Simple but true.

Many years ago… many I say. I was listening to Mickey Bonner preach on a cassette tape. I cannot tell you exactly what his subject was, but I do remember thinking how sad that I would believe the lies of the devil over the promises of my Savior. Now, that my fiends is a sad state to be in. But don’t we most often live our lives that way? Fearful, scared and defeated because we’ve been tricked into believing that we aren’t worthy or because of something we’ve done that surely God wouldn’t do what we need Him to.

You may know that smack dab in the middle of all that has been going on with Wellspring that I also had a daughter getting married. I remember exactly where I was when I prayed a prayer of provision over Jennifer’s (daughter #1 to get married, no, I did not say #1 daughter ) wedding. It was the day Tim was going to propose, and I asked God to allow us to give her a very nice wedding that we could afford. He did. I was working full time and Ray worked more over time that year than ever before, or since.

Fast forward to 2010. I work six days a week. Five volunteering for Wellspring and one paid at Middle Tyger (THANK YOU WANDA!). Ray has a great job that he loves, but it’s less pay and absolutely no overtime.
So I prayed the same prayer again.

For many weeks, there were a lot of tossing and turning during the night because I would wake up trying to figure out how something would be accomplished be it wedding or Wellspring. I’d be so worried, my stomach would be on fire. Every time I would wake up fearful, I would get the sweetest assurance that God had it all covered and would be able to go back to sleep.

During the middle of all of this Milestones Church started an inter-active series on prayer. Week one, we wrote down our greatest need and placed it on the alter. Week one was especially sweet because the focus of the sermon was the first miracle of Christ, which of course took place at a wedding.

Week two, Doc preached and during the service we wrote a letter to the Lord. People around me during this series must have thought I was either most sinful or dying. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much during a church service.

I had several options going on here… one, I could get a second job. I guess it would have had to have been from midnight on to squeeze it in. Two, we could ask our parents for a loan, or three, we could charge a lot of it. I could work it out. But I knew that would not be me allowing Jesus to answer my prayers. So I decided to be still and hopefully see the salvation of the Lord over this great need in our life.

By the time week three rolled around, I had once again looked at the savings account balance. Gripped by fear and doubt as I was ironing my clothes for church I confessed these words out loud to the Lord… “Jesus, I don’t see how YOU are going to make this work. I just don’t see it happening. But thankfully, I cannot see all that YOU can. Not only do I believe You can do this great thing in our life… I BELIEVE YOU WILL!” Off to church we went. I could not wait to get there to see what our inter-activity would be today. Surely I was not to be disappointed. Hub had a variety of subjects that were written down during week one. When he called one of them out we were asked to stand if God had answered a prayer for us concerning that subject. Then if you had a need in that area, those standing were asked to go and surround those in need and pray. It may have been my favorite church experience to date.

As the week progressed and I looked at our savings balance again, I cried, I jumped up and down and called a friend. I vowed to her that if He did what it looked like He was going to do, I would take my extra-large white worship flag and wave it at the reception as a way of giving credit where credit is due.

Well…. HE DID IT!!

It was the day before the wedding when I realized what the song choice was to be.

I Bless Your Name by Selah. It was these words which I could relate to so well…

In prisoner’s chains with bleeding stripes
Paul and Silas prayed that night
And in their pain began to see
Their chains were loosed and they were free

I bless your name
I bless your name
I give you honor, give you praise
You are the life, the truth, the way
I bless your name

Some midnight hour if you should find
You’re in a prison of your mind
Reach out praise, defy those chains
And they will fall in Jesus’ name

I bless your name
I bless your name
I give you honor, give you praise
You are the life, the truth, the way
I bless your name


I was a little worried about stealing any thunder from the newly wed couple. It turned out they decided to leave the reception a little early. As we all made our way back in after seeing the happy couple off, I grabbed the mike and said since the bride had left the building it was now my party and I would like to thank the Lord for making it all possible. Not exactly the speech I had planned, but I think they all understood when the flag unfurled. Jennifer said one time while this was going on Jarrad (our wedding photographer) was laying on the floor to get the best shot of the flag. Thank goodness he has known me all his life, so he may have not been too surprised.

By the next afternoon Sarah called to inquire about this grand display… “what are you talking about?” Her friends that were still there had posted a few pics on Facebook. Well, I guess that would be better than seeing them pop up without warning on the wedding photo site!

Mickey Bonner, I think I got it this time. As my friend Samuel said…
“thus far God has helped us”.

Just Say IT For Pete's Sake!

We started a new series at Milestones yesterday called "SAY". It's a three week series about the power our words hold. Some for good, some for bad.

Before the service started we were treated to Jeremy Haines' rendition of "Say" by John Mayer.

Nice.

Our pastor's wife, Brenda, started week one with a very transparent message about a missed opportunity or two to say the right thing. You can see for yourself. (click on Milestones above) But be fore-warned, grab a Kleenex or two.

I could really appreciate all of what Brenda spoke about, especially after watching Secretariat.

We watched it Saturday night, before "SAY" started the following day.

As Ray and I watched the movie, we were at the part where you could tell that Jack Tweedy finally understood and appreciated all that his wife, Penny, had been working toward. I guess you could say "he saw the light". It was right about that time that someone did see the light. Not on the screen but in real life. Mine. Ray said, "you know, I don't think I've ever told you how proud I am of you and all that you are doing and have done over the past few years."

It was right about then that I couldn't tell you what was happening with the Tweedy's and the Chennery's. All I knew was that my man had just hit a home run! I was well aware of how he's not real fond of other things associated with starting a ministry and going here and there to speak. But proud of me... I had no idea.

So when Brenda spoke about not with holding good that others need to hear... AMEN!

