It's the end of the first month of 2010

Can you believe it !! One month into 2010. Do you feel like it is going to be a special year? Something you are anticipating...something's coming. Well, a couple of the women I meet with each week feel it too. I hope that it is a great year of personal growth in my life. I'm looking forward to it. Are you?

Let me know if you are anticipating a great year and what it is you are looking forward to.

Where Does Time Go?....ah to facebook

So many days have passed since I blogged. Why? two small letters fb ... yes, my friends I tell you there is so much that can take place on facebook that it leaves little time left to blog. I look forward to getting back to blog world...but not right now. Chat with you on fb friends.

Christmas Music Spectacular

Len and I went to see this musical at the Akron Civic Theatre. It was advertised as family friendly and it sure was. So refreshing. The variety and talent of the show was really impressive. We received tickets from Larry Wilgus, music director, of the production. During the show, Larry had some people talk about what they do each year as Christmas traditions, this was a nice engagement of the audience. He also had the audience sing a couple of times together and they did, it was very very nice. I told my son-in-law when we returned home that it would be a great tradition to start attending this as a family next year. Especially if the production takes place at NewPointe Community Church. I don't know if that will happen but I sure think it would be a great event for our community and our family.

The Akron Civic Theatre is really something to behold. WOW! They restored this place around 12 years ago and it's impressive. Len and I had been there in the early 90's to attend a Newsboys concert and the theatre was in need of repair. They sure did an outstanding job. The detailed architecture is worth making the trip up there.

After the show we while waiting for people to file out of the balcony we were surprised to see a couple of other NewPointer's, Dave & Miriam. We all were impressed with the ceiling, the constellation of stars imbedded in the ceiling and the moving clouds; lighting just the overall beauty of the place. I told Dave I really would like to do the sky like that in North Canopy in The ReignForest at NewPointe. He said he could do that. He had done something like this for another place. WOW, That would be sooo coool!!! I know our preschoolers, volunteers and guests would be in awe. And you know, there's nothing like the wonder of God's beautiful heavens, the work He did on the fourth day, to put you in awe of His majesty and handiwork. Cool beans!

Well, you still have a chance to see this show since it will be playing still on Sunday, December 14th. You won't regret making the trip up to Akron to take this in.

Oh, another cool thing Akron has going on is the outside ice skating rink. It sure was great to see all the families there having a good time in downtown Akron. It kind of makes me want to get out the old ice skates. It's been awhile but it's probably like riding a bike ... right? ha ha ha, Just to be safe I'd better strap a pillow on the backside if you know what I mean.

Enjoy the holidays.

Quick Hello

Wow-it's been a long time..sorry. Lots has happened since the birth of my lovely little "peanut" Charlotte. (She's not a peanut anymore, but becoming a giant cashew.)

I was intensely involved in helping to prepare a team to go to Egypt to organize VBS for about 2,000 children and Sunday school teacher training for about 100 leaders. That took an immense portion of my time. Actually it seemed to own my life. It was an important investment. This is something I loved to do. I had hoped to catch up a little bit and blog while in Egypt but I did not have any time or connectability. When first landing in Cairo it looked like I had a window to connect but it was soon closed and then we traveled to Suhag/Akmeem in Upper Egypt, (seven hours south of Cairo by train) there definitely was not a moment when we had availability or access to the internet.

Hey, I've hit the ground running before but this has been a marathon. Don't you usually rest after one of those?

So...here I am finally back. I'll give you glimpses of the past 2-12/ months over the next week.

Thanks to all of you who have been checking and saying something to me about getting back...you are a great encouragement to me.

Coming soon - more pictures of the team and trip to Egypt.
Here is a picture of a couple of wonderful friends from Egypt.
Pastor Raulf, me, Dr. Hany.
I miss you guys !!

Children's Letters to God

Last night our Small Group Leader's called and asked us if we wanted to go to North Canton on Saturday night to a dinner theatre of "Children's Letters to God". What a great time we had together. This place at first appearance was "quite" small. It's the kind of place you go "uh-oh" what did we get ourselves into.

