Saturday morning update: OH MY WORD, YOU GUYS! THIS TURNED OUT TO BE ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS EVER ON THIS BLOG! SO MUCH FUN! You guys are incredibly interesting. I am knocked out right now with a sense of awe that God would allow me to interact with you. I have tons of respect for you guys. Keep doing the thing and keep resisting the cookie cutter despite the (Christian??) social pressure. You are much more interesting this way. Just hold close to Jesus and don’t let being different become it’s own pretense or attention-getter. Keep that gorgeous authenticity that makes this community my favorite cyber spot on earth. Good grief, I am so thankful for y’all.
Hey, everybody! It’s been a long time since we’ve done a survey to see who God has brought together to form this sisterhood. It’s a blast not only to behold our common bonds in Christ but to revel in our diversity as a community of very different people committed to one glorious Savior. We’d be bored stiff if we only opened our hearts and lives to those who are just like us. If we have to line up exactly on about 100 points of doctrine, we are liable to get pretty lonely. We don’t even necessarily have to work out a difference to our mutual satisfaction to treat one another with mutual esteem and to honestly love one another. Always preferring someone remarkably similar across the table from us still smells a lot like Narcissus. We may even be fooling ourselves but, at the end of the day, it’s just another form of mirror gazing. Gross.
When I get to see a group of you out there after a Living Proof Live, I always wish I could freeze the moment and stare at each of you one by one. It is the most incredibly refreshing sight. You cannot fathom how different we look in person, all banded together in a holy huddle. It makes me so dang happy. It is clear in that context that we were drawn together by something so far removed from packaging. You and I know that is Jesus. Oh, how I pray that God smiles when He drops in on this community, holds time tightly in His hand, and stares at each of us one by one.
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:11-12
OK! What do you say we do a survey? Complete each of the following as succinctly as possible. Lindsee and I will LOVE bringing these in. Let’s do this today for the pure Jesus-joy of celebrating community!
1. Your name and where you live.
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin)
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting?
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.)
5. What is your #1 hobby?
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one?
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind.
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation.
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am ___________________________________________________________________.
1. Rosalie Hamilton, Ohio
2.64
3. When I was 7 at a gospel music concert
4. retired music teacher
5 reading
6 Hope EFCA Mason, Ohio
7. a Devon Rex cat named Paloma
8. watching all my family members die and when I have to fill out forms that say “Next of Kin” I do not have anyone to put/all the places I have been and the experiences I have had and still hope to have
9. going to the state park close to my house and taking a picnic lunch and a good book and sitting by the lake
10. Only a few people know that I taught music for 30 years and presented music workshops all over the US and although I loved doing the workshops, I hated every minute of teaching music in the classroom.
1. Your name and where you live.
Beverly – Sylva NC
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin)
older than 59 🙂
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting?
at the age of 12 on my knees with my mother – I asked her to pray with me, she was such an inspiration to me!
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.)
former school counselor but following my passion to work with exceptional children
5. What is your #1 hobby? scrapbooking
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one? Webster Baptist Church
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind. I kitty who was selected as the “baddest cat in Sylva” some years ago based on a photo of him layer over the bird feeder. He has black sideburns and is a dead ringer of Elvis…
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation. the many years I lived in the “wilderness”…..a rebirth of my faith when I was 35!
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday. A clean house, food in the crockpot, a walk up the mountain and plenty of time for study and scrapbooking
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am such a lover of ethnic music especially Scottish and Gallic…as well as opera!
I bet you are as eclectic and multifaceted as your taste in music, Beverly!
1. Your name and where you live. Jane Martin, Roanoke VA
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin) 62
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting? I was an 11 year old girl in my home church. As many others have, I walked the isle to “Just as I am”.
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.) I am an IT Software Developer for a health care company.
5. What is your #1 hobby? I love reading, paper crafting, mixed media art, knitting, quilting, and photography. But, Bible study is the best!
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one? Yes, St. John Lutheran in Roanoke, VA. – 8 years.
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind. No pets at this time.
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation. My adult sons and their lifestyles. My current Bible studies – Kelly Minter Nehemiah with a group of about 15 of my girls on Thursday nights. I named this group HAIR (He’s Alive In Roanoke) – after attending the filming of The Patriarchs – Beth’s description of her “hair ministry”. I am also teaching a small group of brave souls as we explore the book of Revelation together. This is a mixed group. It all started because of a commitment I made to “my girls” to help them dig deeper after we did Beth’s study of Revelation. It was so fabulous and could have gone on for a year. I’m into year 2 of this study. Then for myself, I’m in a small group and we are doing Kelly’s study on Ruth. So many wonderful studies and so little time
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday. A couple of cups of coffee, Community Group (our Sunday School), worship with my friends, a great Bible teaching from one of our wonderful pastors, a simple lunch, and Bible study (Revelation right now) and maybe if I’m blessed, a nap.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am a pretty good teacher and a loyal friend – and funny girl.
1. Gail Jones. Decatur, TX
2. 61
3. Age 12 at church camp
4. Teach Biology at TCU (Texas Christian Univ) in Fort Worth
5. Reading and mind puzzles like sudoku and Words with Friends
6. FBC Decatur TX. I’m the volunteer women ‘s ministry coordinator.
7. 1 quarterhorse Molly who is 28 years old and 2 dogs. Leonard a 12 year old chocolate lab and Lola a 2 year old chocolate lab.
