"The King & I"

The “King & I” retreat was wonderful. 57 women, young & old, met for a time of teaching, praising & revival. We laughed, cried, hugged, prayed, sang and learned what it truly means to be a daughter of the King!

Our speaker, CJ Rapp is a beautiful woman, both in countenance & grace. The words she brought to us were convicting, comforting, based in scripture, and for me, life-changing. I could have spent a week listening to what God had laid on her heart for us! I learned that she had been in regular contact with our Women’s Ministry Director and that she had asked about each woman who was attending and had prayed for us! Is it any wonder that God uses her in such a mighty way?

I am still reflecting and praying about what I received from the Lord this weekend. But one thing I wanted to share was so moving, such clear illustration of our worth in the eyes of God.

As CJ was teaching on man’s creation, in God’s likeness from the dust of the earth (Genesis 1:27 and 2:7) she knelt on the floor before us and created one of the most powerful images I have ever seen.

To paraphrase CJ:
“Picture God kneeling to the ground, scooping a handful of dust and lovingly forming a ball that was to become Adam’s head. Then he carefully sculpted eyebrows & eyes, a nose, a mouth then ears. As a parent adores gazing their child, God continues to form Adam’s body, his arms & legs. When He has finished His perfect design, He takes Adam’s face in His Hands and breathes the breath of life into his nostrils. As Adam opens his eyes, the first thing he sees is the face of pure love, his God & Creator!”

This struck me like a lightning bolt! My heart was so filled with joy, awe & thanksgiving!

Thank you Father for using CJ to give me a small glimpse of your boundless love!

And CJ, thank you for allowing God to use your words to touch me so deeply!

Lord, how greatly you filled my heart and increased my understanding of your love for me, this weekend! Thank you for giving me a new sense of self-worth, for loving me just as I am. Help me to believe that I am beautiful in your eyes. I promise to guard my heart so that when negative self-talk or hurt feelings try to shake that belief, I will remember that You knew and loved me before I was formed in my mother’s womb. Thank you for the greatest gift of all, my salvation! How glorious, that one day, I will look into that same face of pure love! In Jesus’ precious name, AMEN!

Women's Spring Retreat

I am so busy & very excited!

I have been preparing for our Women's Spring Retreat for several weeks. Now it is crunch time! The retreat starts Friday evening. This, alongside my full-time job and my Tupperware Business, and I am meeting myself coming & going!

Our theme this year is "The King & I". Our speaker, CJ Rapp will be speaking about what it truly means to be a daughter of the King of Kings. I have been praying that God will transform my heart, and that the women of our church will be drawn closer to Him and to each other.

I have been responsible to prepare the retreat booklets and name tags. I am pleased with them. The booklet is 28 pages and contains everything from the scheule information to the devotional on Psalm 139. The name tags are so cute and have a little bling too! (We ARE Princesses, after all! *Ü* )

I thought you might like to see a photo of the booklet cover and one of the name tags.

I would be so grateful if you would take a minute to pray for our retreat and for me. May God do a mighty work this weekend!

Thankfully, Chris

Sanctified Sunday

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."
(Psalms 143:8 NIV)

I wish you a blessed Sunday in your homes and churches! Chris

Photo for Fun!

My daughter Melissa and I had our photo taken at Church yesterday. I thought you all might like to put a faces with the names...

I am a very lucky mom! Melissa is a wonderful young woman who loves her Lord and serves as a Sunday school teacher for our 2nd -3rd graders.

She quit a very good job with the state to move home and finish her BA so that she can be a teacher. She graduated Cum Laude last May. Now, she is about 4 weeks from completing her credential work. Not the best of times for a brand new teacher, but she is confident God will lead her where she is meant to go!

She is such a blessing to me!

Thankfully, Chris

Easter Blessings!

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.

Matthew 28:6 NIV

Hallelujah! Jesus, my Savior lives!

Lord, I thank you for my own salvation & I pray that many will come to know your saving grace in my own church and in churches around the world this Sunday! Holy Spirit, urge them to come. Preachers, "tell the old, old story of Jesus & His Love"! In Jesus' precious name, Amen!

Dear friends, I wish you and your families the blessings of Easter, Chris

Fphoto Friday

Today is my first time to participate in Fphoto Friday, hosted by Natalie at "Married To The Preacher". Thank you Natalie, for the opportunity to participate!

This is a photo of our long driveway out to the main road. I drive it day in and day out. I never noticed how beautiful & peaceful it looks. Until one day, when a young women knelt on the asphalt with her camera and took this photo!

I wonder how much more beautiful & peaceful our world would look if we viewed more often "from our knees"?

Blessings, Chris

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I'm Back!

Have you missed me? *Ü* I have not posted since the beginning of November! Loooong story, which I will attempt to make short enough to not bore you all to tears!

Life gets very busy for my family in November. My daughter & I both have birthdays, then comes Thanksgiving and the preparations for the Christmas season. I really did mean to post at least a couple of times...

On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, I ended up at the hospital with a severe "female" problem. They did a biopsy, sent me home with medication which helped a great deal, and told me I would hear from my Gynecologist after Thanksgiving. You know that sent me to my knees! And on the Friday after, I did hear from him, but not with the news I wanted. I was told that I had endometrial cancer. The biopsy cells were grade 1 (the least active & invasive) and that I would need to have a complete hysterectomy.

Between my own family, friends & my church, there was a whole lot of praying going on! I can't tell you how many cyber-friends were praying and church prayer lists I was placed on. I am so thankful for all these wonderful saints who were willing to pray for someone they'd never met in person!

On January 6th, my very sweet, skilled (and handsome) surgeon, Dr. Mahavni, performed the hysterectomy. I prayed that morning that my Lord would be standing beside him, guiding his hands. I know He was there! My cancer had not progressed beyond the uterus. The hysterectomy was all that was needed. No chemo, no radiation! Hallelujah!

I am living breathing proof that God answers prayer! And even if the outcome had been different, I had the "peace that passes all understanding" about God's care and love for me, whatever the situation.

This has not been the most pleasant experience physically. But what I have learned about Jesus and my relationship with him has been a true blessing!

It is 5 weeks post-surgery. I am feeling mostly well and looking forward to getting back into the swing of things! That includes posting regularly here.

I am starting the Beth Moore study of Esther this Wednesday night. I always learn so much in our Women's Bible Study. I'm sure I'll have lots to share!

Dear Lord,
Thank you for my salvation!
I praise & thank you for restoring my health! Help me to be mindful of this precious gift in all I do, eat & drink. Thank you for the work you have done in my life over the last few months. Help me to continue to draw closer to you! Please send special blessings to all those who prayed for me and are now praising with me! Help me to become a prayer warrior, always ready to pray for the needs of others. Allow me to be a blessing to any who have similar health issues. Use this blog to reach and care for others!

In Jesus precious name, AMEN!

Have a blessed day! Chris