Joy for the Journey

Unwrapping His Gifts to Us

2010-12-09T09:19:00.002-05:00

I can't believe that Christmas is quickly approaching! In the craziness of decorating, baking, shopping, and wrapping, it is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of Christmas. We get our homes prepared... We help with school and church events... We serve at the Soup Kitchen and prepare boxes for Operation Christmas Child...

But... do we stop and think about the gifts that He has given to us?

I read a wonderful devotion written by my friend Rachel Olsen this morning. She reminded me to stop and unwrap His gifts. Her words spoke to my heart so I wanted to share them with you.

He's given us physical life: "The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." Genesis 2:7 (NIV)

And eternal life: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)

He's given us family: "God sets the lonely in families ..." Psalm 68:6 (NIV)

He's given us wisdom: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 (NIV)

He's given us peace: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." John 14:27 (NIV)

He's given us joy: "You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 1:6 (NIV)

He's given us rest: "Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'" Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

He's given us a personal counselor: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you." John 14:16 (NIV)

He's given us an inheritance: "...you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." Colossians 3:24 (NIV)

And He's given us freedom: "God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom." 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV)

In return for all these glorious gifts, God simply wants us to receive and respond with thankfulness and a heart that is ready to emulate His gracious nature. I can't think of a better time than now to respond with gratefulness and enjoy the act of giving and receiving.

My treasured friends, I pray for quiet moments with God as you prepare your hearts and your homes for the greatest of all gifts... the gift of Hope that came to us in swaddling clothes.

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn

I Was Not Designed for This

2010-11-13T10:46:00.003-05:00

I stumbled upon a bit of writing by author/speaker Paul Tripp. I thought it was worth sharing... and worth remembering.

In HIS Service,
LeAnn

I Was Not Designed for This...

I was not designed

to be on my own

to author my own story

to compose my own rules

to live with me in the center.

I was not designed

to look for life outside of You

to treasure the creation

to love people, places and things

more than You.

I was not designed

to rely on my wisdom

to trust my imagination

to rely on my thoughts

to ignore Your revelation.

I was not designed

to follow the path of my craving

to be enslaved to my desires

to be ruled by my passions

more than I am by You.

I was not designed

to put created things in Your place

to look to the creation

to fulfill the longings

that only You can fulfill.

I was not designed

to live for the moment

to ignore what is forever

to covet what belongs to others

forgetting I've been given You.

I was not designed

to question Your goodness

to bring you to the court of my judgment.

to be bitter in my assessment

of the things You do.

I was not designed

to let my heart fill with envy

to be constantly accounting

to be jealous and untrusting

instead of resting in You.

I was not designed

to forget Your right hand that holds me

to ignore your good counsel

to not see that You're with me

I will be in glory with You.

I was not designed

to think I am living

to ignore the evidence that I'm dying

to forget that we perish

when separate from You.

So I acknowledge this morning

it is good to be with You

to make You my sole refuge

to speak daily of your workings

Whom do I have but You?

I praise You for rescue

for always holding me near You

for owning my heart's desires

My life is You.

Overwhelmed

2010-10-08T17:22:00.002-04:00

By LeAnn Rice

I have been feeling very overwhelmed these past few months. Lots of projects and each feels like a full time job. Add that on top of being a single mom and head of a household that still needs to be maintained and I’m pretty much a jello-brain.

It’s hard having to do everything without a partner. Honestly, it just sucks a lot of the time. I have good days and bad days. I keep my good day face on most of the time. Mostly because I don’t want to let anyone down. If I have Jesus, shouldn’t I be happy? Shouldn’t I have a smile on my face?

If I am sad I feel guilty because I think that I’m letting God down.

But the feeling of being overwhelmed will take a hold of me and I just spiral downward. Most people would never notice.

I went away this weekend for a little rest and renewal. I brought my Bible, a couple of books, and my journal. I spent 24 hours in my jammies sitting by a gorgeous lake, purging my overwhelmed life into my journal. Seriously… it was a pity party. There was quite a long list of reasons why life was so hard, and I was so hurt, and why I was overwhelmed.

But in the quiet of the hammock by the lake, I heard God whisper, “Let Me overwhelm you.”

I lay there in the hammock with no sounds except birds chirping and an occasional jumping fish. I thought about all the things that overwhelm me and I replaced them with the things that should overwhelm me. Or… Who should overwhelm me.

I am overwhelmed by His love.

I am overwhelmed by His steadfastness.

I am overwhelmed by His grace.

I am overwhelmed by His faithfulness.

I am overwhelmed by His truth.

I am overwhelmed by His sovereignty.

I am overwhelmed by His abundance.

I am overwhelmed by His heart.

I am overwhelmed by Him.

If I can redirect my feeling of being overwhelmed so that I am overwhelmed by The One. The One who has engraved MY name in the palm of His hand, and knows every hair on my head, and knew me before I was in my mother’s womb… then there will be no room for being overwhelmed by the distractions of life that invade my thoughts and keep me under Satan’s yolk.

I long to be overwhelmed… by Him alone.

Praying He overwhelms each of us my sweet sisters.

Unselfish Love

2010-09-01T10:35:00.000-04:00

Love is pretty important to God.

When the disciples asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment, He answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment."

I find it interesting that, while Jesus wasn't asked about the second greatest commandment, He included it in His response because loving each other should be inseparable from loving God. I also find it interesting that He refers to the first and second commandments as ONE commandment. Jesus was intentional with His response. Shouldn't we be intentional with ours?

The word "love" is in the NIV translation 697 times! That is more than any other verb. More than believe, forgive, obey, praise or rejoice. LOVE is important to God. After all... God is love.

As believers we are called to love God above all and to love each other. We are even instructed on what, who and how to love.

We are to love truth, peace and mercy.
We are to love the family of believers and our neighbors.
We are to love sinners and enemies.
We are to love sincerely, humbly and deeply.
Our love for each other is to be sacrificial, putting others' needs above our own.

Bummer! I have to love enemies and I have to love sacrificially! Ugghh!

It's easy to love and to do things for the people we care about... The friends and family members who are always there for us. But what about the people who hurt you? What about the ones that you pour yourself into and get nothing in return? What about the ones who make promises and consistently break them? What about the ones who betray you?

In my life I have been challenged in this area more than my heart can take. But there is growth in these challenges and lessons to be learned in them. God has shown me that loving must be unselfish or it isn't love at all. If I do something for someone with the hope that I will get something in return... my gift wasn't a gift. It was a purchase price.

I must love others, pour into them, do for them, and make sacrifices for them simply because that is what I was called to do. That's what we, as believers, are called to do. Jesus did the same for us but to the extreme. He made the ultimate sacrifice out of love.

They will know we are Christians by our love. Isn't that what the song says? Unselfish love of others is Christ-like love. Others will see Him in our lives if we love with God's selfless, self-sacrificing heart... not our own "expect something in return" heart.

My challenge to each of us is this... give or do something unexpected for someone who has hurt you, or for someone who is just plain mean or grouchy. Love on them in the name of Jesus... even if it hurts... especially if it hurts.

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Galatians 5:6b NIV)

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn

Saying a Good Goodbye

2010-08-14T17:47:00.000-04:00

By Mary Lynn Kindberg

I remembered not to wear mascara, but, shoot, I forgot to put Kleenexes in my purse.

Our daughter, Christine, took off for Colombia, South America, recently to start teaching high school English at a Christian academy. I had dreaded that horrible, final airport good-bye.

She’d moved home and back into our empty-nester lives after college graduation in May. We had tea, watched chick flicks, shopped, gabbed, slurped Starbucks and hung out for two whole wonderful months.

And, now, one last hug—ooh, just one more—both of us crying as we squeezed hard. I tried not to sob as I watched her get in line for the security checkpoint. A final wave, and then we turned to go. Eric and I couldn’t handle watching until she disappeared through the scanner archway.

