LuAnn Carrig- Central Region

J O Y- three letters that sit on the bookshelf behind my desk. Why are they there you ask? As a director in a Lutheran preschool I find great JOY
in theministry where I am blessed to serve.
Many years ago, I was driving by St. Paul's (in Falls Church, VA on Idylwood Rd.) and God spoke to me very clearly. He said, "You are going to serve at St. Paul's." Why would I work or serve at St. Paul’s was my immediate thought. I'm a life-long Baptist! I continued my drive up the hill and pushed the “message” deep into my memory until...the day a friend called me to say that St. Paul's Lutheran in Falls Church was looking for a preschool director. The words I had heard so clearly months before quickly rushed into my mind. I was filled with JOY when I was offered the position and am in my ninth year.
As I began my service at St. Paul's, the single most impressive thing was the committed spirit of the congregation for their Preschool. I had worked in other church preschools but had NEVER experienced such support and enthusiasm from a church congregation. To work in a committed partnership was more than a JOYfull experience. I have enJOYed very much the friendships I have established with the church community and value them greatly.
Not only do I find JOY in working in a church that loves their preschool, but I find great JOY in serving children and families. Building relationships is always a great experience, but supporting them educationally and spiritually brings it to an even greater level. Many in our program are foreign born and this is their first experience in a school. St. Paul’s is a welcoming and safe place for them to walk through this first experience. I would like to think that we bring JOY to each of these families!
It also brings me great JOY as I work with a team of Christians, currently all women but occasionally a man. While my day-to-day responsibilities are to manage the preschool, mentor staff and help families, I really enJOY being a spiritual leader for the staff. I strive to treat people in the same way Jesus treated people; through love. Oh I am very aware that I am a sinner, but through God’s grace and mercy,
I am renewed daily.

What a privilege it is to work in a place where I am free to share my love for Jesus Christ. While Merriam- Webster defines JOY as “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness” I challenge you to define it in the following way:
 J - Jesus first
O - others second
Y – yourself last 

We give thanks for the dedication of LuAnn serving to minister to children and their families
 at St. Paul's. She is also a part of the Kingdom Impact Pinner Team on Pinterest.
You can check out her resources here-http://www.pinterest.com/luanncarrig/
Though her first boards are designed for wonderful help for teachers, there are also many ideas for families of young children here also. She has been a long-time supporter and participant at Keep the Faith activities at Prince of Peace in Springfield, VA.
LuAnn may be reached at-SPLPreschool@aol.com

Tara Wolf- Central Region

At that moment, I did not want to be there.
It was my first Christmas away from home for the holiday. True to my form, my first Christmas away was not a few hundred miles or even a few thousand miles from my family. Instead, I was across the ocean in a small city by the name of Győr, in Hungary. And at that moment, I did not want to be there.
Yet here was my school principal, standing at the door to my flat handing me a bag of decorations for my tree. “Thank you!” I replied, although in my heart I wished I didn’t have to borrow decorations from my lovely principal and her family. Instead I deeply desired to be at home, in the comfort of tradition and familiarity.
Rummaging through the bag I found a variety of ornaments, and at the very bottom of the bag was a package of sparklers. I figured the bag had been used for the 4th of July as well as Christmas decorations and set them aside to return later.
A few days later, we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ. My heart slowly turned around from a posture of selfishness to a posture of gratefulness and thankfulness. Although I could barely understand a word in Hungarian, I could understand many common Christian elements of worship: the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed and the all-time favorite Christmas hymn, “Silent Night.”
After worship, we celebrated in a traditional Hungarian style. As we sat around the tree, Sándor (the father) called my attention to what he was about to do. I saw real candles in the tree and wondered why they were there. Sándor moved to something else that was hanging on the bottom of the tree...sparklers! With a mixture of disbelief and humor, I watched as he lit them with joy as we celebrated the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. It was then that the memory of the bag with the ornaments came floating to my mind. “Of course!” I thought to myself, “The sparklers are for the tree!” (and not for the 4th of July, which Hungarians do not celebrate!).
Slowly another realization came to me; 2,000 years ago there was another young girl that was far from home. She did not have the traditions and familiarity of her home either. This is where our similarities end. She was in a strange town giving birth to a baby whom she had no cradle to lay Him in. She had to rely on the generosity of others to help her through this night as she brought her baby into the world.
But this was not just another baby born that night. This baby is the one who created the world that He was coming in to. This baby would one day heal the sick, raise people from the dead and show mercy to the outcasts of society. This baby would change the world, bringing about such radical transformation that the world would forever be changed. This transformation would give new life to sinners and hope for the lost. It would even have the power, through love, to change my heart from selfishness and pity to one of gratefulness and thanksgiving so many years later in a city in Hungary.
I invite you to receive the good news of this transforming power that is Christ Jesus. I pray that your heart would also be turned toward Him this Christmas season.

