Category: faith

Adversity, faith, Life

Adversity and Destiny

A. Knight

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 (NIV)

Have you been side swiped by adversity? I don’t mean in a car. I mean in your heart—your life. Something that has stumped your toe–tripped you up.

A storm in your life that may have caused you to run for cover. Only maybe you didn’t run for the right Cover.

For the rest of this devotion, head over to the Cafe`— on Tuesday morning—bright and early! Where the coffee is hot—the seats are comfy, and the company is sweet! I hope to see you there!

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© The Knightly News 2009. All rights reserved.

faith, Life, Thankful Thursdays

Thankful Thursday

A. Knight

I have MORE blessings than I can count. I’m not bragging….just being truthful.

So do you.

Think about it. Did you read this? Well? Thankful #1. You could see. Thankful #2 You can read. If someone read this aloud to you, then there’s Thankful #3—you can hear.

A minor traffic mishap of a nephew made me thankful. No one was hurt. The driver of the other vehicle—the one that caused the mishap had no legs.

Did you blink? Yeah, me too. The accident didn’t cause his legs to “not be there”—they weren’t there before. He was driving with 2 sticks. I have a hard time picturing this—and this disturbed the nephew much more than the accident itself I think.

But there you go. If you drive using both legs—and both arms—both eyes and both ears…—shoot—if you can DRIVE there’s a miracle to be thankful for all in itself! But–back the things we were naming….the legs? Arms?—Right. Thankful #’s 4 and 5. We can go ALL DAY at this. I am sure you are now getting the point.

There are things all around us that are blessings poured straight into our lives from the very throne! Thankfuls.

I’ve not been here on Thankful Thursday for several weeks. Doesn’t mean I’ve stopped being thankful. I’m VERY thankful….just been very busy. Bogged down. Sort of. Not in the mud mind you…but in life itself.

But God is good. Oh, Sisters…so very good!

On Monday of this week as I drove my 42 miles one way—the weather was ripe for a tornado. And it happened. Not near me—but at my mother-in-law’s house. While they were sleeping.

The pretty pear tree in the picture was laid over on the house, a huge cedar tree fell against the back of the house—right over where they were sleeping. THANKFULLY—the roof did not collapse. However, many shingles were ripped off the roof and soon the roof began to leak—and then soon the water caused the ceiling to give way in the dining room and other rooms. BUT—no one was hurt.

The picture was taken just last week. Who would have known that in just a few short days…the landscape would totally change.

That happens in our lives as well. As circumstances become difficult—the landscape of our lives can become a veritable misshapen disaster area. But if GOD was the one in charge of our lives, then no amount of storm or wind will uproot our hearts from the foundation of faith.

I know. Lived this one out. More than once.

Look around you today. I encourage you to write down some things that you notice—be thankful. Share those thankful thoughts with someone else. Visit Laurie at Women Taking a Stand to read MORE thankful hearts!

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faith, Life

Not Satisfied?

A. Knight

“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:2

There’s a song a great trio sings from my home church, Carmel Assembly of God, titled, “I’m Not Satisfied”. Powerful message in this song. It brings tears to my eyes and many thoughts to my head.

I have realized many things recently about my walk with Christ Jesus, and the ways of many churches. I’m not satisfied just hearing about how God formerly moved in the lives of His people. I want Him moving in my life. EVERY DAY. With the Powerful Anointing of the Holy Spirit!

I’m not satisfied with the blessings of yesterday. I have issues today.

I’m not satisfied with the anointing of the Holy Spirit from the weekend “Sister’s Retreat”. I want that on a daily basis.

I’m not satisfied living a mediocre life. I want more of God in my life than I have ever had before.

Sounds like I’m just not satisfied.

My heart has been hungry for more of God and feeling less satisfied with where I am spiritually.

What will it take to satisfy me?

Let me just stick my neck way out here…(some of you may not come back!) and say—I don’t believe that God is satisfied with us being satisfied either. I believe HE wants us SEEKING for MORE of Him!

To go even further with the neck stuck out….I believe it will TAKE more of Him in these last days! As we draw closer to the DAY of His return…I believe the power we will need to draw from will come from Him alone.

One thing I learned long ago….when you begin praying for more and seeking more…chaos will occur.

