I figure everyone is tired of me saying wohoo!! So I found a new word.    yippers! lol

So, today was good as I am sure you guessed by now. A new door has opened for us! The East Texas Treatment facility is our newest addition. It is in Henderson Tx and I am so siked about it! at this point, I will have to pray that we can find the time and resources to fit this one in between all the other we have going on but I am sure we will get all that worked out.

Now, I am sitting at a hotel in Waco for the weekend. I am hoping to meet with a couple of chaplains and wardens while I am here but for the most part, I will be hanging out at the hotel trying to get work done. I got all these things scheduled and haven't had time to get details taken care of!

Have you ever had so much to do that you can't get motivated to do anything at all? to add to the problem, the hotel has satellite!! I don't have any channels at home so this is quite a challenge to turn the tv off an work. lol

Plus.... its quiet!! I am so used to having people with me now - it' just too weird!  Okay.. seriously, I need to quit playing on the internet and try to focus!

now... go serve your king - or call me and will give you work to do hehee....

 So much  to tell you!

Hunter and I got away for a couple of days and had a blast. I beat him in the go cart rides and the fish I caught is bigger than his but I am sure he will forgive me soon enough   We are plannig trips over the summer and I am excited to get some good quality time with him. I cannot believe he is going to high school this year! Time has flown by! Hunter is taller than I am now too. It's so weird watching your kids get taller than you!

Anyway, the calendar is filling up with prison events as well. The flood gates continue to be open and we are seeing more volunteers, funding and fruit!! It's beautiful!! WOOHOO!! 

Then new book is taking longer than I thought to write. It's weird how one year of your life can take a lifetime to write about! lol. Still, I know this is important and the urgency to do it creeps into my busy life reminding me to slow down. We are getting ready for two big prison events over then next month and Friday I head out to yet another opening door! I am blown away by all that God is doing and that I get to watch it take place. At the same time,I realize that the "down time" is even more crucial than the ministry time. I am hard headed but God most certainly got that point across to me a while back and I don't want to have to learn it the hard way again! 

I am telling you from experience, the enemy loves for you to stay busy - too busy! Even doing "God's work" Anything to keep you from being in God's presence. If we don't have that time to be filled, we can't give out. If we haven't allowed God time to heal us, we cannot help others be healed. Dont be a wounded warrior running into battle. Take the time, let God heal you and fill you! Then, you will be a mighty warrior - armored and ready for battle.

Sorry, didn't mean to lecture today. I didn't even get to the real point of my journaling today and now I am out of time! Bummer

Now.. go serve your KING! ( after you rest of course

The weekend was a true rollercoaster ride.  Up, ip, up.. down, down, UP Wohooo! Anyway, I am finding God has to keep teaching me the same things over and over! I found how my faith plumets when things happen I don't understand and then is catipulted to a new level after God reveals why. Of course it can't really be called faith if I only respond well to what I can see, right?

Anyway, Janet, Jordan and I got to the Prison early and ready to go. We were told that the classes were cancelled (again) and that we could not go in.  Now, the girls were suppose to meet with us to be tested with their scriptures. They had worked together to learn verses in order to make it into the Weekend Warrior Event.  I could not stand the thought of them going through the work and then be told the class was cancelled! The only hope we had of making it in was the chaplain going in with us and we had no way to contact him. So, we waited for two and a half hours outside praying that he would show up. He didn't. During that time, the sky was beautiful after raining all day and the weather was perfect. We stood outside the prison and worshipped while praying. Our fear was that the girls would not know we were there and think the classes were cancelled because of us. That made me so sad to think about.

God was precious to us as we heard the tapping coming from one of the windows in the distance. It was a group of our girls. We wear pink camo so the girls can tell us from a distance - yeah! They were waving like crazy and we waved back with tears. We were given the gift of knowing they saw us there.

Finally, we realized it was time to leave. We had a non refundable hotel stay so we (mostly me) pouted all the way back. I was a bit of a mess and my heart was breaking. We ate alot of comfort food and decided to try again in the morning even though our chances were very slim.

