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About a week ago I had the privilege of attending my 4 year old nephew's baseball game. I was in Kansas City on an overnight for work and he just happened to have a game. Watching that beautiful little boy and his father (my brother, Clint) bond like that over a sport they both love was amazing. I was reminded again just how much God loves us.
See, William LOVES baseball!! He's only 4 but it is really the only thing in life that matters to him. In fact, I don't think I've seen William without a Royals T-Shirt on since he was about 2. And, he's pretty darn good at it, too. He can hit the ball and I don't mean off of a tee. Clint pitches to him and he hits it.....HARD. He can hit it over the fence at Mom and Dad's house. Yes, I'm bragging. It's my blog and I can brag if I want to! But, since he is only 4 they wouldn't let him play tee-ball this year in the Blue Valley Rec league. And, Clint didn't really want him to play tee-ball anyway because it's kind of back-tracking. So, Clint and Megan were at a work thingy (I think) and William was showing off by putting on a hitting display (too much?) and this really cool guy, Matt, who Clint works with was like "Dude, he needs to be on a team." And, it just so happens that Matt helps coach a team of 5 and 6 year old kids through his Church. The coach pitches to them 5 times and if they don't hit it they bring out the tee. HOW STINKING PERFECT IS THAT?!?!?! That, my friends, is how much God loves us. He just handed William the perfect little baseball league. And, if you still don't believe in God or that He loves us, you should have seen the gigantic smiles on both Clint and William's faces when they were out there playing. That is all the proof I need.
This may seem to you like a strange way of proving God's existence but little things like this are what strengthen my faith every day.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sit On A Tack!
Before I started Alpha two years ago I hated to be alone. It gave me anxiety like you would not believe. I didn't want to live alone. I didn't want to be single. And, I certainly didn't want to live very far from my main support system....my family. I don't want to say that I was weak but the truth is I kind of was. But, I've grown pretty strong with the help of Jesus. Now I love my alone time. I love living alone and I love being single. And, just recently I decided to move to Chicago. Needless to say I am way outside my comfort zone.
God knows me very well. He knows my strengths and weaknesses, my likes and dislikes. He knows me better then I know myself.......And, so does the devil. I never thought I'd find myself mentioning "the enemy." I just don't talk like that and it sounds way too "Christianese" for me. But, I've got to give credit where credit is due and he has been working overtime in my life lately.
For the past year I have felt a pull toward Chicago. That pull intensified immensely last summer when I attended an Alpha conference in the Chicago area. I just felt like that's where God wanted me and could use me the most. So, I began taking the necessary steps to move here. I thought a little about how I'd miss my friends and family in Kansas but I was really too preoccupied with the big move to let it get to me. So, when Mom and Dad got on the train last week to head home after moving me into my new apartment in my new city that I'd been looking forward to living in for over a year, I was a little shocked to feel a huge wave of homesickness set in. "What is this?" I thought "well, I'm sure it will go away." And, it did......But, unfortunately "the enemy" doesn't give up that easily.
That next Saturday I woke up to some pretty crappy weather and the onset of a sinus infection. My friend Emily was gone for the weekend visiting friends in Lincoln. My friend Christopher was also out of town. I found myself very alone in a brand new life. The anxiety started to set in. I got up and decided to face the day head on. That lasted for about two minutes. The next thing I knew I was frantic. Crying hysterically and really needing to call my mother. I used to call my mother every time I had an anxiety attack. I'd call her and she'd have to talk to me until I had calmed down. But, at some point in the past two years I started going to Jesus in situations like these. But, last Saturday I needed my mom. I don't see this as a sign of weakness. Sometimes you just need your mother. So, she and I talked and I told her that I really didn't want to come back to Kansas City. It was my first weekend in Chicago and it would be so pathetic to run back home so quickly. Plus I was convinced that if I went home I wouldn't want to come back. So, we got off the phone and the next thing I knew I was on the train on my way to the airport to get on the next flight to Kansas City. I stayed there until Monday morning and then decided to come back to Chicago. It wasn't so bad. I cried when Mom hugged me goodbye but I was definitely stronger than I thought I'd be. I got back to my apartment and did some things and was feeling pretty good. I went to bed that night thinking, "I'm going to be able to do this." The devil does not give up that easily.......
