Prayer of Dedication for Habitat for Humanity’s 50th Anniversary and the Final Season in Cedar Creek

Gracious and Loving God,

You are the great Builder —
the Architect of creation,
the Foundation of our faith,
and the Cornerstone of all that endures.

From the dust of the earth, You shaped our lives.
From the chaos of the world, You framed community.
And from the hearts of Your people, You continue to build homes —
homes filled with laughter, prayer, and love.

Today, Lord, we gather in gratitude and awe.
For fifty years, Habitat for Humanity has been raising more than walls —
it has been raising hope.
It has been building more than houses —
it has been building families, futures, and faith.

We thank You for the vision that began as a spark on a Georgia farm,
and has now spread to the ends of the earth.
For every nail driven, every board lifted, every hand held —
we give You praise.
For the volunteers who have shown up early and stayed late,
for the leaders who have dreamed big and served humbly,
for the families who have stepped into new beginnings with courage and joy —
we bless Your holy name.

And now, O God of new beginnings,
we lift to You this sacred ground —
Cedar Creek — a place that has seen sweat and song,
faith and friendship,
and the holy work of neighbors becoming family.

As this final building season begins,
we dedicate it to You.
May every wall raised here be strengthened by Your Spirit.
May every home completed here be filled with Your peace.
May every child who plays in these yards grow up knowing they are seen, loved, and called by name.

Let Cedar Creek stand as a living testimony —
that when Your people come together,
hammer and heart in hand,
You build something eternal.
You build belonging.
You build home.

So bless this season, Lord.
Bless every volunteer, every homeowner, every leader, every laborer.
Bless Habitat for Humanity —
that its next fifty years may shine even brighter than its first.
And may this work continue to echo the prayer of Jesus Himself —
that on earth, as it is in heaven,
there will always be room for everyone at the table.

In the strong and steady name of Jesus Christ,
the Carpenter of Nazareth,
the Builder of our salvation,
we pray.

Amen.

Teach Us To Wait

Lord of every season,

You are never hurried.

Never late.

Never absent.

You hold time in Your hands,

and yet we confess how hard it is for us to wait.

We want quick answers, instant healing, immediate change.

But You invite us into a slower way.

A deeper trust.

A waiting that is not wasted.

So we pray:

Teach us to wait, Lord, until waiting becomes worship.

When trials weigh heavy and the nights feel long,

teach us to trust that suffering produces perseverance,

perseverance produces character,

and character produces hope.

Let our waiting be more than empty time —

let it be holy ground where You are forming us.

We lift up a world in waiting.

We pray for peace in places torn by war.

We pray for justice where oppression still reigns.

We pray for food and water in lands of deep scarcity.

We pray for reconciliation in communities divided and in hearts grown cold.

Remind us, O Lord, that You are present in every place,

at work in every story,

and faithful in every waiting.

Teach us to wait, Lord, until waiting becomes worship.

We lift up Your Church —

This community, this family, this people You have called to be strong and courageous.

We thank You for the Body of Christ at The Woodlands campus, the Montgomery campus, the Creekside campus.

We give thanks for Church at Woodforest, and for the churches beyond our walls —

For Connect Church, Restoration Church, Hope Church,

and all the congregations who proclaim Your love and walk in Your way.

And now, Lord, we pause to lift before You those we love —

family, friends, neighbors, coworkers —

each one in their own season of perseverance, their own refining, their own story.

For those waiting for healing…

For those waiting for hope…

For those waiting for answers…

For those waiting for peace…

Be their strength.

Be their sustaining grace.

And for us, Lord, in every delay, in every unanswered prayer, in every weary hour,

make our waiting an offering to You.

Shape it into trust.

Shape it into surrender.

Shape it into worship.

Teach us to wait, Lord, until waiting becomes worship.

And now, with faith in Your promises and hope in Your timing,

we pray together the prayer Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power,

and the glory, forever. Amen.

Abide

Yesterday, I shared about a Zoom call, and today, I wanted to share the heart of the message I gave to our mission partners. I love the word "abide." I love it so much, it's tattooed on my arm! 

*****

I wanted to share with you a little of who I am and how God formed my heart for missions. When I was 16, my church took a mission trip to Matamoros, Mexico, and it became a summer tradition for me as a teenager. Each year, we’d pile into a van and make the three-day drive from North Carolina to the southern tip of Texas. Our mission? Vacation Bible School and a building project, of course.

