Unpacking & Hidden Treasures

Woo Hoo!  A new blog post in only a week.  Nothing really earth shaking or life changing has really happened to talk about.  Just some random thoughts to write down while the office is quiet.  A new Monday habit!!

 

Most of the last month has been spent unpacking the many boxes that were hidden away in a 20 X 10 storage unit and a friend's shed for the last several years!  I have been trying to figure out where to hang pictures and put things in a new place.  I've also discovered that there are some things (like scrap booking papers) that just don't last very well all packed away for so long and are better placed in a big black garbage bag destined for the dumpster!!  Yes! I know it's a shock, but I AM THROWING SOME THINGS AWAY!!! 

One of the joys of unpacking is finding some long lost hidden treasures.  One such treasure was my baby doll, Susie!  Susie is 52 years old.  Her birthday is on Christmas eve.  She was my first baby doll given to me by my grandparents, Big Momma and Poppa.  She somehow got packed away by a friend who didn't realize her importance.  I finally found her in a box marked baby dolls! She now has a place of honor in my bedroom.  Other treasures have been unearthed in my office boxes in the form of notes and pictures of kids who are all grown up now.  It's been nice reading the notes and cards.  I found some notes from the kids and other friends at Stevens Street that were given to me when I left.  They all started out "What I love about Miss Becky."  Most of the kids mentioned M & M's!!!  Looking at the pictures have been fun too, but I am ready to fill new frames with new pictures and new faces. 

 

One note I found was from a young mother of two preschoolers.  I first taught her in my 4-year old Sunday school class.  She wrote to me to say thanks for being her teacher.  I remember getting her note that day.  It came at a time when I really needed to know that what I was doing did matter.  Even when I found it this time, four plus years later, it helped reassure me that making the big move to a new place was indeed the right thing to do.  It's hard starting new things, but God has promised never to leave me or forsake me.  He has promised to show me great and mighty things that I did not know about before.  He promised to be found when I seek Him in all I do and give me the desires of my heart as I learn to trust in Him and lean on Him. 

 

I am so glad His mercies are new every morning!  And I am so glad I am His child!!  

 

Always remember . . . .

 

That you are too!!        

New Church, New Home, New Ministry, New Blessings!!

WOW!  It's been a long time since I last posted on this blog, like October of 2010!!  There have been many changes in my life over the last 3 1/2 years, and by the title of this blog post, you all may be able to guess what the major change is to date!!  But that news will have to wait!

 

I was honored and humbled to spend some great time working and learning from the folks at First Baptist Church in Carthage, TN for over four years.  I joined that church in December 2009, after I left my position at Stevens Street.  God allowed me to work with the children and preschoolers of the church in Sunday School and AWANA, cook on Wednesday nights, help in the church office when needed, and of course those special projects as requested by Bro. Tim!!!  It was good to be able to serve the Lord with the great people of FBC Carthage.  They are family, and I will forever be grateful that God placed me there.  I learned many important lessons while a member there and received so much unconditional love from the folks.  It was a great blessing to be able to spend so much time with Bro. Tim and Fran.  They have been great friends for a long time (since moving to Cookeville in 2000!) and have included me in many family functions.

 

I also had opportunities to work with some great folks at the Tennessee Baptist Convention teaching VBS clinics and Journey Camps and to help with the VBS previews at LifeWay each January.  These great friends prayed for and encouraged me as I was searching for a new position.  God was also using this time to help me grow in faith, learn new skills, and to depend on Him for all things.  He allowed me to be involved in ministry in ways that were not possible before. 

 

While in Carthage, I worked at the local nursing home part time in the activities department.  While it wasn't what I really wanted at the time, it was want God wanted me to do.  I worked at the nursing home for just over three years.  It was fun to help those precious saints stay active and involved in life.  We did lots of crazy and out of the box things together!  We often celebrated with ice cream!!  Sometimes my crazy ideas worked well and other times not so well, but they didn't care (as long as I got us ice cream!) We would just laugh together about the fun we had and try something new.  The one thing I took from that ministry opportunity is that I want to still be involved with the senior adults in my church and local nursing homes. 

