Archive for the ‘Martha Marie’ Category
Fuel
This is where i will be Thursday – Saturday this week representing Southern Wesleyan University.
Martha Marie and the kids will be going with me as well. I have been to his event every year since 2001 when I first worked for the department that puts this event on.
This is a mountain top experience for me each year as it brings opportunity to hear God’s Word geared for ministers, an opportunity to reconnect with friends and ministry leaders, as well as learn some life tips on spirituality in personal devotion to God, marriage, family, and ministry.
Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit
Last week I took 3 days off of work to watch the kids while Martha Marie attended this:
Check out the line up here.
She was able to listen to this guy speak.
She was able to have a meal with this person.
She had the opportunity to meet this person.
She had an amazing time with those that she attended the conference with as well.
I had an amazing time with the kids and I benefited much from what she had to share from with me from what she learned during her trip. I have a heavier heart for orphans world wide and a more fresh passion for parenting and loving our own children.
Leap Year
On February 29 every 4 years we make up the loss of a full day to maintain lunisolar calendars. Read more about leap year on Wikipedia.
I believe that Joshua 10:12-13 is why we have leap year so that God can display His glory and majesty while breaking His own rules of science. He can do that and anything He wants because He is God!
Joshua 10:12-13 (New International Version)
12On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel:
“O sun, stand still over Gibeon,
O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
13 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on [a]its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.
Joshua may have had his science wrong, but his heart was pure. He probably thought that the earth was flat and that the sun revolved around the earth. He asked God to do a ridiculous thing that defied His laws of nature (AKA a miracle).
We have asked the sun to stand still in many ways in the past few years for our:
- Family
We will officially adopt our son on June 9, 2009! There were several miracles that took place in order for this to be possible. We were told at 1 time that he would possibly not make it out of the hospital alive before he came into our care. He was once on 6 medicines and way underweight. He is now healthy, on zero medicines, and is on track for his weight with no complications. We were even told once that it would be impossible to adopt him. God made the sun stand still in so many ways and He gets glory for it!
- Health
Miracle after miracle took place in the revealing, the diagnosis, the correction, and healing of Martha Marie’s brain and gall bladder surgeries in 2008!Many of you helped us beg God to make the sun stand still through prayer, volunteering, child care, meals, financial giving, and encouragement and we can never thank you enough!
- Ministry
We have felt a calling to church planting in the past year or so. We don’t know what that means yet, but we have spent the past 2 years preparing for it through books, blogs, attending church services, conferences, and the things I am learning at my current employment.I currently do not have plans to leave Southern Wesleyan University or our current church (First Wesleyan Church, Greenville). I am however asking God to make the sun stand still and do something absolutely ridiculous through our personal ministry to the least of these. I am not satisfied until our family can make a difference for others in the name of Jesus so that people can walk from life to death. This will probably mean bivocational ministry (working my full time job while doing ministry). Our current church wants to start a new service of some type. This may be where this mentality of planting ends up, even if it does not result in a church plant. It may just mean planting a new service.
In February, Martha Marie began directing Caroline’s Promisein South Carolina. There are 143 million orphans worldwide. Caroline’s Promise exists to educate and make people aware of how they can make a difference in the life of one of them.
The problem is not that there are 143 million orphans. That is the outcome of a variety of circumstances. The problem is that some good people are doing nothing about it. Thank you for those that have supported orphans through your prayers, giving, volunteering, and/or attending the fundraising banquet in April. The banquet was fully underwritten by your generous giving and $9,000 was raised in addition on the night of the banquet to help orphans worldwide.
Several years ago, Martha Marie felt the calling to pursue playing the guitar. She felt like a fish out of water not knowing what to do about a good quality guitar and not knowing how to play. After brain surgery, life will never be the same for us. Life is much more purposeful now. It was go time. We asked the sun to stand still to provide a guitar and lessons. God sent an angel (you know who you are) to provide lessons and help us find the guitar she needed. Just 9 months later after starting lessons, our pastor invited Martha Marie way outside of her comfort zone to start playing guitar and leading a few songs each Sunday morning as a worship leader in our church.
If times are dark for you now or the storm is unbearable, ask God to make the sun stand still so you can march to freedom because of what Christ did on the cross for you to claim redemption for His plan for your life.
If times are peachy and tribulations are not in sight, take advantage of the opportunity to be on the offense and destroy the enemy’s (Satan) plans by asking the sun to stand still so you can march to victory.
Will you sacrifice an evening and come and hear how we can make a difference for the orphans of this world?