DCE Tara Wolf is the Youth and Family Minister at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Williamsburg, VA. Tara is a certified Director of Christian Education having graduated from Concordia University in Irvine, CA with a Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies with a Youth and Family Ministry concentration. She completed a two year internship in Győr, Hungary in 2003. Tara has served as the Director of Youth and Congregational Ministries at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Fishkill, NY; Director of Youth Ministries at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine, IL and has been at King of Glory since 2009. Tara is blessed to be married to the love of her life and they reside in Williamsburg with their two Hungarian Vizslas.
Tara may be reached at-   t.wolf@kogva.org

Offer Blessing

         

Reflecting on the theme of the LCEF- 

Lutheran Church Extension Fund-

 Leadership Conference

 in San Antonio, Texas

 this past weekend.

And a prayer for this week- Offer Blessing-

God of love, 

I Pray for the peace of Christ:

in the face of fear, to trust,

in the face of violence, to be gentle,

in the face of sorrow to be healing,

in all things to offer blessing. 

Christ, grant me your peace:

with those who are rejected to stand in unity,

for those who are afraid to offer my hand,

beside the outcast to sojourn in longing,

to those who are cursed to offer blessing.

Spirit of compassion, 

be the grace and strength in me

to risk for the sake of justice,

to suffer for the sake of healing,

to give of myself for the sake of love,

to offer blessing, to offer blessing.

A prayer from Pastor Steve

 on the blog Unfolding Light 

that touched my heart this Thanksgiving Week.

Lead a Quiet Life

Challenging these days to think about gearing down to quiet-

 right before the start of ADVENT.

Waiting and watching and listening

 for the way to celebrate the birth of this little baby gift-

JESUS 

- in our hearts and in our lives.

 A look at 1 Thess. 4 : 9-12- for some words of guidance.

 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

What could be your ADVENT gift to friends and family this year?

You have been taught to love each other. More and More.

To mind your own business- speak well of each other.

Work with your hands- be productive.

That your daily life may win respect of outsiders…

so if a non-Christian is watching your Advent preparations 

and listening to how you speak of this season-

 do they hear JOY? or hurry and complaints?

Make choices this year to eliminate hurry.

It is ok to have a busy life but not a busy soul.

Find the way to speak calm

 into the lives of all those around you.

Want a place to start?

Be the Advent quiet in the lives of others this year.

Read Ann Voskamp's new book for your ADVENT-

The-Greatest-Gift-Unwrapping-Christmas- see this link.

s

Use Me, Lord

Dear Heavenly Father,

On a day remembering those who bravely stand 

so that we might live Free- we give thanks.

On a day where we see the

 horrible devastation disaster in the Philippines-

 we pray for your mercy to all the survivors, 

and pray for quick aid in the midst of such crisis.

And we pray that in the moments of this day,

 in simple and extravagant acts of mercy and love, 

 that your divine guiding hand

speaks to the depth of our souls, 

and that you might make us aware

 of how to be your gift in the world, 

and use us in Your Kingdom today.

That we may be used to bring You Glory,

 and that we see how one touch in the world-

touches another. 

In the name of Jesus we pray.

Amen.

Banner in the sanctuary of 

Grace Lutheran Church,

Woodbridge, Virginia.

Carol Stano- Northern Region

This past weekend -

there was a time of endings
 and a new movement into the future-

 the retirement of Pastor Les Stano
 from full time ministry

 Joined in ministry with his wife- Carol Stano.

They served at 

Lutheran Church of the Cross-

 Rockville, Maryland.

Some words of tribute and blessing
 from Carol at the retirement gathering.

We give thanks for all the ways that Carol 

has served in ministry to the church at large, the LWML,

  to clergy wives in the Southeastern District,
and women in her parish life.

Her heart for women and a gift of care and listening 

has been the blessing to many women who have crossed her path.

