Finally...A Moment
I suppose if you don't make the time, you'll never find the time. You don't know how many times I've meant to get to the keys and add an entry to this blog. It has been a while. It's been on my mind all day, so even though the day is done, and the lights are on, I'm going to take the time right now to check in with all of you sweet things and say Hey!
Can't you just feel the summer slipping away? The crickets and the cicada songs are deafening some evenings. I know that you girls in other parts of the country have perpetual summer, but here in Michigan the mornings are getting colder, the sun rises later and darkness comes way before I'm ready. I'm still sticking it out on the patio bright and early in the mornings. I keep telling the Lord that our days out there are numbered because I'm already bundled up at 50 degrees, clutching my hot coffee cup to keep my hands warm. I will be so sad when my time with Him has to move back indoors for the long winter months. There's just something about seeking my Father early in the morning and feeling the cool breezes, hearing the birds waking up to sing me a song, and enjoying the quiet before anyone else is up. I've discovered that the airspace over our house must be a direct flight plan to the airport. The planes are really high in the sky, so they're quiet, but they come in perfectly timed sequence. If you look up you can see an airplane traversing through the sky, and right at the same time, perhaps a duck or seagull (something large), where it seems to be right beside the plane. God's original design for flight is right next to the evidence of His ability to impart to us the wisdom to recreate that design technologically. Amazing. See, you learn a whole lot of things early in the morning! I read a quote the other day that said something like "We should see the face of God everyday before we see the face of man." Aren't there those days when men should be glad we saw God's face first? Heavens!
The family is doing well. Chuck, as always, is my main man and continues to be God's gift of a double portion for my former shame. Let me tell you...I needed this video done for an announcement this weekend. What I was asking it to look like was next to impossible. Kyle usually does this work for me, but he said it just couldn't be done. Well...never tell Chuck it can't be done. He pulled it off and did the impossible. The video is perfect and just what I wanted. That's my man!!
The girls are doing well. Kyle is still making his way through life without high school and my 21 year old, Brian, appears to be moving out in just a couple of months. That will be three down. Boy, it doesn't get any easier. I'm asking for grace, once again, to get through those days where you stand and look at their empty room and sob your eyes out. Anybody been there?
And speaking of Miss Ashton...oh, we weren't?...Well...let's. Speaking of Miss Ashton, she's sitting up on her own now and rocking those knees just about to start crawling. Bless Kelly! Her fun is just beginning! Here's our new favorite picture. We have new favorites every other day around here.
Being her "Gammy" is about the best thing that's ever happened short of having my own children. Lord, I pray that she will grow to be a mighty woman of God. A woman of grace. A woman of kindness and a woman who loves Him with her whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Maybe a Ruth...maybe an Esther...who knows?
The highlight of my summer was Women's Bible Study. Thirteen women at my church answered the call to let me lead them in Kelly Minter's study, "No Other God's". We had a blast! This study was nothing short of anointed. I recommend it to any woman who wants to grow and deepen her relationship with God...the only God. Do it solo. Or get a group together. Just do it. You will be amazed at what God reveals to you about the things we worship other than Him. You will be changed. You will be transformed. I promise!
Last night we all met at my house for a pot luck dinner to celebrate finishing summer bible study strong! Oh my gosh! We had such a great time. Now mind you, when we started the study most of the women would sit quietly before class, staring at the front and only saying a quiet hello. Over these past summer weeks, God has worked to build friendships. We have laughed and we have cried. Tearing down golden calves isn't an easy summer project, so there were tears and groanings. In my personal case, there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth. [BTW girls...still not watching GH!] I sat back a couple of times last night and was just awe struck at my Father's goodness. Those same women were laughing so loud my son couldn't hear his TV on another floor. Sharing stories, telling on themselves. Honest, authentic, no playing church. Black ladies and white ladies. Young ladies and older ladies. God's leading ladies loving Him and loving each other. Only God could've pulled this one off. Only God!
