We have returned from West Virginia. I will write later about some of the "GOD SIZED" things that happened during this time of grief. I learned one thing about prayer while I was in Charleston...It's Powerful! I learned that I don't pray enough so...I am posting my speaking schedule in hopes that you will pray for me.
September - Belleview Alliance Church
November - Kentucky and Ohio Christian Women's Club
November - Bethel College
December - Sandusky Christian Women's Club
February - Riverwood Women's retreat
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Sunday, May 21, 2006
MY GRANDMOTHER IS WITH JESUS
This morning at 3:00 am the phone rang. My mom called and said "We're losing her." We were losing my grandmother.
Nee had fallen Friday and sustained a bad break to her hip. The doctors operated on her saturday and we all felt hopeful that she had pulled through.
After surgery, she was sitting up in bed joking with everyone. I even had a chance to talk to her. If you know me well, you know that I use humor to get me through tough situations. She was 87 and I told her that if she had begun dating again like I had advised her...this fall would never have happened.
She laughed.
At 3:15am, she took her last breath and stepped into eternity with Jesus. That brings me comfort.
I know this because several years ago she went through Judgement House and professed her faith in Jesus. Her counselor told me the next week and I rejoiced. We no longer had to question where my grandmother would spend eternity.
I am sort of in shock right now. I can't imagine driving to Charleston today and not going to her house for dinner. She showed how much she loved you with food. She was a wonderful cook. I can't imagine going to the auction without her.
After each ballgame, Alex would call her and tell her how many hits he had. She paid $5 per hit. We never had the chance to tell her that Alex had 3 hits on Saturday.
I loved her so much...I can't explain. Her unconditional love for people and her heart to serve was amazing. Her funeral will be huge. The place will be packed. I can't wait to hear the stories of how she touched the lives of people. The saddest person will be an autistic boy named Eddy. Eddy lived across the street from where my grandmother worked. Everyday he would come over and she would fix him lunch and send him home with dinner. Eddy watched my grandmother enter her place of work each day. He wanted to make sure she arrived safely.
Pray for our family as we say goodbye to this dear dear lady.
Her name was Edna Fields.
Nee had fallen Friday and sustained a bad break to her hip. The doctors operated on her saturday and we all felt hopeful that she had pulled through.
After surgery, she was sitting up in bed joking with everyone. I even had a chance to talk to her. If you know me well, you know that I use humor to get me through tough situations. She was 87 and I told her that if she had begun dating again like I had advised her...this fall would never have happened.
She laughed.
At 3:15am, she took her last breath and stepped into eternity with Jesus. That brings me comfort.
I know this because several years ago she went through Judgement House and professed her faith in Jesus. Her counselor told me the next week and I rejoiced. We no longer had to question where my grandmother would spend eternity.
I am sort of in shock right now. I can't imagine driving to Charleston today and not going to her house for dinner. She showed how much she loved you with food. She was a wonderful cook. I can't imagine going to the auction without her.
After each ballgame, Alex would call her and tell her how many hits he had. She paid $5 per hit. We never had the chance to tell her that Alex had 3 hits on Saturday.
I loved her so much...I can't explain. Her unconditional love for people and her heart to serve was amazing. Her funeral will be huge. The place will be packed. I can't wait to hear the stories of how she touched the lives of people. The saddest person will be an autistic boy named Eddy. Eddy lived across the street from where my grandmother worked. Everyday he would come over and she would fix him lunch and send him home with dinner. Eddy watched my grandmother enter her place of work each day. He wanted to make sure she arrived safely.
Pray for our family as we say goodbye to this dear dear lady.
Her name was Edna Fields.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
GOD IS SO GOOD!!!
Today I was out doing errands and I had 1/2 hour to kill. I was in Streetsboro and decided to go to the flea market. I went to this one booth that sells inexpensive faith based jewelrey. Guess what she had? A mother's prayer bracelet. I couldn't believe it. It was exactly what I had in mind. It has 2 heart charms and a cross charm. It is silver and says "Children are a gift from God to hold and to treasure to pray for without measure.
The best part is...it was only $8. The lady who sold it to me said that you can't help think about your children each time you see or "hear" your bracelet. (the charms make a noise when you move)
I LOVE IT.
I even saw a friend of mine at the flea market and she bought one too.
I'll keep you posted on my prayer journey. GOD IS SO GOOD!
