Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
God has blessed my birthday week BIG time!
So for those of you who don't know I'm at training camp!!
(me & my gear!)
As I type I am currently sitting in Northern Georgia (no idea where) in what feels like 100+ degrees and celebrating my 22 BIRTHDAY with my wonderful "R" squad! If I'm going to be honest and I probably should, a week ago I wasn't exactly thrilled about spending my Birthday with massive strangers...yes I actually thought by day four they would still be strangers. I could not have been more wrong about that! I'm pretty positive by day two; I was in love with absolutely EVERYONE on this God ordained squad!
"Whose squad?" "OUR squad!" Holllla!
First of all I want to say this has been the best birthday week of my life, the most challenging, the craziest and hands down most beautiful birthday week of my life...ok scratch the best birthday week bit, this has hands down, straight up just been the best & hardest week of my life to date! I've so far spent my birthday week worshiping & praising my heavenly Father with some seriously amazing brothers and sisters of mine in ways I never have before, in ways I never could have concieved even a week ago. That's right folks I'm now a hand raising, foot stomping, booty shaking, noise making bible thumper...and I know you LOVE it! :o) There are many beautiful moments that stand out in my mind right now.
However my two favorites would be on our first full day here while doing praise and worship we as a group prayed for the Spirit of the Lord, we prayed for His presence in our lives and for Him to shower down on us (ok back to being honest, at first I ADMIT I felt silly and thought it was a weeeee bit crazy, I was SO proved wrong). When I closed my eyes to pray (and scream & shout & shake) it was a hot, beautiful sunny Georgia day as we were praying I open my eyes to the Spirit LITERALLY pouring down! God opened the sky in that moment and POURED out his redemption rain, I have never seen the Spirit manifest like that before my eyes and I can honestly say that that has forever changed me. In that moment God confirmed in me SO many things, He confirmed that He DOES hear our prayers, and more than that He CARES and LOVES us something fierceee !Ameeeen!Thank you Jesus!
As for my second and so far FAAAAVORITE...Last night after dinner our "R" squad all went for a swim in the lake under the beautiful night sky, as a group we came together to make declarations of Gods love and provision over our squad, declarations that He HAS called ALL of us here for HIS purpose, that HE WILL PROVIDE that we ARE His BELOVED CHILDREN and so much more. The declarations then transitioned into prayer. I have no doubt that as we all- in each others arms made a circle in the middle of this desolate lake to praise, thank and talk to our amazing heavenly Father, not only was God smiling because of our immense love for each other and Him but He was totally in that lake with us, linked arm and arm with us and it was truly breathtaking. Honestly I can't even fully comprehend all my emotions wrapped up in that beautiful moment, all I can really say is that I doubt very FEW things hail in comparison to that moment. The moment has forever been written into my heart and soul and I want to say thank you to all my wonderful bro-hams & sistas in Christ :o) that I was blessed enough to get to share that moment with! LOVE YOU 'R' SQUAD!
Alright shall we get back to all this birthday business...I bet your kind of curious what God gave me for my Birthday huh?!...Well seeing as how I've got to get back to training business I guess you'll just have to wait and see!:o)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Support Letter!
Dear Friends and Family,
The Lord has set before me an amazing opportunity and I am excited to share it with you. Just recently I was accepted on a mission trip called the World Race by Adventures in Missions. It was put on my heart to go on a mission trip, to serve around the world. I'd been eager to see how God would use me as a vessel and I have been praying about exactly how that might look and what I might be expected to do. Never would I have imagined it would look like this. I am in awe of this door the Lord has opened in my life and I am excited to see Him move.
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people" Galatians 6:10
On this trip we will be going to 11 different countries in 11 months. I will be trained and discipled about missions and serving and am so grateful for this opportunity. I will be traveling to Georgia in May for training camp for ten days. As I have seen the Lord's goodness and grace in my own life I am eager to share this with other people around the world.