 

Our youth leaders were all about schedules, goals, and making sure we worked hard. But me? Let’s just say I wasn’t exactly a construction expert. Mixing cement wasn’t my strength, and my attempt at hammering nails usually ended with bent metal and bruised thumbs. So, while the rest of the team was hard at work, I’d often find myself sitting on the sidewalk, chatting with the neighborhood kids or catching up with Pastor Reyes and his family, who hosted us every year. The leaders probably thought I was lazy. But deep down, I knew those moments mattered.

 

One summer, about halfway through the trip, Pastor Reyes gently pulled our youth leader aside. He was kind, but he didn’t hold back. He said something that has stuck with me ever since:

“You’re so busy building that you’re missing the people.”

That night, I couldn’t shake his words. They echoed in my heart, and I found myself opening my Bible to John 15, where Jesus says: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

It was as if God was whispering, “Slow down. Be still. Stay connected.”

Fast forward to 2013. I was the Missions Pastor in Shreveport, Louisiana, building a new missions ministry. On a flight back from Uganda, once again, I found myself camped out in John 15. That word — “abide” — captivated me. I dug into its meaning. The Greek word is meno, which means to remain, to dwell, to stay connected. And as I reflected, I realized something:

I had forgotten the lesson I learned as a 16-year-old sitting on that sidewalk in Matamoros. Somewhere along the way, I had become so focused on doing that I wasn’t being. I wasn’t abiding — in Christ, in relationships, or even in my own soul.

That shift — from rushing to abiding — changed everything about how I approach missions.

 

Every mission starts with abiding.

Jesus paints a beautiful picture for us in John 15:

• He is the vine.
• We are the branches.
• The Father is the gardener.
  
  

And the key to bearing fruit? It’s not effort. It’s not productivity. Jesus doesn’t say, “Work harder” or “Do more.” He simply says, “Abide.”

Why does abiding matter in missions?

1. Abiding shapes our posture. It reminds us that missions isn’t about our work — it’s about joining God’s work.
2. Abiding teaches dependence. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing of eternal value.
3. Abiding ensures alignment. It keeps us rooted in God’s heart, not our personal agendas.
   
   

Missions isn’t about what we do for God. It’s about participating in what God is already doing. When we abide, we’re joining His mission, not asking Him to join ours.

I once met a missionary who said, “The first four hours of my day belong to God. The next eight belong to the people He’s called me to serve.” That rhythm of abiding — first in Christ, then with others—fueled her ministry in ways I had never seen.

Abiding transforms everything.

 

When we abide in Christ, our mission flows from His heart. When we abide with others, we reflect His love. And when we abide in community, we build relationships that last. That’s become my personal covenant with God:

• In Christ: “I will start each day by connecting with God.”
• In relationships: “I will prioritize presence over productivity.”
• In mission: “I will seek transformation, not transaction.”
  
  

So, my challenge to me, to you, to us, today is simple:

Let’s slow down. Let’s stay connected. Let’s abide. Because in the end, it’s not about what we build — it’s about who we’re becoming in Christ. Let’s pray: 

 

O Good & Gracious God, 

Yes, You are the true Vine, and we are Your branches. In You, we find life, purpose, and fruitfulness. You call us, not to strive, but to abide — to remain deeply connected to You.

As a church, united with our mission family around the world, we are branches spreading out from the same vine, nourished from the same sap, growing in different directions but drawing strength from Your love and grace. Help us to remain rooted in You, so that all we do flows from Your Spirit. 

Strengthen our mission family — the branches that extend far and wide — as they bear fruit in challenging soil. Remind them that their work is not in vain, for You are the Lord of the harvest. And may we, as The Woodlands Methodist Church, be a strong branch of support for them. 

As we work together, connect us not only to You, but to one another. Just as branches intertwine, may we encourage one another, sharing resources, prayers, and love. Teach us to embody a “ministry of presence,” walking in humility and trust, knowing that fruit is borne through relationships grounded in You.

In seasons of pruning, give us trust. And in times of abundance, make us generous. Through it all, let us abide in You, knowing that Your life flows through us, sustaining us every step of the way.

