Anniversary

It was one year ago today that I started working on my weight after learning of the IMB's requirements for medical clearance. I have made such great progress and am continuing to work on it. The truth is, though, that I could never have had the will-power and determination to succeed without a lot of help from God. So, today I am celebrating this milestone and thanking God for His faithfulness to provide will-power that I simply don't have on my own.

Answered Prayers

Late this afternoon I received the long-awaited email from the IMB, inviting me to the interview/selection conference in Richmond Virginia in February! I have been walking on air ever since I got the news. I am SO EXCITED and feel truly blessed that God has chosen to continue to open doors for me in this direction.

I am thrilled to be able to share this incredible news with you and appreciate your continued prayers as I enter this next phase of the journey.

BTW: This morning I was able to get in to the doctor for that last requested test, and they faxed the results in for me.

Medical Status Update

Since my last post, I've had 2 more requests for medical information. Today I finally received confirmation that they had received the first one. This long anticipated email confirmation was less exciting than it should have been as it also included yet another new request. For this one, I have to go back to the doctor yet again and get another test done. By the time I get in to the doctor and then wait for the tests to be interpreted and then submitted, odds are good that I will miss yet another IMB deadline. Maybe God's plan is for me to attend the March interview conference . . . .

P.S. Happy New Year!

Day 23: IMB Update

Through a frustrating set of circumstances, I will miss the deadline for medical clearance to be considered for the January selection conference. I have to admit that I was pretty disappointed to learn this Wednesday, but my disappointment was tempered by the revelation that they have added more conferences to the calendar. That means that, instead of now shooting for April, I can aim for a February conference. Because I feel like I have been waiting for almost a year already, any more waiting challenges me. Ultimately, though, I am reminded that cirucmstances are not dependent on my time table nor subject to my understanding.

As a side note, aiming for a February conference means that I won't be able to go on a women's mission trip in February. Since I learned this news on the same day I posted that prayer request, it was certainly a fast response!

Pressing Health Clearance Issue

I received an email this morning from the IMB stating that they had not yet received my medical clearance from the organization that processes the health information. I called that organization, and they will not clear me until they receive a letter from my doctor regarding my blood pressure. My next phone call was to my doctor's office to request that such a letter be faxed. I am praying that the doctor will be willing to do this, will do it in a timely manner, and that this will not stand in the way of my clearance.

Additionally, they have not received the optometrist's report that I mailed 1 1/2 weeks ago. It was hard to tell whether or not the receipt of this report will affect clearance. I don't know why it has taken so long to reach them but am praying it will arrive today.

THA's deadline to submit clearance to the IMB is December 2.

Day 11: Mental/Emotional Preparation

I know that international missions can be very tough on a person mentally/emotionally. Being separated from family and friends and immersed in a completely different culture can take its toll on a person. I experienced a little of that last summer in my apartment in Puerto Vallarta, so I know that it is crucial for me to rely solely on Him to meet these needs and to prepare me in advance for potentially challenging situations.

Day 10: Physical Preparation

Yesterday's focus was on spiritual preparation. Today it is on physical preparation. I pray that no physical limitations will hinder me from serving where God wants me to serve, and I pray that He will continue to help me make healthy choices.

Good News!

It looks like the additional health information request will not delay the processing of my application! I was definitely hoping this would be true, but I also realize that everything will happen in God's timing. Of the 4 additional things they requested, one item has now reached them. Two of the other ones are in process with my doctor now, and the final one is an updated report from my eye doctor. Since my annual checkup is in a couple of weeks, I thought I might as well wait until them and get a copy of that one instead of last year's information.

Anyway, the good news is that I seem to still be on schedule! Right now my IMB Consultant, Andy, is reviewing applications. This is about a 5 week process. Early in December, they will mail out invitations to those with whom they want to continue the application process at the interview & selection conference January 20-23, 2009. (If you are curious about the conference, click here to read about it on the IMB website.)

Health Information Request

Yesterday I received another request regarding the health aspect of my IMB application. I have to go to a doctor for a couple of things and send a report from that visit, as well as from a recent visit. I also have to request a report from my eye doctor. These reports often take a couple of weeks to process, but I am hoping that they won't put me past the deadline for this round of candidates. I need to make these things happen quickly, but working around school will delay things a bit.

New Blog

I originally intended to start this blog a couple of weeks ago when the new school year started for me, but I encountered several reasons to delay this initial posting. The title of the blog was chosen to reflect my ultimate desire; to always be on mission for God, wherever I am.

I have begun to enlist prayer supporters for my journey with the IMB. These are people who are willing to covenant to pray with and for me in every aspect of my application, exploration, and potentially eventual service through the IMB. A covenant is a solemn, two-way agreement. One aspect of my end of the agreement is to keep my prayer supporters updated. This blog seems like the most logical way for me to do that. So, I will be inviting each person who covenants to pray for me to begin checking this blog.

As most of you know, I went through the initial phase of the application process several months ago and have been working on losing weight since then. This summer the IMB changed their requirements. That fact, combined with the amount of weight I have lost so far, has finally brought me within the acceptable limits. So, I am now on the big Phase 3 of the application. This phase has several components:

1. An enormous online health questionnaire. Depending on what answer you click, sometimes additional questions suddenly appear. I have made a lot of progress on this, but I have reached several detailed questions which will require me to do some digging into medical records that I don't personally possess.

2. Church recommendation form. This has been completed and submitted.

3. Statement of Christian beliefs. This contains about 10 essay questions. I've written a rough draft but need to go through and revise before submitting.

4. Autobiography (8 pages). I also have a rough draft of this completed but need to revise. The instructions for this include so many specific points which must be addressed that it is a bit challenging.

5. Publicity/Life Sketch. Again, rough draft is completed.

6. Transcript. Ready to be mailed.

7. Reference List. I've already sent in my list of people from whom I have requested references.

8. References. I was given 8 very specific categories and had to find one person in each category who was willing to serve as a reference and complete a 3 page form. I found those 8 people, and I think about half of them have already submitted their reference forms. :)

9. Two 2x2 passport-type photos (not actually for passport). On my to-do list to get these taken.

10. Background/credit check. I've already submitted my consent to this.

Please pray for me as I complete these items and as I continue to work on my weight. Also pray for the wonderful people who are serving as my references and for the IMB personnel who will be handling my application materials. Finally, I would appreciate prayer for my students and my interaction with them. As excited as I am about the possibilities for serving through the IMB in the future, I am also trying to stay focused on being "on mission" here where I am now; in my classroom, with my students . . . .