8. Being diagnosed with breast cancer in April / having mastectomy with a good report and no need for chemo or radiation..praise God.
9. Relaxing with good friends
10. I’m actually very shy
Gail, girl! I served on the Harvest Baptist Assoc Women’s Retreat team about a half decade ago, and love some ladies at your church my sister! 🙂
Blessings,
Michelle
1.Kathy
2. Age 62 (whoohoo, I get social security). It pays to get old, for now anyway
3. I was 22, just had my 2nd child. My brother who had been a drug attack brought my mom to the Lord, she came to help me with and couldn’t stop talking about Jesus. We had always been church-goers, but she was different. I learned why and wanted it. My brother went back to drugs, but came back to the Lord when he was 40. PTL
4. Retired from school district to watch newly adopted granddaughter, within a year had was watching 3 grandkids (13 months apart). Best job ever!
5. Writing and Bible study
6. Shiloh Community Church, Phx, AZ
7. Great-grandog, chocolate lab Brody, grandcat, Princess. What we won’t do for our grandchildren and children.
8. Can’t say, to painful and personal/Watching 3 daughters seeking the Lord again (through the painful experience)
9. Spending the day with my hubby working in the yard.
10. Know that I have a deep emotional side even if it doesn’t show to the general public.
1. Bridgett Junkin, Pell City, AL
2. 57
3. Age 14, revival
4. Teacher, Family and Consumer Sciences
5. Reading (games and tv-all at the same time)
6. First Baptist Church and Silly Soul Sisters Bible Study
7. 2 cats – Zipper, boy, black with white feet, and Button, girl, calico
Did you know that all calico’s are girls?
8. Last chemo round did not shrink the mass in my mother’s abdomen/birth this summer of 2 great nephews
9. No alarm, breakfast out, a craft show or bizarre with unique items, entertainment and good fair food.
10 Only people who really know me realize that I am insecure and a little shy. I am a good actress so people usually don’t see that.
1. Ashley, Alabama
2. 37
3. Well, I was raised in church, strayed in high school/college and I remember having a moment of “surrender” in my bedroom a couple of years after I had made quite a mess of my life. I just needed to nail it down in my heart. I believe it was March of 2000.
4. I’m in full-time diaper changing, domestic dispute mediation and, lord willing, heart training of 4 kids.
5. If I had time for one, I would use power tools…build stuff, remake stuff or restore stuff. I’d also love to learn to paint (on canvas not walls 🙂
6. Church of the Highlands
7. NO! I have little people. I think I’d like a lap dog, though, when everyone grows up a little more.
8. Disappointment – The dramatic turn in one of my closest friends’ fight with cancer. Things don’t look good right now, but God is always good. Elation – sadly, I can’t think of one at the moment, but I have felt encouragement from the Lord.
9. I would sleep in a little later; hot, fresh coffee would be waiting in the kitchen; we might take the kids out to lunch, and they would behave beautifully; my house would be spotless (this would be a miracle); we would enjoy the afternoon together and then have dinner with friends. Either that, or my husband takes the kids somewhere for the day and I do whatever I want to for the day. Neither is very exciting 😉
10. Not quiet or reserved, funny
1) Parsons Dahl (yes that’s my real name 🙂 Parsons was my grandmothers maiden name),
I just moved to North Atlanta from Tallahassee… :/
2) I’ll be 36 on the 26th 🙂
3) I accepted Jesus when I was a little girl, and again when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 17. She’s a survivor! And found Him on a whole other/deeper level when my husband left me and my 2 year old and divorced me… He has since found Jesus and we have reconciled and have a baby boy who will be one on the 18th!!!! Praise you Lord!!!
4) I’m a stay at home mom!! 24-7-365
5) hobbies!!?? What’s that? I have small kids lol. But I like to exercise. That’s as good as it gets
6) had to leave my wonderful church (4 Oaks Comm Church) in Tallahassee. 🙁 searching here in the Atlanta area!
7) we have a little long haired red Daschund. She’s almost 10
8) disappointment – continuous problems with my husbands family
Elation- my daughter learning to read & my husband getting a new job!
9) perfect Saturday would be getting to sleep in a little, followed by a big cup of Starbucks coffee on a cool morning. The hopefully some football!
10) only people who know really know me realize that I am really hard on myself and my tough exterior are walls built up because I’m afraid
Okay, I gave you my idea of a perfect Sunday. On Saturday, I love to sleep in, prepare for Bible studies I’m teaching, and practicing my art. It’s even better if I see my sons and 3 grandsons – which happens way to seldom.
1. Tracey Knight ~ Arkadelphia AR
2. 49 & holding 🙂
3. I was 10 years old at an outdoor revival in Alvarado, Texas where James Robison was the evangelist.
4. I’m secretary to the Dean in the School of Christian Studies at Ouachita Baptist University. LOVE it.
5. tie between reading & flea-marketing
6. yes – First Baptist Church~Arkadelphia AR
7. yes – a rat terrier named Sadie
8. my favorite car of all time – a 2005 escape – bit the dust last week / my daughter getting into nursing school & telling me she is “ridiculously happy”
9. sleeping in until 8 🙂 ~ coffee/read ~ flea marketing ~ dinner out w/ my husband ~ home to watch the Cardinals play baseball…while reading
10. Only people who really know me realize that I am as ditzy as can be. Ok, maybe everyone knows that… :s
1. Your name and where you live.
Elaine Massey Columbia, South Carolina
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin)
50
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting?
