Volunteering .......nothing like it!

     Last night, Jon and I had the great privilege to volunteer at the Compassion booth of a Matthew West concert.  It brings me great joy to meet other sponsors and share compassion stories. Living in a small rural area we do not get enough opportunities to do this.  Last night was wonderful; 33 children were sponsored! That does not mean 33 lives are now forever changed. It means many more than 33 lives were changed last night. Of course the child and the sponsor, but that child's entire family will be affected by that sponsorship along with the entire family or youth group that sponsored them. Also, the friends and neighbors of both parties will be changed. The child's family will be able to have an unbelievable testimony to all in their communities. The sponsor will now find themselves eager to share about this child, who has, by divine appointment, stepped into their world and who prays for them regularly!
     Distance and time is nothing for God! I have found that a fourth of the way around the world or even half way around the world really is not that far!
     If you have never sponsored a child I encourage you to do so. Go to www.compassioninternational.com and become HOPE to a child! You will be changed FOREVER! Who doesn't like to help children......they are the future!

Happy First Anniversary Tim and Cari!

     Well it has been a year ago since my family was blessed to be a part of your Godly love story.  As I look back, I smile.

     Let me introduce you to Cari, a beautiful Godly women waiting for the man God had for her.  During her waiting time she choose to serve God. She gave her singleness to God to use for Him and did He ever use her. Cari used the beautiful voice and musical ability that God placed in her and openly shared it with others.  She was so blessed to have a Mom and Dad that loved her so much that they encouraged her in the Lord and taught her not just in knowledge but by example of what a Godly women is inside and out. Cari, being obedient to the instruction and authority God placed over her began the process of trusting that God had her future in His hands.  She would read the word of God and use it as an instruction manual for her life.  She would talk to God about this man that He had planed for her.
     Meet Tim, he is from "down under".  I will never forget the first time we met Tim.  He was so full of the love of Jesus that it just spilled out onto those around him.  Tim took time with the children, he talked with them, he gave them eye contact, Tim treated them each as someone VERY important.  Our children were so drawn to him.  See Tim had not always served the Lord but when he made the decision to make Jesus the Lord of his life he meant it and God gave him a way of reaching young people.  Tim also has been given a wonderful voice that he has agreed to use for the Lord. Tim teaches at Cari's uncles school. (Thank you Steve for going to Australia 26 years ago.....or else Tim would not be in our lives)  Tim was also waiting and praying for the one women that God had for him.  He too, choose to serve God while he was waiting.
     Then, when they least expected it, God made their paths to cross. The long distance relationship began!  Phone calls, emails, and the precious Skype time caused them to realize that each was "the one" God had for them. After visits few and far between, the time came when Tim knew that Cari was the Princess for him.  He asked for her Fathers blessing (guys this is the way it is to be done) and so he asked and she accepted.
     Now, looking back a year ago to their wedding day I want to thank them both for being great examples of what a "Godly Relationship" looks like.  Their wedding day was precious and surrounded with the presence of God.  It was a ceremony of three Tim, Cari, and Christ joining together in one union.
     Thank you Tim and Cari, not only do my children have an example of what a "pure" love relationship looks like but you also have been an example of how to trust and serve God while you are single.  You have showed how to not rush into relationships but instead let God lead you into the right relationship. Thank you for putting God first in your lives.

                         Happy First Anniversary, We love you both                                                and are so excited to see you serve the Lord.

One Meal One Day

     It is here November 9, 2011. Today is "One meal One day" with Compassion International. What a blessing to be part of something so much bigger then we are. In case you don't know what it is I will explain. Today people all over will be giving up one meal and donating the money from that meal to Compassion International to feed children in extreme poverty. I would love to challenge you to be a part. It is not to late! For the past several days our family has been preparing. It has been exciting to see our children want to help. They have also been able to see the big picture, the fact that we have everything we need to end world hunger in this generation. It is just a matter of everyone doing their part. To see the reaction in their eyes when they realized that 43 cents a day is what it cost to feed a child in extreme poverty. The light bulb in their head went off, that is so little compared to what we have. I am so happy that we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus today as we are hungry today so a child won't be!
     Lord, use us to make a difference, let us join in with so many others and give up what we have in order to help those you don't have. God, thank you for Compassion International who is standing in the gap for "the least of these". Let this not be a time of  me, me, me but a focus on what YOU can and will do thru us if we are willing to step out of our comfort zone and allow YOU to use us in YOUR plans. Jesus I am believing that you will bless this effort just as YOU did the fish and loaves and the multitude will be feed! In Jesus name, Amen.