So fall is here and it's time for, guess what? Bible Study! "Stop listening to instruction, my son [or daughter], and you will stray from the words of knowledge." (Prov. 19:27) We need constant feasting on the bread of God's Word. If we don't partake there, we will get an appetite for other "foods" that do not fill, and we will quench our thirst on waters that are not "living". On Thursday, October 2nd, I will have another awesome privilege to teach Women's Bible Study at Hope Community Church in Detroit. I'm so excited because we will be studying "Esther". I get chill bumps!! Hey! If you're near that area you are more than welcome to join us. You don't have to join our church. You are just welcome to come and be with us on Thursday nights for the Word and sweet fellowship. Go to the website and contact me if you want more info! We'd love to have you.
I covet your prayers as I prepare to teach the Esther series. It's a daunting task to say the least. Please pray that I will hear from God exactly what He wants to say, to each woman, by His Holy Spirit...for such a time as this. As I prepare, I will also be hosting my friends who are missionaries in Honduras for a few days. If you're reading this, Shari...see ya soon!! I'd say "Have a safe trip" in Spanish if I could, but, No Hablo Espanol!! LOL...I don't even know if that's right!
I know this is long, but I have so much to say!!
You girls in Texas and in Arkansas....I really want to hear how you fared during and after Ike. Please blog on and let me know. I treasure you all so much and have been praying that you are all well.
Well, I think that I've said all I have to say for now. As I reread this, I just want to say one thing to you. While I've highlighted many of the wonderful things in my life, don't be tempted to think that I don't relate to any tender, broken, tough situations in your lives. Believe you me....there are worn spots in front of the Throne of Grace from my knees, seeking mercy and grace to help in time of need. And just in case you've forgotten...I looked around and there's plenty of room there for you too.
Let's continue to love Him together, to seek Him together and to love one another. Somebody once said that they'll know us by our love. I truly do love and cherish each and every one of you. I'm so honored by your encouragement and your prayers and your support. And gosh, darn it...won't you blog on and bend my ear for a change? It seems like I always do all the talking!!
Can't you just feel the summer slipping away? The crickets and the cicada songs are deafening some evenings. I know that you girls in other parts of the country have perpetual summer, but here in Michigan the mornings are getting colder, the sun rises later and darkness comes way before I'm ready. I'm still sticking it out on the patio bright and early in the mornings. I keep telling the Lord that our days out there are numbered because I'm already bundled up at 50 degrees, clutching my hot coffee cup to keep my hands warm. I will be so sad when my time with Him has to move back indoors for the long winter months. There's just something about seeking my Father early in the morning and feeling the cool breezes, hearing the birds waking up to sing me a song, and enjoying the quiet before anyone else is up. I've discovered that the airspace over our house must be a direct flight plan to the airport. The planes are really high in the sky, so they're quiet, but they come in perfectly timed sequence. If you look up you can see an airplane traversing through the sky, and right at the same time, perhaps a duck or seagull (something large), where it seems to be right beside the plane. God's original design for flight is right next to the evidence of His ability to impart to us the wisdom to recreate that design technologically. Amazing. See, you learn a whole lot of things early in the morning! I read a quote the other day that said something like "We should see the face of God everyday before we see the face of man." Aren't there those days when men should be glad we saw God's face first? Heavens!
The family is doing well. Chuck, as always, is my main man and continues to be God's gift of a double portion for my former shame. Let me tell you...I needed this video done for an announcement this weekend. What I was asking it to look like was next to impossible. Kyle usually does this work for me, but he said it just couldn't be done. Well...never tell Chuck it can't be done. He pulled it off and did the impossible. The video is perfect and just what I wanted. That's my man!!
The girls are doing well. Kyle is still making his way through life without high school and my 21 year old, Brian, appears to be moving out in just a couple of months. That will be three down. Boy, it doesn't get any easier. I'm asking for grace, once again, to get through those days where you stand and look at their empty room and sob your eyes out. Anybody been there?