We went in and were maybe like the 3rd table of people there but they came right away and took our drink orders providing water, coffee, soft drinks, tea, any of it or all of it right away. Then they brought to us these amazing salads that at most places would be enough to fill you up. Then came the main course, Hawaiian Chicken, Beef dish or stuffed porkchops with rice double vegetables. It was an amazing meal. The service was fantastic and we felt pampered all night.

The kids that performed in this small theatre had amazing talent and their parts were very long...very very impressive. These kids could be on American Idol some day. They were anywhere from K-6th grade.

During intermission the table servers brought out dessert, all you wanted...so if you wanted pumpkin pie, pecan, cherry, apple, peanut butter pie, cheesecakes etc. you could have however many you wanted !! Really it was incredible.

Due to the lifestyle contest I'm in (counting down 2 weeks left) I was considered myself very good and only picked at my peanut butter pie which I really really wanted to eat the whole thing. It wasn't a big slice but more than I could afford to spend in fat grams.

All in all I definitely plan on going back to The Harmony Players sometime soon.

Upwards Basketball

Last Saturday I missed getting to Josh and Paige's Upwards Basketball game. It's a great time to watch these young kids learn the skills of team sports and to see all the parents and grandparents cheering ALL the kids. What a great program. It's great to see many of my longtime friends from a church we attended once called our home church. We still consider them family. Looking forward to seeing many of them this Saturday.

The Aqua Team is HOME

Chuck and I went to pick the team up this past Monday. I was sooo happy to see them. They really looked tired. It had been a very busy time for them. They went to areas I had never journeyed and I wanted to hear all about it.

Thank God, John knew my excitement to hear their stories and along with Lissa, Mandy, some input from Jared and Grant they caught me up on their day-by-day journey. WoW - WHAT opportunities they got to enjoy from the hand of God.

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Aqua Team Serving Orphans

Finally I'm taking time to followup and tell you some news on the Egypt team. Sorry, I left my pictures at home but I will post them tonight.
They got off last Thursday with amazing answers to prayer. Here's some GOD sized wins:

• All the money they needed for the trip (and more) came in before they left


• The orphan program stuff all fit in the suitcases


• The trip to the airport, good weather allowed the team to be there on time without any lines


• Several luggage bags were over the 50 lb. weight limit - no charge

Here are a few things I know:

I received word from DW that they had a delay in their flight arriving in Cairo, a longer ride than expected on the train to Luxor. They are tired from traveling but their spirits are high. They are looking forward to what God is going to do in and through them.

For sure they will learn a new definition of flexibility. From my past experience with mission trips I know they will be changed individuals when they return. It's an exciting adventure when you choose God's ride.

As I track their itinerary each day I pray for them for the activities they will be doing and the traveling they have ahead of them. Ifyou choose to remember them in prayer keep in mind that they are 7 hours ahead of us.
Team members names to lift in prayer: John, Jared, Grant, Amy, Day, Lissa, Miranda

Healing Words

Are there ever times in your life when you think you're just not able to do one more thing, you really feel your age or that what you are doing is not making a difference?

Sometimes it's difficult for others to see that ministry leaders have these struggles too. We too are capable of getting discouraged and feel like no one's listening and no one cares.

I just received an email from a friend of mine. She sent me a note that encouraged me and lifted me up.

"...I will tell you that I'm proud to know someone who works hard at what she believes in for the sake of the One she believes in. You are a blessing to others for who you are, not what you do and that's why my heart is blessed to know and love you."

Here's what God says words can mean to those who are discouraged:

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

My Hairdresser, My Beautician, My Friend

Today I went to a funeral with my friend Daylene. Day had mentioned Mary Lou's mother passed away from the church she used to attend. I made the connection that she was my beautician's aunt. Since she was going to the funeral of my friend Debbie's grandmother, Miriam Laubscher, I asked if I could go along.

They read Psalm 23. I found the little girl to the right on GodTube and thought it would be a nice tribute to Miriam. She was well loved by her family, even her son-in-law and well loved by her church family. She had a commitment to Christ and lived it out in talk and walk. This was testified by family and friends. The church was small and traditional with warm friendly people. A safe journey back to familiarity in my past upbringing.

