Who Am I?

A Fun Website For Moms

Hey, I just heard about this funny new blog about life as a real mom.  A very good friend of mine hosts it and I will totally vouch that she is a Godly woman.  The posts are hilarious and actually quite helpful.  Makes me want to get lazy.  :)

You should check it out!

The address is ImALazyMom.blogspot.com

Let me know what you think and let me know what you think of the little changes I've made here.  I've made it so that if you click on any of the books in the sidebar, it will automatically take you to Amazon.com where you can buy the book.  

You'll also notice that there is a big orange "subscribe" button at the top of the sidebar.  Click on that to add our site to your feed reader (i.e. Google reader, My Yahoo, etc).  If you're not familiar with Google Reader, follow this link to find out more about it.  It will save you time and energy if you have a list a websites you view on a regular basis.  

Ok, well, I think that's all for tonight.  God bless!!!

You've GOT to Get This Book!

"To be perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect...

How O God am I to understand the word?

Perfect and pure in heart?

What means pure?

Pure, pure, pure apple juice.

I begin to sense a clue.

Pure apple juice is made from the whole apple;

Bruises, blemish, skin, and core--the whole imperfect works.

Pure apple juice is not pasteurized, refined, filtered, nonentity!

Bruises, blemish, skin and core.

To be Perfect is to be whole, a paradox even as our Father in heaven."

[Mary Caroline Richards, Poet]

"I've never quit loving you and never will. 

Expect love, love, and more love!"

[Jeremiah 31:3, The Message]

Congratulations!!!

Welcome to our family Samantha Hope Bosmeny! 

Born August 9,2007 weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and measuring 20 inches long.

Proud parents, Ryan and Jean, are well.

Prouder grandparents, Pastor Alan and Donna, are even better.

Here's to you little Samantha!

A Diary of General Council: Day Six

It's our last day in Indy. We're headed back to Dayton in just a few minutes. As I sit here, enjoying the last of my almond croissant I'm thinking over the past few days and I don't think I have enjoyed a week this much in a very long time. It was so great to get away from life for a few days, to enjoy just being me. I rediscovered the city of Indianapolis which was so great. I realized that I love this city. Downtown in unlike any other city I've been too. There is so much to do, so much shopping, so many great restaurants to choose from. It's definitely going to be a place I will come back to for a weekend. I know that may sound crazy to you east-coasters, but for this mid-western girl, Indy is a great little getaway!

I loved being with Pastor as he became a Yo-pa. That was a precious time for him and I am so honored to have shared it with him. I think I've seen at least 75 pictures of little Samantha in the 3 days she's been with us. Ok, so maybe not that many, but it was alot, as is to be expected.

What can I say about General Council. It was a historic council to be my first. We elected a new Superintendant. It was a bit like electing a pope. I kept waiting for some sort of smoke signal, but one never came. Next council is in Orlando. Scott and I are already making plans in our heads. I highly recommend going to Council if the opportunity ever presents itself. You don't have to be a minister to go. The evening sessions are always open to the public as are the exhibit halls. And let me tell you, those exhibit halls were the highlight of my whole GC experience!

Seeing old friends was priceless. Everyday meant new surprises. Every time the elevator opened I expected to see a familiar face and wasn't often disappointed.

What a great treasure this fellowship of believers is. The Assemblies of God has been good to me all these years and seeing the broad picture encouraged me that I am right where God wants me to be and right where I want to be.

We serve a big God and He is above all fellowships and denominations. He is above superintendants and presidents, kings and prime ministers. He is the Alpha and Omega, the One and Only. To Him be all glory, honor, and praise!

I have to close this diary of my first General Council now. My croissant is done and my latte is cold. Pastor is waiting for us in the lobby. Scott said something about a go-cart place he wants to check out on our way home. I guess they go upwards of 60 mph. Hmmm... I think I'll be the photographer on that one.

Next week we will be in Dayton, so I will not see you until the outdoor service and BBQ. Don't forget to bring a neighbor.

Love to you all!

A Diary of General Council: Day Five, Part Two

Sooo..... where did I leave off?... Oh yeah!!! We love you, AG Financial!!! Thanks for the iPod Nano!!!!

The service last night was the missions service and it was pretty good. I think it could have been a whole lot cooler, but they didn't ask me for my opinion. But it really was good.

They recognized all the missionaries here from all over the world. They stood and waved the flags of their nation. That was very cool...

This was a combined satellite service with the youth at the RCA Dome, as well as televised live on INSP. From time to time throughout the service they would cut to the RCA Dome.Worship was great. J. Daniel Smith of Fort Worth, TX led with his choir.John Bueno, the Executive Director for World Missions, spoke an encouraging message. He shared many facts and highlights that were eye-opening to say the least. A challenge to support our missionaries was given.
After the message they presented the missionary candidates to the congregation. There 100+ world missionaries headed to over 50 nations around the world. There were 50+ US missionaries representing a couple dozen ministries. The missionaries gather at the center of the floor and were joined by their local pastors for prayer.After the service we said goodbye to our dear friends, Dennis and Linda Romine. It was so wonderful to be able to see them again and spend some time with them. They are so special to Scott and me and we are so very blessed to have them in our lives!
We also said goodnight to Pastor Alan and then headed to the Marriot for my NCU Alumni Reception. On the way over, I told Scott that if I didn't see anyone I knew within the first 5 minutes, we were leaving. Well, what do you know! The very first people I see are some of my oldest and dearest friends. We didn't even know they were here!
I met Joe at the beginning of my sophomore year at NCU. We were in the same circle of friends and hung out alot. When I think back to those times a smile always comes to my face. Those were some of the most precious memories of my life. A couple years later, Terese came into the picture and we became fast friends. Joe is the Director of Admissions at NCU and so was all over GC, but I never saw him. As it turned out, we'd been staying at the same hotel on the same floor all week and never knew it! What are the odds of that one?