Our service will take many forms. We will be serving in many places in need, such as Uganda, Kenya, Thailand, Israel and Romania. Our work will vary from country to country. Whether it be helping church plants, working with children or serving the homeless, there will be many opportunities to serve. The main goal through all the acts of service, of course, is to show Jesus' love to all people and to share the gospel.
I am so grateful for this prospect and am going forth trusting that He will provide what I need to go on this mission trip. I'm hoping that you might prayerfully consider partnering with me in this endeavor financially. I need to raise a minimum of 14,300 and can raise up to 15,800 for additional costs. I know that seems like a substantial amount to raise, however if 50 people donate 50$ a month for six months I will reach my target amount. That amount will be for the entire year and that goes directly to AIM. This will cover all my expenses while on the field. Also, I would be extremely appreciative if you would be willing to commit to praying for me while I am gone. Prayer is absolutely crucial to this work.
I have enclosed a response card and pre-addressed envelope which invites you to share in this ministry. Please make checks payable to Adventures In Missions and return the response card with your donation to Adventures In Missions PO Box 534470 Atlanta, GA 30353-4470. The response card will provide AIM with the information necessary to send you a receipt for your donation. Please send all donations by May 1st 2010. Adventures In Missions is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Donors will receive receipts for their gifts with the understanding that the disbursement of those gifts lies completely at the discretion of Adventures In Missions and that the gifts are non-refundable and non-transferable, per IRS regulations. Gifts may be tax deductible; please consult a tax advisor.
"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and to hear about what the Lord has put on my heart. I am eager to go and labor for Jesus and appreciate you considering what your part might be as well. Also if you have any questions please don't hesitate to call, I would love to connect with you. Many thanks again!
Thank you,
Nikki Kilmer
360-305-9382
nckilmer@gmail.com
Dear Donor,
It is a privilege to encourage you to support Nikki in this mission trip. She has been a wonderful blessing to our family over the past 6 months, loving our children and serving us in countless ways. We have also seen the Lord at work in her life, and so we have watched her grow in her faith tremendously as she prepares for this trip. God has gifted her specifically with gifts of service, mercy, and kindness, and this trip provides her with many ways to use those gifts for people around the world. She has a heart that cares deeply for people, and especially people that no one else is taking care of or pouring into. She has shared with me her hopes for serving God on this trip, as well as her hopes for him to continue to shape who she is and her life.
Please consider partnering with her.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Nate Walker
Christ Church Bellingham
http://www.christchurchbellingham.org/
The Lord has set before me an amazing opportunity and I am excited to share it with you. Just recently I was accepted on a mission trip called the World Race by Adventures in Missions. It was put on my heart to go on a mission trip, to serve around the world. I'd been eager to see how God would use me as a vessel and I have been praying about exactly how that might look and what I might be expected to do. Never would I have imagined it would look like this. I am in awe of this door the Lord has opened in my life and I am excited to see Him move.
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people" Galatians 6:10
On this trip we will be going to 11 different countries in 11 months. I will be trained and discipled about missions and serving and am so grateful for this opportunity. I will be traveling to Georgia in May for training camp for ten days. As I have seen the Lord's goodness and grace in my own life I am eager to share this with other people around the world.
Our service will take many forms. We will be serving in many places in need, such as Uganda, Kenya, Thailand, Israel and Romania. Our work will vary from country to country. Whether it be helping church plants, working with children or serving the homeless, there will be many opportunities to serve. The main goal through all the acts of service, of course, is to show Jesus' love to all people and to share the gospel.
I am so grateful for this prospect and am going forth trusting that He will provide what I need to go on this mission trip. I'm hoping that you might prayerfully consider partnering with me in this endeavor financially. I need to raise a minimum of 14,300 and can raise up to 15,800 for additional costs. I know that seems like a substantial amount to raise, however if 50 people donate 50$ a month for six months I will reach my target amount. That amount will be for the entire year and that goes directly to AIM. This will cover all my expenses while on the field. Also, I would be extremely appreciative if you would be willing to commit to praying for me while I am gone. Prayer is absolutely crucial to this work.
