Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Understanding

It's something we desire so much from others. Yet we often have a hard time having it for the people we come in contact with, especially those that are closest to us. 

Thomas Edison believed that the concept of understanding comes from the two simple words under and standWhen one acknowledges that he stands below someone or something else, he makes himself receptive to obtain and retain information from it, thereby allowing for understanding to occur.

I wonder how often I really allow myself to acknowledge I am below someone or something, that I may be receptive to the information I am getting.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Little actions, Big lessons

A blog from our time in N. Ireland. 

Wondering if you are having an impact on the kids you teach?
 
I know that I do. We have been here a while now and it seems as if we are not making any head way at times. Recently, I had been thinking how I would like to see something to know what we were doing is having some effect. I had not told anyone I was a little discouraged, so I wouldn't bring them down with me. Then God allowed me to see something so good that I thought I would share.
It was a Tuesday night at the youth club, like any other. John Silverson, Stephen and I played some games with the kids until half 7, then John gave a lesson from the bible. The lesson was about the women who gave all she had to the Lord for her offering. I thought the kids listened well about the same as they do every week. 
I believe God was doing something in their hearts I couldn't see, because the next Sunday Amy one of our faithful Tuesday night goers came in for sunday school. Now from what I understand Amy used to come in for Sunday School but has not been in for a long while. Well I was sure glad to see her. She looked a little out of sorts, her long hair not fully brushed and kind of sleepy eyed still, but she was there and I praised the Lord in my heart for it. 
The service began with some songs and then the offering. That is when God let me see something very special that the others apparently didn't notice. Amy went up to give her offering and very shyly so no one would notice she pulled out a bag of coins from her jumper pocket and placed the bag gently into the bucket so none would hear them then she meekly made her way back to her seat. She left that day never bragging about her gift or bringing any notice to herself.  
It has been a couple of weeks since that event and Amy has not been back to Sunday school, I don't know why? I hope she starts coming back in soon. She is a very good listener and really enjoys the fellowship at our Tuesday club. So I don't understand what is keeping her away on sundays. 
I just thought it was a great blessing from the Lord. I had been a little down in my heart about seeing some sort of effect for the work we are doing. God had apparently spoken something to her for her to be there, maybe it was the lesson on Tuesday about the women giving to the Lord, I would like to think God moved in her heart about it. 

I pray the Lord continues to move in the hearts of the people we are working with. 
Sometimes it is the little things God uses to show me a big lesson. 

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Visiting with Mom

One of the Joy's of being a missionary is you get to see the world or the part of it God has called you to, which also means you are not able to spend as much time with family as you would like. 
So today my mom decided to make the 3 hour drive and come visit with me for the day. I am very excited about getting to spend some quality time with her. 

Blogging made perfect

I am afraid my blogging has been next to nothing. Mostly because I have been struggling with what to write. Sometimes I just over think things and would rather do nothing. Glad nobody else has that problem. 
Lately, I have really been struggling with comparing myself to others. When I read the other wives blogs, I get discouraged about some aspects of my life I can not control. God didn't make us all the same and He doesn't have the same plan for our lives either. God has really been helping me see this in my life recently. I am a slow learner. 
My hope is to be more faithful in blogging. I heard this statement again, "I will only be more tomorrow, what I am today."  over the last few days and it really has been eating my lunch as Bro. Tony would say. 
So I figure I got to start somewhere. So please forgive the roughness of this blog. 

It's been two years...

I can hardly believe it myself when I say how long I have been married. Wow, where does the time go.  
More then once this year has someone congratulated us on our first year of marriage. While saying thank you, I simply add it's been two. Their response is the same, "Wow, Really, It doesn't seem like two years."
Honestly, it hasn't felt like two years to me either, it has gone by so fast or maybe the years went by slower when I was single, who knows.  
Over the past two years God has opened many doors and we have had a marvelous time going through them together. We are excited about the future and look forward to what God has in store for us. 

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Great Blog... Thought I would pass it on


Some things I know about our new president!

Last night Barak Obama was elected president of the United States. There are several things you should know about this election as God’s people.

Psa 75:6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
Psa 75:7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

It is God that puts up and puts down. I must trust that God has chosen Barak Obama to be the president of our country now!

Pro 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
Pro 8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

In our desire to think that we make many of these decisions I think it is wise to remember all of these verses from Scripture.

Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
Dan 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

So I recognize that God is of greater power than the people and not only that I recognize that He has the heart of the king in His hand and will do through the president what He pleases.

Pro 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

I know that God can work in the king’s heart and place thoughts there:

Ezr 7:27 Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:

I recognize my need to honor the authorities that God has placed over me and to pray for them. I hope you will do the same. Please remember that to obey is better than to sacrifice–in other words God prefers that you obey Him even to the worship that you could give Him.

Rom 13:1-8 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

I hope you will commit to pray for our president and all other authorities in positions of leadership above us. We can disagree with their policies but I think Biblically should respect their position. We should honor them. We ought not get into bad attitude bashings of our leaders.

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Be careful of the attitude that you have.

2Pe 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Let us put the ignorant who would talk bad about us as God’s people to silence. Do not have a bad attitude. Do not go around talking trash because your candidate didn’t win. Do not show disrespect for the president just because he wasn’t your choice.

1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1Pe 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

So let’s sum it all up:

God has placed Barak Obama in this position as our president!

God is still in charge and we can rest assured that He will accomplish His purposes under Barak Obama!

I need to honor and respect the authorities that God has placed over me.

I do not want to allow any kind of bad attitude or actions to ruin my testimony before those that do not know God personally.

I need to pray for all the authorities that God has placed over me.

I can disagree with policies and principles but ought not to get into personalities.

I know that God is at work to bring great honor and glory to Himself and I anxiously await what He has planned!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Stay on Course




Over the past week, I have really been thinking about the importance of staying on course. 

In these pictures you see the airstrip to the left and a photo of a small branch stuck in the wing about two feet in. 

Two feet off course that is all it took for my grandfather to loose control of his plane and loose his life. 

I started thinking about my own course in life. Am I off course some where? Am I still in the race? Two feet. That's it. 

We think we can do this or that and it is not really a big deal but it could be, that one thing that turns your world upside down along with everyone else's. 

I asked myself what course am I on really? Am I on the course God has set before me am I running the race that He has asked me to run? Maybe I started out on course and I have started to drift away from it. Two feet. Some times that is all it takes for your race to be over. 

I want to finish the race God has given me and stay the course that is before me. I know this with out him that is impossible because he is my compass, my guide, my everything. Just how you can not fly a plane with out the right instruments, you can not stay on course with out the word of God to guide us. 

Life goes by in an instant. My grandfather didn't realize he was off course till it was to late. 

I don't want my life, the vapor it is, to be over and stand before God and not have stayed the course he set before me. 


Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A plane crash


I just received a phone call that my grandfather died an hour ago. I don't know anything other than he was trying land his two man plane on his airstrip in Florida. 
Please pray for his wife Anne who lost her son in a motorcycle accident just 6 months ago. 
Stephen and I are going to leave as soon as possible. 

Before and During the Call

It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)

Quick work this! The Lord hears us before we call and often answers us in the same speedy manner. Foreseeing our needs and our prayers, He so arranges providence that before the need actually arises He has supplied it, before the trial assails us He has armed us against it. This is the promptitude of omniscience, and we have often seen it exercised. Before we dreamed of the affliction which was coming, the strong consolation which was to sustain us under it had arrived. What a prayer-answering God we have!

The second clause suggests the telephone. Though God be in heaven and we upon earth, yet He makes our word, like His own word, to travel very swiftly, When we pray aright we speak into the ear of God. Our gracious Mediator presents our petitions at once, and the great Father hears them and smiles upon them. Grand praying this! Who would not be much in prayer when he knows that he has the ear of the King of kings? This day I will pray in faith, not only believing that I shall be heard, but that I am heard; not only that I shall be answered, but that I have the answer already. Holy Spirit, help me in this!

Just a thought from Spurgeon.


It's a small world...

After all.

Last night the Lord gave me the opportunity to speak at a ladies meeting in Ooltewah, TN for the first time. They have been such faithful supports through their giving and prays, it was an honour to get to know them better. 

As the Pastor,  his wife (Bro. Gene Hooker and Mrs. Bessie) and I introduced ourselves we realized what a small world it really is. Turns out Bro. Gene was a Rock of Ages man for over 25 years, so of course we knew some of the same crowd of people. The more we talked the more we thought about friends and places we had in common. I told him my home church during that time and he fondly remember Bro. Landy and Mrs. Rita, John and Sandy, and our little church on the hill. He said he really enjoyed our church and the people there and it was a real blessing to see them in the new building. 

It was an encouraging time in the Lord. I  meet the Ladies and had a wonderful bit to eat. God allowed me to share from my heart about Ireland, the times we spent there, the people we meet and give God the glory for the souls saved during those four months.

I shared a lesson about overcoming bitterness, kindly shared and written by Teri Snode (Thank you Teri),  that had really helped me to see bitterness for what it was and how it effected my life, others and warnings signs to avoid becoming bitter. 

The lesson really helped me to grow closer to the Lord and see that there is just so much more we can do with our time then be bitter, be it bitterness toward someone I love that has hurt me or bitterness toward the Lord over a problem I am facing. God wants us to have a life full of Joy and yes sometimes some trails come along the way, maybe so we can remember and embrace the sweet times just a little more and forebear the bitter ones a little easier. 

The ladies seemed to really get a lot out of the lesson. At different times each lady let me know just how much they enjoyed me being there and more importantly how much they needed that lesson. They shared some their hearts and some situations taking place in their lives. I am grateful it was blessing to them. The Lord always knows what we need to hear. 

Some thing that was a blessing to me. Was the young ladies involved in the meeting. Some of the girls are as young as 11 & 13, helping to set up and coordinate the speakers, meals, read the minutes form the meetings. It truly was a wonderful example of the older women training the younger.  

I praise the Lord for the great meeting and the fellowship. 

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Just wanted to say

I was thinking about how much the Lord has blessed me over the years with good, I mean great men of God who I have had the privilege to call my Pastor, along with those men were sweet Ladies of God who were shinning examples of what a Pastor's wife should be.  

I just wanted to say thank you to my Pastor's and their wives.
Bro. Landy & Sis. Rita, Bro. Austin & Mrs. Betty, Bro. Wayne & Mrs. Connie, for loving me and always being there. 

When we thank God for our pastor
We must give Him thanks for two,
For when your husband came to us
God also sent us you.

A pastor's wife must be many things,
You have many hats to wear;
And we say thanks for all you do
And lift you up in prayer.

You adjust your life to meet the needs
Of your husband's congregation,
And it seems that you can always cope
With most any situation.

Your presence blesses all of us
Who know you from day to day
As our pastor's wife, you are serving God
In a fine and worthy way.

by: Helen Bush

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Pray for Sandy Pearson and family

Sandy Pearson’s brother Tommy Cofer died on Friday afternoon. He is the son of Pastor Kenneth Cofer of Trinity Hills Baptist Church!

I wanted to inform you of the plans so that you can express your love to Sandy, all the Pearson family and also the Cofer family.

Everything will take place at the Bill Head Funeral Home in Tucker! The viewing will be Sunday, August 10, 2008 tomorrow, from 2 until 8 PM. The funeral will be held on Monday at 2 PM with Michael Dickens preaching.

Lilburn/Tucker Chapel
6101 Highway 29 • Tucker, GA 30084
(770) 564-2726 • Fax: (770) 564-2527 • Email: bhfuneralhome@earthlink.net

This is the information that I have received from John Pearson. Thank you for praying for the family!

Friday, August 8, 2008

From Spurgeon

Confidence Not Misplaced

The Lord God will help me. (Isaiah 50:7)

These are in prophecy the words of Messiah in the day of His obedience unto death, when He gave His back to the smiters and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. He was confident in divine support and trusted in Jehovah.

O my soul, thy sorrows are as the small dust of the balance compared with thy Lord's! Canst thou not believe that the Lord God will help thee? Thy Lord was in a peculiar position; for as the representative of sinful men—their substitute and sacrifice—it was needful that the Father should leave Him and cause Him to come under desertion of soul. No such necessity is laid upon thee: thou art not bound to cry, "Why hast thou forsaken me?" Did thy Savior even in such a case still rely upon God, and canst not thou? He died for thee and thus made it impossible that thou shouldst be left alone; wherefore, be of good cheer.

In this day's labors or trials say, "The Lord God will help me." Go forth boldly. Set your face like a flint and resolve that no faintness or shamefacedness shall come near you. If God helps, who can hinder? If you are sure of omnipotent aid, what can be too heavy for you? Begin the day joyously, and let no shade of doubt come between thee and the eternal sunshine.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

A thought from Charles Spurgeon

Rules for Prosperity

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:7)

Yes, the Lord will be with us in our holy war, but He demands of us that we strictly follow His rules, Our victories will very much depend upon our obeying Him with all our heart, throwing strength and courage into the actions of our faith. If we are halfhearted we cannot expect more than half a blessing.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

One of God's greatest blessings

 Our Pastor

Who is it calls when we are ill
With cheerful words and right good will,
And lingers gently then to pray
And soothe our care and fear away?
Our Pastor!

Who is it comes when sorrow falls,
When death of friends our heart appalls,
And tells us of mansions fair,
And that sweet home, "just over there"?
Our Pastor! 

Who is it shares our happiest hours,
When life is crowned with wedding flowers,
And to the scene lends added grace
By reverent voice and kindly face?
Our Pastor! 

Who is it on the Lord's day
Points to Heaven and leads the way,
And brings a message from the Word,
Until our hearts within are stirred?
Our Pastor! 

For whom then shall we daily pray
And ask for him God's grace alway,
And wish for him a glad new year,
With new-born souls his heart to cheer?
Our Pastor! 

Lean G. Browne


Tuesday, August 5, 2008

A thought from Charles Spurgeon

The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. (Psalm 37:31)

Put the law into the heart, and the whole man is right. This is where the law should be; for then it lies, like the tables of stone in the ark, in the place appointed for it. In the head it puzzles, on the back it burdens, in the heart it upholds.



Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Two years ago, today....

Stephen and I went out on our first date, since I had gotten back from Peru. 

I am just starting to understand what everyone has meant over the years, about how you love someone more today then you did when you married them. 

Everyday God shows me how Stephen is the man I dreamed about all those days, I was longing to be married. Through the good times and bad times God reaffirms that we were made for one another. 
I can truly say that God has blessed me with a wonderful husband who loves and adores me. I am so grateful to God for bringing us together. I can't imagine my life with out Stephen being there. 

I love you Stephen. 

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Please remember Andrew Pearson

Please keep Andrew Pearson in your prayers as he was in a motorcycle wreck several weeks ago and has seriously injured his leg/ankle. Here is an update from him:

"Just an update, the doctor called today and I have to have another surgery before the end of next week. It is a very specialized surgery and the specialist is not under my health insurance. I don’t know very much about it but I know it is a microvascular surgery and grafting to repair my heel pad and the skin which was torn off in the accident. As a result of this surgery they say I will be in the hospital (emory crawford long) for “several” weeks. I also wanted to say thanks to everyone who has stopped by. You guys have been great friends and a great help to me and I really appreciate it. Please keep praying and thanks again."

Made my day....

How can one phone call make my day? Well let me tell you. 

Stephen and I were working this afternoon and the phone rang. I thought it was probably a wrong number or someone trying to sale something because we don't normally get calls on Saturday's. 

So when I heard him say hold on a minute, my brain went into overdrive thinking about who could that be and why do they want to talk to me. 

Then I got on the phone and it was a young lady form a church in Tennessee , she explained who she was and that she was hoping I could come and speak at their lady's meeting they have at their church next month. Honestly, I was a lot shocked because I have never been asked to speak at a church out of the blue before. I got all the information I thought I would need and said thank you and let her go. 

I really just don't know how to describe the feeling I am having right now. I have this sort of butterflies flying around in my stomach at the idea of talking to people I don't know. Then I have this really scary what do I talk to them about thing happening. Along with a great since of wow I wonder why they asked me and what a great privilege it will be to share what God did while we were in Ireland. 

I am so thankful for the opportunity that God is giving me to talk to the ladies that will be at that meeting. Please pray that I will say and do what will honour and glorify the Lord, and be a blessing to the people he brings in. 

Friday, July 4, 2008

Being from the peach state down here in the south, when the 4th of July rolls around we know its time for about 50,000 people to, wake up before dawn, put on their running shoes and head off to the marta stations, highways and byways to swarm downtown Atlanta for a race called the Peachtree Road race, where everyone may not know your name, but they at least got your number.  

So today my family and I are headed off to see just how well we finish our race today. If we finish, I mean when we finish, we receive a T'shirt.  Now, to my knowledge this shirt is like any other tee you might come across in your travels, with one very big difference you have to cross the finish line before you to receive this trophy of what you have just accomplished. 

I am so glad I didn't have to stand in line to receive the gift of salvation. I am also glad that when I finish my race in life I know the prize is that I lived my life for and in the high calling of God through Christ Jesus.  That is the greatest Trophy I could ever have and one day I pray to hear the word's "Well done". 

I may not finish the peachtree in first place but at least I ran the race. So if you are reading this blog you may want to think about what kind of race you are running in life. Are you running to win fame or fortune? Maybe the race you should be really running in life is to see how many people you can tell about the God in heaven that sent is son to die for you and I, who gave us the strength to run any kind of race at all. 

"Well done" what are you waiting to hear at the end of your life's race?

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Urgent Prayer Request

I just received a call that my sister is on her way to the hospital. 

She is going in for emergency surgery for her gallbladder. It has not burst as of now, please pray that they can get the surgery completed before it ruptures. 

Stephen and I are on our way to the hospital and see how we can help with the kids. I am sure Riley is a little scared and the other two may know something is going on, so please as the Lord to comfort them. 

Thank you for your prayers. 

Please Pray

Please be praying for this Macedonia missionary family who just lost their wife/mother to cancer. They will need lots of prayer at this time.

Sister Sandra Stewart, age 37, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. Sister Stewart was the wife of Mark Stewart, Our Field Director for the Middle East, and mother of two girls, Maggie and Millison, ages 8 and 6. Sister Stewart had been battling breast cancer for two years. Sister Stewart was a godly woman that cared for her family and loved lost souls. Her desire was that they could be the greatest possible blessing to all our missionaries and especially to those in the middle east.

Provoked, you say......

Like most of us, I read blogs and lots of them. 

So this morning I was reading Brother Tony's blog, on being provoked. It really made me think about the times I have been provoked in life. So I wanted to share one of the times with you and with him. 

Sometimes in life we have an effect on someone and we never know it. I have had somethings taking place in my life lately and it has really been impressing me to share with people, now what they mean to me or how they have made an impact on my life. 

Brother Tony & Mrs. Stacey, 

I remember the day you provoked me, to think about what God really had for my life.
How you sat across the table at John's house surrounded by young men hanging on your every word.
As I listened, my mind was wondering about how God was going to use them and how great it must be to go and tell people about the Lord. I looked around the room at their young faces and thought about where the Lord would send them, Africa, Asia, India ect...

I thought about how much God had done for me and I wished one day God would use me to reach someone for him. I thought about where I had come from and just how much my life had changed. How such a short time before I was sitting around a table much like this, surrounded by so called friends wasting my life in sin. I thought about, how God had changed everything in the last few months; my friends, my home, my job, not one part of my life was left untouched by the loving hand of our Lord and that's when you said it.

"So when are you going to Peru?" What a question. Man o man, I was caught so off guard, so surprised. One because you noticed me and pointed me out of the group, two because I didn't know that anyone would want someone like me to go.
As I stammered for the words, searching for something in my brain to come out of my mouth, while everyone was starring waiting to see what I would say. I am sure John was a little nervous, my foot and mouth disease was really bad back then.

I honestly don't even remember what finally made it's way out. I do however clearly recall what made it's way in, God sent the holy spirit to prick my heart and sew a seed of hope within me that God could use someone like me. That he saved me for a purpose and that I was starting to see for the very first time that he was lining things up for him to use my life, in a way that only he could.

Oh, how that seed of hope would be watered in the days to come. I just get plum excited when I remember that day. When I think about how God moved in and began to rearrange my plans, for his plans, for my life.

How God in heaven would provoke me to action. How I would start going to mission conference's for the fun of it,  how I would enjoy learning in bible classes, how he would change the way I dressed, my music and I wouldn't care. So much had already changed in my life and the great part is it is still changing today. 

I don't know exactly all he has planned for us and I pray he will use Stephen and I to provoke others to action for the cause of Christ, the way God used you and Mrs. Stacey to provoke me and so many others along the way. 

We love you both very much.

Stephen & April

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Ahh what did you say? ?

This is a response from one of the girls we worked with in N. Ireland. I thought you might get a kick out of how they talk and write over there. I am glad Stephen likes to write books, cause I really need a Text messaging and emailing for Dummies, some time before we move. I am so glad God had her email me today, I was really thinking about them this week a lot. 

Awwww Thank Yhoo, Yea Every One Has Bein GOOd lol ......I Dont Run About WIFFF THEM Any MOre lolz ............. WELL CANT WAIT TO SEE YA AGAIN I REALLY MISS YHOO :( . Well WBZ Again .............XOx0 LUFF YHOO """"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :( MISSS YHOOO :( XOX0O

Any one want to translate, just kidding I am not that bad off, yet.  Please continue to pray for these young people and for us. We desperately want to get back to Northern Ireland. We need 25 more churches to take us on. Please pray that God would send us to the churches he would have take us on. We really want God's will to be the focus of our life so the when is up to him. 

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Good Friends.......... like these

Okay, When I first meet Martin and Carrie, the day we landed in Northern Ireland I was a lot nervous and honestly just plan scared. Although, I tried to cover it, I am just one of those people that wear their emotions all over their face, which I am going to have to work on being in the ministry. So I am sure the only one I was fooling was myself. 

From the very start we hit it off well with the Wickens Family. They are extraordinary people with a great love for the Lord and desire to reach the people of the British Isles and the world with the truth of the Gospel. 

It was so exciting to hear Martin and Stephen talk about ways to reach the Island. It was also sad listening to Martin explain how there are churches all over the country that have no Pastor and no prospect of one. 

Martin is doing a great work over in Newtownabbey with the young and old a like. The people of his church just adore all of them. They are respected in the community and they have a great relationship with fellow believers. 

It really was such a blessing to share a part of their lives and the work they are doing in N.I.. Martin and Carrie opened every part of their life up to us while we were there. They let us live in their home, work in their church, shared their friends, and let us drive their car (if you knew how we drive you'd really understand that one) put us on their insurance. 

Carrie helped me a just to the culture and truly I have never meet a more acclimated missionary wife then Carrie, she was such an example of how to adapt to your surroundings, food, weather and the people. I don't know how she does everything. She is definitely on my list of Proverbs 31 ladies, I want to learn from. 

I can not explain what a tremendous blessing they have been to us. Our time in Northern Ireland was exciting, educational, and gave us evidence of where the Lord is leading. 

I don't really know who reads my blog but the Lord does, so that being the case I would like to say this. If you or anyone you know would like to have a part in a ministry that is helping to reach people just like you and I. People who need a friend, people who need to know someone cares about them, people who are lost and need to know that there is Father in heaven that loves them, not because of who they are but because of who he is. 

Then Martin and Carrie Wickens are the missionaries for you. I know they have a web site that has all their information on where to send financial support and we know where to send the prayer support already, so give them a google and learn a little bit more about this great couple and how the Lord is using them in Northern Ireland. 

I am so thankful God gave us the opportunity to meet Martin and Carrie, as well as work and live in N. Ireland. It was a life changing time for us in so many ways. We just Praise the Lord for allowing us to be part of what he is doing there at this time. 

Everyone has a ministry.

As, I was reading today and thought I would share this. 

If you're saved, you're in the "Master Ministry". If you have a husband, you're in the "Marriage Ministry".  If you have children, you're in the "Motherhood Ministry". If you belong to a church, you have a "Membership Ministry". If you live in a neighborhood, that's in a city, that's in a state, that's in a country, that's in a world full of people dying with out the Gospel, you have a "Multitude Ministry." 
from the Mrs. Ministry, by Cathy Corle. 

What Ministry are you taking part in? It is never to late to start making a difference in our generation. 


Sunday, June 29, 2008

A breaking heart.

Do you remember the post about the girl who cut herself? 

I don't know how to start. My heart is breaking a bit today. I heard from the young lady, she is 14 now, that cut herself after one of the meetings. 

Have you heard about facebook or that kind of thing, well they have something in Northern Ireland kind of like it, called bebo. So before I left for the states, I signed up for this so the kids could have a way to keep me up dated and I could see how they were doing. 

Well, I got a message that made me bust into tears. Stephen, was so worried someone died or something. It read simply, "Miss yohoo :) ". Oh, how my heart is hurting, thinking of that little girl. 

I didn't realize how much those two simple words could mean to me. She didn't say she missed the pizza or the games, she missed me.
 In my heart I know it really isn't me at all that she is missing, it is the love of Jesus Christ that she saw through me. 
Oh, how I miss her and the other kids. I miss the way they would wind me up during our Friday night outreach. I miss them coming to the house to talk about the Lord. I miss them telling me about their day. I miss them playing ping pong with Stephen and singing songs on a Saturday morning after visitation. 
I miss the way they would tell me what their teachers said about america or how they would ask if I knew 50 cent ( a raper in LA somewhere I think). I miss hearing them run up the stairs for sunday school. I miss correcting them when they say bad words, or asking them not to smoke in the hallway.  It is the million little things I miss most. 

I miss them so much.  I have not talked a lot about them since I got back mostly because it hurts so bad not knowing what is happening to them. I praise the Lord for the 10 that got saved while we were there and my heart breaks for the ones that are still lost. 

I am praying that we get back to Northern Ireland soon. Not just for this young girl and these kids but for all of them. They all need a Sister or Brother that cares about them, someone that will tell them about a Father who loves them more then they could ever imagine. 

Please pray for this young lady, she is still lost and looking for the piece to the puzzle of life, only God can fill.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Who is reading your blog?

Visitor Map

Well the answer for me is I really don't know. I was at a missions conference this week and one of the wives told me she read my blog. I was shocked and amazed, one that she knew I had a blog and two that she would actually take the time to read something on it. 
I have to admit that sense getting back from Ireland, I have fallen down on my blogging. It is not that we are not doing anything important or staying busy, I just kinda felt weird about writing how things are going when all of you live in the states. Then I was reminded that even if you live here things pop up that are blog worthy. 
We may live in the same country and all of that but every place we go is unique in its own way. 
The people, church's, town's, states, they all have a way of showing you something about yourself God want's you to see. Maybe every situation isn't perfect and it may challenge you in ways you could not imagine that is all the more reason to share it with others. 
Then there are those people and places that bless and encourage you beyond word's. People should get to hear that sort of stuff too. 
I really want to share what the Lord is doing in this journey, called our lives. 


Wednesday, June 18, 2008

C.H. Spurgeon

Just a thought from C.H. Spurgeon 
"Thy Redeemer."—Isaiah 54:5.

JESUS, the Redeemer, is altogether ours and ours for ever. All the offices of Christ are held on our behalf. He is king for us, priest for us, and prophet for us. Whenever we read a new title of the Redeemer, let us appropriate Him as ours under that name as much as under any other. The shepherd's staff, the father's rod, the captain's sword, the priest's mitre, the prince's sceptre, the prophet's mantle, all are ours. Jesus hath no dignity which He will not employ for our exaltation, and no prerogative which He will not exercise for our defence. His fulness ofGodhead is our unfailing, inexhaustible treasure-house.
His manhood also, which he took upon him for us, is ours in all its perfection. To us our gracious Lord communicates the spotless virtue of a stainless character; to us he gives the meritorious efficacy of a devoted life; on us he bestows the reward procured by obedient submission and incessant service. He makes the unsullied garment of his life our covering beauty; the glittering virtues of his character our ornaments and jewels; and the superhuman meekness of his death our boast and glory. He bequeaths us his manger, from which to learn how God came down to man; and his Cross to teach us how man may go up to God. All His thoughts, emotions, actions, utterances, miracles, and intercessions, were for us. He trod the road of sorrow on our behalf, and hath made over to us as his heavenly legacy the full results of all the labours of his life. He is now as much ours as heretofore; and he blushes not to acknowledge himself "our Lord Jesus Christ," though he is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Christ everywhere and every way is our Christ, for ever and ever most richly to enjoy. O my soul, by the power of the Holy Spirit! call him this morning, "thy Redeemer."

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Father's in the Ministry

On Father's Day,  I have a ton of men that pop up as father figures in the ministry. I thought I would share some of them with you and most likely they are a father figure to you. 

John Pearson and his family are very precious to me. They knew me before I knew Jesus so you can imagine the history that we share. The thing is they loved me from the very start. I was a hard shell to crack so it took some time invested to see any results from their acts of kindness. The little things made the most difference. 
One of my favorite memory's is when I got saved and John came up to me and said "Write this date down in your bible, the devil will try to steal it from you." I nodded and that was it. Then a couple of years later after the devil tried stealing it from me, I remembered what he said. Oh, there have been a million times the Lord has used John and Sandy to help me deal with some dozes' in life. Some times they didn't even know they were helping, I would see how they lived, they made me a part of the family , through that God allowed me to see changes I needed to make in my own life. 
Another thing that really brings back memories, is when I asked if the girls could spend the night at my house. Honestly, I thought they would say no. So when they said yes, I was so honored I got to take care of there girls. It was a huge blessing and encouragement that John and Sandy trusted me that much.
I could go on and on about the Pearson's, I love them with all my heart. 

I really have been blessed to have some great father figures in the ministry. Brother Austin, Brother Tony both of these men, on more then one occasion have given me my fare share of correction but never without an equal or greater amount of love to back it up. 
Good Night, I have seen these men flat on their faces praying for the world, in a room full of young men, hoping God would touch the hearts of men in that room, in america and the world. Asking God to move men to action to get the gospel to a lost and dying world.  
I have had them ask me tough questions I didn't know the answer to. Just to see if I would try and figure it out. I have seen rooms moved by the love these men have for the ministry and for those that work in it with them. Really, there is not a way to fully describe how it feels to know that you work with such great men of God or Men of a Great God. 

Mark Coffey, is not old enough to be a father figure to me, but he as been a great brother figure and since he is a dad. I wanted to say how much the friendship I share with him and Amy, has ment to me over the years. You both have ... well you are ... I can't even find the words that express just how much, Stephen and I love you two. When we need you, you are there, when we say we don't need you, you are there. So we wanted to say thank you for that. Amy and Steph are the sister's he never had and Mark and Trent are the brother's that drive you to do more. 
Thank you guys. 

Happy Father's day to all of you. Please know that you have more people thinking about and praying for you today than you think. 

Happy Father's Day

What a wonderful day to remember our Daddy's of this world along side the heavenly Father we all share. 