We had a great time over delicious carrot cake talking and laughing. (You see, Joe is the funniest guy I've ever known.) Then we decided to go to dinner together. Off we went to the Weber Grill Restaurant that just opened in July. Mmmm... Over dinner we discussed everything under the sun. Joe is leaving NCU this fall to travel with a youth organisation. I can't remember the name just now. He's always travel and spoke and I guess has been doing a whole lot more. He's even done a few women's conferences. Hmmm...

Anyway.... It was so great to see them again. The last time we go together was when I was pregnant with Natalie. They came to WI for my baby shower. Joe's from Philly so we plan on getting together soon.

A Diary of General Council: Day Five, Part One

Well, we went to au bon pain again this morning for breakfast. What can I say...I'm hooked. Plus it's the closest place for breakfast. Mmmm... more almond croissant and yogurt. They have some of the best lattes I think I've ever had. From there the guys headed to their meetings. There were a few more positions to be elected and some other business they needed to do.

So Linda and I went back to the exhibits. We got in line for the Eurasia Experience right away. The line was already pretty long by the time we got there. (You can see the tent were it was held behind the line.)

There were all sorts of characters in full costumes of Eurasia walking the line. It was funny but kinda scary too. There was a pair or KGB officers that were yelling at everyone to take their shoes off. They confiscated this guy's camera. They returned it right before we went into the tent, telling him that it wasn't worth anything on the Black Market. They would have been scary if it wasn't for one of the guy's mom who heckled him for a bit and then kissed him on the check. He started to haul her away for "assault" and she just laughed. He said laughing, "ok, enough already Mom!" That was hilarious.

This guy was walking around blowing the call to prayer that is heard 5 times daily around the world. It echoed all through the place. So very cool!

We were shoved into the tent and immediately overwhelmed with people trying to give, sell, and buy things to and from us. It was very shocking when you weren't expecting it, but totally normal way of life on the streets of many Eurasian countries. I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or run away. Everyone who was playing a part was either a missionary, a missionary kid, or an itinerant missionary. (A missionary friend of our church flew back from the Middle East just for this week to help with the Eurasia Experience and participate in the Big Vote.)

As we were seated, they plopped hats on our heads. Here are Linda and I with our hats.

The Experience included stories from missionaries about what life is like in places like Russia, Afghanistan, Syria, Turkey, India, Ukraine. It was wonderful! Here are a few more pics of the Experience.

After experiencing Eurasia, I headed over to the henna tent. I've never had it done, never been presented with an opportunity to do it, but I have always admired it. I know that it's done in celebration of special events, weddings and such in India, very similar to the way girlfriends get together for manicures and pedicures before weddings here. Linda decided to pass so I ventured into the tent alone. I brought the average age of those inside up by a couple of year, but I didn't care. I was going to be henna-ed!
I waited for about 45 minutes while every teenager at GC had their name written in Arabic on their wrist. Finally it was my turn and so I sat down and away she went. As it turned out the girl doing my henna was an MK from Turkey. She had been born and raised in country and was about to graduate high school. She told me that she couldn't imagine settling down in America for life, because she's been raised overseas. That's her life. She is an American citizen. Her parents chose to not give their kids dual citizenship so as to avoid mandatory military time fore her brothers.
She got all excited when she found out that I had gone to NCU. (I'm telling you, it really is the place to be in all of the AG!) She was even more excited when I told her I was a missions major. We talked as she free-handed my henna.
I think it turned out beautifully! (It's deepened into a much darker rust color than even this now. I'll try to remember to take another picture of it tomorrow after it darkens completely.)

By the time I finished it was time to head over to PF Changs to get a table and wait for our men to finish and meet us. While at lunch, Scott checked the AG Financial website for the winners of the iPods only to find that he had won an iPod Nano!!! Can you believe it!!!!! What a thrill!!!! We were both so excited. We are now the biggest fans of AG Financial and will be buying a number of life insurance policies in thanks for our new iPod Nano!

I have lots of pictures from tonights service and activities, but I am exhausted so I will post them tomorrow. Good night!

Yeah AG Financial!!! We love you! Thanks for the Nano!

A Diary of General Council: Day Four

This morning Scott and I had breakfast together alone (can you believe it!) at au bon pain... mmm... Almond Croissant!  (Scott thinks that au bon pain means house of pain in French... it really means a good bread.  That's ok, he took four years of Spanish.)  We then met up with Pastor Alan and walked over to the Convention Center.  We walked around the exhibits for a while and I got to see friends from college that I haven't seen in years!  It was awesome!!!  (That's the part when I felt like a kid in the candy store!

   

 Linda and I walked the exhibits more.  She's my kindred sister with a missions calling on her life as well, so we got all giddy over the amazingly elaborate mission displays.  It was unbelievable.  We got our picture taken in a rickshaw---SO COOL!!  

Tomorrow morning we're going to get henna tattoos and go on this thing called the Eurasian Experience.  I'm so excited!!!  

We visited the NCU booth!!!  I will recommend no other school to anyone as much as I will my beloved alma-mater.  It is by far and above the best college the AG has to offer!!!  I saw my old friend Jon and finally met his beautiful wife, Elissa. (I found out that she has finally broken him of the disgusting habit of blowing his nose in his shirts.  Thank you Jesus!)  Jon and I worked together for 3 years in Student leadership at NCU.  

