for reaping!

As I spend time wrapping gifts, putting out the last few decorations, something occurred to me. 

I am blessed.  

Now, I'm not just speaking about the "blessed because I have food, shelter and clothing" kind of being blessed...I'm so much more than that kind of  blessed! 

When I consider the past year,  all I can think of is loss. Great and significant loss of some of the most important people in my world.  Loss that has changed everything about my everyday life kind of loss.  Loss that still gives me that drop in the pit of my stomach when I think about it, still makes me cry, and at times really wonder the obvious..."WHY?"

But then I consider the past few weeks, and the next few weeks to come...and my heart is lightened, and the feeling in the pit of my stomach turns from sorrow to excitement, mixed with a little trepidation, but mostly excitement!  

I think of the wonderful organizations that I have been blessed to work with during this Holiday season.  The Forgotten Man Ministries, where we (Jeff and I), met with about 15 other volunteers at the jail to assemble gift bags for the more than 400 inmates who are or will be incarcerated on Christmas.  These aren't gift bags like you've ever assembled or received (hopefully!) but to the inmates, these are the most wonderful gifts imaginable.  The gifts consist of a pair of white, men's tube socks (for both men and women), a bottle of shampoo (a big one thanks to generous donors this year) a stick of deodorant, a new toothbrush (unbreakable, of course!) travel size toothpaste, 4 small candy bars, 4 pieces of hard candy, a candy cane, one blank Christmas card ( to be sent to family or friend).  All of this is in a brown paper sack, passed to the inmate through the bars by a FMM volunteer.  To receive these necessities in the form of a gift might not garner lots of excitement, you might think. 

But then, you'd be wrong.  The smiles, excitement and joy at being given something as mundane as deodorant and toothbrushes humbles me in a way I didn't know I could be.  Have I EVER needed something that much?  EVER?  I'm both happy and ashamed to say, I have not.  I'm happy because I've never been in need - and why wouldn't I be happy about that?  But I'm also ashamed, because I have often taken these things for granted, as if I'm entitled to them..after all, I've never been incarcerated, have I?  So, does that entitle me to basic necessities? No,  I'm not entitled to anything, and I ought to be just as excited as these men and women when the Lord provides for me the needs of my life and that of my family.  

Lord, forgive me for my sense of entitlement.

I think of the time I've been able to spend with my daughter, Julie, during this Christmas season.  We are as close as a mother and a daughter can be...and I know this, because I have the same relationship with my own mother!  There is nothing I wouldn't do for my children, but there is this special place in my heart reserved just for my daughter.  Its the place that often tugs at me when I see something in the stores that she might like, or maybe even need.  It was in that place I made the decision to purchase tickets to go to Harvest Bible Chapel in Elgin Illinois last weekend.  

The Water Tower Mall at Christmas Time!

Julie's favorite television show as a child (and I believe to this day!) is Full House.  Well, thanks to social media, she found out that Candace Cameron Bure (the one time D.J. Tanner of Full House fame) would be speaking at the "Behind the Glitter" Women's Conference there at the church in Elgin.  Only $15 per ticket, and approximately 3 and half hour drive, each way.  Now, a weekend trip to Chi town on it's own merits would be an easy decision.  However, this year, we already have plans to be heading to Virginia to pick up our son, Joseph from Ft. Lee for his Holiday Block Leave, and we need to head out on Tuesday.  That would be the day after we returned from a late night drive home after spending a day in the big city!  What to do?  It's hardly a choice, really.  This is Candace Cameron Bure - one of Julie's "bucket List" people to meet! This mom is going to find a way!   I log onto the website, order the tickets and leave it at that! Too late now...we are going to Chicago on Sunday!

The event was all we hoped for and the day was as much fun as it could be.  We spent the early part of the day shopping in the city - the Water Tower Mall and 900 Michigan Ave Mall.  We didn't spend much (not hard to do with these prices) but how much fun we had in the process! We headed to the church as evening approached, and it was wonderful to hear the testimony of my daughters idol.  She is a lover of Jesus Christ, and her life is a testimony to that.  Her teen age daughter sang the Revelation Song like and angel, and this mom had a tough time holding back the tears.  The long line for the meet and greet started at 8:30 pm...but by 9:30 pm we had our photo op and autographed program in hand...time to get back to Muskegon!

