April Newsletter 2010
“If you were to spend a month feeding on the precious promises of God, you would not be going about with your heads hanging down like bulrushes, complaining how poor you are; but you would lift up your heads with confidence, and proclaim the riches of His grace because you could not help it.” D. L. Moody
Note from Anita
Last night as I crawled in bed exhausted from the difficult challenges of my day, I stared at my alarm clock and told God, “I just can’t get up as early as I would like to tomorrow morning to spend time with you!” I knew that I had to leave my house by 7:00 a.m. in order to get to Millerstown for an all day JoyShop. Normally I like to allow at the very least one hour with the Lord before leaving for a speaking engagement. Of course, one has to allow additional time for make-up, hair repair and dress. I was emotionally drained and just didn’t have it in me. So I added the usual request to my statement, “Lord, if I need extra time with you in the morning then you will just have to wake me up. I can’t bring myself to set the alarm any earlier.”
It never fails, He wakes me every time! By 4:45 a.m., my eyes were wide open and I thanked the Lord for waking me and giving me the extra time to prepare for ministry. As I left my house this morning, I praised the Lord for His faithfulness in spite of my own weakness. His Word energizes me and I can step out to faithfully speak His Word, knowing that it will not be in vain. One of my favorite promises is from Isaiah 55:10-11, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
There is so much to share with you that I hardly know where to begin. God has been so faithful and continues to confirm the call He has placed on this ministry. The simplest way to testify to God’s generosity is just to share the many things for which I am thankful.
As many of you know, I sent out a letter the end of December expressing our need to raise $50,000 in order to professionally tape JoyShop in a live setting. We have received more than $19,000 thus far and we are praising the Lord for this sign of confirmation. In February, Paul and I had the opportunity to travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to meet with Shane and Kelle Ortiz of Soteria Productions. God led me to this couple two years ago and we had been in discussion about the possibility of working together. You can tell by our picture that we had a great meeting. Our goal is for them to come to Lancaster in November to tape at Manor Church. Please continue to pray for JoyShop Ministries as we step out in faith and trust God to carry this project to completion.
In January our DVD promo for JoyShop Ministries was completed. After many hours of taping, interviewing, and editing, Shire Interactive was able to condense it all in to a two- and-a-half minute promotional. We needed this in order to provide material to hosting churches and schools to encourage better attendance at our events. We are hoping to add it to our website in the near future.
God opened an unexpected door to speak at Sarasota Christian School while Paul and I were vacationing in Florida with friends. Yes, I was supposed to be on vacation, but it is nearly impossible for me to turn down an opportunity to share with teens. The unexpected bonus was having my daughter, Twila, and her husband, Daniel, along with two of my grandchildren attend the chapel service where I was speaking. It was history in the making. She had never heard me speak “live” and it was awesome to be able to introduce her to the student body when I was done speaking! Later on in the evening I talked with the woman who had given me the invitation to speak at the school. She told me that one of the teachers bought my book and decided to read it aloud to her class. She had read four chapters to her class that afternoon! Several students shared with me the impact the story had on them. The ministry provided the students with our teen journal packet that consists of a journal, pocket testament, and highlighter. They were invited to take the 21 Day Challenge so that their relationship with Jesus would grow deeper. There is no doubt in my mind that lives were impacted due to God’s grace. Praise His Name!
Another unexpected blessing was meeting a woman in Florida who happened to attend a Christmas tea where I had spoken three years earlier in Lancaster County. She told me that she has been seeking God first ever since and it has changed her life. Her husband who was standing beside her confirmed it!!!
I thank God for the four women retreats we were able to be a part of from January through March. One comment I received through email made my heart soar: “Thanks so much for sharing your JoyShop with us. I know a lot of ladies are taking your challenge very seriously. A good friend of mine and her husband now get up every morning together for individual quiet time …”
Two women who had attended a retreat a year ago recently sent me an email saying that, as a result of that weekend, they have been seeking God first daily. Their hearts are on fire to share the message with others and God opened the door for them to speak at a women’s retreat in Hershey. Two women who attended that retreat wanted to take the message back to the women who could not attend. I am so thankful to God for multiplying the message through others. I pray it just keeps spreading: SEEK GOD FIRST!
Thank you for your partnership through prayer and finances. This ministry could not continue without your support. We are the body of Christ appointed to serve one another in unity and love. Each of you has blessed me and I pray that God will bless you abundantly as you seek Him. We are in a battle and the enemy will do what he can to keep us from spending time alone with Jesus. Do not give him an inch!
Blessings,
Anita
How to Pray for JoyShop:
Please continue to pray for protection over my mind and my family as being in ministry continually puts us in the line of fire.
Continue to pray for the Board as we make plans for professionally taping JoyShop and all the work that comes with that. We want to be wise stewards of our finances.
Pray that the Lord will grant the ministry favor as we look to a well-known Christian organization to help us plan ahead in making our materials marketable.
Pray for the next JoyShop event that will be held at Grace Church at Willow Valley. This is a women’s only event and will be the last JoyShop in Lancaster County until July, when I will be at Rawlinsville Campmeeting.