I have enclosed a response card and pre-addressed envelope which invites you to share in this ministry. Please make checks payable to Adventures In Missions and return the response card with your donation to Adventures In Missions PO Box 534470 Atlanta, GA 30353-4470. The response card will provide AIM with the information necessary to send you a receipt for your donation. Please send all donations by May 1st 2010. Adventures In Missions is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Donors will receive receipts for their gifts with the understanding that the disbursement of those gifts lies completely at the discretion of Adventures In Missions and that the gifts are non-refundable and non-transferable, per IRS regulations. Gifts may be tax deductible; please consult a tax advisor.
"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and to hear about what the Lord has put on my heart. I am eager to go and labor for Jesus and appreciate you considering what your part might be as well. Also if you have any questions please don't hesitate to call, I would love to connect with you. Many thanks again!
Thank you,
Nikki Kilmer
360-305-9382
nckilmer@gmail.com
Dear Donor,
It is a privilege to encourage you to support Nikki in this mission trip. She has been a wonderful blessing to our family over the past 6 months, loving our children and serving us in countless ways. We have also seen the Lord at work in her life, and so we have watched her grow in her faith tremendously as she prepares for this trip. God has gifted her specifically with gifts of service, mercy, and kindness, and this trip provides her with many ways to use those gifts for people around the world. She has a heart that cares deeply for people, and especially people that no one else is taking care of or pouring into. She has shared with me her hopes for serving God on this trip, as well as her hopes for him to continue to shape who she is and her life.
Please consider partnering with her.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Nate Walker
Christ Church Bellingham
http://www.christchurchbellingham.org/
Friday, March 12, 2010
Denial in a rive in Egypt?!
I've yet to have any profound thoughts for this little blog of mine..however I must say I am driving MYSELF NUTS! I applied and was accepted back in December..DECEMBER..for the record it is now March...almost 4 months and I haven't even sent out support letters..correction I haven't even sent out ONE SINGLE support letter...so of course I haven't even started any real fundraising...I'm not going to lie I may be freaking out just a little...realizing it's been longer since I've known I was going to be a part of this a did nothing till the time I'm actually leaving..assuming I actually do some fundraising. I've come to the conclusion that someone needs to slap me..I've had many moments such as this in the past few months, where it hits me what exactly it is that I'm about to embark on and how much money that's going to take yet I am STILL in denial...for the record I've always hated the word denial and thus far in my life if anyone ever tried telling me I was in denial...well obviously I denied it! So this very well may be the first and LAST time I'm admitting to be in denial, but it tis true and I don't have a darn idea what to do about it (that's where the slap comes in?!) I keep praying about this...not only do I pray for an answer that this REALLY REALLY REAAAALLY is what God wants me to do but if he would please make it REALLY obvious..so far no such luck..I'm sure he's answered this prayer in about a million different ways I was probably just been to far down the river to notice...I'm pretty sure he wants me to do this, actually to be accurate I feel about 99.99% sure this is God will for me, this is all his plan and not mine because honestly I HATE traveling..oh about as much as I hate people trying to tell me I'm in denial so I'm pretty positive this is NOT something I would have came up with on my own...but then again how can I be sure right?!..Man where is the big flashing neon sign when you need it?! So I guess it starts with doubt and not trusting in God or myself and then that takes us to the denial..which leads in perfectly to some more doubt and thus the cycle continues and I drive myself crazy (and probably many of those around me too!lol) Anyways if you all could keep my neon sign in your prayers...I think I will seriously go nuts if I don't get some sort of confirmation soon...prayers for some motivation and stellar fundraising skills wouldn't hurt either ;) Then again maybe pray for that slap, I'm pretty convinced that just may do the trick!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
check one two.
Hello all! So I figured it was about time I test the waters with this blogging business. Eeek!