Pvt. Joseph Milner

Wait a minute, Joseph mentioned buying tickets to a Lions football game for he and his father for Christmas...and I think the game is in Chicago, next Sunday!  Are we really going to be in Chicago two weekends in a row, and the second after a drive to Virginia to pick him up at the base?   Sounds like it!  However, after some serious numbers crunching and a great tip from a friend, the decision was made to have us all meet in Chi Town together on Saturday instead of us making that cross country drive, Griswold style (OK, so it's not quite Wally World, but it is still a really long way!)  So, a few keystrokes, visits to Orbitz, Travelocity and IHG.com and we are set...one flight from VA to Chicago, and we are set to make the drive to Chicago one more time!

So, why am I telling you about all of these details of the past few weeks?  Because without the blessings of our Heavenly Father, NONE OF IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE!

How on earth can we afford all of these opportunities?  Well, first and foremost, we know that our Heavenly Father is faithful to His Word, and He keeps His promises. In Malachi, He said to: Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it".
"TRY ME", He said. And so we have.  One thing that is an automatic in our home is faithful and joyful giving.  We never PAY our tithes and offerings. We GIVE them.  10 % is such a small amount, and for the returns we receive, I can't imagine ever NOT doing this simple act of worship.  

But is it only the financial blessings that we are receiving?  Hardly.  God has blessed us with a super natural strength, energy and stamina like never before.  Jeff and I struggle with physical health - each in our own way.  Somehow, this season, God has blessed us with the ability to just keep on going!  Now I say this after only part of these events have transpired...how do I know that the next 3 weeks will be like the last 3?  Well, again, I go to His Word, and I read in Ephesians:  Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Exceedingly, abundantly above...that's what it's going to take for the drive to Chicago, a night, the football game on Sunday, the drive home, a trip to Detroit on the 23rd, Christmas Eve with family on the 24th, a family day trip to Frankenmuth and Bronner's on the 27th, and finally a trip back to Detroit on January 2 to take Joseph to the airport to return to base.  Those are the things we already have planned...who knows what will spring up as the days approach.  

But we are ready  for it, whatever it is!

So, after the year from hell...that's all I can call it, because in my limited mind, this is what I think hell will surely be like, I can still say,  I'm blessed.  

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away..BLESSED be the name of the Lord!

Our parking garage in Chicago...Socail Media is EVERYWHERE!

for going DEEPER!

Last weekend, I was blessed and honored to give a breakout session for the Legacy, Seasons of Redemption conference in Muskegon.  I had no idea that the process of preparing for the session, and the session itself would lead me to desire a closer and deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

I'd been praying for the opportunity to speak to ladies and give my testimony to a fresh group of ladies, and here it was - but how could I speak on being redeemed physically when my physical body remains broken and tired?  That is where the Lord stepped in and revealed to me the most wonderful and unexpected revelation in my life this far.  In one night, after weeks of prayer, seeking Him in the scriptures, and recalling the days of my youth when my health was so much worse, the Lord revealed to me how He had, indeed redeemed me, and it was at my lowest point He did so.

How can I have been redeemed when I was at my sickest, most painful and scary time of life?  He gave me the choice.  He promised me in the scriptures that I WAS HEALED...and it was no longer anything I should be waiting for.  I could choose redemption from the diagnosis - and trust in Him for the rest.  It was no longer "My Rheumatoid Arthritis", I would never again claim this terrible disease. After all, I didn't ask for it, I don't want it, so I'm not calling it MINE!

While I was giving my session, there were just a handful of ladies who chose to hear mine (thanks to my church ladies once again, or that room would have seemed pretty empty!).  Those few who didn't know me came to me after and began to tell me about their story, and how their health had been holding them back and they never realized they could be redeemed without physical healing.  The pure joy and hope in their eyes as we parted was worth every moment of pain and suffering I had endured. The idea that through something God allowed me to suffer,  someone else would find redemption was more than I could have ever hoped for.  I want nothing more than to tell each and every person who suffers with a physical disability that they can decide how much of their life they will allow it to hold hostage.  You can choose to leave it at the foot of the cross, and have a wonderfully productive life anyway.  God has a plan for you, just like He did for me.