I cried all the way from the airport to the driveway. When we got home, I lay down on her bed and cried some more. It’s been three weeks now and despite the Internet video calls on Skype I still miss her alot.

Summer seems to be a time full of good-bye’s. Here at Spirit of Joy Pastor Ed and Mary Louise sent Jay to the Naval Academy. Merry sent her son off to a tour in Afghanistan with Special Forces. There was the quilt ceremony in May for graduating seniors. Lots of Kleenexes all around.

Good-bye’s seem inevitable, but is there a way to say a GOOD good-bye that might soften the sting of leave-taking?

For our family, it helps to plan a special ‘ceremonial meal’ (sounds like cannibals!) well in advance of the leaving date.

For Christine, we chose to set aside the Friday before she left on Sunday. Over dessert of her favorite strawberry-rhubarb pie we told her how much she means to us, how much we believed in her and her new venture, and how much we would miss her.

It was great to tell her what we really wanted to say without the craziness of last=minute packing and harried departure times. We laughed, we cried, we prayed.

I’m sure we both weren’t totally honest (especially with our fears, doubts, and concerns) but we made an attempt to express our true emotions instead of trying to ‘be strong’.

A missionary kid wrote that when she went off to boarding school her parents never cried. She thought for years that they never really missed her or were sorry to see her leave.

Not that everyone has to be a big cry-er but saying what you feel in an appropriate way seems helpful.

Another idea might be to set up a communication plan. I know this varies with the final destination but we write down new schedules, new phone numbers, new addresses, in some cases, new time zones!

Ask when would be a good time to talk. Will you call on the way or when you get there? Is texting, e-mail, chatting, or calls preferred? Internet always available? Packages, cards? How much communication feels like too much ‘mothering’?!

When Jonathan and Christine left for college, we eventually settled on a preferred time every week for our catch-up calls. Then we both could plan ahead. I also found the fun of mailing ‘care packages’ to them in easy flat-rate boxes provided at the post-office.

Also you might want to invest in a video cam for your computers or up your minutes on your cell phone plan. Have you thought about joining Facebook? You can download Skype for free and save especially on overseas calls.

And, finally, grieve your loss with God. Pastor Fran is big on writing what is called a lament. In a lament you simply list what you have lost and talk to God about it. (David did this a lot in the Psalms.) What do you miss about your special person? What is gone now that they are gone? More Kleenexes!

Let yourself remember the good times you had. Busy-ness and distractions are okay up to a point, but don’t block out everything painful. Allow plenty of time for your emotions to heal.

When I’m left behind, I’m reminded that God never ever leaves us, never ever forsakes us. He is a constant and consistent Companion. He pursues us with goodness and his unchanging love (Ps. 23).

Good-bye’s cannot be avoided. Distance inevitably changes our relationships with loved ones, but it doesn’t end them. Yes, how we relate will be different, but a new normal will evolve.

So look for that good in ‘good-bye’. The end can be the beginning of a new adventure in love, healing and knowing God.

Well…good-bye! It’s Christine’s first day of classes and only 10 p.m. Colombian time, so I think I’ll try to Skype her!

An Opportunity to Make a Difference!

2010-08-02T17:34:00.001-04:00

This month, Linda & I are calling you to service and we hope that you will accept the challenge as you have in the past. As you know, we support Turning Point Ministries and their Second Chance Boutique through our time, talents, donations and monetary gifts.

This month we have the opportunity to share God's love with the children living at the shelter by providing them with back-to-school supplies so that they will be able to walk into school on the first day prepared. There are currently 11 children living at the shelter and of those just seven are school age. With such a small number of children to take care of I know that we can make a big difference for them! Below is a list of items that they need for school; please hit "respond to all" under your reply key to sign up for the items you will provide. This way we won't have lots of markers and no backpacks because we'll all be able to see at a glance which supplies have been provided and which need to be bought. So the four little ones don't feel left out, I'd like to provide a little tote bag (already have tote bags) for each child with a coloring book, crayons, and a storybook or two. That way all of the children will receive a back-to-school surprise.

We are excited about this opportunity we have to share His love with these children, and through them, to show God's love to their mothers. Thank you so much for your ever-eager willingness to reach out in Jesus' name!

Blessings,

Sharon Eichler & Linda Whitener

P.S. CVS is having a pretty good sale this week on school supplies

4 "girl" backpacks

1 "boy" backpack Walgreens has them this week - 2/$10!!

7 - 2" thick 3-ring binders

8 sets 3-ring divider tabs (at least 6-8 tabs)

7 - 3-subject spiral notebooks

20 - blue or black pens

8 packs Magic markers Wal-Mart has Crayola Markers for just $1 each!

20 - 3 prong folders

7 pair scissors Wal-Mart has these for 74 cents each!

7 - 12" rulers Wal-Mart has these for 50 cents each!

7 packs colored pencils Wal-Mart has Crazart pencils for 75 cents each!

4 packs Crayola Crayons Wal-Mart has these for 25 cents for 24 crayons!

8 pack poster board Wal-Mart has this for $2.43

7 - 10 boxes tissues

7 hand sanitizer or hand sanitizer wipes

4 - coloring books

4 or more story books for the younger children

If we get all of the above items and anyone feels led to make additional donations, I have a general monthly supply list of items that they use. This includes paper towels, toilet tissue, napkins, paper plates, 16 oz & 8 oz cups, laundry detergent, clorox, dryer sheets, sugar, coffee, creamer, dishwashing liquid, liquid soap, cleaning supplies (Lysol, Comet, Pine Sol) disinfecting spray, pillow, deoderant, bath towels and wash cloths, dish towels, twin sheets & blankets.

Have fun shopping!

H.A.N.D.S. Meeting Minutes - June Meeting

2010-07-05T16:55:00.001-04:00

Devotion –Sharon led us in a devotion “Hugs from Heaven – Messengers of Joy” based on
2 Corinthians 4:7

Secretary’s Report – The May minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report – The treasurer’s report was approved with investigations pending. Vickie will ask that a report be run since the church’s deposits do not match our records. There seems to be some confusion with the retreat deposits. It was also noted that there were two checks from the flower cart that should have been recorded. Vickie is looking into this.

Blog – Several people asked how they can sign up for LeAnn’s blog. You can do it two different ways. Go to the SOJ webpage: http://www.spiritofjoy.us and click on the “Recent + Blogs + Forms” link on the left and then click the blog that you want to subscribe to. Follow the link to sign up. Or go directly to LeAnn’s blog “Joy for the Journey” http://www.sojoyful.blogspot.com and sign up.

College Student Project – Still looking for someone to organize this. We will send cards/notes/gift cards out to the students in September and February. If you are out and about, pick up a $5 gift card to a college students favorite place (Wendy’s, McDonalds, Chick-Fil-La, WalMart, Starbucks, etc.).

Mother’s Day Flower Cart - Sharon purchased 14 dozen roses at Costco at a cost of $121.16 (each package contained 2 dozen roses). Only about 3 or 4 roses had to be thrown out due to breakage. There were about 8 or 10 roses left and they were given to the Church Secretary. This year we made a profit of $45. Notes for next year: have some tissue paper available for those buying a dozen roses at a time. We only sold the roses for $1 a stem; might want to consider raising the price to $2. The water vials were great. Linda W. will look into getting more donated for next year, possibly larger vials; some of the stems were quite thick. Bring your own knife or scissors to cut the stems, the ones in the kitchen are not very sharp.

Beach Retreat – 20 people signed up, 19 came. The retreat was great. Notes for next year, assign desserts/appetizers by room; still had way too much food. Sharon is keeping a breakdown of details for next year.