A Special Letter from Carol Stano
 to the members of Church of the Cross
God Meets Us at the Bend of the Road
Do not forget the things your eyes have seen,
 nor let them slip from your heart all the days of your life. Deuteronomy 4:9 (JB)

Friends in Christ,
Sharing a goodbye is difficult but necessary at this juncture
 in my ministry with each of you.
It has been my joy to be a partner in Christ
 with Les’ ministry at Lutheran Church of the Cross
 these past fifteen years.
A new beginning awaits us in our life journey together.
 We have confidence that the Lord will guide and direct us.
It has been a blessing, too, to serve my Lord and to be able to
use my spiritual gifts of mercy, faith, teaching,and hospitality. Each
year was so special in building relationships
and growing in faith together.
My love of children and their Christian education
 has been most meaningful and inspirational.
 A joyful experience!
I have learned much from the children,
and their faith in Jesus is astounding.
I pray they will continue to grow in His love and grace.
 I am grateful for the children, their families,
 and for the faithful leadership each Sunday.
Beginning the new ministry of Children of the Cross Preschool
(now 11 years) was a personal dream for both Les and me.
This is a vital mission field for the community
 and the emerging cultures that surround LCC.
Seeds of Christ’s love have been planted in many little hearts
 under the direction of committed teachers and Director Brenda Bertrand.
Serving on the Preschool Board since its inception has been a joy and blessing.
My love of teaching and learning
 also extends to adult Bible study, Confirmation, LWML Christian
Life retreats, LWML national conventions, and other women’s ministry.
I will continue to seek out ways for my faith life to develop,
 as God’s Word always entices me to grow.

The generosity of the love gifts from the congregation, 
and from Women of the Cross at Christmas each year,
 have been much appreciated. Women of the Cross
 provided financial aid for me to attend the SED Pastors’ Wives Retreats,
 which deepened my walk with the Lord
 and provided me the opportunity to be with my sisters in Christ, for fellowship.
I loved opening our home to everyone who wanted
 or needed a place to relax and have fun. 
Book Club dinners and WOC Christmas parties
 were delightful and fun for me, too.
 I especially enjoyed the WOC International dinners,
 their hosting shared with my dear friend, Carol Currey. 
Quiet times, too, with members of the congregation were always a blessing. 
I shall miss these wonderful fellowship events
 and treasure the laughter and friendships!
Reflecting on the past, I have seen the many ways God
 was our companion on the journey together, 
and I celebrate this with each of you.
 He will con-tinue to ever walk with you
 and guide you in new directions, and He will give you peace.
Blessings,
Carol Stano

5. 
   

Reprinted from the  November 2013

CrossCurrents • Lutheran Church of the Cross

We look forward to seeing how the Lord blesses
 His continued working in the life of His servant- Carol.

1000 Gifts Retreat-Southern Region

 On a fall Saturday-

 in morning crispness, 

down a long,
 leaf-strewn lane to the farm

as cattle waited for the

 dew pressed-down softly to dry

Fourteen women gathered

 in the warm hospitality of a home-
offered as blessing.

To share the viewing of a video

of the grace story told by 

Ann Voskamp

of Counting Gifts

With small group time to talk it out

and share a bit of the story that resides 

in each of us

Because of the Creator Gifts in us

He still creates.

And a farm-style meal shared.

Laced round rightly with laughter.

 A walk around the farm grounds-

time to breathe and rest.

And catch up with 

the soul center that patiently awaits

attention

and care.

A community of grace

 that just might be part of a movement-

of Counting Gifts

to live in Thanksgiving

 for the Gift of the One

 who brings JOY.

A Creative Haven event

near Claremont, North Carolina.

Hosted by Jenny Whitely

Facilitated by Diane Guelzow.


Have you read the book about Counting Gifts?
Do you keep track of the gifts
 to see the story of His faithfulness?
 Share with us here.

Janis McDaniels- Southern Region

Faith Walking in the LWML-

Lutheran Women's Missionary League

I think it’s safe to say my LWML faith walk is pretty much based on my inability to say “no.”

In 1993, I was advised that then president, Ida Mall, was going to ask me to do something, and I dare not say "no." She asked me to serve on the Christian Growth Committee. I didn’t know what that was,  but said “yes,” in a definite leap of faith. I served two terms on the Christian Growth Committee and then was appointed to the Mission Projects Committee.  Learning more and more about LWML, I was also getting to know some terrific women. While attending an Interdepartmental Meeting, I learned that my grandson was stillborn.  Surrounded by love and support from my LWML sisters, they prayed with and for me, and comforted me. I was blessed to be in their company.

