Dream. Prayers. Nineveh. Note.

In 1997, I had a dream. I was pregnant with a boy whose name was Parker.

On February 2nd, 1998 - that dream became a reality. Our third son was born. Parker Reed.

His arrival to us was too early... 2 months early.. and yet no doubt it came as no surpise to God.

Numerous prayers were prayed as he clung onto life. Blue in color. Lungs not fully developed yet. Transported to another hospital in another city from his mother in an effort to save his life.

10 years later.... You would never know he had been born a premie.. His intelligence keeps us on our toes frankly. He uses words like "fathom" and "probability" like his mother uses "......."

His overall health - not a thing wrong with him like the doctors thought would be. Thank You Lord!

At dinner one night at a Dairy Queen when we were in East Texas, I asked the boys a question.... "Where is your Nineveh?" Their dad had just preached on it.

Parker responded, "The school bus." The next day - when his dad went to pick him up from school, Parker was not there.

After calling the school bus - it was clear... Parker was in his Nineveh.

He has said he will ride that school bus unless there is some specific reason he needs to be picked up. He no longer has a reason himself.

He is on mission.

Parker had a student teacher (in her 80's) one day this week. She sent a note that said in part:

"Parker was such a help today! He is so courteous, generous, willing, and kind."

Thank You Lord for Parker and his life thus far.

Signed,
A Grateful Mother and Parker's sister in Christ

Loaves & Fishes NEEDS

Cereal
Jelly
Canned Tomatoes
Canned Vegetables
Canned Fruit
Canned Chili
Spaghetti
Corn Bread Mix
Rice
Dry Milk
Peanut Butter
Juice
Tomato Sauce
Canned Tuna
Canned Beef Stew
Instant Potatoes
Crackers
Macaroni & Cheese
Toilet Tissue
Shampoo
Soap
Toothpaste

One SOUPer Sunday Service.

One SOUPer Sunday Service at 10:00 a.m.

Bring your canned goods to restock our Loaves and Fishes ministry.

Be prepared to worship Him through prayer, music, opening of His Word, and etc.....

Witness the baptism of a student who said she would never come to church. She came DNow weekend.

This is a time to bring the whole family together.

There will be no Bible study classes meeting.

Come just as you are....

Walk away changed.

Hope to see you there!

EPR Update.

David will be back in the states by the weekend. He is going to Bethesda. His wife will join him there..

Thank you for your prayers and please keep praying.

Change. Change. UPDATE.

Part of the changes happening with our local church body includes that of one of our staff members leaving to answer a call elsewhere. She had been on staff for 7 years with a variety of titles and job descriptions. I was privileged and honored to work with her. And still will be working with her even though no longer at the same physical church building. She is an amazing woman and I have learned so much from sitting at her feet.

With her leaving, we have broken down her job amongst several of us. So, that will mean that I have more hours and responsibilities.

I was asked to post my schedule in an effort to help ease some of the confusion.

Ms. E. still works her same days at the downstairs desk with added responsibilities as well.

Here's my schedule...

UPDATE...

Monday:

8:30 to 2:30 p.m. - Working the upstairs front desk.

Tuesday:

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Teaching a marriage class. Spots still open. 14 women so far.
12:00 to 4:30 p.m. - Working the upstairs front desk.

Wednesday:

8:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Working the upstairs front desk.
6:30 to 8:00 p.m. - Co-teaching a parenting class with Brother G. Spots still open.

Thursday:

8:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Working the downstairs reception desk.

Friday:

8:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Working the downstairs reception desk.

Sunday:

Whatever is needed.


So, there's my physical church building schedule.

Remember though that ministry can take place wherever one is at.

Necessary Losses... All Gain!

Yesterday was it...

We said goodbye to our old ways of doing worship services and Sunday morning Bible studies.

They were necessary losses. Gone are the days of services at 8:00, 9:25, and 10:50 a.m. with different worship styles. They have and will continued to be grieved as they should... And then we need to truly get about moving on....

