The Ups and Downs of Life

As I type this blog post, there’s a 6x6 hole in my laundry room ceiling.  The last three months have been full of ups and downs.  There have been some awesome “ups” from my girls’ good report cards, a warm weathered soccer season (thank you Jesus!), to a positive outcome in a family situation.  We’ve enjoyed fun times with family and friends. My oldest daughter celebrated her 7^th birthday, Star Wars style nonetheless.

 

But then there seemed to be double the amount of “downs”.  Like I said, there’s a hole in my ceiling.  I went to do laundry one day and something odd about the ceiling caught my gaze.  It had a big bubble! After some investigation, we figured out it was coming from our bathtub/shower.  It took two weeks and a much LARGER hole in the ceiling to determine its exact cause.  Then there were the costly repairs to both of our household’s vehicles.  Then, all three kids got sick.  And then, my laptop decided it didn’t want to work anymore.  (Are you sensing a theme here?)  It is by the grace of God, I’m able to type this post!

 

One evening, I sat on my couch, ready to throw myself a pity party.  I was feeling down and alone.  I kept recounting all the things that had gone on in my head, focusing more on the bad than the good.  I was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.  Then it hit me what was happening…

 

I was under attack!  While all of these ups and downs were occurring, I was being obedient to God, focusing in on Him.  I was preparing to emcee the Women’s Fall Kickoff event, organizing all the shoes donated from the shoe drive for the Extravagant Love Makeover, and most importantly, I was praying hard for the salvation of a family member. 

 

So what can you do? When you realize you are under attack, what should your next steps be?  You need an awesome outfit!  You need to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18).  No evil can penetrate it! Let’s go over the list.  Check through it as if you were pulling each item out of your closet, dressing for the day: the belt of truth (we have God’s truth which tramples on all the enemies lies), the breastplate of righteousness (it covers our heart, protecting it with God’s righteousness), feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace (a great pair of shoes motivating us to share the Good News ), shield of faith (to extinguish ALL the flaming arrows of the evil one, giving us protection), helmet of salvation (guarding our mind against doubting our salvation), sword of the Spirit (God’s Word!).  Last but certainly not least, is prayer, the finishing touches to your outfit (pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests, when we pray we are depending on God).

 

One more thing about prayer, don’t hold back from enlisting the help of others!  There’s power in prayer and it is even greater when you have got a few prayer partners interceding for you.  That night as I was feeling down in the dumps, I knew I needed some prayer warriors to come alongside me.  I sent an email to the Women’s Prayer Team right then and there, pouring out my heart.  Can I tell you, the next morning, I felt so much better.  I felt like a weight had been lifted. 

 

The attacks from the enemy can be stressful and scary.  But remember that we have the armor of God to guard ourselves with.  We have the power of prayer to draw on.  Most importantly we know that the One who is in us IS greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:14)!

 

Ladies, the Women’s Prayer Team is here for you!  It is women praying for women and all prayer requests are confidential.  Your prayer requests or praise reports can be emailed to: womenpray@westridge.cc

 

 

 

Extravagant Love Makeover - 2014

We are still filled with excitement from Saturday’s Extravagant Love Makeover!  It was such a phenomenal day from start to finish!  This year’s event was even bigger than last year.  We want to say a special thank you to each lady who gave her time, gifts, and talents (and shoes!) to this great cause.  Thanks to those who worked behind the scenes with such tasks as steaming/ironing clothes and the shoe collection.  Thanks as well to the ladies who were able to attend the event and volunteer on one (or more) of the many teams: hair, make-up, manicures, pedicures, wardrobe, hospitality, and prayer.  Whether you realize it or not, your role in that day made a difference! 

 

The event pampered over thirty ladies from the Light of Life Mission.  It was a pleasure to see several ladies return to this year’s event who had also attended it last year.  Hugs and smiles were abounding as our hosts, Jennifer Goebbel and Nicole Yoder welcomed each lady when they came in the door.

 

Once the attendees were welcomed and checked in, they were sent to one of the various stations.  All the different stations were busy and bubbling with excitement.  Whether ladies were receiving a relaxing pedicure or getting a new hairstyle, everyone was smiling. Gift bags were passed out during the day as the ladies were getting their makeovers.  The fun and laughter throughout the rooms was contagious.  Nicole Yoder commented, “It was so nice to see some walls were down and some insecurities were overcome.  The ladies truly enjoyed it.”

 

In addition to the hair, nails, and make-up, the ladies were given an outfit and pair of shoes.  Time was taken with each woman to make sure each outfit truly fit and flattered them.  Whether they were aware of it or not, their outfits were specially chosen for them and prayed over. Occasionally an on the spot alteration was completed!  Delighted ladies were showing off their outfits and shoes to their friends and taking “selfies”!

 

After all the make-up, primping, and pampering was complete, it was time to head off to dinner.  Dressed in their new outfits and shoes, the ladies boarded PAT busses especially for them and drove off to the Pittsburgh Project where the dinner was taking place.  While on the busses, each attendee received a special note and some were extra blessed with gift cards.  As they exited the bus, the women were given a rose and walked the red carpet complete with “paparazzi”.  Inside, the women met up with ladies who received makeovers from another shelter, Bethlehem Haven.

 

Following the red carpet, the ladies went on to enjoy a lavish, sit down Thanksgiving meal.  Then it was time for fashion!  Some of the ladies participated in a fashion show, showing off their new looks.  Later, all of the women got their pictures taken and put into a frame with an individual prophetic message for each lady to take home. 

 

Once the fashion show wrapped up and a time of praise and worship ended, the creator and director of the Extravagant Love Makeover, Denise Graves delivered a message to the ladies.  She talked about the importance of making new choices and how that gets passed on to the future generations.

 

At the conclusion of the message, the ladies were invited to come forward for prayer.  This was one of the most powerful parts of the evening.  The Spirit of the Lord was moving about.  Tears were shed, hugs were generously given, and love was flowing freely, extravagantly.  It was an amazing end to an awesome day!

 

“The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

 

Below are some photos from the event.  We even have a few of the "after" pictures of the ladies once they were done with their makeovers!  So beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

The West Ridge Team of Volunteers