Christ Has Changed My Life

How has God changed my life in the past year?
I have to start by first explaining how God has changed my life the past year and a half. Last year on celebration Sunday I was about six months new to the church still learning about Christianity and what it means to be a Christian. This year I feel I have so much to be grateful for and so much to celebrate.
Although things are not how I expected them to be, I know they are the way God wanted my life to be. It is hard to believe I am going through so much and yet I feel so happy. Along with half a million other American’s I am going through a foreclosure , financial hard ships, relationships issues, and just daily stresses of work and the family life.
When I started my journey with Christ, I was (there is no other way to say it) a straight mess. Didn’t know where to go from here but God brought new meaning and understanding to our life.
God made me realize I didn’t need a bigger more expensive house, he taught me how to appreciate the smaller townhouse we already owned.
God showed me how I don’t have money to go out and eat out, but he showed me how I can spend valuable time with my family by staying home and cooking dinner every night.
God showed me how to appreciate and pray for my husband and not to expect him to change because I can’t change him.
God also showed me the power of prayer. I pray now as much as I can or as much as I can remember. I had lots of talks with God because he made so many things possible for me. On my drives home or at night before bed, after every talk I had with God I always felt this calm joyful peace inside. .
I prayed for a new job, closer to home to spend time with my family and God made it happen. I prayed to quit smoking and have quit for over 1 year now. I can probably go on and on with all the great things God has done in my life because he truly is Great!!!
Thank you Seneca Creek for introducing me to Jesus Christ!

I'm Waiting On You Lord

I waited several years before my husband was ready to have children, and naively went into it thinking that we would conceive immediately and life would be a big happy ending. But the months ticked by faster than I had thought they would and before I knew it a full year and then 18 months had passed. We started going through testing and while my doctor got a couple of "maybe" ideas, no real problem presented itself. Grasping at the only odd test result that came back, my doctor told me that we had a slim chance of conceiving naturally. Our only hope would be IUI or IVF. Our insurance doesn't cover infertility treatment or procedures, so everything that we do has to be paid for out-of-pocket.

We would never look down on anyone to turning to IVF, but decided that IVF just isn't for us, so it is IUI or bust. It's just a personal decision for us. Knowing that IVF will give us a 75% chance of success and IUI will only give us only a 15% chance makes this a day-by-day struggle to stand firm in my convictions; but if I believe what I believe, then we only have one choice. With fear and even new-found hope, we prepared for our first IUI procedure in April. After taking lots of medications and even giving myself an injection, the day finally came. When I opened my Franklin planner that morning the quote at the top of that day's page said:

"Being defeated is often a temporary condition,
Giving up is what makes it permenant." -- Marilyn vos Savant

With the IUI procedure done, there was nothing left to do but wait. I had lots of ups and downs. Towards the end of the wait I was very emotional. We found out two days after Mother's Day that the procedure had not worked. I was crushed. I spent three hours out in my vegetable garden crying in a way that I can only describe as violent. I wanted to shake my fist at God and demand to know what I had done that was so wrong. Why, when in a world where drug addicts become accidental mothers every day, could I not have a family of my own. I kept hearing Mark's words from a sermon earlier in the year, over and over in my head:

"If your god isn't big enough to do ______, then you need a bigger God."

But what do you do when your God is big enough, but just doesn't? It's an amazing horrible lonely feeling, when after you've spent so much time praying and reaching out in your time of need, the response is nothing but silence. And then, I stopped crying. I'm not sure why; maybe there were just no tears left. After that first failed cycle we decided that we would do a maximum of four IUI procedures before moving on to adoption because the money we use to pay for those cycles is money that we could be saving up for adoption, and I just don't know how long I can go on with the pills, injections and emotional roller coaster that characterizes infertility.

And slowly, God started to do something in me. I woke up on May 15th, 3 days after the negative result and crying fest, just like any other day. It was my day off of work so I busied myself with laundry and cleaning house. And then it happened. Those of you who are a friend of mine on Facebook saw it. I don't know what made me do it, but I posted the following status message:

"...wonders why people just don't talk about infertility -- like it's shameful or something. I had no clue how many people
I know who went through it (some successful and others not) until I had no other choice but to start venting my feelings."

