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This has been a very busy couple weeks. On Tuesday, we (Dawn - NILMDTS Coordinator and me) gave our presentation on meeting the needs of bereaved parents, to the nursing staff at Wood County Hospital. There was a lot of preparation and a lot of battling the computer glitches plaguing my plans. (Yes...the glitches continued and even spread to my printer! We prayed and persevered, and I compromised with purple ink when the printer in a fit of utter defiance refused to print in black ink.) The brochures were printed...the presentation pages bound, and all was well. Dawn gave a beautiful presentation about NILMDTS (I am so thankful for her presence and for her passion for bereaved parents) and I shared our family's journey along with some encouragement for the staff on ways they can best support grieving parents. We were greatly encouraged by our day at Wood County Hospital, who incidentally has one of the most compassionate and attentive OB nursing staffs in Northwest Ohio (no, I'm not just saying that!).
A substitute covered for me at the school where I am employed as an educational paraprofessional. A friend was picking up James from school (It turns out the glitches are contagious because her car wouldn't start when it was time to get him. A kind neighbor gave her a ride, so James was picked up from school. And again, all was well.) Grandma took the next shift until Tim came home from work, juggled dinner, homework, and getting Timothy home from practice. And me...from the seminar at Wood County, I travelled to Liberty Center United Methodist Church to give a presentation to the Women's Society. Two speaking engagements in one day is quite an event! So, miraculously...we all arrived to each scheduled location safely and on time!
Liberty Center is the small town where my parents grew up. In a small town, everyone knows everyone else. And no matter how old you are, you are referred to in regards to your family...who your parents, grandparents, etc. are. So, when I was introduced to the lovely ladies, my aunt (also from Liberty Center) announced me as the daughter of Kathy B______ and Patrick K____. Sometimes, I feel a little lacking in heritage and family connection. My extended family doesn't see each other a lot. My parents were divorced when I was little. My father lives near Chicago, and my mother passed away almost two years ago. But, Tuesday night there was a feeling of mystical heritage and connection in the air. The person who invited me to share that evening is married to the man who was the best man in my parents' wedding. At my mother's funeral, he handed me a picture of my parents' wedding. It is the only copy I have. I shared the story of Faith, Grace, and Thomas, a couple songs, and a little about Sufficient Grace Ministries. I felt so much love and encouragement from the wonderful women at this beautiful little church. It was like the body of Christ should be...it felt like family...true family.
After my little testimony, a lovely lady asked me the question I have heard almost daily in the past year, "Has anyone ever told you that you look just like your mother?" She said that she was my mother's teacher when mom was a girl. Heritage. Connection. I smiled, feeling comforted by the mention of mom...as if somehow it made it seem like she was looking down from heaven and part of the evening.The mention of her name made her seem....closer, less gone. And I was honored, as always that I have the privilege of resembling her.
What a beautiful blessing the day was. Thank you to the staff at Wood County Hospital for their warm reception, their willing hearts, and the tireless courage to show compassion that they display in the face of grief. And thank you to the women of the United Methodist Church in Liberty Center for blessing me with the love of family... the family we share as children of the King.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Glitches
Every computer in this house with ministry information has crashed in the last couple months. It began with my main computer...the one with all ministry stuff and personal family stuff, including all our pictures, which were not backed up. With little money to replace the necessary computers, and even less time to meet our Women's Edge Newsletter deadline and prepare for the upcoming Wood County Hospital Seminar, I was feeling a little overwhelmed when the only working computer (my beloved laptop...given to me by my beloved brother) joined my desktop in shutting down completely.
I am not a connoisseur of computers. I am barely a novice. Technology overwhelms me. I can't even text on my cell phone. And there was stuff to be done. People needed to be emailed about the first annual Ride for Grace Fundraiser. Fliers needed to be printed and distributed. Speeches needed to be written. There was not time in the schedule for computer failure. I only had Saturday and Sunday...then it would be back to work, running to golf tournaments, soccer practice, homework, supper, bath and bedtime...the rituals of the school/work week. And at the end of the week, I had a Sufficient Grace Ministries for Women meeting to prepare for.
Alas, my plans were interrupted. Instead of working and preparing, I spent most of the weekend looking for the recovery CD for my computer, and then...while saying good-bye to my hard drive and currently installed software, I installed the recovery CD. This took the majority of the weekend. I was able to painstakingly send the rest of the fall newsletter to Becki, the compiler of the newsletter and co-editor, without the luxury of the software program we generally use to publish the newsletter.
