So BLESSED, I can't contain it!

These past couple days have been so crazy and stressful for me. Trying to decide how to make enough money to pay for school, where to live during my education, waiting to hear about the news of my family's Canadian visa, my father's scholarship, etc. I even broke down a couple times under the stress and pressure.. but now, it's all good! God has sent us all confirmation.. and we are all so blessed!! I don't know if I can do our testimony justice.. but here goes!

Last weekend, my mother left us to go on a women's retreat. We received a letter from Regent Seminary (school in Canada that my dad wants to do his Master's at) regarding the scholarship that he had applied for. We were counting on this scholarship because the cost of living in Canada is extremely high and without this scholarship, my dad will most likely not be able to go and fulfill his dream of studying for his Masters. We opened the letter.. and BAM, it said that he did not receive the scholarship. At that point, I broke down and bawled like a baby.. just thinking in my heart that there's no one in the world that deserved that scholarship more than my dad.

After that episode, we decided to wait for the news of the CFNI scholarship that my dad applied for. We decided that if he got that, they would stay for another year.. and then he can either apply for a scholarship at Regent again, or apply for his R-1 visa. The next week was a week of meditation on the Lord for all of us. My dad meditated on Psalm 34 and a particular verse stood out to him: "O Lord, blessed is the man who trusts in you." Psalm 34:8. He meditated on this all week and finally decided to place his trust in the Lord, surrender it all to Him, and not on his own ability. After my dad's boss submitted a glowing recommendation letter to the scholarship board that almost 100% guaranteed my father's scholarship, my dad withdrew his scholarship application and told his boss that he would be trusting in the Lord for the finances and heading to Canada.

My dad has a really good friend at CFNI who has been praying alongside my dad for the Lord's guidance. So naturally, my dad had to tell his news to him, Pastor Baik. When my dad told him.. Pastor Baik said, "I have good news for you also, Joseph." My dad thought that Pastor simply had good news to share with my dad.. but No! It was good news FOR my dad.. Pastor Baik said that the Lord had spoken to him months ago about this and he was simply waiting for my dad to receive it. Pastor Baik told my dad that he is going to pay for my dad's tuition for the first semester (my dad can re-apply for Regent scholarship the next semester!)!! Praise the Lord!

If my dad had never placed his trust in the Lord, the blessing from Pastor Baik would never have been able to flow.. *1st Miracle*

Months ago, my dad and family had applied for a Canadian student visa and a work permit for my mother. They were counting on this work permit so that my mom could support the family in terms of food and housing. They had to specifically go to a Canadian approved doctor for their health check and when my dad did the chest X-ray, there was a scar on his lungs. The nurse told him that he should get it checked before sending it because the Canadians are very particular about health issues. My dad, by faith, said to send it anyway. What the Lord decides, is the Lord's will. So just before the CFNI scholarship board meeting this week, the news came from the Canadian embassy... my dad's student visa was approved and my mom's work permit was approved!! *2nd Miracle*

Now we are just waiting for a 3rd miracle involves me.. this summer, I will only be working part time in June because of some classes than I'm taking and my internship at a museum. I didn't think that I would be earning enough to afford rent at the current place that I am staying. So I told the lady that I was renting the room from, that I would be moving at the end of this semester (May 31st). I said that by faith because if my dad did decide to leave for Canada, once he graduates from CFNI, he has to leave and has no permission to stay at his current apartment. Therefore.. I would be HOMELESS!! =( The CFNI policy is that if you graduate and are not taking classes over the summer or next semester, you cannot live on campus. At this moment, he has submitted a request for housing extension till end of June 07. Still waiting for a reply, but we trust in GOD that all things will work out well, no matter if it turns out the way we expected or not. So, ya, we must PRAISE THE LORD – whether in good times or in bad (so call)! I have the faith and peace to believe our heavenly Father takes good care of us *3rd Miracle coming soon*

The Lord is so SO good and all this has renewed my faith in Him. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.." That is so true. We are still trusting in the Lord that more scholarships and funding are on their way and a place to live in Canada. Pray and agree with us!

And of course, I am thrilled that my dad will be able to accomplish his dream of studying for his Masters and that my family will be with me for another 3 months!! Harlen is also thrilled that my family will be here for a few months.. yay!

So I hope your faith has been renewed or encouraged because of our story. God bless!

Love, Kell

****************Some Pics*********************
THE BLESSED FAMILY!!




***Edit***
Another blessing has come in which involves my "homeless" state! My best friend Ashley and her family has generously opened their home to me and have offered to let me live with them for the rest of the summer when my family leaves! Ashely will also be my roommate at UTA in the fall.. so it is such a great blessing! I will no longer be homelesssss! Thanks God for giving me such great friends and blessing all of us! *love u ashey poo!* Blessed is the man [woman] who trusts in the Lord.. so true so true! *4th Miracle