And with that simple statement, I had announced to Facebook and the whole world that we were INFERTILE. The only people who have known that we were struggling with infertility were our family and a few close friends that I confided in. Most of our circle of friends and co-workers didn't know a thing. In fact, most of them were still going through life assuming we weren't going to have or didn't want children at all. It was like a big secret that I was afraid to talk to in front of anyone else because people who aren't dealing with it don't understand why it would be so hard to come to church on Mother's Day (so hard, in fact, that we didn't) or why a Pampers commercial or a baby dedication can send you flying out of a room in tears. I was amazed at the number of private messages and emails I got from others who were struggling and just wanted to be able to talk to someone else about it. Like me, they had kept it secret as well.

But God has given me the courage to finally stand up and loudly announce my presence to SCCC (and the rest of the world):

My name is Patti Spicer, and I'm struggling with infertility.

And ya know what? Talking about it hasn't fixed it, but it's made me feel better. I don't feel like I have so much anger and sadness bottled up. I don't know where my journey will end, whether through the birth of our natural child or a plane ride home from a foreign land with our "forever family" in tow, but I know that in a congregation of this size there have to be others out there who either have or are struggling just like I am. I think that's why God gave me the strength to "come out of the closet" and post that message. It's time to reach out to others who are feeling the same loss, loneliness and struggles that I am. I'd love it if you would join me out here in the nice warm sunshine.


"I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You Lord, And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You Lord, Though it is painful
But patiently I will wait.

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting, I will serve You
While I’m waiting, I will worship
While I’m waiting, I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait"

-- John Waller "While I'm Waiting"

God Keeps Laying It In Front Of Us...

Our family has run a food bank from our home near Urbana for 17 years. We currently serve 50 families. Through God's mercy, we now have 8 local churches that participate by donating food on a monthly basis. Another local church has recently opened a Children's Clothing Closet for distribution of free clothing to families in need. This ministry continues to lift and encourage people struggling to make ends meet. God continues to lay at our feet the people who need help and the community members and organizations to provide for those families. It all stopped being about US a long time ago. Unless you've ever had this happen...you don't understand. God just puts people and situations in our path and shows us what needs to be done. We know now to be open and we wait and watch for our next assignment.

Cancer's not ALL bad!

A breast cancer diagnosis is devastating for the patient, her families and friends.
But, I'm an almost 2 yr survivor here to say that cancer's not all bad.
When you get news like this the ENEMY tries to make you doubt your God. But, after a few scary days following my diagnosis, a friend directed me to the book of Matthew... the part that reminded me that I have a God who can MOVE MOUNTAINS! Reading and re-reading that helped get me into God's holy word. I did intense bible studies on the names of God and discovered Jehovah Repheka....THE GOD WHO HEALS! I did other studies on strength and prayer. I immersed myself in God. I couldn't get enough of him or his words....his promises! From the day of my biopsy, where I took a Christian music CD and headphones, amazing things started happening. One of the nurses in the room asked what I brought. I told her. After a brief quiet moment, the room was BUZZING with talk of God, Christ, Women of Faith and more. I KNEW at that moment that I was in the Right place. All the hands from that moment on in my cancer journey were HEALING HANDS! The outpouring of care and love from my community was amazing, too. Relationships grew deeper. The small stuff no longer matters. God had a plan and through breast cancer He made it happen! I am now a licensed and ordained Chaplain and am beginning a ministry with newly diagnosed cancer patients. I have learned that God always keeps his promises and his plan will always be fulfilled!

I can't imagine my life without faith

I don't even know where to start. God has been with me all my life, but especially the past five years through many happy occasions, and also a few sad ones.

He first blessed me five years ago with the wonderful man I am married to today. He is a man that has the same great traits my mother had, among them patience, which is what is most needed to be married to me. A year after we were married, we were blessed with our first son. We enjoyed two wonderful years and found out we were expecting again. Sadly, that pregnancy ended with a stillborn at 20 weeks. That was an extremely difficult time, but God was there with us to help get us through it.

About a year after that we were blessed with a second son who brings great joy to our family. Unexpectedly, we found out we were expecting a few months later, which ended in a miscarriage. That was a difficult time as well, but God knows what is meant to be.

Then, in September 2008 I started having migraines and after an MRI found out I had a brain tumor. That was the most devasting news. I could not imagine what was going to happen, if I would even still be here to take care of my family.