We offer ourselves, our church, and our mission family into Your hands, praying that we may together bear much fruit for Your glory and the good of the world. Through the True Vine we pray, Amen. 

ZOOM!

This morning was a ministry highlight reel kind of moment!

At The Woodlands Methodist Church, we partner with 146 mission organizations and leaders. Yep, you read that right—146! Connecting with every single one of them (even in six months) feels like herding cats… globally. But today, we pulled off something beautiful: I sent out a Zoom link, crossed my fingers, and invited everyone to hop on a call.

What happened? We shared updates from our missions staff, heard powerful stories from a few partners, and then — here’s the best part — we prayed. We prayed for every single one of those 146 mission partners by name and ministry. And let me tell you, “the Spirit flowed” doesn’t even begin to capture it.

If God gave me one superpower, it’s the ability to connect people I love with other people I love. And today, Zoom became my sidekick, allowing us to connect across continents and time zones. Through those screens, the sap of God’s grace flowed, binding us together in prayer, purpose, and love.

What a privilege to be part of this incredible tapestry of missions. My heart is full!

Budgets & Spreadsheets

Last October, I had the privilege (and let’s be honest, the challenge) of standing before The Woodlands Methodist Church during our annual Missions Conference —our once-a-year opportunity to inspire a passion for missions and raise the funds needed to make it all happen. And with a 2024 budget of $3.1 million, let’s just say I had my work cut out for me!

In case you missed it, you can watch one of my sermons here!

This week, I’m witnessing the incredible generosity of TWMC come to life. Our pledges are in, the missions funding applications have been submitted, and it’s officially budget season. Now, let’s be real: no one’s calling me the next math prodigy (I know my strengths, and spreadsheets are not one of them). But thankfully, God gave me some number-crunching superheroes who are helping turn those generous gifts into meaningful support for missionaries and mission organizations around the world.

It’s humbling. It’s exciting. And it’s a beautiful reminder of how God uses our collective generosity to make a difference across the globe. I’m so thankful to be part of a church that loves and lives out missions in such an extraordinary way!

"NT Wright Fans"

Since 2020, I’ve been part of a brotherhood of brilliant (and sometimes delightfully nerdy) fellas who challenge my thinking and fuel my faith. 

It all started after a life-changing trip to the Holy Land. 

Our crew? One from Costa Rica, one holding it down in Omaha while serving in the South Pacific, one just outside New Orleans, and two from Shreveport. 

What brought us together? A shared love for Jesus and a massive book called The New Testament in Its World by my favorite theologian, N.T. Wright.

That book took us nearly two years to finish — because life, travel schedules, and, well, it’s N.T. Wright. But when we finally wrapped it up, we celebrated in true nerd fashion by gathering in Waco, Texas to hear Professor Wright himself teach on Romans 8. (Yes, it was as epic as it sounds!)

Since then, we’ve tackled other weighty tomes like Into the Heart of Romans, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, and Jesus and the Powers. Each conversation stretches my mind, deepens my faith, and pushes me to ask better, harder, and holier questions.

Today, our group met again, and let me tell you — my heart soars every time I connect with these brilliant brothers. They inspire me to keep growing, keep seeking, and keep marveling at the depth of Jesus.

International Ministries Team of the Trinity Annual Conference (GMC)

For months, I’ve had the privilege of working with an extraordinary team of leaders and pastors from the International Ministries Team of the Trinity Annual Conference. Our mission? To develop meaningful covenant partnerships with two incredible majority-world conferences: Panama and Tanzania.

It’s been such a joy to connect with Panamanian and Tanzanian leaders and to navigate the complex but rewarding process of partnership development. Today, all that hard work is starting to bloom — Memos of Understanding are officially written, and at the end of the month, I’ll be cheering on a contingent from the Trinity Conference as they head off to celebrate the Tanzanian Convening Conference, with Panama up next in February. 

(Side note: That pesky cryoablation tried to sideline me for a bit, but I’m slowly rebuilding my strength and getting back in the game!)

So today, I’m praising God for the beauty of teamwork between our conferences and the cherished friendships I’ve made and deepened along the way. It’s amazing to see how God weaves us together across cultures and continents for His glory!

Returning to the Office

After nearly two months of house arrest — errr, recovery — post-cryoablation (shoutout to the miracle workers at MD Anderson!) and channeling all my energy into evicting those unwelcome cancer cells, I finally made my grand return to the office: The Woodlands Methodist Church!

