Outreach Weekend

Luke 14:23~~~ And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

I love our church. It is a well-balanced church with a focus on leading folks to Christ. Everything done is for the purpose of winning the lost and glorifying Jesus Christ. This weekend, we had our annual outreach emphasis. On Friday night, the MEN'S STEAK-OUT was held. The men in our church were urged to bring a guest who needs the Lord. The men responded and it was a huge banquet feast on Friday night with a free steak dinner for every man and his guest. I heard that 30 men prayed to receive Christ on Friday night. PTL!!!

On Saturday at noon, our Ladies' Luncheon was held. I love to participate in it; and this year, I served as a hostess for the first time. That meant that I was given a table to "set" for the luncheon. I brought my table cloths and placemats, linen napkins, and a six-place setting of my china and crystal to use. I have several sets of china but had not used our "wedding" china in probably 7 or 8 years. What a blessing to bring it out to be used at the luncheon. The luncheon setting is always so beautiful as each table in the banquet hall is totally different from any other since each one is set by a different lady. The most beautiful part of the setting was the ladies!!! Our church ladies were faithful to bring in ladies who are unchurched or unsaved. We had so many guests that more tables had to be set up at the last minute. PTL!!!!

After a delicious lunch (the ladies of the church provided a myriad of salads and the church provided the grilled chicken and dessert), we had a hilarious skit. And then we got down to business. One lady gave a powerful testimony of God's saving grace and how she came to Christ, another lady sang a moving song, and then our speaker gave a wonderful talk on 'THE GIFT" which was God's gift of salvation. The plan was plainly given and 15 ladies responded by accepting Christ as their Savior.

Following our Ladies Luncheon, the BACK TO SCHOOL BASH was held with teens attending from all over the city. I can't wait to hear how many accepted Christ at that event.

It was a wonderful weekend of outreach ministry. To God be the glory!!!

Meet some dear friends of ours

Joshua 24:21~~ ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

We were blessed to have a precious campus daughter from Ohio by the name of Morgann. We love to host the families of campus daughters when they come down to visit their girls. Morgann's family made one trip down when they all stayed in our home, and we made a fast friendship with them during that visit. Another time, they came and brought Morgann's Grandma Rosalie with them. She was so much fun to have in our home. Once Morgan's Mom (Diane) came and brought Morgann's best friend with her. Diane and Morgann have been back to see us, and Morgann came earlier in in the Spring to spend a few days. So you can see that they are dear to us.

Anytime that they came to visit and stayed in our home, they always brought special gifts: bounty from their crops (raspberry jam!), homemade cheesecake, steak from their herd, Rosalie brought me two beautiful crocheted doilies, and most of all, these folks always brought hearts full of love for our Savior and time to sit a spell and fellowship with us. A couple of days ago, I received a family photo from Diane (Morgann's mom). It was so good and her note interesting, so I asked if I could share it on my blog...

Here is a family picture. As so often happens in Ohio, we go from one extreme to another. We were in drought and now have had a lot of flooding near us and high winds. Ourselves, though it has just been soggy but no damage --we are praising the Lord for that and also praying for those who have a loss and clean up. Anyway, with the photo, it seems difficult to get a time when we are all home at the same time so I called a quick family photo while we were all here. Everyone changed their clothes( the boys were not too excited) and by the time (Grandma) Rosalie could come up to snap the pictures it was raining again-- (it ended up raining all night long (we had 3-4 inches but others had 8-9 inches) so we were trying to find a dry place to get a picture made while I had them all captured---- we ended up in the barn and it turned out OK!!!! I enjoy your blog--keep up the good work--Dian

We miss Morgann AND her sweet family!!

Picture ID: Melvin and Diane with their children: L-R: Jacob (16), Caleb (14), Ben (19) and Morgann (22).

Aging Isn't for Sissies

Psalm 92:14~~~ They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

Last week, I made plans with a dear friend~~ Joyce~~ to go together to visit a lady in our church who has been very sick with pneumonia. Her name is Toby, and she has been in dire straits with her illness. It was a blessing to go with Joyce and visit Toby and her husband Ray today. They probably blessed Joyce and me much more than we were a blessing to them.

After our visit, Joyce and I went to lunch together. She is 20 years my senior and was widowed in January when her dear Bob died just 8 weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer. These two couples~~ Bob & Joyce and Ray & Toby (70ish)~~ befriended Richard and me early on when we started going to our church 5-1/2 years ago. As i sat there and visited with Joyce, Ray, and Toby, it was so poignant to me that Bob wasn't in the circle of friendship.

I so much enjoyed lunch with Joyce as we talked and shared. She is a beautiful testimony of God's grace and strength as she goes through this first year of life without her soul mate. She is heartbroken at times but is quick to let you know that God is faithful and that He sees her through each day. Toby was the same way today as we visited her. Her faith and trust is in the Lord. She is healing and coming along so we thank God for that.