Tuesday morning I awoke ready to get busy! I had to go to work on Wednesday and I needed to get my stuff ready. It took about five minutes for the panic attack to start. "Oh no I've made a huge mistake. 'I shouldn't have moved to Chicago and left my friends and family and support system. 'I can't do this! 'I'm not as strong as I thought I was!" Crying, panicing, terrified about what to do, I called my mother. We talked. She calmed me down. We hung up the phone with me feeling like I would be ok. And, I was for the most part. I got my stuff done and got ready for my trip. Now, up until this point I had not even so much as THOUGHT about the devil. Which, of course is what he wanted, right? When I went to check my email that afternoon there was a message from my mother. She wanted to know if I thought all of this doubt and panic and homesickness could be the work of the devil. It floored me. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Of course that's what this was! God knows that I need friends and plans and a very full social life. He knows that's what keeps me from feeling lonely........And, so does the devil. He was attacking me in full force. I couldn't believe I had let down my guard like that. Every time I do he smacks me in the face. Every single time..."Idle minds are the devil's workshop." This was the quote Mom used in her email. Again, it floored me.
So, I went on my trip on Wednesday and it was fantastic! I had a great crew and it felt amazing to get back to work. That was, after all, the only thing in my life that didn't' change. I had a great week and was really looking forward to the weekend because it was going to be my first St. Paddy's Day in Chicago!!! I was feeling like I might be able to do this Chicago thing! The devil does not give up quite so easily.
When I got back from my trip I found out that Emily was sick. She had been running a fever all week and had missed work. I'm so sorry Emily because I know you're reading this and this is going to sound SO SELFISH, but I am nothing if not honest so.....my first thought was "Oh no! 'If Emily is sick I don't have anyone to go out with on St. Paddy's day!" And, the panic set in. I started thinking about how my friend Christopher hadn't returned any of my phone calls or text messages all week and totally convinced myself that he was angry at me for some reason. I thought "Oh no! 'I cannot go back to Kansas City again this weekend but I cannot stay here and stare at the wall in my apartment all weekend either!" This whole conversation in my thoughts went on for about 5 minutes before I looked in the mirror and remembered......"You are under attack." "This is the work of the devil."
You see he wants me to believe that I can't make it on my own in a new city. He wants me to think all of my friends are abandoning me. He wants me to doubt myself so much that I'll throw in the towel and move back home before I get the chance to make even one disciple for Jesus Christ. Well, he can just sit on a tack because I DON'T GIVE UP THAT EASILY EITHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got myself around and took Emily some Alieve for her fever. I called a flight attendant I'd met who said I could go out with her on St. Paddy's day. I remembered that my friends Tracy and Bryan were planning to meet me out for St. Paddy's day. I told God that He and I were going to win this battle. And, I had myself a fantastic weekend! I went out on St. Paddy's Day with some friends of Emily's whom I'd met a handful of times. They were very sweet and welcoming. Tracy and Brian met us out later in the day. Emily's fever broke just enough that she got to come out and join the fun. Kuda and Claudia (two more friends I'd apparently forgotten I had thanks to Satan. Duh, Sarah. You know the two people who helped you MOVE IN to your apartment!) met us out that night. And, Christopher answered my text......God and I are winning!
I realized something else in all of this. God is letting Satan do all of this because He's testing me. He's seeing if I have fully surrendered to Him. He's seeing if I'll come to Him for help in my dark times. He needs me to see that He is my only answer. He loves my mother and doesn't mind that I call her for help, but He'd prefer that I come to Him.
I think since I have finally realized what is going on things have gotten a whole lot better. God is kicking some serious Satan ass if you know what I mean. I went to church this morning with Emily and then went with her to an Alpha meeting afterwards and met all of the awesome folks I'll be doing Alpha with in April. It was great and I feel very reassured that I'm right where God wants me to be. The more I trust Him the more He proves He is trustworthy. I can't believe Satan would waste his time on someone as small and insignificant as me but he does not want even one more person to become a follower of Jesus Christ. Well, he can just go sit on a tack......
God knows me very well. He knows my strengths and weaknesses, my likes and dislikes. He knows me better then I know myself.......And, so does the devil. I never thought I'd find myself mentioning "the enemy." I just don't talk like that and it sounds way too "Christianese" for me. But, I've got to give credit where credit is due and he has been working overtime in my life lately.
