One More Class.

I am one class away from finishing my first year of ISOM (Illinois School of Ministry). If you would have told me last year at this time I would be were I am at, I would not have believed you. Ministry was never a part of my plan. But GOD's plan is much different than mine. I am glad that I am obidient and went to school. It has been very fullfilling, to say the least. The fellowship with other people going through the same thing is an amazing thing. Being able to bounce ideas and thoughts off of each other. Love it.

I need to be clear about something. Just because I take these classes and pass all the tests, doesn't mean I'll be a pastor. I still have an interview process to go through. They want to make sure that this is a call from GOD for my life. So I have the oppurtunity to get certified to be a pastor. I really feel like I am called to this. I feel that if I wasn't it, GOD would have put a stop to it, long ago. I don't think that He would have kept me going, if He didn't plan on using me. We shall see. Like I said, GOD's plan is different than mine.

We recently had a family reunion, and each of the leaders of the families got up to tell what has been happening in thier lives and thier childrens lives. My Mom went through everyone in our family, but she forgot to mention about my schooling. I was like it's no big deal. Then she stood up and asked me to tell everyone what I am doing, by going to ISOM. It made feel really good that she remembered, because it is very important to me. I am not trying to brag about what I am doing, I just wanted to share what GOD was doing in my life! So I praise GOD for my family. My immediate and extended family. I love them all. May I show the love of Jesus to them when they look at me or talk with me!

Prayer

I have been volunteering at our local hospital since November 2010. During this time, I have come to meet and get to know some of the "regulars". People I see everyday or every other day. Especially the ones that need rides up to cardiac rehab. If I see them come through the front door and I recognize them, I jump right up and head over and get them a wheel chair.

For the past several months there has been an older couple that I have been assisting to cardiac rehab. I push the wife in the wheel chair and her husband walks behind. They are a very nice couple and I really enjoy helping them out. I love when I see them come through the door, because I know that they are going to make my day a bit brighter.

Last Wednesday (August 24) I noticed the wife come through the door, but she was without her husband. I asked her where he was, and she told me that his back had been hurting and he couldn't make it today. She told me that he was a bricklayer when he was younger and now he was suffering the consequences of that proffession. I told her that I would pray for him and his back, to get better. She sat upright and asked, "you would do that for him"? I told her of course I would. I told her we could all use a little more prayer couldn't we.

So for the past week, I have prayed for her and her husband. For God to heal his back.

So this past Wednesday (August 31) I saw the wife coming through the door and I walked over to get her a wheel chair, and guess what? Lo and behold here came her husband. I asked him how his back was feeling and he told me not the best, but he was going to give a shot at working out. I told him that I had been praying for him. He thanked me and he appreciated it, and off they went.

I guess the point of this story is, to be persistent in your prayers. If God doesn't answer right away, he will. All in His time, not ours. I thank God for this couple and for the ability to be able to pray for anyone that wants it. Praise GOD!