We visited a whole bunch more booths that I want to mention by name and give links too, but Scott has my bag with all my info at his meeting, so it will have to wait till later.

LATER: Here are a few of the vendors I talked with:

Fortified Marriages

Assemblies of God Theological Seminary  (My brother and sister-in-law are students here.)

A Thank You From the Louisiana District

Network 211

Evangel University (Our very own Jasmine Franklin will be one of the thousands of incoming freshman this coming year here!)

Convoy of Hope

AG Financial (Where we entered to win an iPod or an iPhone!!!!)

The Eurasia Experience (We're going on that tomorrow.)

Church Extension Plan

Corevalus Systems (This was the coolest thing ever!!!  You can actually see my husband drooling if you look closely!)

The Lord and the Landscaper

iQuestions (This idea is awesome!!!)

AG Credit Union

Mon Ami

TGM (Teen Girls Club of the AG)

Valley Forge Christian College

Around noon, we met our guys again for lunch at Champps.  My friend Josh joined us too.  It was so great to see him again.  We went to high school together and it was because of him that my husband and I met.  (Thanks Josh!)  His wife is one of my very dearest and best friends in all the world.  (Oh, girlfriend!  I am missing you soooo very much right now!!!  I wish you were here!!!)  The guys had to go back into meeting for the Big Vote, so Linda and I did what we do best... We went shopping!  Now I am back here typing to you...

I can not tell you what a fantastic time I have been having.  I SOOOO needed this break and vacation!!!  I love my life, my family, and my friends, but I needed a change of scenery badly!  I feel like I am in the middle of a huge deep breath!!!  I have laughed, cried, made a fool of myself, laughed some more, cried some more, hugged so much, been hugged so much, smiled, talked, been giddy, cried again and laughed even more...  And I get to do it all again tomorrow!!!  Did I already say I am having so much fun!

LATER:  After much deliberation and voting, our fellowship has elected a new Superindentant.  George Wood.  He has served for years as the General Secretary.  What a surprise!

A Diary of General Council: Day Three

Early this morning, Pastor Alan and Scott went golfing at the Mound.  It was built on top of an old nuclear research facility used by the government until just a few years ago.  Doesn't that just say, "Come play golf with us!"

Scott's best friend met them there for 9 holes.  It's supposed to be another scorcher today, so I hope they enjoy the cool morning.

When they get back we're going to head into town for some Penn Station (a truly amazing culinary experience!!!)  and more Scott Ball History Tour before we leave for Indianapolis.  

LATER:  We got here (to Indy) this afternoon around 4.  We checked into the hotel, and promptly found out that Pastor's whole floor was without adequate air conditioning.  So he came to our room to cool a bit before we left to register.  As he walked in our room, he recieved the best news of his life... He was the proud Yo-pa of a healthy, screaming baby girl.  Weighing in at 7lbs, 8oz, Samantha Hope was letting everyone know she was finally here.  I could here her screaming through the phone all the way across the room.  

After some tearful phone calls and shouts of jubilee, we headed over to register for General Council.  We met up with Pastor and Linda Romine, our former senior pastors in WI and dearest friends!  That was fantastic!!!  They are like second parents to me after having grown up with them since I was 13.  

Service was awesome as was the altar time following.  (The whole time Pastor sent his phone down the aisle with new pictures of his grand-baby. She is soooo cute and smooshed!)  Our soon-to-be former General Superintendent, Thomas Trask spoke.  It was a good message.  

What an exciting time!  I felt like I was at youth convention, only I'm older and there were no young people there.  Hmmm... The youth were at the RCA dome.  I think there are something like 14,000 of them.  Crazy!  There are 30,000+ people here for GC.  Close to 4,000 of them are registered ministers here for the Big Vote.

After service, we ate a late supper with the Romines.  We had such fun catching up and reminiscing about the good 'ol days.  They have a few stories about me that would really be embarrassing for you to know.

Oh and we ran into Sue Duffield... not Jeff... just Sue.  She had lost Jeff while trying to find us.  It was so funny because just before we saw her I spotted Carolyn Tennant (scroll all the way to the bottom), a woman that Sue and I both know.  I told Sue that I had just seen her and off ran Sue.  A few minutes later, she comes running back to us.  And then a few minutes after that she ran off to find Jeff.  Ahhh.... Sue... you always make me smile!  (Don't miss our Bible study on Tuesday mornings this fall.  Sign up sheets should be out.)

What a great day... I have to go to bed now!  Between this heat and all this walking in cute shoes... I'm ready to collapse!

A Diary of General Council: Day Two

Scott and I picked up Pastor at the airport around 1 today.  We took him on the Scott Ball History Tour (a must do before you die!).   He saw Scott's elementary school, his high school, the church where he got saved, and lots of other historical places.  We stopped off at Skyline Chili for a Cincinnati delicacy.  (Or a rock-in-your-stomach kind of place, if you ask me. )  Pastor seemed to like it... I think he was just being polite.

Next we headed to the Air Force Museum.  That is truly a must-do if you ever find yourself near Dayton, OH.  I couldn't even tell you how many times I've been there, but it never gets old.  It is one of my favorite places to go when I'm at my in-laws.  Scott always wanted to be a fighter pilot when he was a kid, so whenever we go there he re-lives his childhood.  

After the AFM, we took Pastor back to Scott's parents house.  There my mother-in-law made her famous Chicken Marsala and Scott's brother and his family came over.  During dinner Pastor was entertained with wonderful stories of Scott's childhood and family.  I'm sure he would tell you all about it if you just asked.  

