A Journey of Faith

Tomorrow is one of those days that we plan months for, and then suddenly it's here! I just emailed a friend saying, "I can't believe tomorrow is tomorrow." It's one of those days that you just know God has blessed!!

Five years ago, I picked up and read the book, "Power of a Praying Woman" by Stormie Omartian. I liked the book, just ok. Several months later, after the death of my dear Mom I picked up the book again. This time it was life changing!! It moved me to my very core- it changed who I was as a Christian woman!

Then, it started happening.... I started "hearing from God"-- He's pretty hard to ignore!!! He told me in no uncertain terms that I needed to lead a book study with this book, and He even pointed me to my friend Diane as a co-leader. I wasn't even going to church then-(thankfully that has since changed!)- I had NO clue how this would unfold. But- with all things that God commands, it fell into place perfectly and in June '03 we met at Diane's home with 8 women who wanted to know God as a personal friend. We called ourselves, "Praying Ecumenical Women". God led Diane and I by the hand in the planning. Every move we made- every lesson we planned, we saw His hand in. We saw lives changed that year!! We saw women finding TRUE friendship with God!!!

At the end of that year, we were pretty certain that this "book study" was a one time thing! God must have been really laughing at us!... As we were finishing up the final meeting, we heard from Him again! Another year Lord? REALLY?

Well, there WAS another year, AND another year after that (that year's group name changed to "Women of Prayer" when we made it an "official" church study)! (I think there was a break in between, so I could survive some college classes!) Each year proved to be as powerful as the first-- lives changes, spirits renewed, God moving powerfully among us!!

Tomorrow, we begin the FOURTH group!!!! Who knew!??? What are you doing Lord? (This year's group was actually formed from a "waiting list" from last year!!)

Beginning a new group is always like the first day of school... new friends, new ideas, new growth! It's exciting, and terrifying at the same time! Every year, we have a dynamic and wonderful group of ladies! This year's group is no exception! I can't wait for tomorrow! I can't wait to hear about their faith journey's. I can't wait to hear about how they want to grow this year. I can't wait to watch them grow and come to know this wonderful man we call Christ! What a privilege it is to co-lead this group!!

Thank you God for all of these ladies over the last several years.... Rita, Cinde, Debbie, Kathleen, Allison, Laura, Hope, Ruth, Pat, Anne, Jackie, Mary, Debbie, Barb, Melissa, Jeanne, Deb, Mary, Kathy, Dee Ann, Lisa... and for this year's Women of Prayer- Toni, Debbie, Laurie, Phyllis, Chris, Karen, Nancy, April, Ruth--
and especially my friend of 25 years and group co-leader, Diane.
Thank you for being present in their lives then and now. Thank you for leading them to be part of this group.

Lord, you have blessed me so abundantly through this study! Thank you for leading me to begin it, and for pointing me to my friend Diane to lead it with me. Thank you for guiding us so powerfully in the planning. Thank you for being present with us at each and every class, and each and every planning meeting. Thank you for touching our lives, and the lives of these women of faith!!!!

And Lord, please bless this year's group. Move among us powerfully tomorrow and at all our classes throughout the next nine months. Help us to become true Women of Prayer!!

And to whoever is reading this blog-- would you please take a moment to say a prayer for this year's Women of Prayer? Ask God to bless us- so that we'll feel His presence in all we do and at each and every class-- seeing yet again, lives changed, spirits renewed, and hearts knowing Christ as a TRUE friend!!