The little glitches continued. There were last minute errors found Thursday night in the newsletter. There were schedule conflicts for the Friday meeting. I lost all previous conference speeches on my computer. So, I was forced to search for the hard copy in the disheveled heaps of my disorganization hidden in the basement office. My plan to stay up late on Thursday to finish the preparations for Friday's meeting disappeared when I realized that I am no longer able to physically endure staying up all night to meet a deadline, and going to work in the morning. I need my sleep now...the twenties are long gone, and I just can't ask my body to perform the impossible anymore. Never mind the effects of no sleep on my already overloaded mind. Some days, I'm barely functioning with six to seven hours sleep...I don't want to see what I could forget, misplace, or mentally break down over, without proper rest!
As much as it pains me to give up my plans, I cancelled Friday's meeting, and decided to just finish the newsletter when we were able. The new plan was to make copies Saturday morning (not part of the original plan because Timothy had a golf invitational, James had soccer, and the Ride for Grace Event was kicking off ...all on Saturday morning!). I already needed to be at three places at once. But, as you know His plans are not always our plans.
The rains came down, and the floods came up. After months of glorious sunshine, and no rain for our dry and barren land...the rains came rushing in, quenching the thirsty land, but washing away all of our plans. The golf invitational was cancelled (but not until we had already taken Timothy to the bus and he had ridden all the way to the golf course, and had to ride all the way back. Then we picked him up from the high school). James' soccer game was cancelled. And the First Annual Ride for Grace...cancelled.
All of my concerns about timing and deadlines were unnecessary. God was in charge of the way the days and timing would fall into place. He knows what each tomorrow holds. My plans are futile and can be washed away with the rain. But His plans hold the promise of secure purpose. It turns out that most of the people I was concerned about letting down by not meeting the Friday deadline for the newsletter had conflicts about meeting on Friday anyway, and were relieved the meeting was cancelled. Saturday morning opened up and when Becki came to deliver the newsletter copies, she stayed while they printed and helped fold and staple. We didn't have our staplers (of course), but we borrowed the church stapler (and staples!). I reinstalled the printmaster program while we waited, and all was right with the world!
There's a saying in golf and I'm not really sure exactly how it goes. But the gist of it is that "Golf is not measured by how well you play when everything is going as it should. Golf is a game that is measured by how well you can recover when everything is falling apart." And you know, I think life's like that, too. Our days are not going to always flow smoothly. Our plans sometimes will fall apart. Goals may not be met. But our God remains steadfast, immovable, unsurprised by the changes and seeming chaos around us. He is in control. And His plans will never fail.
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
~Proverbs 19:21
I am not a connoisseur of computers. I am barely a novice. Technology overwhelms me. I can't even text on my cell phone. And there was stuff to be done. People needed to be emailed about the first annual Ride for Grace Fundraiser. Fliers needed to be printed and distributed. Speeches needed to be written. There was not time in the schedule for computer failure. I only had Saturday and Sunday...then it would be back to work, running to golf tournaments, soccer practice, homework, supper, bath and bedtime...the rituals of the school/work week. And at the end of the week, I had a Sufficient Grace Ministries for Women meeting to prepare for.
Alas, my plans were interrupted. Instead of working and preparing, I spent most of the weekend looking for the recovery CD for my computer, and then...while saying good-bye to my hard drive and currently installed software, I installed the recovery CD. This took the majority of the weekend. I was able to painstakingly send the rest of the fall newsletter to Becki, the compiler of the newsletter and co-editor, without the luxury of the software program we generally use to publish the newsletter.
The little glitches continued. There were last minute errors found Thursday night in the newsletter. There were schedule conflicts for the Friday meeting. I lost all previous conference speeches on my computer. So, I was forced to search for the hard copy in the disheveled heaps of my disorganization hidden in the basement office. My plan to stay up late on Thursday to finish the preparations for Friday's meeting disappeared when I realized that I am no longer able to physically endure staying up all night to meet a deadline, and going to work in the morning. I need my sleep now...the twenties are long gone, and I just can't ask my body to perform the impossible anymore. Never mind the effects of no sleep on my already overloaded mind. Some days, I'm barely functioning with six to seven hours sleep...I don't want to see what I could forget, misplace, or mentally break down over, without proper rest!
