This is what we had dreamed about doing before we’d moved in!  Now it is a sweet reality.

Do you ever daydream about heaven?  Do you think about what it will be like to sit at Jesus’ feet and worship Him, talk with Him, and spend eternity with Him?  One day that will be a reality for those that have received Christ as their Savior.  It could happen today – in a moment.  It will be far better than sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch – but it will be just as real!  So park your thoughts in the driveway of heaven and keep on dreaming and living for that Day!  One Day it will be actuality – it will be Home!  Jesus is coming soon!

If you have questions about heaven and wonder what it will be like or what we’ll do, I would highly recommend Randy Alcorn’s book simply entitled, Heaven.

What do you think about most in reference to being in heaven?

Pastor’s Encouragement:  Pray that your pastor will not give in to discouragement but will deal with inevitable criticism and conflict by committing himself into the hands of God, who judges righteously.

Husband’s Encouragement:  Remember, “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4:8). Present your husband before others today in a strong, positive manner. Slip in a good word for your spouse. Resist the urge to correct or belittle him in front of others. 

With love from my country porch,

“Hi!  How are you?” That is a customary greeting in our country, but one that is probably abused. Last Sunday in my husband’s sermon, he gave a great challenge: Instead of asking someone how they’re doing, why not ask them instead, “How have you seen God’s grace in your life today?” I love that!

Paul often started his epistles out talking about God’s grace. We read in Philippians 1:2 –

A little peek inside MY kitchen! (Well, it’s mine and God’s!)

Yesterday was a big day for the Cunningham household, because WE CLOSED ON OUR HOUSE! This was huge because there were little issues that only the Lord could answer – getting the correct paper with the correct insignia on it to the right person at a specific office. Sounds like I made that up, right? Um, nope. It was so detailed it was that ridiculous. We had 30 days from the time we signed the contract for it to close and our mortgage rate not go up. Yesterday was the 30th day!

I had determined that our builder was going to hear at closing my story of how God answered my prayer for a house. Of how He answered in the perfect time and brought us to the perfect house for us. I shared my story and he graciously rejoiced with us.

What details are you looking to the Lord to take care of today? It’s not so hard that it’s beyond His reach, nor is it too simplistic for Him to care about. He is involved and at work, and He will do it in His time so that He will get the glory. Don’t try to figure it out yourself. Keep waiting. Keep trusting. He is at work.

Last Sunday night, we worked together as a church on “Operation Salvation.” We packed approximately 20,000 CD’s in their jackets, then loaded them into boxes so that these Gospel stories in French could be delivered to Haiti this Christmas. What a blessing to see the Body of Christ coming together to work and get the Gospel to Haiti!

Take a look at some of our workers…

(I think my husband is wondering why I’m not in my chair working!)

Young children, teenagers, young adults and adults all worked together!

Neither one of them is able to stand up to do this kind of work, and sweet Hope had hurt her hand recently and so was hindered there also. But did they just stay home? No way. They were there to support us, and I’m sure also pray for those that will receive these CD’s in a few months. They were as much an encouragement to my heart as the fastest packer there Sunday night!

I’m not desiring to lift the Carter’s up, and they wouldn’t want that, but as I saw them come in, Rod with the help of his cane, and Hope with her bandaged hand, I couldn’t help but thank the Lord for them and their faithfulness to the Lord and Boones Creek Bible Church. They are there every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. They are faithful to special meetings, and extra-curricular activities. If they are absent, you can bank on it that something pretty extreme has happened in their world. Is it easy for them to get there? No. They are both dealing with trouble walking. Do they hear everything going on? No, but they want to be there to hear as much as possible of the preaching of the Word. Do they always feel like being there? I’m sure not, but they dismiss their feelings and get there just as often as they are able, which is about 95% of the time.

If they can get there with their struggles, how valid are our excuses? I know not everyone is able to just will themselves to church. There are many very sick people. But I’m thinking of well-bodied people that come up with every reason under the sun to miss church. There are

How can a thing become an Old Friend? I’m not really sure, but this sewing machine was my Old Friend. I got it in 1976 when I was a senior in high school. I paid $100 for the machine and the cabinet; a lot of money for an 18 year-old working a part-time job.

I wanted to learn to sew and now with my New Friend at my side, I enrolled in an evening Singer class where there were only a few students. Each student in the class had ample individualized time with the instructor because of the ratio. I learned tips and tricks that got me started on the path to becoming a beginner seamstress. My Old Friend never laughed when I sewed my corduroy skirt with the knap going in opposite directions, or when I had to rip out the same sleeve three times to get it to hang straight. No, it just kept helping me to make beautiful things from pieces of fabric all those years.

I wish I knew how many miles I put on that Old Friend! In the past 37 years, I’ve made dresses, blouses, skirts, aprons, curtains, baby dresses, doll dresses, bags, a partial quilt (still working on that one!), pillow cases, napkins, a coat and many Halloween outfits. I taught my daughters to sew on my Old Friend. It has given me hours and hours of sewing pleasure with very little mechanical difficulties. It was a faithful Old Friend.

Yesterday I sold my Old Friend.  Gulp. I felt like a piece of me left with it. It probably sounds silly to others, and frankly, I was surprised at the emotion that gathered in my throat when I watched it being carried out to the buyer’s car. We’d had many hours together, me and my Old Friend. I was young when we became acquainted. It got me through many seasons in my life.

Hmmmm, kind of reminds me of a mentor, a discipler, if you will. A disciple sticks with another person to teach, encourage, and be there through the seasons of their life. They don’t laugh or ridicule when mistakes are made; they are faithful to stay by your side, cheering and motivating the next right step. I’ve had mentors like that – my mom, another pastor’s wife and others. But I wonder to how many women have I been an Old Friend? There’s nothing like a that kind of confidant, who will instruct and guide, pray and help, smile and encourage through every stage and phase you go through.

My “Old Friend” was just a machine, but my real “Old Friends” were anything but mechanical – they dealt with me from the heart. That’s the best part of an Old Friend. Your hearts are connected in Christ. A true friend will always point you back to Him.

Are you being an Old Friend to another woman? I don’t mean just a buddy, I’m talking about discipling someone. No matter your age, there’s someone younger than you are that needs just what you have to share – your heart. Won’t you prayerfully consider someone to whom you could be an Old Friend?

Oh, and by the way, a dear lady gave me a new sewing machine recently. It does all kinds of fancy stitches and tricks! I see a new friendship in the making!

Have you had someone who invested in your life and is an “Old Friend” to you? I’d love to hear how she impacted your life!

With love,