Physically, I'm feeling better than I have in my entire life.  But spiritually, I am walking on air... still wanting to go DEEPER!  God has birthed in me a desire to release things in my life, so that I can go deeper in Him. This is a new challenge for this "I love my platters big AND full" lady!

So, I've begun to scrape things that are not as important as I once believed, off of my way too big platter...in hopes that once I have gotten enough off of it, I can trade it in for a nice saucer sized plate.

And that will be filled with nothing except time with the Lord!

for reflection...

If I said that the past two years of my life have been filled with faith filled risks, I would barely be scratching the surface of the truth!

When it started to become obvious that my mom and dad being in Romulus was no longer in their best interest, physically, financially or even spiritually to some degree, my husband and I sat down to have a "talk".  Any of you married folks in the "sandwich" generation (I've recently learned this is where Jeff and I are...still raising our children, and also caring for aging parents) know this talk.  It is never a one time discussion, and it is rarely a discussion at all.  Our first went something like this:

JEFF:  "Honey, do you think it's getting time to move your parents closer to Muskegon?"

ME: "Why do you say that?"

JEFF: "Well, for the past year, every time we come to Romulus, your mom has bought more bags of Cheetos."

ME: "What's wrong with her buying Cheetos?"

JEFF: "Umm, She has them hidden in every closet in the house...this place is filled with Sam's Club size bags of Cheetos. I'm just saying, she might need some help."

ME: "You might be right."

Now, obviously Cheetos wasn't our only deciding factor...but it was on the list, and for clarification, those who helped us move them discovered most of them, the final count was 14 unopened, Sam's Club sized bags of Cheetos.

Where do we begin?  We are still trying to raise Joseph with a pretty limited income.  His needs get more expensive with each passing year, and the only thing that hasn't increased is the amount of money we earn every month.  Actually, it decreased by almost a fourth in February 2012 - with no warning whatsoever. We continued to tithe and give in faith that the Lord would provide...and He has, but how can we afford to help my parents when we are barely getting by ourselves?

To prayer we went...not only us, but our church family and friends who know how to pray - we left no prayer list unchecked, and no prayer chain uncalled.  Lord, we need an answer!

One month later, my dad was in the hospital at Henry Ford Medical Center - Oakwood.  Something is seriously wrong with his heart, and he isn't getting any better.  Jeff and I had a chat with my mom one evening while visiting, and told her what we had been praying about.  My mom, being a woman of faith and practical thinking (not withstanding the Cheetos) was on board...ready to move West!

But what about my dad?

A visit to him in ICU, and a chat that lasted about 7 seconds -went something like.. "No, I'm not ready...I like my home. I like the church here. I'm not going." Hmmm,  OK, Lord - did we hear completely wrong?  Is it NOT the time?  Perhaps the Cheetos thing really isn't such a big deal?  Back to the drawing board.

Or, maybe not.

What none of us realized at the time, was that the people we had asked to pray, not only prayed...but they interceded!  Our Pastor's wife, bless her soul, was on a walk through her neighborhood as she prayed one evening, and she called me and said, "there is a house for sale here in the park.  Here is the number.  I really think you should call."

I called, set up a meeting for that evening, and we went to check out the place.  It was perfect, move in ready and handicap accessible.  Not to mention around the block from my Pastor and less than 5 miles from our home.  The owner was looking for a serious buyer, and promised to hold the place while we traveled to Romulus to chat with my parents.

Just a few short weeks after my dad was released from this hospital visit, Jeff and I convinced he and my mom to come to Muskegon for a visit over Labor Day weekend...just to take a look at a few places, and think about the possibility of a move down the road.  At this time, Jeff was still recovering from a pretty intensive shoulder surgery, so he was unable to drive or lift anything yet.  We had no secret plans to move them at the moment anyway.

