FROM CONSUMER TO CONTRIBUTOR LIMITLESS LIFE BLOG HOP

We are in week 4 of  the Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Study of "Limitless Life" by Derwin Gray.  In the book he talks about going from consumer to contributor.  We are a military family.  Six years ago, we moved from eastern NC to western PA courtesy of the military.  We knew no one in our new community, which meant we had to find a new church.

We started our search at the church that was directly beside our new home.  My husband immediately became a contributor by helping with shoveling snow from the sidewalks.  Then he started preaching when necessary - he is an ordained minister.  The people were fantastic and we loved the church, but there were no other children for ours to interact with.  At the time, my sons had activities they were involved in, but my daughter did not really have any.

So I started investigating programs for her and found out about Missionettes.  So we visited our local Assembly of God church so she could see if she liked the program.  At first just our daughter, my husband and I went, but we were told they had activities the same night for our sons, while my husband and I attended their Bible study.  Soon we were attending the church and consuming the things they had to offer.  But we are not ones who like to sit on the sidelines at church, so we began to find ways to help out.  Dennis, my husband, helped with ushering and doing things he could.  I began to help where I could as well.  Before we knew what was happening, we were teaching a Sunday School class for the teens.  All of my sons and husband were helping with ushering.  Our family that sings a capella sang songs at various times.  We also assisted with Vacation Bible School and various other festivals.  I eventually became a Sunday School officer for a short time.  On occasion, my husband filled in for the preacher.  I became the leader for the Missionettes.  We also assisted with services at Weatherwood Manor - a place for Seniors to reside.  At this church, I saw my husband baptize our two oldest sons with our pastor's blessing.  The church became our family and we were meaningful participants.  We went from consuming what the church had to offer to contributors.  It feels right to use the gifts and talents God has given us for His glory and honor.

Wow

So alot has been going on around here.  In the month of November, we had Corps Cadet Sunday.  All of the Corps Cadets participated in the service in some way.  They either read a Scripture, sang, did part of the Call to Worship or performed in our skit.  I preached my very first sermon during Corps Cadet Sunday.  In between the service and our afternoon activities, we brought home all the Corps Cadets and fed them.  Dennis and I sang with our Corps Cadets along with some extra youth from our Timbrels program at our Regional Youth Praise meeting.  Our Timbrels performed a number and did an excellent job.  

On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Jacob became a Senior Soldier.  Dennis and Joseph were the Flag bearers for the service.  After the service, we had our Thanksgiving Dinner at the corps.  

Thanksgiving night our youth kicked off the Kettle Season by attempting to do a 24 hour marathon.  I volunteered to help at one of the two locations.  We only made it past 11 o'clock and then it got too cold and too dead to warrant us being out there.  So we came back home.  I was glad to get come back to my warm home.  Then we went back out on Friday morning.  Of course this was one of those times where our children did not really want to move.

This past Sunday, we kicked off the Advent Season.  Dennis and I read Scripture verses.  Nathan lit the candles to start the service and then blew them out at the end.  Joseph laid a wreath during the Hanging of the Greens.  All in all it was a beautiful ceremony.  They lit the advent wreath, told various stories regarding Christmas, and Major Harris preached a wonderful message.

Now tomorrow night we will be singing at a local apartment building.  Our family is singing "O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem".

In the midst of all of this, Dennis is finishing up his last class for his bachelor's degree.  So by the middle of the month, he will be finished with school.

Also, we are continuing to move forward with our intention of becoming Salvation Army officers.  So we are actively participating in various Corps programs.  Dennis is helping with our Boys Adventure Club (think similar to Boy Scouts).  And I of course am doing the Corps Cadets.   We also take a turn doing the Sunday School opening and teach the Young Adults Sunday School Class (although I am not sure the name truly describes who is in the class).  Dennis tends to be the only male in the class.  But we have a good time, and I think the students are enjoying the class.