Manly-Breakfast – HANDS will be providing breakfast for the G.U.Y.S group during their meeting on June 12th. Pat S and Linda W will provide egg casseroles; Ursula will provide a coffee cake; Sharon will make a French toast Casserole; Vickie will provide juice; Linda R will provide biscuits and butter. We will use the leftover jams from the tea.

Bookmark/Brochure – Corrections were made. Sharon will have 100 copies printed to be handed out and kept in the narthex in the brochure file on the wall.

Soup Kitchen – There has been some confusion as to the date HANDS will be serving at the soup kitchen. The schedule on the bulletin board in the narthex has been changed. HANDS will be serving at the soup kitchen on November 21st.

Updated HANDS Roster – Bonnie will provide an updated HANDS roster at the next meeting.

More Tea Pots – Sharon purchased 3 more tea pots, and 4 smaller tea related items to be used as prizes for around $9. Keep an eye out for those bargains!

Angel Tree – It has been confirmed that the Missions Team will turn over the Angel tree to the HANDS group. We will start working on the details soon.

Matching Funds – Thrivent – There are new regulations for matching funds from Thrivent. It will be more difficult to obtain in the future.

New Email address – Linda R -- Please note Linda R’s new email: inddixie@live.com. Also note that she will be disconnecting her home phone. You may contact her on her cell phone.

NEXT MEETING - August 7th 8:45 for refreshments, 9:00 meeting (No meeting in July)

Devotion will be lead by Linda W.
Refreshments provided by Pat S.

Dates to Remember

June 12th ………………………………….. Breakfast for the GUYs group
November 21st ……………………………. Soup Kitchen

Minutes prepared by: Bonnie Lazo

Members present: Vickie Cecil;, Sharon Eichler; Ursula Fink; Bonnie Lazo, Linda Richardson, Pat Schell, RoseAnn VanLeewen, Linda Whitener

H.A.N.D.S. Meeting Minutes

2010-06-02T15:38:00.001-04:00

HANDS MEETING MINUTES - MAY 9, 2010

Devotion –Mary Cleveland lead us in a devotion based on John 9:23 and Revelations 21:4 “The Lord Our Healer”

Secretary’s Report – The April minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report – The treasurer’s report was approved.

College Student Project – Still looking for someone to organize this. We will send cards/notes/gift cards out to the students in September and February.

Co-President Position – Linda Whitener has agreed to hold the co-president position for June 2010 – May 2011. Start praying about who will step up in December to fill Sharon’s position.

Mother/Daughter Tea - Was well attended. Notes for next year: move speaker away from the window area. Serve more savory and less sweet. The filled Phillo shells were a good idea. We served 120 this year, more needed for next year. It was agreed to give a cash “thank you gift” to Robbie for working the sound system. The gift will come out of the extra money that was collected for the harpist.

Mother’s Day Flower Cart - Sharon Eichler will purchase $100 worth of single stem roses in various colors. Linda Whitener got the water tubes donated. Pat Schell and Roseanne will meet at the church on Saturday to put the roses in the water tubes.

Beach Retreat – May 14^th–16^th. There is one room left. The committee is working hard getting the details together for this retreat.

Manly-Breakfast – HANDS will be providing breakfast for the G.U.Y.S group during their meeting on June 12^th. Pat Schell and Mary Cleveland will inform the GUYS. We will finalize the menu and details at the June meeting.

Bookmark/Brochure – Sharon is working on this and will finalize to have it handed out at worship service one Sunday.

Future Activities - It was suggested that we could schedule some “fun” activities for next year such as outings for brunch or to a tea/coffee shop.

NEXT MEETING - June 5th 8:45 for refreshments, 9:00 meeting

Devotion will be lead by Sharon Eichler

Refreshments provided by Sharon Eichler/fruit & Bonnie Lazo/sweet

Minutes prepared by: Bonnie Lazo

Members present: Vickie Cecil; Mary Cleveland, Sharon Eichler; Bonnie Lazo, Linda Richardson, Pat Schell, RoseAnn VanLeewen Linda Whitener

Dates to Remember

June 12^th ………………………………….. Breakfast for the GUYs group

June 20^th ………………………………….. Soup Kitchen (?)

November 21^st ……………………………. Soup Kitchen

Call upon Me!

2010-05-22T12:48:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite verses can be found in Jeremiah...

Call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

I have planted this verse deeply in my heart. It is rooted there and gives me a solid foundation during times of turmoil, sadness, frustration, loneliness, grief, fear...

Call upon Me. This affirms to me that He is always there. He hasn't gone anywhere nor is He going anywhere. If there is distance between my heart and His, it is because I put the distance there. He never leaves us.

Come and pray to Me. He is inviting me to come to Him and talk to Him. He wants to hear from me. He is listening. He loves the sound of my voice and is just waiting to hear from me. I don't have to be on my knees. I don't have to be in church. It doesn't have to be before dinner. It shouldn't be just because I want something. He just wants to hear from me... whenever and wherever I am.

I will listen to you. Seriously! The God of all creation is listening to little 'ol insignificant me. That means I'm not insignificant to Him! He desires to hear from me. It's not like He doesn't know what's on my heart. He simply wants me to come to Him and talk to Him... to spend time with Him.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with ALL YOUR HEART. Again, He hasn't gone anywhere. He is there. He is constant. He is solid. Life can get in the way and distract me from recognizing Him in the day to day of my life. I need to seek Him with ALL MY HEART... not a piece of it. He is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Sadly, I am not as constant.

Friends, I pray that you, too, will bury this life-changing promise from God deep in your heart. The Creator of the Universe loves you beyond measure. He longs to hear your sweet voice. He longs for you to seek Him with your whole heart.

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn

H.A.N.D.S. Meeting Minutes

2010-04-09T18:12:00.002-04:00

Devotion –Pat Schell lead a devotion from the “Christ in Our Home” devotional based on Matthew 27:57-66 entitled “Living in a Saturday World”

Secretary’s Report – The March minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report – The treasurer’s report was approved.

College Student Project – Pat Schell spoke to the person we thought might head up this ministry, but they only wanted to help out, not head the committee. It was suggested that cards along with a gift card to McDonalds, Wendy’s, etc. should be sent instead of goodie boxes filled with stuff the students may not find useful. Pat Schell will check with Karen Weiner to see if she has an updated college student mailing list. We are running out of time for this year. Bonnie mentioned that her son’s finals start May 7^th at Lenoir Rhyne. Perhaps we should send out gift cards twice a year around September and after Easter break letting them know we are thinking and praying for them. This could be done at one of our meetings if we do not have someone to head up the committee.

Military Ministry – Continue to save your Quaker Oat Cylinder cans (or other sturdy containers similar to that size) for Pat Schell to use to send homemade cookies to our military personnel.

Easter Baskets – 55 baskets were collected. We felt this was a fairly good turnout considering the economy and the fact that AWANA also did baskets for Union County Department of Social Services.

Volunteers for Co-President Position – Still no volunteers for the co-president position. Please prayerfully consider stepping up to be co-president of H.A.N.D.S. Linda’s term ends the end of May. Sharon will continue on until her term ends at the end of December. Someone needs to co-chair with Sharon starting in June.

Mother/Daughter Tea - Linda Richardson presented the notes from their committee meeting. We will have a different harpist this year. Set up will be after the 11:00 service on April 25^th. The tea will be from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. If you are coming, please bring an extra tea cup for someone else to use if they forget theirs. Friday, April 23^rd from 2:00 – 4:00pm the group has reserved the SOJ kitchen to clean the tea pots. Come by if you can help. A count of the current supplies for the Tea was taken before the HANDS meeting. The following is currently in our storage area: 24 large tea pots, 10 creamers, 10 smaller tea pots, 1 sugar bowl, 60 napkins, 36 large cold drink cups, 90 punch size cups, 40 plates 3 each 3-tier stands, 3 small divided plates. Please contact Linda Richardson if you have a 3 tier stand you can provide for one of the tables at the tea.

