2009 has been a year of transition in so many ways. But God has been there with me through each transition - and I've enjoyed watching him take my hand and walking with me. Below are some of the adventures, I experienced.
January:
IBC learned that it's sweet Penny was diagnosed with a rare form of Cervical Cancer. Through 2009 the IBC family has rallied around the Hoffman Family (and their extended family) to support them with meals, childcare and the everyday practical needs that came their way. We also, along with saints across the globe, rallied around the Throne of God to lay our pleas of healing at God's feet. To date, we've not seen healing - but we haven't lost our hope and we have be drawn closer together.
I notified various individuals of my decision to step down from a few positions/roles at IBC. Only God knew the blessing that would come with this difficult task.
On the same evening I found out that two of my closest friends were going to be Mommy's for the first time. It wasn't planned that they tell us on the same evening - it just happened that way.
A reorganization annoucement was made that impacted my job greatly. It's been a high stress environment since then at work. But God has allowed me to be a testimony to those with whom I spend 40 hours a week. January 2010, will hold the annoucement of whether I'll continue to work for Direct Energy after June 3, 2010.
A Level Two Snow Emergency closed the DE Dublin office for two days and we all worked from our homes. It also closed IBC's doors for a Wednesday night prayer meeting.
February:
Brought my friends Phil & Gina back to Columbus from Clarks Summit, PA. I've enjoyed having them back home. :)
A group of ladies spent the morning and afternoon making meals at Super Suppers as a Labor of Love for the Hoffman Family.
I assisted Sophia in making a Spaghetti Dinner for the Thornton Family - to include salad, garlic bread and Chocolate Fudge Cake with Pink Icing and Sprinkles.
March:
Emily spent the months of February, March and April playing on a Club Volleyball Team.
April:
I chaperoned a class trip to Virginia Beach, VA with Hayden's classmates from the WHS Ensemble. This was the first time I'd traveled with non-christian teens...it really opened my eyes up to the world that they live in, and gave me a greater passion for that generation. It also allowed me to open up to people, as I went knowing only Hayden and handful of other students - but none of the adults. It was a huge step for me - but I'm looking forward to doing it again in the Spring of 2010.
May:
IBC celebrated 75 years of service to the westside of Columbus with a Homecoming Service and Lunch.
IBC was shocked and saddened by the news that Pastor Bill and Peggy would be leaving IBC at the end of June, 2009. They are greatly missed, but their example to follow Christ has left a wonderful impression on so many.
June:
Sophia accepted Christ as her Personal Savior! :)
Hayden was named as Second Team All-City for his efforts on the Baseball field.
I celebrated one year in Villa de Megalicious! :)
Kari turned 30 and Wendy turned 40! All in the same weekend! :)
July:
Kari and the kiddos moved from Mom and Dad's to their own place. Kari's first place, since returning to Columbus in 2006. They love their little place! :)
I coordinated an all church meal (for 250+) in PB & Peggy's honor. It was a privilege to be asked to coordinate. I enjoyed the experience, and the opportunity to thank PB & Peggy for the impact they made on my life during their 25 years at IBC.
I BLASTed OFF on week's adventure into "space" during IBC's VBS program. VBS is my most favorite ministry!! :)
I began serving on the IBC Pastoral Search Committee.
Emily had her first TLC experience! She loved it and knew she would! :)
August:
The Thornton Family (minus Steve, Wendy & Ashley) packed up two vehicles and headed to Panama City Beach for a wonderful time of rest, relaxation and fun in the sun. We also experienced our first Tropical Storm (Claudette) on day two of our trip! :)
Maxton Lukas entered this world!!
Hayden became a Senior in High School, Emily joined the ranks of 7 other Thornton's to enter West High School as a student. Sophia entered the First Grade, and Elijah changed Westgate Elementary history forever becoming a Kindergartner.
I become Special Events Coordinator for the WHS Athletic Booster Association. I LOVE this volunteer job! :)
September:
Olivia Sue entered this world!!
October:
Hayden was named Top Ten for the WHS Homecoming Court.
Elijah was named "Citizen of the Month" for his class! In his words, "it took a lot of hard work. I had to be very quiet!"
