Pinch me.

WHOA.  I don't know how this happened--just kidding--I do know how this happened, but I am reeeeeeeally close to my fundraising goal!  I don't have the exact numbers right now because I am waiting to hear the results from the Chick-fil-A fundraiser, the current amount that has been sent to or donated through my church offering, and from YWAM on how many people have donated through them... but I know that I am close and that is EXCITING!

I am overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I have received in preparation for this trip.  People have flooded me with kindness and generosity and my heart is full!  This whole experience in fundraising has challenged me to be more giving of what I have.  It seems like such a simple message but actually receiving this generosity is humbling and powerful stuff!  So many of the people that contributed chose to see the money they have as a gift from God, and are therefore more willing to send it to those who need it.  As I am trusting God for finances to fund this trip, each one who has donated is trusting God to provide for their needs as they are relinquishing some of that gift to me!  This has inspired me to truly see money in a different way.  I also see my work in a different way.  God has blessed me with the perfect job for these past couple of months, which allows so much flexibility that I may simply take off in April and return to subbing in September when I get back!  This job has helped fund my trip tremendously, so I am challenged to be more thankful for it and see each day that I am subbing as one that God has divinely appointed.  I have had some interesting challenges along the way and it's definitely a stretching experience (and test of patience) to be a substitute teacher in elementary schools, but I definitely think it is worth it in the end and I am thankful for it.

I still have a portion of my outreach funds to raise, so if you are looking for a way to support me, click here to check out my current fundraiser!  I'm selling T-shirts that I designed for $20 and the profit goes towards my trip with YWAM.  I know that on the website it says I have reached my goal, but that was the minimum amount of shirts that had to be sold in order for the shirts to be made.  This fundraiser is STILL GOING until Monday, March 17th, when I end it so that shirts can be shipped out before I leave.  Please consider buying a shirt or passing the link on to someone you know who might want one.  This shirt would also make a great birthday or Christmas gift!

If you'd like to give electronically you may do so on this website.  Just make sure you enter my name in the student information window along with the amount of your donation.

Thank you SO MUCH to all of you that have read this, encouraged me, supported me, or helped me along in any way!  I am truly blessed!

Support Update

YWAM countdown: 40 days!

I am overwhelmed by the amount of support I have gotten thus far!  Several people have told me that they will be committing to praying for me, which is AWESOME.  It is so encouraging to know that so many people are supporting me and helping me accomplish this dream I've had for several years to do this discipleship training school and outreach!

As far as the finances go, I have raised half of my goal!  That's right, through my own savings, photography and babysitting services, and donations of others, I have 6,000 dollars toward my YWAM trip!  The Lord has blessed me so much through each of you that has supported me in any way!

This means I have 40 days to try and raise the last 6,000 dollars!  I have faith that God will provide the rest through my job and the support of my friends and family!  I am working right now as a substitute teacher and diligently saving, but I still need the help of others for this dream to become a reality.  If you are looking for a way to help, book a photo session with me anytime before April!  Or, you can take a night off and hire me as a babysitter!  I also am having a fundraising night at Chick-fil-A on March 10th.  Print and bring this flyer to the Chick-fil-A on Lincoln Highway from 4:30-7:30 and 15% of your order will go toward my YWAM trip!  You can also donate a dollar to spin the wheel for a coupon for free food that you can use during your next visit to Chick-fil-A.

I encourage you to give as the Lord leads you, and I pray that He will provide for your needs as well!  If you would like to make a donation, you can click this link and contribute directly to YWAM on my behalf by filling out the form with my name and the amount you would like to donate.  These donations are not tax deductible, but I have partnered with my church so that you may make a tax deductible contribution by writing a check made payable to Mount Vernon Mennonite Church with "Missions Project: Shelby Blevins" written in the memo line, and sending it to:

Mount Vernon Mennonite Church

1 Lighthouse Drive

Kirkwood, PA 17536

Thank you SO MUCH for partnering with me in this journey toward knowing God more and making Him known!

Support

Dear friends and family,                                                                                                                   

I am writing to inform you that from April 3^rd, 2014 to September 12^th, 2014 I will be participating in a discipleship training school with YWAM (Youth With a Mission).  The first half of this time will be spent in Kona, Hawaii for the “lecture phase” consisting of training with the purpose of learning more about God and ministry while growing in relationship with Him.  This school also has an emphasis on photography and I look forward to using this gift for God’s glory on the outreach portion of my trip.

After the lecture phase, I will spend the second half of the trip serving in one of the outreach locations that are yet to be determined.  My outreach location will be selected during the lecture phase.  My hope at this point is to be placed somewhere in East Asia or the Pacific, although I am open to wherever God may call me.  The type of work I will be doing varies depending on which outreach location I go to, but it could be anything from working in an orphanage in Cambodia, serving and praying for the poor in India, ministering to prostitutes in Thailand, or caring for street children in the Philippines, for example.