It felt so good to be back in the mix — meeting with my fellow pastors, catching up with my church council mentor, hugging my incredible staff, and soaking in the encouragement of this amazing community. There’s nothing quite like being part of a church that says, “Take all the time you need,” and then welcomes you back with wide-open arms and genuine joy.

And to top off an already fabulous day… UNC beat SMU this evening! (Because apparently, God really does love me.) Go Tar Heels!

Unexpected Guests & Slumber Parties

One of the "perks" of living near the George Bush Intercontinental Airport? Delayed or canceled flights! Tonight, at 8:30 PM, we got a call from a friend stranded at the airport asking, “Could I please come stay with you?” Our answer? OF COURSE!

Moving from Shreveport to The Woodlands meant leaving behind a community that shaped us for years—11 for me and an incredible 62 for my hubby. So, anytime friends who are family come through, it’s not just a visit; it’s a reminder of the connections that keep our hearts full.

Thank you, Jessica Russo, for the last-minute slumber party! You turned an ordinary evening into something extraordinary.

The Thanksgiving Project Resurrection

On December 30, 2010, I was reflecting on the best year of my life. (See my first ever blog post here.) 

On December 30, 2024, I was reflecting on what was likely one of the most difficult years I have ever lived: 

• We said "yes" to a move from a church I had loved and faithfully served for 11 years. While we fully believed we were following God's call, our hearts hurt to leave the people we loved so very much. 
• We sold my husband's family home in Shreveport. 
• The day the movers came, the buyers' loan fell through. 
• That same week, my husband went into AFIB after an eye injection gone wrong. 
• Because I didn't want to leave him, I canceled a trip to Romania & Czech Republic to spend time with people I love. 
• I did get on a plane to Thailand later that month to meet my Russian and Kiwi friends, only to break my foot in the first hour there. 
• Upon arrival back in Shreveport, I scheduled a visit to the orthopedist, only for a fella to run a red light and hit my car on the way. (And I didn't get my car back for nearly 6 months!)
• Our last night in Shreveport, before preaching my last sermon... my husband brought back a bug from South Africa, which had us spending the night in the emergency room. He ended up in the hospital for several days, which delayed our move to The Woodlands, TX. 
• My first week at The Woodlands Methodist Church... Hurricane Beryl crashed my welcome party. 
• A couple of weeks later, I was packing to go to Honduras, and received a call that my dad was in the hospital with a brain aneurysm.  
• Not three weeks later, I was going for my annual scans, to discover my cancer had returned!
• And that "bug" my husband brought back... turned out not to be a bug... He was in the hospital five times during the fall, first with AFIB, then a heart ablation, then a 911 call, and finally they figured out it was medication problems. 
• My cancer treatment was in November, and I did not bounce back well... 
• And our year ended with my dad in jail... and I still cannot process that trauma. 

Yes, 2024 will live in infamy! 

But one thing my favorite theologian, Henri Nouwen, has taught me is this: 

• Gratitude is a choice: Gratitude is a conscious choice that can be made even when emotions are hurt or resentful. 
• Gratitude begets gratitude: Being grateful makes it easier to see new things to be grateful for. 
• Gratitude transforms the past: Gratitude can erase bitterness and transform the past. 
• Gratitude requires courage: Trust and gratitude require the courage to take risks. 
• Gratitude and resentment cannot coexist: Resentment blocks the perception of gratitude. 
• Gratitude for all of life: Being grateful for all of life, including the bad and the good, requires hard spiritual work. 

And, so, it is time to resurrect the Thanksgiving Project. I cannot dwell in the turbulence of 2024, as I could be missing out on the blessings of today. Everyday is a day of Thanksgiving.

As Psalm 136 says,

Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King! His LOVE endures forever!

Everyone needs a goal, or at least I do. I will be thankful. I will be thankful for all things. I will not miss out on the blessing of today. I will turn 2025 into a year of Thanksgiving!

My Last Sunday at First Methodist Church of Shreveport, LA

 

My Last FaithLink Service... June 2, 2024

 

Top Ten Moments During my Tenure at FMC-Shreveport

 

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks reflecting and remembering so many events, conversations, and milestones while at FMC. So, in true David Letterman fashion, I wanted to give you my Top Ten Moments During my Tenure at FMC-Shreveport! Some are long. Some are short. But I hope you enjoy this as much I did walking down memory lane!

