Spring Expo review:

I just want to say thank you to everyone who was involved with this project.  I think it was a great success! 

Here's a peek at some of the fun that happened that day:

 

 

Hope to see you next time!

Fresh Air!

Today, we have a guest post from Bob and Rachel Eubank, about a program they are involved in called the Fresh Air Fund. Be sure and also check out their page on Facebook! The link is at the end of this post:
The ice and snow of winter are beginning to melt away and the promise of spring is peeking up through the grass. The warm air whispers a promise that summer is on its way. Days of watching our children run barefoot through the sprinklers and nights of catching fireflies in mason jars are just around the corner. Children become alive with freedom and fun in the summer sun. The world is their playground and they are eager to learn more about it through new experiences and treasured traditions.

Here in West Virginia we are blessed with beautiful natural surroundings, but imagine for just a minute that the only playground that was available to your children was made of concrete. Concrete that becomes so hot in the summer sun that it needs to be sprayed with water just so the children don’t burn themselves while they are playing. Imagine having a seven year old son who has never run through the grass barefoot or watched the stars come out at night.

Every year children from New York City only dream of experiencing the kinds of summers that we take for granted. They want the chance to go to the beach with a family, to see a drive in movie, to catch a fish in a lake, or to just play in the backyard. These children spend their summers in the apartments or on the city streets. While our children breathe fresh air and play through their summers, many New York City children are still waiting for their chance.

The Fresh Air Fund is an organization that is trying to change the lives of thousands of New York City children each year. This is an organization that my husband and I believe in with all of our hearts. Their one goal is to take children out of the city and place them in a country or small town setting for the chance to experience the kinds of summers that we have access to each year. They match children with host families that are willing to open their homes and their hearts for two weeks during the summer season.

My husband and I are looking for families who are ready to change a child’s life forever. There is no financial obligation. These children need love, time, and a bed to sleep in while they are visiting. Here in North Central West Virginia, the children will be arriving July 10th-24th. Hosting a Fresh Air child just means putting another hotdog on the grill, and slathering another child with sunscreen before heading out to the beach. Just a little extra effort during that two week stay will give a child an experience they will remember the rest of their lives!

Our family has been hosting a child through the Fresh Air Fund for the last nine years. Our Fresh Air son’s name is Matthew and he is the only child we have ever hosted. He was six the first summer he came to visit. Everything was new to him and his greatest goal was to see a black and white cow in person. This summer his is going to be fourteen and in high school! The Fresh Air fund has transformed our family…he gained a new perspective on life and we gained a son. Summer would not be the same without Matthew here with us.

 

 As a host parent, when you are able to take a city child out of his or her element and give them a new outlook on life, you see your world with fresh eyes. Most hosts say that they go into the program expecting to change a child’s life and end up having their lives changed forever.

If you would consider hosting a child or if you would like more information about this amazing program, please go to www.freshair.org or you can call us at 304-363-9665, we never get tired of talking about Fresh Air!

Bob and Rachel Eubank
Fresh Air Fund of North Central WV on Facebook.

*Special thanks to Kathleen for sharing this post with us.  Check her out at Positive Adoption.

Spring Craft Expo is Saturday!

I'm so excited! 

In just two short days, it's finally time for the Spring Craft Expo.

Here's another sneak peak at some of the talented folks we have coming to the show:

• Crochet Creations by Rachel with Rachel Eubank

• Missives Stationary with Tammie Crites
• Wrap Fit with Felicia Starrett

• Thirty One with Selena Campbell 

• Tupperware with Melissa Moore

• Origami Owl with Ciara Moats

• Fun Fashionable Scarves with Ashley Curry

• Scentsy with Kristie Hartsel

• Art work by Sharon Linn

• Anderson Hollow Farms (soaps/lotions/ect) with Beth Anderson
• Easter eggs and candy baskets by The Home Team for Relay for Life

