We love the new beginnings and energy that surround this season. I start almost every January off with reading an Amy Carmichael book, and have never been disappointed. Each one has given me an infusion of fresh focus and high calling.  This one was entitled “This One Thing” and is a biography of her dear friend and co-worker in South India, Thomas Walker of Tinnevelly.  What passion is on each page of this yellowed account.  Here is one quote from Walker that inspired me~

Better, far better, do less work, if need be, that we may pray more; because work done by the rushing torrent of human energy will not save a single soul; whereas work done in vital and unbroken contact with the living God will tell for all eternity. Thomas Walker 1859-1912

We pray that our work done in ‘09 will “tell for all eternity” but please pray for us, and we will for you also, to be more prayer focused and less a “rushing torrent.”  If it’s His Energy and not ours, then we welcome the torrent!  But more of Christ, we pray and less of us. 

Here are some of the priveleged events and people we joined with in the past months… and we pray, as Walker did, that God would cleanse, bless and bear fruit from them all.

__________________________________________

I was invited by my dear friend Cindy to be part of the choir that worshipped with Michael W. Smith in Akron, Ohio in late November.
For someone who is usually singing solo or duet, this was an incredible joy!

There’s our Michael…giving us instructions and being such a delight and encouragement.
What a heart for His Lord and for people.

This also gave me the joy of connecting again with Michael Olson, Michael W Smith’s drummer. We had an evening of ministry with this brother back in the summer.  What a gift he has. And how fun to be worshipping again with him!

November also held a gathering at another living room. Stella and her “team” made the morning an extravagant time of delicious brunch delights and then I had the opportunity to sing to and encourage these beautiful women. Most of those pictured here are former co-workers of Stella’s who have kept in touch after retiring. Lots of stories!  And we had a tender time in the Lord.

My travels that day allowed me to have a visit with dear relatives in my hometown of Pittsburgh.
My sister Tami and her four children met us there too.  What a crowd! The Steeler fan with the “7″ on his shirt is my cousin Vince, who has had a year’s battle with cancer and is doing wonderfully.
We have so much to thank the Lord for.

An another family photo~ shortly after that we celebrated my niece Scartlett’s third birthday… this is the little one many of you have heard me talk about… her nick-name is “Squishy.”

November and December also brought the joy of setting up other musicians with ministry in our corner of Ohio. First we enjoyed spending time with the Glover Family, who have a dramatic testimony of the Lord’s Love and Forgivness. www.thegloversonline.com
Kathy is in the center, and Rosanne (a dear friend and help in hospitality) is on the right.

We also hosted my friend  Jennifer Shaw www.jennifershawmusic.com Jenny sang in three churches (all churches that are second homes to me) and everyone loved her, as I knew they would. Our last evening was spent at Southington Christian Church with Pastor Randall Riley, and of course we got a non-typical pose. Randall doesn’t believe in typical anything.

A great highlight for me was an Aglow meeting near Salem, Ohio. It was there that I met the most vibrant family.   Verla up to tell me that in the spring her age will be the “reciprocal” of mine.  We’ll be 49 (shhhh) and 94.

This is the “whole” family.. aunts and sisters and granddaughters and moms… all serving the Father.The young woman in the blue in the front row is a new friend named Julie who went above and beyond the call duty to help all morning.

Speaking of leaving a legacy, Julia and I led worship and special music for NorthMar C&MA before their guest speaker, Mary Kay Beard, founder of Angel Tree Ministries.  What a dynamic woman of God! What an honor to meet her!

We were also honored at the dinner banquet of Grace Fellowship Church in Warren, Ohio, a local Ministerial Alliance dinner, a concert at First Christian in Girard, OH, the Annual Memorial at McFarland’s, a Disciples of Christ Pastor’s gathering, and HIS Music Connection Coffeehouse.

__________________________________________________

Some of you have asked my what the guys do here at home while I travel. Do they miss me? Are they so bored?  Here is a photo to let you see how much fun they’re having without me…

A GIGANTIC thank you to all who allowed us to share our gift with you in these past weeks and months. We are constantly thanking our Father for you. We do pray that we’ve been “fishers of men” while our men were fishing.

