FUGE Summer Camp - Convergence, Part 1

I am in Mobile, Alabama, as I type this...

• as Tropical Storm Cindy makes landfall
• as I spend the week with five young ladies
• as I am being blessed (even though I am a bit stressed at times with five girls)
• as I attend my second FUGE camp.

Just wanted to write a quick note, for we are off to Worship in just a few minutes to jot down a few reflections about this week.

1. One should always bring two chaperones, or one will be constantly pulled in too many directions.  Next year, I just want to be the van driver.  I like that job.  Now, if the Lord would just see fit to work that out so that other chaperones will attend?  :)
2. My daughter wanted to do MFUGE...instead of Centrifuge, so I got her and another girl and myself switched.  Now, we go off campus each day and spend time with some group around Mobile this week just enjoying our time together.  So far, we have spent time at a community center, a home for physically/mentally challenged people, and a homeless shelter.  Oh, my.  Many mixed emotions the last two days.  Sadness.  Appreciation.  I.  Am.  Just. So. Blessed.
3. My group of girls...the Fantastic FUGEttes...need just a touch this week.  All five of them have needs.  Such huge needs.  What a group.  I look forward to being able to write about them...hopefully, in Part 2.
4. For the first time in my life, I have had a Tropical Storm Warning pop up on my phone.  That just does not happen in Arkansas.  No,  Not ever.  Just for the sake of memories, I screenshot the image!  We are safe...but often wet...for it is raining...and raining...and raining!  With an occasional tornado warning here and there.
5. Our church group staff member is amazing...and gifted...in the area of missions.  I do pray the Lord blesses her abundantly for her efforts.

Off to Worship...

Oh, HUGE thanks to Sulphur Rock Baptist for funding this trip for the girls.  Not sure they realize how blessed they are.  I hope they do.

Women's Conference: Part 2

How has this event come and gone already?  Such a blessing was the third annual SRBC Women's Conference, hosted on June 2-3.

I would change little about the conference...only to wish that more had chosen to attend, for it was such a blessing, from the fellowship, to the sessions, to the food, to the decorations, to those who chose to attend, to the music.  Absolutely fun!  Indeed!

Our guest speaker was Andrea Lennon of True Vine Ministries.  Andrea also serves as director of women's ministries for the Arkansas Southern Baptist Convention.  A role model, a disciple, always working for the Lord.

She led four sessions centered on the topic of freedom, of which may we ever have more of for Jesus.  The ladies absolutely loved her.  Yes, without a doubt, we would recommend her.

Our word for next year is growth...but for now, may we marinate in the freedom to do...or for the freedom from...as we ever seek to learn about Him and do for Him, for as Paul so well said in 2 Corinthians 3:17:  "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

Blessings!

Women's Conference...Part 1

Today, the ladies and I begin meeting to plot and plan for our third annual Making Choices Women's Conference.  I have learned over the years that the prepping can be almost as much of a blessing as the events themselves.  Almost.  :)

My hope this year is that we accomplish much over Monday - Wednesday, so we may have some time for rest and prayer before the conference.  We'll see...much to do!

This year's theme is Freedom.  The Lord gave me this word as I was driving to the conference last year. No...I don't know 2018's word yet.  Maybe He is going to give it to someone else to share.  OR maybe it's not time for me to drive to Friday night's event!

As I have begun working on the conference and thinking about this word, I realize that Freedom has two places in my life:

1. Freedom from...here chains are broken.
2. Freedom to...here links are chained together.

I have needed both...and I still need both.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. -  2 Corinthians 3:17

The Lord is there...when the chains need to be broken...and when the links need to be brought together.  The devil wants to bind and put us in chains...the Lord will break those chains, freeing His Daughters of the King to ever more link up with Him and His Kingdom, serving Him, working for Him, worshiping with Him.  The Lord wants us linked in unity and fellowship...the devil wants those chains not just broken...but destroyed.  This week, we loose the chains...and link in fellowship.

See the opposites between the two?  The Lord is freedom.  The devil is bondage.  For the two cannot...nor will they ever...mix.