Investing in Eternity,
        Jenny



 

September 11th

     Growing up, September 11th was always a known day in our house. It's my mothers birthday.  I can honestly say I really don't remember any of my mom's birthdays except September 11, 2001.  How can any of us forget?  I remember having the news on that morning like I did every morning.  I sat down on the end of the bed as the coverage started.  I was watching as the second plane hit.  It was a shock!  I kept thinking, "not here, not on U.S. soil."  I told Jon what was happening.  We both stopped to watched.
     It was a very different phone call that morning when I called to wish my mom a happy birthday.  We talked about what we were watching on the news and how it was on every channel.  One of the things I have thought about each year since was this: My parents were hosting an exchange student from Brazil.  Her mom called and wanted to talk to her to be sure everything was OK.  Mom went to the school and brought her home.  I can't imagine what was going through her parents minds.  When we got to the house, she sat and watched with great concern with us.  I sat with my parents, my two little boys, and a dear friend from Brazil. We just could not believe what we were seeing.  The news coverage just kept going from New York to Washington D.C. to Pennsylvania.  The air traffic was stopped.  The phone lines were all busy.  We were unable to make or receive any international phone calls.  From that day on, life, as we knew it changed.  Backpacks are now searched at amusement parks and pro ball games.  We now have to tell our loved ones goodbye before we reach the terminal at the airport. 
     I personally did not know anyone with a direct connection to those who lost their lives 10 years ago.  I still feel a deep whole in my heart for them as if I did know them.  I will never forget the rescue workers who so selflessly gave at all cost.  True examples of what a hero is.  I remember the way that this horrific tragedy united our blessed country.  The feeling of pride every time I see our beautiful flag; the respect I have when I see any type of rescue worker; the way everyone prayed.
     Today, my family was invited to minister in music at another church. Although my children are too young to remember 9/11 or a pre 9/11 world they led a patriotic medley.  I cried as I saw them play and heard them sing in honor of this great nation on such a day as this.  I had the responsibility of telling them about the history of today.  With attentive ears they listened and even watched some of the original footage.  They saw a re-enactment of what was believed to take place on Flight 93.  So many heroes on that one flight.
     May we always remember how blessed this nation is.  May we always tell our loved ones that we love them. With no guarantee of tomorrow may we never let the sun set on our wrath.  May we share with the next generation the Christianity upon which this great nation was founded.  May we daily be looking for people to share the story of the greatest rescue worker, JESUS CHRIST, and how He gave His life so we could be rescued from this life.
     With a thankful heart, take time to pray for this nation, the leaders of this nation, and the future of this nation.  God has shed His grace on America and His truth is marching on!


Investing in Eternity,
Jenny




   

Scabs vs. Scars

     Last weekend I was reminded of the difference between scabs and scars.  I'm sure you are thinking, "I could care less."  Trust me, I think this may help anyone with kids, family or even friends.
     I guess I should go back to the time of the accident.  It was several months ago.  See God had a plan and Satan didn't like it and we, as a family, found ourselves in the middle of it.  Knowing that it was a spiritual battle helped, but, I'm sure you have been there, IT STILL HURT!  Our family has had to lean on God, trust Him, and pray like never before.  Recovery is always a hard road that sometimes comes with setbacks.  Just when you think that things are going good, SETBACK!!  I must confess that it is true:  the less you look at the wound the more you tend to forget about it.  Then, out of nowhere, you get bumped and all of a sudden you remember that you are still very sore, but you find yourself somewhat happy because you realize that YOU ARE HEALING!!
     It is so hard when you see the people you love get their scab knocked off.  You know how kids know better, but they still just can't resist picking at their scab even after you have repeatedly told them not to.  Well, it's the same with spiritual scabs.  Kids may not be talking about it but they still think about it which has the same affect as picking at a scab.  The more you pick at it (or think about it) the more it keeps the wound from healing.  I now understand that Satan is trying to do what he can to keep the scab from healing.  He is not picky.  He will use words, deeds, action, and thoughts.  You see, he knows that if we continue to clean the wound with prayer and wrap it in the word it WILL HEAL and all that will be left is a scar.  Most people don't like scars, but the great thing about them is that the area has COMPLETELY HEALED!!!!  When we look at the scar we instantly remember what happened.  We can even remember the pain that it caused.  Once you have got hurt you are even cautious when you get close to the same thing that caused you so much pain.  Sometimes people even ask about your scar and how it happened.  Can you believe that other people can learn from your pain?
       Have you ever been to the place when you think the scab is healing and just about ready to fall off all its own and suddenly you discover that it has been picked at (or thought about) just enough to keep it from healing.  As a parent you try not to bring it up because you don't want to be the one who keeps the thoughts alive and cause the healing to take longer.  Just because someone on the outside looks as if everything is OK, that doesn't mean that it is all OK.  That is what my children taught me last weekend.  They have tried to be brave, strong, and continue to go along as if nothing was wrong.  All the while, the scabs were just not healing.  I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit made a point to let them know that what was troubling them was important to Him.  Even though they had been able to hide the scabs from us, God knew it was time for them to heal so just a scar would be left.
     When it comes to children, they need all the love, support, and prayers that we can give them.  Today's youth has many scabs; some more visible than others.  I think the most effective way to help heal these scabs is to spend time interceding on their behalf.  The Holy Spirit will let you know when you can stop because the scab will have COMPLETELY HEALED and turned into a scar.
 