As always, the Lord was “perfectly faithful” in the whirlwind of ministry this fall.
He did marvelous things! Here is a photo journal, but check the blog entitled “October Miracles” for more beautiful stories from the past weeks.

In September I spent time with the women of Grace United Methodist Church in Warren, PA; and with St Cyrils’ of Warren, OH for their Bible Study kick-off; we were also at Poland United Methodist Church to celebrate their 125th Anniversary, and at Hillside Rehab Hospital for a mini-concert there. I sang in the very spot where we celebrated my mom’s birthday after her aneurism. Amazing.

My first ministry in October was at Sandy’s for a Living Room Concert in The Villages, Fl.

Here is Char, Joan and my dear friend Jane, who hosted me in her home.

Sandy took out her authentic English china and used it for our gathering for the first time ever!  She’d said she’s had it for over 20 years, and was happy to bless us with it’s beauty~

We all talked about living life now and not waiting for tomorrow. 

Here is Char with Sandy…our hostess that day.

The next day was a visit to the Springs Assisted Living center for a mini-concert, then on to a wonderful gathering of ladies (over 100) at St Timothy’s there in The Villages.  Maria was one of the organizers, and the hospitality was just the best.  Our Lord was there with us.

 The following day was a Living Room Ministry at Loretta’s home (3rd from the left)…
Loretta treated us like royalty! We had about ten ladies attend, and shared music and our stories and needs…and then an amazing lunch.

On my last (4th) day there, I woke early to take a walk, and this was my reward~
an “other-worldly” fog had settled on the morning, giving me the sense of rest and protection, even in the midst of such a busy schedule.  Oud God knows how to refresh us. 

 Almost home, the fog was lifting, and I got this shot of a flock of ibis. 
Or are those lawn ornaments?

My last ministry was to the women who work at The Villages Sales office in the Eagles Nest of the Grand Hotel downtown. It’s a beautiful place, and even more beautiful are these sisters who all love the Lord and gather when they can so they can pray and support eachother.  Angie organized this ministry.  She loves these ladies, and we had a precious time together. 

 I thought I’d bless you (especially my co-inhabitants of the chilly north) with this bit of “photo warmth” from that journey.   It was a record breaking 95 degrees. I came home to the 40’s in Ohio (and some gorgeous fall trees!)

 One day of rest, and back on the road to lead a retreat for the beautiful women in West Spring, PA.  There were ladies from many different churches gathered at West Spring Congregational Church for their 2nd annual retreat.  Donna and her team there organized the Harvest theme and it was fantastic.

This little country church gives the speaker/singer a panoramic view out of its tall windows. Last year was the first time in my life that I got to watch horses galloping past while singing.

Our prayer time at the end of the day was one of the most meaningful I’ve ever experienced!  What women of courage!  What battles they are facing, and how transparent they were with eachother. It was inspiring and we left with a great sense of the Lord’s love for us and intervention in our lives.

…that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love.”  Col 2:2

Here is one side of the gathering…

And here is the other!  

I miss you ladies already. 

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart… Phil 1:7

___________________________________________________________ 

 And after that flurry of travel and ministry, I was ready to crash like our new kitty.
Now we are resting up for the great JOY of meeting more of you in the weeks ahead!  Please pray for each gathering, that the One Who longs to comfort every hurting heart, and Who calls us all by name would bring us all to a place of Rest in His Love.

 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11:29

At last Jesus said to me – Oh so tenderly – “My child, just take Me, and let Me be in you the constant supply of all this, Myself.” 

 For I had not only what I could hold that little hour, but also in Him, all that I should need the next and the next and so on, until sometimes I get a glimpse of what it will be a million years afterwards, when we shall “shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of our Father” (Matt. 13: 43), and have “all the fullness of God.”

We felt a fullness of God in these past weeks. Here is a photo journal account.

