i have an awesome story for you....it began several months ago, i hinted about it
but now it's time to share.
it's a little long but it's incredible!
i'm going to start out with my Savannah telling a little bit ....
"Since I’ve been to college, God’s hand has been more evident than ever. I can clearly see the people He has placed in my life, and even without knowing the extent of how important our relationship will be, I can tell the Holy Spirit is at work. UGA is known as the biggest party school in the nation, yet I feel like there is no way any other college could have this many people walking in His footsteps, praying in every move they make. I have never been so thankful for the family I grew up in, and I have never been so fully appreciative of the friendships God has given me. I am overwhelmingly grateful for His blessings and for His plan for me.
I want to share with you, as best I can, an amazing miracle I have been blessed enough to play a part in. The details God works out are sometimes impossible to fully explain, because our inadequate minds cannot entirely appreciate and understand how intricate His plan is. As my mom has shared with you her simple thoughts, I hope to share a few of my own in selfless thankfulness to His provision and His glory.
Passion brought me to a place of unwavering faith, of complete trust in God’s provision, of desire to share His kingdom. The things I once thought I knew and understood, I then had a cry in my soul to live out."
several months ago, i friend who i've never met in person,
(we'll name her marie to maintain her anonymity)
(we'll name her marie to maintain her anonymity)
who simply reads my blog & has since become one of my favorite friends
a prayer warrior who has loved on & blessed my family
in ways that would blow your mind,
called & had just heard on talk radio
( she lives up in the midwest)
about an amazing event that would be held in atlanta january 2012.
passion is an incredible event for college kids
four days
with louie giglio, chris tomlin, david crowder, beth moore
andy stanley, francis chan
david platt...just to name a few,
passion is an incredible event for college kids
four days
with louie giglio, chris tomlin, david crowder, beth moore
andy stanley, francis chan
david platt...just to name a few,
she asked if i would allow her to support savannah & purchase her ticket.
savannah went last year & was one of the most pivotal events in her christian walk.
she came back even more focused & determined to carry the name of jesus
wherever he lead her.
my friend, "marie" also told me she wanted to bless not only savannah
but four friends of hers who wouldn't be able to go
otherwise.
mind you, the tickets were $200 a pop.
savannah was blown away & so excited.
she immediately knew a couple friends & prayed for a couple more.
the cool thing....the night before marie's call to me
smk's sweetie trevor had prayed that the lord would make away for one of his best guy friends
to go to Passion 2012.
he had not told smk about this yet.
(don't you love hearing how God orchestrates details?!)
smk tells the 4 friends their tickets have been paid.
tears are shed, "no way!!!"s are said
& plans were made.
marie then sent each of the 5 kids a new crisp $100 bill
to them as "i know things are tight in college. do something fun with this money".
she then smk $250 check
to distribute between each of them as $50 to donate
once they were at passion
fast forward to january 2, 2012...
savannah has rallied about 2 dozen college kids to be part of the
40,000
college kids who are spending the next 4 days at the georgia dome!
this awesome generation of kids
will lead our country
they are a generation on their knees
with hands lifted high in praise to God
they carry His name
wherever they go.
to marie...our family has often wondered if you were "real"...
your generous spirit has blown us away
& inspired each of us to love in whatever way we can.
while we could never send $2,000 to a college co-ed
whom we've never met
we can do something
& we can pray for these kids.
i am eternally grateful to YOU!!!!!
this investment will have eternal rewards
& i love that in heaven one day, we will get a glimpse.
so marie, thank you. you know we love you & love watching
the lord work through YOU!!!
thank you....
to savannah, i'm more proud of you than ever.
your open unashamed love for the lord is remarkable!
He is going to do BIG things in & through you baby girl!!!
BIG things
& i love sitting here on the front row & watching you!!
~~~
sorry this was a longy...i feel like i shortened some of the details
just to get the point of the story across to you.
i HIGHLY encourage you to watch some of the live stream.
you will be blown away!!
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29 comments:
WOW! This is an awesome example of GOD at work! I love this Paige. And I am still trying to figure out a way to see YOU in March my friend! XO
amazing. what a blessing to see the GOSPEL in action like that!
This is AWESOME! How wonderous is our God! Thank you both for sharing your story of God' hand in your lives. It is inspiring and uplifting!
PRAISE GOD to whom all blessings flow! One of the things I've struggled with as a sorority alumna is the constant parties and other things that can become distractions to Christian women who are members. To know that SMK has not only pledged the chapter she wanted but that she is thriving in her walk with God and meeting other young men and women doing the same thing is such a blessing.