Mother’s Day Flower Cart - May 9^th. We will have only cut flowers this year. Linda Richardson has a few single stem water holders. Mary Cleveland and Linda Whitener have a floral contact and will see if they can get some more stem holders.

Beach Retreat – May 14^th–16^th. There is one room left. The committee is working hard getting the details together for this retreat.

New Mission Statement – The new mission statement was approved: His Anointed Daughters Serving – A service oriented group of women serving God in our church, our communities and the world. Dedicated to providing support and encouragement to our sisters in Christ through guidance, assistance and most importantly, prayer.

Manly-Breakfast – HANDS will be providing breakfast for the G.U.Y.S group during their meeting on June 12^th. Pat Schell and Mary Cleveland will inform the GUYS.

NEXT MEETING - May 1^st 8:45 for refreshments, 9:00 meeting

Devotion will be lead by Mary Cleveland

Refreshments provided by Pat Schell

Minutes prepared by: Bonnie Lazo

Members present; Mary Cleveland, Venita Cronk, Ursula Fick, Bonnie Lazo, Linda Richardson, Linda Whitener, Pat Schell

Dates to Remember

April 23^rd @ 2:00 – 4:00 pm …………….. Washing Tea Pots – SOJ kitchen

April 25^th @ 12:00 noon ………………… Set-up for Tea – Fellowship Hall

April 25^th @ 2:00 – 4:00 pm …………….. Mothers & Daughters Tea

May 1^st …………………………………... HANDS meeting 8:45 Refreshments 9:00 Meeting

May 9^th …………………………………… Flower Cart

May 14^th-16^th …………………………….. Beach Retreat

June 12^th ………………………………….. Breakfast for the GUYs group

November 21^st ……………………………. Soup Kitchen

H.A.N.D.S. Meeting Minutes

2010-03-08T10:35:00.002-05:00

Devotion – Linda Richardson opened with a devotion she got from the North Carolina Synodical Woman’s Meeting that she and Mary went to. The devotion was a poem “Summer Day” by Mary Oliver. The theme was “Refilling the Well”. We, as women, spend so much time caring for others that we need to take time to refill ourselves with Christ’s presents.

Side note from the devotion – Mary and Linda specifically asked at the NCSWO meeting if we, as a LCMC Church, were “allowed” to attend ELCA Women’s events. The answer was YES, we may attend the events, however we would not have voting rights.

Secretary’s Report – Thanks Pat Schell for taking the February minutes. The minutes were approved with clarification that the blankets were taken to the Homeless shelter.

Treasurer’s Report – There was a $100 deposit made into our account. Vickie will be doing some investigation work to see what that deposit was for. We believe it might be the matching funds for the bake sale.

Communications – It was suggested that perhaps a bullet point list of the minutes, events and date of our next meeting could be posted on the website instead of the complete minutes. Or perhaps there could be a link on the website that would link you to the minutes of our meetings. Bonnie will follow up with LeAnn.

Circles – There are several bible studies going on. The quilting circle will resume sometime in the future.

Craft Opportunity – Sharon received a letter from the Agape Kure Beach Ministries. They are going to holding a Quilt and Folk Art Auction on October 23^rd and are looking for items from various organizations. Perhaps we could send something so that our H.A.N.D.S. group would be recognized.

College Student Project – There seems to have been some miscommunication and the person we thought was going to head up the College Student Ministry said they were only willing to help out with the project. Therefore, we are looking for someone to head up this project and keep it going.

Military Ministry – Packages were sent out to the two active members of the military from our congregation. There is a lot of extra stuff for packages so Pat will continue to send packages out to them. We have two more members who will soon have family members in active duty. We will send packages to them as soon as we get their addresses.

Quaker Oat Cylinder Cans – Please save empty Quaker Oat Oatmeal cylinder cardboard cans for Pat Schell. They are great for mailing home-baked cookies to our military personnel.

Bulletin Board – Thanks Roseanne for putting together the colorful H.A.N.D.S bulletin board. Check it out; it is in the narthex where our old bulletin board was.

Volunteers for Co-President Position – Please prayerfully consider stepping up to be co-president of H.A.N.D.S. Linda’s term expires the end of May. Sharon will continue on until her term ends at the end of December. Someone needs to co-chair with Sharon starting in June.

Easter Baskets – The empty baskets and information will be displayed in the narthex starting March 14^th. Filled baskets are due back on March 28^th and will be delivered to Union County Department of Social Services.

Mother/Daughter Tea - April 25^th. Linda Richardson provided the information from last year’s tea. The committee will meet and finalize the details. There is a possibility of getting the owner of “Sweet Tea” in Monroe to come and speak about teas. Sharon said she already has the gift/prize for the “Mother of the Year” and “The Hat Contest” winner. More details to follow.

Mother’s Day Flower Cart - May 9^th. Sharon will be getting the flowers. We will have only cut flowers this year. If you can volunteer to help man the cart on May 9^th, speak with Linda Richardson.

Beach Retreat – May 14^th – 16^th – Twelve people have signed up already. Rooms are going fast. Be sure to fill out your reservation and deposit and invite a friend to come along. See Sharon for more details. Reservation forms are on the bulletin board in the narthex.

Soup Kitchen – November 21^st. Good news is that the soup kitchen schedule is filled for the year. Our date is November 21^st.

NEW BUSINESS

Informational Flyer – Sharon will be updating the old flyer and will have it available at the Mother/Daughter Tea. We would also like to make a bookmark with our H.A.N.D.S logo on it along with our mission statement and a list of all that we do. This bookmark will be given to all women of the church.

H.A.N.D.S Mission Statement – We will be working to finalize the mission statement.

Closing – Meeting was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

NEXT MEETING – April 3^rd @ 8:45 for refreshments 9:00 meeting - All are welcome!

Devotion will be lead by Pat Schell

Refreshments provided by: Sharon, Linda W. and Bonnie.

Minutes prepared by: Bonnie Lazo

Members Present: Sharon Eichler, Linda Richardson, Bonnie Lazo, Venita Cronk, Pat Schell, Linda Whitener, Pat Ware, Vickie Cecil; Mary Cleveland, Ursula Fick, Roseanne VanLeewen

Dates to Remember

March 14^th – 21^th – Easter Basket Sign Ups

March 28^th – Filled Easter Baskets Returned

April 3^rd – H.A.N.D.S. meeting

April 25^th – Mother/Daughter Tea

May 6^th – Women’s Meeting

May 9^th – Flower Cart

May 14^th – 16^th – Beach Retreat

November 21^st – Soup Kitchen

You are Loved

2010-02-12T13:45:00.002-05:00

This is something some of you may have read over the years but, I thought that with Valentine's Day this Sunday, it was worth repeating.

No matter where you are in life... No matter what hardships or grief you may be experiencing... No matter how many empty places you may have in your heart. One thing remains true... God loves each and every one of us more than we could ever know. Not sure... need a reminder... just read His love letter. (Put your own name in each verse. After all, it truly was written just for you.)

Happy Valentine's Day my sweet sisters. God loves you, and so do I.

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn

Love Letter From God

My Precious Child…

You may not know me, but I know everything about you…Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up…Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways…Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered…Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image…Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being…Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring…Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived…Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation…Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book…Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live…Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made…Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb…Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born…Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me…John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love…1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you…1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father…1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could…Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father…Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand…James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs…Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope…Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love…Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore…Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing…Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you…Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession…Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul…Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things…Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me…Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart…Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires…Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine…Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager…2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles…2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you…Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart…Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes…Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth…Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus…John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed…John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being…Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you…Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins…2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled…2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you…1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love…Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me…1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again…Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen…Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father…Ephesians 3:14-15

I am waiting for you…Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Heavenly Father

Women's Ministry News!

