Tuesday, The Voice, the Elliptical, and God’s faithfulness.

I have a thousand thoughts swirling in my head these days.. Some are connected and some are not. Here are a few..

I haven’t blogged since I got to Winthrop last year to begin the RUF internship… OOOPS.

I know nothing about grammar/writing well.. this is essentially a journal entry.. sorry for all the errors you're about to find! 

I am supposed to decide for sure whether I will be staying on with RUF at Winthrop next year or not. Overall, I would LOVE to continue working with RUF.. but support raising is hard and the part of this job where I am the weakest. This decision is a HEAVY one for me. Anytime I think about leaving, I start crying.. (Ask my Campus Minister Mark, I've cried in Earthfare too many times this semester).. The faces of my sweet students flash in my mind and I think about all the things I love about them, ways I can see the Lord at work in their lives, and ways I hope to see them grow over time. I know the Lord doesn’t need me to work in their lives, He will use whomever He pleases! However, I am SO thankful that for two years it’s been ME He’s chosen to be at Winthrop encouraging college students in the gospel! I am making this decision soon and I would so appreciate anyone who is willing to offer up a prayer for my heart and this decision process.

Tuesdays. I like having my Winthrop upperclassmen girls Bible study on Tuesday nights because as a student I had RUF large group at UCF on Tuesday nights.. it’s not totally the same, but it’s a sweet reminder  of how the Lord got me where I am today.  He used RUF/the people of RUF at UCF on a weekly/daily basis to encourage me in the word and challenge my thoughts of what it looked like to be a Christian. Today, I get to encourage and challenge students on a daily basis for my JOB. It’s amazing!

Also on Tuesdays, I go to the gym and go on the Elliptical for 1 hour and 20 minutes… WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I DO THAT?! Well, I really don’t like running.. the elliptical is much more enjoyable to me…  mostly because I watch shows on Hulu or Netflix and the time flies by. 

AGAIN, TUESDAYS ARE GREAT… because I get  watch the episode of THE VOICE that aired the night before!!! This may not sound like a big deal to you (or anyone else in the world) but to me this is just one way the Lord shows His grace to me. The Voice is one of my favorite shows.. (If you’re thinking “Oh that must be annoying like American Idol”  then YOU’RE WRONG! I promise! It’s amazing… I was a skeptic until last spring. Try it!....... buuuut it's ok if you don't love it.) I have ZERO musical ability.. maybe even a negative amount if that’s possible, however, I enjoy The Voice for so many reasons.  Partly, because you get to know a bit of the contestants story before they perform and it’s so sweeeeet to witness the ways each of them grow as an artist and as a person from some one-on-one coaching by big names in music such as Adam Levine, Pharrell Williams, Blake Shelton, & Gwen Stefani. To have someone in that position care about each contestant and believe in them, really makes a difference in how they carry themselves as a person, on & off the stage. My favorite thing about this season is the fact that there are SO many wonderful singers! I love their creativity and just pure talent the Lord has gifted them! I am often crying, laughing, or smiling really big when they hit these notes that are just amazing or do a song that seems like it was written for that moment…

Annnd THIS TUESDAY was definitely one of the days that I got suuuper teary on the elliptical at Winthrop’s gym. With my decision about the future weighing on me, all of the stories of tragedy all over the world that continue to flood our news feed, sadness in the ways I fail as a friend/daughter/sister/human, and just realizing there are too many ways the world is deeply broken for me to spend an adequate time thinking about each of them... I felt sad & tired, my heart just hurt.

BUT…IT WAS A TUESDAY! This means The Voice got to be a bit of an escape for a little over an hour. And when it’s time for The Voice, it means it’s time for a particular artist named Jordan Smith (go look up his performances on you tube! He’s precious & amazing!). Jordan’s little interview before he performed showed him talking about why he chose this week’s song and He teared up talking about how God has been faithful to him… so he chose to sing the Hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness”..

