One of God's Blessings in my Life

Over the summer, God introduced me to some incredible women who have truly enriched my life.  Today, I want to introduce one of them to you.

This is Melanie.  We served God together in Jamaica, along with 69 other people on our team.  Prior to our trip, we did not know each other.  And actually, it was Melanie's 2 teenage children who signed up to go on the trip - NOT Melanie.  But God had other plans!

When Melanie's teenagers began raising money to go to Jamaica, immediately God blessed them with more than they needed.  So Melanie called Stephanie, our faithful trip leader, and asked her what to do with the extra.  Stephanie wisely told her that God was providing an abundance so SHE could go to Jamaica too! 

Melanie had a ton of reasons why she could not go, and she wrestled with her decision until it was nearly time to board the plane.  Thankfully, Melanie chose to obey God.  She stepped waaaaaay out of her comfort zone and right into the center of God's will.

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:20-21

I had the privilege of leading a ladies' Bible study with her at the "Big Church" a.k.a. Mt. Nebo in Jamaica.  The more we shared our lives with the Jamaican ladies, the more we realized how much we had in common with each other.  Time after time, I was taken aback by the similarities and parallels of our lives. 

For example, we went to the same college only a year or so apart and both majored in Criminal Justice!!!  God used Jonah in the Bible to change the course of both of our lives!!!  She knew my husband, and her husband knew some of my family.  Just to name a few.  It was so wild!

Interestingly, we look a lot alike too!  Melanie's daughter Sara even thought I was her mom on several occasions. 

One day, Melanie was showing me pictures on her camera and when I saw one of them I thought to myself, "I don't remember wearing that shirt in Jamaica."  Well, I didn't remember because it wasn't me, it was Melanie!  I too got us confused!

The more time we spent together, the more we realized how much we had in common.  GOD IS SO GOOD!   

I am so very thankful for my new friend Melanie!  I am also grateful that we live in the same county and can continue to build our friendship!  What an AMAZING GOD we serve!

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Proverbs 27:17

Loving HIM with all my heart & soul,
Nancy   

I'm still alive!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

God did some incredible things in Jamaica!  He changed lives right before our very eyes!

There is so much to share. 

I've been asking God to please give me some special time set aside just to write (blog.)  With school starting this week, I believe He will be answering my prayers really soon.

But right now, I have some paperwork to catch up on for my dad.  Please keep checking back for some amazing God stories.  They will be coming soon.

Here is a sneak peek...

This is a picture of the ladies God gave me the privilege of studying His Word with in Jamaica. (Yes, you do see a young man too!  He joined us on this particular day and was a HUGE asset! He wants to be a pastor & really knows God's Word.) Our group got larger each day too.

Loving HIM with all my heart & soul,
Nancy

It's Late Again!

Here it is after midnight on the night before a mission trip - AGAIN!  I had planned all week to get caught up on my God stories.  I have so many to share with you!

Instead, I was offered a ministry opportunity at church.  God made it clear to me that I was supposed to seize this opportunity.  So, I did.  Therefore, I stll have lots of stories to tell you. And God added a few more this week too!

My eyes are begging to close, and my headache is begging for some advil cold & sinus medicine. 

Faith and I, along with 68 of our closest friends, are going to Jamaica tomorrow (Monday.)  I'm really excited about this trip.  It will also be Faith's first international mission trip and her first time on a plane.  We are going to have a good time. 

I will not be able to take my computer to blog on this trip :(  I will keep a journal & take lots and lots of pictures to share when I return though.

Will you please pray for us?

Pray for us to take a deep breath when we arrive at the airport bright & early at 6:00 a.m. and be able to shift our minds from packing mode to ministering mode.

Pray for us to have opportunities to share Jesus in the airports and on the planes.

Pray for the families we will be staying with in Jamaica (We will be staying in individual houses.) This is one thing that I am REALLY excited about.

Thank God in advance for the lives He's going to change and the souls He's going to save.

Will you please say a special prayer for me?  I will be leading a woman's Bible study in Jamaica while the kids are in VBS.  I've been planning my lessons for months.  Then a few nights ago, God changed everything!  

Pray for the ladies to open up and be honest with themselves and with God.  Pray for lives to be transformed.

Pray for the 700+ children (in 3 different churches) we will be ministering to all week through VBS, sports, & hanging out.  We will have a medical team and a construction team too. We will also go to 2 orphanages on Saturday.  Ask God to use us to show His love to the people in Jamaica.

Pray for us to be completely surrendered to God and to minister in His strength and not our own.

Pray for our team to be unified through the Holy Spirit, despite our large number.

Okay, I have to get a couple of hours of sleep.

PLEASE PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

Thank you.

Loving HIM with all my heart & soul,
Nancy