2010-01-14T09:26:00.001-05:00

SECRET SISTER VALENTINE'S PARTY

On Friday, February 12th at 7PM we will have our annual Valentine's party and unveiling of our identities to our Secret Sister. Please bring your final Secret Sister gift, your completed Secret Sister form and a goodie to share. As soon as I receive your new Secret Sister form, I will send them to Ann Lashley for matching. If you have never been a Secret Sister, come to the party to find out about us and what fun we have! All ladies at Spirit of Joy are welcome to attend this get together whether you decide to become a Secret Sister or not. Any questions, please call Sharon Eichler @ (704) 821-2088.

UPCOMING WOMEN OF SPIRIT OF JOY EVENTS

February 6th - Come to our meeting at 9AM with your suggestions for what our new group name should be. If you are unable to attend, please send your suggestions to Sharon Eichler @ SEichler@carolina.rr.com or Bonnie Lazo @ bonnie@carolina.rr.com. Our bible verse for the year is Psalm 126:2-3 "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

Also for this meeting, we ask that everyone bring an item or two for the Military Care Package ministry. Suggested items include: pre packaged cookies; postage stamps; stationery; pens; dried fruit; nuts; sunflower seeds; prepackaged snacks, gum, Beef Jerky, Slim Jims, dried/instant soups, Ramen noodle cups, instant oatmeal packages, peanut butter, canned tuna/chicken, granola bars, Tabasco Sauce, Easy Mac & Cheese; hard candy, powered drink mixes, toiletry items, batteries, hand/foot warmers, CDs, blank cards they could then mail to loved ones, washcloths/towels; sunscreen; chapstick or anything you can think of that will give them comfort while serving. A handwritten note/card thanking them for their service would brighten their day.

March 6th - Come to our meeting at 9AM with your old Easter baskets you no longer want. We will be using these for our annual Easter Basket project to benefit Union County Department of Social Services. Easter basket sign-ups will be held on the 14th & 21st of March and all baskets must be returned no later than March 28th. If you don't have any old baskets, please consider picking up a basket or two the next time you head to your local craft store.

April 25th - Annual Mother/Daughter Tea Party - 2-4PM. We still need a chairwoman or group of chairwomen for this event. Please contact Sharon Eichler if you would like to volunteer.

Mother's Day Flower Cart - Sunday, May 9th - Buy a flower for your mom or grandmom at our 2nd annual flower cart sale. Flowers will be available for purchase before and after each service and Sunday School. We need a chairwoman for this event.

Annual Ladies Beach Retreat - May 14th - 16th at the Coastal Retreat Center on the Isle of Palms, SC. This year's retreat is focused on learning how to de-stress and re-organize your life through a biblical perspective, creating a more relaxed and joyful life. Activities include: bible study; devotions; small group activities and time for reflection, fellowship and renewing of your spirit. A $50/person deposit is required to process your registration; scholarships are available. Average cost for the weekend is $85/person depending on the number of people in your room. This includes accommodations, two dinners, two breakfasts, refreshments throughout the day and all retreat materials/supplies. Registration forms are located in the Narthex on the Women's bulletin board.

Women of Spirit of Joy Monthly Meeting Report

2010-01-13T13:09:00.002-05:00

Devotion – Janice opened with a devotion from the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young based on Romans 8:31, Luke 1:37 and Psalm 46:1-3.

Secretary’s Report – Thanks Pat Schell for taking the November minutes. The minutes were approved with the following corrections: Bake Sale – Date change to December 13^th, as commitment Sunday was the 6^th. Also note the next meeting date was January 9^th, not 2^nd.

Treasurer’s Report – Vickie wasn’t present at the meeting, but forwarded the Treasurer’s Report for review. It was noted that a DVD player was purchased for Turning Point Kids., We are still expecting matching funds for the Bake Sale, but Linda Richardson informed us that the matching funds may be less since there was not as much left in the matching funds account as expected. The bake sale brought in $472.25.

Communications – LeAnn is handling the website and Newsletter. She will post our meeting minutes on the blog.

Circles – The quilting circle is on hold. Pat Ware will resume shortly. The basket in the narthex is full. It will be gone through after this meeting and the quilting material will be put aside for quilts. Sharon will take the blankets to be distributed. The basket will be returned to Donna Sigmon.

Lost and Found - It was noticed that a WELCA white zippered sweat shirt was found in the lost and found in the church office. Check to make sure yours is not missing.

New Altar Implements – Have been purchased, blessed and are in use.

NEW BUSINESS

Changes to Co-president Position – It was agreed that the structure of the “women’s group” will be as follows. Sharon Eichler will stay on as co-president through December 2010. Linda Richard will end her term as co-president effective May 2010. A new co-president will be elected in May to serve a term of June 2010 through May 2011. A new co-president will be elected in December 2010 to serve from January 2011 – December 2011. Therefore there will be two elections, one in May and One in December. We need someone to step up and be elected co-president in May to work with Sharon.

Name for This Group – Since it seems the church will officially be pulling away from the ELCA, we will no longer be affiliated with WELCA. We would like to come up with a new name for the women’s group, something that would reflect serving with a joyful heart. We will be voting on a new name for the group at our February meeting. Please email or contact Bonnie Lazo with your suggestions or bring them to the meeting in February, so we can vote on them. Some suggestions that we came up with so far are:

C.L.A.S.S – Christ Leading all Serving Sisters

S.O.S – Sisters of Spirit

Women of Martha (Mary)

Angles with Outstretched Arms

Angel Tree Update – After investigation, it was found out that the Mission Team is usually responsible for the Angel Tree. It wasn’t done this year by Missions because the person who always arranged it was unable to do so and no one else jumped in. The women’s group would like to help with the Angel Tree next year and is willing to work with Missions or take over the Angel tree if Missions no longer wishes to support it. Sharon will speak with the persons involved.

“WELCA” Sunday – January 17^th. Linda Richardson is coordinating all the worship leaders for the services. There are many slots open. Contact Linda if you can help out at either service.

Spirited Birthday Gala – January 24^th. Gloria Haney from Turning Point will be our guest speaker. We still need people to sign up to “host” a birthday table. The hosts’ responsibility will be to decorate the table, provide plates, napkins and soft drink cups, a $5 wrapped gift and a birthday cake. There is a $24 expense allotment for reimbursements if requested. Solid colored table clothes, silverware, coffee, tea and punch will be provided. Contact Sharon Eichler if you can help.

Easter Baskets – Easter baskets for Union County Social Services will be done again this year. Basket signups will be March 14^th and 21^st with the filled baskets being returned on March 28^th. (Easter Sunday is April 4^th). It was suggested that we have some empty Easter baskets available for people to take and fill. If anyone has extra Easter baskets they would like to donate, please bring them to the March 7^th meeting.

Mother/Daughter Tea – It was agreed to change the date to April 25^th. We are still in need of someone to chair this event.

Flower Cart – The flower cart is scheduled for Mother’s Day, Sunday May 9^th. It was suggested that we only sell cut flowers this year. The cut flowers and especially the roses sold the best last year. We are still in need of someone to chair this event.

Beach Retreat – The Annual Beach Retreat is scheduled for May 14 – 16^th. Sign up forms are in the Narthex.

Bible Verse for 2010 - Several Bible verses were suggested and voted on. The bible verse that the women’s group has adopted for the 2010 year is:

Psalm 126:2-3 “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. The LORD had done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

Thanks – Pat Schell expressed her thanks to all those that baked for the live nativity

Armed Forces – We have two members of SOJ serving in active duty. Please bring something to the next meeting to go into the care packages that will be sent. Suggested items might include:

Postage stamps, packaged cookies, prepackaged snacks, gum, Beef Jerky, Slim Jims, nuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, dried/instant soups, Ramen noodle cups, instant oatmeal packages, peanut butter, canned tuna/chicken, granola bars, Tabasco Sauce, Easy Mac & Cheese; hard candy, powered drink mixes, toiletry items, batteries, hand/foot warmers, CDs, blank cards they could then mail to loved ones, etc.