I would like to ask you to join with me in support in all of its various forms, being through prayer, encouragement, and financial contributions as you feel led.  I would greatly appreciate prayer, specifically in the area of God refining me and pruning me spiritually in this season.  I would be extremely thankful to anyone who would be willing to commit to supporting me through prayer and I ask that you would e-mail me at iamshelbyleigh@gmail.com to let me know if you would be willing to pray for me daily, weekly, monthly, or “as often as you think of it”.  You may also feel free to e-mail me at this address if you have any encouragement to give as I prepare for this journey.

Another aspect of support that will be needed is financial support.  The cost of this trip is roughly $12,000.  I am working hard and continuing to save my own money for this trip, but I will not be able to do it alone.  It is a lot of money to raise in a short amount of time, but I faithfully look forward to the Lord’s provision in this area.  My first goal is to have $4,235 (the cost of the lecture phase) raised by March 31^st.  I would greatly appreciate one-time contributions, or weekly/monthly commitments of $25, $50, $100, or as much as you feel led to give!  To make a tax-deductible donation, please send a check made payable to Mount Vernon Mennonite Church with “Missions Project: Shelby Blevins” written in the memo line to:

            Mount Vernon Mennonite Church

            1 Lighthouse Drive

            Kirkwood, PA 17536

Some other ways that you could support me financially:

• Book a photo session with me!  Just contact me via the information of my business card included with this letter.
• Hire me as a babysitter.  I love working with kids!

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and I hope that you will prayerfully consider partnering with me.  (I am incredibly thankful to those of you that have already supported me!)

Blessings,

Shelby Blevins

Three-month Chunks

My life since graduating high school looks something like this:

Fall semester

Spring semester

Camp

Fall semester

Spring semester

Camp

Fall semester

Spring semester

Camp

Fall semester

Spring semester

Camp

Fall semester

Spring semester

Camp

Student Teaching

Yes, that’s five and a half years (yikes) of living life in three-month chunks.  That’s 16 chunks of life, right there.

How much repetition does it take to learn a habit?  I read somewhere before (thank you, the internets) that it takes repeating an action such as a routine 40 times until it becomes a learned behavior.  Maybe if I had 24 more three-month chunks under my belt, I would know by now how to handle the change that comes when seasons of life come and go.  Maybe life would be easier.  I’d probably cry a lot less.

Is change ever something we can get used to?  I guess it would be a contradiction, wouldn’t it?  All I know is that 16 is not enough, as evidenced by the pansy-like tears that fell on little heads as I hugged students goodbye yesterday on my final day of student teaching.

As I am graduating from college in two days, in that classic state of wonderment about where life might take me, it frustrates me that I am so bad at walking away from situations that I know are good (or even average.)  The point is: they are known.  In one of these three-month chunks, I establish an understanding of my surroundings.  I know what to expect, how to behave, what my role is in a certain environment, and whom I can rely on.  With every seasonal change I find that I have to start over, in a sense.  I settle down, letting my roots grow deep into the ground only to be plucked from the Earth time and time again.

Being a 20-something college graduate (almost), I find that not much in life is constant.  While this is a huge struggle for me at times, I am thankful for the adventure.  I know that each of those seasons taught me something unique that has helped to make me the person I am and will be.

Don’t get me wrong, I am perplexed by the cultural change that has been occurring, where children used to become adults at age 12 and children now become adults… when?  Around 25?  30?  Is this whole concept of “finding yourself” a sham?  Is it actually important?  Is it ascertainable, or do we just give the whole idea undue fame?  I don’t know the answer to these questions.

I think the point is that what matters is not what (specifically) we’re doing, rather who we are when we’re doing it.  I have spent a handful of those college semesters feeling like I just need to get through that season of life.  College is a time to prepare a person for a career as well as parts of life, but I think us college students forget how to live during each preparation stage.  Like an extra in a movie, they’re needed, but still feel unimportant.

Here’s what I have learned.  Life is not always exciting, and it’s definitely not always predictable.  The mix of these two elements ultimately makes life a mystery.  What I do know, is what I feel we are called to do as a result: thank God and glorify him by trusting him throughout the mystery of it all.

I look back on 16 three-month chunks and ahead to three more of them, while I prepare to go to YWAM, participate in a three-month(ish) discipleship training school, and a three-month(ish) outreach. I think I will have plenty of time to settle down later in life.  For now, I am going to enjoy the adventure that God is leading me through, soaking up as much as I can learn from every experience and pouring out as much as I can by loving those around me and using my gifts, talents and worship as a means of bringing glory to God, the one who gives each set of three months of life meaning.

Summer People

Assorted Photos From Summer 2011

Pirates

At the camp I work at we have a theme night that involves dressing up and acting the part. It's a ton of fun! In past years we have done Medieval Theme Night, Kung Fu Theme Night, and this year's Pirate Theme Night! It was such a blast! Here are a few photos from the event. Enjoy!