Jan 2024 - All Things New
This is the time for reflecting on the year that is past and anticipating what might be ahead in the year to come.
I have focused on those things the past few days, in ongoing conversation with God. The past year was not easy—missing Steve has been intense, and continues to be. Right now I’m handling what he did—like getting a new roof. But at the same time I have experienced great joy and deep gratitude, which I have written about throughout the year.
As I look ahead, the Lord mostly is asking me to keep on keeping on:
I am so blessed by all the staff and partners on the Women’s Resources team. I will tell you more about them next month.
I will continue my When You Love a Prodigal podcast for the fourth year, but with additional focus on recognizing the good work God is doing in those of us who love a prodigal through the hard journey.
We will once again gather all around the world to pray on the June 2 Worldwide Prodigal Prayer Day.
Writing and speaking will continue.
A new emphasis will be to work on producing some of Steve’s material, in partnership with Diane Gentry, who served as his executive assistant. You will be blessed. Prayer appreciated.
This new year marks 60 years for me on staff with Cru, and I will turn 80. I have a book unfolding, I think.
Of course, God doesn’t unveil new things—direction, opportunities, relationships—only in January. He opens new doors every day/week/month….
And speaking of the New Year, you might enjoy this 10-minute message I did for my prodigal podcast: Hope for the New Year
Generations of Young Life
then
When I met Jesus 60 years ago, I was at a Young Life winter camp in Buena Vista CO. My surrender to Christ was real, and I was involved with YL for the next three years at my high school, on Work Crew (at Frontier Ranch), and a week-long camp to prepare me for walking with God at the University of Texas.
now
It gives me great joy that my three teen grandsons in Montana are also involved in Young Life. Last summer the two older boys went to camp at Malibu in Canada. While I was with them over Christmas they went to dinner with their friends from YL—a regular time they get together.
I am grateful for how God used Young Life in my life, and now in my grands. And thousands of others around the world.
A New Opportunity
Let me introduce you to my friend Renee Begay. Renee served with Cru for 18 years and co-founded Cru’s Nations ministry with her husband, Donnie, while they were student leaders at New Mexico State University. Through the years, Nations served and connected with the Indigenous student community in NM, AZ, MT, SD, ND, and NC. God grew the opportunities and partnerships toward multigenerational and global Indigenous relationships.
Recently, God has called Renee to join iEmergence, a non-profit organization that focuses on holistic growth and identity development among Indigenous global and tribal communities. Donnie continues with Cru. Renee is excited to continue facilitating the growth of Indigenous people into their God-given identity. She would welcome prayer and financial partners.
A Prayer Request
I attend the house church Steve helped start years ago. On Sunday, January 7, our pastor will be away and he asked me to give the message. Please ask God to give me His plan for it, wisdom as I prepare, and power from the Spirit as I present and as the small groups discuss and apply. Thank you.
Christmas in Montana
The adventure I was anticipating was not what I got.
Nick and Debbie and their turning-10 daughter were off for a week on her special trip. I, the four boys, and two dogs were home together. They were still in school, so I planned on getting lots of work done, then lots of fun with the boys after school.
Except three of them were sick for most of the time. I got very little done, and they didn’t feel like doing much. But God redeemed it all. Rather than cook most nights, I used the rest of my door dash credits for three nights. I held the 7-year-old a lot. We watched movies togethers. I had sweet convos with each boy. And lots of kisses from the dogs. And we did home church.
Mom, Dad and daughter returned sick as well, though the boys got well. By Christmas Eve we all went to church and the two younger ones sang in the kids’ choir. We ate chili and tamales for dinner, and I made Swedish pancakes for breakfast.
It did snow one day, so there was a white Christmas, but it was not too cold (unlike -40 last year). Here’s a picture:
May you—heart and mind—be open to the NEW that God has prepared for you in the days and weeks ahead,
Judy