FrienDay FriDay :D

FrienDay FriDay is where post a "friend" that I run into, 

or a image that is definitive of the my experience with Cru

 that I would text a picture of to a good friend..

Hey look.. Hey look.. It's me, in the terp bubble! 

I guess there's a first time for everything.. :)

Soli Deo Gloria

T[her]sday: Her day, her way.. Jenna Math 101

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 "Every number has a name, every name has a story and every story matters to God."
 I try to make sure I get those stories in print in my Meditations&Musings4Mondays, "[what]S'up, Wednesday?" and FrienDay FriDay; but I've realized, I don't have a "numbers crunching post" for those who want the bottom line. Thus, I introduce "T[her]sday: Her day, her way.. Jenna Math". As a caveat though (and really a disclaimer to being terrible at math), these will be more entertaining than they are 100% accurate. "Jenna Math" as my family calls my adding ability often ends up a few numbers off.. So, with that in mind, enjoy these mostly accurate calculations of mine :)

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I landed in Richmond 3 hours ago for the ICOM conference.

I will start interpreting in 1 hour. 

This weekend, I am interpreting 8  different sessions - which you can watch online here!

The conference is only 4  days long - but that's four more days than I've previously left Jaelyn somewhere without me!

This is the 5 th and last time I'm going to link to the live stream web cast - if you have not yet clicked the link - do it now!!! ;)

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

[what]S'up, Wednesday?

[what]S'up, Wednesday?" is a place where I give updates about how day to day life is going as I work recruiting Deaf students to be involved with CRU, ASL Interpreters to meet the subsequent communication needs incurred, and prayer partners/a financial support base to join me on the journey. It will typically include something that has just happened, a "forecast of my schedule, and an update on my financial situation.. :)
          ******************************************************************

Happenings: I'm on the east coast! Check out my schedule to see where I'll be when. :) Jaelyn is with me - at 10 months old - this is her 3rd out-of-state trip. She travels well, and seems to like going by plane more than going by car (a girl after her momma's heart). She also just started walking on her own. She is thoroughly enjoying it too - cracking herself up as she goes!

Schedule: Break down of my 2 week trip~
this past Monday (8th) to Thursday (11th) networking in D.C. 
Friday (12th) and Saturday (13th) friends wedding in Maryland
Sunday (14th) catching up with "interpreter friends of project" in Philly
Monday (15th) to Thursday (18th) visiting potential new site for Deaf friendly summer project next year on the coast of New Jersey, also meeting with new potential donors
Friday (19th) back to D.C. 
Saturday (20th) friend from college, and fellow interpreters wedding in Virginia 
Sunday (21st) giving update at Deaf partner church north of D.C. 
Monday (22nd) flying home!

Finances: Thanks to a generous donor, I was given a "Matching Grant" towards the Interpreting Fund budget for the year 2015. My budget for the year is $84,000. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to learn how to use a "Matching Grant" fund, and am looking forward to meeting with new partners to join me in supplying these needs. To date I have had $1,280  donated towards the matching grant, meaning that since January, I have raised $2,560. That leaves $25,976  to still be raised. If you know of anyone interested in donating towards this amount, please hit reply (if you are reading this in your inbox) or contact me at jenna.buperry @ cru.org to introduce me to you friends! We know the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child" - I'll add, "it takes a community to 'win, build and send' laborers for Christ!" Would you join my community?

If you desire to partner with me monthly, my personal account is #0865449. I now have a bio page set up on the Cru give.org site with a link to my blog, and easy giving accessibility. 

Thanks for stewarding your resources well! 

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

T[her]sday: Her day, her way.. Jenna Math 101

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 "Every number has a name, every name has a story and every story matters to God."  I try to make sure I get those stories in print in my Meditations&Musings4Mondays, "[what]S'up, Wednesday?" and FrienDay FriDay; but I've realized, I don't have a "numbers crunching post" for those who want the bottom line. Thus, I introduce "T[her]sday: Her day, her way.. Jenna Math". As a caveat though (and really a disclaimer to being terrible at math), these will be more entertaining than they are 100% accurate. "Jenna Math" as my family calls my adding ability often ends up a few numbers off.. So, with that in mind, enjoy these mostly accurate calculations of mine :)
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In March, 10 Deaf students attended Big Break, meaning I needed 8 interpreters!

