29. September 2008 by Julie.

There are so many things to do this week in preparations for our trip to Costa Rica.  Margaret Wheeler  & I will be leaving Thursday morning.  We both are still needing to pack.  We’re getting together the items we were asked to bring.  We are doing all the little things that have to get done before we can go. 

We would love your prayers as we go!  Here are some ways to pray for us:

1. Pray for safe travel.  We will have 2 flights there and back.  Pray that our luggage would all arrive.  We will be travelling there on Oct 2, returning on Oct 8.

2. Pray we would be an encouragement to Carolyn, Mary Lou, Steve, Elizabeth and their children. 

3. Pray we would be an encouragement to the local body of Christ there.  We do not speak Spanish so pray we would find ways to connect with the people and be a blessing.

4. Pray for our families here while we are away. 

5. Most of all, pray God’s purposes would be accomplished in this mission and His kingdom would be expanded.  May He be praised!

Thanks to each one who is helping us financially as we go as well as prayerfully.  Both are valuable and needed!

God bless you!

Julie 

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22. September 2008 by Julie.

I’ve been working with Heaven’s Gates, Hell’s Flames this last week.  It’s been great to see people entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Over 40 made decisions for Christ during the 3 days of performances.   

Recently I was having breakfast with a longtime mentor and friend.  We were talking about her kids who I grew up with.  Her kids & I had been in Campus Life together 20 years ago.   She shared how it was at a Campus Life lock-in on December 31, 1987 that her son accepted Christ as his Savior.   I was blown away!!!  I remember that night so well for God was working in my heart too!

Earlier that day, I had been watching Urbana 87 on television.  Urbana is a missions conference for college age students.  I was challenged by the speakers to devote my life to Christian service or missions.

 When I went to the lock-in for Campus Life, I listened intently to the music & speaker.  At the invitation, no one was moving.  After a very awkward moment, I felt the Lord impress my heart to go forward and publicly dedicate my life for Christian service or missions. 

So I got up out of my seat and made my way to the front of the stage.  I knelt there.  Another young man came and joined me.  He was already a believer, but didn’t want to see anyone alone. 

 Following him were about 50 other kids.  Most of them made first time decisions for Christ.  I didn’t know the kids then.  They took us all into a seperate room where the counselors, myself and the first young man got to lead the others in the sinner’s prayer and share about walking out your faith in Christ.

I’ve not heard results before from that night.  Figured it would be heaven before I knew anything. But then, at breakfast, I learned that was the night that Jeff gave his life to God. Jeff is my friend’s middle son.  Jeff continues to walk with Christ today.  He and his wife serve in their church.  He works with youth and is a Christian counselor.  He lives out his faith every day!

I’m grateful for the times I listened to the still, small voice.  I regret the times I have not.  We have no idea how our little acts of obedience will effect others.  I praise God for this one!

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29. August 2008 by Julie.

WOW!  I can’t believe we are to the end of August already! 

 Time is flying by.  When I was young, I’d hear my Grandma Niccum talking about how quickly time went by and I thought she was crazy.  Now I know Grandma was right!  About many things!!

 My Grandma Foster turned 94 this week.  Tomorrow our family is gathering for a birthday celebration.  She is still able to live on her own, goes to church every week and takes care of her self.  I’m thankful that God has given her long life!  (So don’t think I’m going anywhere soon- it’s in the genes!)

This week I had the privilege of singing and speaking to the Duneland Women’s Aglow chapter.  My theme was Back to School.  I talked about how just like our kids are going back to school, we need to go back to the school of the Spirit.  We need our new clothes:  we are to be clothed in the fruit of the Spirit(Gal. 5:22-23).  We need our textbook: The Word of God.  Oh, how important the Word is.  We must study it.  (II Timothy talks a lot about this) We need friends; true friends that will speak God’s truth to us even when it hurts.  And we need to remember there are tests here in this world as well as final exams in heaven, one for unbelievers (Rev. 20) and one for believers in Jesus(2 Cor 5:10; 1 Cor 3:10-15).  I pray you all know Jesus as your Savior and have your sins blotted out by His precious blood.  May we live our lives now to produce fruit that lasts till eternity.

I loved seeing how the Lord ministered to each lady right where they were.  God is so good in that He knows what we need and can meet those needs.  And He uses simple vessels like you and me!

 I pray you are seeing His hand of provision in your life today, spiritually, emotionally and physically. 

Overwhelmed with His Love,
Julie

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26. July 2008 by Julie.

Hi Again!

This week I was reminded of a way God speaks. Often it is in those gentle nudgings. Yet so often we dismiss them.

I went to visit a girlfriend in Monticello on Weds (about 70 miles away). From there I was travelling 30 miles to Lafayette to have dinner with another friend and attend a church service. In route, I glanced at the top left corner of my windshield and noticed I NEEDED an oil change. Immediately I thought, “Hmmm…. I could ask my friend where I could get it done while we had dinner.” I quickly dismissed this thought as a “stupid Julie idea” and began to think about all the fun we’d have instead. And I could get oil change done on Thursday.

We had dinner and went to church. And we had a great time! The pastor in the middle of his message shared an example about how we need to do regular maintenance on our vehicles if they are to perform the best and last the longest. I again thought, “Yeah, I need to get that oil changed tomorrow.”

Left the church at 8:30pm, began the 100 mile trip home. I begin hearing this noise. Psst…Psst…Psst. Quite faint. Keep driving.

By the time I’m about 30 miles from home the noise isn’t so quiet anymore. I can hear it clearly over the radio (which wasn’t too quiet either). I again commit to that oil change.

As I neared home I asked Randy to come out and go for a ride to hear a strange noise. As I pull in the drive and wait for him to get out, he’s saying, “Turn it off now, don’t move it.” He opens the hood and checks the oil (I haven’t told him about needing an oil change!) The dip stick is barely registering any oil. YIKES!!!! He puts the few oil bottles we have in the car. And now I’m praying, “OH GOD, PLEASE GRACE!”

So Thursday morning I take it to the oil change place, all the while praying that I did not do permanent damage or that it is going to seize up and be the end. When I got the car back, the noise was gone! WE ARE PRAISING GOD THAT WE DON’T HAVE TO BUY A CAR TODAY!!!!!!

All this to say, sometimes those gentle nudgings are just us. But many times they really are God trying to get our attention. I’ve been so blessed in the past by friends who just “were thinking about you and called to see what was going on” when I’ve had horrible days or really needed a friend. Just today I was thinking of a friend so I called her. Didn’t want to pass up a God nudge. She said “I’d been thinking about you too” and we were able to have a marvelous time catching up tonight.

So, if you need an oil change, take this as your encouragement.

But I hope more than that you will listen to that still, small Voice calling out to you. He wants to speak to us about our everyday life!

Julie

PS For a cool Bible story on this, check out I Kings 19- Elijah and God’s still, small voice

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22. July 2008 by Julie.

Welcome to my blog! Glad you came to check it out. I hope to include snip-its of our life & ministry in the days and weeks to come.

This month we are doing our summer outreach, Kids Summer Spectacular. The kids are so cute!!! (you can see photos on our website!) And our helpers are doing an amazing job! God is so good!

Each week we have a fun game. We’ve limbo-ed. We’ve had a water balloon toss. And we even had a watermelon seed spitting contest. It’s amazing how far the kids can spit! (Not a skill listed on most resumes!)

Even more important than that we are learning about spending time with Jesus and praying like He prayed. One week we went out into the community and prayerwalked with the kids. I know God hears the prayers of those kids! And I look forward to seeing the answers He brings.

God bless you all!
Julie

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