 

Over the last four years, I did manage to send out many, many resumes.  There was a lady at the Tennessee Baptist Convention that would send them out as well, and I will forever be grateful for all her help!  I learned very early in the process to save all written questionnaires for use in the future (some churches would ask the same questions).  I also learned to keep a record of who I had talked to at what church! My organization skills greatly improved as well!!  Back in October of 2013, I sent a resume to a church in South Arkansas.  I got a phone call from the pastor the next day, had a very good 45 minute conservation with him, but then nothing for several months.  That happened often in the process so I really didn't think that much about it.  I heard from other churches in the same time frame.  I remember checking the Arkansas' web site in January and reading that they were narrowing in on a person for the position.  Since I had not heard from them, I decided to move on and sent out a few other resumes.  

 

I had sent several resumes and received a few other phone calls, when I received a call from a lady on the personal committee from West Side Baptist Church in El Dorado, Arkansas. (The one I sent a resume to in October of 2013!) She asked if I was still available and interested in the position at her church.  After we talked for a while, she said the pastor was going to send me a questionnaire to fill out.  I received it later that afternoon, all 54 questions!!!!  I worked really hard to get it answered and sent back.  They called backed to schedule a Skype interview on February 12th.  The interview went well and They called back within 15 minutes! We scheduled a visit for two weeks later.  The weekend went very well, and the church voted on March 2nd and called me to be their Children and Family Minister.  I was overjoyed and ready to make the move!  I moved on March 21st and celebrated my first Sunday with them on March 23rd!! 

 

I know this is where I am  supposed to be!  I feel like I am at home! I had some friends help me with the move.  She told me she hated to see me leave Carthage but knew that I was supposed to be in Arkansas!  It was exactly what my mom had told me when I moved to Cookeville 14 years earlier! I am grateful for the opportunity to serve with some great people, make new friends, and start new traditions!  Yesterday was my first holiday and I was able to go have lunch and spend the afternoon with a family in the church.  I'm enjoying the new things God is putting in my life, even the little adventures of getting lost and finding my way around town!!! 

 

I will keep this updated more on a regular basis from now on and not let 3 1/2 years go between posts!!!!  Until next time, Always remember . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

That You are loved!!!

 

Becky 

God is Good All The Time!

"My soul, praise the Lord, and all that is within me, praise the Lord, and do not forget all His benefits." Psalm 103 1-2


Wow! Two months after signing the contract on the house, I finally closed on September 30th!! I officially moved to Smith County on Saturday, Oct 2nd. The new owners took possion of the house on Sunday at 8:00 am! I didn't know I had so much stuff and now it's all in storage!! What's next, only God knows! I took the week off to chill out!

This week, I am part of a team from church on mission to Long Island, New York. We left Saturday, Oct. 9th and drove to Harrisburg, PA. We pulled out of the parking lot there at 6:00 am and drove to Long Island! Driving thru New York City this morning was an adventure!!! We pulled into the parking lot of North Shore Baptist Church this morning at 10:10 am!! The morning service started at 10:30 and we were the special music!!


The message was from Luke 5 and Jesus preaching from Simon's boat. After he preached, he told Simon to go back out in the deep water and fish. Simon had worked hard all night and caught nothing! He and the others were tired, hungry, and didn't want to go fish anymore! But because Jesus had said to go fish, they went back out and then caught two boat loads of fish! The point this morning was that we need to get out of our comfort zone and the shallow waters to get the fish even if we don't think we can!


Take tonight for instance! We are doing a couple of sketches tonight at a lock-in and they want me to be in them. I don't have a big part or even have to speak (just SING in the second one!) but my first instinct is to just be a person watching from the sidelines. However, I know that I am to part of the action and be in the sketches with the team. Yes, I'm just a little nervous about it all and I'm sure Simon had a few doubts about going back out after fishing all night. I'm more comfortable in the nursery but tonight there is no nursery. So I'm wading out of the shallow end and heading to the deep water and playing my part in the sketches and singing in the choir! I'll have to let you know how things go!

Before this week is over, I'm sure I'll be in the deep water more than once. Driving into the city was just the first step to test the waters! I had to make sure I had my eyes on Zeke as he drove the van and led the way! Even if I doubted where we were going, he had directions I didn't have and got us here all in one piece and on time for church! What a blessing it is to live by faith and not by sight!

Well, its almost time for the lock-in to start and for us to get things ready for the teens. More later! And always remember . . . .

That you are loved!!

Becky

All In His Time!

"The Lord's love never ends; His mercies never stop, they are new every morning..." Lamentations 3:22,23


Wow! Selling a house is full of up and downs and can change in an instant! I am so thankful that God's love and protection for me never changes!


I know that God has everything all worked out with this sell! I know that this is what I'm supposed to do! He confirms that over and over! He is just delaying the closing for my protection. The reasons will be revealed in His time! (I'm remined of that by a friend all the time!)