Those 8 interpreters, during the week that we were there, worked over 216 hours. 

My mom and I (and my daughter) drove a lil more than 28 hours down there and back over the course of 5 days (two days down, three days back).

My daughter is walking (behind a push toy) at 9 months and 1 week old (any day now, she will take off on her own!).

In 3 weeks I'm planning to leave town for 3ish weeks (see my post next week for finalized details). 

In that 3ish weeks, I'm probably going to drive 3,121  miles - YAY driving (not! - wanna drive with me? lmk if you wanna be my travel buddy)! 

Sadly, for the 2nd summer,  0 Deaf students signed up for Summer Project.

There are still 6 things this summer that need to be started or accomplished regarding 2 Deaf staff member joining staff next year!

As of May, I have had $1,280  donated towards the matching grant, 
meaning that since January, I have raised $2,560.

However, that leaves $25,976  to still be raised to reach my 2015 budget goal. 

With 5 months already down in the calendar year, I've got 7  months left until my matching grant "expires".

[what]S'up, Wednesday?

"[what]S'up, Wednesday?" is a place where I give weekly updates about how day to day life is going here in Wildwood, New Jersey. It will typically include something that has just happened, a "forecast of a schedule (always subject to change), and an update on my financial situation.. :)
          ******************************************************************

Happenings: My 5 week tour of the North East has come to a close. After 2 gate changes and an hour and a half delay, we made it back to Tulsa early Monday morning (yes, we left Sunday afternoon) ;) Tulsa Public Schools observes Presidents Day, giving Azael the day off. We took advantage of this "down day" to catch up on sleep. It is good to be home, but I miss the snow!
While in CT for our friends wedding, I finally had time to sit down with one of my interpreters from last summer (a very business minded friend) and talk details of this upcoming summer. There are obviously going to be some changes, since Baby BúPerry plans to come mid-July, and my terp friend, "Linsk", was able to give some valuable insight in to how that might happen. :) Really, there are many "iron's in the fire" at this point, and it's hard to tell which things will be ready first. I'm looking forward to what this summer has in store :)

Schedule: Now that I am home, I will start follow-ups with Deaf students, Interpreters and supporters. If you know of anyone who would be interested to support this ministry, please pass on my information, or contact me with their information :)

Finances:  I have received $1,300 towards the $5,000 I need to initially raise to begin my support raising journey for my part time staff position. If you would like to give a one-time gift towards this amount, please contact me so I can get you my address. You will need to send it in check form, as the account has not yet been set up for online donations. 

I am also still raising funds for Wildwood. If you would like to make a monetary donation towards the Wildwood ASL Interpreter Fund please do so here: https://give.cru.org/2870830
I appreciate your generous stewardship. 

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

[what]S'up, Wednesday?

"[what]S'up, Wednesday?" is a place where I give weekly updates about how day to day life is going here in Wildwood, New Jersey. It will typically include something that has just happened, a "forecast of a schedule (always subject to change), and an update on my financial situation.. :)
          ******************************************************************

Happenings: Tonight, after my friend Cara (my current host) and I meet up for dinner with the Pastor of the Deaf church in NJ, I will share at the Deaf Church's Wednesday night mtg about Wildwood Summer Project. The church is 40 mins from where my friend lives, and it's suppose to snow late tonight, so I'm hoping we can complete all our travels before the weather starts dropping white things from the sky! :) I'm in the home stretch of the trip. It's been good so far, but I'm looking forward to getting back to a normal schedule :)

Schedule:FEB 8 - FEB 13 - On the New Jersey side of NYC, giving 
                                               presentations at Churches abt ASL WWSP 
                                               Interpreter Fund
                 FEB 14 - FEB 15 - At my friend (fellow interpreter at WWSP 
                                                for the last few years) Cory and Natalie's 
                                                 wedding in Connecticut. :)
                FEB 16 - FLY HOME! :D

Finances:  I have received $500 towards the $5,000 I need to raise to begin my support raising journey for my part time staff position. If you would like to give a one-time gift towards this amount, please contact me so I can get you my address. You will need to send it in check form, as the account has not yet been set up for online donations. 