My next leap of faith was when I was asked to run for district president. There were two things to take into consideration: was the Carolinas District ready for an African American district president, and my opponent was the daughter of a past district president.  After much prayer and counsel, I allowed my name to stand for nomination.  I won – by two votes. At that time I adopted Philippians 4:13 as my personal verse. ” I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”  During this time our son was killed. An event like that can shake your faith pretty badly. Again, the love and support  from my LWML sisters across the country helped to see me through it. Before my term ended, I was appointed chairman of the Gospel Outreach Committee, so I was doing two jobs for a little over a year. Another “yes” again. When elected to the Nominating committee, I served as chairman.  Feeling unprepared, I went back to Phil. 4:13. This was a good group and work was a joyful experience.

Another “yes”  led to nomination for Vice President of Gospel Outreach, and I was elected. Later that year, my husband had extensive surgery for esophageal cancer, as well post-surgical problems related to his medication. I was a wreck and, again, my LWML sisters and brothers – the pastoral counselors, lifted me up. Later on my husband, Jim, developed a staph infection. I had trouble functioning and thought he was dying. President Kay Kreklau, then LWML recording secretary, counseled me and helped me keep my wits about me. What a blessing!

When nomination came for national president, I didn’t make it to the ballot. I considered a floor nomination request, which I answered with a prayerful “yes.” Though not elected, it was okay.  The Lord  places me where He wants me each time. I’m still active on the Carolinas District board, zone and church society.  A new role as a member of the Concordia College Alabama (Selma) Board of Regents is something entirely new, so I’m leaning heavily on Phil. 4:13.

Whatever is next for me, I do know the Lord is walking with me. At times He will move ahead of me to lead and sometimes get behind and push- to direct where He wants me to go. 

When has a faith community surrounded you in a time of crisis? We'd love to hear about those times of comfort and prayer in your life.

Janis serves with her husband, Jim, at St Luke's Lutheran Church, High Point, North Carolina. We give thanks for her long- time support of the LWML at both local and National level. She gives a powerful witness that a yes to God leads to new areas to grow and learn about how He equips us to serve. Janis can be reached at-  LWMLJanis@aol.com 

Whatever

Philippians 4:8

Meditate on These Things

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
NKJV

Thinking about this word from the Southeastern District Conference - the  worship service-last week in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Lord, let us truly live whatever lives, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to be a witness to the world of Your redeeming gift of grace- Jesus.
In His name we pray, Amen.

Do NOT Enter

Maybe it's just me-  but everytime I see a sign with this-  DO NOT ENTER-

 yup- you guessed it- I want to climb the fence- peek through, open the door-

 Now it might never have crossed my mind-

 until the sign posted told me I could not go there.

It seems like some times when a new chapter in life is about to open -- 

there is a small voice that can yell pretty loudly- Do NOT ENTER.

 The unknown can be very disquieting. 

Too unpredictable.

Boundaries are not squared away yet

 and it feels like a free fall.

But, it is helpful to see a new threshold as a gate.

You can see a few things through the rails, but not so clearly YET.

Whether you are moving through an opening to a new job,

 change in life or work position,

 or simply days that are more challenging right now-

 remember.

 You have the God that wrote the book on TIME and CHANGE 

moving along right beside you.

Not a bad place to be going forward.

So we pray......

Heavenly Father, 

You so graciously do not hesitate when I do. 

You keep my hand held closely and move with strength-

 when I hesitate.

When I desire to know the story's ending,

 you whisper quiet flutters of trust for me to catch and hold closely. 

I give thanks that my footsteps are gentle placements

 on the earth that you hold dearly. 

As you guard my days of breathing into unknown wakings,

 I rest assured and breath deeply.

For you have written my days in your book of LIFE, 

and may my purpose be tender guidings of YOUR Will.

 In the name of Jesus.

Amen.

Your Story Matters

Where have you been?

The other day was visiting with a friend 

and asked her about
 submitting a blog post for Journeys of Faith-

She said, "Nothing great in my life to talk about... 

I haven't done anything important."

We talked a bit more
 and I asked her to reframe her life.....

"What if you tell your story
 in light of what Jesus has done for you? 

Do you think that can
 give you a different perspective?"

We all get caught up in the subtle
 and actually maybe blatant 

 affects of our modern culture--

 that our Life is about ME and what I have done....

The challenge of committed Disciples- 

Followers of Jesus- 

is that we often forget
 just how basic our story is.... 

 and we forget to use our gifts
 and our whole being in telling the main story:

JESUS LOVES ME.

That is the story that attracts others to listen -

 to listen with HOPE.

 To begin to see that there is something different about 

Living Life as a Daughter of the King.

Because Jesus has made all the difference.

