Two months later...

... and now I update. I feel terrible that I haven't updated anyone on what has been going on... Transition is a tedious process and I am by no means an expert even though a lot of the time I feel like I should be. It has been a long and short two months but for the most part I am here and waiting. We are all waiting here.
Stepping out and moving here when I did was no small thing. It was a hard thing to do... I left my family while they were in the middle of a crisis to move 1500 miles away to do what exactly... well as of right now not much more than wait. In some ways it is sad because I probably could have done this in NC with more money in the bank and a family around me... And I know to some of you that is what I should have done. It is hard for some to understand why I left when I did I could have waited till the new year or something. But I know that I heard from the Lord and I know He is the one that told me August. I am here and doing well. I am learning to learning to hold onto what the Lord has told you and trust that He knows what He is doing. I am finding myself back where I was a couple of years ago (almost 3 years to the day Read about it here ). I am being reminded that I choose to submit to the Lord in obedience. I obeyed with my actions. But until the last few days I have had a hard time obeying with my heart. I forgot who this was about for a little while there. Just so you know it was never about me. Even if I thought it was. I am choosing to trust in faith that as long as I obey I will find myself right in the middle of God's plan. Even if it means being in the middle of nowhere I had heard of before this 3 years ago, doing little more than waiting and hoping that His provision of part time or temporary employment could help make financial ends meet. I need to go to bed but I will update you on where things are with Wild Fire when I get all the details. A lot has happened on that front in the last few days and I want my update to be accurate and clear!
Thank you & God bless!
Alicia

Day Two - On the Road

So today was decently uneventful for me...Besides the minor crisis evolving the movers delivering my stuff while I am literally a thousand miles away. I am not so fond of that whole thing but really there is nothing I can do about it but pray that everything came out alright and we are good to go.
I drove from Nashville to Dallas. Made it safe and sound... again I am so thankful I choose this route now for two reasons... One because the 10 hours I drove today were beautiful and I can't really say that about the 10 from Jackson MS... The second reason is apparently a tropical storm is hitting ground somewhere in the Mississippi & Louisiana region. Also a plus is I don't ever remember going to Arkansas before... But now I can say I have been there... And now I can say I have in fact driven across both Tennessee & Arkansas... next step is driving across Texas... Although Texas has some beautiful parts I am sad to say that most of them are not between Dallas & Alpine... Fort Worth is a lovely city and mountains of TX are lovely this time of year but they are not as visible from the road as one would prefer when driving but hopefully I can get there without to much trouble... Fact... I have single-handedly driven over 1000 Miles... So I have driven 500 miles and I have driven 500 more to be the girl who drove 1000 miles to fall down at my (new) door! Hehehe... I have to add 500 more so I will be the girl who drove 1500 miles to fall at my own door! Wow... Sorry but I am trying to make light of a lot of driving I am almost done and very ready to be. Please pray the Lord would protect me on the road tomorrow... I get to see Audrie and Steven and My girl Joanna tomorrow! I can't wait!
God Bless & Much Love! ~ Alicia

Day One - On the Road

I am so glad I choose to take the route through Tennessee and so on... the hours went by a lot faster then when I went the southern root through Louisiana & Mississippi.

So yesterday after arriving in Nashville I checked into my hotel which is really nice! (thank you Whitney Lewis for helping with the discount)... then proceeded to transform into a tourist... I ate a late lunch/early dinner at a Nashville Tradition... or at least that's what it said on the sign called the Pancake Pantry... they had great pancakes... But the whole time I was there I though about Paul... Because he loves pancakes or anything the is full of carbs! Speaking of Paul... I had a sad/funny moment yesterday when Audrie thought he was with me... Then Steven texted telling me she is still messing up. I thinks its funny but Paul I really miss you and do wish you were here. Then I drove around town seeing the sites like driving down Broadway by all the Honky Tonks next time I come to Nashville I will try not to make it a Sunday because most of the museums & tours were closed because I love Museums and Tours! After my tour I went to a movie at a really nice theater where you can occasionally see country & christian music stars (I looked it up online) so I figured it would be a safe theater to go to. Julie & Julia was Hilarious... If you get a chance go see it.

So the mover is coming tomorrow and I am nowhere near Alpine yet... Next stop Dallas... I am going to dinner with a couple of friends from school or maybe just one depending on if I can get a hold of them all. Check back later for more updates from the road.

God Bless & Much Love!
Alicia

One week...

Time in NC is coming slowly to an end but at the same time it is quickly passing by. I can't believe that a week from now I will be on my way! The reality is still settling in. I have quite a few people to see before I go. I am having lunch with at least 3 different people and am hanging out with quite a few others. People are so important to me. I will miss a lot of people when I leave. But mostly I will miss my Family.

Just a note anyone who wants to see me before I go... Please let me know!

