Sunday, February 7, 2010

Legacy

I've been blessed to have been brought up in a Christian home. God has had his hand on me and my parents and their parents on both sides of my family.

My grandmother on my dad's side went to the Assembly of God where she lived. Recently, while going through my grandmother's things I found that she went to a Christian college prior to her marriage. I believe that God was calling her into ministry. Ever since I can remember my grandmother was involved in her church. She took her ministries seriously and did them with excellence and served in many areas of ministry.

The grandparents on my mother's side also attended an Assembly of God church in North Dakota and served in the Salvation Army organization for many years helping as long as their health allowed them to do so.

After my parents marriage they moved to Michigan where my dad worked in the grocery industry and mom worked in retail. Those years were very unsettled with racial wars taking place in the big cities in the late 50's. Not long after their move to Michigan they found that they were expecting me!

My parents were young, and after my dad being held up at gunpoint, they felt God was leading them to move out of the big city so that they could settle down and raise their new family in a safer place.

My grandparents on my dad's side were snowbirds and would come to Florida in the winter and go back up to Michigan in the summer. They decided to make the move permanently and invited my mom and dad to make the move with them to Florida.

Thus that is how I became a Floridian just shy a few months from being a notherner! ha!

My parents didn't own a car and my mom was very pregnant by this time with me and they wanted to go to church, so they walked. It was quite a few miles for her to walk carrying me. Once they got to the Assembly of God church the folks there welcomed them and offered to take them home so they didn't have to walk all the way back home.

God blessed my parents, dad found a job, they were able to buy a home of their own. They had two children and now have grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

This church is the place where I was raised and grew up. They took me to church every time the door was opened and mom taught us God's word. Dad paid for me to take piano lessions, which I hated at the time, but now so glad that he did! I was mentored and given the opporunity to play in services at 15 years of age, sang in the choir and ensembles.

God was preparing me for what He had in store for me. I'm so thankful for the legacy I have been given. Not everyone has the testiimony that I've been blessed with. Now it's up to me what I do with this gift.

Thank you Lord for this legacy. Thank you for Godly parents and grandparents that prepared the way for me. Help me Lord to do the same for my children and their children.

Genesis 17:7
I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

Hugs,
LaDonna

Friday, February 5, 2010

Today's Our Daily Bread February 5, 2010


This devotion really spoke to my heart today. The thing that stuck out to me is that we in the ministry have to realize that sometimes we only have a season to minister and influence people that we are in contact with. When our time is over and let me assure you, it does end for one reason or another..we have to learn to let go and let God do the rest. My prayer is that they will continue to grow and that His will be done in their lives.

Hugs,
LaDonna

February 5, 2010
Like A Tree

READ: Ephesians 4:11-16
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. —Psalm 1:3

In the quietness of my final years I plan to watch a tree grow—a birch tree I planted as a tiny sapling over 30 years ago. It stands now in mature splendor, just outside our picture window—beautiful in every season of the year.

So it is with our spiritual endeavors: We may have planted, watered, and fussed over our “saplings” (those we’ve mentored) for a time, but only God can make a “tree.”

Occasionally I hear from those I ministered to years ago, and discover to my delight that they have grown to maturity and have been greatly used of God—with no help from me. It’s a gentle reminder that I plant and water for a while, and help others “grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Eph. 4:15). But only God “gives the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

German theologian Helmut Thielicke writes, “The man who doesn’t know how to let go, who is a stranger to quiet, confident joy in Him who carries out His purposes without us (or also through us or in spite of us), in Him who makes the trees grow . . . that man will become nothing but a miserable creature in his old age.”

So, at my age, I may yet tend a sapling or two, but mostly I will let go and watch them grow. — David H. Roper

A Prayer: Lord, I want to be used by You in others’ lives. Teach me from Your Word so that I can help others follow You. And enable me to let go and trust You to work in them. Amen.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day



My new favorite thing to do is to create "Tablescapes" - as Sandra Lee from the Food channel says.

Jessica my oldest helped me decorate my new theme for this month. Hope you enjoy it! I know I am!

Hugs,
LaDonna

Friday, January 15, 2010

Section 13 Won!


Dear Ladies,

It's been a while since I've really posted on this blog. My laptop was not in working order. Thank God it's been repaired. There is so much to bring you ladies up to date on!

Last weekend, I had the privilege of meeting with Marsha Woolley and all the Women's Ministries Rep's of Pen-Florida at the Champions Gate Omni in Kissimee, which is a beautiful property!

