I’m home in Bellingham now after nine wonderful weeks in Germany at Jesus-Haus attending the Levite Praise Institute. It was such a gift to be there! Thank you for your support through the journey. I didn’t really know what to expect out of the time other than that the Lord had a good plan and reason for whisking me away! I learned so much – it would take hours and pages to share all of it. I’m in the process of organizing photos of my time there. Check out Herrnhut Life and LPI Student Life – this is where I lived for two months, and the people who were there with me.
It has been helpful over the past two weeks to meet with people and share over and over about the time… I’m starting to be able to articulate some specifics. Here are some highlights, and then thoughts on next steps:
- The Lord has displayed his loving-kindness to me in abundance. In the miraculous and generous provision to be there, in the warm welcome that I received and the immediate sense of being at home, in the gentle way the Lord speaks and leads, he is so patient and kind!
- I spent 2 months meditating on “coming into the light”, which He laid on my heart in the first week. This has become a big key in my journey towards healing and wholeness in every part of me. For a long time I’ve let my sense of worth and value come from my work, my output, my wages etc, instead of my identity as a daughter of the King of Kings. By chewing on “coming into the light”, I was finally able to separate the “what I do” from the “who I am”. In the light, we are fully seen and fully known. Regardless of our actions, achievements, or failures, which ultimately fade away, we are fully accepted, fully forgiven and fully loved. Finally, in being fully seen, known, accepted, forgiven and loved, we are fully set free! In HIS light, we start to see firstly ourselves, then others and the world around us, through His eyes. (This is a VERY brief summary of a hugely significant paradigm shift for me.)
- I learned from some of the best, was called and challenged to embrace the artist I was made to be, and was surrounded by other worshiping musicians, together pressing deep into the Lord and pushing each other towards excellence in every way. Although I was there as a student, I was reminded how much I LOVE teaching music, and have fresh ideas and material to use.
- The time away was like a giant reset button for me. Coming out of a very long season of being extremely busy, I was able to decompress, get some very real physical rest, process thoughts and feelings, dream, and refocus on the season ahead.
So, what’s next in Bellingham? I am continuing to press on towards full time ministry at Light of the World Prayer Center as worship director. I am in the process of building a team of partners in this. I would love to tell you more in person (or phone/Skype) about what this could look like. I’ll be standing before the Lord in worship, mentoring other worshipers and building teams, networking with worship leaders/pastors in Whatcom County in fellowship and partnership, and to see how we at LOWPC can serve them. One practical way to serve/equip the area of worship is to train musicians! I have been wanting for years to start teaching guitar (and piano) again, and now I have the time to do it. I’m excited to sow into the next generation – the young and young at heart – of worshipers!
Both of these things are in the beginning building stages, and I’m thankful to have a temporary part-time work situation that will provide some financial stability in the transition while still giving me the time to work on the building process.
I greatly desire and appreciate your prayer support! In this transition time, please pray for:
- Balance of work and rest – to use my time wisely, working hard, but staying in a place of rest
- Wisdom and strategy for building a support/partnership team and a group of music students
- Financial provision – my goal for being able to leave my part time job is to have $2500 monthly between support and lesson students.
If the Lord should move you to partner with me financially, I would be most heartily thankful! There are various ways to give, including check, cash, paypal, etc. All gifts through LOWPC are tax deductible in the USA and a year-end receipt will be provided. Details for giving options are provided below. If you are interested in guitar or piano lessons, I’d love to talk to you! Feel free to call or text 206-412-1995, or email me at vanessa31@gmail.com.
The Lord bless you and shine His love on you, and may you see His goodness today!
For the supremacy of Christ in ALL things,
Vanessa Smith
Tax deductable giving through LOWPC
By Mail – send to:
Light of the World Prayer Center
PO Box 31037
Bellingham, WA 98228
* Make checks to “LOWPC”. Please do NOT write my name anywhere on the check, but insert a note directing funds to Vanessa Smith.
Online (PayPal):
http://lowpc.org/donate/
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Giving directly to me – no tax receipt
By Mail – send to:
Vanessa Smith
107 Alexa Ln
Lynden, WA 98264
A Journey of the Heart 