January 1, 2006
9:45 Pre-Worship
By Verona Inabinette Stacy
Grow In The Spirit
While praying and preparing for the 9:45 this morning the spirit led me back to two years ago. I woke up in a bear hunting camp in Northern Quebec where I had been bow hunting and filming bear hunts for our T.V. show "Hunting Across America" The spirit let me know that it was time for me to make a change in my life. I made a change, sold my interest in the company and moved home. I know that today we start a brand new year and another grand adventure and an opportunity to grow even more in the spirit but at this time I would like to reflect back to how I grew in spirit.
9:45 Pre-Worship
By Verona Inabinette Stacy
Grow In The Spirit
While praying and preparing for the 9:45 this morning the spirit led me back to two years ago. I woke up in a bear hunting camp in Northern Quebec where I had been bow hunting and filming bear hunts for our T.V. show "Hunting Across America" The spirit let me know that it was time for me to make a change in my life. I made a change, sold my interest in the company and moved home. I know that today we start a brand new year and another grand adventure and an opportunity to grow even more in the spirit but at this time I would like to reflect back to how I grew in spirit.
- I grew in the sprit as I grew closer to God thru prayer. I learned to trust God as I saw prayers being answered. I have found a deep and everlasting friendship with God.
- I grew in spirit when the Lord brought Becky and Mr. Clyde back to us.
- I grew in spirit when the Lord blessed me and sent a kind, gentle, loving man into my life.
- I grew in spirit as I watched our congregation grow with the baptism of Sister Ned and her family and as Wake kneeled before them as their servant and Pastor.
- I grew in spirit as Donna was baptized, confirmed, elected to an office in the church, gave a talk in our Sunday night seekers service and got married all in a matter of a few months. Life is good!!!
- I rejoiced and grew in the spirit as I listened to Brother Otis Hardy bear his testimony, a man who was to serve two consecutive life sentences and is now a free man.
- I grew in the spirit each time I was a prayer warrior or when Polly would say, Verona pray for me and in her heart she knew she could count on me.
- I grew in spirit when I would see Uncle Joe stand and speak because I knew it came from his heart and soul and when he would hug my daughter because she loved him so much.
- I grew in spirit the day Jessie Mae told me she really missed me in church when I couldn’t be here.
- I grew in spirit when I first saw Charles and Kay come to church because I knew Charles and I had finally made it back home and I hope that Charles has forgiven me for pelting him with dirt clods in the sweet potato patch when we were kids.
- I grew in spirit when I had a kidney stone crushed and you all prayed for me.
- I grew in spirit when I heard Larry Goff bear his testimony because I knew it came from his heart.
- I grew in spirit each Sunday when I saw the pews fill with new faces.
- I grew in spirit when I saw the fruit of Rachel’s labor with the youth choir.
- I grew in spirit when I saw the excitement in each child’s eye that went to youth camp and all the hard work that Stephen and Susan put into Zion’s League.
- I grew in spirit on August 27th when my family and friends gathered here to witness mine and Harry’s marriage.
- I grew in spirit each time Uncle Rene would scour the newspapers or hear something on the news related to an archeological find that would confirm a revelation or prove a point about religion.
- I grew in spirit when I saw the young adult class stand and bear their testimony.
- I grew in spirit when I saw Aunt Vida carrying on her ministry at Sunplex and how Alvin would say I’m praying for your family are you praying for mine.
- I grew in spirit when I saw my daughter studying and enjoying the Doctrine and Covenants class with Uncle Joe.
- I grew in spirit when Nancy Cole listened to the still small voice inside of her and she and her husband flew to Russia to adopt a child. What courage and faith that must have taken on their part.
- I grew in spirit after the storm when I saw everyone pulling together to help each other.
- I grew in spirit when I heard Larry Delancy speak from his heart about helping get displaced people into FEMA trailers and when this congregation responded and brought enough household items to fill two pick up trucks.
- I grew in spirit when members of this congregation took it upon themselves to deliver those items to the needy and comfort them.
- I grew in spirit the day Kutina Carter a co-worker stood in our break room and told everyone that the "Community of Christ" church didn’t help just their own congregation they helped everyone no matter who you were.
- I grew in spirit Friday afternoon when Kutina called me laughing and crying at the same time telling me that thanks to Larry and me for putting her name on the list she now has a FEMA trailer and can move out of a house that is falling down around her. She now has a chance to go to R.N. school and provide her son and Mom a better home.
- I grew each time I walked into this church because I knew the spirit met me here.
- I grew in spirit when Thomas was baptized and when I heard him bear his testimony one Wednesday night at prayer meeting.
- I grew in spirit because I knew we were moving forward by reaching out and taking care of each other and our neighbors. This is what God wants us to do and expects us to do.