And speaking of Miss Ashton...oh, we weren't?...Well...let's. Speaking of Miss Ashton, she's sitting up on her own now and rocking those knees just about to start crawling. Bless Kelly! Her fun is just beginning! Here's our new favorite picture. We have new favorites every other day around here.
Being her "Gammy" is about the best thing that's ever happened short of having my own children. Lord, I pray that she will grow to be a mighty woman of God. A woman of grace. A woman of kindness and a woman who loves Him with her whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Maybe a Ruth...maybe an Esther...who knows?
The highlight of my summer was Women's Bible Study. Thirteen women at my church answered the call to let me lead them in Kelly Minter's study, "No Other God's". We had a blast! This study was nothing short of anointed. I recommend it to any woman who wants to grow and deepen her relationship with God...the only God. Do it solo. Or get a group together. Just do it. You will be amazed at what God reveals to you about the things we worship other than Him. You will be changed. You will be transformed. I promise!
Last night we all met at my house for a pot luck dinner to celebrate finishing summer bible study strong! Oh my gosh! We had such a great time. Now mind you, when we started the study most of the women would sit quietly before class, staring at the front and only saying a quiet hello. Over these past summer weeks, God has worked to build friendships. We have laughed and we have cried. Tearing down golden calves isn't an easy summer project, so there were tears and groanings. In my personal case, there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth. [BTW girls...still not watching GH!] I sat back a couple of times last night and was just awe struck at my Father's goodness. Those same women were laughing so loud my son couldn't hear his TV on another floor. Sharing stories, telling on themselves. Honest, authentic, no playing church. Black ladies and white ladies. Young ladies and older ladies. God's leading ladies loving Him and loving each other. Only God could've pulled this one off. Only God!
So fall is here and it's time for, guess what? Bible Study! "Stop listening to instruction, my son [or daughter], and you will stray from the words of knowledge." (Prov. 19:27) We need constant feasting on the bread of God's Word. If we don't partake there, we will get an appetite for other "foods" that do not fill, and we will quench our thirst on waters that are not "living". On Thursday, October 2nd, I will have another awesome privilege to teach Women's Bible Study at Hope Community Church in Detroit. I'm so excited because we will be studying "Esther". I get chill bumps!! Hey! If you're near that area you are more than welcome to join us. You don't have to join our church. You are just welcome to come and be with us on Thursday nights for the Word and sweet fellowship. Go to the website and contact me if you want more info! We'd love to have you.
I covet your prayers as I prepare to teach the Esther series. It's a daunting task to say the least. Please pray that I will hear from God exactly what He wants to say, to each woman, by His Holy Spirit...for such a time as this. As I prepare, I will also be hosting my friends who are missionaries in Honduras for a few days. If you're reading this, Shari...see ya soon!! I'd say "Have a safe trip" in Spanish if I could, but, No Hablo Espanol!! LOL...I don't even know if that's right!
I know this is long, but I have so much to say!!
You girls in Texas and in Arkansas....I really want to hear how you fared during and after Ike. Please blog on and let me know. I treasure you all so much and have been praying that you are all well.
Well, I think that I've said all I have to say for now. As I reread this, I just want to say one thing to you. While I've highlighted many of the wonderful things in my life, don't be tempted to think that I don't relate to any tender, broken, tough situations in your lives. Believe you me....there are worn spots in front of the Throne of Grace from my knees, seeking mercy and grace to help in time of need. And just in case you've forgotten...I looked around and there's plenty of room there for you too.
Let's continue to love Him together, to seek Him together and to love one another. Somebody once said that they'll know us by our love. I truly do love and cherish each and every one of you. I'm so honored by your encouragement and your prayers and your support. And gosh, darn it...won't you blog on and bend my ear for a change? It seems like I always do all the talking!!
posted by Donna Schultz | 4:48 PM
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