"And When My Mind is Wandering...There I Will Go"

"I'm painting the room in a colorful way ...And when my mind is wandering
There I will go." 

Since my every moment is no longer consumed by designing. (I know! How am I surviving, right?)  Well, my mind has been enchanted by dreaming of all sorts day, evening and night... Caravaggio has been in the midst of my constant trance.   The Calling of Saint Matthew has been hovering in my thoughts, I feel guilty not including significant history and all the depth that comes with this painting buuuttt I'm not...

I've been thinking about Matthew's expression, it's extremely authentic (why I love Caravaggio) and always relevant to my relationship with Jesus Christ! It's truly inspiring to reflect on this painting; I'm in awe of how direct the lighting, how dramatic, and how true to the emotions of such an experience!  Jesus' finger   is straight from Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and what a beautiful connection to refer to the relationship of Adam and God, in comparison with the way that Christ awakens that intimacy...... yeah there is much to relish my dreams on. I think of how direct God is in his calling and how we are "to instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:20)  

In hopes of avoiding rambling on, to close, words that come to mind are: warm, genuine, distinct, bold, humble... 

From Whittier to Australia

I've had horrendous seasonal allergies lately, I know that sounds dramatic but those of  who are close to me can vouch for how awful it gets! Anywaaayy, I bring that up because it puts my mind in such a fog that I just hope this is coherent haha! (There, that's my disclaimer, now read on) ;)

God has been faithful to provide just as I knew He would be! I’m now at 63% of my total support, Hallelujah!!!  Psalm 27:8 is a great summary as to what He has been teaching me lately. 

“My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face Lord I will seek.” 

Whether I’m in Whittier or Australia I desire to seek the Lord's majestic face! Through out this process of sharing and allowing opportunity for involvement, it's been a roller coaster and I've fought to keep my eyes on the Lord seeking Him in all things!   

God has also been faithful to reveal much to me! To see the body come along side me and take part in a vision to: “help build spiritual movements everywhere, so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus.” That has been one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, to see Christ’s followers functioning in relation to one another! It has given me a glimpse of God's perspective in the grand scheme of things! I see God’s fingerprints daily; in the people I meet, the conversations I have and especially the scripture I read! The Lord is moving, working, creating the miracles I’ve been praying for! Praise YHWH (Yahweh) for flaunting His might! :)

I have a week and a half left to extend the opportunity for others to partner with me in Melbourne ministry! 9 DAYS!!! I need to be fully funded before getting on the plane so keep me in your prayers as I continue to meet with people and share the calling God has placed on my life.

If you have been praying about supporting me and so decide to you can go to www.give.ccci.org to give online! :)
For any questions about my ministry and such please email me at marilyn.cooperstein@gmail.com! 

Melbourne On My Mind

Hello hello, 


There has been quite a bit going on in my life, a new chapter has begun. :) On September 14th I finished my schooling at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising with an AA in Fashion Design! I'm now going back to Australia as a missionary for a year to two years! When I went to Australia last year with Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru) God showed me the huge need for missionaries in Australia. I met students at a college campus and we had spiritual conversations where many were first introduced to the gospel. I had learned before going that less than 2 percent of Aussies go to church, let alone proclaim to be followers of Christ. Actually doing campus ministry opened my eyes to the reality of that statistic, I learned about how there was a program called STINT (Short Term INTernational) where I could live in Australia as a missionary working with college students. 
Through Luke 10:2
" These were his instructions to them: 'The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers in to his fields." 
 God brought this scripture to my mind and I knew He was telling me I would be back in Australia to speak biblical truth to a post modern society. I'll be living in Melbourne, which is a fashion and art centered city. I'm excited to bridge the gap of my experiences in the fashion industry with college ministry! 

Personally, since I just graduated from college I recognize the significance of evangelism at this time of life rather than later on. There is a tremendous competition for the hearts and minds of students; pressure to succeed, longing for acceptance, and atheistic world views. I can't imagine making such vital decisions with out the Holy Spirit leading me and it breaks my heart that there are so many students doing just that. The international mission statement of Cru is; "Helping build spiritual movements everywhere, so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus." The ministry I will be apart of has three main focal points in executing this; Win, Build, Send. Winning students to God's kingdom, Building through discipleship and pouring out, and Sending these students out to their peers and other countries as missionaries to the world!  

The scripture that pretty much sealed the deal with any doubts of whether to go over seas for a year or not, was Romans 10:14-15
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring god news!" .. Haha God spoke to me so deeply and clearly through this verse that sometimes I wonder if it was written specifically for me! ;) I look at that passage and I think how remarkably true!!! Not only is there a HUGE need for missionaries, for me, to go, but there is a need for the body to be apart of it! I after all, am only the hand with a desire to reach out and touch the lives of Aussies, But I need a strong supportive arm that is willing to share in this vision. I need a support team who can fund me financially and intercede prayerfully as I get ready to get on the plane! 

I have 37% of my total financial goal and my deadline for the total is December 1st. The urgency is growing and I am trusting God to work some miracles this month! :)  I think with a lot of pressure there is opportunity for God to do great things and I have faith He will. I need $3,500 each week in one time commitments and $500 monthly support commitments per week till December 1st in order to meet my total goal! Please pray for me to meet my weekly goals and for God to do a work. Also, please prayerfully consider financially supporting me one time or monthly. 

Thank you! 

In Christ,
Marilyn Cooperstein 

To  give online you can go to https://give.ccci.org/give and type in my name!