What about your comfort zone?

I love to stand back and see God in action! I don't know why... but it still amazes me how God leads, guides, and directs my paths when I don't even know he is working. During our missions conference, one of the speakers talked about how we get as Christians can sometimes get comfortable and life is easy as we follow the Lord. That's great if we are in His will obediently serving and following Him. But sometimes, the Lord says it's time to step out of our comfort zone...follow another path...change directions...to simply trust and obey Him. The Lord showed me I was good at talking but was I really willing to obey Him whatever He asked me to do. I told Him I was willing...now a few weeks later I was faced with putting my words into actions! I was in a quandary for the last month trying to find God's will for my life. I have been an oncology nurse for 15+ years and 14 years have been in our Easley office. An opportunity to do something different in our Seneca office came up but I wasn't sure which way to go. I listed all the pros and cons ...prayed...studied...tried to talk it thru with my wise and patient husband...but I still couldn't find any peace. Staying in my comfort zone in Easley or stepping out in faith to go to Seneca. Have you ever been in that kinda situation. Both options are good. Both are godd paths. Both are reasonable options. One had my heart...the patients I had grown to love. The other was unknown but was it time to step out in faith...to blindly follow the Lord? Which one was HIS will for my life??? I had some good advice...lots of prayers...the support of Larry and the kids but I was unsure which path to take and it was driving me nuts!!! One thing I was told that helped was "It isn't faith until you trust Him and take the first step". So trust Him!
I did and He was right. It has been an adjustment but being in the center of HIS will...knowing you are where he wants you to be...is soooooo much better than being comfortable. But, who knows...one day this could be a "comfort zone "too!!!HE still amazes me!!! Proverbs 3:5-6

Blogging may not be for me!

I wanted to be like my hero Alisa and write deep spiritual insights. I also wanted to be like my friend Shannon who has the coolest, classiest blog around... but I don't seem to be able to find the time to blog! I think that is the the goal...to write something! I can't figure out how to make it pretty but maybe I can give it another try and at least write! We had a wonderful Christmas and are trying to get back in the swing of life. We had our mission conference last week and it was a real blessing! We were both humbled and challenged by the missionaries that came and shared their work. All were different but unique. All had a desire to see souls saved. They all touched my heart:
A couple on their way to England reminded us of the excitement and joy we once had for sharing the gospel. So eager to share the Word.
A family from North Carolina traveling around the country to raise support to build churches for our spanish speaking neighbors! Laughter and joy...and praises to the Lord are what they have in their van as they travel. Oh, adventures and trials follow them too but their service and worship are what they give without hesitation to their God!
A little family with 2 babies headed back to Africa reminded us of the great sacrifice many make to share the gospel. They also helped us to realize how truley blessed we are in this country...we have so much!!
We also were privaledged to have Crossroads Baptist Mission visit on Saturday. The men sang, testified, and quoted chapters from Gods word! Chapters. Oh how we neglect God's Word! And to top it all off Brother Rocky sang and preached as we were surrounded by the Awesome presence of the Lord! And best of all a man was saved... After this week of reviving I am praying to become a better missionary in my mission field. And as we put up the decorations may I remember that it was more than just the story of a babe in that manger scene but the most important story ever told. The message that will save the world! Help me share it!

