Pinnacle Peak, AZ

Hello Friends,
Today is my last day here in Phoenix and it's been a truly amazing experience this week. Yesterday we went on a 4 mile hike up and down, side to side…….on Pinnacle peak. My legs hurt today ….this Florida girl ain’t used to mountains. But it was beautiful and breathtaking and for the first time I can see myself out here in the dessert. I think I’m starting to love it. Not only that, but since I’ve been here I’ve been writing and visioneering about all that lies ahead. We have been talking a lot about all the energy moving for this first book on women’s identity. Dr. Beasley is making more progress than ever now that she is teaching it and her podcast’s are available on the GRM website. The second book may possibly be about “the younger woman in the 21st century church”. OMG…..that just really excites me. Today was our board meeting where I brought up some personal questions and the board was very helpful. We also have a lot going on already.
The girl I’ve been staying with (Alyssa Spitale) is on staff at GRM and has been showing me the cool stuff of Phoenix an introducing me to friends her age. I met my room mate Anna who is really easy going and sweet. I can see it being easy to live together. I have pictures coming for you to see the hike and the new home I’ll live in…….
Anyways, at the end of the night of meeting Anna she suggested that we all pray together. So all 4 of us got on our knees spontaneously and held hands. I think I was in tears before they started praying for me. Here I was in this foreign place, in my future home with my future room mate praying with 4 single, godly girls all in their 30’s……God’s provisions are overwhelming! They prayed in power and the Spirit was just there (even though Obama had just been elected PresidentJ

Last night Alyssa and I went to coffee and had so much fun playing in Claire's with all the Holloween stuff. There are so many places here to just go and hang out for free and be social…….

So anyway, thanks for all your prayers because I can really feel God’s affirmation taking away any fear in this next step……

It's All For Him

Prayer reminds us that our need of Christ is not partial-but total!

So I woke up at 5:30 am this Sunday and just knew I needed to be with the Lord. I spent time in the word and journaling and then arrived very early (while it was still dark) to the church to play my guitar in worship and prayer to God. I felt my view of him increasing as I sang and felt him saying, "ask me". With a doubtful heart I said, "God, I know you are able to care for my needs and it would be really amazing if you could provide as much this week as you did last week?" And friends, before the sun set he had almost done it. Then today I opened an envelope that was from a friend who has been giving me small checks when she can. It had $300 in it. That means in two days from the time I "asked God" he has almost doubled my request. And all of it was nothing that I did and everything God did.

Captured by the face of Christ all else falls to the wayside.....

My heart is so fastened to this world and money often sinks it's teeth and control into our lives. It taints every good motive and every desire. It keeps us from depending on God because we think we have earned it ourselves. I think that if we have food, clothes and shelter we are rich in the world's standards. Anything else is "extra's". So I've asked God to help me see every single thing in my life as his direct provision. I have a ways to go but I know it's why God has me standing here.

"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." (1 Tim.6:9)

God's Economy is not in crisis!

So yesterday was quite a day. I'm not sure what prompted my anxiety but I woke up feeling panic. The economy is hurting and I'm fundraising and I don't have a job on January first. It all just felt a little overwhelming and my thought felt like this: "Oh my gosh, what have I done?" I started thinking I needed a back up plan and began visualizing myself getting a job as a Barrista at Starbucks:) Throughout the day I would check my e.mail and cell phone only to realize that I kept missing contact with a friend that is local. She was hunting me down but I kept missing her. I met with a staff member here at VBC and left our meeting a little more discouraged. I left the office in the rain and felt the Lord asking: "What has changed? I haven't changed....have you? I am your back up plan!" On my way to Albertsons I finally got a moment to call back my friend and these were her words: "God is blessing us and we sent a check to GRM today to double our contribution to you". I almost dropped my phone. God was just testing me again and reminding me of his provision for me. Not only that, but he knew my thought from the beginning of the day and like my friend who was hunting me down, God was persuing my heart....calling me and just trying to break through the panic. He knows the good news at the end of the story and he wants me to trust him!

Fundraising Status

Just to give you an update this is where I am with funds.
Total Needed: $43,101
Total Raised: $16,652
Deficit: $26,449

The goal is for me to be at 85% ($36,000) by the time I leave Venice. I'm hoping that can be around February but it's always up in the air. Please keep praying for my faith to be in God's economy and not the world's.

The Valley of the Sun

So on my recent trip to Phoenix I asked why people there refer to it as the "valley". I guess I didn't know that it's nick name was "The Valley of the Sun" because it sits relatively low and flat to the surrounding mountain ranges. It's beautiful to see the sun setting against the mountain silhouettes.

