Journey of Transformation, Part 9

Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies
Feb 042010

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Grief Emerges

When the doctor returned to the examining room I was sitting on the table composed but stunned. The questions that bounced around in my brain still couldn’t be asked. My mouth wasn’t ready to engage. This had been my first pregnancy. At the time I didn’t know it would be my last. The road ahead would be long and hard but I had to stay present in this dark moment.

The doctor began asking necessary questions: “Where is your husband?” I responded, “He’s not here. He’s at school. He didn’t even know I was pregnant . . . no one knows.” Her eyes widened in disbelief. Then embarrassment climbed atop all the other emotions accumulating at my core. Suddenly I was no longer napping in denial. Reality woke me up.

It rumbled and pushed its way up from a depth I didn’t know existed. Like hot bubbling lava desperate to burst forth from an active volcanic core, grief emerged indescribable. All I did was answer the doctor’s question, but that was enough to cause anguish to churn and rise like waves of nausea determined to force out projectile vomit. Only, this wasn’t vomit, this was the very essence of my being — my soul. My soul knew what happened. It knows everything. It writhed and groaned like it wanted to leave my body in search of relief from the agony holding it captive.

By the time the doctor asked the next question grief gripped my heart. “Where is he?” she inquired with concern. I couldn’t answer. My body felt paralyzed. Waves of sorrow swirled upward and made their way to my shoulders and neck. My head grew hot. As I opened my mouth and struggled to speak, the waves unleashed streams of despair through my eyes. With labored breath I spoke in a slow, quiet whisper, sobs punctuating the sentence, “Heee’s at . . . he’s . . . he . . . heee’s at . . . Fort . . . Leaven . . . worth . . . Kansas.”

The doctor couldn’t understand what I said so she asked the question again, “Where is he?” Once more I fought to release the words, “Fort Leaven . . . worth . . . Kansas.” Then it came. What had been rumbling from the depth of my being finally made its way out in full force. With raw, uninhibited emotion my vocal chords emitted something like the sound of a soul tormented in hell. Crying and sobbing were done. For the first time in my life I WAILED.

It came from a deep, dark, black hole — a place outside my body — a dimension unknown to mankind — a place I’d never been. The doctor held my head to her BDU clad chest and spoke gently, “This is the hardest part of my job.” She had done this before, many times.

She gave me a few minutes to expel the first wave of volcanic grief. A hazy cloud formed around me. I felt anesthetized. In a kind, compassionate manner the doctor continued her questions, “Is there anyone here we can call?” I had to think for a minute but one person came to mind. With that name the doctor went over to her desk and set the notification process in motion.

TO BE CONTINUED:

Women of PWOC, and other interested parties, stay connected for the rest of the story. God displays His faithfulness and compassion each step of the way. He is El Roi: God of Seeing; El Shaddai: God All Sufficient; Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord will Provide; and ultimately, Jehovah-Rophe: The Lord Who Heals.

_____________________________

“Life Happens – Jesus Answers” is a weekly column addressing the challenges we face in life, coupled with the presence and grace of Jesus, our One True Source of hope and peace. The column’s author, Laura Firtko, can be reached by email here: LifeHappens@pwoc.org

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Journey of Transformation, Part 8

Jesus Answers, Life Happens, Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies
Jan 282010

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Unexpected Loss

After my first ob/gyn visit I went home still unsure what to think. The 10.5 week old fetus seemed normal but it had developed only to 9.5 weeks and the doctor’s incongruent words, tone, and body language suggested there could be a problem. With that I trusted God with the pregnancy knowing His will would be accomplished.

During the next week I continued studying my Merck Manual to read about risk factors and possible symptoms to watch for. The days progressed without incident until Friday, April 20, 2001, when as a precaution I called the doctor’s office to inquire about the light spotting I noticed.

The nurse on the other end of the line encouraged me to get checked even though the symptoms were insignificant. So I ended up at the doctor’s office at 9:30 a.m. I patiently sat in the waiting room eating an egg and a banana not expecting bad news. According to the Merck Manual my symptoms seemed harmless.

A nurse came to take my vital signs and weight. I had lost a couple pounds but certainly wasn’t trying to, especially during pregnancy. I commented on the weight loss and the nurse said many women lose weight during the first several weeks. I latched onto her reassurance like a security blanket as she led me into an examining room and asked me to change.

In short order a female ob/gyn came in to perform a sonogram. I remember lying on the table looking at the screen oblivious to the whole process. It looked different from the sonogram the week before but I still thought everything was normal. Then the ob/gyn called someone else into the room. I don’t know who this other person was. She was wearing scrubs and didn’t look like a doctor. There was no introduction and she never looked at me. She simply looked at the screen, shook her head, turned and left the room.