My friend was surprised to see me there. It was nice to be with her, to meet her mom, aunt and some family members. She's a busy businesswoman and a mother of three awesome kids.

During the service there was a moment when I reflected on my mother's life and remembered her beautiful voice singing songs of praise. My mom's been gone five years but I rejoice because she's in heaven singing and enjoying the best of the best. I hope my mom gets to meet Miriam - I think they'll like each other.

Back in the USA

I can't believe it's been a week since I returned from China.
Here's my family.


This is princess Erica, my Chinese daughter.

It's been a whirlwind since I've returned.

Jetlag stinks. China doesn't - except for the wastebaskets.

I appreciate Western bathroom facilities - they are a blessing. God Bless Levi for going to China...God used him to speak to so many people both American and Chinese. You are an amazing young man.

Orphans are amazing. Translators are terrific!! I really really love them. Google Bring Me Hope Diary and watch camp footage. It's cool !!

A very special Chinese translator made an important lifetime decision.

God is good.

Here's David & Faye at the Great Wall.

BRING ME HOPE - YOU HAVE AN AMAZING STAFF !!

God Bless you as you finish this last week of camp.

Thanks for helping me learn what's going on in China and being part of something really wonderful.

More to come...stay tuned, God continues to speak. R U listening?

Dancing

I missed posting this on Wednesday night. I wish I had pictures to show you.
Well...maybe not.

The China team had it's second dance class. That's right we are learning dances from Thelma. She's amazing, she can move and groove and I think she is most likely retired but NOT really if you know what I mean. She's living life with zest, gusto, bravado, exuberance. I found out I can scare her pretty easy though with my aggressive dance moves.

We are learning the Macarena, the Electric Slide, the Bunny Hop, Hokey Pokey, just to name the ones I can remember this late at night. What a HOOT !!

I don't dance that well.
I don't have good rhythm (I think).

But I did have fun learning these dances, well some of them I already knew, come on...

Who would have guessed going on a mission trip could be this much fun in preparation.

We sure are meeting and making lots of new friends.

If they don't go to church anywhere we hope to invite them to NewPointe for a swingin' praise time. Maybe we'll get a little Electric Slide action going ?

Packing & Chinese culture with the Li's

I have to tell you that my husband, Len is an amazing man. I am so blessed to have him. He is so thoughtful and considerate of the mission drive I have. He sits back and watches me go a hundred miles a minute, be gone to meetings, come home late, work on the computer...he's a true partner in ministry.

Last night I invited him to our China team meeting. Yeah! with a mission in mind. I asked him if he would repack the suitcases for the team getting them close to the weight that they needed to be for the airport. He agreed to go and do this for the team.


Meanwhile we were upstairs having cultural lessons from the Li's. Dean, Ying and Jessica were invited to come to our team meeting to provide cultural information from their homeland. What a lovely couple. We sure enjoyed getting to know them. They were friendly, open and generously gave us information to help us while we are there in China.

Their daughter, Jessica, was adopted 7 months ago from China and is adorable. She loves melon, orange melon (cantaloupe) that is. She has a bottomless pit for a 3 year old.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to get to know the Asian culture and develop friendships with people from China.

I'm awed at the bigness of God in the world.

Thank you God for doors opening in China.
Thank you God for the China team going where YOU are leading.

Thank you God for the generosity and kindness of my husband.

Thank you God for friendship with the Li's.

You are good all the time.

Finished the pizza sale..YEAH !!

The 2008 China team has finished their pizza sale tonight. It's really good to have that behind us. Now we trust God for the rest. He knows our need and we are truly blessed by those who have been kind to support us.

Last night the team met at Lynn's house and we began our book discussion from "The Language of Love" by Graham Cooke. It's an awesome book. Lynn and I went through it for Egypt. Loving it again. It was good to hear each team member share their story of why they want to go to China. We found we have common threads in our stories: want to go deeper with God, committing our lives to serve Him wherever & however, willing to go into the unknown, finding renewed love and passion in living for Christ, finding that God moves mountains of doubt and replaces it with assurance. I'd like to say that there are no fears or difficulties but that's not how it works: there's: travel issues, fear of flying, culture shock, weather (hot), real-life stuff...

