Megan Daub-Bible Journaling at the National Youth Gathering

Megan Daub was at the 

National Youth Gathering

 last week in New Orleans.

She worked as one of the Yellow Shirts. 

That is the support team that helps 

with all sorts of things-
 from crowd management, 

to emergency care, 

and just plain ole encouragement

 to those melting 
in the heat of summer in Louisiana.

Megan reports:
at the National LCMS Youth Gathering
 I took 130,987 steps;
 a total of 56.53 miles. 
That's an average of about 13,100 steps 
and 5.6 miles per day. 

I had the chance to connect 
for just a few moments with Megan
before a Crowder concert
 and she shared a couple of pages
 in her Journaling Bible.

Youth Gathering Theme-

 In Christ Alone

A special time to mark the journey of faith.

Thanks for sharing Megan!

Meghan O'Hara- Northern Region

Meghan O'Hara came to Vintage Grace Studio 

awhile back for a day of creating

 and just "taking a breather."

After some reflection she decided 

to use her time to make a hybrid journal.

Counting Gifts- One per day

 and a Prayers by the Month page-

for each month of the year.

Preparing and planning
 to record the journey. 

All ready for keeping track and giving thanks.

Telling the story of a Faithful God.

 On Sunday, July 24, 2016,
 Meghan was installed 
at Faith Lutheran Church

 in Eldersburg, Maryland.
She will serve as 
Director of Christian Education.

A blessing and the laying on of hands.

Left: Rev. Christopher Sperb-
 pastor of Faith Lutheran,
Megan, and Rev. Donald Schaefer SED staff.

Meghan shares:
What brings me joy?
 Being a part of a community who loves
 and cherishes me.
 Also, seeing how some of the high school youth
 have grown in their faith
 through Servant Events 
and the National Youth Gathering.
What encouragement do I have for
 other faith travelers on the journey?
 Continue to take time for God
 in the crazy thing called life. 
Be flexible because God has bigger
 and better plans than you could ever expect. 

Meghan 
graduated from 
Concordia University- Chicago-
 Spring 2016 with a
Dual Certification as
 Director of Christian Education
and Lutheran Elementary Education.
She comes from a family
 of Lutheran church workers. 
Fun things Meghan enjoys:
  Playing volleyball, coed softball and corn hole! 
Going hiking, spending time with friends 
and watching sports.
 Especially Cleveland, Ohio sports! 
Go Cavs!! 

Welcome to the Southeastern District Team-
 in the work of the Kingdom.

Evie Tucker- Central Region

Evie Tucker

 Evie Tucker is a long time member 

of Prince of Peace who currently attends

 the Saturday evening service with her son Bobbie. 

Evie is 88 years old 

and a prior Lutheran school teacher.

 Evie and her daughter, Janice, 

attended the Ladies Night Out - Paint Night 

last week. 

She shared with the group

 this was her first painting she's ever done! 

When asked her why she decided 

to attend and take up painting at her age,

 Evie said,

 "Because Stacey invited me!" 

Stacey replied, "That's what friends do...

we invite each other to try new things." 

What has a friend or neighbor 

invited you to try recently 

and how did it bless you? 

Story first shared on the Prince of Peace Face book page-
https://www.facebook.com/POP.Springfield/?fref=ts

Elfie Eberle- The Maryland Orphan Grain Train

Elfie Eberle

Orphan Grain Train has been part of my life

 since my daughter, Lisa,
 spent 2 years in St. Petersburg, Russia.

 She was working for LCMS Missions
 as a volunteer teacher in 1992 and 1993. 

   I met the OGT pastor there who was in

 dire need of pediatric wheelchairs. 

 As Bill (husband) was a hospital chaplain,

 I said I would try to obtain them. 

 Well, I did not find any pediatric wheelchairs for donation,

 but lots of other medical equipment.  

As I had been instructed, I contacted Pr. Ray Wilke,

 Exec. Dir. of OGT for pickup. 

 That will not work he told me, 

you need to ship from there

 and it will cost you only $5,000.  Gulp!!!! 

 New York Branch was born and the Lord provided!!!!  

When I moved to Annapolis,

although my intention was not to start another branch, 

 I was encouraged and succumbed. 

 Six years ago, the Maryland Branch was founded 

and we now, have our own warehouse.
It is through the grace of God,

 and the work of many committed volunteers,
(call them Saints).