At 8am Sunday morning the chaplain called and asked if we could amke another trip out there. The unit is 3 and a half hours away from my house and even further for Jordan in Oklahoma. We had already been out there 3 days before and are going out there on the 28th-30th. I was so upset.  Anyway, I explained we couldn't and why and asked him if there was any way at all we could come that day if we waited it out. He said probably not but he would call the warden at home. Okay, the last thing we want to do is call a warden who might be sleeping on a Sunday morning but we were desperate   He called back within minutes announcing we could come at 1pm.  Around that time, I got a text from my hubby saying " someone will be there today that coudln't be there yesterday" I smiled and told the volunteers what he had sent. I was so hoping he was right.

When we got there the girls were beeming and telling us of how hard they prayed God would let us come back. They told of how they saw us outsise the gates the night before and prayed for us. Funny, they were praying for us, we were praying for them. Isn't that just like God?

38 girls came and ALL of them had their scriptures done. Two of them told us they would not have been able to come if we made it in the night before! How cool is that?

I couldn't understand why God would not move a mountain for us to go in - it turned out He was moving a mountain so those to girls could come in! 

I pray I remember this the next time I feel like pounting

Now... Go Serve YOUR KING!!!

My hubby is awesome. We celebrated our 16 year anniversary this past weekend. He planned the whole thing without telling me anything about where we were going or what we were doing. It was very romantic and very cool.  I love that man. He has a tendency to win my heart over and over when I least expect it. Anyway, we spent the weekend in an awesome Bed and Breakfast with shopping, food, Karaoke and a haunted train ride. Lol .  I will admit it was a bit creepy taking a train through the swamp in the pitch dark.  Anyway, we had an awesome  time and I feel so blessed.

Now, onto more spiritual things. Yesterday, we headed out to Gatesville for the Hilltop unit. We went out to do the announcement for the Weekend Warrior Event and t give the requirements. Well, almost a four hour drive and when we got there, we were told by a lady in the parking lot that they had cancelled all classes because they didn’t have enough staff. We went up anyway and started praying. I have shared before that classes get cancelled all the time and there is nothing we can do about it, it’s just a part of prison ministry.  Well, against all odds, they let us anyway! YEAH! The new chaplain seems VERY nice and very encouraging. He is even looking at letting us into Mt View!! WOOHOOO!!  I am telling you it has been like floodgates have opened since Oct! It is so exciting! Anyway, we had a precious time with the girls and you can tell the ones in attendance were so ready for hope! We will be heading back there Saturday to test them on the scriptures. I can’t wait to see them! Anne and Janet went on this trip with me. On the way home we discussed the spirit of heaviness over that place. We have decided we need more prayer coverage for our  weekend event. So, please be in prayer for us – May 28^th-30^th.

The women in Beaverton have started a Google group to stay accountable for the decisions they made over that very special weekend. I love seeing God at work – they are a very special group of women at that church and  I am so proud of them!

Two things don't together, short hair and super curly hair. It's just not a good look on me! Still... last week I got tired of my look and somehow dreamed up in my head that I might actually look good with short hair.. yep, I am an idiot. So, I went to the bathroom, picked up the scissors and hacked it off. Not really short - to the shoulders but still, I live in TX!!! It's humid and sticky here. So, I look like poodle. Not even a cute poodle. It's bad

Now, onto more important things

We are heading to Hilltop Prison Tuesday, then the following Saturday as well as the 28th-31st. I cannot believe how many doors are opening right now - yeah God! I even have enough volunteers now to divide into teams! Woohoo! 

Last but not even close to least, I have a few things for the women in recent retreats/luncheons. 

Hope Fellowship girls - I have lost your emails (except for Barbara) - I had them all in a file and lost it somehow- please write me again - SORRY!!! I am blessed to announce I am coming back for your 2010 retreat. I am so excited that God will let us spend another awesome weekend together and can't wait to see what He lays on our hearts this time!