The changes happening with our services are yet another example of how God is working in the hearts and minds of our leadership, members, attenders, - the whole body.

The G family can't wait to see who is yet to come..

Can't wait to see their faces and say, "Welcome."

There are times when we experience necessary losses that truly are all gain.

We walk with you knowing not how long we will stay and yet thankful for the journey thus far.

Life's Moments Continue...

Thank you for all the prayers and messages in regards to our EPR. While we would like to be with him in person - by his side..... life's moments continue.....

Yesterday morning as I drove the 25 minutes or so to get to the place where the retreat was being held... I just knew I was going to be receiving some kind of information during the time I was to be speaking/teaching.. As some say, "Camey's weird like that." (I'll take being weird like that....) What? I did not have a clue..

Sure enough.. I had said maybe two sentence when hubby started texting me about his brother. I told the women I simply had to stop right there and pray or I would not be able to move on. Meanwhile back in G-town, one of my prayer partners was walking. It came upon her to pray right then for me and for whatever was going on. That's what can happen when individuals know each other so deeply through honest communication, prayer, and are open to the Spirit's moving.

The title was "Overcoming Depression"..

The description - "Open dialogue on a subject facing so many Christians today. Time to stop sweeping it under the rug and be the church HE has called us to be."

I shared with the women there the story about how I was not scheduled to work the day that Janie called the physical church building to speak to me about the retreat. And yet there I was answering the phone. I had been called to fill in for another staff member. Janie had a list of things she knew I could speak/teach on.. but what she really wanted to know was could... would I do depression. Funny enough? Depression is in part what brought us to G-town in 2005. My mother has been diagnosed with clinical depression since I was a little girl. She had been crying out to the Lord for help. She could no longer live with daddy by herself due to his declining health and ultimate passing on. Depression does not just affect the person who is depressed. It affects all they are in contact with in one form or another.

It was clear that the Spirit was moving amongst us. Women who had never said to anyone that they suffered from it currently or in the past or a family member did were raising their hands. Church staff members from all over were saying, "Yes. I'm depressed. I've been too afraid to let others know. I'm a Christian. I'm supposed to be happy all the time." I'm so grateful that the dialogue was indeed open. It was in fact raw and beyond real. And I could feel the prayers of all whom had been praying and were praying. "Happy all the time?" Can you show me in His Word where it says that please?? Anyone??

One thing that I shared about my mother was that even though she does indeed take medication for it.. she also prays and reads her Bible every single morning. That is just as vitally a part of her treatment as any pill she might ever take... or not.. She belongs to the Lord. And He does take care of her.... even if we do not always understand how that all works.

Like I told the women, when I speak/teach... I do not do all the talking... I want and expect those with me to participate. That is a part of hearing, learning, taking it all in, absorbing it so that it can take residence and then be lived out... poured out... I also shared one other important fact at the end of our time together....

I am an exceedingly shy person. Camey... the person is shy.... What anyone reads, hears, and/or sees is not me... on my own... it is the Lord at work in and through me. The Spirit alive and breathing as one dear woman said to me afterwards. Wow.... Talk about being speechless at that... It dumbfounds me still...

This morning... I shared with my mom where I had been and what I had spoken and taught on. As she laid in her bed .... tears filled her eyes and started rolling down her checks. The subject was not overcoming depression.. as in ten steps and poof it's gone. As in snapping ones fingers. It was in overcoming the stigmatism that still exists today all these years later in the church...

People = church.

Part of being the church HE has called us to be is to take off those blasted masks.

For underneath them is beauty amongst the ashes.

And if HE can see every single part of us and loves us enough for Calvary....

Long suffering should not be some thing we Christians try to deny and sweep under the rug.

Life's moment continue... Are you hungry for Him this moment?

Are you crying out to Him and knowing it is only in Him that you can go on?

That does not make you weaker... It makes you strong in His strength.. No matter what the world says.

EPR Update.

Hubby's brother David has been transported to Germany. He will remain there until they determine he can be moved to Bethesda here in the states.