• Airbonne with Stephanie McCollum

• Nerium with Debbie Burget

• Handcrafted Jewelry by Uniquely Yours

• Signature Homestyle with Amie Grubb

• Hairbows, tutus ect with Kimberly Linn, The Ribbon Fairy

• Simply Said with Kim Gillespie

• Handmade photo cards with Valinda Loy
• Deb's Prim Designs

• Mary Kay with Sylvia Simons

• From Head to Bow-tique (hairbows, holders & acc.) with Karlen Stolzenfels

• Quilts by Donna Batson

• Aprons & dishtowels with Edwina Trotto
• Blanton Farms with Lisa Blanton

• Handmade jewelry & other items with Tracey Moore

• Silpada Jewelry with Tara Fancher

 Also showing:  Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Jamberry Nails, Diva Girl, Murano Beads, Nu Skin, Avon, homemade fudge, suckers, hard tack candy, busy bags and I Spy bottles, scarves, photos.....so much to see!  Over 45 crafters and vendors!

You can also enjoy homemade pepperoni buns and cinnamon rolls at our concession stand. 

So grab some friends and come on out. 

Beth Moore "The Patriarchs"

March 20th is the start date for our Beth Moore Bible Study "The Patriarchs".

Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m and our introductory DVD session will begin
at 7 p.m.

For those ladies who have pre-registered before today's date, you will receive your workbook on Wednesday (March 20th). The cost is $16 (checks payable to Trinity Assembly / memo: "The Patriarchs").

If you haven't sign-up yet, come on out tomorrow, and we'll get your book ordered and available to you by the following week (March 27th).

As always, we have wonderful ladies who will be facilitating our small group sessions each week:

Team 1 -- Joni Bokanovich & Elizabeth DeRoos
Team 2 -- Carol Hepler & Marsha Lloyd
Team 3 -- Debbie Conaway & Darlene Kisner
Team 4 -- Kay Efaw
Team 5 -- Tammy Walker
Team 6 -- Sonya Esulante & Lori Teets
Team 7 -- Vanessa Roque
Team 8 -- Kristy Cole

Teams will consist of 10-12 ladies per group. It is an open enrollment on these teams.

So join us this Wednesday for another awesome study of God's Word and get to know other ladies who share your dedication and devotion to the Lord most high!


God's richest blessings,
Debbie Starn

Scripture Memory Team: Verse Six.

Look, I'm going to be very honest here.  I didn't memorize the last verse.  I think my mistake was not writing it on the post it notes and thinking I could just do it on my own. 

Turns out, I can't learn by osmosis.  I actually have to make an effort.  Lesson learned. 

So, how did you do? 

My verse for this session actually is from my husband Ronnie.   As Jesus is being crucified, the thief on the cross cries out to Him "Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom."

My verse for the next two weeks are the sweet words Jesus replied to him in Luke 23:43
    ⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Matthew Henry's commentary sums up everything I love about this passage:

As soon as Christ was fastened to the cross, he prayed for those who crucified him. The great thing he died to purchase and procure for us, is the forgiveness of sin.

This he prays for.

Jesus was crucified between two thieves; in them were shown the different effects the cross of Christ would have upon the children of men in the preaching the gospel.

One malefactor was hardened to the last. No troubles of themselves will change a wicked heart. The other was softened at the last: he was snatched as a brand out of the burning, and made a monument of Divine mercy. This gives no encouragement to any to put off repentance to their death-beds, or to hope that they shall then find mercy. It is certain that true repentance is never too late; but it is as certain that late repentance is seldom true. None can be sure they shall have time to repent at death, but every man may be sure he cannot have the advantages this penitent thief had. We shall see the case to be singular, if we observe the uncommon effects of God's grace upon this man.

