'Maintenance' Issues!

           Mark and I were out of school today for yet another ‘snow day’!  We did venture out for awhile to take our dachshund, Lucy, to the vet for some ‘maintenance’ issues!  I’ll spare you the details.  As I sat in the lobby, I chatted with other pet owners as they came and went.  I also used my ‘Lucy’ voice with some of the other dogs.  I realized that pet owners seem to have an instant bond.  We immediately want to know about the other pets and their reasons for needing a vet.  There was an old dog with severe pain from diabetes.  There was a seventeen year old poodle that kept getting infections in his mouth and having his teeth removed.  There was a big white dog that was more pink than white because he had bugs under his skin.  I probably would not have talked with any of these people had I seen them outside that waiting room and without their pets.
          

          As Christians, we also have commonality that binds us together.  His name is Jesus Christ.  Romans 8:17 tells us we are His children and heirs to His Kingdom.   That makes us family.  How are you treating your ‘family’ today?  Have you prayed for someone in your Christian family today?  Have you checked on a hurting family member today?  Have you spent time laughing with a ‘family’ member today?  Our Christian family members often have ‘maintenance’ issues that need our time, love, words of encouragement, and prayers.  And, one day soon, you WILL need them!

Sharing for Him,
Cathy

2010: Looking Back to See What Is Ahead

2010:  Looking Back to See What Is Ahead!

The year, 2010, was a very eventful year at the McBride house!  Our daughter, Anna-Catherine, finished her year as a college sophomore and began her year as a college junior.  In-between those milestones, she spent seven weeks in Cape Town, South Africa.  Check out her blog, Awakened, to see how God worked and IS working in her life! 

Shortly after the year began, God placed in my heart that the timing was imminent for Uniquely Woman to be published.  I was thrilled when God not only opened that door but He literally paved the way for this Bible Study to begin making its way into the hands of women everywhere.  I cried as my minister, Scott Hanberry, prayed for Uniquely Woman to reach around the world.  My first quarterly report showed that several books were purchased in the UK!  To God be ALL the glory! 

Autumn of 2010 brought us into a bittersweet time in our lives as God placed it in our hearts to leave our church home of 29 years.  This was one of the most difficult decisions we have ever made, to leave the church where Mark and I literally grew up in our marriage and our daughter grew up and was baptized.  Those friends we left behind are still friends and we love them dearly.  Many have shown tremendous support and stay in touch!  God moved us to Longview Heights Baptist Church!  We are incredibly happy there and we are already leading a Sunday school class of young married couples.  I love getting to hear my ‘personal’ favorite Sunday school teacher, Mark McBride, each Sunday! 

2011 has begun and God is already revealing some of what is ahead as I look back over this past year!  So much in my life to be thankful for; God, family, friends, incredible church family, 23 amazing 2^nd graders (one moved to Murfreesboro, TN, but he is still mine), precious co-workers!  I could go on and on! 

Sharing for Him!

Goals for 2011: 

1.     Continue the process of ‘Breaking up with myself’–Matthew 10:39

2.      “So then…I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.” Acts 26:19