His wife was not notified until hours later due to being on her way to the states from Japan to spend time with her mother. She will join not be able to be with him until he gets to Bethesda.

He was 3 feet away when the bomb went off. Needless to say, he is in serious condition but we're thankful he is alive and no one else was injured or killed.

Please keep praying for all involved. Not just for David, Nancy, and our family but for all involved.

Thank you.

Emergency Prayer Request...

Hubby's brother David was injured in an explosion and is listed in serious condition in Baghdad.

Please pray for him, his wife, and all of our family and those close to him...

Please pray for his relationship with God first and foremost.

Thank you.


Note: Yes, I received word from hubby about this while speaking on Depression at the retreat this morning.

Prayer Requets.

Please pray for the following.. They are in no particular order:

1) Mary - she is talking about her journey with God. Talk about joy in ones voice. (Jack's grandma)

2) Joe & family - he is in ICU currently after having a setback. (not local)

3) Cassandra - her overall life.

4) Those who have walked in today needing assistance in whatever ways. May their Real Help come from above.

5) Those who are participating in the retreat tonight and tomorrow in another town close by. May they hear the words the speakers have to say with open ears as well as hearts.

You, dear reader, have been prayed for wherever you are this moment.

All Are Welcome Here...

We just had a man come straight from jail to the physical church building this morning.

All are welcome here... (Two straight from jail within two weeks)

Please pray for him... His name is John. And we will definitely be following through.

Thank you.

Depression.

This Saturday, I have the incredible privilege of being a breakout speaker/teacher for a retreat.

The subject is Depression. The description is: Open dialogue on a subject facing so many Christians today. Time to stop sweeping it under the rug and be the church HE has called us to be.

I'd greatly appreciate your input... thoughts? stories?

Help me help others...

Feel free to leave a comment here or email me directly at cameybelieves@charter.net

Reflections. Looking Ahead.

Reflections:

Yesterday was an amazing day! Individuals and their lives being changed. His Word was taught, caught, and lived out... WORSHIP was alive...

One said she would never come to a church... she did Thursday night. She gave her life to Christ over the weekend! WHOA!

Pastor Jackson was seen taking his shirt off during the service. Totally cracked me up. I knew he had to have had his timing off. He did.... Fortunately, he had on his "dress" shirt underneath his DNow. It is okay to laugh church. Really.. it is...

Derrick rocked. Shelley brought it home. DNow has truly just gotten started.

I joined the Facebook world in yet another way to connect and network. HT to Bryan and Heather!

Hubby and I had a date last night. We did not even leave home. Cheap and yet priceless.

Looking Ahead:

This week is going to be wild to say the least..... More to come on that later...

Saturday I'm teaching/speaking on Depression at a retreat. Time slot: an hour.

Any thoughts? Comment or email me at cameybelieves@charter.net

Wii fun. Food. Silent Worship. Closet.

Wii fun:

The students had an incredible time playing the Wii during the rec portion of DNow yesterday. The Attic looked even cooler than usual with all the systems set up. It was a blast watching all the students hanging out and letting loose.

Food:

1,200 cans were collected by the students by going around their host home neighborhoods.

1,200 cans + $150.00 cash. Wow.

UPDATE: Correction... 1,376 cans + 119.?? cash. WHOA!

Silent Worship:

It began by having silence in the ride over to the physical church building from their host homes. As they entered the building... shoes came off.. again no talking... just silence.

100 students mind you... 100 plus all the leaders, other adults... Pastor Jackson..

Linc and the praise band were awesome and led us in a powerful time.

Ryan let it all out in his short sermon.

It is clear that He is moving among the students.. Keep praying.

Closet:

I had the incredible blessing of hanging out with the seniors from 4:30 to 11:00 p.m. During one on one time - one of the girls and my self went in to a closet to talk.

We had clothes hanging down on us. Suitcases around us. And yet, were still able to talk.. Really talk. And of course to pray.

