6 days 17 hours and 51 minutes

I am officially counting down, o wait i've been counting down for the past 6 months, but this my friends is the final countdown (yes that is meant to be sung)

Like all my blog posts have said, I'm reminded each day of how truly blessed I am. First of all my parents, they are truly amazing. They are the best parents I have ever had. I was in the car with my mom the other day and we were talking about my trip. I started to tear up because I realized how truly passionate I am about Moldova and this next step I am about to take. I guess true passion can make you a little emotional ha. I told her everyday I wake up and the calling for Moldova is stronger in my heart every day. I know that God has called me to help people in life, but right now I know that he wants me to do that in Moldova. My heart is on fire for the people and work there, and I want to help.

Today was also such a huge blessing. It was a little bittersweet though. It was my last Sunday at Fannin which has been my church home since I was born, actually my family joined there when my mom was still pregnant with me. I have grown up at that church and it has become a second home. Some of my greatest relationships in my life originated in that church. That place has been a great home to worship our amazing God. That's why I feel honored to be representing them and more importantly God, in Moldova. I can't wait to come back and share all my adventures and blessings with all of them.

Fannin thank you for supporting my family and I in everything. I am truly blessed.

So only a week away and although everything is becoming a little overwhelming I just continue to get even more excited to leave.

More to come

Much love and God Bless,

Bethany

Where does time go?

Exactly 2 weeks from today i'll be in a plane on my way to the other side of the world. One important thing has to happen before though, I have to graduate high school. With the stress of packing and leaving this fact has kind of been pushed to the back of my mind. But today it clicked that the day that I have been waiting for since kindergarten is almost finally here. It doesn't seem like i'm old enough to finally be finishing high school, but I am. I'm so excited to be closing this chapter of my life and opening another. We had a baccalaureate ceremony at my school today, which brings in a spiritual side to graduation, which I of course support. The speaker was a former Midland High graduate and he had some pretty wise words to say. I was sitting next to my best friend Liz and she kept nudging me as he addressed all the things we had talked about when it came to graduating and me moving to Moldova. Like fears, being nervous, passions, stepping out of your comfort zone, and so many more. It was very comforting knowing that God put me in that room and used that young man's words to help comfort me. I haven't had any second thoughts about going to Moldova, but with any big change comes stress and worries. But I know what will get me through is prayer. I feel the many many prayers that I know are being said for me daily. I ask for calming of nerves, peace, wisdom, mental strength, health, and ultimately for God's Will to be done. I know I'm going where God wants me, and I will be doing his work. This is such an exciting time, and I feel blessed beyond words.

Much Love and God Bless

Bets

thought this might be useful

Most of my prayer cards arrived at their destinations today and it is amazing how much feedback I am already getting! These cards mean so much to mean, but more importantly the prayers that will come from them. None of this would be possible without prayer and God's grace and mercy.

I have noticed that I'm getting questions on how to contact me, especially when I'm in Moldova. The easiest way is definitely email. So this post is simply to let you know my email. I welcome any feedback, questions, prayers, or anything else.

So my email is as follows

bethany.a.campbell@gmail.com

much love, Bethany

Houston we have a problem, Bethany doesn't want to pack all her stuff.

Wouldn't it be awesome if telaporting was possible, because if so I would definitely telaport me and all my stuff to Moldova. In exactly 5 weeks from today I will be leaving good ol' M-Town. I can't exactly say that i'm sad to be leaving Midland, but leaving my family, home, and friends will be a different story and harder than I thought. But I just keep reminding myself of all the amazing things to come, and the new home God will create for me in Moldova. The departure date though is coming a lot faster than I thought it would though. The more I sit in my room and look around, the more I realize how much stuff I have to go through. The end of school is also coming, and although the homework is at a minimum, the stress of graduating is not. I never realized how much there is to do when you're a senior. But I am happy to say that all my graduation announcements are in the mail and inside of every single one of them is a prayer card! I am very proud of these cards and can't wait for everyone to receive them. So if you are reading this blog because you received a card now you know why you got a prayer card for Moldova rather than a traditional senior picture.

I was asked this morning at church how it felt to know that i'm about to graduate and move into the mission field. I didn't have an immediate answer, but I began to think about it more throughout the day. Honestly I know it won't truly click until the day comes and I'm walking across that stage with the cap and gown on and when I'm stepping onto that plane, but it excites me so much knowing that the day is coming. I will be honest, I am nervous, but that doesn't change the fact that I know without a doubt i'm following God's will for my life. I feel honored to have this opportunity, and every day God shows me a little more how amazing he is.

