Sometimes I can't even take the blessings

So if you don't already know, I'm a bit of a whiner. Usually you have to be a pretty close friend for me to openly whine in your presence, but it's always there, lurking under the surface. I don't know for sure, but it may be one of my spiritual gifts. I'm pretty good at it.

So I've been whining a little about how long it takes to raise support for missions. Did I mention I'm also impatient? And then after I've whined a-plenty for days on end, I get word that support had come in, and a lot of it.

So when sister Daylan and I were headed up to Alaska, we ended up staying a bit with a friend in Seattle. This friend's brother was a good friend of mine in highschool, but contact had waned since graduating nine-and-a-bit years ago, and we really hadn't seen much of each other for the better part of 9 years. We ended up getting to catch up a bit while we visited Seattle, and I had a chance to share my upcoming mission work with Pioneers. He requested some support information, which eventually made its way to his hand. Recently, weeks since I had last seen my friend, I got an email from him, and word was given that he was very happy to support his old friend in an exciting ministry opportunity. I won't give specifics, but he and his wife were far more generous than I could have ever imagined. I was blown away. What a humbling experience to know that a whiner like me can be totally bowled over by God's hand in my life and the lives of those I know.

I'm not used to being blessed like that. I hope I never get used to it.

Cheers.

Cheers and Applause

So I have to share my great last couple of hours.

So first, I waited all day for a package in the mail to come. Normally the mail comes just before noon. Today, much to my chagrin, it didn't come until after five o'clock. However, when it DID come, along with my package was a notice from Pioneers that let me know there are a few new people wanting to become monthly financial partners. So, unofficially, I have around 15% of my monthly support secured. Amazing.

Then, not half an hour ago, I learned that someone bought one of my photos! I'm a part of an online stock photo agency, www.istockphoto.com, and have been slowly contributing photos over the last nine months. Tonight someone bought one! My very first purchase was made this very evening! Now, profit margins are not terribly high, but the fact remains that someone bought one of my pictures! If any of you are interested in purchasing my photos, or any of the millions of other pictures by the bajillion contributors, see the orange iStockPhoto link on the right side of the page. If you're not already a member of the site, you'll have to sign up, but THEN you'll be able to get a hold of top-quality Dayn Arnold photos. The link on the side of the page will take you directly to my photos, a good place to start.

Anyway, good things all at once. It's a good thing He's more faithful than I am, or we'd all be in trouble. Cheers. And applause.