The best part is...it was only $8. The lady who sold it to me said that you can't help think about your children each time you see or "hear" your bracelet. (the charms make a noise when you move)
I LOVE IT.
I even saw a friend of mine at the flea market and she bought one too.
I'll keep you posted on my prayer journey. GOD IS SO GOOD!
Friday, May 19, 2006
RAISING CHILDREN ON OUR KNEES
Today I was talking to a mom about raising daughters. She told me that her 5th grade daughter is being taught "sex ed" in school. Her daughter was in one of my purity seminars. I thought it was interesting that her daughter told her mom that school health classes can make you become curious about sex and she was glad that she had heard the "truth" about God's reason for sex.
We talked in depth of how we need to be constantly praying for our children. I confided to her that sometimes in the busyness of my day...I often forget to pray for my children. I am a visual person and maybe I need a visual that reminds me to pray for my children...so here is my idea.
I am either going to make a bracelet or buy a bracelet with a heart charm. I will wear this bracelet as a constant reminder to pray for my children. To pray that they will guard their heart against the world and that they will give their heart first to God and then to that "special someone" someday.
Wouldn't it be cool if one day...I could hand this charm over to their "special someone".
I dream big dreams...but I also serve a big God.
We talked in depth of how we need to be constantly praying for our children. I confided to her that sometimes in the busyness of my day...I often forget to pray for my children. I am a visual person and maybe I need a visual that reminds me to pray for my children...so here is my idea.
I am either going to make a bracelet or buy a bracelet with a heart charm. I will wear this bracelet as a constant reminder to pray for my children. To pray that they will guard their heart against the world and that they will give their heart first to God and then to that "special someone" someday.
Wouldn't it be cool if one day...I could hand this charm over to their "special someone".
I dream big dreams...but I also serve a big God.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!
Today I received word that Bethel College has accepted me as a chapel speaker. I will be speaking to the students some time in November. My talk during chapel will be called "When God writes your story" and that evening I will be speaking to girls only. This talk will be about purity, modesty and patience. It will be called "When God writes your LOVE story." I am excited and scared...but he is faithful. He has already given me some creative ideas. I am excited that Ashley gets to introduce me. It is interesting that I will be talking to the girls about self image and one of the first things I thought of whenI received the offer was "what will Iwear, and can I lose 3o pounds by november." Looks like I need to "preach to the choir"
Saturday, May 06, 2006
A Big Step of Faith
I have been asked to submit a speaker's proposal to an organization. If I am approved, I would have the opportunity to speak to about 1500 people.
This would be a huge step out of my comfort zone. So far, my biggest audience has been about 300.
I debated about whether or not I should even submit my packet. I keep hearing little voices saying "you're not good enough". So after seeking some wise counsel, I have decided to submit my packet and let them be the judge of whether I am suitable or not.
The packet is due this Tuesday. I will keep you posted.
As I was fretting over this decision, I was reminded of a devotional that I read a few weeks ago.
It was based on the story in the Bible when Jesus drove the demons out of a man and into the pigs. People were so "afraid" of what Jesus could do and his power that they asked him to leave.
I am in awe of how God is working in my life and sometimes I am a little afraid...but I don't want to be so afraid of his awesome power that I "ask him to stop."
I love it when he speaks to me and when he asks me to do things that are "big" in my human eyes. I don't care if I am found to be good...I just want to be faithful.
My days at work are winding down and I have no second thoughts.
I can't wait to have an unscheduled summer.
Joy
This would be a huge step out of my comfort zone. So far, my biggest audience has been about 300.
I debated about whether or not I should even submit my packet. I keep hearing little voices saying "you're not good enough". So after seeking some wise counsel, I have decided to submit my packet and let them be the judge of whether I am suitable or not.
The packet is due this Tuesday. I will keep you posted.
As I was fretting over this decision, I was reminded of a devotional that I read a few weeks ago.
It was based on the story in the Bible when Jesus drove the demons out of a man and into the pigs. People were so "afraid" of what Jesus could do and his power that they asked him to leave.
I am in awe of how God is working in my life and sometimes I am a little afraid...but I don't want to be so afraid of his awesome power that I "ask him to stop."
I love it when he speaks to me and when he asks me to do things that are "big" in my human eyes. I don't care if I am found to be good...I just want to be faithful.
My days at work are winding down and I have no second thoughts.
I can't wait to have an unscheduled summer.
Joy
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