Being Thankful

Whew! It has been a busy few weeks! I like being active but this is a little bit much! I have a genetic disorder...I have trouble saying No to the many good things that I have the opportunity to participate in! Not bad things! No the trouble I get into is for doing good things...to excess! I have been attacked by the busies the past month...My family keeps me busy...
Jake's rec soccer team had an undefeated season! An awesome group of kids with two awesome coaches! Go Blue! They won the first two tournament games but finished up the tournament by losing a game on Monday...:( But never fear...All Stars are here!See that's a good thing!
Joanna is a "drill queen"...She loves JROTC! She has been having Color Guard practice before school every morning and Drill team practice after school every day. They are at a Competition near Fort Bragg this weekend! She made Platoon Leader! We are very proud and her Uncle Bobby is there cheering her on! See that's a good thing too!
Monday night we had our Ladies meeting on "Temple Thoughts". We have 95 women and a few men show up for Dr. Giguere's talk on Women's Cancer. He did an awesome job and threw in a little humor and public service announcements along the way. PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATOR'S AND TELL THEM .07 CENTS IS NOT A DETERRENT TAX ON CIGARETTES...LUNG CANCER IS STILL LEADING CANCER MORTALITY! Mrs.Sandy reminded us when we are told "It's Cancer" we need to change it to "I Can Sir"! "I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengtheneth Me! We had lots of health information, bone density testing, BP checks, and a bunch of door prizes. Our mission this month was hats and scarfs for the cancer patients where I work. We got so many we may need to build on a room! The Lord met with us and helped us...So that was a wonderful thing!
Tuesday I spoke to the Cancer Care Group at Washington Avenue Baptist Church. My sidekick Alesia went along for moral support...or to keep me out of trouble. She made a good impression...in a couple of months, I get to be the sidekick while she talks! I got to share my lesson on Spiritual DNA...my obsession! I think it helped some folks...a few tears...lots of questions...I like sharing things God has used to grow me...it can help others just like it did me. But, hanging out with Alesia was the best part of the evening! She grounds me and reminds me of what is truly important. She doesn't take me seriously! I believe we could solve the worlds problems over coffee and a brownie...if they would only listen! We have decided to get a bus...Like Beth Moore...Alisa could speak...Jo, Zoe, Allison,and I could be the Praise and Worship team...Larry and Pete could drive the bus and help us "Make Good Choices"...Jake and Anders could provide a little comic relief! That's a good thing too! A dream but at least we would be together...I imagine the Partridge Family or...more likely...The Muppets!!!
Busy but good things going on! Life is good! Prayers were answered this week! I had the privilege of going to church with my family Wednesday Night! Sitting with my husband as our Pastor shared God's Word! That was the greatest good thing! We are blessed to have the freedom to worship our God. It is a double blessing when your family is around you!
Today is a day of restoration! Fall is my favorite time of year! The leaves are changing! Cool up on the mountain. The sun is shining after the rain! My sweetheart Larry and I are home...relaxing...studing our Bible so we can teach tomorrow ...watching football...eatin popcorn...The quiet life is good. Life with Larry is the GREATEST! I am of all women most blessed. He loves me. Takes care of me. Completes me...my other half...my better half! Plus, He makes me laugh!!!Life is rough at times but he helps me see things from God's point of view. I think with my emotions and Larry looks at life logically...kinda like Mr.Spock but alot cuter and funnier!He makes me happy and has changed my kids life for the better! We are blessed to have him in our life! And that is very, very good!
I needed some rest today but serving God...wide open...sliding in on two wheels...wearing out instead of rusting out is an awesome adventure!It is teaching me to be Thankful for each and every day. To take a moment each day to realize how blessed I am and to give God thanks for His many blessings on my life...busy or not!

Goodly Heritage

Obviously not good at keeping up with this Blog. My life always seems "too busy"...with home, work, kids activities, church, meetings,life...that I don't get to do the extra things I want to do. Maybe I will get it all together one day but for now...this will be hit and miss! Mostly just writing it for me and a few friends so I guess it will be ok. Maybe over time I will get creative, profound, and be able to touch lives like Fern and Toad but for now it's just like a journal.
Our last Ladies meeting was a blast! A Goodly Heritage: How do i create one for my Family! It was Awesome! All the speakers were great. There were a lot of good, creative ideas that help us raise our families to know and serve God. Autumn shared ideas for prayer time. One jar to write down things we have prayed about and are waiting on an answer. Another jar to put those in once God answered. A Prayer blanket to keep little ones focused when they pray...wish i had known about that when mine were small. Teresa shared haw cleaning out a pumpkin for Halloween can be used to teach kids how God cleans us out so His light can shine thru us. Shannon reminded us that our kids remember the little daily things we do as a family more than the big events. We need to make time to grow closer as a family. Andrea gave us lots of ideas for scrapbooking so we can make memories plus a free scrapbook from a paperbag! Amy reminded us how music impacts the lives of our children and how precious those childhood memories are even for us today. Missy reminded us to teach our kids about food and health by allowing them to help in the kitchen. And Suzie reminded us to LAUGH!!!! We have the most awesome group of ladies at our church. So gifted and talented. Many already have and others are developing a Servants Heart. That is as important as creating a Godly Home. So glad the Lord is allowing me to grow along with them.
October 19th is on Temple Treasures...Caring for our Temple. Women care for the world but don't take care of ourselves. Dr. Giguere will speak on Cancer. Plus lots of health information. I will let you know how it turns out!

First Day on the Blog...

Hmmm not much of a title but my buddies Fern and the Toad got me interested in this blogging thing. May not tell them or anyone else about it for now...but I thought it might be interesting to jot down my thoughts. A journal of sorts for my kids. And maybe my friends. I have learned things about those two on their blogs...funny things, sad things,deep spiritual things. Things that made me laugh out loud...like Anders and the sand box! Things that made me sad...like Eve's lost puppy. Things that helped me to grow as a believer...Like Fern's bout with cancer!Things that built up my faith in this One and Only God we serve...like the verses from His Word they share with others. Oh, I won't be as creative and as inspiring as Fern and Toad are but I will try to share a few things that happen in Purdy's Life!