Caroline’s Promise
James 1:27 says “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
There are 143 million orphans across the globe and as the Body of Christ it’s time we come together and take the responsibility God has given us.
My heart breaks over the need of orphans and because of this I have agreed to head up and direct a ministry here in South Carolina called Caroline’s Promise. Caroline’s Promise has been an established non-profit ministry in North Carolina for five years, and we have felt the Lord place it on our hearts to expand into South Carolina.
Our vision is to see many children find forever homes, but most importantly our prayer is that they will find everlasting hope by accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. In order to accomplish this, we want to help churches, families, and individuals all get involved and do their part in making a difference in the lives of orphans across the globe. Caroline’s Promise not only wants to educate people about the need of orphans but wants to provide financial support to families who are in the adoption process in South Carolina and offer prayer and encouragement along the way. Churches also have a great opportunity to partner with orphan projects in their community as well as around the world. Getting involved with mission trips that Caroline’s Promise leads every year to the countries of Guyana, Guatemala, and Uganda is one example of the many opportunities that exist.
There are plenty of opportunities for volunteers, prayer intercessors, and financial giving in this ministry. I invite you to join me in taking part in this grassroots movement and consider getting involved in the 1st Annual Seeds of Hope Banquet to be held April 14, 2009 at The University Dining Commons on the campus of Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC. For more information go to www.carolinespromise.net or contact marthamariesmith@carolinespromise.net
One year ago today….
March 28……exactly one year ago today I received a phone call telling me that I had two brain aneuryms…..talk about a call changing your life, it definitely did!
I woke up this morning thinking about this past year….what I’ve learned…what God has taken our family though….the amazing grace that He has shown every step of the way…and I have to admit I was extremely thankful. Thankful that I am alive….thankful that He did miracle after miracle in our lives this past year….thankful that He taught me to never take a day for granted. I’ve learned that we are only here for a very short time….we’ve got to make it count! Do we realize how much is at stake?!? Do we as Christians truly get it? I’m sure most of know exactly what the Great Commission is, but does knowing what it says affect our actions in any way!??! I guess for me I had to come to the point where I thought there was a chance I might be going to Heaven sooner than I thought in order for me to cherish life and cherish the purpose God put me on this earth for….we’re here to make disciples and to gloify God…..at least that’s the nutshell I put it in…so how am I doing that every day?
Right before I had brain surgery last May I felt God gave me an overwhelming peace that I was going to be completely fine. That peace was amazing, but it also made me begin to think about life after brain surgery….what did God want me to do? What was His reason for keeping me on earth longer? What did He want me to accomplish? I felt very strongly that one thing I needed to do was finally learn how to play the guitar….I had felt for awhile that I was supposed to and I had played around with it, but I had never been really committed…until after brain surgery…I’ve been taking lessons from a friend who has been so gererous in giving me free lessons for the last 9 months. Tomorrow at church I will lead worship and play the guitar…..I didn’t really try to time it to this exact week-end…it just worked out that way. Honestly I never thought I would get to this point. To the point that I was willing to step out of my comfort zone and do what I felt called to do…..I had been completely satisfied in playing in front of my kids stuffed animals. They seemed to enjoy it and so did I…it was a win/win….why play in front of actual people?! 
Especially when it scares me to death!??! Because God wants me to….I don’t even have to understand anything beyond that…I just need to step out of my comfort zone because that’s what God wants and I don’t need a better reason than that. Am I slightly crazy? YES! Everyone who is a Christian and follows Christ is seen as crazy at times, because we do things that sometimes just don’t make sense…but God’s ways are higher…they are better…and they ALWAYS make perfect sense…
The other thing I’m doing is directing a ministry here in SC called Caroline’s Promise….it is so beyond my comfort zone that it is almost funny! I am WAY in over my head, but that’s ok….this is God’s thing…I’m just along for the ride….he’s teaching me a lot in and through it…definitely stretching me and it’s not very comfortable, but I know without a doubt that He’s going to do great things through this ministry…He already has in NC and now He’s going to blow us away with what He has ahead for SC! Lives will be saved….children will be loved…we are reclaiming Hope for orphans! What’s really funny is that what gave me such a heart for this ministry is from going through foster care this past year with our little guy that we are in the final stages of adopting….and I remember how deciding to do foster care was such a HUGE step for us, but now look where we are because God gave us the strength to say yes and go for it!!
So I sum up this past year with this verse….”For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you…plans to bring you hope and a future.”
