West Ridge Women - Spotlight #2

I am Marcy Gates and for the past few months, I have been writing the articles you see on the West Ridge Women’s blog. I figured it was about time that you, dear reader, got to know me a bit better. So bear with me as I interview… myself.

As I said above, my name is Marcy. I live in Imperial with my husband, Donald and our three daughters: Amanda, Megan, and Peyton. We share our home with one ornery black lab named Ellie Mae. We have lived here since July of 2011. My family loves living in this area. It is like you are in the country (you can see cows from the dairy farm on Rt.22/30) but Target is only 10 minutes away!

I accepted Christ as my personal Savior in September of 2001. Growing up, I had always believed there was a God and that Jesus was his son. I just had never accepted that Jesus loved me or that he wanted a relationship with me. I wrote about how I came to know Christ for the blog in September and if you are interested in hearing more, please read, Thankful - How I Came to Christ.

I began attending West Ridge in 2003. When I first became saved, I had attended Northway Christian Community Church in the North Hills. However, after I moved to Walden Woods in 2003, they suggested I give West Ridge a try. It was the first church I visited since moving out to this area. The people were so friendly and welcoming that I kept coming back! Donald and I were married at West Ridge in 2005 by Pastor Tom. We moved in 2007 and left West Ridge but returned in 2011 after moving back to Imperial.

You will usually see me at the first service on Sunday mornings but I also serve in a few other ministries at West Ridge. My husband and I teach in the Children’s Ministry, North Country. We are teachers for kids in grades 4-6. Donald and I also hosted a Life Group back in October/November. In addition to that, I serve in the Ladies Ministry by assisting in the planning of different events for the ladies throughout the year as well as helping to create and maintain a social media presence.

A few months ago, the Women’s Ministry launched a Facebook page (“like” us here https://www.facebook.com/westridgewomen) and this blog site for communicating with the women of West Ridge. The goal of the Facebook page and blog is to keep all the ladies informed, connected, and inspired! We want the ladies to be kept abreast of upcoming events, get connected with other women at West Ridge, as well as inspire them in their daily walk with the Lord. I pray that the Facebook page and blog would always be pointing people directly to Christ.

The social media aspect of the Women’s Ministry has been so rewarding to me! I think I particularly enjoy letting the “writer” in me come out again. I wrote a lot in high school and my early twenties. About a year ago I felt like the Lord was speaking to my heart and telling me to start writing again. In response to that, I began keeping a prayer journal. The urge to share stories still was not completely quenched. I felt like God wanted me to share with all of you, the stories from my everyday life as a Christian woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, etc. Basically tell everyone how God has been moving and working in my life and the lives around me. There have been and are ups and downs that I simply cannot wait to share with you all!

Continuing what I started in my interview of Gloria Lattanzio, it is now time for the Super Six questions! Here we go…

1. Are you a morning person or night owl? Night owl for sure!
2. What was the last book you read? “Captivating” by John and Stasi Eldredge
3. What is your favorite way to relax? Does napping count? I really don’t get the opportunity to nap much but it does sound lovely! Seriously though, I enjoy sitting on my front porch either watching the girls play during the day or having some great conversations with my husband at night.
4. What would you have for the perfect meal? Oh my… That is hard because I loooove good food! Would Christmas dinner count? Every year we have ham, broccoli casserole, cheesy potatoes, coleslaw, and so much more. It is a feast!
5. What is your favorite Scripture to meditate on in times of stress? I have been really loving the Book of Isaiah right now. My favorite chapter is Chapter 41. Verse 10 is just so awesome: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
6. What is your favorite thing about West Ridge? It would be very hard to pick just one thing. West Ridge is such a great church! There is a wonderful mix of loving, positive people that attend. If you are feeling down before you walk in the door, you will be smiling on your way out. We are blessed with a remarkable leadership team. Pastor John and the elders are doing a fantastic job. There are so many different groups, classes, and activities going on that there is something for everyone. Plus, it is an excellent place to take your kids. Have you seen the new classrooms? My girls love going to their classes! See, I told you I could not narrow it down to one thing!

Q & A

Ellie Mae

I had just settled down into my seat with a hot cup of coffee and my Bible in front of me when the dog gave me “the look”.  I knew I better get up and let her out but I was irritated that it was just one more thing I had to do before I could sit down for my quiet time with the Lord.  We all have been there.  Your to-do list seems never ending.  If I could just complete this one thing then I can do this. You cross off one task only to add one, two, or three more!  As I stepped outside to let the dog out, a question popped into my head, “Jesus, why can’t I see you?”

The words had no sooner run through my mind when a slight breeze ran through my hair.  As I reached the end of the porch, I felt the warmth of sunshine on my cheek, despite it being December in Pittsburgh! I knew then that I had my answer.  I could see Jesus! He is all around me.  I just needed to use more than my eyes. 

In that minute spent outside, my stress drifted away.  The aggravation of having another task melted. I walked back in to the house with a smile on my face.  Now, I could finally delve into God’s Word!

I opened my devotional and began to read.  I paged through my Bible and looked up all the verses suggested in the devotional.  When I read the very last one, I knew it was Jesus answering my question yet again.  “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV

Can I share with you that after reading that scripture, I smiled and cried at the same time?  It was the most perfect, most beautiful verse I could have read.  I knew it was a gift.  Something special from my Savior to me.

Life is full of ups and downs.  We all have busy seasons in life when we feel like our to-do list is long and just keeps getting longer.  Don’t let the tedium of your day stop you from connecting with the Lord.  Ask him questions.  Go to the Lord.  A prayer can be 60 seconds or 60 minutes.  You never know how he will answer!

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV