Yesterday was the first day of spring. As much as I like snow, this winter, I was inside most of the time. Maine is just too cold. Maybe my blood will thicken up before next year.
This month has been busy. We have had several visitors in church, and we have had some good contacts in the area. Please pray that some of thevery will begin attending regularly.
Our puppet ministry has been going well. I am enjoying trying to put the plays together as wells getting the volunteers together. Please pray that we will be able to use this ministry in the nursing homes in our area.
My parents and I have been to several preachingredients conferences in the last month. What a blessing it is to see men getting together and working together to build each other up. The men around this northeast area are dedicated to planting churches like no other group I have seen. Several churches and individuals gave over $30,000 to help seven men start churches. Through these meetings, I have been able to schedule speaking engagements at a Christian school and a ladies' Bible study. Please pray that God will use me to encourage others to serve their churches and missionaries.
I am working on plans to leave for England next January. From there I will reach into Europe. One of our missionaries in Poland has already made contact, and I have two other leads in Romania. Pray that God will provide the funds and the people I am to help.
Please pray for my parents to be approved for a house. Pray for my baby cousin Mycah. They had to reverse all his previous heart surgeries and are prepping him for a transplant.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Time is Marching On.
I seem to never realize how short February is until a few days into March. The end of February wasn't too abnormal. Our puppet ministry at the church is going well as we tweak the time and how many puppets we use at a time. I try to keep the thought of the day simple, and the resource I am using for the bulk of the stories begins with the fruit of the spirit. My prayer is that the kids will learn simple truths that they will carry with them through their lives. Please pray that we can use this ministry to reach children and adults through Bible clubs, VBS, nursing homes...
March began with a snowstorm which we avoided by leaving early for a church planting conference. Seven men are starting churches here in the northeast. Over 100 adults were present at the meeting with at least 20 pastors. Those pastors gave over $29,000 in one time gifts to get all these church plants started. Several pastors also pledged monthly support. A tract printing ministry here in the northeast takes all their profit and gives it to church planters. That ministry was able to give $900 to each church planter. If churches all across America would catch the vision of working together instead of focusing on impressing others with big numbers... Don't misunderstand, each number is a soul, and God allowed the numbers being added to the church to be given in the Bible, but too many churches are focused on just building their church instead of helping build many churches. The churches in the Bible that were the most successful were the churches that gave to help other churches and sent out missionaries and pastors to start more churches.
I will be reaching out to some Christian schools which I have already contacted to set a time to come and share my ministry with their students. I will also be setting a date to speak at one Christian college, and I am waiting to hear back from two other colleges. Please pray that God will use my experience to encourage others to go out and help missionaries.
Please keep my baby cousin Mycah in prayer. His heart surgery does not seem to be working properly, and the doctors are not sure if he can hold up under any other surgeries right now. Pray that God will do a miracle to allow the oxygen saturation to stabilize.
March began with a snowstorm which we avoided by leaving early for a church planting conference. Seven men are starting churches here in the northeast. Over 100 adults were present at the meeting with at least 20 pastors. Those pastors gave over $29,000 in one time gifts to get all these church plants started. Several pastors also pledged monthly support. A tract printing ministry here in the northeast takes all their profit and gives it to church planters. That ministry was able to give $900 to each church planter. If churches all across America would catch the vision of working together instead of focusing on impressing others with big numbers... Don't misunderstand, each number is a soul, and God allowed the numbers being added to the church to be given in the Bible, but too many churches are focused on just building their church instead of helping build many churches. The churches in the Bible that were the most successful were the churches that gave to help other churches and sent out missionaries and pastors to start more churches.
I will be reaching out to some Christian schools which I have already contacted to set a time to come and share my ministry with their students. I will also be setting a date to speak at one Christian college, and I am waiting to hear back from two other colleges. Please pray that God will use my experience to encourage others to go out and help missionaries.
Please keep my baby cousin Mycah in prayer. His heart surgery does not seem to be working properly, and the doctors are not sure if he can hold up under any other surgeries right now. Pray that God will do a miracle to allow the oxygen saturation to stabilize.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Valentine's Day
Today is the day set aside for couples to express their love. I'm glad my parents have loved each other through the good and bad times for 37 years. Love isn't a feeling. It's an action. It is an on purpose choice of one person serving another's need. It is not always reciprocated, and that is where sacrificial love comes into play. Each person is created in the image of God. Goď is love. If we are to be like Christ, then we must love in all our relationships even when love is not returned.
This month has been a little hectic because my mom went in the hospital twice. In the end, it was determined she has high blood pressure. We are thankful it is not more serious.
One of the girls in our church had brain surgery on a tumor. She is doing well, but please pray that the tumor does not grow back.
I have been contacted by two colleges about coming to share my ministry. I am now waiting for them to set the dates. Please pray that I can encourage more people to go short term to help missionaries.
Please continue to pray for our church, youth ministry, and puppet ministry. We are hoping to train our people in the puppet ministry so we can go to nursing homes...Pray also for the bus ministry. It has been so cold that we can only stay out a few minutes at a time. Pray that God will bless our efforts.
This month has been a little hectic because my mom went in the hospital twice. In the end, it was determined she has high blood pressure. We are thankful it is not more serious.
One of the girls in our church had brain surgery on a tumor. She is doing well, but please pray that the tumor does not grow back.
I have been contacted by two colleges about coming to share my ministry. I am now waiting for them to set the dates. Please pray that I can encourage more people to go short term to help missionaries.
Please continue to pray for our church, youth ministry, and puppet ministry. We are hoping to train our people in the puppet ministry so we can go to nursing homes...Pray also for the bus ministry. It has been so cold that we can only stay out a few minutes at a time. Pray that God will bless our efforts.
Monday, February 4, 2019
February!
January is already gone! How does time move so fast? I continue to stay busy with church work. I have 7 kids in my Sunday school class. We are beginning a prize earning contest, and the kids are excited.
We had our first puppet show on Sunday. This trial run showed us we need to have a microphone and a few other tweaks. Our goal is to get the kids ready to perform in nursing homes, VBS... We are also going to have the adults work with the puppets.
I have been in touch with several Christian colleges regarding speaking to their students and church members. Two colleges have contacted me back. Please pray that I can encourage more people to volunteer for short term missions.
My parents and I made an emergency trip to New York because one of my cousins was killed in a snowmobile accident. Please pray for the family and friends who were there and heard the Gospel. Pray especially for her husband who was responsible for the accident and has been charged with vehicular manslaughter.
This past Saturday my mom had an episode of tachycardia. She ended up in the hospital. Please pray that it is only stress causing this problem
Please continue to pray that we can find a house. Pray for my baby cousin Mycah. He finally had is Glenn heart surgery, but he is still having complications. He is 7 months old and has never been home yet. Our family also has several unspoken requests.
We had our first puppet show on Sunday. This trial run showed us we need to have a microphone and a few other tweaks. Our goal is to get the kids ready to perform in nursing homes, VBS... We are also going to have the adults work with the puppets.
I have been in touch with several Christian colleges regarding speaking to their students and church members. Two colleges have contacted me back. Please pray that I can encourage more people to volunteer for short term missions.
My parents and I made an emergency trip to New York because one of my cousins was killed in a snowmobile accident. Please pray for the family and friends who were there and heard the Gospel. Pray especially for her husband who was responsible for the accident and has been charged with vehicular manslaughter.
This past Saturday my mom had an episode of tachycardia. She ended up in the hospital. Please pray that it is only stress causing this problem
Please continue to pray that we can find a house. Pray for my baby cousin Mycah. He finally had is Glenn heart surgery, but he is still having complications. He is 7 months old and has never been home yet. Our family also has several unspoken requests.
Friday, January 18, 2019
Holidays and a New Year
A whole month has passed since my last post. Christmas and New Year's were a busy time for my family. We celebrated Christmas with my sister and her family. I was surprised that even though I live in Maine, we did not have a white Christmas. Several of my siblings and I carried on the family tradition of quoting Luke 2:1-7. I hope we never forget to do this, and I hope that the next generation continues it.
After arriving home from my sister's in Iowa, I had one week to create scenes for our Christmas play, get the final script worked out... Although it was a simple, narrated program, with the kids walking on and off for each scene, the people seemed to really enjoy it. Hopefully next year we will have plenty of time for the kids to learn some of the parts, and we can create some more scenes.
We rang in the New Year with a night of games with our church people. It was a fun time of men versus women competitions. Afterwards, Mom, Dad, and I watched the ball drop in NY. It was a rainy night, so we did not have to worry about fireworks going off all night. New Year's Day, we watched the Old Orchard Beach Lobster Dip, basically a polar bear challenge, from our balcony. This is not something I will ever put on my bucket list.
Since December 1, we have been renting a nice apartment right on the coast. In the winter, the price of rentals goes down to affordable. It is a blessing to wake up every morning and see the beauty of the ocean. The colors change depending on the weather, and when it is warm enough, a walk along the beach ends up being a shell collecting trip.
This week, my sister and her family stayed with us for four days while her husband went to a church planting conference at Heartland Baptist College. I was able to take my nieces and nephew walking a few days, and my sister and I took a long walk as well. Mom and I drove three hours round trip to help drop them off. Tomorrow we will hopefully get back to a somewhat normal schedule.
We are prepping for a winter storm, and depending on the amount of snow, we may have to cancel church on Sunday. Pray for safety for all who will be affected by this storm. Pray that the contacts we make while soulwinning will come to church the next service we have.
We have had a number of visitors in church over the last few months. Some have returned, and a few families have joined. Pray that God will continue to bring the people He wants to build His church. We are working on several new programs for the kids ministry, including a puppet program. We also plan to start a couple of new classes. Pray for the spiritual growth of our church as well as the physical. Please pray for a new bus ministry push that God will provide workers and riders. There are several other needs for ministry leaders... for our church.
Just before Christmas, I sent out an email to several Christian colleges asking for the opportunity to present my missions ministry to their students. I have not heard back from any of them, so please pray that God will open the door for me to encourage more people to do what I do in helping missionary families.
My parents and I are hoping to make a visit to the ministry I helped in Puerto Rico. This is also my sending church. Please pray for good ticket prices and good weather when we go.
Prayer requests:
My sister Janna-pituitary tumor
Cousin Mycah- 5 mos. old getting ready for second scheduled heart surgery after a long series of infections which have postponed the surgery.
After arriving home from my sister's in Iowa, I had one week to create scenes for our Christmas play, get the final script worked out... Although it was a simple, narrated program, with the kids walking on and off for each scene, the people seemed to really enjoy it. Hopefully next year we will have plenty of time for the kids to learn some of the parts, and we can create some more scenes.
We rang in the New Year with a night of games with our church people. It was a fun time of men versus women competitions. Afterwards, Mom, Dad, and I watched the ball drop in NY. It was a rainy night, so we did not have to worry about fireworks going off all night. New Year's Day, we watched the Old Orchard Beach Lobster Dip, basically a polar bear challenge, from our balcony. This is not something I will ever put on my bucket list.
Since December 1, we have been renting a nice apartment right on the coast. In the winter, the price of rentals goes down to affordable. It is a blessing to wake up every morning and see the beauty of the ocean. The colors change depending on the weather, and when it is warm enough, a walk along the beach ends up being a shell collecting trip.
This week, my sister and her family stayed with us for four days while her husband went to a church planting conference at Heartland Baptist College. I was able to take my nieces and nephew walking a few days, and my sister and I took a long walk as well. Mom and I drove three hours round trip to help drop them off. Tomorrow we will hopefully get back to a somewhat normal schedule.
We are prepping for a winter storm, and depending on the amount of snow, we may have to cancel church on Sunday. Pray for safety for all who will be affected by this storm. Pray that the contacts we make while soulwinning will come to church the next service we have.
We have had a number of visitors in church over the last few months. Some have returned, and a few families have joined. Pray that God will continue to bring the people He wants to build His church. We are working on several new programs for the kids ministry, including a puppet program. We also plan to start a couple of new classes. Pray for the spiritual growth of our church as well as the physical. Please pray for a new bus ministry push that God will provide workers and riders. There are several other needs for ministry leaders... for our church.
Just before Christmas, I sent out an email to several Christian colleges asking for the opportunity to present my missions ministry to their students. I have not heard back from any of them, so please pray that God will open the door for me to encourage more people to do what I do in helping missionary families.
My parents and I are hoping to make a visit to the ministry I helped in Puerto Rico. This is also my sending church. Please pray for good ticket prices and good weather when we go.
Prayer requests:
My sister Janna-pituitary tumor
Cousin Mycah- 5 mos. old getting ready for second scheduled heart surgery after a long series of infections which have postponed the surgery.
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Homeward Bound
After spending three weeks in Iowa with my sister, I am finally on my way home. My newest nephew, Ezekiel was born healthy and overall happy. He was little chunk coming in at 8 pounds compared to his cousin, Ireland, who was a little over 5 pounds. I enjoyed spending time with my sister and her other 4 kids as well as my brother-in-law.
While I was in Iowa, the church gave me a love gift, and the pastor's wife gave me some warm winter socks. I had been planning to buy some, but I had not gotten around to it. Over the last month, God has provided for me in special ways.
While I was at my sister's, my dad called and said the men of the church were asking me to stick around through the spring to help with playing the piano and teaching Sunday school... I had been considering some other opportunities and needs, but I just did not have peace about them, partly because I knew the church had a need. So for the spring, I will be helping at my dad's church, Anchor Baptist in Biddeford, ME. Please pray as the church moves through a transitional time. There have been many visitors to the church , and several people have joined. There are several more who want to join. Although it is frustrating, I am seeing God prune back the branches so more fruit can grow.
As far as my future missions trips are concerned, I will begin making plans for the end of next year to beginning of 2020. I recently sent out anow email to Christian colleges asking g to be able to speak to their students anf church memebers about taking short term trips to help missionaries. Please pray that the recipients of these letters will see the need for more relief laborers.
Continue to pray for my sister Janna's tumor. Pray for my baby cousin, Mycah who has been in the hospital since birth with mulittle heart surgeries and setbacks. Pray for sisters and their new babies, and for my sister-in-law who is expecting next year.
While I was in Iowa, the church gave me a love gift, and the pastor's wife gave me some warm winter socks. I had been planning to buy some, but I had not gotten around to it. Over the last month, God has provided for me in special ways.
While I was at my sister's, my dad called and said the men of the church were asking me to stick around through the spring to help with playing the piano and teaching Sunday school... I had been considering some other opportunities and needs, but I just did not have peace about them, partly because I knew the church had a need. So for the spring, I will be helping at my dad's church, Anchor Baptist in Biddeford, ME. Please pray as the church moves through a transitional time. There have been many visitors to the church , and several people have joined. There are several more who want to join. Although it is frustrating, I am seeing God prune back the branches so more fruit can grow.
As far as my future missions trips are concerned, I will begin making plans for the end of next year to beginning of 2020. I recently sent out anow email to Christian colleges asking g to be able to speak to their students anf church memebers about taking short term trips to help missionaries. Please pray that the recipients of these letters will see the need for more relief laborers.
Continue to pray for my sister Janna's tumor. Pray for my baby cousin, Mycah who has been in the hospital since birth with mulittle heart surgeries and setbacks. Pray for sisters and their new babies, and for my sister-in-law who is expecting next year.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
A change in location, but not in duties...
What a busy month November has been. I spent most of the month helping to care for my sister and her family due to the birth of her new baby and her husband's broken leg. My Saturdays were spent helping my dad, studying for Sunday school, and recording Christmas songs. Thanksgiving was a quieter day than usual, but it was fun to be with my family.
Last Sunday, I traveled with my parents to a church in New Hampshire. My dad preached, and I was able to give my testimony and share my burden for missions. We really enjoyed the service, and were very well taken care of by our hostess.
Yesterday, I flew to Iowa to stay three weeks with my sister Julie whose baby is due any day. I am looking forward to spending time with my niece and nephews. We are praying for snow.
My brother-in-law asked me to share an update with his church, and then gave me their Thanksgiving offering. Then the church I visited Sunday also gave me a love offering. God is continuing to tell me to go by continuing to provide funds. Please pray as I have some big decisions to make over the next month to prepare for next year.
Please pray for my dad and mom, and Anchor Baptist Church. Pray for growth and laborers. Continue to pray for my baby cousin Mycah who has had 4 heart surgeries, and has been in the hospital since birth.He continues to have ups and downs. My sister Janna had some good news that the natural treatments she is doing are shrinking her pituitary tumor.
Even with all the heartaches and difficulties, God has been good.
Last Sunday, I traveled with my parents to a church in New Hampshire. My dad preached, and I was able to give my testimony and share my burden for missions. We really enjoyed the service, and were very well taken care of by our hostess.
Yesterday, I flew to Iowa to stay three weeks with my sister Julie whose baby is due any day. I am looking forward to spending time with my niece and nephews. We are praying for snow.
My brother-in-law asked me to share an update with his church, and then gave me their Thanksgiving offering. Then the church I visited Sunday also gave me a love offering. God is continuing to tell me to go by continuing to provide funds. Please pray as I have some big decisions to make over the next month to prepare for next year.
Please pray for my dad and mom, and Anchor Baptist Church. Pray for growth and laborers. Continue to pray for my baby cousin Mycah who has had 4 heart surgeries, and has been in the hospital since birth.He continues to have ups and downs. My sister Janna had some good news that the natural treatments she is doing are shrinking her pituitary tumor.
Even with all the heartaches and difficulties, God has been good.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)