As much as it pains me to give up my plans, I cancelled Friday's meeting, and decided to just finish the newsletter when we were able. The new plan was to make copies Saturday morning (not part of the original plan because Timothy had a golf invitational, James had soccer, and the Ride for Grace Event was kicking off ...all on Saturday morning!). I already needed to be at three places at once. But, as you know His plans are not always our plans.
The rains came down, and the floods came up. After months of glorious sunshine, and no rain for our dry and barren land...the rains came rushing in, quenching the thirsty land, but washing away all of our plans. The golf invitational was cancelled (but not until we had already taken Timothy to the bus and he had ridden all the way to the golf course, and had to ride all the way back. Then we picked him up from the high school). James' soccer game was cancelled. And the First Annual Ride for Grace...cancelled.
All of my concerns about timing and deadlines were unnecessary. God was in charge of the way the days and timing would fall into place. He knows what each tomorrow holds. My plans are futile and can be washed away with the rain. But His plans hold the promise of secure purpose. It turns out that most of the people I was concerned about letting down by not meeting the Friday deadline for the newsletter had conflicts about meeting on Friday anyway, and were relieved the meeting was cancelled. Saturday morning opened up and when Becki came to deliver the newsletter copies, she stayed while they printed and helped fold and staple. We didn't have our staplers (of course), but we borrowed the church stapler (and staples!). I reinstalled the printmaster program while we waited, and all was right with the world!
There's a saying in golf and I'm not really sure exactly how it goes. But the gist of it is that "Golf is not measured by how well you play when everything is going as it should. Golf is a game that is measured by how well you can recover when everything is falling apart." And you know, I think life's like that, too. Our days are not going to always flow smoothly. Our plans sometimes will fall apart. Goals may not be met. But our God remains steadfast, immovable, unsurprised by the changes and seeming chaos around us. He is in control. And His plans will never fail.
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
~Proverbs 19:21
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Sufficient Grace Ministries Update Fall 2008
Sufficient Grace Ministries Golf Outing 2008 ~ Thank You!
We are so thankful to everyone who gave of their time, talents, abilities, financial resources and most of all prayers to help support Sufficient Grace Ministries and to help make the Sufficient Grace Ministries Golf Outing (held on June 29, 2008) a success. There were twelve golf teams and a few individuals in attendance totalling about 50 people, with the top three teams receiving prizes. Winning Teams were: 1. Ned Sponsler Team; 2. Mark Feehan Team; 3. Tim Gerken Team. There was a dinner sponsor, three cart sponsors, a beverage sponsor, and nineteen hole sponsors. Thanks to the generosity of the teams, sponsors, individuals, and organizations who donated, more than three thousand dollars was raised to help support the continued efforts and outreaches of Sufficient Grace Ministries for Women, Inc. The money raised will be used to cover the costs of current projects: Dreams of You Memory Books, Burial Gowns, Bracelets, Comfort Bears, Hospital Education, Administrative Costs such as postage, mileage, printing supplies, computer, cell phone and internet expenses and future projects such as the purchase of CD recording equipment, the production of CDs, and the possible publishing of more products to offer comfort and support to bereaved parents.
Sufficient Grace Ministries Expands to Serve Canada!
Recently a Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep photographer and area coordinator from Canada contacted us and requested Dreams of You Memory Book Materials to offer to her clients and to distribute to the other photographers in her region. Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is an amazing organization, offering the services of professional photographers who freely volunteer their time to give bereaved parents a beautiful photo session with their babies. They provide a wonderful service and giving parents the priceless gift of a tangible memory... photos of their precious baby. For more information about NILMDTS, please visit: www.nowilaymedowntosleep.com .
Upcoming Events
September 13, 2008 - Ride for Grace: motorcycle ride to benefit Sufficient Grace Ministries. For more information, please contact sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com.
September 23, 2008 - Wood County Hospital Seminar for Caregivers and Hospital Staff (1:00p.m.-3:00p.m.) Kelly Gerken and Dawn Marshall will be presenting this seminar.
September 23, 2008 - Kelly will be Speaking and Singing at Liberty Center United Methodist Church at 7:00p.m.
