Where's Rayelle... Going?

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you all well! I have had an amazing last few weeks in Europe and actually quite the year! Believe it or not I'm about one week away from the year anniversary mark of starting my YWAM training in Kona. I can honestly say this has been one of the best years of my life, by far; following God in a much more powerful way, and His provision... so good!  It's been amazing to look back that not "working" a normal job all year has not left me wanting one bit... if anything God has blown me away with experiences and adventures for His kingdom worth way more than any money could buy.
Ironically I'll be taking my next step, following God’s leading, almost to the date of leaving the mainland last year! And let me tell you it is the last thing I expected!  Thanks to all those praying for and with me!!! I'm more thankful than words can say for you!

So here is the “back story”.  Being in Pella again January and February… I felt 2 main directions from God.  They were ‘discipleship in a new way’ and ‘freedom prayer’.  Not knowing much more I did my best to jump into those, while staying disconnected, but that is not the way God wanted it… and I started to make connections here in Pella again.  Doing so, I prayed about a way to have income and God led me to start doing interviews, as opportunities began to arise.  There were quite a variety… a possible business opportunity in ice cream J, some part time work with an amazing local ministry that would use my mentor skills, and then some engineering options.  I am amazed at how God kept affirming me with every interview and meeting I had!  The skills I brought to the table, the experiences I’ve been blessed with, and the confidence I had that He would open and close the right doors!  I had about 5 options going here in Pella, when strangely I was contacted by a company in Wisconsin that had turned me down for a role in December when I had applied.  I wanted to say “no” right away because I thought God was telling me to be in Pella… 2 years so I could save a bunch of money and go out into the nations again (wait… that is what I was trying to tell God I was doing J).  So I decided to let God take care of the doors, had a phone interview and was invited up to Wisconsin for an on-site interview.

For those of you who know my parents, you would know the idea of me coming back “home” would be HUGE.  In fact, I was so sure I wouldn’t be, and didn’t want them to get their hopes up, that when I came home for the interview, I didn’t tell them… I even more jeans out of the house that morning and when I returned.  The hardest part was when they asked me what I was doing that day… I didn’t want to lie and my mom kept nagging me!  I may have thrown her off track with something about maybe I was meeting a guy I met on the internet… and for some reason she stopped asked questions. J  HAHA… sorry not true at all.

Returning to Pella, I was amazed at how God seemed to be affirming me more and more, but at the same time holding my 4 interviews and other opportunities back.  I had not heard a “no” from anyone, but found myself with great peace trusting His timing.  As I was planning for my trip to Europe, I found myself longing to visit a friend nearby in Ottumwa to see what God was doing in the youth program there.  Making plans, God tugged on my heart to rather go to the Ash Wednesday service at my church.  Listening, I sat amazed as the Pella youth led the service and my heart rejoiced for my amazing community here!  They challenged us with giving up something for the Lenten season to help us focus on what Jesus gave up for us, and to also consider doing something extra special on Fridays.  As I sat there, I realized my entire Friday schedule was open… unusual for me!  I decided it would be awesome to spend the whole day in Third Church’s prayer tower hanging out with God; reading, worshiping, and listening.  Little did I know God had additional plans J.

As I awoke Thursday morning (day before prayer tower date). I had a phone call… with my first job offer.  As I sat there excited and laughing… I couldn’t help but enjoy God’s sense of humor and love… He knew this would happen and had already planned a time with Him to pray!  The day continued, and another offer arrived and I continued to pray that God would show me His way.

Friday was wonderful.  It was a beautiful day, finding myself in the prayer tower relaxing, singing, reading, and waiting on God with anticipation but no stress.  Around noon a wonderful friend joined me, wanting to pray with me.  As we sat and talked, she asked me questions about where my heart was at with the decision.  I told her my biggest leaning was to be in Pella, running the small business, taking one of the job offers before me, and possibly buying the house I was living in to have women from the area live in community.  She lovingly told me I couldn’t do all of that (thank you friend) and said she was glad I felt like staying in Pella was the right answer because she didn’t want me to leave.  As we kept talking, she paused and said God had told her we needed to stop the talking, and just pray, allowing God to speak. J  I’m so thankful for my wise friends.  So, that is what we did.  As soon as I closed my eyes and her words poured out… God started showing me pictures.  I sat their crying so hard that I felt like a little kid that needed a box of Kleenex.  But God had shown me where I was to go.  He had shown me pictures of Wisconsin, the company I had interviewed with, and had shown me the one commandment that has a direct blessing in it… Honor your Father and Mother.  As we finished and were walking out of the room, God told me to ask my friend if she had heard something.  As I looked upon her with my red eyes, she said clearly… “yes, you are supposed to go to Wisconsin.”  More tears came (not like me) but God had affirmed it, and as my Friday night and Saturday continued His peace came over me like I’d not felt in a long time!

There is much more that has happened since then, including some “mourning” over leaving Pella (I’m so thankful for this place and the people) and deciding when to tell my parents.  I waited for the paperwork to come through, and the night before I left for my European trip, I called them and told them.  They had no idea, and I think I may have given them such a shock, they still don’t believe it. J

So, I’m celebrating my last few days in Pella, and celebrating God’s guidance (even though it is not what I was expecting at all for my life) to move back home, and to work at Kohler Company as a Senior Quality Project Engineer where I’ll be focused on helping the Global Faucets team while traveling to their 8 sites in Wisconsin, Arkansas, England, France, Egypt, India and China (2) around 25% of the time.  I’m still a bit in shock as I write this, but being obedient to God is worth anything He puts before me.  I know it will be blessed, and I’m excited to continue to grow in love for the nations!

Please keep me in your prayers, if you would, for Christian Community, direction on where to live in the Kohler area, and for discipline in this new season.  I believe it will be a “cleaving” time to the LORD in new ways. Watch out Wisconsin!  I’m coming home :)