I had brain surgery December 17, 2008 and was home recuperating for the Christmas break. Unfortunately, a month later I developed a horrible infection and had to go back in the hospital for a week to receive heavy-duty IV antibiotics. I went home and was on IV antibiotics for two weeks, but the infection came back again after a month. I was put on another round of antibiotics and the infection finally went away completely.

Fast forward to now, and I am completely better. No one can even tell that I've been through brain surgery. Not only that, but my husband and I are expecting again. God has blessed us in so many ways and has been there with us when the going got tough. I can't imagine my life without my faith in God. We haven't always been able to make it to church with my health issues lately, but we are always praying and teaching our children the Christian faith.

God Continues to Provide

God has once again provided for us to take our daughter to Florida for her 3rd summer of intensive therapy. Even during these uncertain economic times God has demonstrated to us the love for his people and the love of our church family at Seneca Creek. The amount raised through the Little Angel Benefit made a huge dent in her summer therapy expenses. This would not have been possible without our church family donating their own time, possessions, and efforts for our daughter’s event. We are truly blessed to be part of such a giving and caring church. We are so excited to see her gains in strength and balance through the program this summer.

It's All About Relationships

I find it difficult to sum up what God has done in my life this past year because he has done so many incredible things. I thought the best way for me to recount all God has done would be to review my journal. What I discovered was the countless opportunities God brought into my life.

Opportunities to invest in the lives of others. To encourage, to provide or meet a need, to pray for, to listen to, to cry with, to laugh with, to be prepared to give the reason for my hope to those God orchestrated to become a part of my journey.

Opportunities to grow in my relationship with Him through the study of HIS word and taking that head knowledge and orchestrating circumstances in my life so that it would become heart knowledge. Teaching me how to apply his word to my every day life.

Opportunities to receive encouragement and support from others that God placed in my life at just the right time to help me during some very challenging times.

I guess if I had to try to sum it up I would have to say that God has been all about relationships this past year, my relationship with him first and foremost and my relationships with others. It has been a rewarding year of building a stronger relationship with Jesus and in turn others because of the work he has done in me.

Encouragement from the Word's of Christ

Most recently I received a letter of recommendation from an observant teacher, just when I was at my wits end over challenges at work.

A mother observed me relating positively to someone’s child in a waiting room. After this, she offered me a job teaching her child.

I found out I can work with high school students and I enjoy it, this is after years of being afraid to try.

I was trusted to be a Power House leader and the kids have enriched me.

I joined the choir after years of only singing to the radio.

I began piano lesson’s myself after years of encouraging others to play.

I started going out dancing.

I must admit through the years I’ve had times of uncertainty and worry and regret; all things Jesus does not want us to have. But I have survived and for the better. I have persevered by the Grace of God, by the encouragement of the word of Christ. These words I have heard on Sunday mornings, in Power House, through the Worship Team’s music ministry, a Small Group, and the pleasant conversations and greetings at the coffee and bagel table after church. So, I’m sending a big fat thank you to Seneca Creek and thank you to God.

Figuring Our God's Mission For Me

Who is God? This is a question that people asked them self every day. His name has been defined in so many different ways, that now days his word has been misunderstood and exploited by many. His work is one of many values; every time he makes his moves he shows us many values and reasons for his actions in our lives. As far as my life God has always been there for me but I was not very involved with his work or word. It took me a while to realize that there was a big gap not only in my life but also in my heart. It was when I went to Impact that I realize that I had been living my life in fake HD. During this trip, I experience many mix feelings and I was able to comfort somehow my friends, this is when I realize that I needed to take myself off the spotlight, and figure out what was Gods mission for me. That’s when he showed me that my mission was to help others as much as I can and give without expecting anything back. This was when I decided to take a stand and live my life in High Definition!

My Two Angels

This year God has blessed me in so many ways. This year God has helped me to truly find myself and be confident with whom I am. It was hard for me to except that and I even tried to hide it but god gave me that push and that strength that I am no different from anyone else and I can be just as accomplished as anyone else. God has also blessed me with two angels my cousin Jessica and her husband Jose. Jessica of course I had known all my life and I remember even when I was little she showed me so much love and we always had a special bond. Now that I am older she has taught me so much more and I thank her for everything she has done for me. She is something like the big sister I never had and I know if I ever need anything or ever need advice I can always go to her she is truly an angel. Now Jose, he is a whole other story I haven’t really known him that long. Growing up my father was never really there for me. He was a stay at home dead beat dad. So I never really had a father figure in my life and that is what I found in Jose. Though at the age of 17 I am considered a young man I still have a whole lot to learn about being a real man, and I truly feel that is why god put him in my life to teach me and to show me how to be a man and I know I will have these people in my life forever and always so I thank god for all he has showed me this year and all the wonderful things he put in my life and I can’t wait for what else is too come.