 

#10: Graduating with a DMIN – Partnership = Faithful Friendship

 

In 2016, I graduated with a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Global Perspective from George Fox Evangelical Seminary, having studied in London, CapeTown and Hong Kong. Through it all, and writing the most wonderful dissertation – Mind the Gap: Navigating the Pitfalls of Cross-Cultural Partnership – I learned one very important lesson: 

 

Global Mission partnership means so much more to me than just projects and checklist. Partnership, for me, equals friendship and companionship. It means abiding with Christ and being in such close communion with Him that our relationships with people are extensions of His love for us. It means lavishing our partners (friends) with love so they can live into their callings to make disciples and transform the world. It means creating family thru love that binds us together and being an instrument of connection in the body of Christ.

 

Henri Nouwen said it best: “Dare to love and be a real friend. The love you give and receive is a reality that will lead you closer and closer to God, as well as to those whom God has given you to love.” 

 

 

#9: Learning the Ministry of Presence

 

The number one question I have been asked over the years about going on a “mission trip” is “so what are we going to DO?” 

 

We began our vision for missions in 2013 with a goal of moving away from transactional mission to focus on transformational mission. That simply meant we were moving away from doing projects FOR people and instead living life WITH people. And isn’t that Biblical?

 

When I think of the stories of Jesus found in the Gospels, I think of Him sitting with friends and colleagues. We see Him eating, we see Him listening. We see Him being present with people. How often do we simply take the time to be fully present with those around us? 

 

More and more our mission ministry sought how to be like Jesus and how best to love and care for the missionaries we support. We wanted to walk alongside them, so they know they are not alone in their ministries. We wanted to share meals and encourage their hearts. We wanted to listen to their stories, cry with them thru their difficulties, and lavish love upon them. 

 

And so, we committed to visiting our global mission partners at least once a year, and each of those visits looked different. Sometimes it involved small group leader training. Sometimes we organized a retreat for the leaders to take a break and learn from each other. Other times, we simply sat to be together, sharing meals and stories. 

 

I believe the most important gift that we can give is the benefaction of our presence. It is an unforgettable gift when we are lovingly and emotionally present to others in the now of life. Yes, we love being able to support our partners with monetary funds, but we wanted more than that. The gift of presence to those whom we love does not bend or break our finances…but it does require connecting with our feelings and our emotions. It demands intentionality, the burning of psychic energy and seeing with the heart. The ministry of presence is a way of “being” rather than a way of “doing” or “telling.” 

 

Henri Nouwen, again, wrote these wise words: 

More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.

 

#8: Preaching my first sermon at FMC

 

Being the first female to preach in our Traditional Service had me shaking in my heels. And I’m forever thankful to Dr. Day for that honor and privilege. And because I enjoyed it so much, and because you may or may not have been there… here is the synopsis: 

 

One of my favorite words I learned during the time I was studying in South Africa was sawubona. Sawubona. It means “I see you.” 

 

I see you.

You are important to me.

I value you. 

 

This word promotes the need to see each other slowly and as you are. It looks for moments to maintain eye contact with the person you’re talking to. Those who speak this word have learned how to feel and listen to other people, how to embrace another person’s soul, how to find and heal each other’s dark corners and wounds. 

 

When I think of the word sawubona, I think of Jesus. He looked deep into the eyes of another and said, “I see you.” 

 

Remember the woman at the well in John chapter 4? 

He said to the woman, 

“Despite where you live, despite your life circumstances, despite your gender, I see you. I value you. You are important to me.” 

She didn’t expect this. She didn’t see this coming. But her encounter with Jesus changed her forever. 

 

This reminded me of my first encounter with Jesus. 

 

When I was 8 years old, I had a direct encounter with Christ. Now I wasn’t quite comparable to the Samaritan woman at age 8, but I did already have my own story. I had been sick for most of my life up to that point, in and out of doctors’ offices, and no one could figure out what was wrong. All of the doctors just assumed that I wanted attention. 