Church, when I was 10
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours
I prepare loan documents for a Bank
5. What is your #1 hobby?
all crafts…it changes daily
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one?
First Baptist Church right now…just moved to Columbia and not sure if FBC is going to be home just yet
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind.
2 cats Lucy and Charlie…that I love dearly
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation.
Our move to Columbia/Our move to Columbia..=)
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday.
cold rainy day, fire in the fireplace, cooking
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am
funny-sense of humor
1. Montesano, WA
2. 50 and loving it
3. My being saved is a complicated and humorous story.
4. Third grade teacher. This is year 30 in my God given profession.
5. Travelling
6. Grays Harbor Foursquare Church
7. 1 long haired furball of a ct named Jaz.
8. Seeing my son move away to college/seeing my son move away to o to college. Disappointed that he didn’t stay closer to home, but elated tht he is following his dream.
9. Going someplace new with my husband or
curling up with a hood book while rain is falling outside.
10. Only people who really know me know of my battle with depression and anxiety and how God has totally healed it all within the last year.
Just scanned the responses. I am encouraged according to Richard rohr’s
Studies illustrating that if someone age 35-55 is willing to look at & address her defenses for survival & call on our lord for transformation there is great hope for an authentic life yes full of life’s issues but one that does not implode due to a false self So many of our dear siestas are young I am thrilled & send blessings love, an old girl siesta
1. Your name and where you live. Cathy- Indiana
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin) 60 yrs
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting? As a child, at church camp…..recommitted as an adult at a spirtual renewal retreat.
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.) Retired clerical
5. What is your #1 hobby? Reading
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one? 1st Church of the Nazarene
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind. Two Yorkies and four Cats ( two in- two out).
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation. Lack of reconciation for my brother in law/nephew. Son’s house purchase seems to have had God’s blessing 🙂
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday. Lunch with my daughter, shopping if so desire, home for a pizza and movie.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am Insecure____________________________________________________________.
1. Michelle Durst, Kansas, USA
2. 41
3. Somewhere between junior high and high school. Growing up in the church, it happened along the way.
4. CPA, however I truly live literature and I always wanted to be a lawyer! Who knows what the future holds . . . I do love much about my job–mostly helping people understand and get through what can be quite confusing!
5. Exercise (followed by food network and reading)
6. Left my home church of 40 years to work with a church plant/campus in our local community!!!
7. Have a partial Siamese cat (outdoors) named Lily! Prefer dogs, but I guess I am too lazy (like a cat) to care for them like they need.
8. D. I want people close to me too have the same passion/convictions I do . . . Being let down by believers within the body. E. standing behind the shield of faith and watch God work–in this new church He is planting!
9. A clean house and yard and spending the day with my husband and girls!
10. A huge nerd and I love Stephanie Meyer’s book Twilight AND I love, love, love the Chronicles of Narnia books and recent movies!
1. Barb – Naples Florida
2. 52 – what did I just write??? It can’t be!
3. 7yrs old At home after a revival meeting. Ask my mom some questions and said I wanted Jesus in my heart. Walked forward the next night at the invitation.
4. Travel agent but my heart is serving and ministry
5. Singing to Jesus, close second is anything to do with designing things/photography.
6. First Baptist Naples Florida
7. no for the first time in years. Love kitties.
8. My closest relative has announced they are living a gay lifestyle causing a great chasm with several family members/it is really hard to come up with an elation right now but one I can always count on is my Jesus and how much He loves me no matter what the physical world is handing me.
9. Sleeping in, exploring something new or doing an old favorite exploration, doing things I love with those I love.
10 cant come up with anything here. My Dad always said I wore my heart on my sleeve…not sure anyone one but the Lord really knows me and my deepest desires.
______________________________________________________________
Grace, Thornton, CO (N. Denver)
43
As a child around age 7/8, during a children’s camp… I knelt down on a child’s size altar.
stay at home mom & volunteer
reading
yes, ThornCreek Church
13yr old ~ Australian Shepard named Diego
Finding out someone I trusted is not trustworthy/Meeting someone that is taking a huge Faith step
Sleeping in, making a big breakfast for the fam to enjoy, reading my bible/biblestudy, working out, going to Sat evening service, finishing it with dinner with friends.
Funny…
1. Sabrina Lincoln Nebraska
2. 57
3.High school – youth group
4. I was a stay at home mom for 18 years. When my youngest started 1st grade I went to work as a special education para-educator and have been working with special needs kids for 15 years (13 years of that in high school)
5. Playing with my granddaughters
6.Lincoln Berean Church
7. A 12 1/2 year old yellow Labrador retriever named Daisy who is spoiled rotten.
8. The realization that I can’t share my heart with someone who is very dear to me anymore because I have been hurt too many times / Welcoming home my sweet granddaughter through adoption from an orphanage in Bulgaria. She is 7, has Down Syndrome and until this past August spent her entire life confined to a crib with little human contact and not enough to eat. She is now thriving and loved so very much. She still has a long way to go but is doing amazingly well.
9.Staying at home and having my children and grandchildren over for a meal and games.