And praise God for Marie and her friendship/generosity.
What a beautiful testimony. Love this:)
I have tears in my eyes after reading this. Part of it is the gift that Marie gave and part of it is that I stand in wonder at what Louie Giglio has done with Passion. Amazing.
I also want to sit down some day and get a step by step tutorial of how you've raised your girls so well. :-)
Wow, I love this story! I will pray for them. Obviously Marie has the gift of giving and praise the Lord she is using it. It begs the question, am I using my Spiritual gifts? When we use them God is always glorified and we are the most satisfied. :) Thanks for sharing this fabulous story!! :)
What an amazing story! I can't wait to hear more about this fantastic experience. And, I want to thank "Marie" for being such an inspiration to all of us. She has shown us that there is hope with generous, loving people out there like her. Stories of God are so inspiring. XO
Pagie what an incredible testimony of God's attention to detail. He has surely taken care of everything and this story is an excellent example of provision. My prayers are with each student as they attend Passion. May their hearts be on fire for God and be drawn closer to his side. Thank you for sharing this story.
That is AWESOME!!! Praising Him for sweet servants like Marie who are open to hearing His voice & are obedient to His calling...what a blessing for those students. I pray they have a life changing experience & desire to live a life that is Kingdom minded!
There is most
definitely a spirit
at work, here ~
in Him, through
Him and for Him : )
Looks amazing!
xx Suzanne
What an awesome story! Thank you so much for sharing! And what an amzing woman "Marie" is! Both my college kids are at Passion 2012. I've been watching the live streams and and have been blown away by the worship and by the things God has spoken to me! Thanks, Paige, for your awesome blog.
So powerful! Wow!! What a blessing! Thanks for sharing.
Wow...what a beautiful spirit of generosity and God's hand. SMK is amazing and I love how "marie" blesses your family and has allowed these kids to grow in Christ.
The "Holy Spirit" works in amazing and wonderous ways..Another beautiful post..
Praise the sweet sweet name of Jesus! I LOVE this! A friend's daughter from here is there and is keeping us posted on Facebook! What we pray for...for our kids to be SOLD OUT to Jesus!
love this story.love seeing God work in the hearts and lives of young girls. praying for them all!
Oh my goodness! How wonderful! I love that they were able to go! I remember going to our church camp and how moving it was! You have done a tremendous job with your girls! And I am so thankful that you have Marie! xo
How amazing and what a truely wonderful experience!!! Thanks for sharing!
Take care!
jodi
That is just beyond cool. The whole thing! Isn't it amazing how God works?
i just want more of Him..THIS is what it is..what He can do with hearts fully surrendered. I think of Ann Voscamps post today..on the Jesus creed and Paige..
our young people are the future. He is raising up warriors. Front line warriors. I don't think times will always be like they are now.
This is beautiful..it blesses one to read..xo
I remember someone so radically and generously giving money to finance my summer internship in Australia with Youth for Christ between my junior and senior year of college. That summer was (obviously) life-changing for me, as I worked with former prostitutes and drug addicts - yes, even in Australia. It is AMAZING how God raises up people to pour into another generation.
Louie Giglio?! I'm SO JEALOUS I won't be with your sweet Savannah...
God is a wonderful provider....I'm so glad that these college students are seeing His provision in their lives so early in life.
praying for them as they sit under amazing teaching and beautiful worship unto our Lord.
can't wait to get to know SMK!!!!
Love this story. Thank you for sharing.
awesome. love this!
.. and WHAT a story this is!! Marie is truly an inspiration and such a wonderful example of God at work. What an amazing young lady Savannah is!! So much to be proud of Paige!! Continued blessings to your and your family. xo
There are no words that can describe the fullness of my heart as I read this post...tears provoked by the Wonderful God we serve! Your daughter is walking in the path the Lord has set before her and I cannot imagine how FULL your heart must be! and Marie..no words, only tears of joy. My Heart is full and overflowing! Thanks for this post!
The tears just continue to flow. What a story. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm so glad your daughter was able to go with so many of her friends. I was there too...and actually saw her and a few friends that I recognized as well, but refrained from being the crazy blogger and saying hi.
Lifting them up in specific prayer. Loved hearing "her side" of the story. Can't wait to see what God does in and through her. How great is our God!!
A wonderful, moving story and testament to the Lord's provisions moving through believers like Marie. And Savannah is a treasure! I can only imagine what sparks were ignited last week!
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