Maybe not in the form of turbulent storms…but in the “eye twitching” aggravating things of life. You know, little things that cause stress, and as they mount up, the overwhelming feeling of an avalanche of emotions overtake you and the nerve endings in your eye starts jumping….and then before you know it, you have a full blown “eye twitch”. How do I know? I am experiencing that right now!

The enemy of our lives will do anything possible to hinder the work of the Lord. When he spots a bit of progress, baby look out—he is about to send some of his slimy forces to attack. Be ready. Be on your guard. The Bible clearly warns us.

I Peter 5:6-11
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen. “

Did you read all of that? Be humble before the Lord. Don’t be too proud to call on Him for help. Don’t be too proud to ask for prayer from your sisters-in-Christ. Don’t be satisfied in the place you are in…God has a higher ground to take you! He tells us He will lift us up and restore us “Himself”…with His own hand. We are to cast, throw, or pour out all our troubles and worries on Him….because He CARES for us!

Be alert! Be on guard! Stand at attention…always! Everyday! When you resist the devil, standing firm on what God has promised, you will suffer. A l-i-t-t-l-e while. That’s what the Bible said. You will. Count on it. BUT, it also said that He, God, will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. You will be stronger for the next battle.

Huh? The next one? Yes. Girlfriend, there will be battles until the day He calls us home. If you don’t resist the devil…I’m afraid the suffering will go on and on and on….and on….and on…..

Is this too tough? Sorry. This is what He laid on my heart. This is the message for our hearts. For this hour. This day. This time in our lives.

When I have trouble or anxiety about a situation….I e-mail three Spirit filled women in blogville. The Lord has crossed our paths and we have clicked. For a reason maybe known only to God, He planted us together. Not in the same state…but with the same heart. And, for that reason, I feel that I can call on them to pray and they do. I also have a sister and a godly mother that I call on to pray. Over the years the Lord has given me godly, Spirit filled friends that pray. Their prayers are heard.

I pray for each need that is brought to my door. To my e-mail. To my phone. God expects me to. He expects us to share one another’s burdens. If a friend is too sick to “drive herself” to the doctor….are you going to drive her? Well, same principle here. Get on your knees before the throne for them. Take their needs to the “Ultimate Doctor”. The Creator.

Sometimes I visualize my prayers. Sometimes I “see myself” bringing my “box of trouble” to the Lord. Sometimes I see myself “running” to the cross dragging a heavy mangled up sack. Sometimes the need is so great, I am crawling on my hands and knees and it is tied to my ankle as I drag it before the throne. However you have to get it there…do so. Get it there and leave it. Let Him untie the bindings from your life. Whatever may have your heart all bound up, let Him cut the cords and remove the hindrances.

Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I don’t believe that He wants us to be satisfied with where we are in Him. I believe He wants us to be ever stretching, ever reaching to go higher, stand firmer, be stronger than the day before. He wants us to “stand”. He told the apostles and believers that by “standing firm you will gain life”. (Luke 21:19 NIV) I believe with all my heart that as we take our “unsatisfied” lives to Him, He fills us with more of His Spirit. I believe that as we take the needs of our sisters to Him, He strengthens our faith and our walk with Him. But, it serves a two-fold purpose. We are strengthened, and we have aided a fellow believer with her faith. We have “shared her burden”. It is lighter. We have assisted her in taking her needs to the Lord. She is made stronger in her faith.

Only Jesus can completely satisfy my life. I purpose in my heart to seek Him out more than ever. His presence is necessary for my survival. More than anything else.

Only Jesus can satisfy my soul. Only Jesus can deal with my “eye twitch”….properly.
So….what are you doing about YOUR eye twitch?

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© The Knightly News 2009. All rights reserved.

Previously posted with The Internet Cafe` October 17, 2007
faith

You are NOT alone

A. Knight

No matter what you think. You are not alone. Christ Jesus is EVER with us. You. AND me.

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?

Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? (Even the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love.

Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t.

Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.

Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 35-39 NLT

Click and listen as one of my favorite female Christian artists shares a message for us today!

Have a blessed Sunday!

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faith, Reflection, Wanda

Passing of the Prayer Journal

A. Knight

With much nudging from my heart—I am re-posting something I had written after Thanksgiving last year for the Cafe`.

Hope [it] feeds your soul.

This week has been bittersweet. Our first Thanksgiving has come and gone without my sister, Wanda. She is with the Master—basking in His divine love and care! Happy and whole.