In addition to today's activities, I met a couple in church last night who is in that same age group. They were so nice. I keep thinking that Richard and I need to go to the "Triple L Club" at church for "seniors" 55 and older. I have resisted that notion for 13-1/2 months now. I keep remembering what my Mom told me one time, "Don't be the oldest in a group, but it's okay to be the youngest." I guess I just need to set aside my pride and perceived youthfulness (Ha!) and get involved with the senior set. They surely do seem to have a lot of fun, possess a lot of wisdom, have a wonderful appreciation of God's blessings, and so it seems that I bet I can learn a lot from them. When is that next Triple "L" meeting?

You are My Sunshine...

Deu 4:25~~~ When thou shalt beget children, and children's children.....

My grandson, Jaden, is a special source of sunshine in my life today. Having kept him the first 2-1/2 years of his life during the school year when his mommy is working, I have missed him. It was MY decision to "give him up" and let him go on to K3 kindergarten this fall. I know he needs the structure, the academic training, and the socialization with children his age and that it is good for him; so back at the first of the year, I mentioned to his parents that they talk about the possibility of putting him in the nursery. They did, and they enrolled him for K3 this fall. I completed my semester of keeping him until the very end when Richard and I were making a trip to Indiana to visit our son Chip there. For that last week of school, Jaden made his first appearance at the nursery. I think it was harder on me than it was on him.

Amy was home for 6 weeks of summer vacation and enjoyed her days with her four children. I interacted with them some but tried to be conscious of the fact that she needed the time with her kids most of the time. When she started back to school in July, I kept Jaden the first couple of weeks while the big kids got to go to the Sports Center every day to swim, ice skate, bowl, play, etc. And then the nursery director where Jaden is going to be going recommended to Brian and Amy that he start attending the nursery every day so that he could get acclimated and be ready when school starts. That was all well and good. I understood the need, stepped aside, and made plans of my own to begin filling the days while Richard is at work.

All was well and good for the first couple of weeks, and then I really began missing Jaden!!! I asked Brian and Amy if perhaps I can keep him on Wednesday of every week this school year. I thought that would sort of give him a mid-week break. They thought it is a good idea too ~~ knowing that we won't have this "freedom" when he goes to K4 next year!. Well, today I have Jaden, and do you know what I have discovered? I am the happiest when he is here with me. We have so much fun together ~~ talking, playing, singing, learning, working (he loves to help me wash clothes!), potty-training (he's been dry all day!!), eating lunch together, etc. It is so much fun to have my little red-headed grandson's enthusiasm for life and cheery disposition around. I haven't had FOX NEWS on all day!!! It was the "sound" that kept my days from being too quiet, but not today.

Jaden is my child's child. That's what makes him so grand. It is a double-love. You grandmas know what I am talking about!! I don't love him one iota more than I love Jarrett, Isabella, or Joshua ~~ for they are my child's children, too. But they have to go to school and can't stay at home with me one day a week. We have to have our special times in other ways. I wish I could have had this special time with them when they were little like Jaden, but it wasn't meant to be. It's been so special to love them and "grandma" them these years since they were each adopted from Ukraine.

Jaden played all morning, pottied every hour and stayed dry, ate a good lunch, had a fun bath, and now is down for his nap. All is well in my little corner of the universe. :) There's nothing that quite compares to being a Grandma!!! God is good!! ~~ Granny Susan

My Cute Little Friend Today....

Luke 18:16~~ But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

I have a sweet little guest staying with me today. Katie's Aunt Kristan called me a few days ago to ask if I could keep Katie today. I didn't have anything important on my calendar so said I would be glad for Katie to come over. We are having a fun day!!! Katie has just gotten glasses and she is wearing an eye patch so that her lazy eye has to work and get stronger. I pray the patching works and that her eye grows strong and healthy. Katie will be 4 in November and what a delight she has been today. May God bless this dear little one. ~~"Mema" Susan

Update on Amy's Eye ~~ Dr. Appt. 08-20-07

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. ~~Matthew 6:22

Amy went to her eye doctor on Monday afternoon. He said her eye is looking better, and her vision was good at 20/30. She reminded me that the vision test is done in a dimly lit room and allowed as to how the room got "cloudy" looking when they turned off the lights~~ due to her pupil being stuck and not allowing in more light in dimly-lit situations. She said she definitely sees better in a normal light. At her next appointment, hopefully she will be stabilized enough to be able to get a new prescription for her glasses. She has mostly worn contacts since age 13 and her current glasses Rx is probably 10 years old. Correct lens will probably work wonders!!