MAN. My heart basically exploded and I felt my sweet Father in Heaven holding my heart. He reminded me of HIS faithfulness through something so seemingly silly as a TV show I enjoy, where people compete to be the next big star in America.. No longer did I feel like I was indulging a super cheesy “guilty pleasure” in loving this show, I knew the Lord was using it! This hymn is amazing. And He used it to remind me of His steadfast love and mercy.. As I listened to this song over and over all day Wednesday I realized the lovely print one of my dear friends had given me as a birthday gift was the same reminder this song encouraged me with. What a tender God we have.. He gently moved me from sadness, to letting me enjoy a silly show I love, using that show to remind me who HE is, and reminding me again in HIS own words through the gift of a friend.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; 

they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”"

- Lamentations 3: 22-24

The Lord knows I doubt. He knows I need to be reminded of who He was, is, and always will be. He knows I NEED this reminder over & over again. Truly, the only reason I can wake up and not sulk in the sadness of who I am not and what is happening in this world, is because I have hope in who HE is.

He loves the unlovable and pursues the undeserving. ME.

He is who He is. He has provided, is providing, and will provide. 

God is at work!

WATCH JORDAN SMITH PERFORM THIS SONG HERE:

beginings.

Part of my beginning in Rock Hill, SC was leaving Orlando, FL. 

I didn't realize how hard it would be. 

This was my AMAZING Saturday morning send off group, from exactly three weeks ago. I really don't think I could love any of these precious people more. They are the reason I sobbed 6.5 of the 7 hours on my drive to Rock Hill. 

I am forever grateful for the people (pictured and not pictured) who loved me so well during my 5 years in Orlando! 

......

Rock Hill, SC

This is my new workplace. Winthrop University. It's beautiful and I love it. A LOT!

A few thoughts/experiences of Rock Hill: Gas around here is $2.99 (Amazing!), my boss found me a great bed and dresser and moved them in my new house before I got here so I wouldn't have to worry about it, He & His wife are hilarious, wise, and welcoming, plus their kids are adorable (their 2 1/2 year old son calls me "Jemmy!" and its so stinking cute!), Winthrop students are the besssssst!!! for so many reasons, strangers say hello and introduce themselves to you at the grocery store (when you're wearing an RUF shirt and they've heard about you), it takes 15 minutes or less to get to all my favorite/necessary places (no crazy traffic!), I have three great roommates who are turning into friends, and sometimes you find one UCF notebook among the USC filled back-to-school section at Wal-Mart. 

Three weeks have gone by and I have felt many things.

Lonely, Cared for, Awkward, Loved, Scared, Insecure, Secure, Excited, & Nervous

"Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing"- Sally Lloyd Jones... GREAT childrens(everybody) devotional!

As I read this devotional, planning for a Ministry Team meeting, I am reminded that "Our feelings come & go. But God stays the same. His promises still are shining." Whether I am feeling close to God and recognizing His hand in my life, or feeling far away and blind to His work in my life and others, He is true to His promises. Always working & Always loving. Always!

1 John 3:20(ESV)

20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

No matter how hard a new beginning is, feeling unknown and trying to remember what is true about myself, God is always the same and promises that I am loved.

No matter how I am feeling, I am loved.

This is our wonderful group of Ministry Team leaders for RUF. 

They love their peers well and I am so glad I get to know them and work with them! 

P.S. Please be praying for Fall Conference!! It's next weekend! 

This is such a wonderful weekend away from school for students to build deeper relationships with each other and to learn more about Jesus.

Quick Support Update: I am a little over 85% of my yearly budget, PRAISE THE LORD! I got to move before school started because of a few very GENEROUS gifts!!! I still need to raise the last bit so I can stay on campus this year. If you are interested in financially supporting me I would love to talk to you more about RUF at Winthrop!

Click Here for a breakdown of my budget/financial needs.

Click Here (and type in my name) if you'd like to give online and partner with me. 

Thank you for letting me share this process with you!

Jaimie Pastori

jaimie.pastori@ruf.org

Jesus is always on time.

Just a few of the lovely ladies that came to a wine & cheese part to hear about my internship! 

Update! (my latest email update!)

My plan: 

Get all of the financial support I need to move by August 14th.

Move to Rock Hill August 15th. 

Get settled and help the freshmen move in August 21st. 

Be on campus and meeting with girls all the way through the fall semester!

Not my plan:

To still need thousands of dollars (as of today) before I can move.

To have no control over time frames and move dates. 

God's plan:

11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”   -Jeremiah 29:11-14

The Lords plans for me are the ones that will prevail. Despite my shortcomings in support raising, ministry, relationships, speaking abilities, etc., He will get me where He wants me. I tend to think the only way for me to be in Gods plan, is being on campus and fully funded by the 15th. However, if I believe what God says... that means if I still need the same amount I need today, in two weeks I should still be giving thanks and praising HIM instead of believing the lie that I am failing. There are reasons God works out His plans the way He does. 