So at this point all I ask for is prayer. Prayer that everything that needs to be done, will get done. That God will watch over my family and I at this point of major change in our lives.

Much love and God Bless,

Bethany

Why I'm doing what I am.

Well since it's Easter Sunday and 62 days until I leave I thought it might be a good time to come up with a new post.

In these last few months I have been daily reminded of the many many blessings in my life. Today though was a day to remember the biggest blessing of all. On Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Are you willing to sacrifice your life in order to save another? Jesus was, he died for all of us. His blood has washed us clean of our sins. This is why i'm going to serve in Moldova. I want to spread what Jesus did for us, and how life changing a faith in him can be. God put each of us on this planet for a reason, and I truly believe that I am following God's will for my life. I want to show people the hope that lies in God. A hope that can't be found anywhere else. This is a hope that i've looked in other places for, and the only place I have found it in is Jesus Christ. A hope to live for a bigger purpose. The purpose to be used wherever God takes me, whether it be Moldova, Midland, or wherever else I end up.

I am so incredibly excited for this opportunity it is insane. I'm realizing how hard it is going to be to say goodbye to my family and friends, but just thinking about the journey that lies ahead makes all the nerves and worries go away. God is opening doors like crazy. Funds are coming in, and God is proving his almighty power in my life.

For whoever reads this I want to thank you for your support. The support I have received just reinforces that i'm doing what God wants.

Prayer cards have been ordered and are currently on their way to my house. I'm excited to have these on the refrigerators of all the people I care about.

Please continue to pray as the day gets closer, and I'm about to get crazy busy with trying to pack for a year, graduation, and passing high school with decent grades ha. I know everything will come together, but I know it's going to be stressful.

Thanks for caring enough to read this and God bless,

Bethany

This Is Really Happening

Well the final countdown to Moldova has begun. Today it officially clicked that I'm moving to another country. If my math is right then i'm leaving in 105 days. My flights have been reserved and i'll be taking off from Midland on June 6th at 11:25. After a 2 hour layover in Dallas, a 9 1/2 hour flight to Germany, a 8 hour layover in Germany, and a 3 hour flight to Moldova, i'll finally be there! It feels so surreal to have an actual itinerary. Plans and preparations are falling into place, and I feel God's hands in every detail of it.

As soon as I arrive i'll be taken to a camp for the leaders of the church. I'm so excited for this time to reunite with the friends I made last summer, and meet some new ones that i'll be working with this coming summer.

The anticipation of leaving is growing and I am so ready to start this new chapter of my life. I don't know what this year will lead to, but I do know that it will be great things. God has already lead my life to amazing places, and I know he's not done yet. Everyday I find something new to thank God for. I have been blessed with so many people in my life who have been with me through the thick in the thin. These same people are the ones who have been supporting me the most through my Moldova adventure. I have an amazing family and close friends who understand the passion God has put on my heart for the country of Moldova. My purpose in traveling and living in a foreign country right out of high school is to help. To use the skills and qualities God has blessed me with to help others and glorify God.

I can't wait to share my experiences as an inspiration to others of how God can use you.

much love and God bless,

Bethany

"Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect." Romans 12:2

Well Lets Get This Started

So I have no idea how many people will actually end up reading this, but I was going to have to start this blog anyways so I decided to get a little head start.

Let me start by explaining the reason I'm having to start this blog. This past summer (summer 2009) I went with my church (FTBC) on a mission trip to Moldova. After only 10 days there I fell in love with the country, the people in it, and the work I was able to do. This being the summer before my senior year, I was searching for my after graduation plans. I was still unsure of where I would be going post graduation and what school if any I would be attending. After returning from Moldova I had a fire burning in my heart for missions there. So I began seeking out an opportunity to stay there after I graduated high school. After many conversations and prayers, the plans were actually coming together.

Eugene, the paster at the church in Moldova, said there was an internship opportunity for me at the church. So i will be working with media related projects and photography with the church.

I'm so so so excited about the opportunity I have been given to serve in Moldova, and I cannot wait to embark on my adventure.

This blog's purpose it to keep those that care about me and the journey God has sent me on informed of what's going on on the other side of the world.

Right now, about 4 months away from leaving, I ask for prayer. Prayer that God will prepare my heart for a heart of selfless giving as I serve in a foreign country. I pray for strength and wisdom as well, as I will be faced with many new experiences. And also prayer that God will take care of all the funding and needs like that before I leave.

I will use this space to keep everyone updated as things start to unfold.

God Bless, Bethany

Mom, if you're reading this, this is for you, since you know it was your idea.