I am Blessed!

I can say without a shadow of doubt how blessed I am having been born in a Christian family and having parents who lived Godly lives before their children and being faithful to Christ in all they said and did. We recently celebrated our mother's 95th birthday! I can't fathom living 95 years on this earth myself, but I'm sure happy God has allowed my Mother, Barbara Boda, to have that many years with us. She is a first-generation Christian in her family and I recently gave tribute of that to encourage those of you who are the first ones in your family to accept Christ as your personal Savior. I presented it at our women's fall gathering just two weeks ago; the day after Mother's 95th birthday. Because of her obedience in accepting Jesus at 15 years old, many others have seen her faithfulness over the years and became believers as well. I think of the 'wonder ifs' and the first being her little sister (my aunt whom I never knew), Daisy Patterson, at age 11 who was hit and killed by a car, BUT she knew Jesus because her big sister was obedient. My grandmother became a Christian because of that first-generation Christian daughter. Her brother did as well and the list could on and on. They are all with Jesus because Mother accepted Christ and lived it. Let this be a challenge as well as encouragement to begin the walk as first-generation Christians if you aren't already and you will multiply! She has multiplied many times over because of her faithfulness in her spiritual walk with Jesus. "....go and do likewise." Luke 10:37 (of course, this refers to showing mercy to others, which is all part of our Christian testimony and walk) I'm blessed to not only have her as my Godly mother, but she married a Godly man (who went to be with the Lord 20 years ago) and together they raised eight children to love and serve Jesus, whether it be in full-time ministry or in the local church. Thank you, Mother, for your example and spiritual journey that you have showed to all of us. Mother's "tribe" now numbers 168 in her and my father's offspring! God is good....and I am blessed!

One down, many to go.....

Just had an extremely enjoyable and profitable district women's ministries leadership retreat in Rome, NY at our Alliance camp facilities this past weekend. We had a great time of fellowship in addition to accomplishing lots of business and decisions as well as training area directors for our new 2008-09 theme and project and thankfully getting lots of materials out of my hands into their's! What a great team God has blessed me to work, play and worship with! God is good! I so appreciate all these Godly ladies. So this is #1 of many to come of my director responsibilities, but God will give me the wisdom and strength to get it done. Thank you, Lord! Now back home to regroup for the next responsibility a week from today (6/29) at that same campgrounds where we'll have a women's Renew Celebration hearing from several missionaries share about their work around the world. Then to relax a bit at family camp for a week staying at my sister's cottage. I'm looking forward to doing some relaxing for a change. I will be meeting with a few ladies one-on-one to discuss women ministries in their churches and areas while at family camp, but that's fine. That's what I'm here for.....availability and to encourage women leaders in our churches. And then there's planning our 2008 Wallace cousin camp that must be seriously completed. I usually have it all planned way before now......our crazy busy lives haven't been conducive to having time to do this as early as in years past. We'll get it all together before August 5th! We also have Mom Boda's 95th birthday celebration coming up on August 16th here in Ithaca at one of our local parks. We're surely blessed to have her with us for so many years.....what a matriarch and example she is. Love you Mom! Part of that celebration will be my eldest brother's and his wife's 50th wedding anniversary. Two big milestones. Thank you, Rex and Jean, for your Godly example too. I recently read a true story written by one of our Alliance pastors in Stockton California and he ended it with "God says whatever we sow, that we also shall reap. So, to all who are planting and watering, don't quit before the miracle happens. It's just a matter of God's perfect timing." Are you discouraged with planting and watering and want to just throw up your hands and quit? Our timing isn't the Lord's so we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and trust Him for the increase. He commands us to be Great Commission Christians.....let's do it through His strength. Have a blessed day!

Who me?

We just returned late this afternoon from attending out Northeastern District & Prayer Conference held in South Glens Falls, NY. It was amazingly hot weather (unbearable almost) but thankfully the Pine Knolls Alliance Church is air conditioned and endurable when inside. I wanted to just stay there all the time instead of sleeping where there was no a/c or riding in our van since the a/c died a few weeks ago....NOT good for a person who absolutely hates heat. I'll take the white stuff any day! I always say that people can put on more clothes to keep warm, but you can't take your skin off to get cool. :-) We had a wonderful time at conference though, including a beautiful dinner cruise on Lake George complete with Dr. and Mrs. A.B. Simpson and A.W. Tozer and his wife....both in person. We even got their autographs....it was so cool! The meal was scrumptuous and the fellowship great too. The Martins outdid themselves in planning this and the program that was presented as well. It was exciting to hear about church health and steps being taken to plant churches. The health seminars were well done and lots of 'food for thought and challenge'. Good job seminar speakers! Thanks for challenging all of us. Elections this year were a bit unnerving to me since I was elected as our NE District's Alliance Women Ministries Director. Who me? Yes the Lord said as I tried to hear another answer when praying about it, asking my honey and our adult children what they felt about it and there were no closed doors. I am excited, but at the same time a little nervous about this commitment time-wise, energy-wise, activity-wise and being stretched by Jesus to serve Him in this capacity. I would appreciate all your prayers on my behalf as I endeavor to be a "serving leader" in this new position and to encourage ladies all over our district to get on our women minsitries team in their churches so we can be a huge support to each other as well as all our district missionaries and overseas workers. We're ALL working for the same end in evangelizing and bringing souls to Jesus. Thanks for your prayers as I lead with God's help and wisdom!

How to forgive 7%

I received the following in an e-mail (author unknown) and I've read it before, but each time, Jesus reminds me how much He did for me in spite of His perfect life. I wanted to post it so everyone who reads this will be reminded of His great love and sacrifice for us. Enjoy!

How to Forgive

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job. His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment and frustration. Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed: 'Lord, You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for You, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me; and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as Your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive...my anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear You; but I pray that You teach me to do this one thing I cannot do - teach me to forgive.' As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them. He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally, he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak. 'Have you ever told a lie?', he asked. The man answered, 'Yes, Lord.' 'Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?' The man answered, 'Yes, Lord.' And the man sobbed more and more. 'Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?', Jesus asked. And the man answered, 'Yes, Lord.' 'Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?' The man, crying now, answered, 'Yes, Lord.' As Jesus asked many more times, 'Have you ever...?' The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer, 'Yes, Lord.' Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before. Jesus said, 'I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you.' It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is. Read the following first line slowly and let it sink in: If God brings you to it...He will bring you through it. When Jesus died on the cross, He was thinking of you!

My Way of Keeping in Touch!

I'm new at this blog stuff, but thought it would be a great way to let some of you know what's up in our lives. I'm not sure how often I'll have time to put updates on this, but I'll try. You can always find me on Facebook if not here. Each day brings me at the throne of God and asking Him exactly what He wants me to do and in what area to serve Him the most. It makes me seek Him in how to keep my life prioritized the way He would want. It's so easy to put our own ideas and wants in the order WE think is best, but that might not be what the Lord wants. You can pray along with me that I will learn daily exactly what He wants me to do. Our life is full and blessed richly with a wonderful network of family and friends and we thank the Lord every day for that blessing. We don't take that for granted and we count it a privilege to be part of your life. Let us know how we can pray for you. And always remember "And we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love and Lord and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 - our life verse we chose 44 years ago!