He reproved the other for railing on Christ. He owned that he deserved what was done to him. He believed Jesus to have suffered wrongfully. Observe his faith in this prayer. Christ was in the depth of disgrace, suffering as a deceiver, and not delivered by his Father. He made this profession before the wonders were displayed which put honour on Christ's sufferings, and startled the centurion. He believed in a life to come, and desired to be happy in that life; not like the other thief, to be only saved from the cross. Observe his humility in this prayer. All his request is, Lord, remember me; quite referring it to Jesus in what way to remember him. Thus he was humbled in true repentance, and he brought forth all the fruits for repentance his circumstances would admit.

Christ upon the cross, is gracious like Christ upon the throne. Though he was in the greatest struggle and agony, yet he had pity for a poor penitent. By this act of grace we are to understand that Jesus Christ died to open the kingdom of heaven to all penitent, obedient believers. It is a single instance in Scripture; it should teach us to despair of none, and that none should despair of themselves; but lest it should be abused, it is contrasted with the awful state of the other thief, who died hardened in unbelief, though a crucified Saviour was so near him. Be sure that in general men die as they live.

Be Confident in God's Calling.

I recall many times in my life where God instructed me to do something and I immediately responded with, “who, me?” He would ask me to lay hands on someone and I would ask “Is that really You God?”

 

 The motivation behind my line of questioning was my inability to fully accept that God’s anointing was not reserved for the pastors in the pulpit or the seminary students well-versed in the study of Ministry. God is calling ordinary people to do some extraordinary things through His power.

 

Where you feel you fall short, is exactly what God will use to display His glory and grace through your faith in Him. Some of what we believe to be our lowest points in life is where God will speak the loudest for you to minister to others. Through our own trials, we find that God cultivates a heart and love to reach those going through similar situations. Those trials allow others to clearly see a greater power working on our behalf, and the glory always goes back to God. In weakness, we are made strong because God’s grace enables us to accomplish whatever He has called us to do. 

 

There’s no need to wait for the perfect conditions before you answer God’s call for your life. Go forward and be confident in His ability to fulfill what He has uniquely predestined you to do. Jesus is your qualification, and your obedience and faith in Him gets the job done.

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)

 

 

Devotion from Daughters of the King Daily Devotionals.

I am a daughter of the King.

Courstey of Daughters of the King Daily Devotionals.

What do you really need?

Savoring God's Sweet Grace

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
                                                        1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


"Are YOU kidding me?!! ...... I JUST GOT THOSE!!"

Oh the horror!  As a college sophomore, my budget was, to put it lightly, very low.  The frequency of having special treats was practically never.  My very favorite candies wer Peanut M&M's and Reese's peanut butter eggs, only in stores at Easter, one time a year.  The was long before they came up with peanut butter pumpkins and footballs and Christmas trees, so you really could only have the extra peanut buttery goodness at Eastertime! 

As the daughter of a self-professed chocoholic, the care packages I would recieve from the mom were nothing short of awesome!  That Easter was no exception.  I got the mail late one day, opened the fantastic Easter package and left the package of peanut M&M's and the package of peanut butter eggs on the counter to have some the next day. 

When I woke up the next morning and went to the kitchen for eat breakfast, all I found on the counter was the silly bendable Easter bunny that came with the care package and the empty wrappers of what used to be the chocolately treat. 

After yelling horribly at my roommates, I called my mom in the midst of being thoroughly distraught.  She reminded me that this situation was not the end of the world.  After all, there was more where the original supply came from!  She also reminded me that both of my roommates did not have mothers that were actively involved in their lives.  In fact, they never got care packages.  I definitely did not feel like rejoicing that my favorite candies were stolen, but I certainly began to pray for my roommates and was genuinly learning how to "give thanks in everything".

                                                                                            ~ Kathy Ervin

Scripture Memory Verse 5.

It's March 1st already! 

Here's my verse for the next two weeks:

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26

Aren't there many days when my flesh and heart fail?  Oh, so many days.

I'm so overwhelmingly thankful that God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

Forever.

Not just when my house is clean, or when I'm speaking kind words, or when all my Beth Moore blanks are filled in.

Forever. 

I like that. 

Share your verse with me either below in the comments or on Facebook.  

I love reading them!