My life is like a broken record that continues to spin around and around. It looks a lot like this: I cry out to GOD (scared, anxious, doubtful) and then HE is faithful to provide, and then I repeat the same cycle all over again. HE is always faithful to provide my needs, and every once in a while HE patiently gives me what I want. Yet I know that even if HE didn't GOD is still faithful and good. HE blesses me FAR beyond what I deserve. I am so blown away by the love GOD has for me! I think of Isaiah 54:8 quite often- "In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you , but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you" says the LORD, your REDEEMER." I am just so thankful for this kind of love from GOD, because I definitely deserve the first reaction, yet I am grateful to receive the latter.
As I prepare to go to Uganda it has been such a humbling experience to trust GOD financially. The other day I cried anxiously in fear that I wouldn't make it. That the rest of my support wouldn't come. From the start it was a scary leap of faith. I mean I couldn't snap my fingers and make $1,500 dollars PLUS some magically appear. I'm 23, I live with my parents, and I barely make enough to pay the few bills I do have and survive between paychecks (praise GOD I have no debt to pay off!). Yet I felt the LORD was calling me to go to Uganda this time around. I am just so blown away by how much GOD provides. If it is HIS will HE will make it happen. I am SO thankful for my biological family, church family, and for my Chick-fil-a family as they have been a huge support in this time! I seriously couldn't have done it without you all! For all of those who gave you know who you are- I deeply and sincerely thank you! You have blessed me beyond words! I remember when I had the last check covering my travel support handed to me, and the moment I opened it. I paused in shock for a moment. Then I exploded with joy. GOD is SO faithful!!! I am so blown away by how people want to help me as I embark on this adventure for GOD's kingdom! The willingness to give towards my travel expenses, the willingness to buy supplies for those precious little ones in Uganda. I am so thankful!
The next step is to finish preparing to go to Uganda. Get the supplies on the (Un)adopted wish list, pray, pack, and trust GOD to do the rest. I am still anxious about how I will be able to pay my bills when I get back as I will not have that income as I will miss work, but I am choosing to trust my ABBA. After all- who am I to doubt after HE has been faithful to provide for me for Uganda and for the other hundreds of ways HE has done so in my life- grace being the greatest.
Much Love, Frances Hope
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Paintings with a Purpose
Hello dearest loved ones!
Some of you (hopefully most) have heard that I am going on a short term mission trip to Uganda from June 5th through the 14th. If you had the chance to read my last blog you know that this has been my desire for the last two years. I wanted to give you a brief update on where I am in my preparation to go: 1) I am vaccinated! 2) My visa has been approved! 3) I have a scheduled appointment with my doctor for the medication that I will need for travel. 4) GOD is beautifully preparing my heart and giving me the boldness and the opportunity to share the gospel and my faith with other people (often strangers!). 5) I still have a bit of ways to go on raising financial support for my trip.
So I introduce (and reintroduce) my "paintings with a purpose". I free handed all of the paintings, and each one of them comes from my heart.
* The first one: "Oh Father Use...." is something I often sing over myself as I desire to better submit to GOD's authority and purpose for my life, but also in adoration that HE is my FATHER who chooses to use me for HIS kingdom.
*The second one: "..Here I am send me" is a verse that hits my heart every time I hear it. I want to have this same courageous submission as Isaiah to be sent for GOD's Kingdom to share HIS gospel around the world in the U.S. AND over seas because both are valuable, and necessary. One is not greater than the other. Remember JESUS dies for Jews and Gentiles. Citizens and Non- Citizens.
*The third one: Flowers. It doesn't go as deep as the others but it is still from my heart. I have always has an appreciation for GOD's creation. I- love- nature! Sometimes I just take a step back and enjoy the flowers, trees, and plants that I see growing on the side of the road.
*The fourth one: "Thy will be done". Yes I know it looks dark. It's supposed to. I often battle with depression and anxiety, and I have found that it something GOD uses to further sanctify me. HE has brought many many storms in my life, but they are all for my benefit and HIS glory. So it is a prayer that even in the midst of every storm I would say to my loving ABBA "Thy will be done!"
*The fifth one: "Be still and know that I am GOD". (This one is on a small wooden board.) Everyone battles with something and it is a reminder from GOD that we need only be still and let HIM take the rains. Some translations say to "cease striving and know that I am GOD".
So I ask that you would please take these paintings into consideration. I am not giving a price for any of them to leave them for "open bidding" in hopes to raise more support for my trip. 100% of what I make of these paintings will go towards my trip to Uganda. Thanks a bunch!