Every lady attending this weekend is at some point in this chain...some need freed from chains that bind; some need the links strengthened and lengthened.  All need more of Him.  He will be there.

Even now, we are praying for those attending this event.  Some of the ladies may not even know they are attending...but they are...and we are praying for them even now.

How may I pray for you?  Will you join us in prayer?

He Has Anointed Me...and You

This morning, we studied the following scripture in Sunday School class:

17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Verse 18 still continues to speak to me of the four reasons He was anointed.

1. proclaim good news to the poor
2. proclaim liberty to the captives
3. recover the sight to the blind
4. liberate the oppressed

He was sent for whom?

1. the poor
2. the captives
3. the blind
4. the oppressed

Who are we?  Who am I?

1. the poor
2. the captive
3. the blind
4. the oppressed

Yes, sometimes, I am physically poor, a captive, blind, and oppressed; sometimes, I fight these areas spiritually. 

May I share how I have been poor...in ways that had nothing to do with $$$.

1. One way that I have been physically poor...few female friends.  No one would have ever said this about me, yet I was.  I had been married for several years and had drifted from my close girl friends.  I missed these relationships, this girl time.  So I prayed.  This prayer he has answered in a mighty and special way.  From book clubs to professional organizations to Bible study groups to women's conferences.  Everywhere, the Lord has enriched my life with female friends.  May I also note?  This answered prayer I do not take lightly.  I thank Him much for all my lady friends.  I pray for them...as I know they pray for me.  Blessed I am.
2. During the time of the above prayer request, I experienced the renewal of the joy of the gift of His Salvation to me.  Days went by...maybe weeks?...during which the only time I read His Word was when the preacher directed me to do so in church.  But I was enriched.  I began to dive into Bible studies, both in the Bible and in written studies.  I never, ever want to go back to that poor spiritual state, for this joy of salvation is such a sweet place to reside.

Have I been a captive?  Blind?  Oppressed?  Yes, both physically and spiritually.  Have you?

I realize that He came for me.    Just for me.  He died for me.  He rose for me.  Because He did and I accepted this gift of His Salvation, I am anointed.

For whom are we anointed?

1. the poor
2. the captives
3. the blind
4. the oppressed

That's right.  Living for Him, we are here to fulfill John 3:16; we are to go into the world for the poor, the captives, the blind, the oppressed, sometimes for their physical needs, sometimes for their spiritual needs.

This is now my prayer:

Dear Lord, please use me to assist Your Children:  that I may either plant, cultivate...maybe even help harvest...for Your Kingdom.  Open my eyes that I may see the need of the poor, the captives, the blind, the oppressed.  Please allow the Holy Spirit that resides in me be helpful to someone in need of You.  Amen.

Graduation Week 2017

Below are the six days of posts I placed on Facebook, celebrating The Girl's graduation week.  This has been a fun week for her...and for myself.  This is exactly how this week should feel!

Hummmm...you may want to begin at the bottom of this post and read each day in reverse!  

___________________________________

Graduation Day!

Pic 6 of 6: From here through tonight, you have come a long ways, Holly Gayle Gillmore!

We are proud of you

To be continued = more pics later! Yay!

One day to G-Day = Graduation!

Pic 5.1 and 5.2 of 6: Holly is who she is because of her Friel heritage, a family full of faith. We are soooo thankful for the aunts and uncle on this side of the fam who love Holly unconditionally, who laugh with her, who encourage her, and who have prayed many prayers for The Girl. When I have needed prayers, the Three J's get a message...and I know the prayers are immediately sent. This is a blessing...beyond measure.

Because my parents raised "two sets of kids," I grew up with nieces and nephews who were more more like brothers and sisters...precious memories...then that extended into our kids being raised together. Thanks Leah and Mike and Melanie and Brian...who took Holly in and loved on her as one of theirs!

Two summers ago, we all shared more time together than we really wanted when Janet spent some time in the hospital...today, Janet is having surgery again, and I would ask that you join my family of faith and pray for her this morning and throughout the next few days. Janet's words to me last night, "I believe." What a testimony she now has...just ask her!