Someone asked me how can you decide to go and know that it's God's will for your life. Well, I guess I step into it knowing that there are easy things many people will do here in our own country as first steps of serving but not everyone will go take the light of Christ into the Middle East or China. I've also found that something has been ignited inside of me...not a fear of going, but rather a fear of not going. I want to be obedient to hear and see Him work. Start walking into challenges, if your not supposed to go, God will close the door.

Philippians 2:12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Persecution

We are so fortunate here in America to have freedoms that are protected. It is a great privilege to be able to worship God and not be verbally abused or threatened to be killed. I'm sure I don't always appreciate this freedom as I should.

One of my dear friends in Cairo, Egypt was telling me early this morning over the week-end (late morning for her) that it is very difficult there for Christians, especially since the recent conflict between Muslims and Coptic Christians. The recent clash has increased tensions in that country. Many persecutions are now taking place but since their government is Muslim they often can experience injustices because they do not possess equal rights with Muslims.

Could this be and indicator as to why Egypt recently was mentioned in an article in Christianity Today that about 35% of the country, the lowest percentage of concern in the world, regarding the tragedy of persecution and extermination of life that is taking place in a country that is their neighbor, Sudan.

May we all remember to be thankful for our freedoms and to pray for those who are being persecuted in the Middle East and around the world.

Pizza Night

On Friday night the Beijing, China team and 26 friends got together in the kitchen at NewPointe Community Church and made 500 pizzas. Whew, we did it in two hours too. Our team is selling pizzas to help offset the expense of this trip.

This is the 2nd year of the Bring Me Hope camp in China. The orphans there often know nothing else other than an institutional life during their childhood. For many it is the first time they will leave the institution and travel in a car or see outside the institution walls. They will play games, swim, have character studies, learn songs, become friends of the counselors who are spending time with them to show them the love and hope that is in us. Most of our opportunities to share Christ will come only through contact and relationships we develop with translators. Fruit is becoming known from last years trip.

How encouraging it is for last years team to come and give support and for some of the previous Egypt teams too. We had some people who just wanted to come and help to show their support.
Even if you don't make the 6,871 mile trip to Beijing (14 hours in the air) you have joined us as ministry partners in loving those orphans .


It's good to be with friends who are passionate about missions and who committed time to come alongside of those who are going. Thank you to all of you.

I hope you know how far and how much time God takes just to show His love for you.

Gracie puts color dots on boxes to distinguish what kind of pizza is in the box.

Life's joyous moments

Saturday night Len and I went to see our grand-daughter's first dance recital. How enjoyable, adorable, fascinating and exciting it is to watch her perform before a couple hundred people. It helped that her best friend Ally was there dancing beside her. The girls looked so adorable in their outfits...and of course my little Paige was ...pretty top of the line cute. Would you expect me to say anything else !

It was hot, it was sweaty and you know that feeling of sticking to those metal folding chairs...but it sure was great to be there to watch these kids.

It's good to enjoy family, see friends, and watch their children growing up before your eyes. Life goes so fast...I mean it's really really fast.

God is so good to us. The freedoms we enjoy...I want to be thankful for all of them. I want God to know I really appreciate the opportunities to love family and friends and to know and be known by Him too. How encouraging is this verse: Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn [a] of my salvation, my stronghold. ****God is Good.****

Kudos to Entertainment - MLL

Recently, a couple came in to NewPointe and the 14 year old said "Hey, this place is like a Jesus Mall."

Well, evidently some might think that...it is a place where people like to shop. Sure we have people who are shopping for entertainment, a welcome, a healing, a helping hand, perhaps even a life-changing experience.

My husband, Len, took the opportunity to invite the sales manager where he works to Married Life Live (MLL). Yeah- a night of entertainment. They really had a good time. We enjoyed showing them a place where we love to come on the week-ends. Where we get connected, get our serving fix and get spiritually fed.

They were so jacked about the night that Larry mentioned to Len they were planning on visiting some Sunday and that they would bring their family.