For the past year I have felt a pull toward Chicago. That pull intensified immensely last summer when I attended an Alpha conference in the Chicago area. I just felt like that's where God wanted me and could use me the most. So, I began taking the necessary steps to move here. I thought a little about how I'd miss my friends and family in Kansas but I was really too preoccupied with the big move to let it get to me. So, when Mom and Dad got on the train last week to head home after moving me into my new apartment in my new city that I'd been looking forward to living in for over a year, I was a little shocked to feel a huge wave of homesickness set in. "What is this?" I thought "well, I'm sure it will go away." And, it did......But, unfortunately "the enemy" doesn't give up that easily.
That next Saturday I woke up to some pretty crappy weather and the onset of a sinus infection. My friend Emily was gone for the weekend visiting friends in Lincoln. My friend Christopher was also out of town. I found myself very alone in a brand new life. The anxiety started to set in. I got up and decided to face the day head on. That lasted for about two minutes. The next thing I knew I was frantic. Crying hysterically and really needing to call my mother. I used to call my mother every time I had an anxiety attack. I'd call her and she'd have to talk to me until I had calmed down. But, at some point in the past two years I started going to Jesus in situations like these. But, last Saturday I needed my mom. I don't see this as a sign of weakness. Sometimes you just need your mother. So, she and I talked and I told her that I really didn't want to come back to Kansas City. It was my first weekend in Chicago and it would be so pathetic to run back home so quickly. Plus I was convinced that if I went home I wouldn't want to come back. So, we got off the phone and the next thing I knew I was on the train on my way to the airport to get on the next flight to Kansas City. I stayed there until Monday morning and then decided to come back to Chicago. It wasn't so bad. I cried when Mom hugged me goodbye but I was definitely stronger than I thought I'd be. I got back to my apartment and did some things and was feeling pretty good. I went to bed that night thinking, "I'm going to be able to do this." The devil does not give up that easily.......
Tuesday morning I awoke ready to get busy! I had to go to work on Wednesday and I needed to get my stuff ready. It took about five minutes for the panic attack to start. "Oh no I've made a huge mistake. 'I shouldn't have moved to Chicago and left my friends and family and support system. 'I can't do this! 'I'm not as strong as I thought I was!" Crying, panicing, terrified about what to do, I called my mother. We talked. She calmed me down. We hung up the phone with me feeling like I would be ok. And, I was for the most part. I got my stuff done and got ready for my trip. Now, up until this point I had not even so much as THOUGHT about the devil. Which, of course is what he wanted, right? When I went to check my email that afternoon there was a message from my mother. She wanted to know if I thought all of this doubt and panic and homesickness could be the work of the devil. It floored me. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Of course that's what this was! God knows that I need friends and plans and a very full social life. He knows that's what keeps me from feeling lonely........And, so does the devil. He was attacking me in full force. I couldn't believe I had let down my guard like that. Every time I do he smacks me in the face. Every single time..."Idle minds are the devil's workshop." This was the quote Mom used in her email. Again, it floored me.
So, I went on my trip on Wednesday and it was fantastic! I had a great crew and it felt amazing to get back to work. That was, after all, the only thing in my life that didn't' change. I had a great week and was really looking forward to the weekend because it was going to be my first St. Paddy's Day in Chicago!!! I was feeling like I might be able to do this Chicago thing! The devil does not give up quite so easily.
When I got back from my trip I found out that Emily was sick. She had been running a fever all week and had missed work. I'm so sorry Emily because I know you're reading this and this is going to sound SO SELFISH, but I am nothing if not honest so.....my first thought was "Oh no! 'If Emily is sick I don't have anyone to go out with on St. Paddy's day!" And, the panic set in. I started thinking about how my friend Christopher hadn't returned any of my phone calls or text messages all week and totally convinced myself that he was angry at me for some reason. I thought "Oh no! 'I cannot go back to Kansas City again this weekend but I cannot stay here and stare at the wall in my apartment all weekend either!" This whole conversation in my thoughts went on for about 5 minutes before I looked in the mirror and remembered......"You are under attack." "This is the work of the devil."
You see he wants me to believe that I can't make it on my own in a new city. He wants me to think all of my friends are abandoning me. He wants me to doubt myself so much that I'll throw in the towel and move back home before I get the chance to make even one disciple for Jesus Christ. Well, he can just sit on a tack because I DON'T GIVE UP THAT EASILY EITHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got myself around and took Emily some Alieve for her fever. I called a flight attendant I'd met who said I could go out with her on St. Paddy's day. I remembered that my friends Tracy and Bryan were planning to meet me out for St. Paddy's day. I told God that He and I were going to win this battle. And, I had myself a fantastic weekend! I went out on St. Paddy's Day with some friends of Emily's whom I'd met a handful of times. They were very sweet and welcoming. Tracy and Brian met us out later in the day. Emily's fever broke just enough that she got to come out and join the fun. Kuda and Claudia (two more friends I'd apparently forgotten I had thanks to Satan. Duh, Sarah. You know the two people who helped you MOVE IN to your apartment!) met us out that night. And, Christopher answered my text......God and I are winning!