Because I have Jesus, I am living today

last summer i had surgery for scoliosis. it went well but a few weeks later i started getting sick and weak. day after day my mom was calling doctors and there response was to just eat. I couldn't. after bout three weeks my mom took me to the emergency room. she knew something was wrong with me. once the doctor came in he noticed one of my lungs was drowned by fluid. I was only breathing from one lung and my heart and esophagus were completely to the right because it was being pushed by the fluid. we thought my initial surgery went well but actually a vessel was cut during the surgery. I had lost so much weight because I couldn't eat and my surgery was a disaster. doctors gave me a shot to close the vessel that was leaking. they were not sure the shot would work. not only that, they were shocked that I was still living with one lung functioning and a heart completely out of place. because I have Jesus I am living today and healthy with no problem ad breathing fine. I am blessed to have someone who watches over me 24/7 where ever I go.
thank you jesus!

How Great Is Our God

My story is about something so wonderful that happened to me. It was Christmas of 2006 and I stayed at my Parents place so I could celebrate Christmas with my family. I got up early on the morning of Christmas Eve to have my Quiet time, I sat out on my parent’s porch, they have an enclosed porch. I read my Bible and then I had my worship time I listened to a tape of different worship songs that I had made for myself, and one of the songs was How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin, while I was listening to the song I started laughing, not out loud but quietly.
I felt the Holy Spirit come over me, and I soon discovered that I was laughing in the spirit. I felt the arms of God wrapped around me, it was the most wonderful feeling. The song is such a wonderful song. I have never experienced or felt this kind of thing before.

The splendor of the King, Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light, And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice, And trembles at his voice

How great is our God, Sing with me
How great is our God All will see How Great,
how great, Is our God

Age to age he stands, And time is in his hands
Beginning and the End , Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in One, Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb, The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names, Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing how great is our God

Love Me For Me

It began with one of those late Saturday nights. As I was driving home I was fully convinced that getting up the next morning for church was probably not going to happen. But, when Sunday morning came I found myself wide-awake at 9am. I tried to go back to sleep but had no luck. I wrestled for a bit about getting up and heading in to church and finally decided that since I was up I might as well go.

Before I continue you need to know the back-story. My wife and I have a wonderful marriage. There are so many things about our relationship and our life together that are truly amazing. Like all couples we have our moments and I realize that some of those moments are due to my desire for speed and accuracy. I tend to get impatient with my wife when she has not done things in the way I might prefer…if you are married I am sure at some level you can relate. Often when these moments occur I get frustrated and my wife says to me in the middle of that frustration – “babe, why can’t you just love me for me.”

That brings me back to that one Sunday. On that morning the Student ministry was leading our church for the morning. Though I remember a number of things from that morning there was a particular moment that I will never forget. There was this song that Courtney and Shannon sang titled “Love Me for Me,” you may remember it and I am sure you see where this is going. As I sat there listening to the song I began to cry. I am not talking about one tear down the cheek I mean I was really crying. This moment was as powerful as the moment I first acknowledged my need for Jesus. If God loved me like that why would I not love my wife in the same way? As God flashed back to my memory my wife’s words, I recognized how much God loves me and how much I love my wife. I realize that was was the reason God wanted me in church that day.

I never thought I could share my faith in a meaningful way

My wife and I were attending the church in which we were married. We were quite active but at the same time quite un-invested both spiritually and emotionally. God started his work by giving Patti and I a house. After 6 months of my new commute (Mt. Airy to Lanham) I had had enough. In short order God stepped in with a job which ended up being the most life changing thing He has done for me short of salvation.

