Did you relax...

What is it about getting back to familiar settings that is so nice? Remember last week the blog lead in was “Getting Older”. Well, I suppose this has to do with the very same thing. People have asked, “did you have a relaxing time on your vacation?” Again, I was on the beach with two 15 year old girls and a beach full of boys. No! I did not relax!

Truthfully, I saw a lot of other adults who weren’t looking too relaxed either. But, these are those memorable times in life that you look back on and say, “remember when we…”

I’m not there yet! (Ha - ha - ha)

Hope everyone is doing well and remembering to pray for our upcoming retreat to the Middle East. We are so excited. We have 50 women signed up and 17 on a waiting list. My dear friends, this so speaks to the need of this ministry and others like it. Again, please pray and see if God would have you partner with us in prayer, going, and giving.

His,
vickie

Getting Old...

We are here in Gulf Shores with all the other thousands of people that are here in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Yesterday when we arrived we got unpacked and headed straight to the water with my niece and her precious friend; they are 15 year old girls - need I say more. As we began our descent into the sea of bodies I noted a group of boys (5 to be exact) grouped up to my left. Being a good Aunt I made sure we made it well past them before setting up our site. Off to the water the girls went wearing much of nothing in my humble opinion, but remember I’m getting old. It took that group of boys about 10 minutes to spot those two girls out in the water. My mom was oblivious to the event that was beginning to unfold until I said, “sharks in the water”. I suppose I could have used a different term. Anyway, I directed her to the 5 young boys headed out to the girls who I lovingly deemed “the minnows”.

The next hour was quite entertaining as we watched the sharks move in slowly and circle and the minnows pretend not to see them but loving every minute of it. This entertainment went on for some time and my mom and I had a couple of good laughs. Oh, don’t worry, REMEMBER I’m getting old so when all of a sudden the Sharks and Minnows exit the water and start heading towards us, I tell my mom, “this should be good”. It was very entertaining as well but in the end the Mama Whale (Aunt Vickie) swallowed everyone whole. That is what happens when you get old - you ruin everyone’s fun! Hmmmmmmm

Don’t forget to continue lifting up our Middle East trip!

His,
vickie

Preparation...

Had a great day this week with the team that is going to the Middle East this coming September. There is nothing more exciting to me than watching a team come together in all the different areas of ministry required of the journey! Watching everyone work towards ‘excellence’ for His Glory and the hearts of our missionary women on the field is like finding the perfect watermelon on a hot summer day! Pure pleasure and enjoyment!
Ok, the fact that team member Debbie G. made caramel popcorn for me added some fun! Yes, I shared it with the team. But I can’t say my heart was pure about wanting to do that! ha, ha,ha

Wendy is on the road returning from a mission trip to Mexico with her family. She will be writing the blog next week and I promise you she has a lot to share about her trip.

Please continue to pray for Pure Joy and very specifically for our trip in September. Lift up the missionaries that will be attending and prayerfully ask God if HE would encourage you to give.

I am headed to Gulf Shores for a week with my family. Please pray for me as this white cotton ball is exposed to the elements. My goal is NOT to come home looking like a cherry!

Hmmmm, I have a lot of food analogies going on in this blog. I better go grab a bite of something, I must be hungry.

Have a great weekend!

His,
vickie

Eye openers...

You know what those are don’t you? Those moments along the way in our lives when God allows us to hear something, observe something, read something, etc. that really puts life back into perspective. Well, this weekend I had one of those eye-opening moments.

Friday afternoon, before I left the office, I picked up a book that had been on my shelf for some time. But for whatever reason, (His Timing), I had not been drawn to it until then.

The book is on China as one of the last superpowers of the world before the great battle of Armageddon. I have hardly put the book down since I started reading it Friday night. I actually, spent all day on the fourth in my PJ’s with that book in my hand.

Now why the eye opening moment? Because weeks previous to this, there was this stuff going on in my home church that was depressing. You know how that is too. Home churches are like families, and if you have a family you have stuff along the way…same applies to our churches and both provide us an opportunity to grow!!!! The point….. !!

God reminded me that our missionary women and their families risk their lives in some of these foreign countries with the only desire, “to share the Good News of The Gospel”.

I was so challenged to look into my heart and see, do I desire to share the Good News every opportunity I have. Am I making opportunities? Truthfully, I used to have that heart beat, but somewhere a long the way I have been lured away from that desire. And I use the word lured because that is what the enemy does-- he lures us away from the sharing of the Gospel with lots of spiritual things!

Well, my eyes are ‘opened’ again, praise God!!! If yours aren’t “wake up my friend”!