The closet serves as a wonderful reminder that even though we may have things hanging down on us... going on around us.... He is there in the midst of it all.

And there is amazing grace found through Him alone.

Do you know His amazing grace?

From the desk..

There's piano music playing again...

that's what happens when you've got a Wee school around the corner from your desk..

Nap time anyone? lol

our Wee director is awesome! the teachers are too. and don't even get me started about those kiddos.

i've met several other really cool people today. prayed for them too...

some are leaders for DNow this weekend.

two others were here to check out our facilities. their body is growing. they were from the big city and with a different denomination even.... I love that...

this has been a freaky Friday... why?

SNOW!!!!

that's just merely icing on the cake. and i am grateful.

What do you see or hear from your desk?

Questions Answered.

Question: Pastor Richard Jackson as in pastor emeritus of a megachurch in Phoenix?

Answer: Yes. That Richard Jackson.

Question: What is my email address again?

Answer: cameybelieves@charter.net

As always, you are free to email with prayer requests and/or to update me on what is happening in your neck of the woods and/or with comments.

IT'S HAPPENiNG NOW!

The following are in no particular order:

1) It is in the air! You can taste it... IT is better than Starbucks. Better than hot fresh bread.

2) Shelley, Ryan and Cari are amazing! Flat out amazing... DNow (Discipleship Now) has been bathed in prayer and is birthing this weekend. Can't wait to see what happens in the lives of all those connected.. whether students, leaders, host homes, parents....

3) It is going to be contagious!

4) Pastor (Richard) Jackson will be with this Sunday officially as our interim pastor. HE is using him to challenge the fool out of our body. Bring it on!

5) Only two more Sundays of three services! Wonder how long that will last?

6) SOUPer Bowl Sunday - praying for those canned goods to come in like touchdown passes. Remember it's not just a can of corn - it is food for the hungry. Lets take care of our neighbors shall we?

7) One service on SOUPer Sunday... Can't wait to experience the whole body coming together! We're going to get really close that morning....

8) David, Andrew, and several others are letting their creative juices flow! Bring it on guys!

9) Prayers are being answered.... The above is proof! Changes can be good if HE is the reason.

10) No one rocks like HE does! He is the solid rock. The foundation. The Creator! It is all about Him!

And last.... but not least... you dear reader have been lifted up in prayer this morning wherever you may be this moment.

Do I Look Tired?

So, how does a mother know when her son thinks she looks tired?

He brings her an energy drink.

Ahhhhh.. the benefits of having Austin go to school where I work.

Life is funny.

Wednesday Night Reflection

Last night I was asked a question. A simple question really but one that reflects just a tad of what is happening with our local church body....

"Camey? Why aren't you in the foyer on Wednesday nights?" The answer? Well, last semester helped make this semester happen. Prayers are being answered all over the place and frankly it is blowing my mind. If I sound too pumped at this time of the morning, well.... I simply cannot help it.

Being in the foyer on Wednesday nights last semester was a part of being an outreach director for our children's ministry. It was also part of being a woman minister. More counseling took place in that foyer than I ever care to really share. Still does actually... And I am met with countless gratitude.

As I was getting things ready for the class, in they started walking. The class doubled from last Wednesday night. It doubled. The individuals bringing others with them are ones whom I first met last semester in the foyer. One just a month ago. She brought two others with her. More are expected this next Wednesday night... Please do not lose sight of the most important fact here... HE is at work in their lives. They are being drawn closer to Him.

Part of any topic specific class that I teach or co-teach always is brought back to that person's relationship with Him. Parenting is not about raising happy children who turn out to have high paying jobs and live in million dollar mansions. Please do not misunderstand me here... The best thing any parent can ever do for their child is point them to Him. To be a reflection of Him in their moments... That can only happen if He is alive in the parent's own life.

Wednesday nights rock! And I am honored to walk along side of these individuals.

I am rejoicing with hands held high... He takes individuals just as they are. And they are coming!

Picture. Picture.