June Stepping Stones

Smith Stepping Stones
Psalm 37:23-"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in his way."

“IMPACT THROUGH INTERCESSION.”

June 10, 2010




Dear Friends,

May turned out to be a "stay at home mostly" month. It was a blessing to be able to attend services at our home church for four Sundays in a row. We did take a few short trips--one to North Carolina for a "Cousins Day" for Amy. Her cousin, Eleanor, was visiting from Washington state, so we got together for a fun day with her and some other cousins. We
celebrated Jerry's birthday with brunch at a favorite restaurant with Jill & Jana's families and Jana and Amy got to attend a Mother/Daughter event at our church. Amy had her yearly physical checkup with good reports and she got busy and did some spring cleaning at our home. Jerry has been very disciplined with his diet recently and his diabetes is doing much better. We drove to Birmingham, AL to attend the Gulf States IFCA Regional and enjoyed good fellowship with lots of friends. We also had a cookout in our subdivision which was well attended and a good chance to continue to build relationships with our neighbors.

We are very thankful to report that we now have 298 members of our Prayer Force. What a wonderful encouragement! Only two more before we reach our goal of 300, but of course we will be happy to have more than 300! Every morning and throughout our day we are so encouraged as we think of the many people who are praying for us. We continue to send several prayer reminders during the month and Jerry sends out daily prayer reminders on Twitter and Facebook.

June will be a little different from May. Already we have celebrated our 51st Wedding Anniversary with a trip to Tennessee. We spent time with Amy's brother, John, and Pat and we were at Homecoming at Lambert Community Church last Sunday. Jerry's father pastored here for 44 years and this is where Jerry grew up so it is always a blessing to visit and reminisce with the many friends who attend. Please use the schedule which follows to keep us in your prayers as you see where we are and what we are doing.

Thank you to all who support us financially and prayerfully. You are a blessing!

Serving with Joy,


Jerry and Amy

PRAISE:
1) For our Prayer Force who encourage us every day.
2) For our faithful financial supporters.
3) For 51 years of mariage.
4) For the blessing of having wonderful family and friends.
5) For time to spend with family in May.
6) For a large group of missionary candidates coming in July.
7) For good relationship building opportunities in our neighborhood.

PRAYER:
1) For our Prayer Force to reach over 300.
2) For some churches and individuals to support our present church planters in the Southeast.
3) For several more couples to do church planting in the Southeast.
4) For more opportunities to teach the Change Workshops.
5) For our own walk with the Lord and growth in our spiritual lives.
6) For all of our grandchildren to love God and follow after Truth.
7) For opportunities to build relationships with neighbors this summer.
8) For needed employment for our Son-in-law Todd. Jana's job will also be terminated in August.
9) For wisdom and planning for events we are trying to schedule in September.
10) For provision for Susan this summer.
11) For Eric & Sarah as they prepare to become parents in November.
12) Amy has some dental problems that need to be taken care of.

SCHEDULE:
June
2 ---- Drive to Tennessee
6 ---- Lambert Community Church, Lambert, TN
6 ---- Drive home
8 ---- Tactical Team Meeting, BMW office
10 ---- Drive to Columbia, SC, Dinner with Chaplains
11-12 ---- Workshop at The Church at Fayetteville
13 ---- The Church at Fayetteville, Drive home
19 ---- Drive to Putney, KY
20 ---- Putney Bible Church, Putney, KY,
23 ---- Drive to IL
23-25 ---- Visit Pastors
26-28 ---- IFCA Church Extension, Springfield, IL
28-30 ---- IFCA Convention, Springfield, IL

July
1-2 ---- IFCA Convention, Springfield, IL
3 ---- Drive Home
6-9 ---- Administrators retreat, BMW office
12-21 ---- Candidate Orientation, BMW
15 ---- Neighborhood Meeting
12-16 ---- Representatives Retreat, BMW
22-25 ---- Bible Conference, Oakland Mills Community Church, Mt.Pleasant, IA

August
5-6 ---- BMA Retreat, Lawrenceville, GA
10-11 ---- Drive to Arkansas
11-14 ---- With Lowery’s, Bella Vista, AR
15-22 ---- Vacation, Branson, MO
23 ---- Drive home
28 ---- Church Outing, Gainesville, GA

May Stepping Stones

Smith Stepping Stones
Psalm 37:23-"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in his way."

“IMPACT THROUGH INTERCESSION.”

May 9, 2010

Dear Friends,

April was a busy travel month for us and we were only home for four days. We began in Lancaster, PA and Richmond, VA which we reported on in our last update. On Monday, April 12 we drove to Belton, MO where we stayed a few days with our friends, Matt and Penny Mills. Jerry spent some time on campus at Calvary Bible College and spoke in Chapel there on Friday, April 16. We left after lunch that day and drove to Jerseyville, IL where Jerry taught a Change Workshop at Grace Community Baptist Church on Friday night and Saturday. Jerry also spoke at the church on Sunday Morning. We enjoyed fellowship all weekend with Pastor Dave and Phyllis Georgeff.

