Roller Skating and Dancing

We went roller skating as an outreach activity on friday. Boy, was that fun! I don't think I had been in 10 years. Times have changed, but not much. I was really impressed with Rachel. She just learned that night, by the end of the night, she was skating by herself! How cool. As is my tradition, I took many pictures. There is a slide show at the end of this post.

This weekend, we also had our area's holiday dance. It was awesome. We had a meeting before hand with Way Productions, a skit where I sang (more on that later), and a teaching. Rev. Wallace did such an amazing job teaching the fundamental truths pertinent during this time of year, as well as teaching to the seasoned grads. There was so much in the teaching, I don't think I could rightly include everything. One thing that really blessed me was his example of a man he was working with who didn't want to apply the word in a situation. He was relying on his senses knowledge. So Mark told him to go out and give his 66.66 percent into his project. The man stopped what he was doing and looked at him bewildered. Mark repeated, yeah, your 66.66%. Thats all you're using if you're not applying the word. If you're only using your body and soul, you're leaving out a third of you--your spirit. If you're not walking by the spirit, you're only 2/3 complete. That got me thinking. A grade of 66% in school is failing. I wasn't happy with that grade in school, so why would I be happy with that in life?
Today's Sunday Teaching Service, Rev. Rico Magnelli shared how speaking the word takes just as much restraint as it does boldness. You don't tell everyone you meet everything about the word. You listen, so you can share the right words to meet the need in that situation. I was blessed by this because it reminded me of Mark's teaching. He could've easily went in and taught the book "Jesus Christ our Promised Seed." Those are truths that are taught this year. But he taught just enough to wet the appetite of those in attendance. He taught it with such humor that it was entertaining as well. It is great to see how when situations are diverse, you change the teaching. Everyone was so edified after this teaching and just ready to share how it blessed them!
We had the blessing of bringing several new people to this event, for most of them it was their first ministry event. They were all really blessed and I was blessed to see the household all jump in and talk to them. It was a great witness of the love that we have for each other in the household.
It was so much fun to dance around and be silly for an evening. We can't dance and be loud in an apartment. Something I'm not used to after living in a house all my life. It was also nice to see all the believers. These are all people who are praying for us everyday. When you think about all the tender love you receive from believers all over the world, it is so exciting.
I am so thankful to be here in Colorado Springs. Someone asked me what some of the things I was learning during the Way Disciple Program, and I shared with him about how God has blessed me. He has blessed me with 8 other individuals, all different ages, from all over the country, that I can serve with and learn so much from. Rev. Magnelli shared today about Our Power to Serve our Communities at the Sunday Teaching Service. I was so thankful to hear him share about being in the right place at the right time and believing to speak the right words. That sums up the Way Disciple program in one idea. So much about being here is just believing God that you are where you need to be to make the most impact. How great it is to serve here in Colorado Springs with these other great believers. We sure are blessed!

I love you guys!

A Blessing from God

I am so thankful for God's many blessings. I had 2 packages sent to me in late september. I tracked them, and UPS noted them as delivered. We never received them. After talking to several people, I understood I needed to start an inquiry to investigate the packages to receive the insurance money. People kept saying that someone probably stole the packages, but I remained positive. I said, "God knows where my packages are, I'll get them." Even after a month had passed, God knew where my packages were. I kept confessing the positive. It was my heart's desire to receive the original packages. I didn't want the money. The items might not have amounted to the insurance money, but they meant more to me than that. I told people, I want my packages, I don't want my money. I kept confessing that I would receive those original packages. Every time I thought of it, I confessed what I wanted. I knew this wasn't too small for God! One night, just before dinner, I received a phone call from one of the office ladies. She told me she had my packages! How great is God? They were delivered to the wrong building, and the tenants didn't realize they weren't theirs. I guess they were moving, and had many boxes lying around. They were delivered to me with out any damage. God is great. He knows the desires of our hearts. Nothing is too small for Him. This small incident reminds me of that. God is willing to go above and beyond for His children. If He can do it for me with these packages, what can't He do? Praise God.