 

One day, I stayed home from school because I felt so badly. My mom took me to the doctor, and they immediately rushed me to the hospital. There was a series of tests. And I don’t remember much, but I remember being scared. I was terrified. The machines were cold and loud, and my parents couldn’t come with me. I was lying in the CT scan, latched on to my stuffed bunny, and I started humming “Jesus Loves Me.” It’s a song that I had sung hundreds of times at church and with my grandparents. 

 

It was in that moment, 

a still quiet peace overcame me. 

I didn’t feel alone. 

When I closed my eyes, I could see someone cuddling me, loving me. 

Great things were ahead. 

 

I was rushed to surgery the next morning, and I remember my mom and dad trying to hold it together as they wheeled me away. I remember being in the operating room, lying on the table, the nurses and the doctors being so kind, and again that quiet voice saying, I see you. I love you. I am with you. There are great things ahead of you. 

 

As an eight-year-old, I didn’t expect Christ to show up. I didn’t understand what was going on, but He did. And my life since has never been the same. Of course, there have been ups and downs, disappointments and heartache. But the main theme running through my life is that still, quiet voice from my first encounter with Jesus – I see you. I am with you. I value you. 

          

And to Him, when I hear Him say sawubona, I respond with that traditional Zulu response - ngikhona

 

(IN-GEE-KHONA) – which means: 

 

I am here.   

I am fully present with you. 

I bring all of who I am to this place and to this moment. 

You abide in me and I abide in You. 

 

Yes, Jesus, I see You. I value You. I love You. I commit my life to You.

 

And that’s the synopsis of my first sermon at FMC.

 

 

#7: Podcasts

Preaching hasn’t always been my forte, but I do love to teach. Podcasts became a way for me to be able to teach, even when Covid was keeping us apart.

 

o  Conversations about Jesus with Samuel Zepeda… We did 44!

o  How Can I Keep from Singing with Dr. David Hobson… We did 12 of those!

o  The Broken Banquet … the number two podcast in New Zealand! 

 

 

#6: Moments around the Dinner Table with the Global Mission Family

Something you may not know about me – I love to cook. And my favorite place in my house is around the dinner table. When we first began gathering as a global mission committee, I knew we had to embody what we were hoping to create all around the world. So naturally, we held every meeting at my dinner table! 

 

Tables are the place for human connection. We’re often most fully alive when sharing a meal around the table. And God certainly has a way of showing up at tables. The table of Passover. The table of Communion. NT Wright, my other favorite theologian, wrote: “When Jesus himself wanted to explain to His disciples what His forthcoming death was all about, He didn’t give them a theory, He gave them a meal.”

 

I’m convinced that one of the most important spiritual disciplines for us is gathering around the dinner table, as it truly is a place for hospitality, connection, and reconciliation. It was around the table that our Global Mission Committee became the Global Mission Family. 

 

 

#5: The Italy Retreat

Speaking of dinner tables. In July 2022, Vicki, Eric, and I packed our bags and went to Tuscany, Italy. There we met most of our global mission families. It was something I had been dreaming of for YEARS – to have all of our partners in one place at one time, for them to connect while we poured into them. I will never forget the very first night as we sat outside for our three-course meal at a long dinner table. The sun was setting, and I looked around the table – the laughter, the smiles, the conversations, the different languages. The veil between heaven and earth had never been so thin. Yes, this was my vision for the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. And as the week came to a close, we began to reflect. 

 

My friend, Jeremy Boone in Uganda, wrote this: 

 

There are times in life when you don’t know what you need until you have it. Thankfully, we have a faithful Father who always knows our needs and works all things together for our good and His purposes. The last week in Italy has been one of those moments when God revealed our needs and met them abundantly. The gift of Italy has been truly magical, something we would have never asked of God and been unlikely to pursue. And while beholding Michelangelo’s David and the Sistine Chapel was both unforgettable and awe-inspiring, it was the time in community with like-minded brothers and sisters in faith that quenched a soul-thirst for deeper things. Between walking the streets of Florence, Rome, Sienna, and Cinque Terra in the brutal heat, there were refreshing moments of Christian fellowship with people who seemed to know us even though they had not met us face-to-face. Time with God’s people, and other missionaries, debriefing the challenges and joys of mission, knit our hearts together in a way that will no doubt be enduring. For us, our time with this community is just the beginning of a deeper relationship that we pray will encourage & resource us as individuals and missionaries to a greater cause for Jesus’ glory. Praise God for the blessings that flow from his heart toward us.