My anthem song through the years has been "Only Believe"...many with whom I grew up know this song. There's a line in that song about the doors being shut...I lived this one night in ICU with Holly when they shut our glass paneled walls...as our little neighbor eased into Heaven. He surrounded that family and mine...because we only have to believe. From there years ago to here today...because we believed.

The girls tell me dad "would have loved Holly," who she has yet to meet. I agree. She would have been one of his "pride and joys."

Tonight, is Vespers...the church service for our seniors. This is my favorite event of this week (yes, even more so than graduation), for tonight is REALLY what it is all about. Tonight...at 7:30 at First Baptist. Love seeing how they believe.

Two Days to G-Day = Graduation!

Pic 4 of 6: Today is all about the G. First, becoming a Gillmore...what a blessing and a gift in both our lives, changing us, empowering us, loving us

.

Holly has also been blessed with other names also through the Gillmores...she became a sister, a cousin, a niece, a granddaughter, a sister-in-law...later an aunt to three. Yay!

Holly's life has been forever changed because of Gillmore Farm: she obtained a dad, another family, a home, hayrides, bonfires, shooting guns, deer hunting, and several dogs (and rabbits and horses...and few critters that The Man ensures I do not see!)

Second...Holly's middle name Gayle is spelled exactly like Gayle Ross for a reason...her namesake. Gayle, a friend, a strength, a mentor, a "focal point," just there, always giving to us, a gift from God when Holly and I so needed her...all the way through surgery four (well, she and Johnnie might have learned more about kidney stones on that trip...amongst other things!)

Holly and the G's...goodness all summed up...

Three days to G-Day...Graduation!

NOTE: this is such a fun week! Hope everyone is having as much fun as I am...this is how it should feel!

Pic 3 of 6: Holly has always been my sidekick (and Johnnie's) when it comes to school. Dressing up and trying out clubs and activities and attending events...that's just who we were and are.

This began long before she was ever in school...or even preschool. Holly spent her first Valentine's and St. Patrick's Day in ACH (that was our longest stay...six weeks to the day). Johnnie just thought she needed to celebrate...so she bought the outfit, and we dressed up her...as best as one can with tubes and such also being our friends.

Holly has run more errands, bought more Sonic drinks (thanks, Holly!), sat and waited on me "to finish" whatever I was working on, "volunteered" to help (or was firmly persuaded), adopted family and attended many baseball games watching "my little cousin," grew up, in part, at Keely's house with another teacher mom...then went to church and did this all over again...all because she was blessed to be a teacher's kid and live in that environment...often our home away from home.

To all who have had a part in the "fun" of being a student the last 13+ years...the trips, the events...the molding and shaping of the person living within...thank YOU!

Holly would not be The Holly we know...without YOU!

As for Holly's bangs, I like to think we got better with time. :) Maybe?

Four Days to G-Day = Graduation!

Pic 2 of 6: This one was taken a few days before Holly Gayle Gillmore had her fourth heart/lung surgery. Here on earth, I may never know all the answers to the "why?" Holly has gone through what she has...BUT as Jeremiah tell us, "He knows the plans..." I could share several of those answers, for He was and certainly has been with us every step, set-back, ride (ambulances), flight (ACH jet), and miracle along the way, ever increasing our faith because of the gift of His Faith and His Faithfulness. This was grounded into me by my parents...as we have attempted to ground faith into Holly. May we continue to have the grace to raise her up in His Ways.

To ALL...and there are so many...who have prayed for us, assisted us, laughed and cried with us...as part of Holly's Journey...thank YOU! To family who are blood...and to friends who became family along the way...thank YOU!

Now...as for those earrings...well, if you have ever raised kids...you know...sometimes, you pick your battles! :)

Five days until G-Day (Graduation!)

Part 1 of 6 days of posts...so bear with me?

Picture 1: Even back then, maybe she knew that one day she would leave the baby phase of her life...enter 13 years of public education...to leave...to enter the next phase...to begin the phase of obtaining her degree in education...maybe?