From Jerseyville we drove to Morton, IL where we attended a conference for Pastors of Small Town and Country Churches sponsored by RHMA (Rural Home Mission Association). We met many pastors and visited with many friends, some from our days at Citadel Bible College. Our next stop was Elkridge, MD where Jerry taught a Change Workshop at Faith Bible Church on Saturday. We spent Saturday night with Dave and Kathy Kelley in Lusby, MD. We have been friends with Dave and Kathy since the late 1980's when Dave pastored churches in Maine. On Sunday, April 25, Jerry spoke in the morning at Calvary Bible Church, where they are presently serving. On Sunday evening he spoke at Camp Springs Community Church in Clinton, MD.

We enjoyed spending Monday and Tuesday with our friends, Sam and Jackie Martz in Thurmont, MD. We drove by Camp David and saw some beautiful scenery in the area. April 28-30 we visited Jerry’s sister, Laurette, and Karl in Virginia Beach, VA. It was so special to be with Laurette's family. While we were in Viriginia Beach Jerry had lunch with John Seaton who is joining BMW to have a ministry to military. On Friday he spent time with IFCA Chaplain Dale Parker at Norfolk Naval Base and had the privilege to tour the George W. Bush Aircraft Carrier.

Our three week trip ended in Golden Valley, NC where we stayed with Amy’s sister and family. On Sunday, May 2, we had a memorial service at the little church and cemetery where Amy’s parents are buried. Many of Amy's relatives attend this yearly service and we have a wonderful time catching up on family news along with great group singing and lots of special music. Jerry always brings a message from the Word and we end by singing "God Be With You Till We Meet Again". It is a wonderful time to remember and be thankful for our wonderful Christian heritage.

Our Prayer Force now numbers 285 and we are so thankful to have this many people who are praying for us daily. We are so encouraged and strengthened every morning to know that this many people are praying for our day. Jerry is sending out a daily prayer request on Twitter and Facebook as a reminder to pray. If you would like to join our prayer team or get these daily prayer requests, just let us know. We are trusting God to give us 300, or even more, in our Prayer Force soon.

We are looking forward to being home during May and we both have some projects we would like to get done at home and in the office. Pray that we will be able to accomplish these tasks and also get some rest before we start traveling again in June.

Serving with Joy,


Jerry and Amy

PRAISE:

1) For our Prayer Force who encourage us every day.
2) For the blessing of teaching God’s Word.
3) For God’s continual provision financially even during economic hard times.
4) For the blessing of having wonderful family and friends.
5) Amy’s lower back pain is better.
6) The two Change Workshops taught in April went very well.
7) That we will get lots of projects completed while we are home.

PRAYER:

1) For our Prayer Force to be completed--we need 15 more to reach 300.
2) For some churches and individuals to support our present church planters in the Southeast.
3) For several more couples to do church planting in the Southeast.
4) For more opportunities to teach the Change Workshops.
5) For our own walk with the Lord and growth in our spiritual lives.
6) For all of our grandchildren to love God and follow after Truth.
7) For opportunities to build relationships with neighbors now that the weather is warmer.
8) For needed employment for our Son-in-law Todd.
9) For wisdom and planning for events we are trying to schedule in September.

SCHEDULE:

May
1 ---- drive to North Carolina
2 ---- Golden Valley Memorial Service, NC, drive home
3-31 ---- At Home
15 ---- Amy attends Mother/Daughter Banquet.
18 ---- Executive meeting with Neighborhood Homeowners
22 ---- Potluck dinner with our neighborhood
25 ---- Lunch with IFCA Regional, Birmingham, AL
June
2 ---- Drive to Tennessee
6 ---- Lambert Community Church, Lambert, TN
7 ---- Drive home
10 ---- Drive to Columbia, SC, Dinner with Chaplains
11-12 ---- Workshop at The Church at Fayetteville
13 ---- The Church at Fayetteville, Drive home
14-18 ---- Synergy at BMW office
19 ---- Drive to Putney, KY
20 ---- Putney Bible Church, Putney, KY, drive to Tennessee
23 ---- Drive to IL
26-28 ---- IFCA Church Extension, Springfield, IL
28-30 ---- IFCA Convention, Springfield, IL
July
1-2 ---- IFCA Convention, Springfield, IL
3 ---- Drive Home
5-9 ---- Administrators retreat, BMW office
12-21 ---- Candidate Orientation, BMW
12-16 ---- Representatives Retreat, BMW
22-25 ---- Bible Conference, Oakland Mills Community Church, Mt. Pleasant, IA