Dear Friend,
God continues to be so good: amazing family, a remarkable team to work with, opportunities to touch lives for Jesus, a special church, and…
Turning 80 has not been boring, and the celebration held by Cru and my Women’s Resources team was wonderful. Lots of family, staff, and friends gathered on the Quad at Cru’s Lake Hart facility. Food, a brief program, hugs and prayers. I was so blessed.
As a gift to all who came, I gave a lovely booklet I wrote: You Are a Work of Art. If you would like a copy, please email: wanda.rodriguez@cru.org. Please include your name and full address.
Every March, in honor of Women’s History Month, I write about ways God is using His daughters to touch lives. March 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the Global Women’s Leadership Forum that I helped initiate. This year it has been a joy for me to see so many women in Cru that God is using to win people to Christ, to build them in their faith, to send them out to do the same, to use their various gifts to help build His Kingdom.
You probably know I love to speak—encouraging people to discover and pursue all that God has for them. So I was thrilled to be asked to speak to 35 staff from around the globe at the Global Operations Leader Development gathering. I was asked to tell my story as a leader in Cru. And I had a full hour to do it. I loved recounting God’s guidance and provision and the privilege to encourage younger leaders. And the listeners seemed to appreciate it.
Do I still miss Steve? Every day, every night. I miss talking through things with him, enjoying our grands with him, watching him talk with people about Jesus, eating dinner together…. And I definitely missed him when I had to get a new roof—that would have been his responsibility. But I will be glad for a new roof if the coming hurricane season is as bad as predicted.
Once again I am preparing for the annual June 2 Prodigal Prayer Day. Beginning May 14 I will do a 3-part devotional series on Fear Not, to prepare those who pray for the battle it can be to bring our wandering loved ones before the Lord. I will especially address the increasing number of adult prodigals who have rejected their parents, even cutting them off from grandkids. I will post the devos on my podcast, the Prayer for Prodigals page and my blog. Please pray for wisdom from God as I write these.
I would be grateful for your prayers for my team as we work on interviewing and writing the stories for the Pioneer Women of Cru Project.
I am also helping two senior staff women get a book published. The working title is Your Best Life Begins at 50. It’s a very creative and practical resource for the second half of life.
Hopefully soon we will have clear direction from the Lord on producing some of Steve’s content. Prayer appreciated.
I am so grateful for your faithful prayer and financial support as I continue to step into the opportunities God keeps giving me. And I would love to pray for your specific requests.