Most all of the friends that I have had in my life, especially the closest ones, have been non believers. I used to crave close male friendship with believers who would "get me," which if I am honest about it, can be tough as I tend to march to the beat of my own drum. The new job introduced me to a man named Eric, who through his own oddities "got me." The new job also re-introduced me to someone with whom I was already very familiar with, my brother-in-law. Through some odd contracting relationships I would be working with my brother-in-law on a daily basis, which ended up lasting for over 2 years. Admittedly I was not thrilled; as a matter of fact I was very apprehensive.
At this point, a few things had happened at our church that caused my wife and me to leave and start looking for another one. Eric, who had been the sounding board for some of my frustrations, invited us to come visit his church as a place of shelter while we searched. I got to know him much better once we visited SCCC the first time. I remember having long conversations about Christianity and how to be a light to the lost when we ourselves are so broken. I remember admitting to him in one specific conversation that I doubted I could ever share my faith with another person in a meaningful way. To this day Eric still snickers at me for that comment. Two days after having said that, I found my brother in law in his office reading a Bible with tears in his eyes. Not only was I ignorant of what God was doing in my life, I was ignorant of what He was doing in my brother-in-law's life. God had not only put me in this job so that I could work on this relationship, He put me in this job so that He could work on their relationship through me. Two days after I made my comment to Eric, I sat down with a Bible and was able to lead my brother-in-law to Christ. That night on my way home I pulled into a random parking lot and cried like a child. I had never experienced something so awesome and so uplifting. For the next few months the three of us got together weekly at lunch and had a small Bible study at work. I would have never ever even dreamed of such a thing happening 12 months prior. That’s ok, God did. God is good.

God Gives Me Strength

God has worked on me personal this last year, and has taught me so much about myself. After my baptism last year I learned how difficult it is to be a Christian. It was as if the closer I got to Jesus Christ the devil worked twice as hard to keep me away from him. The funny thing is Jesus never left me, and although I did fall he never turned his back on me. God has given me the strength to quit smoking. God has helped me take better care of my body. Because of him I have lost 18 lbs and still going strong. I ran my first 5k in May and God helped me train for this. He woke me up every morning to get to boot camp and run 3-5 miles. God has shown me I have the strength to do whatever it is in my heart to do. Praise the Lord and thank him for his greatness!

God Has Given Me A Wonderful Man

God has forever changed my life by giving my family such a wonderful man. God has given my children a great father in their lives. I couldn’t ask for a better husband or father to lead our family. I see Jesus in my husband and our relationship has only become stronger and greater. To grow both spiritually and mentally with your mate is a wonderful thing. The love I receive from my husband is very hard to explain because of course no one is perfect, but we know that it is okay that we aren’t perfect.. Yes, there are times we may disagree but to see how we handle our differences shows the great things God can do in anybody’s life. It also shows our children what kind of relationship they should expect when they grow up. My husband manages to devote his time to people, church, and his community. Everyone that meets my husband can feel his warm spirit. He never thinks of himself first, as a matter of fact he makes sure he is always last. I am so blessed to have such a great man to be the leader of my family. I am so honored and thank God for giving him to us.

God's Provision for our family

As many Americans have experienced this year, Our family was not an exception when my husband lost his job in November right by the holidays. God surrounded us by so many wonderful people in some cases strangers who went above and beyond there ways to give us in our time of need. All three of my children where given many gifts for Christmas morning. Not only were they given gifts they were given gifts to fit each one of their personalities. We were overwhelmed at Christmas and so thankful and if God could do this I knew he had so much more in store for our life.

God's Work In My Son

Four years ago, my young son listened to what a few voices at school said about him and he believed them. He concluded he was worthless. He was in a really bad place. It affected every aspect of his life. As a parent, I couldn’t understand why he would listen to a few hateful kids over his teachers and us (his mom and dad). He’s an amazing person… why couldn’t he see that!? I felt devastated and so helpless, but as we prayed, God led us to take some steps and make some changes that have made a difference for my son. A Seneca Creek friend loaned me a book on praying Scripture for your children. I picked out a few relevant Scripture passages and prayed them for my son relentlessly. I also took every opportunity to remind him of the truth about what God thinks of Him, how God loves him, values him and has great plans for Him. I always look for ways to affirm his gifts and talents and help him look to the future God has for Him. I also asked his PowerHouse small group leader to pray for him, and I know that he did, because he followed up with me more than once. God is so good and so faithful, and has truly loved and helped my son. It took time, but today my son is in a MUCH better place. He is much more comfortable with himself and others. He serves at church regularly and loves it. He’s chosen to read his Bible for the daily independent reading he needs to do for school. He has a wonderful real and growing relationship with Christ. I am so grateful for the PowerHouse and Middle School ministries that have ministered to my son, given him a safe place to be himself, and given him a chance to serve others in a meaningful way. Without God and the Seneca Creek Community, I’m not sure where we would be.

