Winning my new neighbors to the Lord. . .

It’s kind of scary being in a new place, not knowing anyone, not being familiar with our surroundings and knowing in our hearts that we have to do a work for the Lord. I don’t know how to even begin to win our neighbors and if you read this post, you know how frightening this knowledge is for me. One significant challenge is that we are from different cultures, but let me hasten to say that this is not a challenge for God. In spite of this, I believe God can use us to win our community to Him.

We bought this house from a Jewish Dentist and his family, there is a synagogue up the street from our house and our neighbor on the left is a Rabbi. Before we moved in; my husband and I thought this was a Jewish community, now that we are living here and getting to know our neighbors we realize it is not.

On my right is “S”, his wife died two years ago from cancer. I felt terrible when I heard this; they had been married for many years. Though I’m not yet friends with “S”, I pray for his as though he was my best friend. Everyday as I wait for the school bus I greet him as he returns from his daily walks – talk about consistency.

Beside him is “B”, who brought us candles during our first storm at this address. Then there’s “J” and his family who takes the same school bus as my children, an elderly couple lives across the street (they’re so sweet) and finally “D” and his family. Actually, there are a few more houses but I haven’t met those families yet, maybe in the summer.

My husband and I have a sincere burden for these precious people, we would like to start a Home Bible Study with them and are praying for God to open a door. So what have I been doing? Praying, praying, praying! Asking God to prepare their hearts and equip us with the tools we’ll need to reach this valuable harvest.

If you have any testimonies of how you won your neighbors to the Lord, or advice, please share with us; we would love to hear from you on Apostolic Talk!

Refocused. . .

I have been feeling disappointed in this blog for a few months now, it has been on a steady downward spiral. This morning as I got my old computer out to give to my brother and started going through some of my old posts, the full extent of the depravity became dishearteningly clear.

I went from this and this to this and even this (actually, there are some worst posts but I can’t find it in my heart to show those).  I started this blog both to reach those who do not know Jesus and to encourage and challenge Apostolic Christians (especially women) worldwide, by showing some of the challenges of being sold out and living and raising children in a world that is doing everything possible to deny God. Somehow though, it has degenerated into a picture blog of things that do not matter and some of which are not even Apostolic. I am so ashamed.

This timing is so appropriate, as this current year ends and I look forward to the new year (God willing), it’s the perfect time for me to evaluate my life and this blog. So instead of discontinuing this blog, I think I’ll take it back to it’s origins – What’s in my head Monday, Guest Post Tuesday, Prayer and Fasting Wednesday, You Question, I Answer Thursday and Soul Winning Friday. So look out, I might be asking you to write a guest post.

Next month is the month of consecration at my Church. Every January we start the new year with prayer and fasting, it’s a great way to start the year off right and maintain throughout. I am very excited about this!!! There’s just something special about when the Church is on one accord.  If your Church does not have consecration in January, please, join us. I promise you wont regret it.

Reading the news and seeing how people live as though there is no God or worst that He is not coming again soon, there is an urgency to become focus on the things that really matter. I am motivated to do all I can to tell someone about Jesus. This blog is one way of sharing the truth of the gospel with the world. Please pray for me as I endeavor to do just that.

Thank you for being patient with me, and thank you for stopping by Apostolic Talk, your support makes all the difference!

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Soul Winning Friday, with pictures!

A Meaningful Christmas . . .

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

This week my husband said to me “Christmas has lost it’s meaning.” Being a bible school student, he is well aware that December 25th is not the actual birthdate of Jesus. I believe he was rightly referring to the commercialization and the endless ‘worship’ (for lack of a better word) of Santa Claus that takes place this time of year. I have received so many circulations from stores telling me what I MUST buy for my kids, my husband, my mom and everyone else in my life that my mailman and I have become very good friends (great, now I have to buy him a gift ).

I’ve decided to do just the opposite. Instead of spending my time in an overcrowded mall with no parking and angry shoppers, I’ve decided to spend this Christmas holiday with my family enjoying our family traditions.

So far my kids and I have decorated, listened to old fashioned Christian Christmas carols (everyday), I’ll be finishing up a few home made gifts and we are getting ready to bake our annual Christmas Eve cookies this weekend. Though we celebrate Jesus pretty much every day of the year, we are still going to read Matthew’s account of His birth on Christmas day. Yes, as you found out last year I really love Christmas.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! If you do not know Jesus in a personal way; you can find him at an alter of repentance, in the waters of baptism in Jesus’ name and  by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost as the bible teaches in Acts 2:38.