I just want to say how much I love God the father for always being there when I needed him and especially for being there when I thought I didn't.  I think after I got saved I truly realized what a father was supposed to be. It is not always hugs and kisses on special occasions, all though I do love those times. It is a lot more correction then I want but I always need.  I have been through some trials growing up and I'm sure I will have tons more come my way. That is why my relationship with my heavenly father is just so important. Not because of what he does for me, because of who he is. He is my everything. 

Really, I just am in awe of how much he loves me. 

I love you Dad.

I wanted to take a minute to send a Happy Father's Day not only to my Heavenly Father but the Daddy God gave me here. My dad is great, it took him a while to get God's drift on what being a dad is all about, and after a couple close calls, he got the point. So I thank God for the Daddy he gave me and how he cleaned him up to the man he is now.  My dad calls me for no reason just to say he loves me. He reminds me that Jesus is coming again and to be ready. He is always there to lend a helping hand. He loves Stephen like he was his own. God gave me a better daddy then I deserve. 


Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Why I Love my Husband

There are a million reasons, why I love him. 

1. He is a gift from God.
2. He loves the Lord and seeks to serve him daily.
3. He sees the good in people, even if they aren't so good.
4. He loves helping others.
5. He goes out of his way to be a help to his Pastor and church.

6. He is so Cute!!!
7. He sings to me constantly, making up songs as he goes along.
8. He always has a hug for me in the morning, even if I got up on the wrong side.
9. He knows how to make me laugh.
10. He is never to busy, for an "I love you".

11. He is a good cook.
12. He opens the door for me. 
13. He drives us every where.
14. He holds my hand, just because he can.
15. He loves my smile. 

16. He needs me. 
17. I need him.
18. I can be myself when we are together.
19. He is forgiving.
20. He loves me with or without make-up.

21. He never gives up on me.
22. He never makes fun of me.
23. He is simply irresistible
24. He has an awesome sense of humor!
25. When he looks at me, I thank God for him.

26. I feel safe when we are together
27. I love that he isn't perfect.
28. He is a giving person. 
29. His smile.
30. God made him just for me.

31. I love the way he says my name.
32. He is so smart.
33. He is a great teacher.
34. I love that he is so affectionate.
35. He has reachable goals in life. 

36. He has God reachable goals in ministry.
37. He gets along with my family and friends.
38. I still get butterflies when he kisses me.
39. I love to watch him sleep.
40. I love the way he smells.

41. He looks so hot in a suit... My preacher man.
42. I love the way he acts like a geek.
43. He takes complete care of me when I am sick.
44. He is a computer genius.
45. He is not embarrassed to call me pet names in front of others.

46. How he isn't afraid to speak his mind.
47. He tells me his feelings. 
48. How he makes me feel when I think I am nothing.
49. He inspires me.
50. How he loves his family.

These are just some of the reasons why I love my husband. I thank the Lord every day for allowing us to share our lives together as we serve God in the ministry. 
God has truly blessed me with the best husband in the entire world. 
I love you, Stephen. 

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Home again.

So we got into the states almost two weeks ago and have been traveling ever since. 

We got to my sister's house last night from south Florida. We had a safe trip and got a chance to stop off in Macon to have a quick visit with some of our good friends. It was so good to see them and their baby (Sugar Bear) the cutest dog you have ever seen. 

We are headed to Vision Baptist to spend the day, in the morning service some of my family I have not seen yet is going to be there so it will be good to see them.  We are also looking forward to spending some time with all of our church family and friends that are there.

After three states and who knows how many miles, it will be nice to be at home late tonight. Something about waking up in your own space, you know what I mean. 

I sometimes can hardly believe all the wonderful things and places God allows us to do in our lives as we seek to serve him. It is overwhelming to remember, where I was and what I was before I knew him. 
God is God. He is so amazing to me. I praise him for all he is. 




Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Great News.

From across the pond.

I just got off skype with my good friend Laura from Ballyclare. She told me that a young man got saved Friday night at the youth meeting. 

Praise the Lord for all that he is doing in the hearts of these young people. 

As Laura told me about this young man, my heart was just leaping for joy. I began to remember all their little faces and was overwhelmed by all God is doing there.  She said that D. told her he has been coming to the meetings and during the talk his heart is just ponding because he knew that he was a sinner and he needed to get saved. He also said he hadn't until then because all his friends told him how stupid he was if he did. So while all his friends went out to a parade Friday night to party and have a good time by getting drunk or high, D went to the youth meeting because he wanted to become a christian.

D told Laura he couldn't wait to go home and tell his Grandmother, she was a christian and she had been praying for him to get saved. He also wanted to go tell his sister how to get saved. 

I am just so happy. What a good way to start the day. 

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord for all that is happening.


Good Morning, Everyone

I hope today is as beautiful a day for you all, as it is for me.

We have been back now for little over a week and we have been to a church in Georgia, Ohio and Florida. So we have been on the move. 

It has been nice seeing family and friends and I am really looking forward to meeting up with those we have not had a chance to see yet. 

Just wanted to give a quick update. 


Sunday, April 20, 2008

It is 9:30, so we are getting ready to leave for church soon. 
I have a living room filled with bags that are in the middle of being packed for our trip tomorrow. It will not be easy to leave but it is necessary. The sooner we go the sooner we can come back. I have grown to love our life here in Northern Ireland. 
I find my self worrying about the teenagers more then I probably should. Praying that they stay involved and build relationships with the church people. 
We have been seeing a lot more of the paramilitary influence here. Honestly, it is a little scary when you hear people talking about it. For our teenagers it is a part of everyday life. On Friday, our youth club was about half the size due to a party in the forrest. May heart sank when I saw some of our most faithful follow the crowd down the street. I have a pretty good idea what kind of future they are headed for if somethings don't change. 
Some times it really hurts to care and you wonder why you work so hard to share your heart and life with others who seem not to listen. The the Lord shows you something you were not expecting. 
I was down on the street talking to some of the boys who got into trouble the week before so they couldn't come up to hang out. As I talked to them another young man came around and started asking some questions about if I smoked, drank, or did drugs. 
I was amazed at what happened next. Before I really had time to respond, these two boys who seem never to listen and always have to be the center of attention began to speak for me. They recounted my testimony to this young man, only to stop a couple of times to ask me if they had it right. I almost cried as I watched them tell this stranger to me, how God had changed my life and they told him all about Wesley and the phone calls we shared before he died. They told him how God had let me talk to him three different times before I got the call from my mom to say he had died. I couldn't believe God was giving me this wonderful gift before I left to go home. To watch these two kids share what God had done in my life to someone else, was priceless.
After they finished, I told them they really were listening, they just smiled and said yeah it really got their attention. 