My Story

When I was growing up, my father, a WWII vet, was fond of saying, “There’s no such thing as an atheist in a fox hole.” And while I thought he was probably right about that, I didn’t see it as particularly relevant to my life. I was certainly never signing up for the service; far from it! It’s been many years since I heard Daddy utter that phrase. Since then, I’ve grown up, married a wonderful man, and raised two amazing children. In fact, they both chose to follow Christ long before I did. My life seemed like it was right on track. My husband and I were pretty happy with how everything was falling into place. Sure, I believed in God, and I knew Christ had died for our salvation and all, but everything was going along fine. Why did I need a personal relationship with Christ? Then, last summer my life took a frightening turn. While my husband and I were at the beach, my son was arrested for possession of drugs. Talk about feeling sucker punched; we didn’t even know he used drugs! It wasn’t long before it seemed like our lives were spiraling out of control. The more we found out about his habit, the worse it got. We were in completely uncharted territory, and had no idea how to handle this situation. This was my personal foxhole. Being completely overwhelmed, I turned to God and asked Him to take over. I knew I needed His wisdom and guidance if we were going to get our son the help he needed to turn his life around. Even though, I had not sought the Lord in any meaningful way for a very long time, He was there for me every step of the way. God not only helped us immeasurably through that ordeal, he put people and opportunities in my life to draw me closer to him. I joined a bible study and attend church regularly now. Bear in mind, a year ago I didn’t even own my own bible! I thank God every day for the blessings he has given me, and the most important one is my relationship with Him.

Freedom Behind Bars

God has shown his amazing grace and mercy to women incarcerated in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Clarksburg. These women are waiting to go to court, transitioning to prison, the prerelease center or home. They come from various ethnic and socio economic backgrounds, different age groups and different levels of the knowledge about God. But all come with a need to experience the transforming power of God in their lives; and when we pray, He shows up. I am so grateful that God has allowed us to lead some to Christ for the first time, to help them endure the challenges of being locked up and the agony of being away from their families, especially their children. God is inspiring them to have hope for the future. We continue to correspond with some that have moved on to other institutions and some that have gone home and have come to church. Praise God for his awesome transforming work.

Through it All...

“My Celebration Story” isn’t the story of jubilation or triumph one might associate with celebrating. I have been through more in the past year than I would wish on anyone in a life time. A year ago the many retirement plans my husband and I thought we had “in the works” crumbled and God set us on a new path. [Word of advice – be careful when praying ‘open-ended’ prayers, such as “Lord, what do you want me to do after I retire?” The answers might surprise you and lead you where you never thought you’d go.]
My church family, the small group I lead, and many, many wonderful friends that “I do life with” have carried my family through and they still do. Being grounded in Seneca Creek, the love and support, the encouragement and the “knowing” they are there for us cannot be measured, but does deserve celebration. I want to thank every one of you for the love shown to me, my family, and extended family who witnessed your love and servants’ hearts.
On June 20, 2008 my daughter died suddenly from a ruptured aortic dissection. At the time I was in Kansas to start my retirement, and Daryl was in Southern Virginia for the beginning of a 5 day long distance bike ride. When I got the call that Crystal had died, and could breathe again, I made a few phone calls. One call was to my best friend, who notified my church family and told me not to worry about anything. When I got home the “we’ll take care of you” ball was on the move. There were friends who cleaned my house, brought meals, helped us plan and participate in the service, and planned the reception after Crystal’s service.
The love of Seneca Creek shown during this time really touched our ‘out of town’ family members who saw firsthand the love of Christ serving others in times of devastation. This love has also reached my husband and granddaughter, who have felt this love and support. In the months that followed, I have had a series of medical issues, lost my mother in Dec., another sudden blow; and a fall in January breaking both bones in my arm. During all of this, the people at SCCC, the people I love and who love us – have been there for us.
Thank you.