Is there someone in your life that you need to say a good word to?

Well, for Pete's sake... SAY IT!
It will make their day, and you might be surprised how good it will make you feel too!

State of the Way Things Are Address

Here it is another new year, another chance to look back and reflect on any progress since this time last year. Great strides were made! Great strides indeed. On one hand.

On the other... a reminder of how far we still have to go.

Nothing has reminded me of that or shown me the urgency to do this thing like recent events.

Let's go back to the summer of 2010. You may remember that we had a fun time with the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Quilt". The ladies from the Lyman Quilters donated a beautiful quilt that traveled to various churches throughout the summer with the drawing held during the Beth Moore Simulcast in the fall.

The name was drawn and I knew without a shadow of doubt that God had chosen our winner. We had our pictures taken together and I had every intention of posting the picture and the name of our winner on our blog and website. It was right in the middle of working on the store and it was one of those things I never got around to.

This was what our winner shared in an email...
I would like you to know that I have been praying for awhile for the Lord to lead me in the right direction of the ministry that I would be the most effective in leading people to Christ. I know, without a doubt, that He spoke to me yesterday. I prayed throughout the day yesterday as well as today, and I know this is the direction he is leading me in . I know if it wasn't for the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ picking me up out of the mire and muck I was in for years of my life I would probably be dead. I am a recovering drug addict. I come from a past of sexual abuse, and I was on drugs for years as well as prostitution. I had one thing going for me... I had an aunt who was a praying Christian. God heard her prayers and showed me mercy. I have been through it all, I have even done prison time, but God delivered me from a life of bondage and sin. I have quiet a story to tell and God wants me to use my testimony to reach others. I am grateful that I am not another statistic today. All the glory goes to God .

Even though I didn't post her name or picture anywhere, I remembered her name and had her name and number om my volunteer "to call" list. While sitting here sipping coffee early one morning, I heard her name and then saw her face on the news.

If only I had taken time to call her... if only the Wellspring residential home was already here...

...if only

Praise be to the Lord of all Creation who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all my missed opportunities, my too busy schedule and what seem to me to be insurmountable odds on many fronts. Hallelujah You can see what I cannot!

Thank you for participating in our survey

Wellspring Treasures
1735 John B. White Sr. Blvd (Reidville Rd)
Spartanburg

3 day purse sale - nothing over $12
50% off all men's clothing
50% off all holiday wear

Mon-Fri 10-5
Saturday 10-3
Sunday - Worshiping Jesus!

A day just for me!

I had every intention of sending out another email all-call for Saturday volunteers to get us over this last big hump before we open November 20th (if all goes well). Seemed I never got around to it.

If you know me personally, you know that I am not only the director of a not-for-profit turned shop girl, painter, cleaner, loader, un-loader... I am also the mother of the bride with a January first wedding date. Which means I have also been working on the invitations ( a three part printing process) and almost have them ready to mail. According to Emily and Martha, they should have been mailed out no later than YESTERDAY! Oh well. Being the procrastinator I have always been, I hope to have them at the post office first thing Monday morning.

But this post isn't about the store or the wedding or me. It's about the plans of a gracious God that has all the details worked out for a "better than I could have imagined" day.

This morning as I turned and looked at the clock, I knew that I was probably going to be doing a solo on this particular day. But as I thought about the many days that have been spent at the Wellspring Treasures shop, I really got excited when I realized that being alone meant I could work a little while and scoot out earlier than I would if there were others there.

I think it was a little after ten when I heard a knock on the window. As I looked, I saw the face of a young woman that had stopped by earlier in the week to ask if she could volunteer. I'll be honest and say my first thought was there goes the early departure. As she came in and started helping tidy up, sort and sort some more, I was glad she had come to help.

As we talked and got to know each other, I was also glad that it was just the two of us working. I'll call her Brittany, after all, as I was saying a blessing over our lunch that is what I did call her!

Brittany lives in a group home nearby. She is a senior with the hopes of opening her own group home for girls just like her after college. She has learned first hand about all the things that she would do better, having walked that mile in those shoes. She admitted that if she had it to do all over again, she would do it differently.

We had a good time together. Or at least I had a good time with her. She hugged me before she left. I was thankful , so thankful that I got to share the day with her. I realized that maybe that was part of why I never got around to sending that email.

Sign of the Times

If you pass by right now, you'll see a sign that says Palmetto Style Salon.
But in the days ahead this will be our sign.

We have all the prep work behind us, and have started sorting and placing the good stuff. And Ray thought all those hours watching HGTV were a waste! Maybe not. It is neat to see it all come together.

Now comes the second and most important part of the whole thing.... YOU!

If you have things (gently used women's, men's and children's clothing, shoes, purses, toys, furniture, house hold items, books...) that you would like to donate, please bring your donation by Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday between 9-5. We are not excepting appliances, electronics, computers or mattresses. If you have an item you are not sure about, please call before you come (809-7457).

We are also going to have a "new" section of handmade items. If you are have a talent for that, we would be honored to have some of your handy-work too. We will give you an opportunity to tithe your talent!

We are not just looking for your old stuff or your new stuff... we are also looking for those of you who could give a few hours here and there to help staff the store. If you have a little extra time on your hands, we may be just what you are looking for. There are many things to help do now and when we open as well.

Just a reminder that the Wellspring Treasures Store is not opening to make all of us a little wealthier. We are all working as volunteers, just as we are asking you to do. The proceeds will go toward the Wellspring residential home. Through the store, we will be able to hire life-on-life coaches who will live in the home and guide the women through their healing process.

Thanks to you all who have already donated your time, talents and treasures!

You are all a treasure to me!