My trip was amazing and a huge answer to prayer. I have found a place to rent from a young girl my age who is a believer. She owns a house in Scottsdale and is leaving for a year to do missions in Mexico with TEAM. So many affirmations in our time together made it apparent that this was God's plan for both of us. So now I can check "housing" off the list of things to line up.

I also got to meet with the founder of Arab Women Today. She was a joy to spend 48 hours with and answered so many questions I had about women in the Arab world. Their website is so informative for those of you who would like to learn more visit: http://awtministries.com/english/main.php

It's so hard for me to keep in step with God and not get ahead. My heart is becoming more and more attached to what God is doing through GRM and it feels like living in two world's right now. Please pray that God helps me finish well here at VBC. There are great things happening here and I'm praying for people to rise up that I've invested in for years.

I also was able to meet with the GRM board and connect with some key people there. They are so excited to have me stepping in soon and I felt very valued during that time. Praise God for providing the ability to take this trip. It was his perfect time and he is doing so much for me that I could never accomplish on my own. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"

"Caedmon Call" Must Read My Blog

As most of you know God has really given me a theme in this season of life. The idea that God is in my boat has been the source of much intimacy in my walk with God. Well, I was listening to some music tonite and these words seemed to go along with that theme. Maybe they will minister to you as well.

"You've been lost in the wind, And the rain of a storm at sea
The waves crashing over your back, And you're crying out for me
But as the ocean rages "I am sleeping in the boat"
But I have a plan and I'm holding your hand, And I'm keeping you afloat
I'm never gonna let go...My love for you is always true,
I'm never gonna lose heart', Cause I'm holding on tight to you
Should the cruel wind chill your soul, When the world seems out of control
I'm never gonna let go of you!"

Album: Back Home

I'm visting Phoenix

Yes, it's true. Next Thursday I leave for a 4 day trip to Scottsdale (God provided funds to go, so I'm going last minute). I will be meeting a missionary that I will connect with in the Middle East. I will call her Ruth and she is a national from Amman, Jordan. I'm excited about this time with her and to dream about an extended trip next year to Jordan.

Also, there are some awesome possibilities with my housing arrangments. This is a huge answer to prayer as I'm still praying in faith to leave Florida with GRM in January 09.

Also, praise God that my support is now at 38% and rising! God has done a whole lot all at once. His still small voice just keeps saying, "My child, why do you even worry? Remember, I'm in your boat." I feel him slowly building my faith inches at a time....but it's a sweet place to be!

News From Dr. Kristin Beasley

This is an excerpt from Dr. Beasley's newsletter)
Introducing Caye Siller
Mission Accomplished
New Director of Ministry Development
"As you look at either the blog or website you will see the name of Caye Siller. We are delighted that Caye has said "yes" and is busy raising the necessary financial support to join Greater Reach Ministries, even as I write this letter. God put us together a few years ago when I attended a conference for ministry leaders being held in the Chicago area and she ended up being my roommate. We hit it off instantly, and have since that time become friends, and soon will be ministry partners.

Caye's life mission is to disciple women. She has a big heart for women, a spirit of adventure and loves to travel. Plus, she is pursuing graduate education, a fact that is near and dear to my heart, since I have had a passion for education most of my adult life. She is currently serving on staff as Children's and Women's Associate Minister in Venice Bible Church, Venice, Florida (where she has been "holed up" due to the hurricane).
When she reaches her support level, she will be moving out to Arizona to begin her new ministry with us. I want you to know her, pray for her, and love her!"

Venice Triathlon 8-31-08

I came in first in the overall Athena division. It was my fourth Sprint Triathlon. We swam 1/4 mile against the current. Then biked into Hurricane Gustav wind for 8 miles and ran a 5K. My times were decent but it was a lot of fun.

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (Acts 20:24)

From Protest to Praise

Support raising has been a little discouraging lately. That always seems to be coupled with a certain sense that I must not be doing enough. Things seem to run in cycles and I either have a ton to do, or nothing at all. Last weekend I placed about 10 calls to share about GRM with people, and as of yesterday had not heard from anyone. So I did all I knew how to…Pray! I got alone with the Lord and actually wrote a chorus to the Hymn "Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise!" The chorus was simple but from my heart..... "I praise you, I praise you this day; I praise you....Lord show me the way".