For some reason, I'm remined of the story of Lazarus in John 11. When Jesus was told of his illness, He didn't leave right away; He stayed where He was 2 more days! By the time He arrived, Lazarus had been in the grave four days! Mary and Martha were already grieving the loss of their brother. Others were there grieving with them! Jesus knew what was going to do--Raise Lazuras from the dead! I know this delay in closing is all part of His time! I may think its four day late, but it's really right on time! I also know that God has other things in my life already planned! He is my provider, my all!!


I have to look back over the last nine months and count my many blessings! He has provided for my every need! He has given me a wonderful church home and many new friends! Each day He reminds me of His love! Yes, there are days of disappointments but they are soon replaced by His blessings! As a friend told me last night-God has His hand on my life! Every morning is a new day full of His blessings and love!! THANK YOU LORD!!!


I may not be closing on the house tomorrow as planned, but it will happen! I really can't wait to see what He is up to! Lazuras received new life so it's worth the wait!!! I'll keep you posted!!


Blessings and Light!
Miss Becky

long time no post!

So sorry it's been a while since I've posted. There have been many changes since July so I will try to quickly summerize everything from the last month or so!


First of all I have a contract on the house! I had a family come and look at the house the last weekend of July. I received an offer on Monday, August 2nd. I already had a busy week planned at church. I was helping with a Power Team crusade in Carthage and had planned to be there most of the week, but of course, offers come with a deadline! The first counter was made on Tuesday morning and then followed by several others and a few trips traveling to and from Cookeville to Carthage! It was an emotional week for me! There were several times, I wanted to just throw in the towel, but God had other plans and the final counter was accepted and signed on Friday of that week!! What a blessing that was!! Closing is set for Friday, September 17th!! God is to be praised!!


I have had a few bumps along the road to the closing of course! A leak in the shower had to be fixed. We thought it was in the hot water pipes but was only the drain! My sister and stepdad fixed that and the plumber came to check the hotwater pipes! Praise the Lord, there was no leak and no charge from the plumber!! The termite inspection report was not good and I was going to have to pay for treatment. My realtor found a person to treat it for way less than the orginial inspector and he would wait to get paid at closing!! Thank you God! The carpets and floors are to be fixed today and tomorrow! Now to get the endless stack of boxes moved and the house cleaned for the new owners! They have mail here already waiting on them!! Many thanks to my family for coming to help me pack over Labor Day weekend! The fun part will be trying to figure out what is in the boxes since my brother and sister used codes to label them!!


I am moving to Catrhage for now. Some folks from church have a basement apartment I will be staying in for a while while I seek God's direction and guidance. I have had several interviews and churches with my resume. While all those doors have closed, I know God has a place just for me! I know He has a calling on my life! The past 10 months have been a real test of faith for me! I have seen God provide for me in miracalous ways! He has used so many people to help lift me up when I've really just wanted to quit. I thank Him for the way He has taken care of me! I know I need to recommit my ways to Him and He shall direct my path!!

Well, I need to get back to cleaning and packing! More later! I promise it won't be six weeks in between posts!!

Always remember.....you are loved!!

Becky

Hymn of Faith

"Though the fig tree may not blossom, not fruit be on the vines;though the labor of the olive tree fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make me walk on my high hills." Habakkuk 3:17-19

The book of Habakkuk is only three chapters long. Habakkuk was a prophet but was unique among the prophets in that asked God questions! He wanted to know what God was doing and why. These are questions we all have from time to time, but for Habakkuk's day, it might have seemed a bit strange. There was so much evil happening all around him; so many things he didn't understand, and he just wanted some answers. God didn't strike Habakkuk down for these questions. He answered them!! Chaos and uncertainty may have been all around the people of Habakkuk's day, but God was still in control and He assured Habakkuk of this. The verses above are at the end of this very short book. They are referred to as "A Hymn of Faith" in most Bibles. They are Habakkuk's response to God's answers to his questions. They are his words of faith to what was happening all around him.

