Weigh and Pray

Gulp....Gulp....I've finally sent out the official email inviting all EFC women and Heart 2 Heart to the new Weigh and Pray Group beginning on Tuesday, May 5th. Info. was in this Sunday's bulletin...it's real, it's happening, there is no turning back...I can only go forward. Oh Lord, by your grace and strength will i shed one pound. If you did not recieve that email from me and are interested, just comment on here and I'll get you a copy right away! We already have Winnie, Cyndi, Pat, Erica, Tina, Angela, Rita and myself signed up- yahooo!!!! Renay is also very interested and just has to finalize details with hubby and baseball season :) yay!! I am totally NOT about numbers concerning this new group. If only one person had signed up -I'd be ecstatic and ready to join arms and do this.
My new motto is this....."I can only do this in the shadow of his strength! Prayer changes things and I'm believing for God's BEST!"
Got to run....
k

Tribute to Lily

Anna and i have spent this evening out at my aunt and uncle's farm. Today, my uncle's mother, Lily, went to be with the Lord. She was like a distant grandma to me as I grew up spending much time tagging along with Kristy to see her grandma:) When I think of gentle and patience, I think of Lily. She had such a lovely spirit about her and loved spending time with her family. One of the most amazing things that stand out in my mind about Lily was her love and support for her son, my uncle Bob. She was such a tender and loving mother, truly supporting his career and love of farming. She raised and cared for him in such a precious way- helping mold him into the father, husband and uncle that he is today. She herself had a love for agriculture and had married a farmer years ago. She also spent many years working at the grain elevator in Romney. Just 3 weeks ago she found out she had lung cancer. It was in the worst stage that there is. 2 days later she fell and broke her hip and layed in her garage until someone found her. After a hip replacement, the dr's said that the cancer had begun eating her ribs and was in the bone, just a few millimeters away from the spinal cord. The pain has been intolerable and she was highly medicated. She never got up and walked again after that day she fell. She had no desire to go through radiation, but I guess as the world would do it, they had to do something and tried about a week of radiation. She said she was done and ready to go. I went and spoke with her last week and had a sweet time. God cleared out the room long enough for me to ask her the most important questions one can ask and to my best understanding, she shared that she did trust Jesus as her savior and was ready to go to Heaven. She assured me of her peace about this. My uncle and aunt robin spent 3 long weeks by her side (along with his one sibiling too) pretty much around the clock. God in his great mercy knew that it was time for her to go home today. I think of how much more pain he has spared her from. My uncle had grieved for 3 weeks and was just waiting for her to be taken out of her misery, so today came as a sort of sad relief for him.
Anna is very, very emotional about Lily's death and wanted to go out to the farm this evening. It was good for both she and I. I'm realizing more and more that I have a young lady for a daughter and not a little girl. She has a great compassion for people and is sympathizing with my uncle's loss and pain. After making funeral arrangements, he went to the field to plant the first seed of the season. My specific prayer for him is that he will see God in a new light and that he will turn his life over to God.
The funeral arrangements are for Tues evening and then Wed. afternoon. So, if you think of the DeVault family, please pray that their eyes be opened to the truths of God. Pray for Kristy to be comforted as she grieves her grandma's passing. Pray for Lisa (uncle's sister) to come to the Lord soon and be comforted during this great loss. Pray for my aunt's strength to be renewed as she has been such a rock for my uncle and I can see how exhausted she is. Pray that God's word to be spoken at her funeral. She did not have a home church nor a pastor, so as of now, a preacher has been chosen whom I am praying will change. It's a long story. But, please, please pray that God's word be spoken at her funeral and allow God to put whomever he wants as the pastor in place on Wed.
Thanks!
k
k

More info...

