For the past 7 1/2 years, I've been working at AIM in the capacity of an administrator with the Next Step Department (now known as IDM or International Discipleship Ministries), working primarily with the Real Life Mission Teams. I have LOVED it - getting to know each person who has gone out on a team has been like the hugest blessing to me, in so many ways. I'm so blessed to have been able to be a part of so many people's lives; I think the bigger blessings is that they've been a part of mine! [Below is a picture of just a fraction of the IDM department. Left to right are Denise (Kenya base), Hanna M (Real Life Admin), ME, Marcia and Scott Borg (Marcia is one of my closest friends here and Scott is the IDM team leader and my former boss!), Dave and Vicki G (head up the Next Step admin team), Crystal R (in back-Admin) and Ashlie H (she and her hubby Derrick are my trusty dog sitters when I go out of town—she’s part of the admin team, too!)

In 2006, early in the year, the Lord began to speak to me about change. I don't know about you, but I tend to not exactly embrace change. Yep, pretty much I like things to settle down, be in order. However, I have learned over the years that flexibility is also key. But God also knows me inside and out and knew that to bring about change in my life, it would take time to bring me to the point of willingness to step into that change.

As the year progressed, things started to change in my life, both personally and within my ministry with AIM. Finally, in late November, the LORD made it clear to me that it was time to take a step of faith and move on from where I'd been since coming to AIM in June 1999. He confirmed it in early December and in early January opened a door for me to move from working with the Real Life program to working with AIM's accounting department.

This new "move" was effective February 1st. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to serve in this new capacity as well as whatever else the LORD has in store for me. My responsibilities include processing the support that comes in for both staff and participants and I feel blessed to be able to serve in this capacity. To be able to serve in this way, using the talents and gifts God has given me is awesome!

It has been an intense journey for me to come to this point. It hasn't been without it's bumps and questions along the way. I've wrestled with the LORD, asked Him (more than once), "What are YOU doing?” I've struggled, cried, gotten frustrated, sought His face, listened, waited, and then, in His timing - He answered! And asked me to take a step of faith and trust Him....

One of the things I know He's been speaking to my heart recently is that He has more for me in 2007. I don't know exactly what all that is going to look like - ask me on December 31, 2007 and I'll let you know what He's done! I do know He is in control and He is leading me in this and I'm grateful to Him for leading me to this decision to do a "new" thing.

One big blessing for me is that I am still support raised and my salary didn’t change with this move. That’s totally a God thing, I believe. Even though my ministry is behind the scenes, it will allow me to impact so many more people who desire to reach out to the world for Christ! And as a result, you are of my doing that, you are also impacting the world. I truly desire to have people partner with me in ministry! And I am so grateful for each one of you!

The picture on the previous page is from a surprise “Thank You” party that my former team threw together. Rather than have cake and ice cream, they chose instead to spell “Thanks” with individually wrapped chocolate candy! They also gave me a small carved wooden elephant to remind me that they won’t forget me! And I’m not to forget them! (I won’t!)