Please pray for missionaries all over this world and remember you are one too! And don’t forget there is an enemy out there ready to lure all of us asleep. Let’s help keep each other awake on the watch!!

Please continue to pray for Pure Joy as the team prepares to go to an undisclosed location in the Middle East. Pray for the women who will attend. We already have women signed up and a waiting list. Pray God will have just the women He wants there.

If you want to be a part of giving to this retreat, please see the section on our home page that directs you to giving online or by mail.

Look for the opportunity to tell someone about Him today, and praise God we can do so without risking our lives--at least for this season, in America.

His,
vickie

Hmmm...

As I write this blog this morning I am thinking about the 4th -6th grade Sunday school class that I teach with two other gentlemen. As the kids arrived yesterday morning, the topic of discussion among them was soooooo a reflection of the world. The topic was no doubt, Michael Jackson. They were also aware of the deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon. So, instead of interrupting their discussion I gave them a challenge. I said, who can give me three things you have learned about each one of these people over the weekend. They did a very good job which did let me know they were highly exposed to the media of it all. Ok, except for one of our fourth graders who wanted to share three things with us about "Water Fawcett". Certainly you can understand the child’s mistake. Ha,ha,ha,ha! They were all very proud of themselves and the knowledge they had attained during the past several days. Then I gave them this challenge. Tell me three things you know about Jesus - and you cannot repeat anything someone else has already said about Him. It was great to listen to them share the knowledge they had gleaned from those who have invested in their lives along the years. I am amazed at their ability to share what is in their heads. I long for those things to become heart issues for them.

Moms I share this with you to say, our children are taking in media at an incredible rate beyond our comprehension as adults! Please, KNOW what your children are being exposed to on a daily bases through media, teachers, family, peers, etc. Do you and your children KNOW as much about the man called JESUS as you do about the things of this world?

Thank you so much for your prayers last week as our precious Linda Roach, administrative assistant for the ministry, experienced a light heart attack and underwent testing. The testing revealed blockages that will be treated with medication! The Great Physician at work!!!

Pray for us at Pure Joy as we prepare for our trip in September to an undisclosed location. We are in the preparation process and need your prayers!

Also, pray as we are receiving more and more contacts from churches that want to get involved with Pure Joy. We are thanking and praising God for them!

His,

vickie

". . . but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

Vickie is in Tulsa this morning, with our ministry administrative assistant Linda Roach. Linda had a mild heart attack a few days ago and is undergoing a procedure today. Please pray with us that "God is the strength of her heart" both physically and spiritually today. Vickie will update us when she returns.


Wendy Stotts

Pondering Holiness...

Vickie was here in Jonesboro last week and I shared with her my concern about the shortage of holiness in our world today, even in the church. I truly want to be holy; I want to live a holy life. How do I do that? We sing a song in corporate worship sometimes, “holiness, holiness, is what I long for; holiness, is what I need; holiness, holiness is what you want from me”. (Jeff tells me the name of the song is “Take My Life” in case you’re interested) I am a pleaser by nature. I want everyone to be happy with me. I’ve lived many of my 45 years pursuing approval from family, teachers, church members, and at times maybe even God?! It is exhausting! Through the 20 plus years I’ve served with my husband in ministry, I’ve learned that it’s impossible to please everyone, Jesus didn’t even do it – He didn’t try. There’s peace and rest in that. So, how about holiness then – can it be achieved? Our worship team at church is doing a book study called “The Way of a Worshiper: Discover the secret to friendship with God” by Buddy Owens. Interestingly enough, Mr. Owens addressed holiness in this book. “But holiness is not what God wants from you. Holiness is what God wants for you. You cannot make yourself holy. Only God can make you holy... Holiness is God’s gift of grace. The only way to get holiness is to surrender to it.”

“I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” Exodus 31:13
“I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” Leviticus 20:8
“I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” Leviticus 22:32

Mr. Owens goes on to say, “God doesn’t want our holiness – He wants His holiness in us.”

My son Wade just used his iphone to look up the definition of “holy” for me (!) Holy is defined as an adjective meaning “belonging to or derived from or associated with a divine power”. So, I’m thinking the answer to my question of can holiness be achieved is YES! His holiness is in me. My flesh and will can choose not to reflect His holiness, but it’s there. Thank you Jesus for making me holy! Help me to continually reflect Your holiness.

Please continue to pray for Pure Joy. God is opening many doors and beginning to solidify plans for the Fall of ’09 and ’10. He is good and He is holy!

Because of Jesus,

Wendy Stotts