To Answer Beth's comment... the retreat that I spoke at was through Cornerstone Baptist Church of Lafayette. Their women's ministry leader, Hahn Conner had met me a few years ago as she attended our Heart 2 Heart Wed. night Bible study. I would see her occasionally at Pampered Chef shows that I would do, but other than that we hadn't spoke for quite some time :) As she was preparing for her women's group's first time retreat, she heard God telling her to ask me to speak at it as their main speaker. The more she prayed, the more she heard my name. She spoke with of course her pastor and her team of helpers to let them know how she felt led and they approved her to proceed with asking me. She emailed me back in February and asked if I was interested. The Lord had been moving for quite sometime in my heart about pursuing a women's speaking ministry, but of course I needed affirmation. This was undoubtedly affirmation and I was astounded that God had given her my name!! Wow!! We serve such a big God! It was held out at Camp Tecumseh and was a sweet, beautiful time. This was a neat experience for me because I'm very used to already knowing the women I speak in front of. Anytime, I've spoken at one our retreats or events- it's mainly familiar faces. But this was the first time I was face to face with strangers and had to completely rely on God for my strength and acceptance. I was bold in the Lord and just spoke with His love and compassion. Hahn is moving to Japan in Aug. as her hubby is a Marine and will be relocated their for 3 years. I told her that don't worry...I'm willing to travel internationally :) Wouldn't that be amazing!!! I want to do missionary work too. This is the first time I've ever put it in writing...but it's true. I have a heart to go to Africa and any other place God calls me. Right now, I obviously have to focus on John and I raising our beautiful kids. I would love to take Anna with me on my next speaking engagement. Don't know when that will be or where...but God knows :)
Anytime you think of it..please just pray God's will over my life.
love you all!
k

The Glory Goes to Him!

What a weekend. It was full of God's goodness and grace. I was a little nervous to speak for the first time in front of a group of women that I did not already know. But, I warmed up quickly and the Spirit showed up.

PAUSE: Change of subject!!!! Anna just handed me a note that Emma brought home of Friday. The note is from Emma's teacher and it says "Can Emma take home Peanut (the male guinea pig) and the hissing cochroach for the summer?" I am laughing so hard that I'm about to pee myself!! Did my child just ask her kindergarten teacher if she may take the 2 class "pets" home for the summer? Then, what's even funnier is the fact that her teacher was willing to write me a note. How should I respond to this? Hmmmmmmmmm....NO!!!!! NO hissing cochroach in the Townsend home. I can't even fathom it. Peanut....a possibility. He came for spring break to share his wealth of love with Squeekers and Nibbles (our 2 female guinea pigs). We think he accomplished his mission cause they are starting to look a bit poochy in the tummy.

BACK to this weekend---- I can't even put it into words other than to say God showed up in a sweet, sweet way. There were about 22 women who attended and there were lots of tears. The retreat was named "Beauty by God" and my 3 sessions were called "Come Seek and Soak", "In the Shadow of His Strength," and "Standing on the Solid Rock." I won't go on and on. I will just say that without a doubt God has given me a passion to speak at women's events. I love Jesus!!!! I love the passion he's given me. Now, I just need to walk in faith and pursue my dreams. If they are of HIM, I will not fail. I want to become a published author too. Oh, Lord...this is all in your hands!

gotta run...love you all and thank you for your prayers and support!
k

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! Tomorrow we celebrate the biggest holiday of the year. I love Easter. I love the spring air and fresh breeze that flows as people gather and celebrate that Jesus has risen from the dead! Praise God!!!

Today has been a bit stressful. Kids are acting up. Lots of housework to do. Food to make for Easter dinner at my mom's. A late birthday gift for my stepdad needs purchased. Kristy's birthday is today. I'm taking all the kids to a family Easter egg hunt on my dad's side. Still need to go back to Walmart this evening.....So much to do and think about! I feel like the Mary and Martha story. Martha was running around trying to get everything just right f Jesus. Yet, Mary just sat with Jesus and soaked Him in.

