Keep It Simple Sister

Hi Friends……I know I’ve been extremely unfocused when considering my blogging status. Life is full and although I’ve often thought, “I need to blog about that”, I found myself with more “living” to do. Thus, my long hiatus. Part of my activities during this hiatus have been Christian’s baseball games, Jillian’s multiple activities (both educational and social - she’s the butterfly, indeed). I’ve done some riding on my Harley, but decided to make a change and ebayed it. I’d rather have funds available for “needs” - but if the right bike at the right price were to appear, then I’m not bothered by doing some HD reinvestment. Till then I can take a spin on Bob’s Fat Boy. It handles well and is available for “cobweb cleaning” when needed.

Another opportunity this summer was to be a group leader at Carol Kent’s Speak Up With Confidence Seminar at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A wonderful campus, with wonderful people. Albeit I told Carol’s sister and conference coordinator Bonnie Emmorery that this would be a totally new experience for me……..evaluating other speakers, she and Carol were confident that I would be able to handle the task. It was a great learning experience for both the student and the leader!! I believe that helping those seminar participants will help me be a better speaker/equipper. I thank the LORD for the opportunity presented through the Kent’s organization.

Please be remembering my friend Suzie Thomas and her family in prayer. Suzie’s dad, Kendall Ward, passed away unexpectedly on June 28th. He and Suzie’s mom Margie were attending a Light Opera performance at College of Wooster when the LORD suddenly called Kendall home to heaven. The family grieves, but not like those who have no hope. We love you, Suzie!!!

Circle of Friends/Friends Radio will be taking a group to the Women of Faith Conference July 18-19 in Cleveland, Ohio. If you’re coming along, wonderful - can’t wait to meet you. If not, perhaps next year…………and speaking of Women of Faith, Circle of Friends is pleased to announce that Sheila Walsh will be our featured speaker for the 2009 Circle of Friends Annual Women’s Conference. The 2009 event will be held at the Johnson Center for the Arts at Malone University…yes University. They are upgrading to university status this October. Congrats to all my Malone friends.

I continue to sense a stirring in my spirit, even while dealing with the daily issues of life, family, ministry and work. I guess I shouldn’t catagorize - it’s really all ministry, isn’t it? Just different facets of my environment. The Bible says that “whatever you do, do it as unto the LORD……” - I agree, in theory, but there are times that my theories and my application are rather askew. How about you?

Oh, I wanted to share with you that my friend Becki Reiser appears to be seeing some very wonderful door open to her in regard to her writing ministry. If you know Becki, she has an unforgettable story to tell……….if not, then you WILL remember her when you DO hear her story. More details to come at a later time.

Well, time to mellow out. Isn’t that what Sunday afternoons are for?

Until next time - peace.

Lisa