Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sorry, I've been on the road...
I've been on the road and I am playing catch up in the office today but I will write a blog to go out tomorrow morning to share what God is up to in the ministry!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Love...
This past weekend our church sponsored a ‘More Than Married’ marriage workshop. It was exciting to see couples young to old come in the doors Friday night to begin the journey of the weekend. By Saturday afternoon I believe the following quote became a truth to many of the couples: “It is true that love is blind but marriage is definitely an eye-opener.” Our presenters, Charles and Darleen Queener out of North Carolina, were absolutely wonderful folks and gave the couples much needed insight into themselves and their marriage partner.
I personally, was very excited to see so many couples willing to invest in their marriages and their children’s lives. It has been said, many a time and many different ways, “the best gift a mom or dad can give a child is to love each other.” Our children in this world today need role models of people that love and respect one another and that are willing to put others first. If you would like to have something like this in your community or church please visit the following web site www.greatcommandment.net for more information.
Did I tell you that it is a lot easier to be a part of a marriage conference when you are single than when you are married! Ha ha! Of course as I shared with the couples…My maker is my Husband (Isaiah 54:5) It is ok for HIM to think HE’S perfect!
Tomorrow we (Wendy Stotts and I) begin a two day ‘church tour’ as Wendy likes to call it. Please be in prayer for us as we share with Missions Pastors and others about partnering with Pure Joy. Pray: (1) God will give the ministry favor, (2) God will allow Wendy and I to be a blessing to those we have the opportunity to meet with the next two days, and (3) The most important thing….that HIS Will Be Done.
And finally, we will be mailing the fall Pure Joy newsletter out in the next couple of weeks. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be visit our web site www.purejoyinternational.org and sign up as a friend – be sure to fill in your regular mailing address to receive a snail mail copy of our newsletters – they are great tools to use in sharing the ministry of Pure Joy with your family and friends.
Blessings over you,
His,
vickie
I personally, was very excited to see so many couples willing to invest in their marriages and their children’s lives. It has been said, many a time and many different ways, “the best gift a mom or dad can give a child is to love each other.” Our children in this world today need role models of people that love and respect one another and that are willing to put others first. If you would like to have something like this in your community or church please visit the following web site www.greatcommandment.net for more information.
Did I tell you that it is a lot easier to be a part of a marriage conference when you are single than when you are married! Ha ha! Of course as I shared with the couples…My maker is my Husband (Isaiah 54:5) It is ok for HIM to think HE’S perfect!
Tomorrow we (Wendy Stotts and I) begin a two day ‘church tour’ as Wendy likes to call it. Please be in prayer for us as we share with Missions Pastors and others about partnering with Pure Joy. Pray: (1) God will give the ministry favor, (2) God will allow Wendy and I to be a blessing to those we have the opportunity to meet with the next two days, and (3) The most important thing….that HIS Will Be Done.
And finally, we will be mailing the fall Pure Joy newsletter out in the next couple of weeks. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be visit our web site www.purejoyinternational.org and sign up as a friend – be sure to fill in your regular mailing address to receive a snail mail copy of our newsletters – they are great tools to use in sharing the ministry of Pure Joy with your family and friends.
Blessings over you,
His,
vickie
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Stay Tuned!
I know some of you are looking for this week's blog - be paitent, I had a very busy Monday but will get it posted later today or early on Wednesday.
His,
vickie
His,
vickie
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Dread!