10. I don’t think anyone really knows me except God. I keep so many of my thoughts to myself.
1. Bobbie Lutz, College Station, TX
2. Just turned 60
3. I was 7 yrs old at First Baptist Church in Riesel, TX
4. I’m a SAHW decorating our retirement home!
5. Reading
6. Not invested in, but attending St. Mary’s Catholic Church
7. I wish I had a puppy to share about but not yet!
8. That our 18 yr. old granddaughter who lives in California, decided to stay in Ca. to go to college instead of coming to TCU or A&M! / We were blessed when our youngest two grandchildren and their Mom (our DIL) spent 5 weeks with us…And she called three days after returning home to say she had such a great time that she would invite herself to come back next time our son had a long business trip!!
9. The perfect Saturday would be a quick breakfast, then take a drive to some of the great little towns in the surrounding area, meeting the friendly locals!!
10. I would really like to find a way to serve my community!
1. Kim, New York
2. 48
3. Accepted Jesus when I was 24, in a church setting
4. stay-at-home-mom
5. #1 hobby – scrapbooking
6. Non-denominational church
7. A 4 year old mix breed dog that we adopted
8. biggest recent disappointment – my father passed away this summer.
biggest recent elation- I didn’t burn dinner : )
9. idea of the perfect Saturday – start out with a good cup of coffee & relax and hang out with family
10 Only people who really know me realize that I am – insecure & emotional
Kimberly Mason Tuscaloosa, Alabama
36
Age 8 at Camp Winnataska
Stay at home mom/realtor/women’s ministry
Studying/Reading
North River Church (Southern Baptist)
A one year old bullmastiff named Fiona “Fi”. She’s best dog I have ever had!
Hanging out with my family/having a lazy Saturday. This doesn’t happen much with four kids. 🙂
1) joy – Dayton, WY
2) latter 50’s 🙂
1. My name is Joanne Boisvert and I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
2. I’m 39…no really I’m 39, july 31, 1973
3. I was 15 at a high school youth event.
4. I work as an assistant in an office and part time at ikea and a boxing instructor.
5. I love boxing and yoga. I’m a bit of an athlete.
6. I belong to a church called Cross Church.
7. No pets, but I hope to have a french bulldog someday.
8.I was assaulted by my best friends husband.
9. Teach a boxing class, having breakfast with friends, and just taking it easy.
10. Actually a big softy.
Angela Talley Murfreesboro, TN
29
I was 12 years old, My sister and I got saved on the same day! It was truly a blessing.
Higher Education, Administration, Cumberland University
I really enjoy running!! Running my first full marathon in December
Lighthouse Baptist Church
Yes, 3 dogs..Rusty, Cooper, and Ransom…they’re our children!
Seeing someone suffer through depression/friend found out she is having a baby boy
Running in the morning, and relaxing with my dogs and husband
Only people who really know me realize that I am _strong willed person______________
1. Your name and where you live. Amanda Cross, Van Buren, Arkansas
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin) 34
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting? 13, at church
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.) Stay at home mom and looking into taking online college classes
5. What is your #1 hobby? Reading
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one? I am a church member, but I’m sad to say that I haven’t been very faithful in attendance in the last couple of years.
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind. No, unless you count a 2 1/2 year old boy as one? Then, I’d say that I might have a tiger, dinosaur, bear, and a monkey. :O)
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation. Financial difficulty/Learning new things in God’s Word and in my personal devotion.
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday. No housework, pj’s, and a movie.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I really do like to talk. I am reserved, shy, and an introvert, but I really do like people.
1. Kelly Calkins, Washington State
2. 31
3. I was 20, and my best friend convinced me to go to a 24 hour prayer meeting where I encountered the Holy Spirit and freedom for the first time EVER- a HUGE burden of guilt and shame was totally lifted!
4. Stay at home mom
5. BALLET!
6. yes!! An amazing group of moms from my daughter’s school and a group of friends we’ve known through ministry school for about 10 years now. We do house church together (and we love regular church, too!). SUPER blessed with these communities!
7. 3 pets- 1 poodle/Bichon puppy named Bentley and 2 cats- 1 awesome one named Maeby and 1 with serious issues named Inara.
8. Disappointment- a LOT of my friends choosing to live in their pain instead of embrace the truth. Elation- seeing a friend I’ve prayed for for YEARS get saved out of New Age and into Jesus!
9. Sleep in til 9 or 10, laze around a bit with a cup of tea and a plate of fruit, workout, do something outdoors, read a LOT, and top of the evening with either friends or a movie.
10. Only people who really know me realize that I am just as much of an introvert as I am an extrovert. It’s weird. 🙂
1. Hi friends! I’m Sarah Elizabeth and I live in Champaign, Illinois.
2. I’m twenty.
3. In my living room with my parents at age 4.
4. I’m a junior at THE University of Illinois studying Secondary English Literature Education and monotony in teaching ESL.
5. I like running and also watercolor painting.
6. Yes! U of I’s Campus Crusade for Christ and also Christ Community Church in Champaign.
7. No, but I want a Bassett hound.
8. Difficult family situation/wonderful Christian community that build me up.
9. Wake up, go for a long run, have quiet time with Jesus, read, then go out to dinner with friends and then go to a concert.
10. An old soul with a free spirit.
I meant minoring in ESL…dang autocorrect.