I enjoyed an extended weekend Staycation - topped off with my annual visit to the Circleville Pumpkin Show and going apple picking for the first time. I LOVE FALL!!
November:
IBC called Max Tucker as Interim Pastor for 3 months to begin in December, 2009.
I helped coordinate a wedding for my friends Seth & Crystal. I started taking courses earlier in 2009, and I'm still working to complete them - but the experience was great! :)
The Buckeye football team beat Michigan for the sixth straight year and again claimed the title of "Big Ten Champions"!!
Hayden was accepted to Capital University! This made his Aunt Jenni (a CU alum) very happy! :)
December:
Ashley turned 20!
Jenni became a fan of the new trend of Staycationers!! She had never done such a "trip", but I have a feeling she'll return there one day! :)
Beth came home from China to visit for two weeks during Christmas! It was wonderful to see her and to hear her share about everything she has done in the last 18 months!!
I gave Ayana her first Bible for Christmas. My tradition has been that each niece/nephew receive their first Bible on the Christmas that they are 5. However, Ayana began asking for a Bible in August, and I couldn't make her wait an entire year plus, for her own copy of God's Word. She was so excited, when she opened it on Christmas afternoon! She looked at her mom and whispered, "I love Meggie!"
2009 transformed many of the normals in my life - but most importantly, I pray that it transformed me to be closer to God and the person He wants me to be.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Stillness
Psalms 46:10a "Be STILL, and KNOW that I am God..."
Being still is something I struggle with...I like to continually be doing something and often multi-tasking. However, 2009 has taught me that always being busy and not enjoying the stillness isn't what is required of us. Each year in late October and through November, I begin a process of self-evaluation and prayer regarding my ministry responsibilities at IBC and how they will continue into the next year. I feel this process is only fair to my ministry roles, myself and most importantly God. During my years at IBC(31 to be exact), I've been involved in MANY ministries...especially and mainly during my adulthood. I LOVE to serve people, to show compassion on them and use the gifts/abilities God has graciously given to me. In addition, I have a hard time saying "no". This has always been an area where I have weakness, and unfortunately often those around me knew that - so they asked me to serve.
However, last year (2008) as I began my self evaluation - I discovered something, something that I didn't realize was there or should I say not there. There was a distraction, I was tired, I was overwhelmed. At this time I was involved in over 12 different ministries. I was stretched thin. My schedule was FULL all of the time and I wasn't being STILL. I realized that I was coming to church because I had a responsibility or meeting before, during or after a service. I was just making it happen and playing the part. I wasn't backsliding - God taught me a lot in 2008 and I was growing, I just had my priorities out of line. I was just in need of an alignment - I was stuck in the rut and I needed out. As I discovered my ugly truth - I was embarrassed and ashamed. How could I hold titles as Missions Committee Member and T.E.A.C.H. Team Coordinator - and not have my priorities together enough to make Christ and my relationship with Him my main focus when walking through the doors of IBC. In addition to my spiritual life, my personal and emotional life was hurting. I was up until all hours of the night getting laundry done or working on other household chores, and my mind was so full that I couldn't just rest. Just to make it all happen. This wasn't fair - on so many levels. So after much prayer and consideration - I removed some (not all) items from my list for 2009. Some of them were hard to remove - Missions Committee Member...I love learning about and meeting new Missionaries, and Choir Member...I love to sing (I can't carry a tune in a bucket - but I love to sing). But God was showing me, telling me and begging me to do as Ps. 46:10a says "Be STILL, and KNOW that I am God"...he wanted me to return to making Him my focus for going to IBC - not because of a meeting or obligation. As 2009 started I really struggled with having to tell people I wouldn't be in my "role" anymore and with the fact that I had more time on my hands - I felt guilty, like I wasn't using my time accordingly. Although I soon learned that it was nice to be able to come home and focus on laundry, cleaning, just relaxing or spending more time with God in His Word. I was (and still do) enjoy the extra 15-20 min. on Sunday mornings to slow down and get my heart ready for worship. In general, I was soon finding myself to not be so rushed, to be able to relax and to draw closer to God.