It was a good day.  The guys are going golfing in the morning with Chad, Scott's best friend since the first day of Kindergarten.  

Oh and we're on baby-watch... Jean is having contractions.... Soon....

A Diary of General Council: Day One

We are off!  We left this morning around 730 and are headed to Dayton, OH.  PScott's parents live there and it is the first stop on our 2 week Midwest tour.  Thank you Jesus for a van with a DVD system!

Tomorrow we meet up with Pastor Alan.  He get to experience Dayton for the first time in his life.  We'll take him on the Scott Ball History Tour and to the Air Force Museum.  I think he is going to try Skyline Chili.  He may not get to go to General Council depending on what the chili does to him.  Please be praying.

Paperback Swap

A very dear friend of mine recently introduced me to a fantastic site for those of us who love to read.  It's called Paperback Swap.  It's such a great idea and completely free to join!

Once you join, you post 9 books from your personal library that you are willing to part with.  You then receive 3 credits toward books you would like to have.  (1 credit = 1 book)  When one of your books is requested by another member, you print the provided packaging materials, put the necessary postage (which is calculated for you) on the package, and drop it in your outgoing mail.  When you request a book from another member they pay the postage to send your new book to you.  That is how it remains totally free.  

I am a devoted shopper of Amazon and regularly buy my books there, but I do believe that I will be enjoying this new-to-me site!  I just had to share it with you! 

For more info about how this process works, click here.

Oh, and if you are like me and your books become dear friends to you and you hate parting with them, you can always request you book back from someone else after you have sent it on.  Just think of it as the circle of life, or what goes around comes around, or even as recycling.

Book Club Sneak Peak

Here's the early release of our August/September book selection for our BOOK CLUB.  It's HEAVEN, by Randy Alcorn.  Be sure and check out this incredible book on Amazon for great deals, both new and used.  If  you are interested in "sharing" a book, leave a comment below.  I have one out now, and should be receiving it back shortly.  Our BOOK CLUB TEA is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 24th.  Location to be announced soon.

Happy Summer reading!

Love, Sue

Upcoming Events

Good Morning Ladies!

I am quoting a friend of mine here...."OHHHHHHH the possibilities!"  That is the mantra for the Fall for Women's Ministries here at First Assembly of God!    OH, okay don't scream at the computer because I have already mentioned that four letter word ("fall" for those who may be confused at this moment).  I too cherish the beautiful, hot, muggy, long (dog) days of summer as much as the next gal, but I  always eagerly anticipate the change that comes with the approach of a new season! (Okay that, and the fact we just had a meeting where we just planned events for the next six months!)

FIRST UP!

Thursday, August 9th - "Summer Fun Party" - 6:30pm - 9:00 pm at the home of Sandy Gabrielli.  Woo Hoo, thank you Sandy for once again opening your home and pool to us.  This is an awesome time of fellowship for our Ladies and a time to let your culinary expertise shine!  All who wish to attend please bring your best, most delectable, most creative appetizer or dessert(purchased or homemade are accepted) to share!  Please keep it a finger appy or dessert - I hate eating banana cream pie with no fork!  The pool will be open so bring your bathing suit, towel and shave (please!) if you wish to swim.  Otherwise, if you choose to partake in a steady diet of fellowship, bring a comfortable chair!

Back by popular demand will be our Frozen drinks, lemonade, tea and water.    Please remember, this is a "Ladies only event", no child care will be available (This also means the men must stay home!)

NEXT UP!

Women's Bible Study Yes!  Our Bible Studies will begin this September!  We will be studying Beth Moore's, Believing God Series.  You will not want to miss this 11 week DVD/Book study that comes from Isaiah 43:11 and the Heroes of the Faith chapter in Hebrews!  For your convenience, we have planned a Day time study and Evening study.  The times will be as follows:

Day Bible Study will be Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11:30 am, starting September 11, 2007.  Facilitating these studies will be Melissa Ball and Sue Duffield.  Child care for this study is planned for a small charge per child. 

 ***(Anyone interested in offering their child care services - with pay - please contact Suzie Pope)***

Evening Bible Study will be Thursdays, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, starting September 13th.  Facilitating these studies will be Stephanie Forrest and Suzie Pope.

Cost for the Study book will be approximately $15.00.  Look for sign - ups in the foyer of the church in the upcoming days.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS TO LOOK FOR:

Book Club , August 1st, Sue Duffield will be announcing our new book.  Save the evening of Monday, September 24th for our Book Club Tea discussion.

Women's Ministry Fall Meeting this October - details will follow soon!

"ABOUT FACE" is planned for Monday, November 12, 2007 @ 7:00 pm.  A new facet of the "Friendship Factor" will be shared.

Women's Ministry Christmas Gathering will be Thursday, December 6th.

 

Well, how do you like these possibilities?!   One desire of  our Women's Ministry is to offer great opportunities for our Ladies as the Lord has directed us.  It is also our hope that each woman will seek a way to get connected and plugged in with this awesome body of women, while developing and strengthening  their own walk with God.  The  Wm's Executive Board would like to thank all you who support our ministry here at First Assembly of God.  We Love You!

Enjoy Life in the Son (and sun) :}

Donna, Amy, Melissa, Stephanie, Sue and Suzie

Giving Your Best, Your VERY Best

This get's me every time.  I think that this one scene speaks a message that no preacher or evangelist could possibly share with as much enthusiasm or impact.  It just can't be done any other way.  Every time I see this I am humbled by the fact that most of my life is not lived to its fullest nor do I give my best, my VERY best.  I struggle daily with feelings of defeat and incompetence.  It's these feelings that I am overcoming by the power Christ has given to me through His blood at Calvary.  It is only in Him that I can give my best, my VERY best.  