1. Tracy; Ontario, Canada, eh!
2. 42
3. When I was 14, the day after I got home from a great week of church camp.
4. Insurance broker (but dreaming of someday being able to be a stay-at-home mom, while my girls are still at home!)
5. Cooking/canning/experimenting in the kitchen
6. Yes, a Christian Church (my hubby is the pastor!)
7. No pets right now; our cat of 17 yrs died in the last year so we are taking a break. However, we might get some chickens soon!?!!
8. Greatest elation: that the weather forecast says no rain tomorrow for my soon-to-be 7-yr-old’s birthday party. We’re going on a wagon ride and through a corn maze. 🙂
9. Sleep in (without the girls waking us up multiple times for reasons that don’t involve blood or broken bones!); then have a big yummy breakfast/brunch like pancakes with local maple syrup or bacon and eggs with hash browns (it’s all about the food!); then putter around in my PJ’s for a while before heading out to do something fun as a family – like going for a hike or bike ride and a picnic – and coming back for a serious game of Trouble or Uno; and ending off with something yummy that’s waiting in the slow cooker (more food!), before reading our books and going to sleep.
10. …not as together as I seem…
Tawanna in Georgia
43
Very young age in Sunday school class at my chapel on the military base where I was raised.
Education
Sad, I’m so busy I don’t have one, but being involved in school,activities is where I spend my free time,
Yes, I worship at Sanctuary in Him.
No pets:(
Close friend has a brother in critical condition after a car accident/ seeing my students excelling in Spanish class!
Sleep in until my body wakes me up, nothing on the calendar, time with hubby and kids.
Only people who really know me realize that I am stressed and over committed!
1. Heather, Mosinee WI
2. 38
3. April 25, 1993. Was in a musical at a local church, directed by believers. Got involved when a fellow music student in my college music theory class invited me. After doing the performance at the church, we went to one of the people’s dorm rooms, watched a (terribly done) recording of it and prayed together. As we did, I accepted Christ in a small dorm room crammed with 20 people.
4. Wife, mom and part time Administrator at our church
5. Writing down the fictional stories that seem to show up in my head that I can’t get out till I write them down. 🙂
6. Yes. Bethany Baptist Church in Schofield, WI.
7. We have 2 cats (10 & 12 yrs old), my son has a black lab puppy (11 months old) and a new kitten for my daughter (maybe 6 months old)… yes we are nuts.. 2 kids, 3 cats, 1 dog…
8. God transforming our church youth group and growing it, and by extension, growing our church through the children and youth ministries. God is reversing our church from shrinking to growing as we reach people in our community!!!
9. Sunny, no where to go, time with family, and if possible, a fire in our fire pit overlooking the lake (we live on a farm on a hill overlooking a lake).
10 Only people who really know me realize that I am “a complete and utter nerd.” 🙂 Between my computer knowledge, weird trivia, and British TV shows I love… yeah – nerd is it! 🙂
1. Jodie, Eastern Tennessee
2. 30
3. I was 17 and at Windy Gap (a summer camp for Young Life)
but I didn’t really understand what a relationship with God
is until years later.
4. Stay at home mom to my 11-year-old daughter and my 6-year-old son and a full time student getting my degree in elementary education
5. My #1 hobby is serving people. That sounds strange but I love doing unexpected nice things for people.
6. Yes. I love my church Blount Community Church
7. We have 3 dogs (one I’ve had since I was a sophomore in high school) and a fish
8. My biggest disappointment has been watching my dad’s health fail/ My biggest elation has been watching my husband be the spiritual leader of my family. It has been a long road, but wow, God has brought this mess of a family a long way.
9. My ideal Saturday would be sleeping late and going on a date with my wonderful husband. I think he’s pretty great even after 11 years.
10. I think only the people who know me really well would know just how insecure I really am. I put forth a strong front of confidence, but I second guess myself all the time.
1. Allison Perrine – Spokane, WA
2. 21 years old
3. I came to know Christ as a child through faithful parenting and church ministry.
4. I am a student at Moody Bible Institute – Spokane, and I’m also thinking about going into nursing.
5. My ultimate hobby has got to be cycling or roadtripping. Or roadtripping to cool places to go cycling!
6. I attend Life Center Church in Spokane and serve in the “adventure land” sunday school.
7. Our family has two dogs, two cats, and two guinnea pigs, and we’re building an ark.
8. Disappointment: my dad is making choices that hurt. I’m elated about rekindling my passion for Christ and evangelism in my studies this year.
9. The perfect saturday is a crisp and colorful fall morning, sweater weather. I’d sleep in, have coffee, read my Bible, attend a kid’s soccer game with my family, go home for dinner and a movie with friends.
10. Only people who really know me know that I am not nearly as shy as I may seem to be.
1. Heather, central Connecticut
2. 40
3. I was 3. My mom says I just “got” it.
4. Just changed career course. After 15 years of online fundraising, I’m helping with communications at my church http://www.valleycommunity.cc
5. Gardening
6. Valley Community Baptist Church in Avon, CT
7. 2 chocolate labs – as sweet as can be, but getting old.
8. A family member was selfish and hurtful. again\ starting my new job in September
9. Coffee on the deck. work in the garden. saturday night service. dinner with my husband.
10 Only people who really know me realize that I get my feelings hurt.
Marianne, Winterville, NC
42
Age 5 at my bedside when my mom came to tuck me in.