I am also still raising funds for Wildwood. If you would like to make a monetary donation towards the Wildwood ASL Interpreter Fund please do so here: https://give.cru.org/2870830
I appreciate your generosity. 

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

FrienDay FriDay :D

FrienDay FriDay is where post a "new friend" that I meet, 

or something that is definitive of the Wildwood experience

 that I would text a picture of to a good friend..

During my time here at Valley Forge Christian College, I've had the opportunity to meet new friends, catch up with Kinna (former WWSP student) and observe some of the classes in the Deaf Pastoral Studies Major. :)

T[her]sday: Her day, her way.. Jenna Math 101

 "Every number has a name, every name has a story and every story matters to God."
 I try to make sure I get those stories in print in my Meditations&Musings4Mondays, "[what]S'up, Wednesday?" and FrienDay FriDay; but I've realized, I don't have a "numbers crunching post" for those who want the bottom line. Thus, I introduce "T[her]sday: Her day, her way.. Jenna Math". As a caveat though (and really a disclaimer to being terrible at math), these will be more entertaining than they are 100% accurate. "Jenna Math" as my family calls my adding ability often ends up a few numbers off.. So, with that in mind, enjoy these mostly accurate calculations of mine :)

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I've been on this recruiting trip 4 weeks. 
In those 28 days, I've:
traveled on foot for 8.3 miles 
ridden in a car for 727 miles 
taken Public Transportation for 67.3 miles 
flown high in the sky for 1438 miles

I have been the recipient of 6 wonderful "bed and breakfast" hospitality from friends, new and old.
I've consumed 26 "free to me" meals, thanks to generous friends along the way :)

I have met:
10 Deaf students interested in Summer Project
4 Individuals interested in joining the Interpreting team
2 Churches willing to consider monthly support 

I am 15 weeks along with Baby BúPerry. 
I get to see my husband again in 7 days! 

I'll be home in 11 days. :D

Soli Deo Gloira
:D

FrienDay FriDay :D

FrienDay FriDay is where post a "new friend" that I meet, 

or something that is definitive of the Wildwood experience

 that I would text a picture of to a good friend..

Reunions of friends from William Woods University are always fun! Talia and Ashley are part of my mainstay of friends to visit in D.C. and both are graduates of the WWU Interpreting program (Talia a year before me, and Ashley 2 years behind me). It's always fun to see where God has taken us year to year. 

Meditations&Musings4Mondays

Monday's postings are longer, more in-depth thoughts or stories that I feel the need to share. If you don't have time to read this now, you can look at the cliff notes versions that come out in my "[what]S'up, Wednesday?" posts. When you have the time, please feel encouraged by the stories God is telling, and musings that he brings to my mind. 
HAPPY MONDAY :D
***************************************************
Noticing the Fingerprints of Abba on my journey in the Northeast so far..

I briefly mentioned last week that my travels up to the northeast, and subsequent month-long-stay all came together in a 3 day period. Honestly, I had second, and third and even fourth thoughts about a 5 week trip coming together in less than 48 hours - BUT - when I look back on the many journey's I've taken to get to this point, I see a very distinct pattern of God's guidance being in the "whispers" of "a voice behind [me] saying "this is the way, walk in it".." In the first week of January, I was feeling quite lousy - due to constant morning sickness, and a wicked-nasty aftertaste in my mouth that seemed never ending. While Azael and I prayed together on Saturday for our families, friends and upcoming trip to New Jersey for a friends wedding, we both has this sense of "what if.. I (Jenna) stayed until our other friends wedding on February 15th".. 
We tossed around the idea, but that was it.. I continued to ponder it throughout the day, and by Sunday, I was again bringing up the topic of an extended stay in the Northeast.. On Monday, we decided that I would begin by facebook messaging/emailing/texting my friends/contacts I have up there.. and by Tuesday evening the details had mostly fallen into place - transportation from place to place accounted for and a place to sleep at each location.. Not many details nailed down other than those, but it was enough of a nudge for God to point me in "the way, walk in it", so I started packing (who packs for a 5 week trip in 1.5 days? this crazy girl!) and trying not to stress about the last minute notice. We were also able to squeeze in seeing our Mid-wife on Tuesday evening, allowing us to get some input about traveling while pregnant, a list of supplements to help maintain healthy "baby growing", and to hear baby's heartbeat for the first time. :) 
It's hard to explain the peace that comes in the storm though - unless you have previously experienced the seemingly unnatural comfort that Abba gives - it sounds contradictory.. However, in the midst of all that I was trying to prep for my month long absence, there was a quite that covered my heart, knowing that this was the right thing to do at this point in time. So, on Thursday, January 9th, off we flew..