On Monday night of this week, Aimee, mother and I met with Mark at his house to, once again go through some of Wanda’s things. He had asked us to go through her books and pick out what was special to us. Well, of course, all of them were! He gave us carte blanche.

Among the books was a prayer journal. I have to tell you that night when I arrived back home, I sat for more than an hour, just reading. Meditating on what she had received from the Word, and marveling at the spiritual growth I saw in her life. And, of course I cried a bit. Especially on her entry for January 7, 2006. Please allow me to share it with you.

Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Can we say of our lives we live wholly for Christ as the apostle Paul did? “For me to live is Christ”…Yet, this alone is the love life of a Christian–it’s source, it’s sustenance, it’s fashion, it’s end. All gathered up in two words—Christ Jesus.

For me to live is Christ. Lord, burn that in my heart and mind. Lord, accept me; I here present myself, praying to live only in Thee and to Thee. Let me be as the bullock that stands between the plow and the altar, to work or to be sacrificed; and let my motto be, “ready for either.”

From the prayer journal of Wanda Jakelsky.

She lived that motto. I can testify to that. She worked with a willing heart and devoted spirit—and with just that same devotion, she left this life with her hand neatly clasping His. Her release of the mortal shell that bound her with sickness came with much praise from our aching hearts. As we stood around her bed, and the line on the heart monitor became straight, I felt her take her gentle leave. As a conductor holds his arm for the musicians to reach the highest note, I felt her spirit soar up off the bed and into His waiting arms. And His love held her secure. And His love comforted our pain.

I can tell you with complete certainty—there is no pain in this life, that Jesus Christ cannot see you through.

The complete total desire of our hearts in this coming year—for the remaining days of our lives should be just that. Use us Father for Your glory. For Your work. In whatever manner You chose. Your ways are best. Much higher are Your plans than ours. May the desire of Your heart become the desires of our hearts. May we too be like the young bullock—ready for whatever service You chose.

Points to ponder~

Start a prayer journal if you never have. Write it out in your own hand. Your handwritten thoughts will mean much to those who follow in your footsteps.

Take some time these next few weeks and list out some things that you feel are hindering a closer relationship with Christ Jesus.

Also, call by name some areas where you want to see growth in your relationship with Christ.

Lastly, give the passion of your heart it’s name and place in the front of your own prayer journal. Seek His will and direction in that calling of your heart.

Then stand by and watch what HE gloriously does in your life! And keep us posted!

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Hope you didn’t mind reading it again. It poured more concrete in my resolute stand.

As a prayer request from our extended family, a young niece on my husband’s side of the family, passed away during the night. Please be in prayer for the Ford family. I believe with all my heart she was met at the gates by her granddad Tom Ford. A man of huge faith.

God be with this dear family.

© The Knightly News 2007-2009. All rights reserved.

faith, love

Live Every Moment. . .

A. Knight

Love beyond words…and make every moment count.

Every little girl dreams of being a princess. Being loved and cherished. In a perfect world, little girls love the shoulders of their daddy. In their eyes, daddy is bigger than any other man. Their protector. Their provider. In a perfect world.

I have sweet photos of our girls asleep in the lap of their daddy. Both of them. At the same time. One on each arm. Comfy. Safe. Protected.

That is what our heavenly Father offers to us….HIS children. His eternal love. Protection. Safety. Although, like us as parents, our heavenly Father will allow us to experience life as it happens. The ups and the downs. From scraped knees to broken hearts.

Life. He came so that we might have life. And live it to the fullest. As Buzz Lightyear would say…”To Infinity and Beyond!”

In HIS world…our heavenly home….everything will be perfect.

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Devotion, faith

Your Word for the Day…

A. Knight

“Your word for today is “hovel”. I look at him, not very impressed. This is not a strange word. Not a word that I will have to pull up dictionary.com to search out the meaning and pronunciation. I know this word.

This is an ongoing game. Often during the week this attorney man will come to me and say, “your word for the day is….” and off we go. Many times it’s a new word to me. I will roll it around in my mind. I will try it out in a sentence. If it doesn’t feel right or sound right I will say, “use it in a sentence.” And he will. I used to wonder where he came up with some of these weird sounding words…until I saw the newspaper open. A game. A puzzle. A test.

Each day on the next to last page of the paper, in black and white, waiting to be deciphered is a word puzzle. Five words are given, each with scrambled letters. Rearrange them until the word is known. Then on the last line there are several blanks. It is word number six. The circled letters in the above 5 words are preselected, each one will make up the resulting answer of the cartoon drawing. A riddle.

