An RUF update

Most of you know that I am currently raising support to be an RUF intern at MTSU. While I am definitely nervous, I am really excited about this opportunity and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for this next year.

My budget for this year (June 2010-May 2011) is $31,804. (By the way, if anyone would like a copy of my actual budget - to see where your donations go - I would be happy to mail or e-mail you one! Just ask!) I have to raise 85% of that ($27,033) before I can move to campus. By the grace of God, I only need $5,473 to move to campus. After I get that, I will only need $4,771 to be completely funded. Praise the Lord!

I am so thankful for everyone who has contributed to my account and has been praying for me. I covet your prayers and ask that you would continue praying and continue supporting me throughout this year. I'll be sending out prayer postcards soon, so if you're on my mailing list, be looking for those. (If you're not on my mailing list, please send me an e-mail at aubra.whitten@ruf.org and I'll be happy to add you!)

A couple of things that I would love for y'all to join me in praying about:
1. I still need to reach 85% support in order to move to campus. I would love to be moved there by the time school starts (which is late August). I also would love to have 100% of my support raised by the end of August so that I can focus on being at MTSU. Pray that the Lord would give me patience, diligence, and willingness.
2. RUF staff training (week two) is next week in Atlanta, Monday through Friday. Pray that God would make me willing and open to what we'll be learning. Pray for encouragement and stamina - it's a great week, but long!
3. Please pray that God will open my heart and help me to be teachable and flexible this year. Pray that I'll really seek Him and be willing to go below the surface with students.
4. Pray for Paul and Rachel (my campus minister and his wife) and their three boys. I am really excited about working with them! Pray for my co-interns Rob and Heather.
5. Most importantly, pray that the gospel will go forth and that there will be conversions at MTSU!

Thank you for your support and prayers - they mean so much! I would love to sit down and talk with any of you before I leave - please call me, shoot me an e-mail, grab me at church - whatever!

Fasting

This morning, I sat down and talking to my mom about my new job with RUF. She and I both expressed concern over my support coming in, and I revealed that I really haven't been seeking the Lord as much as I should on things, nor have I been spending hours in prayer about this internship. She also mentioned fasting, and I realized I've never really done that before. I've given up a meal here and there to pray instead of eat, but never truly fasted. So, having said that, I think I'm going to try to fast once a week. (If anyone out there wants to keep me accountable, I'd love it — you don't have to fast with me!) I need to set a specific day of the week to do it...but for now, it's TBA.

Please do pray that I'll trust the Lord in all of this and really seek His face. Pray that I'll be wise and intentional with my time this summer. Pray that I'll fight discouragement and rest in what He provides. Above all, pray that He will make His way known to me, and that I'll accept it with a ready and willing spirit. Thank you for your prayers and support!