I realized something else in all of this. God is letting Satan do all of this because He's testing me. He's seeing if I have fully surrendered to Him. He's seeing if I'll come to Him for help in my dark times. He needs me to see that He is my only answer. He loves my mother and doesn't mind that I call her for help, but He'd prefer that I come to Him.
I think since I have finally realized what is going on things have gotten a whole lot better. God is kicking some serious Satan ass if you know what I mean. I went to church this morning with Emily and then went with her to an Alpha meeting afterwards and met all of the awesome folks I'll be doing Alpha with in April. It was great and I feel very reassured that I'm right where God wants me to be. The more I trust Him the more He proves He is trustworthy. I can't believe Satan would waste his time on someone as small and insignificant as me but he does not want even one more person to become a follower of Jesus Christ. Well, he can just go sit on a tack......
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Just one of my many hang-ups
I can't figure out how to address God. Everytime I pray I go through this little process of what to call him. Is it "Dear God" or just "God" or "Jesus" or maybe "Father God." I have no idea. Then after I decide how to address Him it never fails that during the prayer I can't figure out what to call Him. I always begin with the sign of the Cross because I'm a fallen Catholic and it just feels incomplete unless I start and end by crossing myself. But, that doesn't help with how to address Him. See, when I talk to God I actually treat it like a conversation. I talk to Him just like I talk to many of you. But, sometimes I call Him God and sometimes I call Him Jesus and of course sometimes I call Him Dude (what? It's a capital "D".) This probably doesn't seem like a huge problem for most of you but it is for me because I feel like in order to get closer to Him and cultivate my relationship with Him I have to understand who I'm talking to. I don't know. I sort of think of God as the father and Jesus as a really good friend. But, are they the same? Jesus is a person though and I don't think of God as a person so much as a presence. Who am I really talking to? I guess this all goes back to the Trinity which I have NEVER been able to fully understand. I'm ok with that because a very wise person once asked me "would you really want a God you can fully understand?" No I would not. But, I need to understand who I'm actually talking to when I pray. And, at this point I have absolutely no idea. But, whoever it is must be listening because my prayers are being answered! Obviously I would really like to hear your comments about this one. Please help me!!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Answer
For all of you who said to me at one point or another "maybe that's why you didn't get to go to London." I wanted to smack you in the face. I'm sorry but it's true. There was no reason that any of you gave me that was good enough......until today. I got my answer. Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to share exactly what it is. But, I am 110% positive that God made the right decision in keeping me from going on the Internship. I'm sorry I have to be so vague but learned today that God knows me, my heart, my needs, and my wants so much better than I do. The most amazing thing for me is that I got an answer. I didn't think I'd get it in this lifetime. But, again God knew I needed it. And, He gave it to me. As selfish as I've acted I can't believe He did. He is amazing. He is my Savior and today I am humbled and amazed by his graciousness. Friends, please trust Him no matter what you are going through. He knows what He's doing.
Peace,
Sarah
Peace,
Sarah
Thursday, October 30, 2008
My Hero
Well......I didn't get to go to London (yet) but I did get to meet Nicky Gumbel! This is him interviewing me at a conference last summer. He's so cool!!!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
He's there.....Even when we're not.
I don't really have any formal training on how to be a writer. But, I have discovered that expressing my feelings through words is very therapeutic. So, I've decided to keep this blog as a kind of "spiritual journal." I have to warn you. I am VERY honest and I plan to say exactly what I feel. Your comments are welcome.
I have FINALLY started speaking to God again. It was a pretty gradual process. Mainly I started because I had to. A friend of mine from college is battling breast cancer and the only thing I can really do to help her is pray. So, there you go. I had to bite the bullet and talk to Him. But, here is the amazing thing. He was still there waiting for me the entire time I was gone. He was right there ready to listen to me. And today, true to form, He blew me away.