For this summer, God had a surprise for us. The remarkable last-minute (from our perspective, not His) plan to send Sonja Wood from South Africa here for three weeks, with her son James and daughter Missy.  This photo was taken at Covenant Presbyterian soon after their plane landed.  Missy is singing her song “Thank You” with us…

Here is my angel!  My sister Tami.  With company coming from overseas, I knew it would be challenging to design a whole vendor table for the Christian Home Educators of Ohio (CHEO) Annual Convention. Tami did it ALL!  It was beautiful.  And this fall will be her first year as a homeschool mom of four.  The Lord gave her great sessions to attend and great encouragement that weekend.

We headed north that Saturday night to be a part of a beautiful evening of music. Michael Olson was one of the most incredible musicians I’ve ever listened to.  Jordan Biel and his band were also amazing. We opened for them.

We sang our new musical version of “The Lord’s Prayer”… then ended our portion with an African song called “Jabulani.”  Our international friends sang too, and Sonja shared some deep insights.  Thank you to Bill Barnett, BAMA and all who were involved in that wonderful evening.  We especially loved having Jack Ciarniello (keys) and Jeff Foos (percussion) playing live for us! 

My Princess.  (God’s Princess)

Father’s Day in our backyard.  Ciferno’s PLUS.

Time in Jack’s studio… Missy and Julia co-wrote a precious song called “Fulfilled.”  Missy took it home with her to sing there in Africa.   James and I also worked on a song for him and recorded a track of that.  So the Woods have original MUSIC!

Another JOY was having some picnic/singing/laughing/discussing time with Sonja’s curriculum providers (and dear friends).  Here is the crew at Deer Creek State Park (we were converging from Ohio, PA, Indiana and South Africa). 

Jamie, Anna and Ethan Demme (back), Sonja and Missy and Julia
Dr Jay Wile and Kathleen (front)

What timing ! Our guests were here for the July 4th Celebration…
their first real fireworks display

We also had ministry at NorthMar church one evening, a homeschool support night, a living room ministry a the home of the Stiver’s and over 1600 miles of driving together! 

Here is Sonja with her rootbeer float on our last ministry at Castlewood Alliance Church on July 5th.  She said they don’t have rootbeer like OUR rootbeer.

Headed the next day to Lancaster, PA for time with Steve Demme and his precious family ( author of Math-U-See curriculum.)  He took us on a tour of his home town of Litizt, PA… 

This is Missy enjoying a rose there. I was overwhelmed by Missy and her love for her Jesus. Those of you who met her experienced the grace and poise of this young woman who has been through so many storms of life.  They have made her a Rose in His Garden that has the sweetest fragrance.

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.  Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.  
2 Corinthians 2:14 and 15

Our friends… Missy, James and Sonja. 

Lord,  use them across the ocean to spread everywhere Your Fragrance.

Dinner at Steve’s.  Google a recipe for “grilled romaine”… it was incredible! 

 Steve, Sandi and the Woods…last photos.

Lancaster Green…

In the past He permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but He never left them without evidence of Himself and His goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.”  Acts 14:16 and 17 

Our hearts are FULL OF JOY because of all He’s done…He has given us evidence of Himself and His goodness. Pray with us that there would be a great harvest from these past weeks.

Tabor Baptist Church Ladies!  

The Schuiteman Family at Twin Cities Bible Baptist in Marion, Indiana

Julia and me, Lindsey, Alisha, Wes, Camie, and Pastor Dale

And in the front row~ Lila and Levi !!!

These are some Vietnamese children from three different families at this church… adopted from orphanages there and now loved dearly!  (Lila is in the blue)

This is Lindsey Schuiteman playing her harp for us.  It was the perfect ending to a beautiful weekend.

This vibrant family welcomed us into their home and it was so wonderful to have great conversation, hear amazing stories of God’s Faithfulness and enjoy the Presence of the Lord in a home set apart for Him.

Getting to see Wes’ captured Black Widow spider was also a highlight (ahhh!).

Little Levi was 3 years old when he was adopted. Now he is five and just precious.

He LOVED Julia, and asked her how far her house was from Vietnam.