Perplexed, I observed all this activity without a word from anyone. Then the doctor had me look at the screen. All I could see was a white shadow. She pointed to where the heartbeat should have been and said, “There’s no heartbeat. The fetus is no longer viable.” Denial set in. How could this be? Did the equipment malfunction? How could this sonogram picture be so strikingly different from the first one? How could this fetus go from a live, active, kicking baby to a white shadowy blob in just a few days? There had been no cramping, no bleeding, no symptoms whatsoever except for minor spotting. How could this much destruction happen without any sign at all? I thought they must have made a mistake. Questions railed against the sides of my brain but I was too stunned to ask them out loud.

Shock began to set in as I laid back down on the table. Grief gradually enshrouded me with a blanket of sorrow and the atmosphere in the room grew silent and dreary. No one said anything. The male tech shoved a couple pieces of tissue in my left hand as if to declare, “I know what’s coming!” Then he and the doctor stepped out so I could get dressed.

One would think I’d just been shot in the chest or struck with a two-by-four. I was dumbfounded. But something rumbled deep in my soul that was soon to erupt.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES …

Remember, in this new day of a new month in a new year and a new decade, God is doing a new thing, and He always has the best in mind for you no matter what your circumstances might be (Isaiah 43:18-19; Romans 8:28-30). People change and things change, but Our Lord is steadfast, faithful, and unchanging. As you walk with Him this year, rely on the truth of Scripture. Rely on His consistent love and grace. Rely on His strength and stability. But most of all rely on Him.

For those of you who are new to this column, I’m in the process of sharing my personal journey of transformation that has occurred over the last decade. You can get caught up from the beginning of the journey by accessing previous entries in Life Happens – Jesus Answers under “categories.”

_______________________________

“Life Happens – Jesus Answers” is a weekly column addressing the challenges we face in life, coupled with the presence and grace of Jesus, our One True Source of hope and peace. The column’s author, Laura Firtko, can be reached by email here: LifeHappens@pwoc.org

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Journey of Transformation, Part 6

Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies
Jan 142010

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Unexpected Discovery

Each day I sat propped up on the bed reading, journaling, and praying. An inviting picture hanging on the wall across from me beckoned to me like a memory luring me back in time. Two white, wooden beach chairs faced forward toward the ocean. Seated on one was a woman wearing a white sun hat with a blue ribbon tied in a bow delicately draping the brim. To her left was a small grove of lacy green trees gracing the scene. As I gazed at the picture I felt warmth from the sun enveloping me with comforting serenity. Memories of Southern California summers breezed through my mind, and for a moment, I missed home. I spent hours studying this scene, wishing I were in it, wondering what my future held.

While the picture on the wall was a silent companion drawing me to another place, God was my ever-present source of comfort and hope. He has often used materials from In Touch Ministries to encourage me. One particular study met the cry of my heart as my condition worsened: Advancing through Adversity by Dr. Charles F. Stanley. God had strategically placed this resource in my hands as a light to guide me through the dark tunnel ahead.

It was March 2001 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, when the adversity train led me down a new track. Sitting quietly reading I felt an itchy sensation on my bare arms and thought there were bugs in the room. I looked down to see strands of hair that had jumped off my scalp as if retreating from an enemy. When I worked conditioner through my hair in the shower, strands wrapped around my hands like a glove. Using my thumb, I pushed off a golf ball sized wad of hair each day and filled a trash can each week. Along with hair loss came increased fatigue, breathlessness, nausea, loss of appetite, and believe it or not, a severe distaste for chocolate — the most puzzling symptom of all. I assumed these unfortunate signs were members of the lupus family. According to what I read they belonged.

The day came when my assumption proved false. While getting dressed I looked down and noticed my abdomen protruding. As I stood sideways next to the mirror and mentally recalled my new symptoms one by one it dawned on me … I had missed two periods. What I had been experiencing the previous four weeks wasn’t lupus at all. I was pregnant.

Questions whirled around me like wind gusts trying to knock me down, “Will my immune system attack the fetus? Am I healthy enough to do this? I don’t even have a definite diagnosis yet. God, what are you up to?” Steve’s classes were about to end, we’d drive back to Tennessee, and he would head off to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for the last phase of school. We made arrangements for me to stay with a friend if necessary.

In the meantime, I kept the little discovery to myself as we prepared to drive back to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. I marveled at the fact that neither Steve nor I knew I was pregnant during the entire month we were together. It was God’s secret until now, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was around the corner. It’s a blessing that I didn’t know in advance.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES …

Welcome back to Life Happens – Jesus Answers in 2010. For those of you who are new to this column, I’m in the process of sharing my personal journey of transformation that has occurred over the last decade. You can get caught up from the beginning of the journey by accessing previous entries in Life Happens – Jesus Answers under “categories”.