One of the things in the box from my mom was a princess dress for Rachel. She loved it. Here is a picture of her twirling in the dress. Frances even showed her how to curtsy.

Mall Witnessing

Mall witnessing is a lot more work in believing than door-to-door. You obviously can't talk to everyone you see, so it is up to you to find an open door. I love mall witnessing. I love going up to people and striking a conversation. Tonight our first faithful, Ezekiel, came out witnessing with us. It was great! Trell, Ezekiel, and I had a prosperous evening. We got a contact. Santa, however, was not interested in fellowship, because, as he told us, he lives too far north to attend. We tried. Ha ha. I'm so glad to be moving the word here in Colorado Springs with these amazing disciples!

Our Holiday Tree

What a blessing our Holiday tree has been. We had a Holiday Open House last friday and we wanted to have decorations for it. On monday, while planning the event, my household all became clear and concerned on what we wanted. We wanted a tree at Way Disciple price ($0) and we wanted to have it by friday. On wednesday, we received word that we could borrow the tree from Barbara's work. We received it for free AND we don't have to find a place to get rid of it to afterwards, we just have to return it! That will be a blessing because we are always so busy. We bought lights at the thrift store for $2 and we strung green painted popcorn and regular popcorn as garland. For the ornaments, we had everyone make one (or more) at our open house. It truly is a tree made with love. We made all kinds of ornaments. I cut up a theme postcard to make one of them. We have ones out of pipe cleaners, and construction paper. Of course, we have the paper snowflakes!


And a close up:


I'm so proud of our tree. It is the perfect little thing for our apartment!

First Big Snow of the Season

People have been telling me that it has been way to warm (40 degrees) for a Colorado winter. Well, we just got the first big snow of the season. The snow here is powdery, which is different from what I remember growing up in Ohio. It makes for clearing off cars easier (except that it blows back on as you brush it off). It, however, is not very good for snowman. We've tried, to no avail. I'm a little disappointed in that. So, I'm really believing for a good wet snow! Another cool thing about the dry powder, is that it sticks to trees better. What a beautiful sight. I try not to leave my house without my camera, and I was blessed to have it on Sunday when the sun was out.
I also like this one. The gray at the base of the mountain is a snow cloud!
This picture is similar, but taken out the window of the van while we were driving. The bad thing about snow, is that you can't easily drive around just to look at its beauty!
This is an example of the snow sticking to the branches. I just love this picture. Now, just imagine everything looking like this! It definitely makes the cold worth it!
Nothing needs to be said about this one:
This is a picture of a residential street all snow covered. Moments after I shot this photo, we saw a coyote running down the street. It is cool here because it is not uncommon to see deer in someone's yard as we go to the grocery store!
This one is of the Way Disciple group, in the very, very, very bright snow... hence all the squints.
And finally, the next day, I took a picture of Pike's Peak with the clouds hovering over the summit. What a blessing it is to be able to look at this every day. Each day, the mountains look different! They are always changing. You could never get bored looking at these!
In this picture, you can see the Garden of the gods. It is the red rock formations at the bottom righthand corner.

sunset over colorado

One thing I love about my time here in Colorado is how I can take the time to admire the sky. Last night, the sunset was amazing. I took this picture out of my car! It was like nothing I've ever seen!

I also took this one at the same time.

It looks like the sky is on fire, but its not! Wow.

This one is from later in the evening.


Colorado sure is beautiful!

Class Explination

We had our first class explanation on friday. It was a great time. We transformed a room at Kristen's apartment clubhouse to a beautiful facility. There was a teaching from Mitch and sharings from Trell and I. I really enjoyed the opportunity to share what the Way Class means to me. I love that our ministry teaches everyone the foundational skills needed to research the Word of God so that we all can find answers to life's questions. We are fully capable to go to the Word and use that as our standard! We definitely can live the Word everyday! It isn't a religion. True Christianity truly isn't a religion!
We have a faithful person in our fellowship. He is really interested in the class. We're all believing for his finances so he can register! He is excellent and never misses anything!