The extra time in the evenings has allowed me to take on some additional opportunities - every now and again. I'm volunteering as a Special Events Coordinator for a local High School's Booster Association - and I'm really enjoying that opportunity, as it's not a huge time commitment and I get to use my organizational/planning skills in a secular realm. In addition - I've been able to minister in a practical way to those around me through food...one of my passions. A few years ago I started a ministry - "Meg's Meal Ministry". This ministry isn't one that's listed on the IBC annual report, and it's not one that too many people are even aware exists. It was "created" during a time when I was really struggling with not having a family of my own, and that God opened my eyes to this practical needs ministry. God has given me a love and ability to cook/bake - I just didn't understand why He would allow me to have this gift - if He didn't allow me to use it to fed a family - my own family. After a few days of grumbling and complaining to God - God in His loving way showed me that I can use this gift to minister to my family members who don't live in my home, with members of my IBC family, neighbors and co-workers. There were people all around me who were hurting, healing, sick, lonely and just in need of some encouragement. Food is a great way to minister to people. He reminded me of the verse that says..."when you were hungry, I fed you". So over the past 3-4 years, as God has laid someone or a family on my heart - I have prepared a meal for them. Some are people who I knew were going through a rough patch, experiencing a sickness/illness, or just needed some encouragement - and others God gives me their name and I have no idea of the need. Whoever it is I contact them to let them know that a meal would be in the IBC refrigerator, that I would be dropping something off to their house, or that I would be placing something in the work refrigerator for them. Often it's a meal that is ready to go into the oven, or the crock-pot just needs turned on - for whatever day that week that works for them. It's simple, is very much behind the scenes (where I'm most comfortable) and yet it's a way of showing Christ's love in a practical way (I love practical) - and I LOVE doing this for people. This year - I was able to encourage a family who had a "not so pleasant" doctor's appointment to attend, and I knew that dinner would be the last thing they wanted to think about - so while they were meeting with the doctoer - dinner was cooking in the crock-pot and ready when they got home. I (along with many others) helped a friend going through chemo and radiation, and again two other times after very important surgeries - so that neither she nor her husband would have to worry about dinner for their family. I was able to make a meal for a friend who needed some encouragement and who actually used it for her son's birthday dinner - as the meal I made, just so happened to be his favorite (who knew? God knew!). I was able to be a testimony to a non-believing co-worker who had a baby. I made dinner for two friends who were recovering from delivering babies and another during her recovery from out-patient surgery. I used it to minister to friends as we traveled to a ladies retreat and enjoyed a soup lunch along the side of the road. I'm looking forward to blessing one of the teens at IBC with his favorite dish, as he recovers from surgery later this month. These are just a few of the ways God has used this ministry this year. He's used it more this year than in any other year. And I can't help but believe it's because this year I was being STILL - slowing down, sitting back, listening to the needs of others, looking at those around me, seeing the need and following God's leading. What a blessing it is to "Be STILL and know that HE is God".
Being still is something I struggle with...I like to continually be doing something and often multi-tasking. However, 2009 has taught me that always being busy and not enjoying the stillness isn't what is required of us. Each year in late October and through November, I begin a process of self-evaluation and prayer regarding my ministry responsibilities at IBC and how they will continue into the next year. I feel this process is only fair to my ministry roles, myself and most importantly God. During my years at IBC(31 to be exact), I've been involved in MANY ministries...especially and mainly during my adulthood. I LOVE to serve people, to show compassion on them and use the gifts/abilities God has graciously given to me. In addition, I have a hard time saying "no". This has always been an area where I have weakness, and unfortunately often those around me knew that - so they asked me to serve.