An Interview With God

Hey Ladies...

I must say that I have not been too good about posting here regularly lately.  I apologize for that sincerely.  I have recently come across a few things that I would like to get on here.  For today I'll start with this...

It may be a bit cheesy, but for some reason it fit in my life so perfectly today that I just had to share it.

Continue to check back over the next few days as I hope to get a few more things posted here.  If you ever have anything that you'd like to contribute to this site whether it's a testimony, article, or picture... Please email me at HoneyBz at Gmail dot com.

Three Looks at Fathers and Daughters

"...in my father lies an example of faithful devotion to God—steady—through times of great blessing and adversity."

Editorial by Aimee Herd (June 18th, 2007)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Although Father's Day has passed, it's not too late to recognize the importance of the father-daughter relationship. Partially due to this fact, and also at the urging of some of our readers, I offer the following true and personal glimpses of fathers whom I have witnessed in my own life. –Aimee Herd, BCN.

(Albany, Oregon)—Our first curtain pulls back, revealing an ordinary, suburban kitchen. My mother checks the oven at one end, while in the opposite corner a medium-tall man—freshly home from work—laces his fingers and bends down, forming a "swing" for his little girl who, laughing, climbs aboard for the ride. (Photo: My father holding me as a baby, in our New Jersey back yard.)

My father's trademark slacks with dress shirt, familiar grey briefcase and "smell-of-the-office" are permanently etched upon my mind, eclipsed only by what has been engraved upon my heart by knowing him.

That treasure includes a love for music and the arts; the example of striving to do what is right in every circumstance, caring about others without prejudice against any race or religion, devotion to family and to honoring the commitment of marriage. And, in my father lies an example of faithful devotion to God—steady—through times of great blessing and adversity.

And perhaps it's been the latter where I see him shine the most these days...as my father carefully tends to my mother's needs while she recovers from surgery. Just yesterday he showed me the beautiful ring he had given my mother weeks before, on their 65th anniversary. When we jokingly asked mom what she had given him as a present, my father replied for her: "Herself," he said in all seriousness. "She is here with me, and I thought I was going to lose her."

A Glimpse of a Single Dad

Our second curtain opens on my oldest brother, I have two, and both have gleaned from my father (and mother) qualities which have made them easily some of the most caring men I know. However, my oldest brother has a wonderful claim-to-fame in my book; raising his little girl into a beautiful young woman, by himself.

After a divorce, he sought and gained custody of his daughter, and moved across the country to be closer to family. And, while it couldn't have been easy for him as a single dad, many of the same treasures that I garnered from my own father, I have seen passed down to his daughter as well.

Last year my brother gave her away in marriage to a warm and caring man, much like himself, and my father's living legacy continues.

A Glimpse of the Ultimate Father

The last curtain pulls open on an almost deserted beach, the first strands of the morning sun reach from the horizon, causing the overnight darkness to creep away. There is only one visible, near the stalks of tall green dune grass—a child, digging her toes deep into the soft, dry sand—but she is not alone.

She is talking to her Father, unseen, but always there—she knows He is watching, she can feel His smile.

Now older, a teen, she walks the same beach—crying out to this Father, telling Him of all her age's trials, loneliness, loves won and lost—and again she knows He is there, listening and guiding.

Still later on, with a family of her own, and in the midst of all the immense joy and occasional heartache of her own marriage and raising of children, she continues this vital conversation with her ultimate Father and Friend. He has never left her, but He has always been there, through every phase, every stage of her life. When she's needed Someone to cry to, He has offered His complete understanding. When she has laughed with her husband, He has shared their joy. When she has needed more love for a situation—His has been abundant, for His love never fails.

She's no longer near her favorite beach, but one very special day, this Father reminded her of their walks and talks in a vision. In her mind, she was carefully stepping in the footprints the Father left as He walked just in front of her. She could not see in front of them, but her heart was at peace, because her Father was leading.

So precious is this relationship between father and daughter. And in all three of these glimpses, it has been the leading of a father that has brought about a lasting legacy of love and security for a young woman.

Source: Breaking Christian News

The Art of Loving Our Fathers

Ian G. Srrachan.

(Nassau, The Bahamas) I will never forget seeing my father cry for the first time. He came into the house as if walking itself was hard to do and he collapsed on the dusty burgundy couch that leaned against the living room's eastern wall. "He had so much promise." That's all he said.

My eldest brother, Winston had died.

My father's words met with no response. We all just looked at the floor.

It was a side of my father I had never seen before. A side I think I actually had tried to deny he even had.

You see, I come from what is aptly called a "broken home." I wonder who coined that term? Broken Home. God, it says so much. I was three when my father and mother separated so I have absolutely no memory of the life I had when we all lived together in the house on Peardale. In fact, my first memory of my father dates to when I was about 8 and we had moved back to Nassau from North Andros.

Our relationship was never what it ought to have been. You might say I inherited other people's feelings and ideas about my father. I had no view of my own; I accepted everything that was said about him. To put it simply, I kept my distance.

But on that April when Winston died my father came to our house to mourn the first child he ever had. And I had a brief window into the past of the man. If he were alive today, Winston would be 52. My father is 72, so he had his first son when he was 20. "He had so much promise," that's what he said. And he cried there in the dusty sofa while we looked at the floor.

I found it so easy to judge my father when I was a teenager. I found it so easy to disrespect him. But when this terrible thing happened I saw what my father had lost in this world too. I saw what he had lost and could never replace.