Closing – Meeting was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

Minutes prepared by: Bonnie Lazo

Members Present: Sharon Eichler, Linda Richardson, Bonnie Lazo, Venita Cronk, Janice Kother, Pat Schell

Dates to Remember

January 17^th – WELCA Sunday

January 24^th – Spirited Birthday Gala

February 6^th – Women’s Meeting

March 14^th – 21^th – Easter Basket Sign Ups

March 28^th – Filled Easter Baskets Returned

April 24^th – Mother/Daughter Tea

May 6^th – Women’s Meeting

May 9^th – Flower Cart

May 14 – 16^th – Beach Retreat

New Year - New Hope - and a Blessing Box

2010-01-02T14:23:00.005-05:00

I love that each new year provides us with a clean slate. Not that every new day doesn't bring the same clean slate. There is just something about a fresh new year.

Many people begin each year by making New Year's resolutions. I stopped making resolutions years ago because I always ended up feeling like a failure when I gave up by February! Instead, each year I choose and claim a new verse for the year. I print out the verse, with my name inserted, and put it over my desk, in my bathroom, tuck it in my Bible, etc. I immerse myself in this verse.

I trust God to give me a verse each year so on New Year's Eve I open my Bible and ask God to direct me. Here is the promise He has for me this year:

"I am with you always, LeAnn, even to the end of the age."
(Matthew 28:20)

El Roi, the God who sees me, knows that I struggle with loneliness. He knows that I struggle with self-worth. He knows that I struggle with feeling overlooked and insignificant.

He knows.

When I opened by Bible on the loneliest night of the year (for me), God reminded me that I am never alone. He is with me ALWAYS. And, because He equips me to do His work, I have self-worth through Him. If those He places within my sphere of influence see Him through my words and my actions, then I certainly am significant.

He is with me ALWAYS.

Before my feet hit the ground each morning I will remind myself that God's Word is alive and personal. I will repeat His promise to me that He is with me always. I will go through each new day knowing that I do not walk alone and I do nothing without His help and His guidance.

He is my hope for each new day. And... He is yours!

Blessing Box

Here's an idea that I just love! Find or decorate a box and place it in an area where everyone in your family has easy access and will see it every day. Beside the box put a small notepad or slips of paper and a pen or pencil. Every day, every member of your household writes something that they are grateful for on a slip of paper and places it in the blessing box. At the end of the year you will have a box filled with blessings!

You can read through them on Thanksgiving as a reminder that there is much to be thankful for.

You can read through them before opening gifts on Christmas morning or before Christmas dinner.

You can read through them on New Year's Eve as a reminder of all that God has done in your lives over the past year.

You can pull them out during a crisis as a reminder of all that is good in your life.

Thinking of, and writing down, a blessing every day helps us to recognize the good things more easily so that it becomes a habit. It becomes easier to notice the good stuff instead of the bad.

Some days will be harder than others but, even on your worst day, find something to be grateful for and put it in your box. You may be grieving the loss of a loved one, a job, or your home. On those days, perhaps you are grateful that the sun came out, that Jesus died for you, that you have air to breathe, that God's word is alive, that tomorrow is a new day...

My friends, I pray that your year will be filled with blessings and that His Word will come alive for you in a new and exciting way.

God's Peace,
LeAnn

Worth Repeating

2009-11-11T13:32:00.000-05:00

As we spend time together talking about random acts of kindness, discipleship through service, and service in secret, I will be praying that these quotes will inspire and encourage us ...

"To Serve is to be a feather on the breath of God." ~ Hildegard of Bingen

"The New Testament regularly conjoins love for God with love for one's neighbor, and indicates that the godliness that is pure and faultless is to look after marginalized and powerless people." ~ Robert Mulholland

"Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God." ~ Bob Pierce

"In Jesus' life prayer and action follow one another in a rhythm which seems as constant as the inhaling and exhaling of breathing." ~ Thelma Hall

"Intimate union with God leads to the most creative involvement in the contemporary world." ~ Henri Nouwen

"The grace of humility is worked into our lives through the discipline of service." ~ Richard Foster

"O God, grant that what I give may be given without self-congratulation, and without thought of praise or reward." ~ John Baillie

"The Christian who is truly intimate with Jesus will never draw attention to himself but will only show the evidence of a life where Jesus is completely in control." ~ Oswald Chambers

"The discipline of secrecy will help us break the grip of human opinion over our souls and our actions." ~ Dallas Willard

"We may grow into closer love with God by widening into His interests, and thinking His thoughts and sharing His enterprises." ~ Frank Laubach

"A New Testament saint is not one who merely proclaims the gospel, but one who becomes broken bread and poured-out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for the sake of others. When we are used as broken bread and poured-out wine, we have to reach a level where all awareness of ourselves and of what God is doing through us is completely eliminated. A saint is never consciously a saint - a saint is consciously dependent on God." ~ Oswald Chambers

Praying for our hearts to beat as one, my sisters.

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn

Simple Acts of Kindness

2009-11-07T13:39:00.003-05:00

Over the next couple of weeks, the women's Sunday school class will be talking about random acts of kindness, encouraging others, service discipleship, and secrecy as a discipline. I am very excited about these topics and I am praying that this will begin a movement within our congregation and to our community.

I'm sure you have experienced, or at least heard about, a random act of kindness or two. You know... paying for the person behind you in the drive-through line or raking the leaves for the neighbor who just broke a leg. Well, this week I was on the receiving end of a random act of kindness. It's such an amazing God story that I can't keep it to myself. This will be long but I think it's worth sharing.

Earlier in the week I stopped into a service station for a routine oil change, car inspection, and to replace my windshield wipers as the rubber on one of them was flapping in the wind. I turned over my keys and then psyched myself up to sit in the waiting area for about 30 minutes. I posted an update on my Facebook page: "Sitting at the service station.... Uggghhhh!" (Seriously... there were hundreds of places I would have rather been.)

It wasn't long before the owner came out to talk to me about my car. He said he needed to show me something. (Not a good sign.) He brought me out to my car which was now up in the air. One of my tires was ripping on the inside. The ball joints were shot. All four tires needed to be replaced which you could not see from the outside. Apparently the ball joints and something else that I don't understand had cause the tires to wear unevenly so they were wearing out on the inside (under the car where you can't see.) He said the brakes would be the next to go and listed a few other things that should be replaced. "Except for the tire situation, this is all just normal wear and tear for the number of miles you have on your car" he said. And, due to the unsafe condition of my tires, my car failed the inspection.

He brought me back inside the waiting area and then printed out the cost of the services he was recommending. The total came to $908.00! I tried to remain calm. He continued to talk as I dropped my head so he wouldn't see that my eyes were tearing up. In my mind I was thinking, "there goes the computer I promised Nick for Christmas." I silently began to pray.

I finally spoke through my tears saying that I just didn't have that kind of money and that the tires on my car should not be wearing out. They should have lasted 60,000 miles. They were my second set of tires and I only had 67,000 miles on my car. It just wasn't adding up.

The poor man was silent. He said, "let's figure out what is absolutely necessary and then we'll come up with a maintenance plan for the rest of the work." I could tell that he felt badly and I was embarrassed that I wasn't able to control my tears. We ended up deciding what had to be done and arranged for me to come back the next morning as the work was going to take several hours and I needed to get to my office. I also needed to buy some time. I had no idea how I was going to come up with the new total of $684.00.