 The new warehouse replaces 5 temporary storage areas.  

God has provided.  

When I hear the stories of the children with Hydrocephalus, 

whose lives are saved with one of our shunts,

 I thank God I am able to be a small part of this. 

 2,150 lives have been saved.

 The young women in Cameroon named the sewing school

 we established-Divine Sewing School. 

It was built with the container as the building

 and furnished with the sewing machines sent.

 I thank God for His provision. 

 They are learning a marketable skill

 and able to support their families.

 The children in Liberia, Nicaragua, Ghana, Haiti and Liberia,

  are able to attend school.

 We send them the school supplies they need to learn.

 I thank God for placing me here.

When our 800 coats are delivered to

 St. Thomas Lutheran Church (Baltimore)

 for distribution at their Community Thanksgiving Dinner, 

I am so pleased we are a small part of providing succor 

for those suffering in our own country.

When 2 houses are built in Crisfield, Maryland

 after the Hurricane Sandy devastation 

with Orphan Grain Train resources,

 my heart sings.

These are just a few experiences
that bring not only me,

 but all of us,

 in Orphan Grain Train- JOY! 

Click here to see a video about:

Orphan Grain Train- Maryland

And here is a link to read about what happens
when there is a spirit of volunteerism.
around-annapolis
when there is a spirit of volunteerism.

Elfie is a member at St. Paul's Lutheran Church
 in Annapolis, Maryland.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story
 of a "heart for others"

Tanja Gaal- A Heart to Encourage

Tanja Gaal with nephew Levi

Sharing some of the story here

 about the challenging journey 

that Tanja faces each and every day.

Multiple health issues have placed her 

in a daily struggle.

In the past 2 1/2 years 

she has been admitted

 to the hospital for 135 days. 

The past two months she has spent 29 days

 in the hospital for potential strokes.

Tanja loves sunsets and sunrises.

When others ask her how she manages,

 Tanja shares-

" I talk about blind faith and trust with hope.

 If you have those things, there is no fear. 

Because at the end of your life,

whenever God deems your work here is done, 

He will call you home.

This is the ultimate reward for pain

 and sacrifice endured in this life.

 Compared to what Jesus

 endured when He was here on earth,

 my pain and suffering is nothing.

We have an empathetic God 

who knows our pain.

When you pray, live with the practice

 of giving everything to Him. 

He shoulders the burden."

Current JOYS:

Tanja loves spending time in her Journaling Bible

and coloring in Scripture coloring books.

It is also wonderful to meet small milestones,

  either her Dr. or she sets for herself.

Her Dr. recently broke into a huge grin 

when she was able to reach up and shake his hand.

Tanja currently lives in Roanoke, Virginia.

 She will be

 a "field reporter"

 here in this space as she can-

to bring words of HOPE

 and encouragement  to all.

 Upcoming posts:

Coping Mechanisms

The Importance of a Support System

Advocate Living

Teresa Graudin- Getting Pounded

In certain areas of the South, 

and maybe a few other places 

where the tradition has been "brought in", 

 the tradition of "pounding"
 is a welcome practice.
 It has some Quaker heritage 
and is well known in 
eastern Alabama and Georgia.
It was often an event to bless newlyweds
 or new members to a community- 
especially clergy.
Traditionally, folks brought a
 "pound" of something.
It certainly has a Hospitality heart. 

 Recently, Teresa Graudin moved to 

Conover, North Carolina 

when her husband, Kevin, took a call to
St. Peter's Lutheran Church.

The Graudins were recently 
"pounded" at church

and their members brought:
cards, gifts of home grown fresh
 and canned goods,
 baked goods and staple pantry items.

The Graudins recently purchased a new home,
following their move.
On the same day as the church event,
 they hosted an 
Open House in their new residence.
The "pounding" continued right 
into their Open House gathering.  
They received more of the same- 
plus towels, kitchen items, a flag, 
sports chairs and flowers.
And MORE....
Teresa shared, 
"Our church family definitely
 "pounded" us
 with gifts and much love, 
as they have from our arrival.
The Lord has truly blessed us here 
with a tremendous church family 
as we grow and serve our Savior!"

Some great suggestions are also located here
 for welcoming a new pastor:
50-ways-to-welcome-a-new-pastor