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Lock That Door!!!

“Lock that door!” That’s what my father-in-law (Pops) said when I told him I would post pictures of his turkey on my blog. He said everybody in the country would be coming for a taste of his turkey so make sure the door is securely locked.

First of all, I wish everybody in the country read my blog. Second, my dear father-in-law must be wondering why nobody came; that’s probably because I’m just now posting the turkey pictures, what is it like two weeks after Thanksgiving.

Last year I did much better. I’m beginning to think I had way more time on my hands then. Here’s a picture of  Jonathan gazing longingly at the turkey (he had no idea I was taking his picture).

This year I had the privilege of serving at my Church’s Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. I was moved to tears. I know I cry easily, but  there’s something beautiful about giving. I am so grateful that my Pastor and all the faithful saints that labor with him had the vision to start this dinner many years ago. This Thanksgiving dinner is actually a dress up version of the Community Dinner my Church hosts every third Friday throughout the year where an average of one hundred people are served at each dinner.

Our ladies prepared elaborate menus (ham, turkey, different kinds of chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, pies, and a LOT more), prayed, decorated and brought gifts  in anticipation of a great evening.

Here is our ladies Director, minutes before the doors open helping to put on the finishing touches.

Our very capable greeter. She welcomes the guest and gives them reading material, DVDs and gifts.

A few people are seated so the evening began with prayer.

I learned so much at this Community Thanksgiving Dinner and if the Lord should tarry, I look forward with great anticipation to next year’s event.

Merry Christmas every body.

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10 Things I’m Thankful For . . .

Last year on Thanksgiving, I posted ten things I was thankful for. Without looking at last year’s list and not in any particular order, here are ten things I’m thankful for today:

1. Knowing that I have TRUE salvation according to the Bible in Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

2. Being Married to my handsome, God fearing, faithful and genuinely caring husband.

3. Jonathan, my firstborn son who like his dad has a heart of gold.

4. Elizabeth, my genius.

5. Joel, my warrior.

6. My mom and by brother.

7. The Nelsons (my husbands family)

8. My Church: my Pastor, his family and my brethren are a God ordained perfect fit for my family.

 9. My home.

10. Health and strength.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

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10 Things I’m Thankful For (2010) . . .

Home at Last … Thanks be to GOD!

I sat by my new living room window looking out at the snow falling gracefully from the sky. I don’t remember ever seeing it so beautiful, the trees were covered with it’s sparkling white and the weight of the snow caused them to bow their branches gently, as though they worshipped the one true God and creator of heaven and earth. Little did I know this day would be the beginning of yet another adventure.

The meteorologist had predicted five to six inches of snow for our area, but it being October, I thought that was quiet an exaggeration. As I continued to set up our furniture and unpack boxes, I glanced at the window and noticed that the flakes were falling faster. We had only spent one magnificent night so far in our new house and I thought how lucky we were to have moved in before the snow. The lights flickered and then darkness, the power was gone. My husband noticed right away that the heat was run on electricity so I ran around trying to find clothes to bundle everyone one up before the temperature in the house fell.

Candles from neighbor Burt

All bundled up, we started looking for our flashlight and candles, after opening box after box we remembered that those particular boxes were the last to leave our old place and did not make it into storage with the rest of our stuff. They were 30 miles away in Mt. Vernon in my husband’s parents garage. Great! Now we have no light, no candles, no flash light and more importantly no heat!

God saw our dillema, because as we used our one lighter to light the stove; we heard a knock on the door. It was our neighbor Burt, he had introduced himself to us the night before and had welcomed us to the community, now he stands at our front door with ten candles in his hands. “I knew I had these laying around somewhere,” he said “I figure you guys could make use of them.” My husband thanked him profusely and told him God bless him for his kindness.

The house now had a little light and we were all bundled in bed together, My husband on one end, I on the other and our three children bundled up from head to toe between us. We had four comforters over us and Jonathan complained about being too hot. The kids fell asleep, but my husband and I stayed up wondering what we would do. Hubby decided that we had to jump ship before anyone got sick. Too late, as we packed everyone into the car the next morning to head for my husband’s parent’s house, Joel coughed viciously. Two very large branches had fallen on our cars and one of our windshields had broken from the weight (thank God a few days later our insurance company fixed it for free right in our driveway). We spent the next few days at Pops’ and Nana’s house nursing our baby back to health.