I REALLLLLY want to be at Winthrop.. I am so looking forward to getting to know the students, campus, city, church, state, etc.. I do feel like the Lord has called me to this job. Not only with R.U.F. but at Winthrop University! I can't wait to figure out the ways students at UCF and WU are different and ways they are similar. I am looking forward to learning the things the Lord is going to teach me through the differences and hopefully use me to work in their lives as well. 

I am praying that God would remind me HE is always on time. He is not worried about any possible "missed opportunities" if I don't make it to campus before the freshmen move in. He is not worried period. 

He knows me. He knows Winthrop students. 

He loves me. He loves Winthrop students. 

AND I am praying for the rest of my funding to come in soon.. God is good and has been using His people to provide for me and will continue. 

 I ask that you would pray for my heart to be encouraged in this weird season, and join me in praying for my financial support to come in ASAP! 

If you are interested in giving 

here are a few ways you can help:

One time gift of ANY amount! 

$200/month (or $2,400/year)

$100/month (or $1,200/year)
  $75/month (or $900/year)

  $50/month (or $600/year)

  $30/month (or $360/year)

  $20/month (or $240/year)

  $15/month (or $180/year)

If you can't give right this moment but would like to, you can fill out this short pledge form online and it will still count toward my budget!
www.ruf.org/pledges 

If you'd like to give online now, you can do a monthly pledge or one time gift!
www.givetoruf.org
(if you would like to do monthly, enter the amount you will give monthly and click next. you will have the option to make it a monthly gift when you fill out your billing info!) 

If you would like to mail a check in (either monthly or one time) you must put my name somewhere on the check and send it to: 

                                                                                       Reformed University Ministries

                                                                                       P.O. Box 890004

                                                                                       Charlotte, NC 28289-0004

Please let me know if you have ANY questions or comments!

Willow Creek Church commissioned me this Sunday! So sweeet!

Thank you for letting me share this process with you!

Jaimie Pastori

jaimie.pastori@ruf.org

904-347-8154

T-R-U-S-T... Find out what it means to me!

Trust.

Why is trust such a big deal? Let’s define it.

Trust:

a.  belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, effective, etc.

 b.  assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.

Why is putting our wholehearted trust in God so hard?

Maybe because we've been wounded and hurt by people in our lives who have wronged us? 

Maybe because we've wounded others, and how can you trust someone else when you can't trust yourself? 

Maybe because we feel as though we've been wounded by God, because we don’t understand what He is doing/ don't truly believe He is all of who He says He is?

It is so hard for me to trust God with my life. (which is a bit hilarious when you think about the fact that there is truly no life apart from Him)

On a daily basis I struggle to believe and trust that THIS (support raising aka potentially awkward conversations asking people to help fund your ministry) is God’s best for me right now.

I wake up in the morning, terrified of how stupid I could look if I don’t raise all of the money I have to in order to work for RUF. I try to “trust Him” reminding myself that my time as an intern will be worth it and if I can jusssst get to campus it will be smooth(er) sailing, I'm sure. I tell myself to just push through and soon this season will be done, I can move on, and start ministering to the students at Winthrop.. the part that “really matters”!

.........

The only issue with that is if I really believe what the Bible says about God, that means this Monday night, (making lists of people to contact, reading for the study program, writing thank you letters, pep talking myself for any potentially awkward conversations about money, being in a state of mind where I can not hide from what is terrifying to me because it’s my job to be vulnerable, etc.) is His best for me, right now. And, I guess it matters just as much as being on campus with students. And at a glance, that seems disappointing. How could God’s best for me include calling someone I haven't talked to in ages and asking them if they'd be willing to give me money, instead of already being in Rock Hill meeting new students?

If I actually sit and wrestle with this in my head and heart, I realize this could be the best place for me to be. God has me here, vulnerable, risking, and depending on Him. There is nowhere to hide when you’re support raising. RUF isn't just a campus ministry I’m involved in while attending school. It has become the vessel God is using to continue bringing the gospel to my life daily, and that I can hopefully be using to intentionally bring the Gospel to college students as my full-time job. My name is attached to RUF and I am declaring something to everyone by choosing to work for this ministry. To do this, I have to raise money and be reminded daily that I am not called to trust in my own abilities and can not find worth or value in anything but HIM when talking to potential supporters. The insecurities and fears in me are coming out like never before, and instead of being able to stuff them away, God has given me so many means to work through them and see Him at work in the midst of my mess.

