2 Weddings, no funeral

I went to a wedding yesterday.  It was a beautiful Fall day with red and yellow as the theme colours.  Being an Acts wedding, it looked an awful lot like our wedding ceremony...with the same musician, same flow, but different people.  At one point, I could mouth the words of what would be said next because it resembled so much of our wedding and other weddings from Acts.  Of course every wedding is unique and theirs was very special.  It's funny how over the past 7 years, Acts has changed so much.  Usually, the majority of the people would stay until the end and party it up.  Now, so many people have kids and most people left by 10!  So, only a handful of us stayed to dance at the end.  Even then, people who were so energetic and partied like crazy are content to sit and watch others dance.  Man, growing older is really strange.  The amazing thing is that I could sense God's presence and His pleasure on their wedding day. 

Contrasting this past wedding, I went to my cousin's wedding two weeks ago.  Totally different wedding.  The whole thing was outdoors.  Remember two weeks ago?  Cold, rainy?  Yeah, well, we were outside in this tent from 3-10pm!  7 hours in the cold, rainy weather.  The ground became so soaked with rain, that we were stepping in puddles of mud!!    People's shoes, pants and the bride's dress were muddy by the end of the night!  My sister-in-law had sandles on so she must have been freezing, but when she took off her sandles, you could see the mud all on her stockings and feet.  It was like a mud shoe!!  And afterwards, they started blaring 70s music.  I didn't know most of the songs but most of my aunts and uncles (all in their 60s) did.  So, my parents, the parents of the bride and groom, and my aunts and uncles (remember most are in their 60s) started dancing away!!!  Yeah, really dancing, really having fun and singing along...Al & I along with some of  my younger cousins got up to dance too but there was such a generation gap and I didn't even know how to dance to it.  It was so surreal.  I can't explain a more uncomfortable, surreal, yet warmly enjoyable  moment in all my life.  It's a moment in time, I wouldn't mind forgetting but at the same time enjoy remembering.  My favourite part was seeing the bride and groom smile and laugh!!  They looked so happy and that made it all worth while.  Their daughter who is now a month old (they did things in reverse order...house, baby, wedding) is so adorable and I was so blessed to hold her for about 10 mins before I left.  I love Isabella "Bella"!!   

September Change

Since it's been a long time, I think I'll post to update all on my life...

Still working at the same place.  It's busy but good.  Al is still at CBS.  He likes it a lot.

We're at Acts and finally adjusting.  I miss everyone at NCAC a lot still.  It's really not the same.  But, Acts is slowly starting to feel like home.  Al's a part of the welcoming committee team.  I'm joining the Resource Table ministry (helping people find books/CDs/sermons for their personal growth).  Our small group is good.

Right now is a time of dealing with personal issues.  I feel like this is a season of dealing with character issues.  God has good plans in store for Al & I.  He knows what we need changed right now so we can get to where He wants to take us.  I must be faithful to deal with all these character/heart issues so I can do ALL God wants to do in and through me. 

Change is hard, but necessary and unavoidable.  I hope God blesses you with peace as you all go through this September time of change.

Hamsterster - Come see my hamster pets!

Come see my pets, Valentine, Jubilee and Walnut on Hamsterster!  Soon to be added is Zoe, the newest addition to the family!  She's a grey dwarf hamster that loves to run really fast on her wheel! Here's the link: http://www.hamsterster.com

An Ending

I feel that I need to say "Goodbye" to everyone.  Of course, I'm still around but I mean...I feel the Lord impressing that I need to close this NCAC chapter in my life.  So, I thought I would give a formal "Farewell" in writing.  I will still visit Xanga but not as frequently and  my posts will not be frequent, either.  

If Al & I were going into another ministry or had a bad experience, I guess we would have made a more permanent goodbye earlier.  But, we weren't and we really love everyone at NCAC sooo much so we wanted to keep ties open.  Of course, ties are never fully severed but I do need to acknowledge our time at NCAC is over.  I need to let go.

One of my favourite memories was at Teen's Conference the first year we were at NCAC.  I was in the balcony and I remember seeing Victor, Frank and others dancing at the front.  It brought me to tears to see their enthusiasm for the Lord.  I count that as one of my most rewarding experiences at NCAC. 

One testimony that I never shared...One day when I was really down and struggling with emotional illness, I felt so horrible.  I lied down on my bed feeling discouraged.  At the same time, Al was gathering people to pray for me.  I suddenly felt better and I looked at the clock.  Al confirmed when he got home that the time I looked at the clock was the same time people were praying for me.  And now, I'm much better emotionally to the point of being in recovery or healed.  Of course I will have my struggles and weaknesses but at least I have the tools to handle stuff, now.  NCAC has been an integral part of my healing.

The friendships that have been formed over the past 5 years are so precious to me.  The fun we've had and the laughs we've shared are also so dear to me.  They will not be forgotten.

What an awesome place to be..NCAC!  I really appreciate and I'm really proud of those who are so open to share their life with their unsaved friends and family.  I'm also really proud of those who are quietly, simply and faithfully growing in their relationship with the Lord. 

May you all grow up to be oaks of righteousness before the Lord (Isaiah) and trees planted by streams of water (Psalm 1).  May you continue to show the grace and love of the Lord Jesus to all you encounter.  May you reach Heaven's gate to hear Him say "Well done, my good and faithful servant."  May you live your life with such a childlike faith and total abandonment for God, forsaking all else that gets in the way of this ONE all consuming love relationship.  May you find true peace, joy, satisfaction and love in God.   May we meet again in Heaven and have so many joyful stories to tell of battles won for Jesus.  May you be blessed...forever blessed.  May you walk with Him all the days of your life.

Signing off....Oh yeah, and pray for your new pastor and those in leadership.  I tell you, the battle is not just figurative...it's real.  The devil does seek out to destroy pastors and church leaders.  As soon as we resigned, things dramatically changed.  It was easier to do devotions, life situations that were problematic suddenly died down...it was so eerie.  I didn't realize that it was really the devil attacking us throughout the time at NCAC but as soon as we resigned and the problems stopped, I knew it was spiritual.  So, please pray for your new pastor and leaders 'cause the battle isn't easy 

Jo-Jo

Hello Acts People!!

Hello, Minnie and Acts People!!!  Welcome to my blog and to the NCAC blogring (under My Blogrings, it's called NCACthoughts).

I hope you enjoy your tour.