Sept 2023 - Indonesia, Montana, Orlando, a giveaway
In August I took my first international trip since Steve moved to Heaven—to Bali, Indonesia. The purpose was to participate in a celebration of Ignite, an effort to engage believing national leaders in resourcing Cru ministry in many nations. Steve and I had the privilege of participating in the launch and growth of this important effort. You can watch this brief video of Steve’s vision for it here.
At the conference—Your L.I.F.E. Is Now--I was asked to speak on Leaving a Legacy. Of course, I used Steve as my model—using his traditional three points to describe his Purpose (he was always intentional); People (love and serve); and Practice (how you live it out). You can watch/listen here.
I ended that message with one of Steve’s favorite quotes:
Inner City Back to School Ministry
My long-time friend Karen Akers leads the Orlando chapter of Cru’s Inner City ministry. I love that my Women’s Resources team often serves with Karen to partner with local churches to fill backpacks with school supplies. This year some 15 ministries worked together to pack and distribute 900 backpacks. Many spiritual conversations occurred as well.
More Family Visits
My summer of visiting all my children and grands has been wonderful. I just returned from two weeks in Montana, where it was only slightly cooler than Orlando, but much less humid.
Debbie and Nick have five kids—it was a busy time. We visited friends of mine at Big Sky, watched soccer games in Billings, took Pepper and Trigger to the dog park several times, ate lots of good food and sent the kids back to school. I had rich individual conversations with each grandkid and their parents! So blessed.
And I have just sent each of my grands this blessing in honor of September 10 National Grandparents Day.
Some Books to Bless You
The Little Red Book of Wisdom by Mark DeMoss
Mark DeMoss was a close friend of Steve’s, and they often worked together. Mark and his wife, April, attended Steve’s memorial service—we had a sweet conversation. He gave me a copy of this book, which I have now read. It is so practical and helpful that I am giving each of my children and older grandchildren a copy. I highly recommend it to you as well
The Sound of Musings by Byrony Wood
At the Ignite Conference I was blessed to meet Byrony Wood, an Anglican priest from United Kingdom. She gave me a copy of her unusual devotional book, The Sound of Musings. Based on the amazing Sound of Music show, she draws spiritual truth and application in short “musings” as she goes through the story. I have loved it, and I think you will too, especially if you love The Sound of Music, and even if you’ve never seen it.
I am giving away two of each of these books. If you would like to be in the drawing for the gifts, just reply to this email, and tell me which you would like to receive.
May you walk closely with God and do what He says,
Judy