ForgottenWoman

Dear Friends!

Today’s blog entry is a little different, but necessary. I want to begin by thanking each of you who have been faithful readers of The Forgotten Woman Blog, as well as those who faithfully support this work. I was reminded of why we support one another when studying one of Paul’s epistles recently. He says in Phil. 4:17 “Not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Too often, we look at supporting one another as simply giving to what someone else is doing. In reality, as Paul states here, when you give, and your gift is used when we invest in the lives of others each week, it is your fruit of ministry that abounds in your account! Each life impacted is viewed by our God as a life you invested in. That’s pretty exciting as we realize that this is the true living out of each of us doing our part. I am truly grateful for each of you.

Concerning the blog, I’m constantly working to improve the format and site, and writing. You know my goal is to encourage others while living out loud this rather unusual lifepath that God has allowed me to walk. The challenge is, of course, reaching those who wish to subscribe. I’m currently setting goals for subscribers and ask that you help me share the blogsite, share articles that are meaningful to you, and invite your friends and family to subscribe as well.

Most of you are aware that a local branch of this ministry is called Tranquility, where we host in-person Bible studies twice to three times a week, Grief Support Groups weekly, Ladies’ Nights, and provide Biblical Counseling. There are often impromptu gatherings with women who ask to meet, to pray, to talk through a life situation, and we are so thankful to be able to meet with them. Various “groups” that we often minister to are teen moms, single moms, widows, hurting women, the elderly, and post-abortive women. Our ministry to college students stretches over the years as many continue to reach out long after they’ve graduated and moved elsewhere. Only God knows all that He is doing with the seeds planted during their time here. I ask that you pray with us for wisdom and provision for these outreaches, as well as teams of volunteers who help to minister on our ladies’ nights and special events.

Our online outreach has continued to grow with video counseling, online teaching, our Scripture Memory group, our prayer group, and of course, this blog. I wish I could put into words the things that we encounter daily and the growth that God is doing in individual lives. We are seeing fruit from this small ministry that is translating into changed lives, women who are living in such a way that families, churches, and communities are being affected. That is what we pray for!

A new venture that I’ve been hard at work on is something I cannot discuss openly and is being done anonymously: something I pray will reach and help thousands across the country. This project has launched – and I covet your prayers for every aspect of this!

The subject that I shy away from discussing is the one subject that also slows me down and keeps me on my knees daily. We live in a world where so many want others to pay their way, and we get weary of fundraisers and support letters. (At least I know that I do) Someone made a statement in a casual conversation last week that made me laugh out loud, and I think my laughter shocked her. She said, “No one lives paycheck to paycheck, really!” I laughed because I’ve never not lived paycheck to paycheck, and I’m pretty sure some of you understand that completely!

Since becoming responsible for my own financial provision, I’ve been able to make it through my salary from my work for my sons’ business. I’m so thankful for that. It is the ministry work that I do that I ask for support for. I can write the blog and do all of the online, video work at little cost except for my time, but the cost for the in-person ministries is right at $2000 a month. Over the past 7+ years, that cost has felt like $10,000 a month at times. It’s such a small amount for all that God is doing, and yet it’s a huge amount for me. We have some faithful friends who contribute monthly, and I know that each one of them is receiving and will continue to receive the blessings of the Lord for their giving: many won’t even know the impact until we see the Lord.

Yes, I need your prayer support to continue to do each aspect of this ministry – I’m so thankful that God can and will use my feeble efforts.

Yes, I need any financial support that you are willing to commit to, to continue doing each aspect of this ministry well. As I’ve met with several women over the past week, they have insisted that I am keeping others from the blessing of being part of what God is doing if I don’t honestly tell you about the needs. (Back to the fruit abounding to your account).

We have established a nonprofit for the giving toward this ministry, and this is listed as a private charity that allows your giving to be tax deductible. This may be helpful for some and below is the link. I have discovered however, that most prefer to just give and keep track themselves. If that is your choice, you will find the donation block at the end of this article. Specifics? We need $500 more committed to each month in order to know that our expenses are covered. Just this past week, we received a new supporter through the blog for $100 a month, and to be honest, I wept because it is such a blessing and encouragement.

The link for giving is https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LRYXM9WVZGRDU&fbclid=IwY2xjawMp6E1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFnaHhBUG1JYjBKNDh5emY3AR47xVeZRvIfElLg7q0dXfMjWFPntBRui3yCyZHHIyowSvki0myZk0POZVwFSA_aem_c0UmZbUZ8uvItBvVTHRBQA You can give one-time gifts through this site. If you would like it to be a monthly draft, please contact me to set that up for you.

Below is the donation block for those who prefer to give every month without the need for the nonprofit link.

Well, once again, this is my least favorite type of writing. I hope the updates are a blessing. I long to be financially able to pay for all of the ministry work that is on my heart, but I’m not there yet, and I desperately need the investment of others who see the value and benefit of our work. Thank you to each of you who has been so supportive along the way. I so appreciate you!