My friend Beth is preparing to give the talk at Alpha tonight. So, when I woke up this morning I made a mental note that I would set aside some time to pray for her. I think it's important to point out that I don't usually do what I'm about to describe. Usually I just lay in my bed and close my eyes and talk to Him. But, today I got this urge to put on some music. So, I brought in my iPod from the car and plugged it in to the T.V. and played my favorite Tim Hughes playlist. Ironically, he is the worship leader at Holy Trinity Brompton. I decided to try something new too by sitting on my couch in my living room to pray. As I was sitting there I glanced up and saw the daily devotional that my mom gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago. Or maybe it was my birthday...It doesn't matter. So, I opened it up to October 21st and read it. It was about comfort and how God comforts us so that we can comfort others. I didn't think too much about it. I just remembered some of the people who have comforted me in my hard times and prayed about the people I'd like to provide comfort to. Then I started praying for Beth and her talk. I prayed for Amy, my friend battling cancer. I prayed for a couple of other people and things going on in their lives and as always I eventually got around to praying for myself. And, all of a sudden I had another urge. I decided to open my eyes and imagine Jesus sitting in my living room. He was sitting in my big black leather comfy chair with His feet up on my ottoman. I decided to talk to Him as if it was Ali sitting there. "What would I say to Him if He were sitting here across the room from me?" I thought. And, then I just started talking to Him. I started telling Him that I don't understand why He didn't send me to London. And, that I don't understand why He doesn't seem to want me to move to Chicago. I told Him that I know at least 3 people in the Chicago area who are involved with Alpha and that as soon as I get an offer on my house I'll send an email to all of them asking how I can get involved. (I know....but, this is how I talk to God.) I assured Him that I would still be able to do His work even if I'm not here in Kansas City at Christ Church. The song Tim Hughes was singing at this particular time was so fitting, too. "Fill us up....send us out. Fill us up....send us out, Lord." He sang and that is exactly what I was saying to Jesus, who was sitting in my living room with his feet propped up. I told Him that the most important thing in the world to me has become making disciples for Him. My deepest longing is to do something so much bigger than me for Him. I told Him that all I really want is for Him to fill me up and send me out to do His work. And, then the most amazing thing happened. I felt His presence stronger than I ever have in my life. He got up out of the chair and came over and sat down beside me on the couch. He put his arms around me and I could feel Him holding me. I wept on His shoulder. He patted my hair. He was comforting me in a way I had never felt before. He said "Everything is under control, Sarah. I've got it. I know what you want and I'm going to finish what I started in you. Just trust Me." And, I did. In that moment I knew that He has had my best interest at heart this entire time. He knows what He's doing and He is going to finish whatever it is He has started in me. He comforted me!
After I finished my prayer time this morning something else occurred to me. It felt so good to have Jesus back in my life. I mean He was there the whole time, but I was gone. It made me think about one of my best friends, Ali Kistner. She and I have had our ups and downs over the years. But, somehow we always found our way back to our friendship. And, it is stronger than it has ever been. I honestly don't know what I would do without her in my life. I remember the last fight she and I had and how we had both made up our minds that our friendship was better at a distance. And, then I started missing her so much. William and Easton were born and I just wanted to tell her about it. But, she wasn't there anymore. I prayed to God about her and asked him to repair our frienship. And, He did. And, He's been blessing it ever since. And, that is exactly the same feeling I have today about Him. I missed Him so much over the past couple of weeks but now we've picked up right where we left off and I am so glad to have Him back.
Again, I have likened my relationship with God to a relationship I have with another human being. That is intentional because it is a relationship that we have with God. And, it's going to have ups and downs. But, just like any relationship worth having it will always be challanged, repaired and then it will become even stronger as a result of the hardships.
I have FINALLY started speaking to God again. It was a pretty gradual process. Mainly I started because I had to. A friend of mine from college is battling breast cancer and the only thing I can really do to help her is pray. So, there you go. I had to bite the bullet and talk to Him. But, here is the amazing thing. He was still there waiting for me the entire time I was gone. He was right there ready to listen to me. And today, true to form, He blew me away.
