Today was the last day of our 6 week Bible Study by Angela Thomas. It's been an amazing study in which we've revisited some hard memories and allowed God to heal and renew. We've learnt that it's never too late (or too early!!) to become the woman that God wants you to be.

In His arms we are finding hope, strength and freedom and we're ready to dance! We're willing to trade in our ashes for a crown of beauty. 

"They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord for the display of Hs splendor." Isaiah 61:3

Some Rainy Weather

It's been a rainy week or two. Those little drizzles that come along in life that leave you feeling cold, damp and miserable!
Mike, my hubbie. left on a two week business trip; my pre-teen son has been very...pre-teen; spiritual warfare has stepped up with my mission trip to Ethiopia coming up; the heartache of being married to a wonderful man who does not love Jesus has been intensifying; juggling mothering, church work and my photography business had been tiring and then I get the call from Marshall Hospital that my mammogram wasn't normal.

Fear came knocking at my door. And my hand went to the handle to let it in. The Jesus came to my rescue - just like He says He will. It came in an unlikely way. I took a meal over to a friend who had just had surgery, and her daughter gave me a painting she had made for me. It was a beautiful rainbow. I didn't think anything deeper than how incredibly sweet this young girl is until I was emailing a friend about my week, and I told her it had been a rainy week, but I had my umbrella up (actually I was hiding out under God's!) and I could see a rainbow. Suddenly it hit me! God had come to my rescue and given me an assurance that he was with me and I did not need to fear.

I wonder if Mrs. Noah got scared every time it started raining after the flood. It had never even rained before the Great Flood. And now, as she got used to this new weather phenomenon, did memories of the flood come racing back every time it started to drizzle. Did she think she was going under this time. Perhaps that's why God gave the rainbow, as a sign of His promise the He would never allow the rain waters to over take the earth again. He was with her.

So as I smiled at my rainbow painting I knew God had told me not to fear. Yes, it was drizzling a bit, but He was with me and I did not need to fear. His perfect love casts out fear. So fear did come knocking and Jesus told it that no-one was home.

Living in the safety of His love,
Sam

Sequoia Bridal Show Feb 8th, 2009

The Sequoia did a most wonderful job hosting the first Gold Country Bridal Show yesterday. There were 40 local wedding venders all under one roof. It was great! The Sequoia staff looked after us vendors so well - served us lunch and beverages and looked out for us. The brides were wonderful - excited about their upcoming weddings and enjoying the show.

I have a feeling that this will be the first of many shows:)

Our God is Amazing

Woo Hoo!

Th tri-tip fun raiser was a HUGE success! We raised $3000 and along with some other checks that came in, we now have the funds to get all 6 of us to Ethiopia!! Amazing!

When we considered how much money had to be raised five months ago, we were a little nervous. People are hurting financially and we were planning to ask them to give money to send us to Ethiopia. But God's people are not living in the recession - we're living in God! And He always provides.

A dear friend of mine, who is likely to lose her home because of the economy, has twice pressed into my hand an envelope with money in it for out trip. They are living in faith and obedience, and love:)