TAKE A SEAT.

hello pal-

i am coming to you with more exciting news: I DESIGNED ANOTHER TSHIRT!!

i am about half way funded for my semester abroad in Indonesia - which is coming up so so fast.

i am beginning to get my visa information all figured out along with securing flights before the fall comes.

it all feels a little surreal as i prepare for what is to come. packing up my life and moving half way across the world once again makes me so excited to be traveling and doing what i love, but i am also coming to realize just how much i have appreciated my time at home these past two years.

i have built a little family of friends over here in good ol Indiana - the place i never really pictured myself settling down for this long. looking back to when i came home from the last of my international travels i have grown in so many ways. mentally, i am so much stronger and have worked to get my mental health under control & process some of my past. i have worked on forgiveness and gratitude in several areas. i have grown in biblical knowledge and wisdom. i have developed deep friendships and sweet mentorships. i have spent valuable time with my family and made memories that i cherish. and most of all i have spent precious time getting to know the heart of my heavenly Father. more and more i am discovering who i am and who i was created to be.

in designing this shirt i was thinking about how valuable the image of the table has been in my understanding of ministry. as i have invited people into my home to partake in fellowship, i have seen the value of sitting around a table with people i love. to look each other in the eyes without the distance of technology, i find myself deeply invested in what each and every person has to say.

when we gather around the table, we always bring mixed & matched chairs to fit all our pals. we squeeze in tightly & make room for whoever brings someone new. we laugh & we listen, we grow & we share our stories.

along with this, i have also been challenging myself to choose to seek first the good in people. after all, we are all human & as a Christian i choose to look at every single person as someone God created beautifully for such a time as this.

whether it is someone i haven't seen in years, someone i spend most of my days with, or a new face, i want to choose to listen to what they have to say & love them well. i want to make room at my kitchen table & pull up a random chair so that they feel welcomed & loved right where they are.

all any of us want is to be loved and to be known by love. despite religion or politics, backgrounds or cultures we all long to be loved well. so this is my challenge for me and for you to remember to choose love first. we are all human looking for belonging, so pull up an extra chair and share belonging with someone new.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO PURCHASE THE SHIRT!

https://www.bonfire.com/you-are-welcome-here-4/

if you would still like to support me, but are not interested in purchasing a t-shirt at this time,

my venmo is Avery-Weldy

my paypall is averyweldy

and i would also really appreciate your prayers during this time!

prayer requests:

-my visa information to be accepted & go through on time

-find good flights for a good price

-to raise this last $2,000

-for confidence that this is where the Lord is directing me & peace in that

-prayers for Free & Safe and all that they are doing at this time

-and for me to live in the moment and enjoy this time spent at home before i leave in august

thank you so so much for reading and supporting me on this journey, i really appreciate you.

i wish you well in all your endeavors.

much love,

avery