* In December, I decided not to go to the USA in August. I was asked by the Young Life Czech Republic team to join their August team to go serve at the summer camps in Saranac, NY state. I decided I would go to Northern Ireland again. My mom promised to pay the summer for me, because it would be after my graduation and so it would be her gift to me.
* Also another thing I have been praying and thinking about the past few months was our camp, the Prague JV one. I couldn't see my role there. I am not from NI, nor from Prague and when I tried to make connections with the Czech students I failed every time when they found out I was not a Northern Irish (as so many of them thought.)

But let's now get back to NI.
My mom came home a few weeks ago; I remember it was on Monday. She came home, sat me down and told me her bosses have changed her salary just to save money (they have been very unfair the whole time she has been working there and now they are afraid of the crisis.) So now she was not able to pay NI for me.
I remember I went running right after she told me because I was SO mad, I run next to the river and this time I stopped there, sat on the rocks, watched the water, cried and then I sang out loud with Hillsong in my ears and danced, which was kind of funny cause it's next to a very frequently visited park... But I was just so mad.
Later that day she said she's got the money to pay the flights for me but that's it. Now I didn't know what to do. Do I let her pay the flights, but what if I don't get the money before I leave? Or should I wait for the money but what if the flights get too expensive?

I was desperate.

I was confused.

I am not used to situations like this, actually I don't think this has ever happened to me before, my mom always paid all I wanted. I never had to think much about money, or rely on God in giving me money! But I started to pray about it later that week, I think maybe on Wednesday or so... I just asked Him to show me if I should book the flights or not.
God did show me that week, He did send me signs for what to do. And so on Friday I asked Kara to book them for me (she always does and then I give her the money.) I knew God would provide. Just didn't see where the money would be coming from!

I talked to Irena from Prague the following week, told her about my situation... and she said she would tell Olga and Michael Trezzi.

This week, on Tuesday (I graduated on Wed) I got an email from Olga wishing me good luck for Wednesday AND saying they got the money for me...............
OH MY GOSH! I told her already, there are no words for how thankful I am. Really, words will not do!!!

After I read that email, except from being happy and thanking God I was also thinking about the camp, Malenovice and follow up. And I was like, "God, maybe this is the answer to my prayers. Maybe I shouldn't go there this year. You'll use me home more." But still, the thought of not going and choosing to leave the NI team before they leave me was unbearable. I HATED it.
And on Wednesday I got an answer email from Kara, where I was asking her how much the flights were so I know how much to give her and she said just a funny little cost and that she was giving me the rest of the money as her gift for NI.
OH MY GOSH again!!! God you are SO good and these people love You!
So I told my mom right away and she said she will give me the rest for the camp and Malenovice and so on... Cause now it's not that much.

So now I am sorted for this summer. I feel like I can't even say I am thankful, cause I am not just thankful, I am thankful thankful thankful!!! And even that doesn't work.

We also have been talking about money at our Bible study group and we go through Proverbs now, and I liked this verse...
"Money that comes easily disappears quickly, but money that is gathered little by little will grow." Proverbs 13:11
It is so true. Not that I would save little by little for this summer. But I had to lean on God and trust Him in this.
Last year, I had so much money with me I realize now. If I was more aware, more careful and wiser, I would have saved it so I would have more for this summer. But I was always too lazy to save money. I knew my mom would give me more if I needed. God, my Father knew I needed to learn this now. And He did not leave me alone in this. "In the desert I saw how the Lord my God carried me, as one carries his child. He has brought me safely all the way to this place." Deuteronomy 1:31

I have learnt so much from this. From not having money, from having money from people who are not my mom, from Michael's Bible studies, from God, from His Word, from being dependent on other people from the Church, from Michael's Proverbs devotions.
I also realized money is God's. It's not mine; I do not have it to waste it without thinking ‘because there is always more.' It's a gift from God given to me and it's up to me what I waste it for. And I feel this summer will be very blessed even in this way, and I am actually looking forward to this new experience to pay with money that is not my or my mom's. To be more aware of what I buy, what I invest it into... if God would like it or not.

...because with every action, comment, conversation, pound, we have the choice to invite Heaven or Hell to Earth. ~Rob Bell

Thanks Petra!