Monday, October 16, 2006

This weekend was an incredible one...filled with fellowship, answered prayer, protection and further growth.

As many of you already know I have felt a strong desire to work with the youth ever since I first gave my life to Christ. Over the past few months this desire has increased and I have began praying again about coming alongside our youth pastor and his wife (T&S) and with that I have also been seeking the Lord about leading a bible study for the older youth girls.

The Lord has been giving me visions, some for down the road and some for today. He has sharpened the vision for this Bible study...one of the first things I knew was that I didn't want it to be the study of a book with biblical principles, but a book of the Bible. The next step of this process was which book to study and with that was what material would I use as I am not a teacher of the Word. There were two books I was praying about, one I initially thought of (James) and another which was suggested by a friend (Phillipians).

Last night I had a meeting with T&S and I shared with them my vision and what plans I had to that point. And both of them separately have been praying for me and this study and each came to the same answer as I, that I was to study the book of James with the girls.

This process has caused a lot of growth in allowing T&S to come alongside me, to serve under them and to see this as a blessing and not a means of control. It also has caused me to realize the amount of responsibility in working with these girls. And to see the love that this body has for me and these young women...the care that they have, this type of care in the past has always freaked me out, today, I embrace it.

Saturday, October 07, 2006

"Satan is trying to trick me."

These are the words of my friend's five year old son.

He came to her one morning and said, "I think Satan is trying to trick me, Mom." "How is that?" She asked. He replied, "well, I was looking in the mirror this morning and he tried to tell me that I am not cute." That gave my friend another opportunity to remind her young son that he is created in the image of God. And yes, he was right, Satan was trying to trick him.

I love this story, how often each of us are tricked by the enemy in so many areas of our lives. We are not beautiful, we are failures, we are not saved, etc. He sets so many illusions and fears in our minds that sometimes we don't strive to get beyond it, we start believing it, giving into these lies and yes, he does trick us.

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness

Psa 84:11 For Jehovah God is a sun and a shield: Jehovah will give grace and glory; No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly

Sunday, October 01, 2006

The annual week at the beach



Our getaway...9 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, pool, 2 jacuzis, beach access, perfect weather... 21 of us met up at the beach this year, coming from VA, SC and IL. 11 adults, 10 children, a ton of food and fun.







































The girls (Ella 5, Maddie 9 and Maya 7) decided to take a photo shoot at the Whale Head Club...I think they did a fabulous job. Both of their moms are photographers, they are following well in their footsteps.

Thirteen of us piled into the Trooper to go out on the dunes which only allows four-wheel drive. Your driving kept us hanging on for life, Bruno and laughing uncontrollably. Thanks for a great tour once again.












Our detour, tired boys and late arrival to dinner were all well worth this beautiful sunset. Great idea Laura.











Our evening feast was something we looked forwrd to each day. The guys and ladies tooked turns each evening and there was always something different. Alaskan Rock Bass, Cuban Flank Steak, Greek food, Mango Salsa, Bananas Foster, just to name a few.




















This sunrise was well worth getting up early and a wonderful way to see the beach for the last time as we ended our vacation. Thanks for joining me girls.