It's funny before I had a blog I had all these thoughts running around in my mind that would have make for some pretty excellent blogs however now that I actually have an outlet for those thoughts I can't think of a single thing. The same thing happened to me when I finally bought a journal after beginning my walk with the Lord back in August my mind was flooded with all these new thoughts and understandings of life, then I buy a journal and suddenly I'm longer in the word and doing my daily bible study thus no longer having anything to write in the journal other than the fact that I felt spiritually void...over and over again. For awhile it was like when you wake up thirsty in the morning and you know you need a nice cool glass of water but instead you drink coffee and then later in the day some pop or juice and by the end of the day you've had plenty of beverage yet still no water, your dehydrated, you know NEED the water, you WANT the water but you just don't drink any. That's how it was with me and being in the word, I knew I needed it and wanted to be in it, it just didn't happen. Well good news, I found my way back to my bible on a daily basis again, I even bought a new pink one, oh so exciting! And oh man how much better do I feel. It was such a great reminder how helpless I am without the Lord, how I can do nothing without Him. Its crazy how much better my days are if I start them out in the word!
To help me read daily and because this bible business was so new to me and not knowing exactly where to go I got some bible studies (women of faith to be exact) they are somewhat cheesy but in all honesty I'm a total chesse ball so I love it! Ha-ha. Currently I'm going through a study on cultivating contentment. I didn't even get this one because I felt I needed it, if I remember correctly it was on sale and had a pretty cover so I was sold but I recently realized how desperately I did in fact need this particular study. Alright so the point of all this is to share that I've recently realized (yesterday) ...are you ready for this...that I'm a BIG time complainer..imagine that! Seriously though, I never really realized how much I whine and grumble about what's wrong in my life or that particular day or even just grumbling and growling at that "idiot" that doesn't know how to drive or cut me off ( and yes I literally mean growling, it has recently been my replacement for profanities) Overall it has been a great eye opener to how little things like being peeved at the sloooow driver in front of you can lead to complaining and ungratefulness in our hearts that will eventually be a barrier between us and God, and a great reminder how important it is to try and be content in any situation.
"A fool gives full vent to his spirit but a wise man quietly holds it back" Proverbs 29:11
It's funny before I had a blog I had all these thoughts running around in my mind that would have make for some pretty excellent blogs however now that I actually have an outlet for those thoughts I can't think of a single thing. The same thing happened to me when I finally bought a journal after beginning my walk with the Lord back in August my mind was flooded with all these new thoughts and understandings of life, then I buy a journal and suddenly I'm longer in the word and doing my daily bible study thus no longer having anything to write in the journal other than the fact that I felt spiritually void...over and over again. For awhile it was like when you wake up thirsty in the morning and you know you need a nice cool glass of water but instead you drink coffee and then later in the day some pop or juice and by the end of the day you've had plenty of beverage yet still no water, your dehydrated, you know NEED the water, you WANT the water but you just don't drink any. That's how it was with me and being in the word, I knew I needed it and wanted to be in it, it just didn't happen. Well good news, I found my way back to my bible on a daily basis again, I even bought a new pink one, oh so exciting! And oh man how much better do I feel. It was such a great reminder how helpless I am without the Lord, how I can do nothing without Him. Its crazy how much better my days are if I start them out in the word!
To help me read daily and because this bible business was so new to me and not knowing exactly where to go I got some bible studies (women of faith to be exact) they are somewhat cheesy but in all honesty I'm a total chesse ball so I love it! Ha-ha. Currently I'm going through a study on cultivating contentment. I didn't even get this one because I felt I needed it, if I remember correctly it was on sale and had a pretty cover so I was sold but I recently realized how desperately I did in fact need this particular study. Alright so the point of all this is to share that I've recently realized (yesterday) ...are you ready for this...that I'm a BIG time complainer..imagine that! Seriously though, I never really realized how much I whine and grumble about what's wrong in my life or that particular day or even just grumbling and growling at that "idiot" that doesn't know how to drive or cut me off ( and yes I literally mean growling, it has recently been my replacement for profanities) Overall it has been a great eye opener to how little things like being peeved at the sloooow driver in front of you can lead to complaining and ungratefulness in our hearts that will eventually be a barrier between us and God, and a great reminder how important it is to try and be content in any situation.
"A fool gives full vent to his spirit but a wise man quietly holds it back" Proverbs 29:11
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