Renewed

                                                                                  ** Originally composed 3/16/2012

I feel renewed today. Yesterday at church, I witnessed 7 baptisms and testimonies. It was awesome, truly a blessing. I laughed and I cried with the work God has done in these individual lives. I went shopping with my mom. WHich I love to spend time with her, she contiues to be a blessing even if her daughter is old. After I went to my small group at Pastor Andy's house. We started a 10 session video series taught by Paul Tripp. IT was very moving for a 30 minute session. It forces you to analyze yourself and

Questions

                                                                                                ** Originally composed on 3/15/2012

I have been researching christian "flirting" recently, and I wonder if a girl should tell her suitor to refrain from Christian "flirting". It can be a distraction. I feel maybe a girl can become enamored with the attention that she receives from the gestures, instead of who he is a child of God. These gestures are by no means sexual in nature at all, but nice acts of kindness. Thoughtful deeds, extra attention, is so sweet and special, like helping a woman with her coat, or staying back and keeping her company while she finishes her task,when everyone has moved on to the next segment. Just that attention to detail speaks volumes. But does that take away from getting to know her suitor? When she looks back at past interactions, why does the nice overtures come to mind first? And not he is a man of integrity? Or, his heart for God? Should a woman say something to her suitor with the risk that he may be offended? Or he might totally turn it down (or off?) and you are left like a "buddy" and lose all the attention? And what do you say when you want him to "turn" the nice gestures back on? All these questions and more are floating in my head and I am not sure how to proceed? Maybe through time, things will be more defined. (Of all places I am putting this on the internet. Am I crazy?)

Sandy Cove

I am going away this weekend with a great, great friend Beth. We are going to a retreat in Maryland. I am so excited. Its at Sandy Cove. I know it will be a powerful weekend. I can't to see what God has in store us this weekend, maybe our bond with Lizette and Corie will grow. Only God knows how we can use this opportunity to glorfy Him. Pics to follow.

I am in awe of Him

Yesturday, was AMAZING!!!. God used me in a profound way, that I thought would never happen. It was finally my turn. Some non believers in my Alpha class were talking about the Sermon on the Mount legalistically (second session) and Rod Flynn, TOLD me that he was going to ask me to speak next. I mouthed to him, NO!, NO!, NO!. But he wasn't paying me any attention. My heart was pounding. I couldn't think of wht to say. Iws hoping he would for get. HA! He didn't. He turns to me (I sat next to him) and ask me to share my thoughts. We were discussing the Sermon on the Mount". I spoke from my heart. Correction, the Holy Spirit spoke thorugh me. I was amazed on the timely miracle. The non-believers thought that the sermon was figurative. I told him it was LITERAL. I made it clear, Jesus made that plainly clear, that we are unable to get to the Father without Him. I am so greatful Jesus used me. Rod Flynn, Mr. & Mrs. Appollino, Miriam Willey. They all told me how well the message was received. I started to second guess it. But how do you second guess God's work. HE USED ME! He used  me! I can't believe He used me.

The words were just flowing. Once I was done Rod picked up. I had to stop him and started talking again. My heart goes out for this couple. But God did a mighty work in the Cafe' last evening. I can't wait to see if he does it again at the Singles' Retreat this weekend at Sandy Cove with Beth. I can't wait.

Summer is over! But it was a great one. Maybe the best on record. Every weekend I had a function. But, August was mine. Every weekend I went out with a great group of friends and truly had a great time. I went to Beth's Birthday Barbeque, then Phil's Neice &  Nephew's 100 Day celebration, and then we went to the beach at Beth's parents house. That was such an GREAT day. I had so much fun. We had great icecream at Dom's in Manahawkin, NJ

Here is a pic of my friend on Long Beach Island by the Light House.

Beginning of A New Season

Well fall is here! I can't believe summer is over. I look back on this summer are one for the record books. I was talking with Hil and we reminiced about how our group bonded the night of Qihvah's wedding. We went bowling and then went out to Friendly's to celebrate my birthday (unbeknownst to me).

I want to do a brief recap of the last part of the summer with my friends at Fellowship. I hope to flesh them out on a leter post. So here goes:

7/28
Bowling & Friendly's
Attendees:
Bowling Team A - Sandy, Rob E, Phil, Jeanie
Bowling Team B - Me, Beth, Karla, (& unfortunately Tom)

8/4
Pool ( I didn't attend)
Attendees: Sandy, Rob F., Phil

8/12
Beth's 40th Birthday BBQ (I met her mom & dad)

8/19
 Mom's Birthday

8/25
Gavin & Zoe's 100 Day Celebration
Attendees: Phil, Me Sandy, Beth
Friendly's
for dessert. This was the night the iliteration "Phil Fong's fault" started!

8/26
Pastor Andy's & Phyllis's Game night
played washers with Phil, Sandy, Jim, Me
He would pick up the washers, and I would pick them out of his hand.

(Found out Pastor Don lived next door. Met his wife and walked through their garden and saw their chicks. Held a chick for the first time.)

9/1
Beach Day
Car #1
Beth (Driver), Sandy, Rob E, Rob F

Car #2
Phil (Driver) , and Me

(The coinage of the "Magificent 7")
Dinner @ Beth's Parent's house
Mr & Mrs. Brewster, Aimee, Beth, Rob F, Rob E, Sandy, Phil, & Me ( Karla couldn't make it)

9/2
Met up with the Brewster's and picked up my wallet.
Lunch @ Sage Diner
Attendees: Jeanie, Rob F, Rob E, Me

9/8
Pelham Bay & Golf Course
we didn't meet because we wanted to meet every other weekend. This weekend I went to Marcia's Menu tasting

9/9
First day at Equipt w/ Rebecca Sharp

Lunch @ Perkin's
Attendees: Phil, Aimee, Rob F, Me, Beth

FOCUS
Paul Tripp Study Session #5
Breakout session Small group
Phyllis, Sandy, Dale, Rob E, Phil, Diana, Me
(Phil talked about his son and still not being able to see him)

9/15
Alpha Leader/Helper Training
Attendees: Gwen & Me

Pitch & Putt
Dinner @ Applebee's Across the street
Attendees:
Team #1: Pastor Andy, Phyllis, Phil, Rob F.

Team #2: Me, Beth, Sandy, Carabeth, Dale


9/16
Support Karla and hear her sing (we all sat together for 11 service)
Beth, Me, Rob E, Rob F, Kristen (Rob F friend), Sandy, Phil, Karla, Jim,  Gwen (satin the pew behind us)

Lunch @ Angelo's
Attendees: Dale, Rob E, Rob F, Karla, Beth, Me, Phil

9/19
 ALPHA
Dinner Table - Diana, Nneka, Phil, Sandy, Ling

9/22
 Visit Karla in the hospital (Hopewell, NJ)
Attendees:  Me, Gwen, Phil, Beth

Barnes & Noble
Bought a hard copy of The Shack for Phil to finally read

9/23
Lunch @ Perkin's
Attendees: Phil, Rob F, Me

Ollie's Discount Stuff
I bought Charles Stanley Bible (for me) & Phil bought Children's Book (for his son)
He told me about a patched up bsketball his friend gave him recently and it reminded me of a ball he use to play with
his son.

FOCUS

Paul Tripp's Study session #6
Small group - Phyllis, Me, Beth, Jeanie

Spoke about wanting to get married and have babies