quote by George Bernard Shaw

"This is the true joy in life,... being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one... being a force of Nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."

"I want to know Christ!"

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death. Philippians 3:10 (Amplified Bible)

WOW!! Philippians 3:10 (Amplified)

What a neat booklet ($1.99 @ Lifeway)! From the book: "God has designed an excellence, a single purpose for you and me." "And when your life becomes totally focused on Him ... your life will be radically transformed." ~***~ Our ladies small group is spending the next 8 weeks in the 4 chapters of this little book. Our goal since last Monday has been to read chapter one 6 to 10 times during the 2 weeks till we meet again, and to "hang" on every word, phrase and sentence. We are asking God to say ALL He has to say to us, and to confirm His word through other means such as other Scripture, sermons and songs. We are journaling so we will be able to share how God is speaking in our lives. I can't wait to see them again. Luke 19:48 "... all the people were hanging upon His (Jesus') words." May we "hang" until He tells us everything we can possibly absorb.

Our newest niece!

Tia (Christiana Grace)

has now been in our

family since May of 2007.

She is such a doll (20 months old)!

Totally adjusted and just having a blast

with her older sister (16) and brother (11).

Her mommy and daddy are praying about

a younger brother or sister

for her from Ethiopia.

How fun!!

~***~

It seems like Christmas was ages ago.

I hit the ground running on January 2nd

when I went back to work.

We have continued to see friends,

old and new, and have had some great times.

I love you Faye & Kat, and Kent & Claudia!

This week Jeff and Shelly were in town.

We filled up the evenings visiting

and catching up on everyone's news.

~***~

On Monday evening I, along with

Sandy of "Set Them Free Ministries,"

met with the chaplain of the

Grayson County Jail.

God is opening the door for her study

"Untying the Lies That Bind Us"

to be taught there.

We use it as our introductory course

for inmates (7 weeks)

with Seed Sowers and we have seen

wonderful results.

It sets the stage for further courses with

EvanTell and Evangelism Explosion.

We are blessed to be partnered with

Prison Fellowship,

EvanTell and Set Them Free.

Our joint efforts are giving God the

opportunity to accomplish

far more than each could do alone.

Praise Him!!

~***~

The weekend of January 25-26 will be huge.

Several supporters of

Seed Sowers along with the

Board of Directors will spend Friday evening

in Dawson State Jail (downtown Dallas)

followed by strategic planning meetings

later that night and all day Saturday.

We will be privileged to interview

inmates, correctional officers,

victims of crime,

a parent of a child that is incarcerated,

and a caregiver of children whose

parent is incarcerated.

Our goals for future ministry are four-fold.

Victim Outreach,

Offender Outreach,

Offender Family Outreach, and

Officer Outreach.

All of this will be combined with the

opening of the Monarch House,

a transitional housing facility

for female inmates.

Elaine (our founder) has updated her journal,

so you might want to

click on "Monarch House" under

"some of my favorite things" for

the latest news.

~***~

This coming Monday evening our

ladies small group (Grayson Girls)

will meet for the first time in 2008.

Our number has grown to 14

as we have reached out to other

gals who are hungry for

fellowship with sisters in Christ.

The amazing thing is that the ages of the

ladies range from 28 to 70+,

and we are having a ball together!

We look forward to ministry projects for '08,

as well as continued

outreach and Bible study.

~***~

God is so good!

Philippians 1:20

…my own eager desire and persistent expectation and hope (is),

that I shall not disgrace myself

nor be put to shame in anything;

but that with the utmost freedom of speech

and unfailing courage,

now as always heretofore,

Christ (the Messiah)

will be magnified and get glory and praise

in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person,

whether through life or through death.