On Friday, they arrived in Muskegon, on Friday night my mom got sick.  On Saturday morning, I took her to the emergency room. On Saturday night, she had emergency surgery to repair a bowel blockage, and was diagnosed as severely malnourished, and with "failure to thrive".  On Sunday morning, she asked her surgeon when she could go home. He replied, "Mrs. Anderson, you are a very sick lady.  You can't take care of yourself anymore.  You need the help of your daughter and her family.  You are home."

In the space of 72 hours, the Lord allowed a series of events to unfold that would forever change my life, and that of my family...and would grow my faith in a way I never thought possible.

After all, the fact that the doctor told her she needed to be closer to more help did not generate the finances needed for this to be a possibility.  We still have their home of nearly 40 years in Romulus - with a mortgage they were upside down in.  Did I mention that the house was a 3 bedroom, 3 story Colonial style home where they raised 4 children, and that the home in Muskegon is a 3 bedroom trailer?  Did I mention that the cost of living in Romulus (a suburb of Detroit) was so high, that it was taking nearly 70% of their income just to cover the expenses of the house?  How about the fact that every room, from the attic the size of the entire 3rd level, to the full basement was filled to the brim with stuff? Not to mention the garage!  How about the medical bills that accrue regularly, and as soon as one gets paid off, there are two more to take it's place? Let's not even discuss the car accident that totaled their vehicle and almost killed my mom, that was my dads fault, that was still in litigation!  Remember, Jeff is still recovering from shoulder surgery...my main source of strength and who I would need to lean on for so much help during a move, was unable to do more than be a gracious host, and give up his bed and his recliner...relegated to the spare room to finish his recovery!

Are you feeling the pressure just a little?  I certainly was.

But then...there was this moment...my Pastor and his precious wife came to the hospital and sat with me while I waited to hear how my the surgery went.  They spoke words of encouragement, words of life, health and strength...and plenty of humor too!  They brought to me, the peace that passes understanding.  That thing where when you have absolutely no idea how you are going to get through a situation, but you just know that you will.  When you have 1,000 questions, and not a single answer...but you know it's going to be alright.  I knew that my parents would be moving to Muskegon, into that perfect home that Ms. Coretta found on her prayer walk all those weeks ago.

I didn't know how, and it didn't matter.  I placed it, along with every other fear, unanswered question, worry and doubt, at the foot of the cross.  Then I took action...the faith risk of all faith risks!  Without the funds, without the help, without means of any kind, I began to make phone calls, set appointments, hire help, and prepare for the big move.

An estate sale company came in and handled the contents of the home for us.  No way was I navigating a sale from 200 miles away!  We needed $5,000.00 as a down payment on the land contract agreement.  My parents had $2,000 in savings.  Would you dare to guess as to how much income the estate sale generated?  Of course...after their costs and profit taken, we received a check for $3,098.00! Just enough - and a little extra for fuel! How great is our God??

My mom's surgery was on September 3, 2012.  On Saturday, September 15, 2012 - with the help of friends from their church in Taylor, Michigan, and my church in Muskegon Michigan, we moved them from their home of nearly 40 years, to the home, where little did any of us know, that they would share for less than 2 years.

But what an amazing 16 months it was.  Not a day passed when either one or both of them told me or my husband how much they loved it in Muskegon, and how much they loved their home.  With all the difficulty that my dad faced physically during that 16 months, I don't even want to think how we would have navigated it all from Muskegon...not to mention his unexpected passing just a few weeks ago.

My Heavenly Father knew, all those years ago...when I made the decision to marry this man from West Michigan, with his three beautiful children, that it was not a decision that would only change the course of my life and theirs, but that it would be the first in a series of faith risks that would lead my parents to a calm and peaceful last years of their marriage.  And I'm trusting in Him for the next season of my mom's journey to be filled with great times, leading others to Him, and even greater risks of faith!

Now, our son will be 18 in a few short days...and his path is laid before him...what risks of faith are just waiting for my husband and I?

Stay tuned!

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV

Mother Becky (as she is called at Shekinah Christian Ministries) and Elder Tom enjoy
the potluck dinner following Ministry Appreciation Service on November 10, 2013.

for fishing!