We’re home now, thanking God that there was no damage to the house. Life. We have no control over what happens in our lives, but keeping God at the head of mine has given me peace of mind. I know that he loves me and has my best interest at heart. I don’t know why He allows certain things to happen, but when things happen (as they will) I try to learn from them because I believe they come to make me stronger, wiser and ultimately rapture ready.

“…the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Rom 2:4) Finally settled, I look around and my heart is filled with gratitude. I am so grateful to God for all He has blessed me with. I am extremely humbled by His goodness and my heart is truly repentant. None of this could have been possible without Him, I give Him all the glory.

Seasons …

I hadn’t spoken with my friend since she came to visit when I was pregnant with my last child. We were childhood neighbors, went to the same High School, the same college and the same Church. We were best friends and we were inseparable, everyone asked if we were sisters because we even looked alike.

Now in two different cities we talked on the phone. It might as well have been two different planets. Our lives are now so different: she no longer calls herself a Christian, I still do. She chose not to get married, I did. She doesn’t have children and I’m mother to three. Yet now we laugh on the phone as though we were still best friends in High School.

Seasons. it’s amazing how God allows us to go through different relationships, each allowing us to grow a little. Not only relationships but situations. Reconnecting with my childhood friend forced me to consider the different roads my life has taken, how one decision to turn right took me on a major highway while a left would have brought me to someplace completely different.

The decision to marry my husband has brought me on this highway of love, family, school districts, home ownership, PTA, homework, house work and Girls Scout. I feel like since I said “I do” I’ve been driving 75 miles an hour (a little above the speed limit allowed on this highway by the way). Thank GOD for a prayer life (that could be a little better these last few weeks), a Church that preaches the truth and a wonderful family; these have been my only source of sanity.

Here is the story of how my summer ended (the express version):

My husband and I placed an offer on a home during the summer vacation and our offer was accepted Yay! Being first time homebuyers, we thought we would move into our new home by the end of the summer and the kids would start their great new school in our new amazing school district. How wrong was I!

When September came and we got a discouraging closing date for October 30th I said to my husband “I can do it, I know I can!” “I’ll just pack up baby Joel, Jonathan and Liz, drive 45 minutes to the new school everyday for eight weeks. I’ll stay up there while the kids are in school, Joel and I will go to the library, the playground and the mall. This will be an opportunity for Joel and I to spend some quality time together while Jonathan and Liz are in school. It’ll be fun!”

Two days after doing this nightmarish commute and spending all day in strange places with a cranky 18 month old toddler, I called my husband crying -”I can’t do this anymore, you’ve got to do something!” Being the awesome man that he is, he said “We’ll just have to find a short term rental in the area close to the kids school until we close”. We called our realtor and he connected us with a rental realtor who found us the worst apartment I’ve ever seen. “I’ll take it” I said. With closing just eight weeks away and saving every penny to pay our closing cost the price was just right, actually it was excellent.

After many bottles of Bleach, Fantastic, and Pine Sol we moved in. The commute to the kids school was sooooo much easier, the community was great and the views were spectacular. After dropping the kids to school in the mornings, I could skip back to the “short term rental” as I force my family to call it. Once my daughter said to me, “Mom are we going home now?” I said “Elizabeth, how many times have  I asked you not to call that place home? We are only here for eight weeks, this is a ‘Short Term Rental’! Tired after my many errands, she looked at me with a sleepy face and said, “Mom, are we going to the ‘Short Term Rental’ now? I smiled as I watched her wrap her five year old lips around the ridiculous words and said “Yes honey, we are”.

Well, we’ve only been here five weeks and my husband just called to tell me our concrete closing date agreed upon by both the seller’s lawyer and our lawyer is next week. “THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!” I am thrilled to pieces. This entire process has taught me a lot about myself and even more about my husband and children. God has blessed me with an amazing family. My dear husband has been a tower of strength to me through this difficult process, when I cried because the five of us were living in a one bedroom apartment, he made me laugh by reminding me of some of the funny crazy things we’ve been through . He  has remained encouraging and a joy to be with. I’m happy he’s my husband! I smile as I watched my children chase each other from the living room through the hallway and into the bedroom, letting out screams of delight as they tag each other. They are not concerned that we are not living in a mansion. They know that they have hot meals to eat, a bed to sleep in and a clean house to play in. Most importantly, they know we are all together.  And that’s what really matters.

Seasons, without them we wouldn’t know just how strong we could be, or how great the people in our lives really are.