After our friends wedding, I had wanted to go straight to Albany where the Epicenter conference would be held over the MLK long-weekend. The plans that were able to solidify though took me to Rochester for the four days between the wedding and the conference. I didn't mind the time to catch up with my friend as we made the 6 hour road trip through PA to Upstate New York. It was good to see a hospitable Christian couple who has housed me in my previous visits to Rochester. Overall, though, I was wondering why I was in Rochester for these 4 days, since the semester didn't start for another 2 weeks (and no students were on campus). Unbeknownst to me, a student that had been on Project before happened to be in town early, waiting for her semester job to start. Azael connected the dots from a previous conversation with another one of our friends, and I shot her a text message seeing what she was doing. Her day was free, and we were able to meet up. God often causes me to chuckle at the way he coordinates our schedules even before we know what we need. :) What I thought would be a quick lunch chat turned into a 4 hour conversation of much needed authenticity and restoration. If the only reason for my four days in Rochester was to have a four hour conversation with this student, then I'm glad I went.. 

Interpreting at Epicenter was a good experience, but being able to get to chat with many of the "powers that be" in the Cru campus ministries was also very necessary to moving forward with my part-time position. It was also beneficial in aligning myself and the Hands of Fire (Deaf Cru) Staff of the movement on RIT's campus toward the same goal. The conference schedule proved to be packed full and quite busy, but I left feeling refreshed and with a vision to move forward in the mission of equipping Deaf students to reach other Deaf students with the Gospel. :)

After the conference, I was suppose to fly to Baltimore, and then make my way to D.C. through the public transportation system; however, I got a text message from Southwest the night before telling me that "inclement weather had cancelled my 3:20pm flight." Bummer.. The message added that I could go online and reschedule without any additional costs. The only time available was the 6AM flight out.. Bummer again :( I had been looking forward to sleeping in after my busy weekend of interpreting.. This also meant that I wasn't sure how I would get to DC, since the snow complicated the whole trip. However, in God's networking fashion, my plans were about to all work out :) A student who had been on Summer Project in 2010 (and Azael's roommate) had moved out to Baltimore 2 weeks ago for an internship. The only reason we knew this was that Azael forgot to sign out of Skype the day before, and this friend of ours, Nick, seeing Azael on-line, started chatting with him. In their time catching up, Nick mentioned his recent move. Coincidence? I think not. 
The world was about to get smaller though (as the Cru world often does). Nick was attending a church that a friend back in Indiana recommended. Nick met Larry at this church. Larry works with Cru's Epic movement. Larry has a fiancee named VanKim. VanKim was working from home (due to the "inclement weather" that messed up my flight schedule), so I could stay with VanKim -even spend the night- so that I didn't get stuck in the snow storm due to inconsistent Public transportation that day. WOW - Yay God! :) Again, he provided before I even knew I needed it. :)

