Hello Friends!

Hello, my dear friends!

I bet you are ever-so surprised to see a new post, aren't you? :) I hope and pray that you have missed me as much as I have missed you - I can tell you that not a day has gone by when I haven't thought of you all, and said a prayer for you. I miss our time together, and yet with all that life is tossing my way right now, I just had to step away for a while. I trust that God has been caring for and loving on you in other ways, in my absence.

My husband and I have been dealing with some wellness issues with our son - nothing major, but enough to keep him awake at night, and therefore mommy too. And, on top of being a wife and mommy, God has been getting my feet back into ministry, and I am very excited at where He is taking me. Satan is more than a little worried, and so I am also getting some hands-on experience in the area of spiritual warfare, especially where my family is concerned - the enemy loves to get us where it hurts the most, and for me, that's my children! So, as you can see, my hands are full. However, I can't tell you how sorry I am that all of this has taken me away from you!

I want to take a moment and share with you all that God is doing with me these days. It is my hope and prayer that you would be willing to join with me in praying for wherever God takes me. I feel as though we've been in this together since the beginning, and I would love for you to continue to partner with me on this amazing adventure! I know that above all, right now, I need prayer. As I seek God's guidance and direction, I need prayer. As I step out in faith, taking the first feeble steps on my journey toward the vision God has given me, I need prayer. And as I begin to build the ministry that God is building first in my heart, I need prayer. I know that your prayers have and will continue to give me the strength and courage to move forward.

With all that said, let me share with you a little of what is going on. I have stepped up into leading a Bible Study at Central Christian Church, my home church, here in Mesa, AZ. However, I feel that God has some building and changing to do, and so I am working with the leadership at Central to mold this study into what it is God has in mind, as well as building an entirely new Bible Study for the women of our church. I'm all about breaking the mold and pushing boundaries! It can be fun, but it can also be scary and challenging, so we'll see how God makes all this happen. My passion is to help women become passionate about Christ, so that they can then take it to the world! I believe the world will be drawn to us, when they see changed lives. And who isn't drawn to passion? I am also working closely with a ministry called Girlfriends Unlimited that God is growing exponentially, right now, to see where I fit in and how I can help them. On top of all of that, my church is working toward starting a women's newsletter that they want me to write for, as well as a daily devotional that they will send out via e-mail. Needless to say, they will be using much of what I've already written, and are asking that I get back in the saddle and start writing new devotionals. God is expanding my boundaries! I will do my very best to post on this blog each daily devotional, just as I always have. However, in case I fall behind, I will be sure to let you know how you can get the devotionals in your e-mail in-box, or else visit our web-site to read them.

So, as you can see I am very busy right now, but I am also beyond thrilled at what God is doing in, with, and through me! I will try to keep you posted on my prayer requests, as I really do feel as though we are in this together - I just happen to be the talkative one (I never really could keep my mouth shut - just ask my family!)

For now, please just pray that God open the doors that need opening, and that I would follow His lead and guidance, not trying to do things my way, but rather submitting to His way. I desperately need to know where to go and how to get there, because I won't go where He's not going! Pray for humility in my life, yet strength and courage to move forward. Also, I ask that you would lift up my family, as the strain of being chin-deep in ministry begins to set in. Pray for my husband, as he supports me in all of this (and gives me counsel) and picks up the slack around the house when I am doing my ministry outside of the house. Pray for my children, their health and protection, as well as their ability to "share" mommy every now-and-then. I know that my family is my primary ministry, especially right now with the younguns, and so it is my greatest desire that I do not put them on the back-burner.

OK, that's enough for now, I think. But please let me take one more moment to thank you for all your love, prayers, and encouragement! I feel so blessed and priveledged to have you all as friends, as brothers and sisters in Christ, and as Kingdom partners. God has definitely given me a gift in each of you, and I do not take that lightly. You are so precious to me - thank you for all you are!

Love,
Andrea