Now I am a man, a husband and a father of sons. Now my mother is gone and only my father remains. I look more like him now, than I did in 1996, when Winston died. I see my dad's face when I look in the mirror, not my mother's. I have his head, his shoulders, his build. And I'm old enough now to have made a fool of myself many times, to have broken more than one heart, to have failed people who counted on me. I've lived long enough to have done a whole lot of things I swore I'd never do and to have gone against my own principles more than once. These experiences have given me the humility to forgive my father and the grace to never again judge him as I did when I was just a boy. Now I see him through the lens of my own choices, mistakes and hard fought victories: and I see a man, a proud man, who worked, who loves, who faces the world with painfully-won wisdom and who seeks the face of God.

Now I know the terrible power of fathers, the awesome station they possess. A station no mother can fill, no uncle, no brother, no friend, no spar. I see for myself the incredible sway we have over the little ones, who watch our every move, repeat our every word, learn the world and the way through us. I see my 22 month old son try to put on my size 12 boots, my hat, and try to stuff my cell phone is his pampers, and I realize how responsible I will be for the man he becomes.

Now a light has come on in a dark and cold place. And I realize what I lost. I realize what I never had and I try to recreate myself in my mind's eye; I try to create a me that would have grown up with a father. I know I turned out OK and I know my mother did a hero's work in raising us. But a mother is not a father and can never be. German actress Marlene Dietrich once said, "A king, realizing his incompetence, can either delegate or abdicate his duties. A father can do neither. If only sons could see the paradox, they would understand the dilemma." A weird source for a quote perhaps, but spot on.

I can think of no greater problem in our nation today than the problem of manhood. And I can think of no greater sign of the problem of manhood than the behaviour of fathers in this country. There are few social ills I can think of that are not in some way connected to the fact that so many men today, in and out of the home, are not loving or supporting the women who bear them children, are not loving or disciplining their children, are not being the first good example of what a man is for their sons and their daughters. Today, cowardice masquerades as courage, selfishness parades as wisdom, and falsehood is called wisdom. Today love is weakness, a woman's word, and loyalty and sacrifice are for chumps. There is nothing of Christ in today's notion of manhood.

We must face our fathers and love them, we sons. We must bless our sons and teach them, we fathers. Not teach them how to hurt but how to heal, not how to break but how to mend. If we cannot understand what made our fathers the men they are, we cannot be the fathers we hope to be.

"I always felt like my children were the most beautiful children I'd ever seen." I thank God I lived to hear my father say that, as he stood in that same living room, looking at my son and feeling pride, not sorrow. I might never have known he felt that way about us, so I'm grateful. I'm just getting to know him, really. I've lost so much time.

"Until you have a son of your own... you will never know the joy, the love beyond feeling that resonates in the heart of a father as he looks upon his son. You will never know the sense of honor that makes a man want to be more than he is and to pass something good and hopeful into the hands of his son. And you will never know the heartbreak of the fathers who are haunted by the personal demons that keep them from being the men they want their sons to be." — Kent Nerburn.

Write me at ianstrakan@gmail.com and http://www.ianstrachan.wordpress.com

[Source: The Nassau Guardian]

'Why do you have to die?' 'It is for you my daughter, my joy.' I heard His voice whisper. 'You are worth it!'

I wept before the Lord! He was standing right in front of me with His arms outstretched! 'Lay all your burdens upon me, and I will give you rest'. I heard Him say. I started to take the ugly rust colored weights off of my back and hand them to my Lord. 'There are so many! 'I thought to myself as I started taking more and more off my back. 'How can He hold all of these at once?' Worry... fear.... finances.... pride.... health.... and countless others were coming off. With each one that came off I felt so much lighter. He was still there holding the ugly pile of weights. It was huge now and stretched up over his head. I could still see His loving eyes looking at me...."More my daughter!' He said as I continued to lay them on my Lord. As I was finishing I looked up! 'My weights, they are crushing Him!' I thought. 'How could I do this! I need to take some back!' 'No' He said gently, 'pick up my yoke for it is light!' Just then I saw it. It was beautiful and sparkled like diamonds! There before me sat a beautiful golden yoke. I picked it up and placed it over my shoulders. It was as light as a feather. The feeling was beautiful! Much more than I could ever imagine. The joy I felt tingled in every nerve of my body! "Thank you Lord" I said rejoicing. It felt so good to be free! Just then I saw it. My burdens, my sins, ...they were killing him! 'No, No! I said 'My Lord My Savior, give them back!' I tried to grab them, but it was too late....blood was starting to flow from His hands and feet. The blood was for me! I was on my knees weeping now. 'No! I killed Him! I killed my Jesus!' Just then his blood started washing and cleansing every part of my being. 'I'm sorry Lord!' I cried as His blood continued to flow. 'Why do you have to die?' 'It is for you my daughter, my joy.' I heard His voice whisper. 'You are worth it!'

The Lord gave me this vision the other night! It was so real....I could hardly speak. All I could do was cry....it was refreshing yet it was horrific at the same time. He washed me that night of many burdens I have had over the last few months. He's cleansed me and made me new like He does so well! Oh how we can forget sometimes what He did just for us! And....how we never have to pick up our burdens again. He already died for them......

It was a refreshing I've needed for a while. It has been a difficult couple of months. Please pray for our family because I know God is in the midst of everything even though it seems He isn't. He will never leave us...........