I have taken these verses to heart a few times myself. I have even rewritten verse 17 to reflect some specific needs in my life and those of friends. I, like Habakkuk, have questions I want some answers for, especially at this time in my life. "God, what are you doing in my life? Why did both of those doors close? What do you want me to do now? What are you teaching me through all of this? Are you sure?!?" I know there are others who have asked the same or similar questions of God from time to time if not every day!! Job had questions about his sufferings and God answered him with more questions! "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" "Who determined its measurements?" (Job 38:4-5) In other words, I know what I am doing!!! You just have to trust me on this one! (personal translation here!!) Habakkuk 3:17-19 was Habakkuk's response to the things he was a witness to all around him. God is in control and He knows what He's doing. It doesn't make sense to me what is going on in my life at the moment, but God is using this to work all things for His glory. I may not get the answers I want to my questions, but I know that God is in control. He loves me and He wants only His best for me. I prayed specific prayers and He gave specific answers so why should I question Him. I can learn from Job that I need to remain faithful to God no matter what. I can learn from Habakkuk that God will strengthen those who live by faith the same confidence that a sure-footed deer has in climbing mountains.

Yes, I still have questions that I would like some answers for, but I have realized that my answer is "Just you wait and see! I hear your prayers and questions, Becky. You are my child and I am working all things out for you that will bring ME the most glory. Things that you can't even imagine or know. I am in control. I haven't forgotten about you. I know exactly what you need and where I am going to need you. Keep doing, keep trusting, keep serving and yes even keep asking me questions! Most of all, keep looking to me!"

See you on the High Hills!

Becky

New Every Morning

When I was in college, I learned to do counted cross-stitch. I loved it! I especially loved to design my own patterns for friends. These designs were usually a favorite Bible verse for the person. One of the first things I ever made for someone was for my pastor when I was in college and was the verse from Lamentations 3 describing how God's mercies are new every morning! (He then wanted me to cross-stitch Psalm 119!! all 150 verses! I did it but in four parts: Psalm 119, verses 1-50, verses 51-100, amd verses 101-150!! they all were in little 2 inch frams that hooked together!! He hung it up in his office!!) Memories like these remind me of the special people in my life and how much I appreciate the time they invested in my ministry today. I'll always remember Bro. Tom or "Dr. Daddy" as I called him. He encouraged me to press on and find my calling and purpose in life. I remember the talks my friend, Barb, and I would have on his front porch swing and how he always seemed to know what they were about! We thought he had a microphone out there on the porch recording us!!

All this to say, he was just one of the many people who God has placed in my life to help me along the way discover all that God has for me to do. Every morning, He sends reminders to me of His new mercies and great love for me. Music camp was my reminder last week. I made some new friends who are praying for me now as I search for where God wants me to serve next. God sent me lots of sticky notes last week through the kids and the message in the music we learned. "Sticky Notes and Bible Quote" helped me realize that I need to spend more time memorizing the Word so that when faced with some sticky situtations of my own, I will have God's reminders with me at all times! The kids did a great job of leading us in worship Saturday night. I was sitting at the front of the stage helping adjust the mics and prompt the kids if they needed any help with their verses. As the end of the program was getting close, I soon realized that I did have tears in my eyes! I was so excited for the kids and the great job they did, but I was also reminded at how much God loves me and how much that love cost! God used those 56 smiling faces to show me that last week. I hope and pray that I was that encourager to one of those kids last week, just as Dr. Daddy was to me many years ago!

I am so grateful that God sends me sticky notes everyday from His word. I often find notes in my bible written next to specific verses that remind me of the people in my life as well just as that verse in Lamentations reminds me of Dr. Daddy. As I have been searching for a new place of ministry over the past few months, God has allowed me to meet many new people to be a prayer warrior and encourager to me in my search. I am so humbled at how He has taken care of my needs and answered my prayers. Recently, I had interviewed with two churches and things looked very positive with both places. I really didn't know how I was going to make a decision between the two. I prayed for God to show me very clearly what path He wanted me to take. He did that the very next day when I got an e-mail from one church saying they had decided to go in another direction and not continue with my application. I was very disappointed and a little discourage to say the least! Then it hit me!! God had very clearly answered my prayer and closed that door for my protection! He knows me and where I am most needed and that was not the place! I waited to hear from the other church and was excited that door still remained open. I continued to pray for God's guidance and direction, trusting that He knows best. Two weeks later, the door at the second church also closed. I know it is for my protection and in His time, He will open the door He has for me. In the mean time, I know I am where I need to be. After this door closed, another church contacted me that they had my resume and were in the process of praying for the person God has for their children's minister. God's sticky note reminder that He knows best and is still working! Several other new opportunities have opened up as well. As a friend reminds me often "All in His time!"

Well I need to end this post! Lots of thoughts still roaming around in my head but they will have to wait till another time!

Becky