Teacher
Exercise
Covenant Church
No pets right now.
Having to spend the $ to replace the alternator in my car/ my 12 year old son accepting Jesus into his heart this week!
Hiking or biking outside in 65 degree weather with my family. Reading a great Beth Moore book. Going out to eat so that I don’t have to cook. Going to our Saturday night worship at church! Yep, pretty simple.
Only people who really know me realize that I am not confrontational. ___________________________________________________________________.
1. Becca from Salem, OR
2. age 30
3. accepted Christ age 5, at home
4. middle school teacher
5. hobby – reading
6. Salem Evangelical Church
7. no pets
8. recent elation was yesterday – middle child turned three, youngest has just started crawling…. such a joyful time!
9. Best Saturday – a magically clean house and time outside hiking or at the ocean
10 Only people who really know me realize that I am much nicer when I get a nap. 🙂
1. Your name and where you live.
Maggie/KS
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin)
56
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting?
20’s Alone in my car.
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.
Housewife
5. What is your #1 hobby?Reading
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one? OBC
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind. 2 Cairn Terriers that make us laugh everyday
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation.
Close relative who had been clean for the last several years falling back into addiction/Bible study on the Psalms loving Jesus more and more each day!
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday. Simple day starting with a good cup of coffee with hubby.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am
Shy insecure and easily hurt.
___________________________________________________________________.
1) Lisa, Ocala, Florida
2) 47
3)12- Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida
4) Child Protective Investigator
5)Reading
6) Church@ The Springs, Ocala, Florida
7) A German Shepherd, Black Lab and a Dr.Seuss Dog…and one very brave cat!!
8)Losing most everything we have, not for me, but for my children/ God’s strength he carries me with.
9)The beach with my children.
10)How much I love others, but put up walls because I am afraid of losing anyone else.
1. Sue from Orillia, Ontario, Canada
2. God has BLESSED me with 50 years of life
3. Saved at age 11, thru work of CEF Bible ministry in school; many highs and lows; baptized at 19
4. I am a stay- at-home mom of 6 children, and have been home for 22 years. I have been homeschooling for 18 years, with at least 8 years to go
5. My hobby: I don’t quite know…but to quote my husband,”Your number 1 hobby is mothering and fellowship”
6. We are fellowshipping house-to-house, as well as in an Alliance Church.
7. We only have pets if a bird feeder counts!
8. My emotional struggles as I care for my mom who is slipping away from us with vascular dementia/the spiritual milestones and triumphs of my children as they venture out on their own (and take the Lord along with them!)
9. Fresh air, exercise, family, rest, enjoyment, togetherness, a pot of tea/cocoa
10. Only those close to me realize that I struggle with issues from my childhood.
Stacey, Houston, TX
Almost 44
Age 10, in my home church.
Office administrator
Cooking
Houston’s First Baptist Church
Bella, my 5 lb black Pomeranian – my baby girl!
Biggest disappoint was my divorce within the last year/biggest elation – a friends daughter wrote about me at the beginning of the school year, I’m her hero
Perfect Saturday – in the country & waking without an alarm, having coffee outside, going for a long walk, reading on the porch swing, cooking something yummy & enjoying really good friends!
Only people who know me realize how tender my heart really is.
1. Em, Philly PA
2. 29
3. 11. A faithful 80 year old deacon in my church would ask me every Sunday if I was ready to accept Jesus as Savior as I was leaving church. After a year and a half of saying “no” over and over to him, my youth workers, and to God, the Spirit worked 🙂
4. Social Work. Currently with the ID population
5. Stargazing with my telescope.
6. Yes. Neshaminy Valley Baptist
7. African Dwarf Frog
8. Disappointment-drama (aka sin) that pulls apart friendships. Elation-sharing the salvation message with a child.
9. Waking up in a tent, spending time outdoors with my closest friends/family, game or two of Ultimate, softball, etc, canoeing, few rounds of Monopoly deal/Phase 10/cribbage, watching sunset, setting of fireworks, engaging in some serious campfire chats and worship music, and star gazing to end the evening (anyone else get goosebumps seeing the rings on Saturn or a shooting star?! I love God’s amazing creation)
10. Only people who really know me realize my deepest heartaches.
Beth and the gang, Too much fun!
1. Lynda from Ocala, FL.
2. In 2 days I will be 42.
3. I was saved when I was 9 in a small country church in Ocala. I had known about Jesus since my earliest memories, but I officially walked down the aisle @9.
4. I teach 3rd grade at the same elementary school I went to in 5th grade.
5. Writing & scrapbooking.
6. Centerpoint Church PCA
7. 1 Siamese cat named Conic & the most adorable pooch on the planet, a Yorkie-Shu named Bentley.
8. Not having a child of my own-laughing with my friends and family and I mean really laughing.
9. Sleeping in and waking up without the alarm. Staying in my pj’s the entire day while watching movies with the puppy and my momma. Talking to my sister, Cristi, on the phone. My best friends, Amy and Ryan (married to each other), dropping by for a visit and some supper. Then falling asleep to the rain.
10. Only people who really know me have heard the Tracey Mutt hybiscus story.
Love ya, Lynda
Well, now you’ve got me needing to know the story.