The Fall Breakaway will be at the Omni property September 30 - October 2nd, 2010. The rooms are beautiful and I can't wait to try the lazy river! There is a beautiful spa area with steam room and jacuzzi with other services available. The ball rooms are very spacious and will handle our event well. The rooms and linens are plush and lovely. We will enjoy staying there for sure!

Pen-Florida Women's Ministries department is hosting the Hope tour with Marsha Woolley and friends. These will be held in March at three locations throughout Florida. The location that would be closest to us is Calvary Assembly of God in Winter Park Saturday, March 6th beginning at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. The other locations are Lake Worth, March 20th and Jacksoville, March 27th.

There will be workshops galore with topics like:

*Not What? Been laid off, looking for purpose, find life and job too.
*Gumby Bounces Back, tips to stretching the family dollar back after a foreclosure, bankruptcy or divorce.
*It hurts, God-learning to live with chronic or terminal illness
*Overcoming depression
*Falling Sandcastles-facing a marriage in crisis
*Opposites Attract - Love and Respect
*Cover Girl - releasing hidden/private hurts
*Dry as toast - finding living water in the middle of a dry season
*Shop your closet - create a new look by mixing, matching and bargain hunting.
*Who me? Yes, even you can find time to exercise.

Please note this is a free event for our ladies. Of course, we would be responsible for transportation and meals, but it could be a day trip with no problem. Please encourage your ladies to attend the Hope Tour. We will be encouraged and blessed!

It's my pleasure and honor to let you know that you ladies of Section 13 came in First Place for Aline's Gift! Our section gave $5,236.46 to Aline's gift last year! I'm so proud of our ladies and churches for giving into this ministry. Marsha Woolley reported to us ladies that we were able to accomplish much because of us women here in Pen Florida! We are making a difference!

Marsha Woolley introduced us to a new ministry called, Run for Freedom with the first Dream Home here in the United States. This ministry helps girls and women that have been victims of Human Trafficking, YES! here in the U.S. This ministry is new to Pen-Florida and we are partnering with them to help.

Our portion to help is to purchase folding tables that break down for the girls to study on. These tables are much needed for them to study their school assignments and to study God's word in the chapel. I've committed our section to meet this need. Will you help me? We need to purchase 6 tables. If our churches pledge a small amount this need will be met easily. Thank you in advance for your help!

Just to review:
*Don't forget the Spring Hope Tour in March
*Remember to make a pledge for Aline's gift for 2010! We can double what we gave last year with the Lord's help!
*Run For Freedom - Dream Home (help them obtain 6 folding tables).

For more information, you may check the following websites for further details.

http://www.runforfreedom.net
http://www.gowomensministry.com

Looking forward to this new year and all that God has in store for his people!

You are loved!

Hugs,
LaDonna

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Beauty for Ashes


My dear friend, Sandy Phinazee is hosting her annual "Inspire Conference" in February 25-27 at the Rosen Centre Hotel with guest speakers, Sandy Phinazee, Marsha Wooley, Worship by Jennifer Lee, and workshop speaker: Valerie Bell.
This is your opportunity to go to a women's conference if you haven't been to one lately.

Check out the details at http://www.Inspireconference.org
Hugs,
LaDonna

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Senior Pastor's wife Retreat!



Start 2010 off right with a weekend of fun, friends, ministry and a few pleasures you've only dreamed of .... Like some spa time, a golf lesson, a cooking class, a tennis lesson, a shopping trip, or a customized workout and nutrition plan.

• Cost is $250 (Due by December 19th or $250 at the door if room is still available) this includes 2 nights/3 days double occupancy stay at the fabulous Omni Resort at Champions Gate, Banquet dinner and breakfast Friday and Saturday morning.

• Golf lessons, tennis lessons even a lesson with the Resort's Chef,spend time relaxing at the Resorts European Spa, and the exquisite pool side cabanas to relax and refresh, shopping and much more

• This is a time for fellowship and ministry for PenFlorida's Leading Ladies

• Location
Omni Resort
1500 Masters Boulevard
ChampionsGate, FL 33896

Contact the Women's Ministry Department at the District Office to reserve your spot. Time is running out and space is limited. The PenFlorida Women's Ministry makes all the arrangements for you. Just contact the office and we will handle the rest.

You can send a check made payable to PFDC and send to

PenFlorida Women Ministries
P.O. Box 24687.
Lakeland Fl 33802
or call PenFlorida Women's Ministry Department 863-683-5726 Ext 232.
Scholarships available. Please email Marsha Woolley at mwoolley@penflorida.org

Hugs,
LaDonna Jones