And I end with this question…what has God been challenging you to do…how does He want you to step out of your comfort zone?!!? Whatever it is, DO IT!!! There is sooooo much joy, peace, and hope ahead for you and your family if you do it!! Trust me…I speak from experience
2009….what’s ahead?!
Happy New Year!!! It was an interesting new year’s this time around….my mind was full of questions…what will this year hold? If 2008 taught us anything it’s that we truly don’t know what each day will hold, but we KNOW who is in control…we KNOW who holds everything in the palm of His hands….we KNOW who is faithful!!!
So…what are my resolutions for this year? Honestly it’s one thing….to draw as close as I can to Jesus Christ….because the closer I get to Him, the better EVERYTHING will be! Do I mean that things will just be wonderful all the time? No…but I do mean that no matter what I’m facing I will have God’s hope, His peace, His joy even….He is faithful! I want to shout that all over because He took us through some amazing things last year…and as tough as they were, I hope we came out stronger…I know that we’re different from this time last year…we’ve grown a lot….I hope this time next year we can say the same thing.
I had a friend several weeks ago share something with me, and as she talked, the lack of hope she had broke my heart. I realized that she was just one of millions of people who have no hope, no peace, nothing. Why? Because they don’t have Christ in their lives….so who is going to tell them? Who is going to be Jesus to them this year of 2009? So…do you have anyone that comes to mind that fits the description of my friend? What part are you going to play in their lives this year? Even if if you are someone that has a hard time verbally telling someone about Christ, remember that it is your life that will speak the loudest to them. Pray that they will see Christ in you…who knows what seeds that God will plant because of your life this year? Something to think about….
The Passy is Gone!
It’s the end of an era. One that was cute and will never be forgotten. One day we will deeply miss the passy filled days, but for now we are happy to say that the passy is no more.
God Answers Prayer!!!!
A miracle happened today! There’s no other way to describe it….God has moved mountains big and small in our lives, especially in the last eight months, and He did it again today! I wish I could give all the details, but since I can’t, I’ll just say that this day surpassed everything we were hoping for!!! I am such a huge believer in prayer….prayer works, it is powerful, and it changes things!!! I have no doubt that it’s only because the huge amount of prayer that has gone up that we got our miracle today!
THANK YOU for every single prayer that all of you prayed…..we are just so full of praise for our Heavenly Father! When I found out the good news this morning I literally wanted to sing, cry, and dance all at the same time for the incredible thing that the Lord has done…maybe I caught a glimpse of how David felt at times throughout the Bible.
We serve a mighty God….we give Him ALL the glory and praise for the wonders He has done, is doing, and continues to do in our lives….it’s an amazing adventure, and I’m sure He has a lot more GREAT things in store!
There is always HOPE!
It’s been awhile since I last blogged….not because I haven’t had anything to say, but maybe just trying to get myself and family normalized again after the last crazy eight months or so of our life…..let’s just say that a new addition to our family, brain surgery, and gall bladder surgery in the same year might make a familya little…umm..well crazy! You feel like you’re losing your mind at times..no pun intended
We are now at another big event happening in our lives….somewhat like a crossroads except for the fact that it’s not our choice which path we take…God pretty much has the say on this one…like He always does! I would go into detail about this, but I can’t. I will say though that our family once again covets your prayers in a big way! My biggest prayer request is that we will be able to “trust in the Lord with ALL our heart”…do you know how hard that really is to do? I discovered during the whole brain surgery ordeal that without God helping me, I cannot trust Him completely… not 100%. Maybe for some people that is one of the easier things to do….I wish it was for me. How do you put something in God’s hands that you love and care so much about and not worry at all or ever try to take it back? That’s impossible, right? Thank goodness that God knows how to work with the impossible!
I ask that you cover us in prayer on the 30th of October…pray that God will work miracles, Satan will be defeated, and through it all, God will be glorified in a magnificent way!!
Thank you already for the prayers that I know will be prayed on our behalf….prayer changes things….boy, have I seen that firsthand over and over again!
And may I just say one last thing…..I am so THANKFUL for these crazy months we’ve had….I can truly say that God IS who He says He is!!!! There is a God, and He loves us like crazy……Eddie and I would not have made it through this season without Him, and you know what? Hard times DO make you stronger in Christ! So…as we have an election coming up, as our economy continues to nosedive, as we are fearful as to the unknown that’s ahead, may I just say that God is still the King of Kings, and He’s still in control, and He’s still faithful, and merciful, and loving, and still our complete HOPE! Praise the Lord that I’m the daughter of such an amazing King!!!!