However, last year (2008) as I began my self evaluation - I discovered something, something that I didn't realize was there or should I say not there. There was a distraction, I was tired, I was overwhelmed. At this time I was involved in over 12 different ministries. I was stretched thin. My schedule was FULL all of the time and I wasn't being STILL. I realized that I was coming to church because I had a responsibility or meeting before, during or after a service. I was just making it happen and playing the part. I wasn't backsliding - God taught me a lot in 2008 and I was growing, I just had my priorities out of line. I was just in need of an alignment - I was stuck in the rut and I needed out. As I discovered my ugly truth - I was embarrassed and ashamed. How could I hold titles as Missions Committee Member and T.E.A.C.H. Team Coordinator - and not have my priorities together enough to make Christ and my relationship with Him my main focus when walking through the doors of IBC. In addition to my spiritual life, my personal and emotional life was hurting. I was up until all hours of the night getting laundry done or working on other household chores, and my mind was so full that I couldn't just rest. Just to make it all happen. This wasn't fair - on so many levels. So after much prayer and consideration - I removed some (not all) items from my list for 2009. Some of them were hard to remove - Missions Committee Member...I love learning about and meeting new Missionaries, and Choir Member...I love to sing (I can't carry a tune in a bucket - but I love to sing). But God was showing me, telling me and begging me to do as Ps. 46:10a says "Be STILL, and KNOW that I am God"...he wanted me to return to making Him my focus for going to IBC - not because of a meeting or obligation. As 2009 started I really struggled with having to tell people I wouldn't be in my "role" anymore and with the fact that I had more time on my hands - I felt guilty, like I wasn't using my time accordingly. Although I soon learned that it was nice to be able to come home and focus on laundry, cleaning, just relaxing or spending more time with God in His Word. I was (and still do) enjoy the extra 15-20 min. on Sunday mornings to slow down and get my heart ready for worship. In general, I was soon finding myself to not be so rushed, to be able to relax and to draw closer to God.
The extra time in the evenings has allowed me to take on some additional opportunities - every now and again. I'm volunteering as a Special Events Coordinator for a local High School's Booster Association - and I'm really enjoying that opportunity, as it's not a huge time commitment and I get to use my organizational/planning skills in a secular realm. In addition - I've been able to minister in a practical way to those around me through food...one of my passions. A few years ago I started a ministry - "Meg's Meal Ministry". This ministry isn't one that's listed on the IBC annual report, and it's not one that too many people are even aware exists. It was "created" during a time when I was really struggling with not having a family of my own, and that God opened my eyes to this practical needs ministry. God has given me a love and ability to cook/bake - I just didn't understand why He would allow me to have this gift - if He didn't allow me to use it to fed a family - my own family. After a few days of grumbling and complaining to God - God in His loving way showed me that I can use this gift to minister to my family members who don't live in my home, with members of my IBC family, neighbors and co-workers. There were people all around me who were hurting, healing, sick, lonely and just in need of some encouragement. Food is a great way to minister to people. He reminded me of the verse that says..."when you were hungry, I fed you". So over the past 3-4 years, as God has laid someone or a family on my heart - I have prepared a meal for them. Some are people who I knew were going through a rough patch, experiencing a sickness/illness, or just needed some encouragement - and others God gives me their name and I have no idea of the need. Whoever it is I contact them to let them know that a meal would be in the IBC refrigerator, that I would be dropping something off to their house, or that I would be placing something in the work refrigerator for them. Often it's a meal that is ready to go into the oven, or the crock-pot just needs turned on - for whatever day that week that works for them. It's simple, is very much behind the scenes (where I'm most comfortable) and yet it's a way of showing Christ's love in a practical way (I love practical) - and I LOVE doing this for people. This year - I was able to encourage a family who had a "not so pleasant" doctor's appointment to attend, and I knew that dinner would be the last thing they wanted to think about - so while they were meeting with the doctoer - dinner was cooking in the crock-pot and ready when they got home. I (along with many others) helped a friend going through chemo and radiation, and again two other times after very important surgeries - so that neither she nor her husband would have to worry about dinner for their family. I was able to make a meal for a friend who needed some encouragement and who actually used it for her son's birthday dinner - as the meal I made, just so happened to be his favorite (who knew? God knew!). I was able to be a testimony to a non-believing co-worker who had a baby. I made dinner for two friends who were recovering from delivering babies and another during her recovery from out-patient surgery. I used it to minister to friends as we traveled to a ladies retreat and enjoyed a soup lunch along the side of the road. I'm looking forward to blessing one of the teens at IBC with his favorite dish, as he recovers from surgery later this month. These are just a few of the ways God has used this ministry this year. He's used it more this year than in any other year. And I can't help but believe it's because this year I was being STILL - slowing down, sitting back, listening to the needs of others, looking at those around me, seeing the need and following God's leading. What a blessing it is to "Be STILL and know that HE is God".
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