Trinty Life - We get to finish what God started this past Saturday! Jordan and I both will be back for your retreat in September!!!

Beaverton Christian - WOW!!! I sent the bible studies off today and there were over 50 ordered plus the 34 I brought when I came! Looks like you are going to have quite a big group! I think over 40 in the actual class! I am sad I can't be there but I look forward to hearing all that God does! Oh, how I wish you guys were closer! I sent the lesson plans to your fearless leader yesterday - be praying for her!!!!  I was also told you had over 30 decisions made from te retreat. Judging from the emails and facebook messages, I think the number might even be higher. What a mighty God we serve and OH HOW HE LOVES US!

Ladies, can I just tell you what a privelege it is to have crossed journey's with you! I am so blessed to have been a part of what God is doing in your lives! Your stories are etched in my heart. Each email is a treasure to me and each prayer request is going before the throne! Thank you for allowing the honor of knowing you and walking this with you!!!

Now... Go serve your KING!

 Well JoEtta, it is finished! Wooohooo!

Last weekend was incredible and SO amazingly woven together by God. Who knew when the arrangements were made over 2 and a half years ago the perfect timing of God? There is so much to say and so little that can reallt be said. I am in awe of our God, His timing and His love for us.

It isn't my story to tell. Only the ladies at Beaverton Christian Church truly know the whole story of what God did. I have decided that it should stay that way - between them and their Father. All I know is He allowed me to peek in for a few days and watch His grace and love pour out. Oh how beautiful He truly is!

After the retreat was over, Tammy and I decided to go up to the beach with a few stops along the way to try and find Big Foot...lol. My son made me promise to look. It has been such an incredible busy season for me that taking a full day to hang out and look for seashells and go shopping was just the ticket! God blessed us with a beautiful room with an ocean view and  fireplace. It was such a relaxing time and boy did we need it!

Good news!!!  I am finally over my fear of flying. I suppose that God won't allow it for long if I am going to keep traveling at this pace anyway. Still, it is nice to finally look out the window and enjoy the view rather than think of how long it would take for the plane to actually crash from that high up. Seriously though, I am happy to finally be free of that fear!! YEAH GOD!  Besides, the women in Oregon were worth the almost 4 hour flight! ughh.. yeah heehee...

This weekend, Jordan and I head to Garland Tx Saturday for a Mother, daughter banquet and then Sunday, we meet up with all of our STF Ministry friends in Plano for a fundraiser. I am praying for God's provision as we seek a home for the girls. Please pray with us! We are in such need of a safe place for these women.

Letters are still pouring in frm our prison event. I have decided it is time to get someoene to take over the mail. I am getting to old We are still gaining volunteers and our books will be in next week! YEAH GOD!

That's all for now - have a great weekend and go serve your KING!

It was an amzing trip. It's Tuesday night and I just got in. My phone is going nuts and I have a ton of emails as well as snail jail mail (LOL) to catch up on so I figured this would be the best way to let people know what's going on.

Tonight, I am getting some rest, tomorrow I am spending the day with God and then my family and Thursday I will start to respond to all the emails, phone calls etc... SO please be patient with me!!! I NEED SLEEP

Until then.. I want to give a shout out to the women at Beaverton Christian Church in Oregon!! Can you believe what God did? I am in awe of Him all over again! You guys were so incredible- God is doing something so special! I sent the rest of your steps by email! lol - that means you have homework to do! ALso, the books are suppose to come in next week!!!  I cannot wait to see what God does with your church. You will be called " the repairer of broken walls"   WOW!!!!

Okay, I have got to get some rest now - I will try and write some of what happened tomorrow for those who prayed for us. I cannot thank you enough. It was SO evident that people were praying for us! THANK YOU!!!

He is SO awesome!!! YEAH GOD!

I have the greatest life in the world. I also have the greatest husband. He has truly been a rock. He has loved me through unlovable times and has beleived in me when no one else did. However, there is only one love that has ever been deep enough to heal my heart and make me complete.