I can trust in a God who is good, reliable, honest, & effective and I can rely on the truth of His character, ability, & strength. He has never given me reason to doubt. He has always prevailed and will always prevail over my shortcomings and the brokenness of this world.

“But now, this is what the Lord says—“he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel, I have called you by name, you are mine.” –Isaiah 43:1

He created me. He formed me. He has called me His.

I hope He'll remind me of this when I wake up each morning.. knowing me I'll be worried about who I am going to talk to and wishing all $32,401 would magically appear so I don't have to trust God and risk asking people to come alongside me in this journey. I hope He'll remind me, this is His best for me right now, I get to be in a place where it’s quite obvious how much I need Him.

I'll be trying not to wish away this season for this last month. (keyword: trying*)  

I hope I can be all here, trusting God and His provision. 

Click Here for a breakdown of my budget/financial needs.

Click Here if you'd like to give online and partner with me. 

*** Financial Update: As of today I am at 22% 

(really 21.5% but I really wanted to link that song...)

I would love for you to partner with me monthly! If you are considering and/or have questions please contact me! I need to be at 85% ($27,540.85) pledged before I can move to campus August 15th!
Examples of Monthly gifts:
  $200/month (or $2,400/year)
$100/month (or $1,200/year)
  $75/month (or $900/year)

  $50/month (or $600/year)

  $30/month (or $360/year)

  $20/month (or $240/year)

  $15/month (or $180/year)

Thank you for letting me share this process with you!

Jaimie Pastori

jaimie.pastori@ruf.org

P.S. I would love yalls prayers while I am at training in Atlanta! I will be gone July 21-26 and I am so excited to connect with other interns/staff working for R.U.F. across the country! I am so excited to be encouraged and taught!

P.P.S.The God who created the beautiful Grand Canyon (pictured above!) is the one I am called to trust.. AMAZING.

(One of my favorite friends, Rebecca, and I in May at one of our favorite stops along our road trip from Orlando, FL to Palo Alto, CA.... my favorite road trip ever! Love her dearly and our sweet memories dearly.) 

I'm on a boat.

"A ship at harbor is safe, 

but that's not what ships are for."

I really resonate with this quote, because this season that I am in is both challenging and encouraging.

 Support raising does not feel easy or predictable. It's not safe, it's not guaranteed, and all my best efforts do not necessarily equal success. 

That's why I think the R.U.F. internship is the Best and the Worst. 

Worst: because I feel 0% comfortable when I have to put my security and trust in Jesus, asking people to partner with me in raising $32,401. All I have (emotionally, spiritually, and physically) is prayer.   

Best: because I feel 0% comfortable when I have to put my security and trust in Jesus, asking people to partner with me in raising $32,401. All I have (emotionally, spiritually, and physically) is prayer.

Notice the similarity in my reasoning? 

Jesus promises to meet us in the dark and beautiful places of the unknown. Which is both terrifying and so exciting.

There is a good possibility that I may fall flat on my face and raise 10% all summer and never make it to campus… Terrifying.

Yet my prayer will continue that all of my money is raised all by August 15^th, and I get to continue this journey and share it with all of the people God brings on as my partners… Exciting.

(Click Here if you'd like to become one of my partners, via Monthly donations or One Time Gift!)

At June training for R.U.F. we were told to "drink in" the verses of 

Psalm 23: 5-6.

"You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever."

God is good.

HE will take care of me. Whether I end up in Rock Hill or not, He is my provider and guiding my steps. Surely, HIS goodness and mercy will follow me ALL of my days... Not just when I feel like I am doing “good” or even "better".

This season and through all the seasons of my life, I hope Jesus will remind me that He is my provider in the unknown. He is my provider when I feel like a ship, unsafe and out at sea.

(This is a picture from a ferry ride (“on a boat”) from visiting my dear sis {Kelly} in Seattle.. so beautiful!)

Click Here for a breakdown of my budget/financial needs.

Click Here if you'd like to give online and partner with me. 

Thank you for letting me share this process with you!

Jaimie Pastori

jaimie.pastori@ruf.org

My cap was decorated for South Carolina back in December :)

Financial Support Updates.

Hello Friends!

At this point I have made it to 3% of my budget being raised! Every step counts and I am so thankful for every supporter so far. I must make it to 85% in order to move to campus in August. 