Our Life Group: Encouragment and Support

God has blessed us with three new people in our Life Group this year.
The group has come together in contributing towards our study and fellowship times, and encouraging and supporting each other through our times of need. It has been exciting to enjoy the spontaneous e-mail communications from members of the group, expressing prayer desires and items of praise and rejoicing. For the second summer in a row, the group has opted to continue to meet regularly throughout.

Continued Growth through Seneca Creek

It always amazes me how the teaching and worship on Sunday mornings so regularly complement our Life Group studies, and the SCI courses and other events and on-going ministries of the year. God continues to surprise and delight me with His timing, and His provisions for my continued growth.

Mirrors of God's Creativity

Seneca Creek stands out for me as a place that mirrors the creative spirit of God. Highlights have included the high school group's ministries, the Power House presentations, the readings in different languages, the baptisms, the missions trips, the music and tech, Mark's teaching and sense of humor, the demolition teams at 13 Firstfield, the people streaming across the front (and sides!) of the room one Sunday holding up their signs showing how God had changed their life just this year - and how about that creative Married Couples' Dinner Theatre?! Awesome!

An Eternal Home

God welcomed my Mom into His presence this year; into the eternal home he was lovingly preparing for her for the last 92 years. This was a reminder that my family and I are cared for by a God who is there with welcoming arms no matter what the future brings.

Micro Miracles

This year, experiencing life in Seneca Creek and my small group, I learned that I am surrounded by miracles. A miracle is when God acts directly upon His creation, changing it. I used to think of miracles in a grand sense - healing from sickness or tragedy averted. But I learned that much of what God does happens when He speaks in the heart of His people, asking them, one by one, to take on some task. These tasks are His will for those people. They are events that would not happen if God didn't ask for them. They happen at Seneca Creek when God prompts people to volunteer for ministry. For example, start a Spanish service, minister at the jail, visit a sick friend, lead or participate in a life group. You might call them micro-miracles, but miracles they are, and they happen every day at Seneca Creek. What miracle is God asking you to take on?

Christ-tinted Eyes

For 17 years I spent my life living for me. I thought about myself, my goals, my wants, and how I could please myself. I lashed out on others whenever I felt threatened and I took revenge on whoever made me unhappy. I was depressed and had zero self-esteem. In my lowest moments I looked to the wisdom of the world for advice. I had come to hate everyone around me and I ended up in a psychiatric hospital 6 times within the span of three years. I was on as many as 8 different mood-stabilizing medications that worsened my depression and drove me to attempt suicide.

These circumstances forced me to do a serious self-examination. Why was I in a psych hospital? Why did I ruin all the relationships in my life? Why was I so depressed? During visiting hours one night, my Mom brought me the book "The Purpose Driven Life". The moment she told me it had anything to do with God, I had little interest. I avoided reading it for weeks, when eventually out of sheer boredom, I opened it. The first chapter was called "It's NOT About You". It was exactly what I needed to read. I realized that by focusing so intensely on myself and ignoring God, I had run myself into the ground. God was my lifeline, and I could no longer "reach within myself" for strength. I had to turn to Him.

It has been two years of growth in Christ since these events happened. God's work in my life has been evident. He has restored my relationships, cured my depression, and given me Christ-tinted eyes to see the world with. I am so happy to say that God is my Father, and that Jesus alone has saved me from myself!

Finally... He answered me...

Being faithful is pretty easy when you see God active in your life. Being faithful when you hear nothing...that on the other hand isn't so fun. And that's where I found myself for 7 years. God gave me a few verses in 2002: Matthew 7:9-11 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

I prayed this verse in a specific situation in my life for seven years... asking God to be true to who He said he would be. So many times during the waiting I felt discouraged, defeated, unheard. Though I knew I had to choose to follow God even in His silence concerning this issue, so many times I ran out of strength. And during those times He wasn't completely silent - He always met me in my need. He taught me to trust in Him alone... to long for Him... He showed me the strength He can give in the moments that I felt the weakest. He brought incredible friends in my life to encourage me, keep me on track and help me stay faithful to Him. I'm a changed person because of this process... I wouldn't trade what I've learned for anything.

And this past year, He showed me He hadn't forgotten about me.... He has answered my specific prayer in a way that is so much more than I could EVER have expected... I am humbled, and He is faithful to His promises!