I am putting together a schedule so let me know when you are available My schedule is filling up already.

On the Schedule:
Spend time with friends & family!
Pack Car
Saturday Family day!
Sunday Leave :o(

New Website Layout...

I have put together a website to help people follow My Road to Wild Fire... I just finalized some updates on it. Check it out Here: http://www.aliciazinn.com/ministry

Moving out...

Wow I am so glad that went so well... All my stuff is now packed away in a truck headed for... Well honestly I don't were... but finial destination... Alpine, Texas. I am Glad things have gone so smoothly... Dad is doing much better. They let him out of the hospital on Friday Last week and although he could only sit in the living room and have a few people at a time come and see him... we still packed out our yard with on average 100 people at any given time between 11 & 3 on Saturday... The party was a huge success... Thank you to all who came and graced us with your presence. My Family was hugely blessed by all the people who showed up and the cards that still keep coming in! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Y'all don't know how much it means to us.
Well now it is a week and a half and counting till we are on the road. Thursday we should be getting the results of the PET scan dad just got this morning. This will be what decides whether they get to come with me on the trip or not. Time will tell!

So I only have 3 more days left at Family Dollar... and I am praying for patience. The grace started lifting a few weeks ago... at this point that grace is long gone. Just being there Monday morning was tough. I have been treated pretty much like I am already gone. I will only be doing some minor training with my replacement they are having her train with another MA so that when I am gone she has someone else to work with her. Just a few more days and I will be able to focus on spending time with my family and friends and getting myself ready for the long trip ahead of me.

On the Schedule This week:
More trips to the store (Target & Costco)
Start getting my car ready... Take care of auto maintenance and repairs.
Move into the guest room

All booked up with no place to go... Yet!

I have booked the mover they are coming on Tuesday, Aug 4th(or a week from tomorrow)! All hotels and lodging are booked for the road... 1 plane ticket are booked (that may change but for now it is just 1). But we are not leaving for another 19 days.

On the Schedule This week:
Get Ready for Dad's party!(http://www.aliciazinn.com/celebrate/)
More Packing... This one is going to be here till around Aug 3rd!
More trips to the store (Just Target now)
Start getting my car ready for the trip...Take care of auto maintenance and repairs.
Get ready to temp move into the guest room
Start training my replacement soon... I am guessing they have found one by now.

Later! ~ Alicia

Getting ready to go...

So I have see pictures of my Apt... It looks great. Except for the part where they didn't have the carpet down yet. But it will be when I get there. Yay! New carpet is good! I had a nice relaxing weekend in the mountains... Swam in the Lake, Went Whitewater rafting and relaxed... I haven't relaxed in a while. I will try and put some pictures up later. I left on Friday for a long weekend. Which is part of the reason that I have a lot of reruns on my list.

On the Schedule This week:
Book the Mover (This is getting ridiculous) Done Finally!
Call CFNI again about room on campus Done!
Call (and actually talk to) Bethany Dilts (Try Try again) Yay!
More Packing... This one is going to be here till around Aug 2nd!
Make list of things I need from the store...
More trips to the store (Just Ikea & Target now)
Start getting my car ready for the trip

Later! ~ Alicia

Moving right along...

One month! A month from today we me and... well only time will tell exactly who is going with me... will be packing up and leaving to drive across the good ol US of A... As of now the itinerary is as follows: See map

Aug 16th AM- Leave Charlotte for Nashville, TN est: 6.5-7 Hrs
Aug 16th PM - Check out Nashville, Stay in Nashville, TN overnight
Aug 17th AM - Leave Nashville, TX for Dallas, TX est: 9.5-10 Hrs
Aug 17th PM - Visit Friends at CFNI, Stay on Campus overnight
Aug 18th AM - Leave Dallas, TX for Alpine, TX est: 8-8.5 Hrs
Aug 18th PM - Arrive in Alpine! Visit with Friends and Family!
Aug 19th AM - Sleep in a little! Wish Steven a very happy birthday!
Aug 19th-21nd - Movers come. Unpacking and settling in!
Aug 22nd - Road trip Buddy/Buddies Fly home to NC :o(

On the Schedule This week:
Book the Mover (Still... They are supposed to call me today)
Call CFNI about room on campus
Call (and actually talk to) Bethany Dilts
More Packing
Make list of things I need from the store...
More trips to the store (Walmart, Costco, Ikea...Ect)

Until next week!

Thank you,
Alicia Zinn

And miles to go before I sleep...

That is the last line to a Robert Frost poem I have been contemplating lately: Click here to read about my contemplations. It couldn't be truer though...
I have so much to do and so far to go in the next 40 days. Yep 40 Days... So soon but at the same time so far away. I have begun booking hotels and packing to move 1600+ miles across the country. Days are flying by. I have 5 and a half weeks left at work. In which I have to help get things ready for a replacement... That's always fun.