The people of the church have been amazing, how they have welcomed these rough around the edges kids into their church above the shops. Please pray that God would continue to grow this work. 
Pray for Martin and Carrie as they return home. I am sure they are excited to come back and work with these young people. They will certainly have their hands full. I look so forward to seeing and hearing how God uses them in the days to come. 

Friday, April 18, 2008

Mixed Emotions

My stomach is just turning with butterflies right now. I am excited about going home to see my family and friends. I am also looking forward to sharing what God has and is doing here in the hearts of the people, as well as share the vision and desire God has put in our hearts for this place and all the people here. 
Tonight is going to be very hard for me. I will be saying goodbye to our Friday night teens. I am just wrecked about leaving them. I have grown to really love these kids. They have been a pain in the neck at times but they have also stolen a piece of my heart. I see myself in them so much. The trails I grew up with as a child and the pain of not knowing exactly where I fit in the scheme of things. Some the things they are facing, I remember so well others I have tried to forget. "For such a time as this" Esther 4:14. Every situation in my life has helped me prepare for the ministry God has called us to. I am so glad preparation time is not wasted time.
Watching them grow over the last few months has truly been amazing. I wish you could have seen they way they used to come to the church all big and bad, with a flip you attitude. Now most of them come in with a you really must care about me side showing through. 
How do I put into words what God has done here. Not only in the lives of these kids but in my own heart. 
I came to the place willing to serve where ever I could and not really knowing where that would be. Then God took my life and showed me just how much I could be of help. Not only to Stephen but also to the ministry to which he has been called. Oh how I praise the Lord and thank him for allowing me to see my past used for his glory. I am so grateful God gave us this opportunity. 

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

PLEASE PRAY

We have some dear friends of ours working in Africa who need our prayers. I received this email and would ask you to pause what ever it is you are doing right now and go to God on their behalf. 
This is one of those times they need the Lord's wisdom, understanding and healing touch.

Hey everyone,
I just wanted to ask everyone to please pray! A. went to the doctor
yesterday and to make a long story short he is getting much worse. I
finally heard the whole story. He has been couching up blood now for four
days in a row. He is short of breath. The process here to determine what
is causing the problem seems to be just a little slower than we can
trust. Also just over night he has gotten worse. We will be flying back
to states tomorrow or Friday so he can get to the doctor as soon as
possible. He admitted his travel home from Egypt was very hard on him.
The slightest thing now is resulting in more blood. Please pray for us
that we can get home and get this takn care of. Thank you, I am so glad I
can trust all of you to pray!

Love in Christ,
J

Our Tuesday Kids Club

This has been one of the most rewarding times in our lives. 

When we started helping in this kids club in January, we had a faithful 4 or 5 every week. God has really done a work here. In nearly four months God has allowed us to watch him grow the club. We had 14 kids last night with 2 of our teens volunteering to help and with the leaders we had 19.

One of the kids got saved on Saturday so we are very excited about what God is doing in the hearts of these kids. 

It has been such a joy to work with these children and we have learned so much. I will miss not being there next week. 


Sunday, April 13, 2008

Which one do I pick?

Flour is one of the world's most known basic ingredient to most dishes you would fix for your family.

I have really only needed two kinds of flour thus far, All-purpose and self-raising. Until now I had not even realized there were so many to pick from. Here you have self-raising soda bread, golden fleece plain, strong bread, medium wholemeal, coarse wholemeal along with cake flour.

 Who knew that there were so many different types available.
It will be fun trying out some of these when we come back. 

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Slemish Mountain

 Stephen and I took a couple of hours today to drive around the country side and pray that the Lord would show us the place he would have us go. 
While we were out we stopped off to see the legendary Slemish Mountain. 
Probably, you have heard of a man, most people refer to as, Saint Patrick.  According to legend he tended herds as a boy here on the lower slopes of Slemish Mountain. 

It was a breathtaking view that is for sure. As I stood there looking out onto the villages below, I couldn't help being moved by the sheer awe of what God has done for me. He suffered, died and rose again so I would have the opportunity to except him as my saviour. 
If that was enough he gave me the privilege to tell others about him and all he had done in my own life.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain;...." 1 Cor 15 v.10a 
It is very humbling to be here sharing with people what God has brought me out of. I am so honored to be able to share all that God has taught me along the way. 

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:13-14

I want to honour God by being the help meet he has prepared me to be to my husband. God has given Stephen such a wonderful vision to see the U.K. reached with the gospel, so that once again they would become a great sending nation of the gospel into all the world. I am just so thankful to be able to share with him all that God has called him to do. We press toward the mark.

Our growing, tuesday night club

We had 13 in our kids club, Tuesday night, 3 of them first time visitors. We had so much fun playing rounders (kinda like baseball) and some good old fashioned dodge ball. 

Keeping up with these youngsters is hard to do, but worth every second. I am sad to say our last Tuesday night is next week. I almost cried thinking about it last night. 

The time here has been such a blessing and it has been tremendous to watch God grow the ministries of this church while we have been here. 

I really have seen God do a mighty work and look forward to hearing what God does in the future through his church and people serving him in Newtownabbey. 

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Stephen playing some songs for the teens.

After Saturday visitation, we had about 13 kids come up to the church to fellowship and sing some songs. It was so nice to see them signing and enjoying such a wholesome moment in time. 
I heard about ten different times from the kids that christians are fun to hang out with. It just warmed my heart to hear them say such a nice things so genuinely. 
If you knew these kids and how they have been raised and what kind of environment the live in, you would understand just why what they said meant so much to us.  
We know what they are really seeing Christ through us. 

Monday, April 7, 2008

Little actions, Big lessons

A blog from our time in N. Ireland. 

Wondering if you are having an impact on the kids you teach?
 