Much Love, Frances Hope
Some of you (hopefully most) have heard that I am going on a short term mission trip to Uganda from June 5th through the 14th. If you had the chance to read my last blog you know that this has been my desire for the last two years. I wanted to give you a brief update on where I am in my preparation to go: 1) I am vaccinated! 2) My visa has been approved! 3) I have a scheduled appointment with my doctor for the medication that I will need for travel. 4) GOD is beautifully preparing my heart and giving me the boldness and the opportunity to share the gospel and my faith with other people (often strangers!). 5) I still have a bit of ways to go on raising financial support for my trip.
So I introduce (and reintroduce) my "paintings with a purpose". I free handed all of the paintings, and each one of them comes from my heart.
* The first one: "Oh Father Use...." is something I often sing over myself as I desire to better submit to GOD's authority and purpose for my life, but also in adoration that HE is my FATHER who chooses to use me for HIS kingdom.
*The second one: "..Here I am send me" is a verse that hits my heart every time I hear it. I want to have this same courageous submission as Isaiah to be sent for GOD's Kingdom to share HIS gospel around the world in the U.S. AND over seas because both are valuable, and necessary. One is not greater than the other. Remember JESUS dies for Jews and Gentiles. Citizens and Non- Citizens.
*The third one: Flowers. It doesn't go as deep as the others but it is still from my heart. I have always has an appreciation for GOD's creation. I- love- nature! Sometimes I just take a step back and enjoy the flowers, trees, and plants that I see growing on the side of the road.
*The fourth one: "Thy will be done". Yes I know it looks dark. It's supposed to. I often battle with depression and anxiety, and I have found that it something GOD uses to further sanctify me. HE has brought many many storms in my life, but they are all for my benefit and HIS glory. So it is a prayer that even in the midst of every storm I would say to my loving ABBA "Thy will be done!"
*The fifth one: "Be still and know that I am GOD". (This one is on a small wooden board.) Everyone battles with something and it is a reminder from GOD that we need only be still and let HIM take the rains. Some translations say to "cease striving and know that I am GOD".
So I ask that you would please take these paintings into consideration. I am not giving a price for any of them to leave them for "open bidding" in hopes to raise more support for my trip. 100% of what I make of these paintings will go towards my trip to Uganda. Thanks a bunch!
Much Love, Frances Hope
Saturday, May 6, 2017
When HE finally says "Go!"
For two years I have wanted this. Two years I have prayed and pondered upon this opportunity.For two years I have felt GOD say "not now". At first I thought HE was firmly telling me "NO!" and I didn't understand why HE would say no to something such as this- but now I, Frances Hope Allen, am going to Uganda. On June 5th, 2017 I will board a plane that will take me farther than I have ever flown simply to love on those that are the "least of these". Not in my time, but in GOD's time- HIS beautiful and perfect timing. The past two years have surely not been a waste for HE has faithfully been teaching me along the way. GOD has been preparing me for these past two years for these 10 days to come. There is beauty in waiting in obedience for GOD's perfect and beautiful timing. (I will confess that I did happen to throw a few temper tantrums along the way). For the past two years GOD has brought me to places of preparation, and yet I am sure that when I get there I will feel completely unprepared and learn far more. I am thankful for the past two years of my life in which I have taught little ones, learned to study scripture as God intended, served in sacrificial ways, helped care for precious individuals who had special needs, cried and persevered. GOD is teaching me that seasons of waiting are not meaningless- they shouldn't even be viewed as such because HE is working in them. I think about the struggle I went through not having a car (which I know sounds first world) and how I cried out to GOD in the midst of the trial and asking HIM to provide either a better heart or a car. For three years this went on- and three years it was a struggle. Then one day HE provided when I least expected it. I never told any one the type of car I saw myself in- and I would have been thankful for any car in that season- and then when I saw the car chosen for me I wept, because it was my dream car ( a small outdoorsy black SUV). GOD provided for me even the selfish desires of my heart, because I had waited and trusted HIM. There better truth HE didn't have to, because HE owes me nothing and I owe HIM everything. I am so thankful for seasons of trial and waiting because GOD teaches gratitude in them. HE is so faithful. HE is so just. SO loving. I am humbled because I have waited GOD has been providing left and right the finances I need to go to Uganda. I am learning that obedience in waiting is good, because when we wait for the LORD's timing we truly see that it is perfect.
Much Love, Frances Hope
Much Love, Frances Hope
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