So, at 6AM the airport was buzzing with people, since all afternoon flights had been cancelled, and due to my pregnant self lugging all my bags with me I was the last person on my flight. :( (but my flight neighbor on the plane taught me how to play canasta on her iPad, so that was fun.) Once in the Baltimore airport, I cumbersomely shoved allll my bags down a loooooooong corridor (from door 5 to door 19) to the lite-rail so I could meet up with my friend, Nick. Imagine boarding a charter bus with 2 large roller bags, 2 backpacks and a lunch cooler.. It takes a couple of trips up and down all those steps! I was so blessed by all the individuals that helped me at each location to load and unload my stuff (many times throwing my remaining bags out the 30 second window of "door closing now, step back, door closing" time that I had to exit with all my belongings). I know people say that "Baltimore is *rough*", but on this day, my Heavenly Father, seeing that my 3 days of packing for 5 weeks had produced a lil over-packing, had only grace to give me. Through the course of all my public transportation, no less than 7 strangers helped me to either load or unload my things from the bus, the train or the elevator without asking for anything in return. I wish I had gotten to ask their names, but it all happened so fast in each instance, and then they were gone.. All I can do is make a public record of thanksgiving to my Abba for his provision of help when I needed it. ANNND right as we got to VanKim's place, the snow began to fall, so we didn't have to fight the weather on top of all of that. :D 

On Wednesday, I made my way down to D.C. and was able to stay the evening with a "new friend" that I made last summer on the way home from project. She is as hospitable as they come, and seems to be a kindred spirit when it comes to Deaf ministry and the Christian life. It was good to get to know her a little more. I look forward to seeing how this friendship will span time, and always feel refreshed after talking with her. Around this time, mid-week too, I began to feel better! No more nausea 24/7! I still feel sick to my stomach during the day, but I'll take feeling sick occasionally over all.the.time! ;) I've been sleeping better, and generally have more energy too - yay for surviving the first trimester! :D

Sunday, I was scheduled to present a Deaf church an hour outside of D.C. Initially, my friend was going to join me and she has access to a car, so I was not concerned about the drive. Then her schedule changed and she was no longer able to come. So I began to look into public transportation, and the hour car ride turned into over a 3 hour trip :( As I continued looking at options, a taxi would cost close to $100 on-way, and a rental car - though cheap - would take me 45mins on the metro to get to the rental car place. The timing would cut it close, as the metro doesn't open til 7am on Sundays and I needed to be leaving DC by 8am. That left little time for me to actually find the rental car place once I got to the airport.. Complications! After spending some time asking God how I was suppose to get to the church, and talking with my husband about options, a solution presented itself that wasn't even on my radar. A friend offered to let me use their personal car for the whole day! I felt so blessed to not have to fight public transportation and not have to spend extra money that wasn't necessary. :)

The crazy thing is this is only 2 weeks into my trip.. I'm interested to see what the next 3 weeks hold!

FrienDay FriDay :D

FrienDay FriDay is where post a "new friend" that I meet, 

or something that is definitive of the Wildwood experience

 that I would text a picture of to a good friend..

I know it's suppose to be a picture of a "friend" that I meet, but I met up with many friends when I was at the Epicenter conference Interpreting this past weekend (MLK weekend) and I met new friends, but since I was busy interpreting the whole time, I didn't get a chance to take any pictures myself. This picture was taken by the conference staff and shows me doing what I do - terpin'! :)

[what]S'up, Wednesday?

"[what]S'up, Wednesday?" is a place where I give weekly updates about how day to day life is going here in Wildwood, New Jersey. It will typically include something that has just happened, a "forecast of a schedule (always subject to change), and an update on my financial situation.. :)
          ******************************************************************

Happenings: so, I'm still in the Northeast.. below, my schedule might give a better idea of where I am and what I'm doing.. :) Yesterday I made it to Baltimore (before the snow hit) and was blessed by all the people that God put in my path to help this weary pregnant lady ;) board and de-board the "lite-rail" train with my 4 suitcases of stuff! :) I also got to see a friend from the 2010 Summer Project and meet some new friends who graciously allowed me to stay the night (so I didn't get stuck in the snow/weather delays of public transportation) :) Today, the snow fall has subsided and now I'm bound for D.C. :)