OK! So when I was about 8 years old the little girl next door (Tracey) and I were friends. Played together every day. Well I asked her grandpa if I could buy a candle for my momma’s birthday. Of course, he let me buy one with the sad little amount of money I had. The next day, Tracey said she was mad at me because the only reason why I was her friend was so I could get free stuff from her grandpa. CAT FIGHT doesn’t begin to cover it. I threw sand in her face and she slapped me across my face leaving a big chubby hand print on my cheek. I ended up walking around the neighborhood for 45 minutes so it would go away because I couldn’t go home. Fighting was strictly forbidden. Needless to say, my little black heart was working overtime and I was plotting my revenge for the entire 45 minutes. Even as a child I had a gift for psychology and how people behave and why and I knew that Tracey was greedy and impulsive. The next day I “made nice” and asked her to come play at my house. I invited her to pick hybiscus flowers off our trees knowing full well that my mother did not allow picking the flowers because of the bees. Just as I figured, Tracey went to grabbing fistfuls of flowers while I meticulously looked in each one before I picked it. It wasn’t even 2 minutes when a bee came right out and stung her. She was bellowing at the top off her lungs as I stood there pleased as punch. My momma came out the door to tend to Tracey. She said, “Lynda Michelle Rickey, get into that house right this very minute and
don’t you think that I don’t know what you have done.” I got tons of consequences for my outrageous devious behavior. Thank the Lord that Tracey wasn’t allergic to bees. It turns out that Tracey and I went right back to being friends again and we remained so until I moved some time later. My friends sometime beg me to tell this story to them and get a big kick
out of announcing that you should never tick me off. I have no
defense for myself and can only thank my sweet Jesus for helping me see my little black heart for what it is and loving me inspite of it. THANK THE LORD THAT JESUS DOESN’T LEAVE US TO OUR OWN VICES.
Thank you, Lynda Michelle Rickey!
1. Your name and where you live.
Mitzi, Colorado
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin)
45 (not too bad soy helps the hot flashes).
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting?
Home VBS at about 7 years.
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.)
Stay-at-home-mom and volunteer. Whatever the Lord brings me to.
5. What is your #1 hobby?
Next to my family…Reading and writing and music. I think they all go together.
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one?
Yes, Crossroads Church of Denver.
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind.
Yes. A precious cardigan corgi with a brindle pattern (He looks like a dingo with those big ears). Love him to death. He’s 9 and his name is Kirby. Also lots of birds in our yard.
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation.
I am unable to attend the Women’s Conference this year with my church women, because (elation) I went to Florida with my Mom and sisters for 8 days. No kids and no hubbies. Woohoo!
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday.
A cool cloudy (maybe rainy or snowy) day. Sleep late (until 8:00) and cuddle up with my Honey. Have coffee and read blogs and papers in bed until the kiddos wake up around 11:00. Lounge around the house. Go for a walk with family and Kirby (a true family member). Take a drive in the mountains and have a late lunch/early dinner. Grab some movie theater popcorn, but go home to catch a Redbox movie. Take a nice long bath with a glass of wine, just like Jesus 😉 but with candles and relaxing music. Snuggle into clean sheets….ahhhh “perfect”! Good night My Jesus. Thank you for a beautifully “perfect” day.
10. Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am not always Little Mrs. Sunshine. =)
1. Carol Hulin, Belleville, ON, CANADA
2. 50 sigh
3. 1997 at an Alpha Course “pre“ Banquet
4. Guest Services Representative at a hotel
5. Reading, reading, reading
6. Yes. Maranatha Christian Reformed Church, Belleville, On
7. Yes. A cat or should I say pest, especially at 4 a.m.
8. Not feeling supported in my in depth Bible Studies/Going to an Eucharisteo concert and meeting Ann Voskamp
9. Sleeping in, a nice breakie that includes a hot cup of tea and some OJ, then spending the day reading, puttering in the garden, taking a nice long walk, sitting in the sun, in the evening some sort of sporting event on TV and a nice long bath before bed….
10. Only people that really know me realize that I am: that I am knowledgeable, intelligent, well read, up on the news etc. They have to know me well enough to get me to talk…..
1) Tina, Alabama
2) 44
3) February 4, 2010 – Although I grew up in church I never really knew Christ until I met some fabulous people at a church I started going to because I wanted my toddler to know about God…who could have imagined it would change my own life so profoundly!
4) Homeschoolimg mom
5) No time for hobbies…too busy with my child.
6) Yes, small church in a tiny town…Kennedy Baptist Church
7) 2 dogs…English Bulldog named Sluggo and Rottweiler named Sally
8) This entire year has been tough…deaths in m family and other family members fighting cancer/elation – my 4 year old knows all the letters of the alphabet after lots of frustration and tears!
9) Alabama Crimson Tide football game!!!
10) shockingly insecure and lonely quite often.
1. Sharon Hallum, Lawrence, KS (Southern Girl in Kansas).
2. Well I will be 40 in November (not grin)
3. When I was thirteen years old and rededicated when I was 36. I was baptized twice in Huntsville, AL (yep I was confused)
4. What line of work are you in? Well I’m in Marketing and feel like a dinosaur. I am also in school full time getting my MBA.