I hope I've hooked a few of you who know me well, and caught you with that title and caused you to ask, "Amy? Fishing? I think NOT!"

And you would be correct. I prefer my seafood neatly wrapped in white butchers paper at the local market, no heads, tails or icky "innards" to dispose of, &  ready for me to cook - for someone ELSE!

So why is it my season for fishing? Because the Lord promised me that if I cast aside my own nets, and follow Him, He would make me a fisher of men...and women.  That has always been my heart's desire...to win men and women to Christ.  The desire became much stronger after my Grandpa, Bishop Allen Parent, passed away this summer.  Hearing the stories of how he touched so many men and women in his 89 years has left me with the deep desire to live up to his heritage and the legacy of his life's work. When I leave this earth,  I want people to say, "You knew she loved the Lord", and "she never was ashamed to preach the Gospel".

I've been fishing all my life...some times more than others.  There were years when I never even baited a hook. If I am honest with myself, and you, there were some years I never even got the pole out!  But here I am, a living example that repentance and turning from my wrong ways that yields forgiveness and a fresh start.  I've been blessed to be raised up in "the church".  So many years I wasted thinking it was my right instead of my privilege.  I'm so glad that those selfish and unproductive years are behind me.

For you young people (and not so young people alike!) out there who think that you can do it without the Lord...my advice is don't waste too much time trying to prove it!  The longer you spend outside of His protection, the harder it is to find your way back.  You may be experiencing "blessings" but don't forget that there are probably folks out there praying for you, and holding you up to the Almighty...He may only be answering their prayers, for which you are reaping the rewards. Never underestimate the power of a praying mother!  The bible is pretty clear on what it means to have a walk for Christ, and what it means to NOT have one.  Sin separates you from God - period!  SO if you are living with any type of sin that you justify with "God knows my heart" and "everyone sins", I challenge you to stop trying to justify a sinful lifestyle, and give your life back to the Lord, who gave it to you to begin with.  If you think you are being blessed now, just wait until you return...oh my, how Jesus LOVES a prodigal who has come to their senses!!

As I enter 2014, I'm reminded of the year gone by, and wishing I hadn't spent so much time trying to "help" people who really didn't want my help. I realize there are people in this world who will just use you and use you and use you...especially through your work in ministry. After all, aren't we supposed to forgive and turn the other cheek?  Well, not if the outcome continues to be the same, and there is no change, and the help becomes enabling.  In the Gospels, when men and women would not hear the testimony of  His disciples, God told his men to shake the old dust off their feet and move on. I'll continue to be in prayer for those who have used me and my time and my resources for their own personal gain..but my prayer has changed a bit. I pray that Lord will not let them have a moments peace while they behave in this selfish way.

I refuse to stop believing that there is good in people, but I will stop trying to find the good in those who are doing such an amazing job of hiding it from me.  Instead, I will go forward and find new people who need and more importantly, who want I have to share, people who are tired of living a life for themselves and want to live a life for Christ.  For those people, I am sold out, ready to pour all that I have and more into helping them enjoy the blessings and favor that I have so often testified about.  This is not a walk for the timid or the faint of heart. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and DO YOUR WORK! I've done my work, and oh, what a reward I have received. The best part is, I have another reward waiting for me! It just keeps getting better!

This year, the Lord has led me to "cast my net on the other side". Are you spending time with those who are just sucking the very life from you?  Do you have those people whose calls come in and you ponder, "what is today's drama going to be?" Or those who will take all you have to give, and then ask for more...but when you try to get them to help another, maybe do a little work, they disappear, or their schedule just won't allow it?  I do...or at least, I used to. No more.  They are going to see a new Amy this year.  You will either do your work like I've done mine, or you can stay in that chaos and confusion that you navigate so very well. Sadly, I'm sure they will be able to find another person to exploit and use.  But I can't be concerned with that. I'm trusting in God for what I cannot control.

Here I go, dusting off my shoes, and casting my nets on the other side of the boat.  Anxiously awaiting the catch of new men and women who will be as on fire for the Lord as I am, and who will be willing to do their work!  Anyone want to go with me?

 Happy 2014