Schedule: JAN 22 - FEB 1 - In Washington, D.C. visiting Churches, 
                                              Gallaudet University, and talking with potential 
                                              supporters. 
                  FEB 2 - FEB 7 -  In Philly, visiting a Deaf Christian college 
                                              ministry program (VFCC) and sharing 
                                              about WWSP opportunity.
                  FEB 8 - FEB 13 - Just outside of NYC, giving presentations 
                                               at Churches, and meeting potential supporters
                 FEB 14 - FEB 15 - At my friend (fellow interpreter support team 
                                                for the past 2 years) Cory and Natalie's 
                                                 wedding in Connecticut. :)
                FEB 16 - FLY HOME! :D

Finances:  I have received $500 towards the $5,000 I need to raise to begin my support raising journey for my part time staff position. If you would like to give a one-time gift towards this amount, please contact me so I can get you my address. You will need to send it in check form, as the account has not yet been set up online. 
I am also still raising funds for Wildwood. If you would like to make a monetary donation towards the Wildwood ASL Interpreter Fund please do so here: https://give.cru.org/2870830
I appreciate your generosity. 

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

[what]S'up, Wednesday? - *SPECIAL SUNDAY EDITION*

"[what]S'up, Wednesday?" is a place where I give weekly updates about how day to day life is going here in Wildwood, New Jersey. It will typically include something that has just happened, a "forecast of a schedule (always subject to change), and an update on my financial situation.. :)
          ******************************************************************

Happenings: On Sunday, January 5th, I was planning to fly to New Jersey for the weekend to interpret at a friends wedding. I was not however planning to stay in the Northeast for a month! By Wednesday, January 8th though, I was indeed packing and making arraignments with friends to "couch surf" from January 11th to February 13th. The trip came together quite fast, I must say - but it has the usual M.O. of God's previous recruiting journeys for me. In the sidebar, I say "serv[ing] my Adoni by joining him on such a grand adventure... is never boring ". That is the best summary of my time with Cru recruiting trips thus far. Azael attended our friends wedding with me in January, and will attend a second friends wedding in February (where we'll see each other again after a month apart). Yes, it is hard to be away from him. Yes, my baby is still making my tummy upset :( BUT yes, I know this is the right thing to do for the moment :)

Schedule: JAN 17 - JAN 20 - Interpreting at a Cru conference in Albany, NY. 
                                               Also, finalizing details with regional staff (who 
                                               are at the conference) about my part 
                                                time position with Cru. :)
                 

Finances:  The conversation with the regional staff went very well. Basically she said, if you can raise $5,000 by Monday, January 20th, then we can hire you right now. If I can be hired "now", then I can get paid for the recruiting that I am doing up here in the NE for the next 3 weeks. Getting paid would be nice. But, it's the weekend, and I am interpreting at a conference for the better part of all day. So, let's see what God does :) If you are interested in giving a one-time gift towards this $5,000 number, please text me (my number will be in the email) or reply to the email (as it come to my phone) so that I can tell my regional supervisor whether or not we can go ahead with the hiring process. 

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

Meditations&Musings4Mondays

Is it weird to say I've felt "pregnant with this post" for a little while now? Maybe it's all the baby talk with my sister-in-law (who does have a bun in the oven) that has me thinking in this kind of language.. anyway, this post has been germinating for a while - but I have a feeling labor is going to be a bit lengthy - so please bear with me.. 

If you've read any of my posts, you know that I have an aversion to $$ .. 
Not because I am greedy, and it's a temptation to me..
Not because I am jealous of others who have more than me..
Not even because I want to be filthy rich and not worry about it anymore.. 
It's because I have no #'s ¢!   [translation: I have no numbers sense!]
(yes, I used pictures - cuz that is something my brain does get!) 
Really, I just do not compute the value of money.. I know that 100 pennies = 1 dollar, but it's the practical retail value of things that makes no ¢ to me! IF someone says "I paid $80,000 for that car", I have no idea if it's a good deal or if they got robbed (and yes, people will clarify: it depends on what kind of car - new? or clunker? eh *shrug* nope.. not to me. It still doesn't compute.) I can operate a budget if the numbers are given to me, but to come up with how much is needed? nope. not even gonna try..