Guess what ? They showed up this past Sunday...all of them, their adult children, spouses, grandchildren - WOW, that's really cool isn't it. Len and I were both tied up with our Sunday morning roles so our friends Tom and Vernita came to the rescue and gave these guests personal assistance helping them find out where to go and how to get the kids registered. That's what people do who are connected and have that family sense of belonging...they step up and take care of one another, even to the point of caring for friends of friends.

We are blessed with a relevant and cool environment where our friends and neighbors can be invited to come and find a personal welcome. Also they will find the best eternal care plan presented and a life changing message.

OH Yes, Larry and Carla are bringing their children back to Married Life Live on August 18th. We have other plans, but cool beans, they want to come on their own.

You might want to start now to take the time to invest and invite someone to MLL. You might light up someone's world with more than entertainment.

A twist on prayer and laughter

Last week my friend who will remain nameless - NOT ...Lynn A. went into her prayer closet with her little dog Autumn. She and I had been talking the day before and I had shared with her how I have this routine in the morning for prayer "1. 2. Do It". I get up, go to the bathroom, brush my teeth and get in my prayer closet. I did this at the prompting of my prayer prophet (see earlier posting). She related easily to the distractions that kept me from prayer time. Lynn felt that she might try this routine also.

So Lynn is in the closet with Autumn and realizes, the dog is a distraction and turns the door knob to let her out and it just turns in her hand. She jumps up in the closet and says "Oh God NO!" (Did God really have anything to do with this ?)

Long story short, she finally gets free of the closet and I'm 3rd on her to-do list: 1) Let the dog out 2) Call her work and let them know and ... our conversation took place something like this (a condensed version):
L: Faye, I was in my prayer closet today.
F: Lynn, that's great !
L: Faye I was in there for 4 1/2 hours.
F: WOW Lynn, that is really great - you get the prize.
L: NO Faye, I was locked in my closet and couldn't get out.
F: Lynn, do you want me to come and let you out?
L: Faye, if I had my cell phone on me I would've called you to get me out of the closet sooner.

I'm telling you Lynn and I were laughing so hard we were crying. I was on my knees in my cubicle and I'm sure I was disturbing my neighbor Jessica but I couldn't help laughing so hard. Not only at Lynn as she told me detail by detail of her thoughts and the creative way she escaped. We also laughed at my "blonde" response ( duh !). We weren't sure what this lesson was but we were both sure there was a lesson in this.

Later the next day I thought...Mmmm..., perhaps Lynn would share this story in huddle on Sunday morning in The ReignForest. You see last Sunday I challenged the even months serving team to pray a minimum of 5 minutes each day and this months team was fresh on rotation duty. Well Lynn said yes, she would share. (GOD BLESS HER !!)

Anyone who knows Lynn knows that she can be very animated. Well she came and shared her story and what a "hoot" and a hit it was. Many volunteers laughed until they cried and some came to hear the story twice.

Thanks Lynn for coming out of the closet. Maybe your story will remind the of the laughter enjoyed on Sunday and they will remember to participate in the prayer challenge.

Hey could be that they will find 5 minutes turns into 10 minutes which turns into 20 minutes and before you know it - their prayer life is changed.

Remember God created both prayer and laughter... He's Good.

New Friends

Great weather this week-end. We had a bonus too. We had new friends from southern Ohio come for a visit.

We met Tony & Sarajane about six weeks ago while moving some shelves into NewPointe. They were visiting Amish country and stopped by to why the silo had a KidStuf sign on it. I quickly gave them a tour and talked with them for an hour. I found out that they were attendees to GrowUp. They were probably at GrowUp when Len and I were there. They also are intimately involved in KidStuf at their home church. We decided we'd keep in touch by email. During the last six weeks that we've been in touch we invited them to stay with us and visit the church.

We absolutely love the Frocks. They blessed us so much this past week-end. They have so much enthusiasm for ministry and their transparency and love for the Lord is awesome.

How about this..the girls ages 9 and 13 jump in and want to help out in The ReignForest. They helped out during the first service in North Canopy, our large group teaching time. They loved it.

Did I mention that I met the girls for the first time yesterday. They were so excited to learn the songs and signing last night. It's really cool to see these girls exhibiting excitement about serving just like their parents.

God is good at bringing families together...He's good all the time!