Please continue to pray for all aspects of this ministry, including our upcoming events. Pray for the Lord's blessing, unity, protection, provision, wisdom, and guidance through His Holy Spirit as we seek to serve and honor Him. And, of course, as always, please pray for comfort for those who grieve the loss of their babies.
We are so thankful to everyone who gave of their time, talents, abilities, financial resources and most of all prayers to help support Sufficient Grace Ministries and to help make the Sufficient Grace Ministries Golf Outing (held on June 29, 2008) a success. There were twelve golf teams and a few individuals in attendance totalling about 50 people, with the top three teams receiving prizes. Winning Teams were: 1. Ned Sponsler Team; 2. Mark Feehan Team; 3. Tim Gerken Team. There was a dinner sponsor, three cart sponsors, a beverage sponsor, and nineteen hole sponsors. Thanks to the generosity of the teams, sponsors, individuals, and organizations who donated, more than three thousand dollars was raised to help support the continued efforts and outreaches of Sufficient Grace Ministries for Women, Inc. The money raised will be used to cover the costs of current projects: Dreams of You Memory Books, Burial Gowns, Bracelets, Comfort Bears, Hospital Education, Administrative Costs such as postage, mileage, printing supplies, computer, cell phone and internet expenses and future projects such as the purchase of CD recording equipment, the production of CDs, and the possible publishing of more products to offer comfort and support to bereaved parents.
Sufficient Grace Ministries Expands to Serve Canada!
Recently a Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep photographer and area coordinator from Canada contacted us and requested Dreams of You Memory Book Materials to offer to her clients and to distribute to the other photographers in her region. Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is an amazing organization, offering the services of professional photographers who freely volunteer their time to give bereaved parents a beautiful photo session with their babies. They provide a wonderful service and giving parents the priceless gift of a tangible memory... photos of their precious baby. For more information about NILMDTS, please visit: www.nowilaymedowntosleep.com .
Upcoming Events
September 13, 2008 - Ride for Grace: motorcycle ride to benefit Sufficient Grace Ministries. For more information, please contact sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com.
September 23, 2008 - Wood County Hospital Seminar for Caregivers and Hospital Staff (1:00p.m.-3:00p.m.) Kelly Gerken and Dawn Marshall will be presenting this seminar.
September 23, 2008 - Kelly will be Speaking and Singing at Liberty Center United Methodist Church at 7:00p.m.
Please continue to pray for all aspects of this ministry, including our upcoming events. Pray for the Lord's blessing, unity, protection, provision, wisdom, and guidance through His Holy Spirit as we seek to serve and honor Him. And, of course, as always, please pray for comfort for those who grieve the loss of their babies.
Monday, September 1, 2008
October - National Pregnancy Loss Month
Dear Friends,
To commemorate Pregnancy Loss Month in October, we will again have our annual memory page in our Fall Newsletter, The Women's Edge. If you would like to include your baby on our page, please email the information below to sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com, and we will include your baby and family. Deadline is September 10, 2008.
Baby's Name
Birth Date/ Went Home to Heaven
Parent's Name
One Line Message (optional)
Please remember and pray for the thousands of families who will face a loss this year, and for those who are grieving today with broken hearts and empty arms. For prayer or support for your own loss, please visit www.sufficientgrace.net or email us. To be added to our mailing list for The Women's Edge Newsletter, please email your address to: sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com.
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness"... ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
Even to your old age, I am He,
And even to gray hairs I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear;
Even I will carry, and will deliver you.
~Isaiah 46:4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
~2 Corinthians 1:3-4
To commemorate Pregnancy Loss Month in October, we will again have our annual memory page in our Fall Newsletter, The Women's Edge. If you would like to include your baby on our page, please email the information below to sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com, and we will include your baby and family. Deadline is September 10, 2008.
Baby's Name
Birth Date/ Went Home to Heaven
Parent's Name
One Line Message (optional)
Please remember and pray for the thousands of families who will face a loss this year, and for those who are grieving today with broken hearts and empty arms. For prayer or support for your own loss, please visit www.sufficientgrace.net or email us. To be added to our mailing list for The Women's Edge Newsletter, please email your address to: sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com.
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness"... ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
Even to your old age, I am He,
And even to gray hairs I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear;
Even I will carry, and will deliver you.
~Isaiah 46:4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
~2 Corinthians 1:3-4
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