I grabbed my purse and got into my car to head to work. I noticed that I had a voice mail message on my cell phone. I listened and it was my friend Luann. She had called while I was at the desk and the owner was telling me what was wrong with my car. She said that she saw my Facebook update and she wanted me to call her back so she could ask me a quick question. I was too emotional to call right away. I got back to the office, told everyone what happened, and cried some more. My sweet friends tried to come up with solutions like getting a second opinion, making some phone calls, etc. I mentioned that Luann had called and, knowing Luann, I'll bet she knows a mechanic and that's why she's calling. Luann knows everyone and is the source queen for everything. The woman just knows people and knows how to get things done!

I got myself together and returned Luann's phone call. She asked what my car needed and I explained what had happened at the shop. Up until that moment she did not know that I wasn't in for a scheduled maintenance or an oil change or whatever. When I told her that nothing had been done so far and that the total would be $684.00 she said, "do you have paper and a pen?" I told her I did and then she said, "write this down." I truly thought she was going to give me the name and number of a mechanic in my area who would work on my car for a discount. Instead, Luann gave me a credit card number. I asked her what it was and she said, "it's my credit card. I want you to put the total on my card." I was dumbfounded! I cried way more than I cried at the service station. I told her that I just couldn't let her do that and her response was, "yes you can. When I saw your Facebook update God told me to do this. If you don't allow me to pay for your car, you are not allowing me to be obedient and you are robbing me of the blessing." I told her that I just didn't know what to say and Luann said, "you say, 'thank you Jesus.' That's all. And when anyone asks, you tell them that God provided because that's exactly what He just did."

Never in my life have I experienced such an instant answer to prayer. The moment I was crying out to Him for help, He was whispering to Luann. How can anyone possibly say that He isn't all knowing and all seeing? How can anyone say that He isn't our great Provider? How can anyone say that He doesn't care about our circumstances?

The story didn't end there. You see, when I shared the story with the owner of the car shop he was so moved that he started to give me more discounts and provided more services. In the end, I had four brand new tires, new ball joints, the oil was changed, the windshield wipers replaced, a passing inspection, and much more. Luann's total bill was now $542.52.

Judging by the way all of the mechanics in the shop treated me, I believe that the shop owner shared the story with them. I don't know if they were believers before I went in that morning but I do know that they saw God very clearly that day. I could see it in their eyes. One of them teared up when he said, "that's not the first time I've heard about something like this."

Ladies, I don't believe that providing for me and blessing Luann was all that God had up His sleeve that day. I believe He was up to something far greater.

One more nugget...

When Luann returned to her office after all of this had transpired, there was an envelope on her desk. Inside was an unexpected check for $627.00. Apparently she was shorted a commission the previous month and they had found the error and issued a check. Luann was blessed for her obedience. When she said "yes" to God, He provided more than she gave. You truly can't out give God!

Friends, can I tell you that it isn't easy to be on the receiving end of a random act of kindness. I like to be the one doing the serving. Not that I have ever done anything on this scale. My random acts of kindness usually involve a hot meal, running an errand, or leaving a little gift from Jesus for someone in secret. I find it very interesting that just a few days before I begin leading a class on random acts of kindness, I am the recipient of such an act. I don't believe that this is an accident. This is a Godcident... a really BIG one!

Because of my experience, I am so pumped up for our classes. I can't wait to see what we come up with... how we can disciple through practical service to those who don't expect it... but desperately need it. Those who desperately need Him.

Are you ready to begin?

Sweetest Blessings,
LeAnn

An Attitude of Gratitude

2009-10-20T15:52:00.004-04:00

God calls us to be joyful in all circumstances but that isn't always easy. There are some circumstances that leave us feeling defeated... hopeless... lonely... hurting.

I certainly wasn't feeling joyful when my husband died or when my brother was murdered.

My friend, Sharon, wasn't feeling joyful when her son committed suicide.

Matt wasn't feeling joyful when he lost his job or when his family lost their home because they could no longer pay their mortgage.

My son, Nick, wasn't feeling very joyful when he was suffering with cold and allergy symptoms last week.

My office has received almost 500 prayer requests so far today from women who aren't feeling very joyful about their husband turning from the Lord, abusing them, or leaving them for another woman; or their child's drug addiction or chronic illness.

Sometimes it is hard to find the joy in every circumstance. This past Sunday during The Truth Project Sunday School time we talked about looking at different types of "work" as a blessing rather than as a burden. (Ask Paula to tell you about her "complaining" bracelet.)

We may not like doing yard work or laundry but, shouldn't we be grateful that we have a home and a yard and that we have clothes on our back. It is easy to complain about heading to work on Monday morning but, shouldn't we be grateful that we have a job when so many are out of work?

So... I'm going to make more of an effort to change my attitude to an attitude of gratitude and find something to be thankful for in every circumstance. This won't always be easy but I think that once we start looking for the good in every situation, it will become more natural for us to recognize it!

I read a quote when I was in high school and it has stuck with me (let's not go into how many years it has been)...

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns,
or we can rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."

I am not filled with joy over the loss of my husband. I am, however, filled with joy that I will see him again and I am thankful for the hope I have in Jesus.

Oh... and I am certainly thankful that Nick no longer has a cold. Men of every age sure can act like babies when they get sick :)

Can you put an positive spin on a not-so-great situation? Let's share the joy and see if an attitude of gratitude can become contagious!

Blessings,
LeAnn

Something to Think About

2009-09-12T09:48:00.003-04:00

"To serve is to be a feather on the breath of God."
~ Hildegard of Bingen

Do you remember the beginning and ending scenes in Forrest Gump? The film begins with a feather falling at Forrest's feet as he sits at a bus stop in Savannah. He picks up the feather and places it in a book then begins to tell his story to the woman sitting next to him on the bench. At the end of the movie, Forrest is sitting with his son waiting for the school bus. Forrest opens the book his son is taking to school and the white feather from the beginning of the film falls out is taken away with a breeze and drifts up into the sky.

Feathers are so light that they are easily carried away with the wind or even a gentle breeze. It seems as if they are always in motion, unless trapped (or stuck in a book). Even when a feather is not floating through the air, the slightest hint of a breeze will cause the edges of the feather to flitter.

Imagine that your life and service for the Kingdom of God is a feather. Are you gliding through the breeze, touching others with the love of Christ or are you trapped where you cannot move? Is your joy in the Lord contagious or stagnant? Is your heart open to serving others or closed and self-centered?

"To serve is to be a feather on the breath of God."

Oh my sweet friends... I so want to be a feather on the breath of God! What about you?

Your Sister in Christ,
LeAnn

Sunday School Begins September 20th

2009-08-29T12:24:00.002-04:00

Hey Gals!

Sunday School will begin on September 20th! The entire congregation will be doing the Truth Project together through the end of October. What an awesome way to unify our church family as we head into the new Fall season! I am very excited about the Truth Project. It's an amazing program and I know we will all grow closer to God and closer to each other as we study His Truth together.

I will be helping to facilitate the program for the congregation on Sundays so Vickie Cecil and Paula Aulisi will be facilitating table discussions for the women during these "Forty Days of Faith." If you would like to be in one of the women's groups during this Sunday school time, just look for Vickie or Paula and plant yourself :)

I do have something on my heart for November - after the Truth Project - that I hope you will want to be a part of. More info to come later!

Please pray for the women of Spirit of Joy and pray that God directs our Sunday school time together.

In HIS Service,
LeAnn

Gearing Up for Fall!

2009-08-11T09:57:00.002-04:00

Hey Sisters!

I can hardly believe that summer is coming to an end! School is starting soon... if only the cooler days were on the horizon as well :)

Pastor Ed, Kristen, myself, and some small group leaders are prayerfully going through Bible Studies with a focus on a church-wide study to begin in the Fall. I promise that we will continue to meet as a group of sisters. However, we may begin our year by going through the same study as the rest of the church. What an awesome way to unify our church family!!!!!