I also get frustrated with the idea of knowing the worth of your work. For instance, how much someone makes per hour. HOW in tar-nation are you suppose to weight the amount of work to a dollar sign? I realize this is the way the world operates, but it is incredibly foreign to me. If we want to have a conversation about language, and grammar, and syntax and roots of words/concepts and how slang derives from cultures, and the translation process from one language to another, and.. well you get my drift - I could go on allll day long! Languages make sense to me.. numbers (and $$$) not so much..

Which brings me to the musing that sprouted this post: Paychecks.. 
Currently I'm working as a freelance interpreter. That means payment comes on an hourly basis per job worked. I realize that many people make a living this way, I've just never had to count my hours so diligently to make ends meet. I guess I've been blessed to have had a salary before this that allowed me to live comfortably enough that I wasn't always pinching pennies. However, because of this new situation, I've been confronted with the reminder that I don't understand how money works. 

I am also contemplating the opportunity to go part/full time with Cru (the ministry I've been working with for a while now). The salary of this position comes from raising support - a.k.a. asking people for money. Now, I'm no stranger to this for short term needs. I feel very comfortable asking people to come along side me and support an endeavor that is "above and beyond" what my salary alone can support for a specific need. It's when I start to think about that salary being provided soley by laypeople that I start to think more deeply about this concept of value, worth, and money.. 

I can probably trace it back to not feeling worth other peoples' money BUT when I boil things down to the least common denominator - really everyone's paycheck comes from "laypeople".. cuz that's what companies give you, right? Part of the money they earned from people buying the product that you were selling? 
Football players are paid out of ticket sales $$. 
Old Navy employees are paid out of sweater sales $$. 
Car sales people are paid out of the profit off the car $$.
So the only difference in the ministry supported position is that people are putting $$ towards a person and they don't get a product back - right?
I guess it's the idea of consumerism vs donations.. 

And I think I get hung up on that idea - because as much as I could use some more funds in the bank currently, I don't want to buy the lie that materialist things are worth what America is trying to tell us they are. This is two-fold: I find myself irritated at all the advertisers and the "must need items". And I don't have a clue as to what the actual worth of something should be (due to my own ineptness coupled with the industries habit of marking prices up). 

For instance, I'm an artist. In my room, I have many random things for mixed media art pieces. I have quite a collection of canvases and painting supplies. My family would tell you all I've got is a giant mess though. And I can admit that I have accumulated things that I won't ever use, but as an artist sometimes you never know what it's going to be until it becomes what it is! :) Most all artwork I do is personal - gifts for family and friends, or something that has meaning to me. However, in lieu of trying to de-clutter, I've considered doing some artistic pieces as a supplement to my current income. I always find myself caught at the same mental impasse though.. 
--> I want to make some money. hmm.. I have too many things. Oh! I should sell them and get money for them. BUT how much are they worth? (IDK) AND if I sell them, then it's just going from clutter in my house to clutter in yours.. is that something I want to promote? How do I price something fairly when I have no idea it's worth? 
and round and round I go..

So I just continue to give away artistic pieces. 
Because I'd rather donate something, or volunteer my time instead of being paid for it. 
Because I don't understand how to figure out the value of art.
Because I can't find monetary worth in my time..

I have always enjoyed being the giver and tended to not be the receiver.. 

In line with that thought - is it always one OR the other though? I've just come out of a season of enough - one in which I was able to give freely when I saw needs or to causes I felt strongly about. However as I enter this new season of very-tight, does it have to be a season of "only receiving" for me now? I use to think that was the case. My experiences growing up had me thinking that made the most sense. But God is showing me that seasons of giving and seasons of getting can run hand-in-hand. Even in times of just-enough, I need to be sensitive to his nudge to give - cuz if he really does own those cattle on a 1,000 hills - then he's more than capable of providing what I need. And when money is inching closer to that red line, if he asks me to not only not drop one of my Compassion kids, but instead to add a young Deaf boy to the "children-of-my-heart" I support, I have to know that he will provide the funds to cover them.. You can call me crazy. And say I have no budget sense.. And I'll agree with you. Yet, that brings me to another point of money that I don't understand - How the Lord manages $$ among His people.