That is the best word to define what was going on in my mind as I headed across I-40 going towards Oklahoma Sunday afternoon. Why ‘dread’? Because I was headed to visit someone we all have such an excitement to visit, the dentist! Now you may be wondering, as have several of my friends, why I drove to an entirely different state to see the dentist when there are many good dentists within miles of me. Well, that isn’t a hard thing to answer for me. Dentist, Hairdresser, Gynecologist all are very significant relationships in the life of a woman! We will drive miles and hours to continue those relationships with someone we trust. And truthfully, how many of us haven’t felt like we were committing an act of betrayal if we allowed ourselves to be convinced by a friend to try a new hairdresser. And a dentist well, if you ever find one you have confidence in….that relationship outlasts most marriages today. Anyway, my dentist and his wife are absolutely incredible! They both love and serve the LORD. They have hearts of gold and love people. Last night when I arrived in Muskogee, Oklahoma I actually stayed with my dentist and his wife awaiting that dreaded appointment this morning. But, they took such good care of me in preparation. Rebecca served up a wonderful dinner and David made a batch of chocolate chip cookies from scratch that were to die for. Dentist – Sweets, Sweets – Dentist, hmmmmm. Anyway, I had a great evening with some of Gods saints.
This morning that bliss ended with the first shot! Don’t you hate the shots! Anyway, being the most excellent dentist that he is, David (Dr. Reifsteck) took care of getting me fixed up and back on the road to Arkansas before noon. As I write this blog tonight I am sitting on the couch with one black and blue fat upper lip! Several stitches in the gums and a tad bit of discomfort. But, the good part is because of the dental surgery today by Wednesday I should be well on my way to healing with that tooth. Kind of like how God has to go in and do a little surgery on our hearts at times. Our heart may be a little bruised for a time but at least it is on its way to healing instead of becoming worse.
On Tuesday our Ministry Staff meets all day to pray, listen, and walk out God’s plans for the ministry. Please remember to pray for us. There are many ministries throughout this world that God uses to minister to our missionaries on the field. We just want to be obedient to the part He has called us to.
Don’t forget to be praying for Poland and the missionaries that will be attending that retreat in April/May 2009. Also, continue to pray for the unspoken area that I mentioned last week in my blog.
And as a last little bit of closing humor………for a month I have been putting off having my drivers’ license renewed just out of shear procrastination. Guess what tomorrow is, my birthday, 11-11. Guess what HAS TO BE DONE TOMORROW! Remember who has a fat lip! Can we say….Cheese!
This morning that bliss ended with the first shot! Don’t you hate the shots! Anyway, being the most excellent dentist that he is, David (Dr. Reifsteck) took care of getting me fixed up and back on the road to Arkansas before noon. As I write this blog tonight I am sitting on the couch with one black and blue fat upper lip! Several stitches in the gums and a tad bit of discomfort. But, the good part is because of the dental surgery today by Wednesday I should be well on my way to healing with that tooth. Kind of like how God has to go in and do a little surgery on our hearts at times. Our heart may be a little bruised for a time but at least it is on its way to healing instead of becoming worse.
On Tuesday our Ministry Staff meets all day to pray, listen, and walk out God’s plans for the ministry. Please remember to pray for us. There are many ministries throughout this world that God uses to minister to our missionaries on the field. We just want to be obedient to the part He has called us to.
Don’t forget to be praying for Poland and the missionaries that will be attending that retreat in April/May 2009. Also, continue to pray for the unspoken area that I mentioned last week in my blog.
And as a last little bit of closing humor………for a month I have been putting off having my drivers’ license renewed just out of shear procrastination. Guess what tomorrow is, my birthday, 11-11. Guess what HAS TO BE DONE TOMORROW! Remember who has a fat lip! Can we say….Cheese!
Monday, November 3, 2008
From the Mouth of Babes...
If you keep up with our blog you have probably heard me talk about the 4th-6th grade Sunday School class I help with or have seen them on a blog. There is soooooooo never a dull moment with the kids. Yesterday, I was teaching them about prayer. We were in Matthew 6: 1-13 and I was helping them to break down the verses. In verse 2 when we came to the word ‘hypocrites’ I stopped and asked the class, “Can anyone tell me the definition of the word ‘hypocrite’?” Immediately a hand shot up. Yes, I said. The student stated, “Someone who tells you not to do something and then they do it themselves.” Very good, I responded. Can anyone else give a definition of the word ‘hypocrite’? Immediately, another hand went up. Yes, I said. The student responded, “A democrat.” Now I have to tell you, that was funny I don’t care who you are! I laughed so hard I could hardly regroup.
