OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD: THANK HIM!

Another GRATITUESDAY and so much to be thankful for! OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD and He has given many of us a rich week of blessing, fellowship, salvation, healing, and connection. As I look back over this past week, I am amazed at how many wonderful things that happened to me weren't even included in my posts. Yet, if you have a moment, reading back over this weeks posts and listening/watching to the links could provide richness and healing for you and your personal journey.

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I have been so blessed to be surrounded by women, both young and old, who have modeled their christianity for me. I am so thankful to OUR AWESOME GOD that He makes Himself known to and through young women who want learn to love and grow in Him. My cup overflows with thanksgiving for spiritual daughters: Jessica, Crystal, Jacqueline, Krista, Mandy, Brenda, Alana, Brenda, Stephanie, Marlene, Carla, Missy...you know your names...
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Two of these women who I want to tell you about today have been on my mind since my first GRATITUESDAY / SHARING THE LOVE award several weeks ago. Different but the same! Different yesterdays but similar todays! Different personalities, yet similar in the fact that they love to use the gifts that they've been given to serve! Different geographical locations, yet similar locations during most days - HOME!

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I'll try not to be my wordy self but it's hard not to talk about these two special ladies who are so gifted at SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRIST:

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BOTH: Sikes' nieces, christians, mission-minded, went to York College, married to wonderful God loving men who they met at York College, friends of mine...

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VANESSA:

• she started out life roughly (sometimes on the streets) with a mother who loved her dearly but had trouble providing for her
• Steve's brother and his wife, Stanten and Colleen, took her into their home (they now have 7 children in all)
• as a student at York College, when Steve and I were professors there...we moved our 8th grade daughter in with Vanessa when Jessica began suffering from such severe migraines in our cedar-lined house (we found out that Jessica had a severe cedar allergy)...Vanessa helped me care for Jessica and visa versa...what a blessing!
• she was missionary in China as a young single college graduate
• after returning to the states, she became a recruiter for York College and impacted many young lives for Christ through this work...
• one Christmas holiday, she was traveling between Nebraska/Kansas and had stopped to get a sandwich...the same day, traveling between Oklahoma/Nebraska was someone she had known at York College, Brad Leonard...same sandwich shop, same time, same line...God's timing...acquaintance renewed...numbers exchanged...marriage followed...
• Three kids later, ages 3 and under, Vanessa and Brad live in the Washington D.C. area - far away from home!
• Brad's important job at the Pentagon means that it is very needed for Vanessa to keep those home fires burning strong...and what a job she is doing...
• I see OUR AWESOME GOD more clearly as I observe the way He shines through the life of Vanessa! Thank You, Jesus!
• Her blog will give you ideas on loving, mothering, and transforming: http://nessamomof3.blogspot.com/

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JULIE:

• she started out life in the home of a mother and father who deeply loved the LORD - Larry and Diane Stephens
• she was raised as a missionary kid in Kenya
• she was a student at York College when Steve and I were professors there...as an education major, she was my intern in the Learning Lab...what a blessing!
• she fell in love with Steve's nephew, Joshua Marcum, who had grown up as a missionary kid in Quito, Ecuador with his parents, Kent and Sharla Marcum
• Josh became the youth minister for the East Hill church of Christ in York, NE and he and Julie made an amazing impact on many young lives...
• Josh went on to Harding Graduate School of Religion in Memphis, TN while Julie taught there
• Three kids later, ages 3 and under, Josh and Julie (two missionary kids) are now missionaries in Bolivia, South America - far away from home!
• Josh and Julie are facing trying times right now as Bolivia is going through much unrest. American Airlines is refusing to fly into the country, many roads are barracaded, there are food and gasoline shortages... Julie is bravely trying to keep the home fires strong...and what a job she is doing...
• I see OUR AWESOME GOD more clearly as He shines through the life of Julie! Thank You, Jesus!
• Julie's blog will give you a window into the life of a young missionary family as she loves, mothers, and transforms: http://jjmarcum22.blogspot.com/
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Thank you for encouraging these two young women via your prayers and comments.

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It is to them that I pass on this award today:

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