To the casual observer, the open newspaper looks like someone just walked off without refolding it after reading. But since I know this attorney man, the newspaper is not simply lying there, it is a reminder of a test not complete. It beckons to him each time he goes in the room to use the copier. Until completed, it will not be moved.

Although this is an interesting game, it doesn’t feed my soul. There is a Word for the day that will though. You knew I’d come around to that didn’t you?

Almost every morning, as Aimee and I are driving to our places of employment, physically going a different direction, but spiritually–traveling toward the same goal. Heaven.

We sometimes discuss with longing of our eternal home. Of who’s already there.

Sometimes the journey is discussed.

The difficulties, as well as the joys in raising kids.

The trials along with the blessings of the job.

The desire to do more for Christ.

The realization that this world is not our home. And we may even break out into a song.

But on most days, the question is asked by one of us, “do you have a Word for me today?”

This Word will make a difference in our day.
It will impact our lives.
We can adjust our walk.
Our attitude and eyesight!
We can feel His presence!
This Word is mighty!
It brings healing!
It is anointed!

This Word is His. His words to our hearts. To help us deal with the day-to-day. So often I try and go about my day without digging. I usually dig in for study at night. When the house is quite, with the exception of clocks ticking and the humming of the refrigerator. I read, type and talk. About the Father and to the Father. He says in Psalm 46:10 to Be still. He directs us to an action. Be still. Just know. Be still, and know that I am God.

Your word for the day…

Hovel (noun)
1. a small, very humble dwelling house; a wretched hut.
2. any dirty, disorganized dwelling.
3. an open shed, as for sheltering cattle or tools.

YOUR WORD for the day…
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV
And going further….
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith –of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1Peter 1:3-9 (emphasis mine)

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faith, Life Issues

From the Devotional Book

A. Knight

In the words of Oswald Chambers, “Dreaming about a thing in order to do it properly is right; but dreaming about it when we should be doing it is wrong.”

Can I just tell you that on the day I read this one…it hit me square in the eyes. For several reasons.

1) I had missed doing my devotions in my Oswald Chambers book for a few days. I read other things…—but when I picked my book back up, I flipped first to the “day at hand”.

“SMACK”. Right between the eyes.

2) Yes, I had been dreaming. But to put action behind my dreams scared me to death! But still…

My mother always told us, “Actions speak louder than words”. Yes. I know. A mother’s wisdom.

Oswald goes on further, “When we are getting into contact with God in order to find out what He wants, dreaming is right; but when we are inclined to spend our time in dreaming over what we have been told to do, it is a bad thing and God’s blessing is never on it….’neither sit nor stand but go.’ “

It is alright to wait before the Lord to get the instructions. Or the roadmap—but there are times, when He bids us go–have faith in Him and go—and He directs us step by step.

Wanda’s favorite verse was Psalm 27:14. Wait on the Lord. As you are waiting “before Him”…meaning on your knees, in your prayer closet, or on your face, in your private devotions, He is doing the strengthening. He will be your strength. When you feel you have gone your absolute limit….give it up.

To Him. And when He answers, however He may choose to answer, give Him all the praise.

We do. We give God the glory and praise for Wanda’s life and testimony. AND for what He continues to do—through the faithful perseverance of one darling sister. We praise Him.

Thanks for sticking around with us! We promise to post more faithfully! We are blessed to be sisters of faith with you!

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Borrowed Blessings, faith, Family, Wanda

Preparing for February

A. Knight

In the coming days and weeks, I may disappear for a day or two. Don’t be alarmed. I am preparing for February. I’m not setting myself up for more grieving, rather for being thankful for all that God has shown me through the past year. Actually, for the past several years.

Our life journey took a rather sharp curve last February. The vehicle of our lives tipped and is still righting itself. But God still drives. Last January, I shared a bit about the difficulty my sister, Wanda, was having before she left this life for her eternal life in heaven on February 12.

I posted a bit more during our struggle with what was going on…and many of you prayed for us and with us during those hard days of life. We learned that “praising Him in the storm” was indeed, the hardest walk of our faith yet. But praise Him is what we did. For we trusted in Him alone. Wanda had already outlived all the expectations by all of her doctors by about 24 years! What faith she had!