To all of you who have had an impact on Holly Gayle Gillmore's education...we thank YOU!

I Just Finished...

For the first time ever, I endeavored to participate in Lent...in my own personal way...and one also encouraged by a group of ladies across the nation, as we read Liz Curtis Higgs' The Women of Easter.  This has been the most amazing 39 days...just an increased awareness as I walked the paths, observed the relationships, listened to the conversations of all the many Mary's...and others...as their relationships with Jesus Christ came ever more alive for me.

Part of the book study involved journaling at the end of each chapter.  This I enjoyed also, for through writing, I reflect and learn more about myself.  I hear various authors encourage this, and as an English teacher, I get it (encourage...okay, make...my students write daily, even multiple times).  Just seems as if time evades me, though, being used up by other tasks or seemingly more pressing deadlines.  Yes, I know...one makes time for what one wants the most.  (That was a bit hard to type!)

Challenge to self:  keep that journal close and reflect as I read the Bible, adding further to those reflections here on this blog!  Yay!  Good plan!  Now, Time...be my friend!

ALSO...very excited to say...I saw and heard Liz Curtis Higgs during this read when I attended (and was sooooo blessed) Women of Joy in Branson.  Listen!  I tweeted out that I had just seen her...and was starstruck!  Then, she tweeted me back!  How cool is that!?  I went by her booth a few times but never caught her there.

Then, she spoke. To me...and 3,999 other women.  :)  The woman is amazing...humble, loving, inspiring...and, oh, so funny!

Now, if I type here that I hope to hear her again in November in Springfield, MO, will that make this a bit too much?  Well, I am...and so do some of the other ladies who attended Women of Joy with me.  Yay!  Going to get our worship on with Liz Curtis Higgs who directs all worship to Him.

Now....back to The Women of Easter...

1. My Favorite Mary:  Mary of Magdeline.  As I noted in my journal, maybe she is my favorite because I learned the most about her?  She was there...everywhere.  The Lord had done amazing things for her.  Cast out demons.  Delivered her.  Liberated her.  Loved her.  Then, that one-way street became a two-way.  She loved Him back, always wanting to learn more.  There, I am.  I always tell people who are a bit discouraged or disgruntled:  when you go to church, plan for Him to meet you there...in song, in fellowship, in message, for He has told us...where two or three are gathered, He's there.  (Sidenote:  just imagine how much of Him was there when 4000 gathered at Women of Joy!  Answer:  the same amount as when two or three are gathered.  Powerful He is!
2. The Scriptures:  LCH slows the Bible down...reading, studying, analyzing verse by verse...sometimes, word by word.  "Woman!"  Again, there I am!  Right there, in the scriptures, He's speaking to me.  This method is powerful, for often in our speed to read, we miss the nuggets gleaned from a word study.  Sometimes, we miss the lessons learned between the verses themselves, as we slow down and consider what happened between the time spans of the words and verses.

I plan to study/read Higgs' The Women of Christmas this way this year...just a few pages each morning.  Looking forward to it!

Tomorrow, is Day 40.  Easter.  Then, I will land in His Word, in His House, with His People...for He will be there, too.

He is risen!  Hallelujah!

#lizcurtishiggs #WomenofEaster #HeIsRisen!  #Hallelujah!

A Good, Good Friday

May I share a poem I just wrote...just for today...on this Good Friday...?

In celebration of National Poetry Month...celebrating the Spoken Word...

A Good, Good Friday

A four day week, for little snow did the clouds release.
A four day week, an extra day to our weekend increase.
A four day week, a Good Friday to celebrate:
No school.  This day the Lord sin did dominate.

On this Good Friday, I remember...
The walk.
The women.
The seven sayings.
The body gently placed.
All my sins forgiven, grace and mercy interlaced.

On this Good Friday, I remember...
My job is not finished.
My salvation joy again replenished.
My love for Him never to be diminished
His Light, His Love, His Grace...never extinguished.

On this Good Friday, I remember...
...to spend time with Him.
...He gave time for me.
...for today He gave His Only Son.
...this He did just for me.

Yes...this is a Good, Good Friday.