I will keep you posted! In the meantime, I pray that you have found time to rest in His arms this summer and I ask you to join me in prayer for the women of Spirit of Joy and the amazing things that God has in store for us this year. May our hearts be open.

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn

Resurrecting a Broken Heart

2009-05-02T12:22:00.002-04:00

Releasing the Past... continued :)

During Sunday School last week I shared something that Stormie Omartian wrote in one of her books that struck a chord in me. Stormie wrote, "Jesus' death on the cross means that He took all that we had coming to us, which is death, and in return He gave us all that He had coming to Him, which is eternal life. Receiving Him means being freed from this death grip. However, the bondage that accompanies each sin must have a point of severance through confession."

I think this struck me because, while I know that Jesus has saved me; and I know that He already paid the price for my sins; and I know that He loves me just as I am with all my imperfections... I don't feel worthy of this forgiveness because I never confessed my sins and asked for forgiveness. For me, what Stormie said makes perfect sense. I place myself in bondage by being unable to sever my sins from who I am.

I challenged you to start writing your sins down... all that you can remember. As you write them down, ask for God's forgiveness.

Now... don't go dredging up stuff that isn't significant. We all lied to our parents or blamed a sibling for something we did...

Don't get me wrong. A sin is a sin. But what we are talking about are the sins that are keeping us in bondage. Those are the ones that we need to free ourselves from.

There is a second part to this challenge. This one might be harder. You see, not only do we need to forgive ourselves by confessing and asking for God's forgiveness (which He already has - this is for us, remember?). We need to forgive those who have sinned against us.

Stormie also said, "The first step to forgiving is to receive God's forgiveness and let its reality penetrate the deepest part of our being." You see... the first step of confessing and asking for forgiveness is what is helping me FINALLY receive God's forgiveness. He already forgave me. I'm just having a hard time receiving it.

So now that we are confessing and asking for forgiveness and actually RECEIVING God's forgiveness... we come to the next step, which is forgiving others.

God loves the person who sinned against us as much as He loves us. That may be hard for us to understand at times. God loves all people.

Consider this: God loves the child abuser; He loves the rapist; He loves the thief; He loves the murderer. He hates their abusing, raping, thieving, and murdering as much as He hates my pride, gossiping, and unforgiveness.

Stormie Omartian says, "We may sit and compare our sins to other people's and say, 'Mine aren't so bad,' but God says they all stink so we shouldn't worry about whose smell the worst. The most important thing to remember about forgivenss is that forgiveness doesn't make the other person right; it makes you free."

This is not an easy thing. After 11 years I am still holding on to anger and bitterness towards the man who raped me. But... I have forgiven him. I had to. Holding on to my hatred and refusing to forgive him was hurting me - NOT him. He didn't care. He never will. The fact that I am angry doesn't bother him at all. It only hurts me.

Many years ago I read a quote that I have never forgotten. "Hatred is like an acid. It does more damage to the vessel in which it is stored, than to the object on which it is poured."

Yes, I have forgiven him. But I still have moments when I think about what happened and I hurt. That's OK too. When this happens I just ask God to help me forgive him completely. It's a process and I am very optimistic about winning this one.

You see... it's not my job to deal with my rapist. It's God's. Once we come to that realization, it truly is easier to move towards forgiveness.

Last thing!

I love this quote from Beth Moore, "We are forgiven, but do not forget because we are wise never to lose sight of where we've been and how God has rescued us."

That's the big finale we are working toward!

Ladies... bring your list of sins with you to Sunday School next week (May 10th) and we are going to break the bondage that they have kept us in and we are going to celebrate all that God has done to break us free... and... all that He is going to do with our new freedom!

Until then remember...

Be filled with the Spirit... singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18)

For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:13-14)

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the rightousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Blessed be the Lord... according to all that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise. (1 Kings 8:56)

God love you my sisters... and so do I.

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn

Updates from WELCA

2009-04-20T14:55:00.000-04:00

Easter Baskets:

Thank you for the generous donations for the DDS "Easter Baskets." They were greatly appreciated by those receiving the baskets.

Women's Retreat:

"Broken and Beautiful" retreat will take place May 1-3, 2009 at Isle of Palm, South Carolina. Details will be sent shortly to those who are registered.

Mother's Day Flower Mart:

Put this date on your calendar: May 10, 2009.

We will have a beautiful flower mart set up after the 8:30 am service, during the Sunday School hour, and after the 11:00 am service. You will be able to purchase cut flowers for your mother, wife, friend, or any woman who has touched your heart! The flower mart is sponsored by the Women of the ELCA.

Mother and Daughter Tea:

Our annual Mother and Daughter Tea is scheduled for May 17, 2009 at 2:00pm in the Family Life Center. All mothers, daughters, and friends of Spirit of Joy are invited. Please make sure you sign up for this wonderful event. A sign up sheet is located next to the event poster in the narthex. Mother of the Year nomination forms will be located by the Mother and Daughter sign up sheet. Nomination forms must be returned by Monday, May 11th. Ladies... we also need some help with the tea, so please help by volunteering a small about of your time to make this event even bigger this year.

Meeting Change:

The Women of the ELCA monthly meeting has been changed to May 9, 2009 due to the women's retreat.

Fortune Cookie

2009-04-19T11:19:00.001-04:00

Nick and I had dinner at Kami's recently. At the end of the meal the waiter brought out our fortune cookies. Now I have never gotten very excited about a fortune cookie. It's not like the secret message inside the cookie was written just for me. They make thousands upon thousands of fortune cookies and many of them will have the same message... usually something ridiculous.

However, on this particular occasion, I got a very thoughtful message! It said, "About time I got out of that cookie!"

I got quite a chuckle out of that fortune. I even saved it.

I have a box on my desk that is filled with messages that WERE written just for me... and just for you. We don't need to rely on fortune cookies, crystal balls, or horoscopes. We have God's Word and His Word is alive and real and just for us.

On my birthday, the staff got together and selected verses just for me. They printed them out on strips just like in a fortune cookie. I take one out of the box every week and place it on my desk, just in front of my computer monitor so that it's right in front of me always. This week my verse is, "LeAnn, call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and will bring you back from captivity." (Jeremiah 29:12-14a)

Uhhh huh.... I have been brough back from captivity. Just like my little fortune cookie message (about time I got out of that cookie) I am out of my pit... out of the chains that bind.

What is holding you captive? It's time to seek Him and let Him set you free!

Sweet Cookie Blessings,
LeAnn

Women of Joy Updates!

2009-04-06T12:57:00.003-04:00

Do you ever wonder what Spirit of Joy's women of the ELCA are up to? Well... we serve each other, the congregation, and our community. At our monthly meeting this past Saturday, we adopted a Bible verse for the year: "In his grace, God has given us different gifts... serving others, serve them well... encourage others, be encouraging, giving, give generously." (Romans 12:6-8 NLT)

We immediately put this verse into practice! In addition to tithing 10% of our monthly offering to Spirit of Joy and another 10% to our Synod, we unanimously agreed that we would take 10% of any fundraising events (bake sales, flower mart, etc) and purchase Walmart gift cards that Pastor Ed can give to needy families at his discretion. Many of our members are out of work. These gift cards will help them purchase groceries and help to provide for the basic needs of their family. And, it will provide much-needed encouragement and show them that their church family cares.

Additionally, we agreed to use money from previous fundraising events to hire someone to come in and seal the kitchen floors. Due to limited funds, this was never completed during the building of the new Family Life Center. We agreed that the longer we wait to seal the floors, the more damaged and stained the floors will become. We all feel that contracting someone to provide this needed service is a way that we can support our church in a tangible way.

We invite all you to celebrate with us, all that God is doing in and through the women of Spirit of Joy. That means you!

Sweet Blessings,
LeAnn