Later that night I visited with a dear friend who is struggling to battle cancer. I was shocked by how sick he was, but in the moment felt such grace to listen and encourage him and his wife. With some hesitancy I shared how I often think of him in my quiet times. In no way am I dying or facing death, but in many ways I feel a moment by moment panic and fear in my heart. It seems to be my own will protesting the fact that I have no control over my circumstances but only have the choice to rely on God and cry out for his help. My friend was so gracious to invite me into that place with him without feeling my comments trite or insensitive. They said that I was "like family to them" and that they always saw me in missions.

So I picked up my guitar and began playing this hymn for them.

"Unresting, Unhasting, and silent as light, Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;

Thy justice like mountains high soaring above, Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love."

I felt a wave of God's Spirit rush over me and got choked up. I came to this place to encourage my brother and was being ministered to deeply myself. We were all in this bedroom singing to a God that we were desperate for, asking Him for Faith and Courage to walk on water in order to be in His presence. I was also amazed by something else......his wife continued to sing when I couldn't and her voice was powerfully singing this chorus I had written like she knew it already......it was like the Spirit had given her my song and I was humbled in that moment that she was singing it to me and her husband as well. Wow!

I'm not sure why, but there is something about living in desperate places that allows you to see a brighter glimpse of God. Anyway, the next day I began receiving gifts. I'm constantly aware that these gifts are always the voice of God speaking profoundly into my heart. This time He was saying, "look to me and be desperate for my help and find your blessing by giving to others". So today my heart has moved from Protest to Praise!!

Meeting Scheduled

I spoke with Dr. Beasley last week on the day of the "hurricane hunker down". I will be having a conference call with the board next week (Sept.4th). Here is my agenda.
1. Mission Trip Idea (our church’s part in Georgia and extending legth of Middle East trip)
2. Best time for a trip to Phoenix: September 12th Arab Women today
Check it out at www.awt.com
3. Fundraising receipt process (monthly? Account number for GRM)
4. Salary (am I under budgeted?)
5. The Shpiel/summary sheet (how my home mtg's work)
6. Blog
7. Ideas about housing: keep eye out for temporary housing
Pray for this meeting to go well.
Pray for God to direct me to the right people and that those I persue will call me back!
I'm also starting to persue area church's. Dr. Beasley and I are speaking every other week so that is getting me excited!

It's all about him!

Isa 64:4 "No eye has seen any God besides you,who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." I had two meetings with families last week to give my official presentation (a.k.a. "The Shpiel") about GRM. I left both meetings feeling discouraged...there is a constant self analysis in fund raising that makes me second guess my delivery. "Did I do enough? Did I say the right things? Did I pray enough? Was I listening to the Spirit to see where people are connecting with this ministry? Did I close with a challenge?" Anyways, I'm learning a lot about all this and I do truly believe that I'm calling people to Kingdom work by supporting. However, God loves to use my desperation these days to push me to him and I'm growing so much in that area. The next morning I was reminded in time with the Lord that this is all about him and not about Caye and how good she is. In reality, I'm a weak vessel but I know he wants to shine in my weakest moments. I recieved a call that morning from a lady in our church. "Do you know who I am?", she said. "I know your name but am unsure of your face". She went on to tell me how she knew me in High School and has followed my journey. She said she had a small gift for me to pick up. (I was thinking it would be $20, which is still thoughtful.) I stopped by and she wanted to hear about GRM. As I began to share I realized it was my first time sharing without my laptop guiding me. She had such a heart for the Muslim world and I began listening to where God was connecting her heart with mine. We spent an hour just sharing and at the end she handed me an envelope. As I drove away I opened it and there was almost $200. I began crying because God had just used this lady to whisper his thoughts: "It's not about you, Caye. It's about me....keep holding my hand and keep listening to my voice....your on the right path"

Don't you get it? I'm sleeping in your boat!

Lessons on Faith (Mk 4:35-41 )
So often I forget where my faith is supposed to rest. I place my faith in what I can hold and clutch and control with my own hands. I place my faith in bailing bowls (like the disciples in the storm) and I toil and strive to keep my ship afloat on my own strength. I often invite God in on MY terms and give him my small mechanism’s and solutions and then ask him to start bailing with me. I can picture Jesus waking up and wiping the sleep from his eyes and with a grin rising to his feet. I can feel him touching his hand to my shoulder and saying, Quiet, Be Still. As if he is saying to me, “Don’t you get it?”. Your ship can’t sink. This boat and all that is in it are in my command and if I’m in your boat you need not worry. Put down your futile little bailing bowl and hold my hand. I’m in your boat, I’m right here…put your faith in me and all will be still!

My First GRM Blog

I'm excited to report that I have raised 30% of my support and am still on schedule to be leaving for Phoenix in January. Thanks for taking this journey with me. Your support means more than you know!