Then during that time, Aimee and I started the Sisters of Faith site. We were blessed this past year by several sweet sisters in Christ that joined us in an incredible Bible Study called, 90 Days with Jesus the One and Only! I have felt the sweetness of the Holy Spirit in my own life and seen what He can do when I give Him full access and total control. Too often I try and control things…but I am learning…

For the past few weeks, my heart and mind has traveled back to last year. I don’t want you to feel obligated to click on each link and read it, but if you are new to my blog, then you might want to know a bit more about this journey of Trust that we have walked. Wanda had an extreme trust in God. Incredible faith. Strong heart.

So, sisters, if I can impose upon you to endure a few entries about our last few days with Wanda, and then the days that followed her home going, I will share with each of you what inspires me to keep on going —sharing—telling—writing. For HIM.

We begin tomorrow.

faith, Wanda

A Letter From Heaven

A. Knight

Dearest Sisters,

I love what you’re doing for the Lord! It is so exciting to see and hear the good reports being broadcast throughout heaven of the lives being touched and hearts changing—eyes looking to Christ! As it is written in the Most Holy Word, “Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.”

Paul’s words are so fitting for what I need to share—however, I will change the word “brothers” to “sisters”—for dear ones, that is what you are!
“When I came to you, sisters, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power, so that your faith might not be based on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Holman CSB) I can say with all assurance for your sometimes weary hearts, “No eye has seen, no ear heard and you could not imagine—try as you might—the glories awaiting your souls—what God has prepared for those who truly love Him!” (paraphrased 1 Corinthians 2:9) I think, after having met that dear brother Paul, who penned those words to the Church at Corinth, he truly meant an exclamation point to end that sentence! He is full of the brightest joy you can imagine!
If I could share with you my heart from this side today, it would be, keep on. Go further. Tell more. Love deeper. Live everyday as if you’d not have another. Take delight in the simple things. See God in everything. Let go of the burdens you are trying to carry alone. He really is there to lift you up! Most of all, never quit—don’t look back. Only ahead at what lies before you! The journey is so worth the destination!—no matter how rocky at times.
It’s almost time! We are anticipating the trumpet sound as you are! For when that sound is heard—we will be joined again! And joined as the spotless Bride of Christ! I love you all!
Keeping the faith!
Wanda
Now, before anyone thinks I’ve lost my marbles, —I do know that this didn’t come from Wanda—but if she could share with us today…maybe this is what she would encourage us to do. Don’t you think?
In my cleaning out and going through books, I found one of her note cards that I had bought her several years ago. Only one card left. It is blank. The message was clear to me. No words could express fully the joy, the prize, the splendor she has experienced so far! I am glad for her…although there are days my heart aches to see her. I know one day soon we will!
After the funeral service, I became violently ill at the graveside. Jeff got me to the bathroom at the backside of the church just in time. No necks were hugged, no further condolences accepted, I needed bed rest. I think it was a virus, Jeff thought it was stress and strain. Nevertheless, it was sickness that laid me out.
Back at mother’s house, in her clean pajamas and shivering with a chill in her bed, the movie of the week began to replay over in my mind. Slow motion. As I lay there and wept, words came to me, almost of their own volition. I tried to call out to Aimee to bring me a pencil and paper so that I might take them down to remember, but my voice was weak from being sick and the bustle of the house by that time, too loud to be heard. I silently prayed that the Lord would help me remember the words that seemed to fly to my heart from an unknown Land. I posted them along with the poem that Aimee had written about Wanda’s life in February of 2o08. I share them again now.

Family, don’t cry for me now.
For the place I am saving,
Is for the way you are each paving,
That others should know Him.
As we were all taught.

So love one another,
Clinging only to Him,
Know that I’m whole now,
And happy with Him.

For you all I’ll be waiting,
Just a hop skip and jump,
Soon you’ll all join me,
Why, you’re over the hump!

Remember it takes dedication,
Determined heart too,
The way won’t be easy,
But this I know you can do.

For you’ll be led by the Master,
His hand you hold tight,
And remember to love Him
With all of your might.

Talk to you later!

Love, Wanda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sisters of faith—readers so faithful, keep on keeping on! It is a true honor and joy to know and share life and faith with each of you! Every single one of you blessed mine and Aimee’s life immeasurably by your participation to the Bible Study!
We love you all!
Keeping the Faith,
Angie