I have been asked to explain my fundraising needs to work with R.U.F. (Reformed University Fellowship www.ruf.org) and I figured I could explain it here! 

I need to raise $32,401 for this next year, and to complete the next two years of the internship, I need to raise $64,802.  

Yikes. That is a lot of money. However, I am trying to rest in the fact that God will get me there if He truly wants me to be at Winthrop with RUF. 

This is R.U.F.'s views on support raising "We feel that support raising is not only Biblical, but also a very healthy way to enable God’s people to do ministry. Through the process you are not only asking people to partner with you through financial support, but you are also seeking ministry partners who will pray for you and who are available to talk when that kind of support is needed. We are all part of a large Christian community, and your support needs will come in a variety of forms.” 

I need support partners of all kinds. And am grateful for the ways God is generous to His children through His people. 

So far I have broken my budget down a couple different ways: 

***(Also, know that if one of these specific ways of giving is not within your range, I would be SO grateful for ANY amount you choose to support me, there are NO restrictions!)

$32,401/year 

($64,802/ two year commitment)

Link to Give Online! 

(givetoruf.org)

5 supporters at $200/month (or $2,400/year)

10 supporters at $100/month (or $1,200/year)

10 supporters at $50/month (or $600/year)

10 Supporters at $20/month (or $240/year)

1 supporter at $1/year ;)

With the above breakdown I would only need 36 people to partner with me.

OR

If you are thinking "UMMM, I can not give that much a month!

I have 50 envelopes numbered.

Would you consider picking a numbered envelope to fill each month? You would be responsible for filling the envelope with the corresponding dollar amount. For example, if you have envelope number 13 you commit to $13/month OR you can send a check with 13 x 12(or $156.00) for the year.

Which breaks down like this: 

1 supporter at $1/month or $12/year

1 supporter at $2/month or $24/year

1 supporter at $3/month or $36/year

.... all the way to... 

1 supporter at $49/month or $588/year

1 supporter at $50/month or $600/year

ALL 50 of these monthly supporters added together will total to $15,300 per year!

To meet my goal I will also need:

3 supporters at $200/month or $2,400/year

3 supporters at $100/month or $1,200/year

3 supporters to give a one time donation of $1,000

2 supporters to give a one time donation of $2,ooo

With this second breakdown I would need 61 people to partner with me... the more the merrier!

My budget of where all this money is being allotted is as follows: 

Personal Expenses: 50%

Intern salary is determined by our standard base pay ($1,000 a month), housing expenses, and student loans. Typical intern pay is $1,400 a month, $16,800 a year. FICA taxes are budgeted for under personal expenses. It is the responsibility of the intern to cover all their bills, including housing & car insurance, through their monthly salary.

Benefits: 21%

RUF provides health, life, and workers comp insurance. Vision and dental insurance is optional. Interns may opt out of RUF’s health coverage if they can be covered under their parent’s health insurance.

General Administration: 14%

This amount covers costs incurred in the following areas:

 • Support Services -- Maintaining financials, acknowledging and receipting gifts, administering newsletter service, events coordination

• Area Assistance -- Supervision and oversight

Ministry Expenses: 15%

Expenses additional to those listed below may occur.

• Conferences -- Covers cost of travel and meals to and from regional and national conferences

• Development  -- Basic development materials, initial letters to mailing list, ministry-wide mailings, newsletter printing and mailing, long-distance calls for development, and certain travel involved in building and maintaining a support base.

• Literature— Covers required readings   for Study Program.          

• Moving Expenses – One-time  reimbursement                allotted to help cover moving expenses.

• Orientation—Covers lodging,    travel, meals, training materials, honorariums,  other associated training expenses.

• Phone -- Covers $80 of monthly phone bill.      

• Miscellaneous -- Related costs for student events, student trips, unexpected reimbursements, etc.

• Training-- Covers lodging, travel, meals, training materials, honorariums, and  other associated training expenses.

I've been working at different ways to break this down and I hope you will contact me with ANY questions about this. I would love to answer them! 

I've been spending a LOT of time at coffee shops working on budget breakdowns, stories from my time in RUF, scheduling meetings, writing thank you notes, and so many other details that go ino support raising. Good thing I have my Taylor Swift notebook to keep me laughing. 

Thank you!

Jaimie Pastori

(photo cred to my amazing friend Rebecca Wise, she so kindly took some pictures for my support letters! She is the best.)