Hello Friends and Family:

 

It
seems that I have been busy, busy, but I don’t have a lot to update you.
   Most of what I have been busy with is simply day, by day life, no different then anyone else.
  It does seem that since I turned 40 this year the days and weeks seem to be flying by twice as fast and I have twice as many things that need to be done and twice as many things that I want to do.
  I know, some of you are saying, “Oh, really?
  Welcome to the club.”
 Gee, thanks.
  At least I know I am in great company.
 


J

 

Anyways, the last couple of months my work hours have passed with the usual daily functions, a couple seminars in November and the completion of our new database systems integration.
  Our new systems are working well.
   We have only had a few minor glitches and we have been able to work them out.
  We are in the middle of our audit and there is not much to be said about that.
  Audits are audits and honestly, they are just a pain in the neck.
 
  Our main bank just went through a major merger so that has added some additional challenges to my work.
  Despite the glitches, momentary setbacks and difficulties this has caused trying to get funding to our overseas missionaries, God has again, proven Himself sovereign and everything has been working out.
  He continues to provide the ways, as He has provided the means.
  

 


It seems over the last several months, as I have been drawing closer to God, He has been providing more opportunities for me to minister to others.
 Maybe it is just that I am more aware and open to the opportunities that are constantly before me.
   A few days ago, God chose me to walk into work early, and immediately greet someone who needed to share about some things going on in her life.
  After I listened, the Spirit led me to pray for her.
  I then walked away, very blessed and filled up for the day.

 


 On Thanksgiving eve, I had the privilege to go and share devotions at My Sisters Place, a local women’s shelter.
  It was neat how God worked it all out.
  I had called them wanting to know what they did for Thanksgiving looking for a way I could be of service. 
 The phone call I received back was one thanking me for wanting to come and share my testimony with the ladies!
  That was not what I had in mind!
  The director and I talked a few minutes and we agreed that I would come and share in their evening devotions with them.
   Not knowing their format or what to expect, I had not prepared anything special.
   When she asked me to lead the devotions, I simply began sharing what God had been showing me as I have been meditating on Psalm 30.
  I asked them to share some of their testimony and for what or to whom, they were grateful.
  I asked them, “Who, in their lives, was Jesus to them in their time of need”?

 

One lady shared that she was grateful for the police officer that had arrested her and ended up getting her off the streets.
  She is now going to the same church he goes to and she can see now that he was Jesus to her in her time of great need.
  If it had not been for the police officer, she may not be where she is today.
  Another lady shared her gratefulness for having a safe place to live and another lady shared that she was grateful for the forgiveness of Christ.
 

 

As I listened to them share, I began to get excited, and my spirit was jumping.
  I get excited when I hear people share about the desperation they have been going through.
  I’ve been there, and I know with desperation comes a willingness to surrender, and when we surrender to Jesus, the gates to freedom are wide open.
   After listening to their stories, it was impossible not to share some of mine with them.
  I could relate to how they were feeling and I was able to share my experience and my hope with them because of what God has done in my life. I know that the deliverance, freedom from bondage and healing that Jesus has given me; He is waiting to pour out on them too.

 


It is hard to describe this feeling of peace and contentment I have been walking in.
  There is just something about knowing I am in a great place with God, and am hearing Him and am able and willing to obey.
  When I am in this place with God, it never fails, that every time I think I am going to be the blesser, I am more blessed than I would ever begin to imagine.

Experience it for yourself.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you and you will be a blessed, blessing.