I've been interpreting for a public school soccer team recently. The coach is quite knowledgeable of the sport, and puts a great emphasis on team work. He stopped a scrimmage the other day to explain positioning to the young athletes. "Every one say trust," he instructed. "If you are out here on the field, I need you to TRUST your teammates. Don't be playing bunch ball. Don't be a ball hog. Trust that they can cover their position."

I was also recently interpreting at retreat [for Cru] and they were talking about support raising. They use the plan that God set up in Numbers for the Levites as their basis for saying "God wants to provide for all your needs. Asking people to give is a God appointed way to be in full time ministry." I think what God was saying to the Levites in Numbers was this "Here is your place on the team. Work for me. Trust your teammate to do their part and I'll provide for you." I often wonder how the other 11 tribes felt. They were told to give the 1/10th to God, but then the Levites got to use it as they saw fit.. Granted there were sacrifices to be made and specific regulations to follow, but still - I wonder if they felt jipped out of their best sheep, bulls, grain? And I'm not trying to make the analogy that if I join full time ministry, then I become a Levite, and you (dear reader) become one of the other tribes and must provide for me.. I think God has us all in simultaneous positions of a Levite and a member of the other tribes. [Back to that whole giving and getting in the same season thing.] 

What I am saying is - I often get frustrated? confused? disheartened on how I think this works. For instance, when I had my consistent salary, I gave 20%. [Like I said, if you give me an amount, and tell me it's for 'this purpose' then I'm good.] That was the way I knew that I was giving a decent amount. 
10% to Church. 
10% to other non-profits, para-church ministries, missionaries ect. 
But, each year that I put the amount I gave - which felt like a lot (I mean if most Americans don't even tithe 10%, then giving 20% is not slim - right?) - didn't get me any refunds on my taxes. Now, to be fair, it's not like I was rolling in the dough, but still. This is what I don't understand. When people make big donations at the end of the year for tax write-offs.. justhowmuchofonesincomearewetalking? And, when I give year round, versus someone giving at the end of the year for the tax break - how does one not balance the other out? *sigh* Yet another part of money that does not compute!

But it does bring me to the root of this post though. As I think about going back to Summer Project in New Jersey, I have to start thinking about funding. My dad has often laughs at me when it comes to figuring out what it will cost for all the interpreters stipends, travel, housing, ect. The number has been pretty large for the last two years. Due to increased demands, it will be even more for this coming year. My dad can't decide if I am undeterred in the fund raising because I *seemingly blindly* trust God to provide all that is needed or if I am not phased by the amount since I do not have an understanding of the value of the amount needed to be raised. I like to say it's a mix of both, however I often feel that in my WEAKNE$$ He is oh-so-very-evident! 

That being said [in my explained ignorance]- I would be remiss - after going through all of this processing, not to ask you to join my 'team' for this Summer endeavor. I promise I have oversight for my $$ies, and I have people with "# ¢" helping me come up with an estimated budget. It's not that I'm irresponsible with money, it's just the numbers like to swim in my head. Explaining all of this really is my way of saying, "I don't know how much to ask you to give.. $50 doesn't seem like it makes the "tax-back credit bracket" but $1,000 seems like a lot to ask for.. then again, I don't know what your budget can afford." So I ask in humility, as we come to the "end of the year" and people make those monetary donations for tax credit [that I don't understand how they get it] would you consider making a donation to the Wildwood Interpreters fund? Would you consider assigning a monetary worth to investing in the lives of Deaf college students? Would you help me provide value to the hours of interpreting work that goes into a Summer Project? If you are in my situation, pinching pennies, then please don't feel pressured to give. But, hey - if you're going to give, why not give to God working in the Deaf community - the largest unreached people group in America!

Should you feel lead - you can give online here: https://give.cru.org/2870830

Thanks in advance for walking with me through this labor of love. I appreciate you, whether we're Levites or Benjamites.. 

Soli Deo Gloria
:D