Because my feeble attempts
 at making meaning of my life have been futile.

And most all -  
we are encouraged to be prepared.
 Take some time to write out your Story.
So that you are always prepared
 to tell anyone who asks---
What is so special about your life?
And then perhaps YOU
 will be ready to be a witness
 here in this space- 
of all that you have seen and heard.

1 Peter 3:14-15

Through thick and thin,
 keep your hearts at attention,
 in adoration before Christ, your Master. 
Be ready to speak up and tell anyone
 who asks why you’re living the way you are,
 and always with the utmost courtesy.

Sit a spell and give thanks

 for the story you have-

for the story you have to share.

Blessings,
Connie

Gathering in Prayer

Life always has the high points and the valleys.

 Sometimes they follow very closely to one another.

Six weeks ago, Tom and Sandra Becker

 celebrated a beautiful beach wedding

 for their son Tom and his new wife, Janet. 

Within the past two weeks,

 their son Tom was involved in a motorcycle accident in Virginia Beach.

 Tom lost the bottom half of his left leg due to his injuries. 

Tom is currently still in ICU.

In the hours that follow such news,

 there is shock and disbelief and a thousand questions. 

We know and trust that our Lord plants Himself firmly

 in the middle of the messy challenges of life. 

The hard eucharisteo moments. 

When there are no answers and many many questions.

As a community of believers,

 we step forward to boldly ask God's intervention 

at this time 

for healing and recovery- WE PRAY.

In prayer, we have the gift of connecting

 our limited resources to the God of infinite resources.

It moves beyond our wants,

 hopes and needs.

 It is tapping into the supernatural plane of living

 that brings strength that our human endeavors cannot move.

Spend a moment praying this verse

 over Tom and Sandra, and Jeff and Janet.

 Ask the Lord to bring this family His help and comfort.

 Ask for His blessing of safety as they travel many times

 between their home and Virginia Beach in the next month. 

For upcoming surgeries and rehab for Jeff.

 Cover them in prayer.

Rev. Tom and Sandra Becker serve at
 Immanuel Lutheran Church, Preston, MD. 

Other prayer prompts for the Southeastern District

 may be found at:  praying-for-the-southeastern-district

 Just click on the individual prayer cards
 to enlarge to use as a prayer prompt.

The Principle of Storytelling

Recently been reviewing storytelling principles.  
That sent me to the greatest story teller of all.
 The teller of truth in story form.- Jesus.

 Matthew 13: 10-13.- NIV

¹⁰ The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
¹¹ He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. ¹² Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.¹³ This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

In previous verses Jesus talks about having hearts and  minds prepared- "ready" to hear the Word of God. Without this preparation, the stories are meaningless.

Jesus used parables to reveal spritual truths in such a way that those who wanted to respond would understand and receive more.

But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity disappears.

That is why Jesus tells stories:

to create readiness, to nudge people toward receptive insight.

How might the Holy Spirit use the stories you tell about His faithfulness to prepare the ground for spiritual readiness in the lives of people in your life?

Cheryl Durheim- Central Region

I was asked several times throughout my school years to predict what I would be doing when I grew up.  I loved that question because I had the answer!  I was going to be an elementary school teacher.  Throughout my elementary and high school years the only variable that changed in that plan was instead of being a public school teacher I was going to be a Lutheran School Teacher; and I did just that.  I finished college and my first call was to a small Lutheran School in St. Francis, MN where I taught grades 1-4.  College did not prepare me for four grades in one classroom, but I managed and I loved it!  That lasted two years and from that point on “my plan” went haywire.

My husband took a job in Chicago, which meant we had to move.  Thankfully, we were moving into a “very Lutheran” area where finding a teaching position should be easy.  Well…easy – Yes – finding a position within my plan – No.  I took a call teaching middle school.  I was absolutely petrified the kids would eat me alive; yet, I swallowed my fear and took the plunge.  What I discovered was teaching middle school was awesome and the thought of going back to the early elementary years was not for me!  I never thought my career would include teaching middle school.

Then my husband was transferred to Washington D.C. and into an area that was not at all Lutheran.  Lutheran Schools were not an option for us and I was not thrilled about teaching in a public school.  I tried to get a job but nothing came about so I decided to get my Masters in education, which would make me more marketable.  However, as I finished my degree God had other plans for me.  I was asked to consider being the Director of Family Life Ministry for our church.  I said “Absolutely Not!”  I had just finished my Masters and I didn’t want to go back to school for yet another Masters AND that was not in my plan.  I was a teacher!  Well, the long story short – I was called to be the Director of Family Life Ministry and I went to school again.  This was WAY beyond my plans.  Director of Family Life Ministry was not a teaching job.  Yes, part of my job was teaching but not in a traditional classroom setting and it was for ages above middle school.  Once again, this was not in my plan but I absolutely loved how God was using me in a different type of ministry.  I was able to reach people of all ages; teach people of all ages; and show people how important a church family is.  

