The weather has gone back and forth between thunderstorms, 90 degrees and HIGH humidity, highs in the 70s, to beautiful days. It's always fun to see what the weather will be for the day and just head out and get things done.
Last week we were blessed with a Mission team from Geyer Springs Baptist Church in Bryant AR. They came in to work in small groups and we had some fun times traveling to our service location on the east side. They served lunch and dinner at the soup kitchen at Grand Central Neighborhood, an organization to help the homeless that our church has been working with over the last year. Some of the team also helped with job searches and resume writing with the clients there.
Over the weekend, Parable Church had our first retreat. We went to Shelter Island and stayed in a house on the water, which also had a pool. Everyone pitched in to cook some delicious meals. I went out on Sunday morning for the day and had a wonderful time. Most of the group stayed from Friday evening to Sunday evening and they had great fun swimming, lounging, eating and relaxing. Pictures can be seen on a link on the parablechurch.com website. Check them out!We had music, special prayer time, a personal devotional exercise, a great message from Mike and observed the Lord's Supper. Mike and John swam the 'channel', about a half mile between islands as some of us cheered them on from a dinghy. We prepared and shared a yummy meal and visited for a long while. It was a great relaxing time.
This week I was
blessed to get to work with a team from Marion AR. I met Lee and Elizabeth Barnett in Thailand while they were there to work with FBC Rogers (as was I). It seemed random, but of course God had it planned for us to meet over a meal there. That started plans for the team to come to NYC and spend part of their time working with our church. They were a great group of people. 
They did everything from cleaning, painting and hauling trash/debris for one of our neighbors in the building, serving meals and helping with resumes at Grand Central Neighborhood, Prayerwalking our ministry areas, delivering clothes and books to Project Find homeless and senior centers, delivering books to 2 police precincts and 6 firehouses.
They were a Creative Worship team, so they sang and did some drama for some of our staff. Frank, one of our church members is an actor and he spent some time with them doing some drama coaching. The time went by too fast. We are talking about them bringing a couple more teams up from their church this year. I can't wait!
Things are moving along nicely for Parable Church. We have tons of work to do and lots of paperwork and such to take care of, but everyone is taking on responsibilities where they are gifted and we are all parts of this body. It's so wonderful to be around and to be a part of it! Keep us in your prayers as we move forward.
Two of the kids, Lonnia and Charmaine came by for a quick visit last night. They laughed because I call my evening meal 'supper'. I can't remember what the other 'southern' thing I said that brought giggles. The kids here have about another week of school (they go Sept - June). Then they go to different types of 'camps' here in the city.
Please keep my Mom and Stepdad and my nephew's family in your prayers. They were the only family members that were directly affected by the floods in my home town. They were lucky to only be evacuated for a couple of days. The hospital where my nephew's fiance works is shut down for a long time since it was flooded in the basement and into the first floor. For a few days the whole town (about the size of Fayetteville) was totally cut off from the 'outside' due to all the highways and roads being flooded. Many people are still out of there homes. I'm thankful my family was lucky in comparison. My Dad just had some phone problems. And my 2 sisters both live out in the boonies, so they were okay. They just couldn't get into Columbus for grocery shopping or helping out. All people in the Midwest who have had flood devastation surely need our continued prayers.
By the way, if you heard about the 2 guys who climbed up the outside of the New York Times building a few weeks ago, I did see the second guy reach the top. The building is only a block from where I work. I took a picture, but you can't see him very well (he's along the right side edge of the building in the pic). Needless to say, the police didn't find humor in their endeavors.
I've been asked what kinds of things people could send me to help sustain my life here in the city. I've added a 'Care Package' List to this blog. Thank you all for your love and prayers.
I've signed up with a babysitting, petsitting, housesitting and senior care registry here in the city. When I'm not busy with Mission teams and church stuff I'll be meeting new families as I expand my 'sitting ministry' to NYC. Some of my past sitting families back in Rogers wrote recommendation letters for me and they made me cry. They were so loving. I'm truly blessed by everyone in my life.
I pray that you all are having safe and happy beginnings to your summer. I can't wait to see the team from FBC Rogers July 12-19. It will be sooo much fun! I have 2 more teams before they get here, so I'm trying to get everything ready. A teenager named Brittani will be coming up for the 2nd time over July 4th with her home church in McComb MS. Brittani will stay the rest of the month of July, sleeping on my sofa, to be my junior intern. I'm so excited. The Rogers team will get to meet her. Maybe in the future a Rogers teenager could do the same thing... hint hint hint to you parents!
Please join me in Praise for God's provision, direction, forgiveness and strength in my life; for the new beginning for our Parable Church family; that those who visit us at the Space feel the love and light of God in us; that we all have God as our Father.
Please join me in Prayer for the health and safety of all our church family and visitors; financial provision for all the Parable Church staff; healthy choices in my life including food, exercise, rest, time with the Lord; continued discipline in time management to be available for those things God has planned; clarity of heart and mind to 'see through God's eyes' in every situation; boldness to share with others my relationship with God; blessings on all who bless me.
To Him be the Glory!!!
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