Investing in Eternity,
Jenny

Investing in Eternity,
Jenny 
    

Standing in the Need of Prayer

     I am asking you to stand with me in the need of prayer.  16 year old Tara is in great need of prayer. On July 9, 2011 she was diagnosed with NK Leukemia.  It is very rare with around 100 diagnoses worldwide.  It was a sudden onset.  Doctors said that she maybe only had it for around 2 weeks but it is extremely aggressive.  She is taking 2 different types of chemo.  One is every Tuesday for 3 weeks into her spinal column.  The other is into her blood 3 days in a row every 21 days.  Once the Leukemia is gone Doctors say she will need a bone marrow transplant.  This has been a total shock to her, her whole family, friends, and the community.  I am asking for you to take her request to the Lord in prayer often.  My mind can not imagine what her parents must be going thru.  I know families get these kind of diagnoses all the time but for some reason when it is someone we know then we have a face to put with that request and tend to pray more often.
     My husband and I have watched Tara grow up.  When we got married we moved in across the street from Tara and her family.  Tara was only 7 months old and they moved only a couple of years ago.  We live in a small rural town where you don't just "know of your" neighbors but you "truly know" them.  They were GREAT neighbors.  Tara would play in the yard with our kids.  If no one was home at her house she would come to our house when she got off the school bus.  We went to their house for shelter during a bad storm.  They even brought us supper during busy schedules.  We miss having them across the street. 
     They have had a less than a fun summer. Tara's Grandma died on Memorial Day, her dad had surgery on June 21 and then another one on July 6. When Tara was in the hospital on July 8 her Dad had to go downstairs to the ER because he had developed blood clots in his legs.  The next day Tara was diagnosed.
     If you are like me and have been blessed with a healthy family, PLEASE PRAY!  If you have children that are not in a hospital, PLEASE PRAY! If you have children that have been in the hospital, PLEASE PRAY!  If you have neighbors, PLEASE PRAY!  If God has done a miracle in your life or the life of someone you know PLEASE PRAY!  If you believe in the power of prayer PLEASE PRAY!
     When I spoke with Tara's Dad last night his only request was that we pray and ask people to pray.  He said that with this being so rare prayer is the only thing they have.
     One of the wonderful thing about being a Christian is that we have been given the powerful tool of prayer.  I know that prayer changes things!  What a blessing to intercede on the behalf of someone else even if we don't know that person.
     God was not surprised by Tara's diagnoses and he knows the outcome of it all.  He allows us to be involved by prayer.  I am reminded that Jesus took the stripes for our healing and that what the devil intended for evil God uses for good....TO GOD BE THE ALL GLORY!!!!! 
    
Investing in Eternity,
Jenny

No Passing Zone.

I had a very "eye opening" experience and I knew immediately that I was to share this with you all.

I was driving today and saw a car passing another car.  The car that was passing was going VERY fast. Both cars were coming at me.  The fast car got back in it's lane very quickly.  The car that was being passed turned off just a few hundred feet after it was passed so you know that it wasn't going very fast at all.  God showed me how there have been times that I was that fast car, in a hurry, and the slow car was the "obstacle in my life" that God had not moved.. I tried to get ahead of God all because I was not patient and willing to wait on Him.  Instead, I was willing to risk an accident, even a great tragedy.  All the while, God was moving the "slow car" out of my way if only I would just be patient and wait on Him.  God gave me a visual of how close we get to that place where He all but has that obstacle out of our path.  I saw just how close we get to having an "open lane".  If that car would have just waited mere seconds; but no, we just don't wait. We try to hurry and, in the meantime, are a distraction to others and risk their well being.  Since we can't see what is ahead, we should lean on and trust the only One Who can.

I love when God shows me things in the middle of my day when I least expect it.  He is always teaching me if I stay teachable.

Investing in Eternity,
Jenny