into this crazy program called The Forge...what is it and why am I going? 

As the chapter at Samford closes and all the unknowns of life are still as unknown as they have ever been, I have been praying through one particular opportunity for most of my senior year.  It is an eight-month leadership and discipleship program through the ministry of Pine Cove called The Forge. I have spent the last three summers in Texas working at Pine Cove, serving middle school students in order to spread the Gospel and show His love at such an impressionable time in these students’ lives. I have seen how God uses Pine Cove to truly transform lives for His purposes and His glory. In addition to youth camps and family camps, Pine Cove offers a leadership fellowship and discipleship program called the Forge. I have heard about this program every summer I have been there, but it was not until this past summer that the Lord started putting it on my heart.

The Forge is a program designed to challenge and refine your faith in order to develop character, identity, and discipline consistent with Christian leadership. It is a challenging, but purifying eight months as you spend your time being refined as a follower of Christ and learning more about God’s Word and His design for your life through classes, living among community, and six different trips around the country and world. You are able to put your faith into action as you are given hands-on learning opportunities to apply what you are being immersed in. Pine Cove describes their program in a simple metaphor of a forge being a furnace where metals are heated so they can be shaped according to the blacksmith’s design and desire. In that same way, The Forge program exists to be that same kind of environment for growth and transformation.

           

As I think about my past four years in college, I have put all my passion, effort, and time into becoming a teacher, which is something I value and love. My heart for children and for learning goes beyond what I could have imagined. My degree from Samford will allow me to spend my life teaching and pouring into elementary-aged students. In addition, the Forge will provide the opportunity to challenge and equip me in my Christian walk and provide leadership skills that I can apply to my teaching and any future endeavors. I will be learning how to use my talents, strengths, and leadership skills to best glorify Him through my teaching and ultimately my life.

Through so much prayer, asking for open and closed doors, and seeking wisdom and guidance, I decided to take a leap of faith and apply for this discipleship program. Pine Cove handpicks 28 young men and women for this program, and I am honored to be one of them in The Forge class of 2016! I am open for what the Lord has in store for me throughout this next year and how He will use me as a vessel to share His love around the world. 

Thank you for stopping in and sharing this journey with me. I really feel like this is where I am supposed to be right now and am excited to continue to share all that the Lord is teaching me and how He is using me. I appreciate all of your prayers throughout this next year. The support of my family and friends has meant the world throughout the beginning of this journey, and I couldn't do it without the prayers and encouragement from so many. One of the requirements of each student is to help fundraise the operating cost of the program. Honestly, it is a little daunting, but I know the Lord is sovereign and faithful. I have committed to raise my share of $12,000 by March 1st, 2016. I am already committing $1,200 of my own funds towards the cost, but can afford little more. I am praying for some of my family and friends that might be able to help me make up the difference with a tax-deductible gift to the Forge. I’m looking to find a team of 5 people who would support me at $100/month, another 10 people who would support me at $50/month, and 14 people who would support me at $25/month for 8 months. A one-time gift is also an option, which would be a tremendous blessing as I go throughout this program. If you do feel like you could be one of those people, you can donate straight on The Forge's website at http://www.pinecoveforge.com.

Again, I am so thankful for all of the support and encouragement throughout this process. I appreciate your prayers more than you know, and any financial support will be a wonderful blessing throughout these eight months. If you have any questions or would like to know more, I would love to hear from you. Thanks for sharing this journey with me.

-Tabitha