I really want to be a Mary, but I'm a Martha today. You know how they say that women say about 10,000 words in a day...well, I think I used them all up this morning with directing and disciplining children. I'm sick of talking outloud. Thank goodness I picked up a red box that the kids hadn't seen or else I'd be pulling my hair out :)

Yet, regardless of my circumstance- God is good and wonderful. He never changes. He's on the throne and blessing my life beyond measure. A loyal and honest husband, 6 healthy vibrant children, a church family that loves me, friends that are phenomenal, extended family that are helpful, a home to live in, a vehicle to drive, food to eat and many extras that aren't even necessary for life. I am blessed.

My prayer for myself and each of you is that tomorrow as we celebrate Easter- we see the little "God sightings" that will be all around us. There will be opportunities to witness to others with your words and actions. The very fact that Jesus has risen from the dead and He did not stay in the grave is something to cheer for! Let's go and worship HIM in Spirit and Truth. If you have any junk that needs confessed or disposed of..take care of it! Don't let anything hinder the most beautfiul celebration on earth. Many of us will eat a family meal after church. For me, this is where the biggest challenge of day comes into play. When I'm at church, I'm on the mountain praising and worshipping like mad. Then, I have to slide down into the valley of life and remain praising and worshipping Him admidst many, many difficult family members. Pray for me please!

I must go and get ready for the Easter egg hunt...yippeee :) We're coloring eggs tonight and making cookies-it should be an eventful day!!
Blessings! He is risen!!!
K

I'm back and painting!

Man, has it really been that long since I posted? Wow...where does the time go?
We just returned from Dallas Texas a few days ago. I went down yonder with Heather to the CDC's National Immunization Conference...yippeee. I was thankful to have the coalition pay for me to go and all..but let me tell you that if I saw one more graph or chart about how if we don't immunize children then the diseases will come back.... I was gonna puke!! Our conference was cut a little short (thank you God) by a not so fun reason. Renay went into the hospital contracting. She's just 34 weeks pregnant. Heather and I jumped on a stand by flight early, early Thurs. morning and then had John pick us up in Chicago so that we could rush to the hospital. We all thought that Renay could deliver Griffin at any moment. Yet, by the grace of our God- she is still pregnant and Griffin is growing safely inside her. Please pray for Renay when you think of it. I'm sure she's exhausted and also just wants Griffin to be safe and healthy.
Many of you already know about the toilet flood and how the insurance company is replacing our living room, hallway, our bedroom, and Evan's room carpet!! We are sooo pumped about this. Thankfully, they've been a little slower than we had expected so we have had time to get on painting. John is such an amazing husband. He's been determined to get us out of debt, so we haven't had any frillies!!! Then, knowing we were getting this new carpeting and that it was an absolutely perfect time to spruce up these certain areas of the house....he is working an extra "gig" tonight from 10 p.m.- 2 a.m. to earn the money to pay for paint and supplies- just to bless us.
Well, I'm going to leave you all hanging and tell you that when we get it all complete- you must come and see it!! I absolutely love it and never dreamed I'd be bold enough to do what I did. I plan to make a wishlist of couch slipcovers that will match and spruce up our furniture to look nice too. However, the blue recliner that has stuffing hanging out of the arm rests- must go!!! Do they make slip covers for recliners? Too bad you can't paint furniture. Walmart has some awesome curtains that I want to go in my living room. I'm not putting anything up until I get what I want. I'm so tired of settling for old yucky stuff that bums me out. I have hated the curtains that used to be hanging in my living room ever since we moved in 6 years ago!!! They are history!!!!!
Evan's room is going to be awesome. One wall will be a light tan/cream color and then the other 3 walls will be a green that reminds me of army green/avacado (hard to explain). He want it done with baseball stickers and theme. His bed spread is a nice neutral chocolate and his bed sheets are the same green as the walls. I love his nice neat sharp preferences. I kept trying to talk him into something a little more little boyish and nope..he wanted these colors with baseball bats and ball stickers.
Well, I'm toast and really should get to bed. I can't wait to hear how Anna and Johnathan enjoyed ATF. Our student ministries just took 50 people to Acquire the Fire in Indy- national teen Christian event. Tomorrow's church service will be amazing and full of the power of God. When the teens get excited, it's contagious!
Have a blessed evening everyone
love you all,
k