Tonight, I just wanted to share my heart about what God has done. In Hosea God tells us that we no longer will just call Him Master but we will call Him Husband. Lately God has been showing me the word delight and how He delights in us. My favorite was In Isaiah 62:4, It reads "you will no longer be called desolate but will be called Hephizabah (His delight is in her) Oh how I love that! He loves and delights (takes pleasure) in us.

That heals rejected hearts and gives restoration to broken lives! No matter where you have been or who has hurt you or rejected you - HE... the GOD of the Universe takes great pleasure in you!!! Zephaniah 3:17.  

That's it, Just wanted to share that and pray that it blesses you as much as it blesses me!

Our Easter Weekend Warrior event was incredible. From the moment  the Set Them Free volunteers met, I felt a strong connection. These women have chosen to take the time away from their jobs and families to come share God’s message of love and hope with women in prison. How truly generous but what a small sacrifice compared to what Christ did for us.

I was excited but a little nervous when I shared my testimony, which was directly after we sang beautiful praise music with Sandy singing and Jordan on the guitar (they are both very talented).  I was nervous because I saw the looks of hopeless despair on the girls faces but excited because 10 years ago I was right where they are, feeling just as they were and I couldn’t wait to tell them what God had done for me in my life! My testimony may have sparked their interest and gave them a glimmer of hope, but it was Sandy that put them on fire for the Lord. God definitely speaks through her. With Sandy’s awesome ability to teach the truth of the Bible, and apply it to these girls’ lives in plain English, giving them the tools to fight the enemy; and how she guided us volunteers to assist them with small group discussion questions, we all witnessed the miraculous change in these women’s lives. The power of God’s grace and love permeated the room and there were so many tears of joy and cleansing it was remarkable. Their lives have been changed forever. Each volunteer played such a vital part of this four day journey. No matter what their testimony was, the love of God we share so deeply speaks for itself when these women see what faith in God can bring to their lives.  I wish everyone could experience this awesome experience.......Mandy Vobis

We had such a good time with the women on Central Baptist in Burkburnett this past weekend. Already the emails are coming in of all God has done and is doing. Jordan did an incredible job and I am so excited about what God is doing with her. She is only 19 and already a spiritual giant. We enjoyed worshipping, writing songs and just being silly together.

The weekend before that we had the most incredible time at the Woodman State Jail and I still haven’t figured out if the inmates or the volunteers enjoyed it more. There is no doubt God is changing hearts and lives. The Beauty for ashes ceremony has become my favorite thing we do now. So much healing!!! Yeah God!

I truly am so blessed (Asher- blessed)  that God has allowed me such incredible opportunities to be a part of such healing and freedom!! I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone’s!  

At the same time, there is so much heart ache. For every girl I get to watch be set free, there is another who is being torn into pieces by the enemy. There are so many things that I wish I could do to step in make it all stop. I realize that only God can do it – only He can save – only He can set free. Still, As I sit here today praying for God’s provision for a home for these precious girls, my heart breaks that I can’t take them in. As we have prayed for a home and are STILL believing God will provide, one of the girls I have such a burden for is about to be released with no place to go but back to her old environment.  She has pleaded with me to find a place and all the doors are shutting.

I know God loves her even more than I do, I know He is with her. I am just frustrated at the fact  that so many people could help and won’t. We, as the church are so eager to go on a mission trip once a year but refuse to help the people in our own communities.  So many fear helping “criminals” and forget that we are criminals too. We have all broken God’s law at some point and He gave us grace – He saved us. Now, we take that grace and horde it as if there will be a drought. It was meant to extend to others – to meet them where they are. Ughh… I just needed to vent…. Sorry1

Anyway, I need to get back to my time with God now – Please pray for provision for these girls.  

Also, in case I don’t get to write again before Friday, I am headed to a retreat in Oregon this weekend. Please be in prayer for the women there and for Tammy and I. I hate flying J