5. What is your #1 hobby? Working out and TALK
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one? YES! I’m actually on my third Beth Moore study. Girl, you don’t know how much I LOVE your southern spunk…takes one to know one. I did get it here in Kansas; needless to say I heart you! I attend Morning Star Church in Lawrence, KS. It is WAY different than the Church of Christ I was raised in.
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind. Will I have a fourteen year old son, he is my biggest pet and a little roomie who happens to be a 6 lb. dachshund named Levi who runs me!
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation. I have had a rough 2012 start-my son had meningitis, went to court with the ex, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and I am looking at a lay-off from my “dream job” after 10 months due to University office politics that makes me sick in more ways than one. My recent elation- Christ owns me, he is changing me from the inside out, he is changing the people around me, the man I love dedicated his life to him, God loves me (I never knew this). Beth it blows me away how he is changing me. Who is this person You are making me! I’m in a season but my faith is slowly increasing. He is hearing me.
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday. Get up super early to enjoy the morning, making coffee and sitting outside to talk to God. Going to work out, come home and Josh (my man) and I make a late breakfast. We spend the rest of the day outside (no it is not cold on my perfect Saturday). Come home, make dinner or go out to dinner, walk around downtown, come home and watch a movie with my son. No homework, no job worries, feeling healthy, my family happy, feeling God close…that is my perfect Saturday.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am not so tough. I am sensitive; love really hard and wear my feelings on my sleeve. I struggle with insecurities and fear.
1. Your name and where you live.
cindy sacramento, ca
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin)
50
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting?
u mean the first time??? i accepted him several times growing up… i think 9.
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.)
biomedical research
5. What is your #1 hobby?
u mean i have to pick just one?? reading
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one?
not really invested.
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind.
i have 2 dogs –one border collie mix, one schnauzer mix, one cat (chocolate color 9 yes really!), and one bunny lulablle. i am her 4th mommy so she has trust issues.
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation.
my marriage/new friendship
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday.
depending on weather.. a slow day reading and lounging.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am
very sensitive.
1. Laura, Colorado
2. 55
3. Sept 28, 1979
4. Admin for grocery store marketing dept.
5. Bicycling-Road Bike
6. Yes, Cherry Hills Community Church HR, Colo.
7. 1 Cat, Abby, Not really a cat person…long story
8. Women of Faith weekend
9. Bike riding on a cool fall with the leaves turning, or hiking in the mountains.
10. A real airhead sometimes.
1. Martha, Natchez, MS(great place to visit :))
2. 58 – still not loving my empty nest
3. age 12 during week long revival at home church
4. Executive Assistant to President of Pilgrimage Garden
Club.. we have over 800 members
5. Playing with my grandchildren and being at the beach..
6. Parkway Baptist Church
7. No pets since last Cocker Spaniel had to be put to
sleep…
8. Meds for husbands neuropathy not working/ 7th healthy
grandbaby born last week on what would have been my
parents 63rd wedding anniv.
9. In the fall..COLLEGE FOOTBALL -GEAUX LSU TIGERS..other
times of year..shopping or hanging with friends.
10. Not sure what only those who really know me know that
others don’t… I am pretty much..what you see is
what you get 🙂
1. Debbra Stoering, Westcliffe, CO
2. 41
3. In 10th grade. Grew up in a family that did not go to church. In my rebellious stage of teen-hood I ended up at church by myself…never left. I know, I know – ‘what a way to be rebellious!’
4. First Baptist Church secretary/asst treasurer, HousePros (home business) office administration, and of course Domestic Engineer at home
5. Huummm… too busy for hobbies. But walking with my hubby is way up there. I do like on-line scrapbooking.
6. Yes, First Baptist Church of Westcliffe. We are a church of about 200 people.
7. No pets, they all run away and never come back 🙁
8. Disappointment: struggling to see God’s purpose for my son and I being sick all the time. Elation: watching God work in my life despite the health issues and removing the bitterness I’ve had for years and years. Praise God He NEVER gives up on me when I do so many times on him.
9. Sleep in!! Snuggling with my husband, having a clean house, family time. Then there is curling up in a comfy chair to spend time with Jesus. Oh there is nothing like hours with Jesus.
10. Only people who really know me realize that I am very shy in a crowd and do not speak up in a group Bible study (anymore than about 3). I’m outgoing one-on-one. I struggle to share the real me, been hurt too many times.
This was fun and I enjoyed reading some of the other comments. Thank You Beth and Team!!!
1. Your name and where you live.
Joy Breedlove. I serve as a missionary to East Africa.
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin)
54
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting?
1988 revival service. Sermon on Difference between the wheat and the tare.
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.)
I have just begun my 4th year as missionary here in East Africa. I facilitate Pastor David Pltatt’s Secret Church studies to the interior bush pastors.
5. What is your #1 hobby?
Reading
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one?
My home church back in the states, Blackshear Place Baptist. 8000 miles away isn’t local, but through technology I remain a part.
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind.
There are about 30 monkeys who live in my yard.
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation.
Discovering corruption of a leader
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday.
Well, mine is probably a little different. I really don’t remember what Saturdays use to be like before coming here to serve. Here for the past two years I have met with pastors who are taking a bible college diploma course. Today is their graduation. I can’t think of a better way to spend my Saturdays.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am forever grateful to the Lord for HIs never giving up on me. Only those who really know me, know what my past once was and how His grace, mercy and love changed my life.