[This incredible vision and testimony was shared by one of my oldest friends on her blog last week. Her family has had more troubles over the past few years than most could handle in a lifetime. Through it all, they have remained steadfast in their confidence in the Lord, an incredible testimony in and of itself. I encourage you to spend some time getting to know Jessica. She has been places that no one can imagine and she has the heart of an intercessor. She is an encourager and I know she will encourage you. I have shared this verse with her many times, because this is her promise. It is your promise as well.

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.

You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again.

Psalm 71:20-21

Be sure to leave her a comment to introduce yourself. This is what these blogs are for--to encourage one another and to meet new sisters in the Lord. Just tell her I sent you.)

Too Busy for Quiet Time?

"The good news is, you can nurture a growing relationship with God even in this hectic season."

by: Carol Garborg

Three years ago, our family headed to a Newsboys concert at the Minnesota State Fair. After finding our seats, Davis, our six-year-old, said, "Dad, I gotta go to the bathroom." They scrambled down bleachers, waited in line, and within minutes were back cheering along with everyone else. Twenty minutes later, Davis needed another bathroom trip. Then another. Seven trips later, my frustrated husband and I shook our heads. What was going on?

Dr. Brown delivered the diagnosis two weeks later: "Your son has juvenile diabetes."

In the weeks following this diagnosis, I felt too overwhelmed to have my quiet time with God. While I'd always made a daily effort to meet with him, suddenly my reality didn't cooperate with 30-minute or 15-minute devotional time slots. I have to be more disciplined, I told myself. When I tried—and failed—I felt guilty.

Continued here...

[Thanks Debby for sharing this article with us. If you have something to share please email me.]

Just a Quick Post

Hey Ladies...
It's been a while since I've posted anything on here. We were away on vacation last week. I have a few thoughts (some random and some on purpose) bouncing around my head that I'm hoping to post here later this week, but for now I just had to share this with you.

Many of you will remember Ron Cantor and his wife Elana. They have ministered to our body on a number of occasions. They also happen to be dear friends to my husband and me. In his email newsletter this week he sent a link to a message he had recently shared on a speaking tour in the States. It's entitled "Taking Off the Grave Clothes."

"This message is about living the Abundant Life for which Yeshua died. It is about silencing the accusing voice of the enemy and receiving God's love. May God use it to strengthen, bless and encourage your soul. We had a lot of fun preaching it, and I believe you will enjoy it. (If you want to download the message to put on a CD or give to someone else, right click on the link and choose, save target as. Click save.)" (Taken from Ron and Elana's weekly newsletter.)

I hope that you are blessed by this message as I was. Ron will be with us again this September. I will let you know dates and more info soon.
Enjoy!

Mark Your Calendars

On Thursday, June 14, Peggy Dawson, as "Maybell Jerkwater", will entertain and keep you laughing until your sides hurt! Raised in church all her life, she never recalls anyone telling her about the salvation message until she was a young adult. Taking care of her mother with Alzheimer's finally led her to a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. She later led her unsaved husband to the Lord. God uses her character, Maybell, to touch hearts with the gift of laughter, bringing down their defenses and touching them in a very special way. Peggy Dawson is from south central Pennsylvania and performs over 200 times a year. This is her first performance in the Elkton area! Don't miss it!

What others are saying...

Maybell Jerkwater (aka Peggy Dawson) of Bowlegs, Oklahoma., puts on a show for a standing-room-only crowd. Using an exaggerated southern accent and high-pitched voice, she teases the audience with hilarious stories”
- Waynesboro Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA

“The audience was captivated by Maybell Jerkwater and the Kitchen Band
Hands down, your performance was excellent.”
- Maryland State Department of Education, Baltimore, MD

“A thoroughly entertaining program was presented for us. If laughter is good for us
we got a good dose of healthy medicine from Maybell's routine.”
- National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE)

http://www.dawsonperformance.com/Files/Entertainment.htm

Random Deep Thoughts

Something Pastor said this morning led my into a winding deep thought right in the middle of service. I found myself tuning out temporarily as I pondered this new train of thought. I was so intrigued by where my meanderings where taking me that I pulled out my little Bible notebook and started taking notes, not on what Pastor was saying, but rather on my winding thought process.

Pastor was talking about the Holy Spirit/Ghost/Guest and likened God's omnipresent nature to air. That was the single comment that set me off on my deep thoughts...

Perhaps God's presence, His ability to be everywhere all at once (in Elkton AND Edinburgh) is due to fact that God is the air.

Wouldn't that just be like Him, to reside within our every breath. Without each breath we would die. Without air we can't move, stand, swim, etc. Air creates boundaries for our world. It keeps this world in balance and offers us structure and sustenance.

Isn't that what God does? He is everywhere all at once. Air is everywhere all at once.

Think about this... "...The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." [Gen. 2:7]
"...But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters." [Ex. 15:10]
"...The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from his nostrils." [2 Sam. 22:16]
"...In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." [Job 12:10]
"...The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life." [Job 33:4]
'...And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." [John 20:22]


All of these references deal with breathing or a breath. And what do we breathe? What is a breath? Air, of course! God can blow His breath and divide seas. We receive the Holy "Guest" by His breath. I don't believe that it is a stretch to think that all the air we breathe is the breath of God.

Hmmm...

This is just one of a few "random deep thoughts" I had this morning. (That's what my wonderful husband called them when I tried them out on him over a slice of Hawaiian pizza this afternoon.) I love when thoughts like this creep into my mind, because it's like I knew this all along, but then suddenly it materializes from my subconscious spirit to my conscious mind. So cool.

What are your random deep thoughts? What great, simple revelations have you had lately?

God is good.
We are good, because He is good.

