Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels (or are they the Anaheim Angels?)

First, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who supported me by buying a ticket to the game! With y'alls help I was able to raise almost $700, which is a HUGE help toward my goal!!

It was an eventful night at the Rangers game this past Friday! The Darvish/Wilson match-up plus thunderstorm warnings had me glued to the radio pretty much all day. It was nerve-wrecking trying to follow the storm, wondering if the game would be delayed or cancelled. While some people didn't make the hike out to Arlington, the stadium was much fuller than I expected given the impending storm. The boys of summer started the first inning as the clouds rolled in and the sky grew blacker.

Now our seats were in the Upper Deck just to the right of home plate, so we were covered. Someone said to me, "Great job picking out these seats! We'll be covered from the rain!" Famous last words. Not 5 minutes later we felt the first rain drops coming in the exposed wall behind us. Those drops became heavy sheets of rain in a matter of minutes. Before the first inning was over the tarp was being opened over the infield. The rain came in sideways through the back wall, forcing even us to run for cover. We huddled under the section entrance for a while until the rain stopped coming down horizontally. 

The game started back up again at 9:30pm and wouldn't you know the Angels pulled CJ Wilson! Such hype and hoopla for one inning of a much anticipated pitching match! Oh well. Rangers still won!! Hilarious tweet that I must share from @brandyb77 "If you can't hit the ball, I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but a pitch ain't one #rangers #YuDarvish" 

And to the couple who donated to me, Thank You! I apologize for not getting your contact information. By the time I went to find you again I think you already took cover from the rain. Well, I would love to know who you are and give you a proper thanks. So if you happen to read this, then email me! jessica.leiby@e3partners.org

Bitter-Sweet

On May 26th I will be moving back to Boston while I complete MPD Fast Track. This decision was not made lightly and many factors led me to to it. I had my mighty prayer warriors and wise council speak truth and ask me some difficult questions. It's such a blessing to be able to make big life decisions with others who know me well, have my best interests at heart, and keep me focused on God's will over my own.

Ultimately, God has called me back home...at least for the summer. I'm very excited to spend some quality time with my parents, sisters (brother Joel is here in Texas), and old friends! There will be new challenges with the transition and support raising, but I have complete dependence on the Lord. I do want to be back in Dallas once I launch into ministry, but even that I'm holding loosely. I will still go on my training trip to Ethiopia in July with the teams from Watermark!   

 Proverbs 16:9

What is MPD Fast Track?

MPD Fast Track is a program that allows the Candidate to become a temporary paid employee of e3 with the sole assignment being Ministry Partner Development. During MPD Fast Track, the Candidate can draw an approved taxable income from his/her ministry account to meet temporary take-home pays needs.

MPD Fast Track Requirements
1. Complete the rest of MPD in 4 months.
2. Pledges must steadily increase.
3. Submit accountability reports each week.

MPD Fast Track (Explained)

1. Complete the rest of MPD in 4 months
During MPD Fast Track your sole assignment will be to complete your ministry partner development within four months of full-time effort, without working elsewhere while trying to raise support. The MPD Fast Track period is approved as a four-month cycle. If you do not reach 100% of your Total Monthly Support Goal within the four months, a two-month extension may be granted based on your over-all performance and frequency of communication. If you do not reach 100% by the end of the MPD Fast Track period with the approved extension, your MPD temporary “employee” status will end.
o You will continue MPD under the normal program, but will not be able to draw taxable income until you reach 100% of your goal with a two month-reserve. MPD Fast Track is available as a one-time option only.

1. Pledges Must Steadily Increase 

Pledges should increase by an average of 20% of Total Monthly Support Goal per month during MPD Fast Track.

3. Submit Reports Weekly
Reporting and results are as important as planning and tracking. Your MPD Manager, Accountability Partner and e3 Mentor need to know of your progress and how to encourage you. MPD reporting shows your effort in developing a team of financial and prayer partners.

Support Update

As of May 1st, I've officially started MPD (Ministry Partner Development) Fast Track!! This means I'm committing 40 hours per week to support raising in order to reach 100% of my goal by September 1st. e3 Partners will give me about half my take-home pay while I work full-time to get fully funded. God has been so faithful in answering this prayer.

Currently I'm over halfway to my total goal!! It's been a blessing to have my friends and family support me by making financial sacrifices. I have an incredible team of ministry partners who I believe the Lord has used to bring me to where I am today. They are living proof of the gospel and the power of God. They push me to go deeper in my faith, worship God fully, be more authentic, and serve out of the overflow of Christ's love. 

If you'd like to join my ministry team, then click here or via my support page above to check out my e3 staff support website. 

Hebrews 10:24

Blogging for Jesus?

YAY! My very first blog post!!! 

Blogging is an entire world that I've known very little about. Normally I'd say "Watch out world!" but I am by no means trying to become an expert blogger.  I've noticed with a lot of blogs that humor and personality are vital to a successful following. I've also sensed many people blog with a theme or an agenda. Cooking blogs, fashion blogs, political blogs, picture blogs, book blogs, movie blogs, charity blogs, blogging blogs...there's a blog for everything! You might just get a little bit of each from me. There's also the assumption that people will actually read my blog (I've heard from good sources that people really do follow blogs, so that's nice). Maybe I'm just writing this to myself (subscribe please and alleviate my insecurity). If it is just me or if lots of people are reading, one thing I do know: I want to write a blog that will highlight Jesus, what He did over 2,000 years ago and what He's doing today all around the world.

Bottom line: This blog is for friends, family, ministry partners, and anyone interested in my journey into missions work.