 

 

#4: Ordination in College Station

In my heart, I will always be a Quaker. (Did you know I grew up in the Quaker faith?!) It’s who I am. It’s a large part of my identity and core principles. And they’re the people who raised me. You can’t take the Quaker SPICE out of this gal! But did you know… I was baptized in the Methodist church in South Carolina in 1980. And I faithfully served at Herndon UMC in Virginia. And for nearly ten years, I served at First UNITED Methodist Church of Shreveport… My designation for nearly all of those years was “other fellowship”, which meant I was a Quaker pastor on loan to the United Methodist Church. 

 

Over time, I felt God nudging me toward a deeper commitment to the people called Methodists. And so… on July 22, 2023, in College Station, I was ordained a Deacon and Elder in the Global Methodist Church. It was a beautifully special moment to be surrounded by people I love – mentors and friends alike-- including Dr. Pat Day, Dr. Jonathan Beck, Rev. Derek Joyce, Dr. Steven Bell, and my sweet husband. Chris’s kids surprised me and flew in, and so many from our great church made the trip. 

 

On the drive home from College Station, I told Christopher, “I feel like I truly belong with the Global Methodists.” For that, I give thanks to God and thanks to you, friends. 

 

#3: It’s a three-way tie between…. 

 

·      Jay Sawyer giving me a key to the church building…after 8 years of serving at this church. (I had to earn it!) 

 

·      Numerous trips with hundreds of members of our church all over the world – including 20+ trips to Haiti, 3 trips to the South Pacific, 10 trips to Africa, 8 trips to Russia (including that one where my nose hairs froze because it was -27 everyday), 3 trips to the Holy Land (those may have been the best!), 5 trips to Ecuador, 12 trips to Costa Rica…. 

 

·      And random illnesses and broken bones all over the world. Not many people can say they’ve had Cholera, Giardia twice, Zika, and an infection caused by elephant dung! I’ll never forget coming back from Africa, ending up in the ER, and being guarding by security because they thought for sure I had ebola! 

 

 

These last two moments are perhaps the two that mean the most to me: 

 

#2: The Cancer Year

Steven came in January 2021, and promptly left again in May 2021! And while I missed him terribly… To be honest, I loved that summer. I loved preaching my first ever sermon series. I loved delving into Henri Nouwen’s book – Life of the Beloved. I loved going to all the meetings, and making a lot of decisions with Jay Sawyer. I loved hiring Dr. Mandy Storer to direct First Beginnings and Rev. Stephanie Kidd as one of our Associate Pastors. I loved getting our Palabra Viva congregation off and running that summer. But all the while, I knew something wasn’t right in my body. The tests were numerous, and the waiting was excruciating. But thankfully, you, my faith family, rose to the occasion. You surrounded me with your unconditional love and support. You fed our souls with your encouragement and your presence, and you fed our bodies so I wouldn’t have to think about what’s for dinner. And it just kept coming for the months and the months following surgery. I’ve never felt so special, so loved, and so cared for… 

 

Well, except for… 

 

#1: The Wedding

It was November of 2019. A fella named Christopher Harbuck got down on one knee at my Quaker Church in North Carolina and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes! Now, I thought I’d simply have a quiet little wedding with Chris, his two kids, and Pat Day in the Dilworth Prayer Chapel and call it a day. No need for fanfare. But no…. Oh no… The Ladies, and the Men, of First Methodist Church were not going to let that happen. This was something to celebrate. And while I protested for a while, even insisting on a 11:00am wedding on a Friday in January, I eventually said “yes”. 

 

And I can honestly say, without a doubt or exaggeration, I have never been blessed more. From the gals who took me wedding dress shopping, to the home-made chocolates for the reception… From the insistence on a cake at least for photos, to flowers upon flowers filling the sanctuary… From the 496 people who really did show up on that Friday at 11:00am… Friends, Seekers, YOU blessed me beyond measure, and that is something I will never forget. 

 

My treasures are most definitely not things; my treasure is YOU, my relationships with YOU. To say these nearly 11 years have been an honor and a privilege would be an understatement. You have taught me, you have molded me, you have challenged me, and you have blessed me. I love you. And this is most definitely not the end of our story.