I know that I do. We have been here a while now and it seems as if we are not making any head way at times. Recently, I had been thinking how I would like to see something to know what we were doing is having some effect. I had not told anyone I was a little discouraged, so I wouldn't bring them down with me. Then God allowed me to see something so good that I thought I would share.
It was a Tuesday night at the youth club, like any other. John Silverson, Stephen and I played some games with the kids until half 7, then John gave a lesson from the bible. The lesson was about the women who gave all she had to the Lord for her offering. I thought the kids listened well about the same as they do every week. 
I believe God was doing something in their hearts I couldn't see, because the next Sunday Amy one of our faithful Tuesday night goers came in for sunday school. Now from what I understand Amy used to come in for Sunday School but has not been in for a long while. Well I was sure glad to see her. She looked a little out of sorts, her long hair not fully brushed and kind of sleepy eyed still, but she was there and I praised the Lord in my heart for it. 
The service began with some songs and then the offering. That is when God let me see something very special that the others apparently didn't notice. Amy went up to give her offering and very shyly so no one would notice she pulled out a bag of coins from her jumper pocket and placed the bag gently into the bucket so none would hear them then she meekly made her way back to her seat. She left that day never bragging about her gift or bringing any notice to herself.  
It has been a couple of weeks since that event and Amy has not been back to Sunday school, I don't know why? I hope she starts coming back in soon. She is a very good listener and really enjoys the fellowship at our Tuesday club. So I don't understand what is keeping her away on sundays. 
I just thought it was a great blessing from the Lord. I had been a little down in my heart about seeing some sort of effect for the work we are doing. God had apparently spoken something to her for her to be there, maybe it was the lesson on Tuesday about the women giving to the Lord, I would like to think God moved in her heart about it. 

I pray the Lord continues to move in the hearts of the people we are working with. 
Sometimes it is the little things God uses to show me a big lesson. 

The Rich Family In Church

I heard this for the first time about 8 yrs ago. It touched my heart then and again today. I thought I would share it with you.

The Rich Family In Church
By Eddie Ogan

I'll never forget Easter 1946. I was 14, my little sister Ocy was 12, and my older sister Darlene 16. We lived at home with our mother, and the four of us knew what it was to do without many things. My dad had died five years before, leaving Mom with seven school kids to raise and no money.

By 1946 my older sisters were married and my brothers had left home. A month before Easter the pastor of our church announced that a special Easter offering would be taken to help a poor family. He asked everyone to save and give sacrificially.

When we got home, we talked about what we could do. We decided to buy 50 pounds of potatoes and live on them for a month. This would allow us to save $20 of our grocery money for the offering. When we thought that if we kept our electric lights turned out as much as possible and didn't listen to the radio, we'd save money on that month's electric bill. Darlene got as many house and yard cleaning jobs as possible, and both of us babysat for everyone we could. For 15 cents we could buy enough cotton loops to make three pot holders to sell for $1.

We made $20 on pot holders. That month was one of the best of our lives.

Every day we counted the money to see how much we had saved. At night we'd sit in the dark and talk about how the poor family was going to enjoy having the money the church would give them. We had about 80 people in church, so figured that whatever amount of money we had to give, the offering would surely be 20 times that much. After all, every Sunday the pastor had reminded everyone to save for the sacrificial offering.

The day before Easter, Ocy and I walked to the grocery store and got the manager to give us three crisp $20 bills and one $10 bill for all our change.

We ran all the way home to show Mom and Darlene. We had never had so much money before.

That night we were so excited we could hardly sleep. We didn't care that we wouldn't have new clothes for Easter; we had $70 for the sacrificial offering.

We could hardly wait to get to church! On Sunday morning, rain was pouring. We didn't own an umbrella, and the church was over a mile from our home, but it didn't seem to matter how wet we got. Darlene had cardboard in her shoes to fill the holes. The cardboard came apart, and her feet got wet.

But we sat in church proudly. I heard some teenagers talking about the Smith girls having on their old dresses. I looked at them in their new clothes, and I felt rich.

When the sacrificial offering was taken, we were sitting on the second row from the front. Mom put in the $10 bill, and each of us kids put in a $20.

As we walked home after church, we sang all the way. At lunch Mom had a surprise for us. She had bought a dozen eggs, and we had boiled Easter eggs with our fried potatoes! Late that afternoon the minister drove up in his car. Mom went to the door, talked with him for a moment, and then came back with an envelope in her hand. We asked what it was, but she didn't say a word. She opened the envelope and out fell a bunch of money. There were three crisp $20 bills, one $10 and seventeen $1 bills.

Mom put the money back in the envelope. We didn't talk, just sat and stared at the floor. We had gone from feeling like millionaires to feeling like poor white trash. We kids had such a happy life that we felt sorry for anyone who didn't have our Mom and Dad for parents and a house full of brothers and sisters and other kids visiting constantly. We thought it was fun to share silverware and see whether we got the spoon or the fork that night.

We had two knifes that we passed around to whoever needed them. I knew we didn't have a lot of things that other people had, but I'd never thought we were poor.

That Easter day I found out we were. The minister had brought us the money for the poor family, so we must be poor. I didn't like being poor. I looked at my dress and worn-out shoes and felt so ashamed—I didn't even want to go back to church. Everyone there probably already knew we were poor!

I thought about school. I was in the ninth grade and at the top of my class of over 100 students. I wondered if the kids at school knew that we were poor. I decided that I could quit school since I had finished the eighth grade. That was all the law required at that time. We sat in silence for a long time. Then it got dark, and we went to bed. All that week, we girls went to school and came home, and no one talked much. Finally on Saturday, Mom asked us what we wanted to do with the money. What did poor people do with money? We didn't know. We'd never known we were poor. We didn't want to go to church on Sunday, but Mom said we had to. Although it was a sunny day, we didn't talk on the way.

Mom started to sing, but no one joined in and she only sang one verse. At church we had a missionary speaker. He talked about how churches in Africa made buildings out of sun dried bricks, but they needed money to buy roofs. He said $100 would put a roof on a church. The minister said, "Can't we all sacrifice to help these poor people?" We looked at each other and smiled for the first time in a week.

Mom reached into her purse and pulled out the envelope. She passed it to Darlene. Darlene gave it to me, and I handed it to Ocy. Ocy put it in the offering.

When the offering was counted, the minister announced that it was a little over $100. The missionary was excited. He hadn't expected such a large offering from our small church. He said, "You must have some rich people in this church."

Suddenly it struck us! We had given $87 of that "little over $100."

We were the rich family in the church! Hadn't the missionary said so? From that day on I've never been poor again. I've always remembered how rich I am because I have Jesus!