On the Schedule This week:
Go to Ikea with Mom to get some stuff for my apt/house.
I need to finalize a list of what I am taking.
Then book the movers.
Start packing the small stuff.
Get someone in Alpine to check out my Apt in Alpine.
Call the Austin branch of the Dilts family (long overdue)!

I am going to try and update at least once a week from this point on for those who would like to keep updated on what is going on.

Thank you,
Alicia Zinn

The Climb...

This is kinda where I have found myself lately...

The Climb by Miley Cyrus

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

Hooray! My Newsletter is done!

If you would like to see it Click Here. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support! God Bless, Alicia

Wild Fire Has a blog!

If you would like to get an idea of what is going on at Wild Fire...
Check out our Blog: http://westtexaswildfire.blogspot.com/.

I love y’all!

Alicia Zinn

The Missions Bug

There is something about the summer time that gives me the urge to leave the country for a few weeks and preach the gospel to the nations... I noticed this feeling my first summer after Belize. That was 5 years ago. In 2007 I did get to go to India... That was an incredible experience! I would love to go back... But at the same time I have so many other places I would love to visit as well... I am thinking the next on my list is probably Italy! I have some friends whom have just started settling into Rome as missionaries. I would love to take a small team there to work with them next year! But hey who knows what God has in store. This year I got to do something a little different... Investing in missions! My finances and Prayers have been invested in over 7 different missions trips and 10-12 different Countries. It is as if I have jumped on a plane and flew to Papua New Guinea or Europe and done the ministry myself! I get to be there in prayer. Knowing that God is not only changing the lives of the people being ministered to but also the lives of those doing the ministry! I get to be a part of something I couldn't have any other way! I urge everyone to Please invest in Missions... Whether Financially or in Prayer! Especially if you know someone who is going... Pray for them! If you don't know anyone who is on the mission field or who is going on a missions trip. Talk to you're pastor and find out some of the missionaries that your church is supporting.

God Bless & I love Y'all!

Alicia Zinn

Making A Donation

If you would like to donate to my Moving & Living Expenses
(This donation goes directly to me & is not tax deductible,
For a tax deductible donation contact me by email)

Mailing List Sign up

To Sign Up to receive my Quarterly Newsletter:
http://www.aliciazinn.com/ministry

100 Days

or 15 weeks or 3 months

The plans are for me to be leaving the third week of August... Packing on the 15th and leaving on the 16th... I am hoping to arrive in Alpine on the 18th! It is very exciting! I wanted to share that excitement with someone!

I love Y'all!

Alicia Zinn

My Starter Letter (to be reformatted into a newsletter)

Dear Friends & Family!

It is almost hard to believe it has been a year since I moved home to be with my family... So much has happened since we hit the road early last May! Many of you got the news around Nov that dad's cancer was in remission... Unfortunately his battle is not over yet... Cancer is never an easily won battle. But God is faithful and we still believe dad's healing is yet to come... Till then dad is working on finding emotional and spiritual healing and leaving the physical healing in the hands of the Great Physician. But I am not just writing to update you on my father but to also let you know what the Lord is doing in my life.

As many of you may already know I have been talking about this ranch in West Texas that my best friend and her family are starting up and how I am going to join them someday! Well... that someday is finally approaching... The Lord is opening the door for me to serve with an incredible team to launch an amazing ministry in West Texas.

Wildfire Miniseries is a Youth outreach ministry located on a ranch near the mountains of Fort Davis in Big Bend. We will be hosting Youth Camps and Retreats as well as Sponsoring Missions trips. I will be helping with office administration and possibly working as a house mom for some of the girls.

I am so thankful for this incredible opportunity! As I make plans for the move I am realizing I can not do this alone. I am so thankful for the support of my family! Both of My parents and even my little brother support what I am doing and have given me their blessing to go.

So in August of this year I am packing everything I have into the back of a small rental truck and moving 1500 miles to Alpine Texas!

This is where you come in... I would like to ask for your support in prayer! Please pray for Safety over the trip, God's provision (moving is not free) and God's blessing and outpouring over this ministry. If the Lord moves on your heart to send a financial gift, I would not turn it down... Let me know, Wild Fire or my church here in NC can take donations on my behalf. For more information you can contact me by email.

Thank you for your prayer & support!

I love y'all!

Alicia Zinn

PS: Below is an info Video about Wild Fire Ministries. It is a little out of date. We have recently been put in contact with a grant writer and the purchase of the ranch and the building of the ministry should be paid for by the grant we are applying for. If you would pray that the Lord would continue to guide us through the grant process it would be much appreciated.


Visit Wild Fire online at: http://www.westtexaswildfire.org/
For more info email Wild Fire at: info@westtexaswildfire.org