My friend Beth is preparing to give the talk at Alpha tonight. So, when I woke up this morning I made a mental note that I would set aside some time to pray for her. I think it's important to point out that I don't usually do what I'm about to describe. Usually I just lay in my bed and close my eyes and talk to Him. But, today I got this urge to put on some music. So, I brought in my iPod from the car and plugged it in to the T.V. and played my favorite Tim Hughes playlist. Ironically, he is the worship leader at Holy Trinity Brompton. I decided to try something new too by sitting on my couch in my living room to pray. As I was sitting there I glanced up and saw the daily devotional that my mom gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago. Or maybe it was my birthday...It doesn't matter. So, I opened it up to October 21st and read it. It was about comfort and how God comforts us so that we can comfort others. I didn't think too much about it. I just remembered some of the people who have comforted me in my hard times and prayed about the people I'd like to provide comfort to. Then I started praying for Beth and her talk. I prayed for Amy, my friend battling cancer. I prayed for a couple of other people and things going on in their lives and as always I eventually got around to praying for myself. And, all of a sudden I had another urge. I decided to open my eyes and imagine Jesus sitting in my living room. He was sitting in my big black leather comfy chair with His feet up on my ottoman. I decided to talk to Him as if it was Ali sitting there. "What would I say to Him if He were sitting here across the room from me?" I thought. And, then I just started talking to Him. I started telling Him that I don't understand why He didn't send me to London. And, that I don't understand why He doesn't seem to want me to move to Chicago. I told Him that I know at least 3 people in the Chicago area who are involved with Alpha and that as soon as I get an offer on my house I'll send an email to all of them asking how I can get involved. (I know....but, this is how I talk to God.) I assured Him that I would still be able to do His work even if I'm not here in Kansas City at Christ Church. The song Tim Hughes was singing at this particular time was so fitting, too. "Fill us up....send us out. Fill us up....send us out, Lord." He sang and that is exactly what I was saying to Jesus, who was sitting in my living room with his feet propped up. I told Him that the most important thing in the world to me has become making disciples for Him. My deepest longing is to do something so much bigger than me for Him. I told Him that all I really want is for Him to fill me up and send me out to do His work. And, then the most amazing thing happened. I felt His presence stronger than I ever have in my life. He got up out of the chair and came over and sat down beside me on the couch. He put his arms around me and I could feel Him holding me. I wept on His shoulder. He patted my hair. He was comforting me in a way I had never felt before. He said "Everything is under control, Sarah. I've got it. I know what you want and I'm going to finish what I started in you. Just trust Me." And, I did. In that moment I knew that He has had my best interest at heart this entire time. He knows what He's doing and He is going to finish whatever it is He has started in me. He comforted me!
After I finished my prayer time this morning something else occurred to me. It felt so good to have Jesus back in my life. I mean He was there the whole time, but I was gone. It made me think about one of my best friends, Ali Kistner. She and I have had our ups and downs over the years. But, somehow we always found our way back to our friendship. And, it is stronger than it has ever been. I honestly don't know what I would do without her in my life. I remember the last fight she and I had and how we had both made up our minds that our friendship was better at a distance. And, then I started missing her so much. William and Easton were born and I just wanted to tell her about it. But, she wasn't there anymore. I prayed to God about her and asked him to repair our frienship. And, He did. And, He's been blessing it ever since. And, that is exactly the same feeling I have today about Him. I missed Him so much over the past couple of weeks but now we've picked up right where we left off and I am so glad to have Him back.
Again, I have likened my relationship with God to a relationship I have with another human being. That is intentional because it is a relationship that we have with God. And, it's going to have ups and downs. But, just like any relationship worth having it will always be challanged, repaired and then it will become even stronger as a result of the hardships.
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Final Verdict
Dear Sarah
Thank you for your ongoing patience and faithfulness as we have gone through the process of appeal with the British Home Office. We have now received their response to the request for reconsideration that we submitted. Sadly, the Home Office has upheld their original decision to decline your TWES permit. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news at the end of what has been a long wait.
I want to reiterate that we have been so impressed throughout this time with regard to your involvement in Alpha and the way you have handled this difficult time. We are greatly saddened that you have not been able to join us for the Global Intern programme, but do trust that God will bless you in your next steps. We want to once again thank you for the time, passion and commitment you have put into making yourself available for the programme.
We also hope that some time in the future we will be able to meet. If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the Alpha team.
With warmest regards and blessings Heather
Thank you for your ongoing patience and faithfulness as we have gone through the process of appeal with the British Home Office. We have now received their response to the request for reconsideration that we submitted. Sadly, the Home Office has upheld their original decision to decline your TWES permit. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news at the end of what has been a long wait.
I want to reiterate that we have been so impressed throughout this time with regard to your involvement in Alpha and the way you have handled this difficult time. We are greatly saddened that you have not been able to join us for the Global Intern programme, but do trust that God will bless you in your next steps. We want to once again thank you for the time, passion and commitment you have put into making yourself available for the programme.
We also hope that some time in the future we will be able to meet. If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the Alpha team.
With warmest regards and blessings Heather
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