Of course the kids had NO IDEA why the other teacher and I found such laughter in that moment! Moms and Dads I want to share something with you. Your kids hear you. They watch, listen, and learn from you whether you take responsibility for that or not. When I shared with the parents what had gone on in class they got a good laugh and the realization that ‘little pictures have big ears’. Moms and dads what are you teaching those precious ones God has given you watch-care over? Be still and listen to them some time and find your answer.
In regard to Pure Joy news we are officially full regarding our registrations for the Poland retreat. We actually started a waiting list last week and encourage those interested to go ahead and sign up on the waiting list. Most retreats we end up with people that have come back to the states for some reason or another and we are able to move women off the waiting list to the actually retreat. Our theme for Poland is, “Trust His Word”. The verse is Psalms 119: 11. Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
I ask all of you to start praying for the Poland retreat and the sponsoring churches. Right now we have one sponsoring church. We need 3 more. If your church is interested please contact us and I will be glad to contact you and spend time with you.
Also, wanted to encourage you to be praying for us as we have another trip that we are working out details on. It is being held in an undisclosed area. Your prayers and support are important to us regarding this trip. We have a church that is taking donations towards this trip as a missions project for their women’s ministry in Albuquerque. We are so excited about that because we will not have specific sponsoring churches for this retreat. Therefore we are praying for and counting on donations from you as you feel led. The team will be made up of a very small group of women that have experience traveling with the ministry. I will have Patty put together a estimated cost of the retreat and post it after I have met with our ministry staff next week.
Praying for all of you that you are allowing God to stretch you and be your El Shaddai.
His,
vickie
Of course the kids had NO IDEA why the other teacher and I found such laughter in that moment! Moms and Dads I want to share something with you. Your kids hear you. They watch, listen, and learn from you whether you take responsibility for that or not. When I shared with the parents what had gone on in class they got a good laugh and the realization that ‘little pictures have big ears’. Moms and dads what are you teaching those precious ones God has given you watch-care over? Be still and listen to them some time and find your answer.
In regard to Pure Joy news we are officially full regarding our registrations for the Poland retreat. We actually started a waiting list last week and encourage those interested to go ahead and sign up on the waiting list. Most retreats we end up with people that have come back to the states for some reason or another and we are able to move women off the waiting list to the actually retreat. Our theme for Poland is, “Trust His Word”. The verse is Psalms 119: 11. Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
I ask all of you to start praying for the Poland retreat and the sponsoring churches. Right now we have one sponsoring church. We need 3 more. If your church is interested please contact us and I will be glad to contact you and spend time with you.
Also, wanted to encourage you to be praying for us as we have another trip that we are working out details on. It is being held in an undisclosed area. Your prayers and support are important to us regarding this trip. We have a church that is taking donations towards this trip as a missions project for their women’s ministry in Albuquerque. We are so excited about that because we will not have specific sponsoring churches for this retreat. Therefore we are praying for and counting on donations from you as you feel led. The team will be made up of a very small group of women that have experience traveling with the ministry. I will have Patty put together a estimated cost of the retreat and post it after I have met with our ministry staff next week.
Praying for all of you that you are allowing God to stretch you and be your El Shaddai.
His,
vickie
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Back From Venezuela
Greetings Bloggers!
We have retruned from our retreat in Venezuela and I wanted to post a video blog for you that I recorded on the last day of the retreat. We were using a new video camera, thanks to Janice, and it has taken Patty a little while to get the video off and posted to YouTube so that we could link it to our blog. Enjoy this little taste of Venezuela for now and be watching for more reports from the retreat soon.
His,
vickie
We have retruned from our retreat in Venezuela and I wanted to post a video blog for you that I recorded on the last day of the retreat. We were using a new video camera, thanks to Janice, and it has taken Patty a little while to get the video off and posted to YouTube so that we could link it to our blog. Enjoy this little taste of Venezuela for now and be watching for more reports from the retreat soon.
His,
vickie
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