This, too, came to an end and not in a way that I ever imagined.  I was sad because I truly felt called to do ministry; yet, it didn’t appear I was going to be able to serve anymore.  Yes, I wasn’t going to be serving in the capacity of Director of Family Life Ministry but I was still going to be serving; it would just look different once again.  I now serve Him through teaching online classes for Concordia University, Nebraska and by conducting online Bible studies.  As I reflect upon “my plan”, I can see how “my plan” was so miniscule to the grand plan that God has for me.  Even though I am no longer serving a specific congregation, I still have the opportunity to reach others and help them reflect upon God’s word within their home.  God has opened the door in a very untraditional way to reach families that are living very full lives.    

Reflecting upon the path God has led me on and looking at where He is leading me leaves me awestruck.  He has equipped me with the skills needed each time to be able to reach out and share His word.  Back when I began this journey if someone told me that I would be writing, teaching adults, and creating and leading retreats I would have laughed at them.  Never underestimate what God will equip you to do!  Take time to reflect upon your journey.  As you reflect, God’s presence in your life will be evident and how he has equipped you to do His work will shine through.    

Serving an AMAZING God in ways I never imagined!

          If you are interested in Online Bible Reflections – email Cheryl at cheryldurheim@yahoo.com.  There is only a small commitment on your part.  Supply an email address, receive a reflection, and reflect upon God’s word for the week.  

You can also find her on the blog she writes at - passingonthefaith.blogspot.com.
We give thanks for the way Cheryl is leading in the world of social media, faith formation and ministry opportunities.

          

Karen Hunter- Central Region

What is a current JOY in my life these days?  Being settled.  This last year has been one of changes for our family. Last fall included a painful and emotional changing of churches and then a new church family to get to know.  Then, in another roller coaster of emotion, over the spring and summer we sold our home of 11 years
(in 3 days!) and had to quickly find a new home, which we eventually did.  The rest of the summer was spent unpacking, working on our new house, getting to know the neighborhood, and settling in to our new surroundings.  

Finally, we are feeling settled.  Finally, we can take a deep breath and see that, yes, despite the crazy big life changes and challenges of the past year, God’s presence never changed.  He’s been with us all along.  Some days it was harder to see than others, but that was, I readily admit, more me than Him.  I lost sight of Him. I got sidetracked and caught up in the emotion of everything, rather than focusing my eyes on Him, His steadiness, His presence, His care, His good plans for me and my family.

Now, I feel like I can begin looking ahead again.  I’ve reaffirmed God’s promises to me in Jeremiah 29:11 – He’s got good plans for me!  God’s gifted me with a creativity and a passion to share it with others.  One of the best features of our new home is the dining room which we have converted into my craft room.  I feel so blessed to have this dedicated crafting space. 

In the past, God has led me to use my creativity in many kingdom-building ways.  I’ve been able to partner with other creative women and provide creative elements for church events and women’s retreats.  I’ve led FaithKeeping crafting events at my previous church and feel God’s leading to continue the program at my new church.  He led me to an online community where I’ve been able to teach crafting courses, including faith-based classes like “Scrapbooking Your Faith” and “Faith Inspired Projects.”  I’ve taught other classes there, too, but my faith-based ones have been the most popular.  That’s a huge blessing and I feel so humbled that I’ve been able to share the love of Christ through this creative outlet! 

Feeling settled is good.  Knowing that I am being led by a God who is changeless – even when life is marked by unsettling change – is even better.  I’m looking forward with hope, anticipation, and joy to see what God reveals as the next step for this creative girl’s life!

Find me online –

Visit my blog: www.karenscraps.blogspot.com
Like my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/karenhunterkarenscraps
Take a class with me: http://www.mycreativeclassroom.com/course/search.php?search=Karen+Hunter

Karen is a member of Living Hope Lutheran Church in Stafford, Virginia and can be reached at 
kahdah95@comcast.net.  Want to know about starting a ministry that helps people to tell the story of God's faithfulness in their lives? Karen is able to point to some possible starting places for 
Keep the Faith activities. Karen is also on Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/karenhunter/.