Oxygen Please.....

If you have been keeping up with Pure Joy this past year you will remember we went to Southeast Asia in September 2016 and then headed to Mexico in November 2016 which was a tight turn around for our ministry staff that travel on most trips including myself. We immediately went into the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays before stepping into the New Year of 2017. Two weekends ago we had our Annual Board Retreat that many of you prayed for and we are now just a little over two weeks from leaving the country to head to Athens, Greece, to do a conference there. Several of you reading this will be attending. Some of you reading this are already saying, ‘breathe’. But can I ask you something? Are you breathing?  

One of our speakers in Southeast Asia reminded us of the warning that is given on airplanes as they are taking off:

 “In case of emergency, air masks will drop from the ceiling. If you are traveling with a minor, please put on your own mask before helping the minor.”

In 2007 Randy Pausch is quoted as saying, “Put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others”. The whole premise behind the warning and the quote are simply if you don’t take care of yourself you are not going to be much use to anyone else in the long run. 

If you are thinking, “Is Vickie preaching to herself?” Yes. But, through God’s grace I have come to my senses before all the brain cells die! Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha  

I suppose I want to encourage you to do the same. Stop, breathe, catch a breath and then step out as He leads. And make a plan for yourself to get oxygen! Then have someone hold you accountable so you actually do it! Leslie, if you’re reading this I know you will be ringing my phone the week of February 27, 2017.

Athens, Greece
We are on our last lap before leaving the country to head to our conference in Athens Greece. Registration closed today (Tuesday) with the conference being full and having a waiting list if anyone should cancel.   

The team is in final preparations and detail mode as messages, devotionals, worship, hospitality, and media videos are prepared. Pray for us as the team is already experiencing the spiritual warfare that takes place the last couple of weeks before we leave for these trips. Also, pray for the women that will be coming because the enemy will do everything in his power to try and prevent these ladies that are registered from coming to the well, to drink and be refreshed.

Love you all and appreciate your hearts for the ministry and all you do!

His,
Vickie