Psalm 139

Alton Brown Talks Good Eats

Last summer Scott gave me an old issue of Guideposts that he had found at the church. On the cover was Alton Brown. He knew how much I enjoy watching Alton's shows and thought I would enjoy the article in the Guideposts. But as is usually the case, it got stacked together with other magazines and catalogs and completely forgotten. I pulled it out today as I was cleaning out the magazine basket and thought it was high time I read this article so I could put it in my "read" basket. It was pretty good. Nothing I hadn't already heard him talk about until I got to the last two paragraphs of the story. It totally caught me off guard. He had been discussing his "new" Food Network special, Feasting on Asphalt." (A fun show last summer!)

"I told you this has also been a spiritual journey for me. I'm always talking about the physics of cooking, but I'm also into the metaphysics of it. A good meal should offer both physical and spiritual nourishment. That's why I believe the Last Supper is at the heart of Christianity, perhaps its central moment. When Christ broke bread with his disciples and reminded them to do it in remembrance of him, he was showing them the way to both earthly and heavenly sustenance. The simplest moment can be the most profound. Christ unites with his disciples through food that is both sacred and real.
In the end, all journeys are spiritual. So go off the main road. Be givers of hospitality and gracious takers of it too. Accept the serendipitous moments of life because, when all is said and done, you may find that they were not serendipitous at all. And know that faith is real as bread broken among friends. What you believe will take you far on your journey. If you search carefully, you'll find good food all along the way."
[Alton Brown, Guideposts, August 2006, pp. 32)

It was refreshing to hear him talk about Christ and the Last Supper as it applies to life. It my circle of friends, Christ is our daily lives. We talk about what He has done for us and make spiritual connections to life all the time. What is most refreshing is to hear an entertainer and celebrity talk about it.

See Jane Work

This post is a little different than I normally do, but I thought it would be fun to spice things up a little. I came across this great website a couple weeks ago and have absolutely fallen in love with it. It's SeeJaneWork.com. It is like Staples for girls. It has the cutest office supplies. If you have to work in an office or just have a home office; this is a great way to liven up your workspace. Add punches of color and pattern everywhere. Make your space happy. (Now I must admit, I have a weakness for office supplies. I get a rush going into Staples. Watch out! I just love to be organized, or at least have an organized mess. :) There's just something about everything having its place.)

I just ordered the Vintage Wire Letter Holder for the island in my kitchen along with the red coral file folders. Hopefully this will help to corral the mess that is the mail and paper pile in my kitchen.

So anyway, I just had to share this cute site with you. I hope you like it too! And of course, if you order anything, you have to tell the rest of us what you got!

If you have favorite sites that you like to browse or shop with, do tell! We'd love to hear about it. Just leave a comment below.

God Is SO GOOD!!!

Oh my dear friends!
It has been a while since I have posted and I apologize for that. Life can get so busy. I came across this tonight and my spirit lept within me with excitement. God is so very, very good. I feel like screaming it out my window. (I won't though. It's almost 1030pm. Ha!)

Click here to hear the amazing story of Sapphire.

I love how the mother goes on and on about the faithfulness of God; on Good Morning America, no less!!! I love it. I know you will too!

A Word to the House

For many of you the following is a something that you have already seen. Linda Butler shared it with us earlier today through an email. I was so encouraged by both her openness in sharing her heart and by the Word itself, that I just had to post it on here. I like to think of this blog as a sort of scrapbook of what God is doing in the midst of our company of women at First Assembly. So I felt it appropriate to post it here. So here we go....


From Linda's email...
"This is reality in my Spirit. Dwell together, come together, corporate, one accord - arise, stand, come. The Words we have received corporately - the sermons- laying down burdens for transformation, deliverance, healing - "BUT GOD". . . . The drawing out of our giftings by the Spirit. Ears and eyes have been opened. Senses heightened. The touch of God is upon us for HIS glory . . . . . ."

The Trumpet by Bill Burns -- April 23, 2007: You are entering a corporate time that will be like the feast days of old. This will be an appointed time of My visitation and presence to open the door of blessing to My people, says the Lord. When you come together with hungry hearts -- where the brethren dwell together in unity -- there the blessing is commanded. There shall be a feasting upon My Word. Not only will the power of My glory be upon you, but in that glory you shall be transformed, you shall receive the blessing. You shall receive deliverance, and you shall receive new revelation of your gifting. I will begin to draw these gifts out of your innermost being like a river of life. As you turn your hearts toward heaven, lifting Me up, there shall come a glorious transformation in this season, says the Lord of Hosts.

Did you hear it? I spoke to you in the beginning of this year, says the Lord, and did I not say to you that in this year you would hear the sound of heaven? What then would you believe would happen when you heard the sound of heaven? I am walking among you to touch you (listen for the sound of my footsteps) and only one touch is all it takes for the dead to arise and for the lame to walk and for the blind to see and for the sick to be made whole. One touch, My people, is all you need from Me. Listen, then for the sound of heaven, whether it be a mighty, rushing wind or the sound of worship among My people or the sound of the crackling of the fire that purifies or the sound of the flow of the living water. If you can hear the sound you can expect My touch to follow, which will bring health to your bones, strength to your body, victory to your circumstances, and then My glory shall rest upon you. Arise, you who have been down-trodden. Arise with hope in your hearts. Stand before Me. Come in faith and boldness, knowing that all that is required is that you believe.

Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns - - April 23, 2007: I have caused you to rise up and let your light shine. I have stirred your heart. And, you have responded. You have risen up in your heart. You were sitting down, and now you are standing up in your inner man. You will open your mouth, and I will fill it as you pray My will. I am well pleased, beloved, says the Lord! Psalms 81:10 I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.