She doesn't go back to the ophthalmologist for another month, but the doctor wants her to stay on the same regimen of medications in her eye. She will be seen on a regular basis (probably every 4 months) so they can be sure her eye is staying healthy. (He told her previously that every time you have a bout of the iritis (Eye-rye-tis), the eye is weakened. I suspect that her eye cannot take another bout of what she has had this summer.) I surely do thank you for your prayer support during Amy's eye illness this summer. God was so very gracious and answered a lot of prayers! Giving Him the Glory, ~~Susan

Back to School on Monday, August 20

Proverbs 4:7~~ Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.








It's back to school today for daughter Amy and our 4 grandchildren. I am so thankful for a wonderful Christian school ministry which teaches a very high level of academics AND the Word of God. Having taught in the classroom for 10 years, Amy was promoted to Principal of grades 4-6 this past Spring. I am praying for her and for her teachers today~~ that it will be miraculously smooth first day of school. I ran out to make pics of Amy and the grandkids just before they left for their first day of school. L-R: Jarrett is in 8th grade, Jaden is going into K3, Joshua is in 3rd grade and Isabella is in 7th grade. Mom/Granny Susan will spend a great deal of her day in prayer for them and shall be eager to hear all about each and everyone's first day of school when they join us for dinner this evening.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Daniel 1:17 ¶ ... God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom...

As my husband Richard attended the "All Personnel" meeting on Saturday night, it became very real that the start of another school year is upon us. Our grandkids have their first day of the 2007-08 school year tomorrow. Jarrett is an 8th grader, Isabella is a 7th grader, Josh is a 3rd grader, and Jaden is in K3. As a principal, Amy has been at work for 5 weeks already but will experience her first day of school as principal of grades 4-6 tomorrow. I'm sure everyone will have some neat stories to share at our dinner table on Monday night.

Richard will be teaching a business course at the college again this semester. He enjoys teaching in addition to his other duties in the area of finance. It is a spiritual dream come true for him to be here working in this Christian College ministry. God is good!!!!

As we anticipate the college students returning, I get excited and eager to see our campus daughters from last year. Diana will be returning from Ohio, Darla from Tennessee (pictured together), and Melissa will be returning from Wisconsin (in the solo pic). In addition to our three campus daughters returning, we will probably get at least three new campus daughters this fall. We have met a freshman girl who is here working this summer and hope to be able to get Candice as a daughter. Also, Darla has written to let us know that two girls are coming as freshmen from her school and that she hopes we can get them as campus daughters as well. So, it sounds like our house will be full with girls in and out this coming semester. I love it!!! As "parents" of campus "daughters," our role is to open up our hearts and homes to these girls who are away from home and to help them adjust. The new freshman girls are our "official" daughters for the year but we are invited to keep our previous daughters until such time as they graduate. I enjoy introducing the new freshman girls to their veteran campus sisters ~~ and to watch friendships bloom.

We have graduated several girls, and it is such a blessing to know they are out serving the Lord as trained professionals in their chosen fields. I especially think of Becky and Sarah who are both teaching for the first time this fall. Also our daughters, Kim and Teresa, will be teaching for their 2nd year this fall. It is good to know that they are using their God-given gifts and excellent training to go out into the world to teach others. And so I wish them all well.... the principal, the teachers, and the students!!

Missions ~~ A Biblical Mandate

Biblical authority for missions appears first in Genesis, 12:1-3, where Abram is blessed so that through him and his descendants, all the "peoples" of the world would be blessed. The Great Commission was first given by Jesus Christ in all four Gospels: Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:46-49, and John 20:21-23. The Great Commission is also given in Acts 1:8. The most compelling verse to many is found in the New Testament, where Jesus instructs the apostles to make disciples. (Matthew 28:19). This reference is understood by Christian missionaries as the Great Commission to engage in missionary work.

A missionary is a person who chooses to participate in the mission of the Church by serving peoples of other cultures, often in a foreign country.

We are in touch with our Missionary friends~~ the Schulers~~ as they currently are in South Florida today presenting their mission work and their burden for the people of Roatan, Honduras. Please pray that churches will catch the vision of the Shuler's work and will come alongside them in both prayer support and financial support. The picture above was made on our last evening before their departure from Pensacola last Thursday. We pray God's richest blessings upon them during this time of deputation.

Lunch with Mary, Sharon, and Ann

A gracious woman retaineth honour..."
Proverbs 11:16

I have had such a nice day. It started off with the Bible Study at the retirement center and serving alongside two woman as the three of us conduct the study there. It was a blessed time as we met with our senior citizen friends there. After the study, I met three other friends for lunch at Chili's. What fun we had for nearly 3 hours eating, talking, sharing, laughing, and encouraging each other in the Lord. The biggest topic of conversation: our GRANDchildren. (We grandmas are always glad to talk about our children's children. :) I thank God for the "gracious women friends" I have in Mary, Sharon, and Ann and for the positive influence for Christ that each of them has been in my life. I pray God's richest blessings upon my friends and their families!!!