Author: Brittney Carlson

As the school year is now half way over and testing under way, my focus has turned to partnership development to meet my financial clearance for the field and continued nutrition and exercise program to reach my medical clearance. I am currently have two potential church partnerships, but 0 pledges in so I have a lot of work ahead of me.  I also have 30 lbs more to lose for medical clearance. Please pray for church and individual partnerships as well as discipline with my nutrition and exercise program. I also started back in seminary- this time taking one class at a time. This semester’s class is “Partnership Development”- timely right. 😉 Though I continue to battle with balance, perfectionism, and anxiety (fear or failure) with school work, I have persevered through and am doing well so far. I also have another wonderful professor so praise God for that. God has given me a peace about timing and for the first time, I would be OK with going to Japan in July instead of earlier. Please pray for continued peace and contentment.

December was a rough month for me. I struggled with the balance of work requirements as well as OMF requirement (health, schooling, fundraising). I ended up dropping my seminary classes and decided to start afresh in the fall. On a positive note, one church committed to supporting me. I also was able to go to Africa (Zambia) for the first time, where I visited Village of Hope School, Orphanage and Business Centers. Somewhere I had been trying to go for 5 years! November and December were intense months of spiritual warfare and I am thankful God and the Body of Christ He has surrounded me with helped navigate me through this time. Please pray that I will be victorious over depression and discontentment.

In this space I will keep you up-to-date on my work in Japan, as well as prayer requests you can join me in lifting up to the Lord.

In September, I started my first set of courses at Fuller Seminary: Leadership Development and Family and Pastoral Counseling. I also returned to my yoga and physical training regimine. I also started a new school year in a new school, teaching a new age group in a new position. So it was quit a month. It was a hard month in some aspects as Japan had initially hoped I would come in September but due to paperwork and other clearances, it has been pushed back to winter or spring 2015. On a positive note, my car accident case from 3 years ago was finally settled! Please pray for perseverance in all that lies before me and contentment at where God has me.

Due to staff trainings and vacations, I have not been able to have my final panel interview with OMF. I attended Teacher Trainings in the beginning of the month and then went to Australia for the first time to attend my Japanese friend’s wedding. She was one of the first two Japanese female christian friends I made. We have known each other for 15 years and it was a blessing to be at her wedding. I ended up helping with all of the preparations, was the our guide and translator for her family from Japan, said the Japanese prayer at the wedding and translated the Maid of Honor’s speech to name a few things so it was a busy but blessed time. Please pray for my upcoming school year.

Completed all medical and psychological testing, paperwork and interviews. Started new nutrition and exercise routines. Waiting to hear from OMF on acceptance. Had wonderful visit from sister and family form GA and took fun trip to NY. Since I have yet to be accepted, I did resign my contract. Please pray that this was the right decision and if not, that God would give me the courage and way out.

Attended OMF’s Candidates Course. Decided it was the ministry for me. Could not be accepted until all paperwork, psychological and physical tests were completed and the team able to review them, but am hoping for clearance over the summer. Japan wants me in September, but the OMF US Team feels like November/December would be the earliest. Please pray for guidance and timing and what to do about my teaching contract.