Remember, in this new day of a new month in a new year and a new decade, God is doing a new thing, and He always has the best in mind for you no matter what your circumstances might be (Isaiah 43:18-19; Romans 8:28-30). People change and things change, but Our Lord is steadfast, faithful, and unchanging. As you walk with Him this year, rely on the truth of Scripture. Rely on His consistent love and grace. Rely on His strength and stability. But most of all rely on Him.

_______________________________

“Life Happens – Jesus Answers” is a weekly column addressing the challenges we face in life, coupled with the presence and grace of Jesus, our One True Source of hope and peace. The column’s author, Laura Firtko, can be reached by email here: LifeHappens@pwoc.org

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Comfort

Real life stories
Nov 182009

Submitted by Mary Crow

Today, we had Praise Team practice to prepare for the next two weeks of PWOC. I had just enjoyed a wonderful time with a handful of some of my favorite ladies while praising the Lord. I don’t think it gets much better than that! Anyway, I was driving, and had to drop a friend off at her house before rushing home to grab a late lunch. Suddenly, something in my back was tweaked and it hurt to even breathe. I had been putting off getting a check-up on an old injury, and it now had escalated beyond being ignored.

I dropped her off and came home. After feeding my three year old something, I changed while hoping that it would dissipate. It didn’t. I chose super-comfortable clothes and grabbed a sandwich, then sat still. Still, it did not stop. I had no choice but to go and wait at my friend’s house for kids from the bus (our daily ritual). The pain was unrelenting. Luckily, I recalled that I had pizza in the freezer. Thank the Lord that I didn’t have to cook dinner.

Hours later, after adding hefty pain killers, heating pad treatments, and sitting still as much as I could despite the strong drive I’ve had lately to clean and purge due to an upcoming PCS, I prayed. Why didn’t I do that first? Because life got in the way. I used Facebook as the wonderful tool that it is to ask for prayer. It’s still hurting, though, even through everything.

I finally cracked open my bible and began to read. The most interesting thing happened when I started turning the pages of the Word of God. Verses started jumping out at me like nothing as I flipped around through my bible.
Then I would still have this consolation—my joy in unrelenting pain—that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.(Job 6:10) Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I refrain, it does not go away.(Job 16:6) Night pierces my bones; my gnawing pains never rest.(Job 30:17) Job has been where I am now. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. (Psalm 38:7) For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. (Psalm 38:17) I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me. (Psalm 69:29) David has, too. So has Jesus, as we all have been taught.

While my head knows that there is nothing new under the sun, sometimes my heart doesn’t want to believe it or cannot fathom the idea. Sometimes, it takes something as out-of-control as an agonizing pain, or a small annoyance to make us do what we were meant to do. I should know this from those scripture examples. Job and David didn’t have the Holy Spirit leading them the way I do, nor did they have a bible to turn to in times of trouble. Where did they turn? Directly to God.

The next time that I have a problem, I won’t turn to worldly things. I won’t run to a friend, lean on my spouse, or rely on medicine to fix me. I’ll go directly to my Daddy, my Heavenly Father. I’ll curl up in His lap. I’ll beg for His comfort. I’ll request His healing. He should be the one who I turn to first, just like my daughter turns to her parents when she is in need. After all, didn’t Jesus say to come as a child?

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Journey of Transformation, Part 1

Jesus Answers, Life Happens, Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies
Oct 222009

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Cry of Desperation

As I walked around the apartment in Friedberg, Germany, I cried out to God to help me overcome damage from the past. Pacing back and forth, Bible in hand, I read Romans 12:2 aloud, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The year was 1999 and I had reached a point of desperation. Decades of dissatisfaction with myself brought personal interrogation: What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I be different? Why do I get so angry? Why am I so unhappy? Nine years earlier I was on a quest to get these questions answered with the help of a qualified Christian counselor, but I moved away and neglected to continue my quest. As a result, unresolved anger, bitterness and resentment took up residence in my soul. They enjoyed each other’s company like members of a sick, twisted, dysfunctional family. Their father, Satan, used them to full advantage.

The Enemy of my soul succeeded in rendering me depressed, unmotivated, insecure, confused, fragmented, and ineffective. This swirling brew of footholds trapped me in a pit of muck and mire. In Scripture, muck, or mud, and mire represent anything that entraps us like quicksand (Psalm 69:14). In my case, these footholds began developing early in life. An unhealthy, discouraging childhood shaped me into a miserable woman with no sense of self, no clear identity, no sense of purpose or value or worth. As more damage accumulated, the footholds became strongholds binding me in a straight jacket of lies and false beliefs. I believed I was unworthy, bad, wrong, inadequate, inferior, helpless and hopeless. My victim mentality gave Satan more power over me. The lies and false beliefs he planted in my brain affected every area of my life.

I needed help but didn’t know where to turn. Germany wasn’t exactly brimming with Christian counselors, and I didn’t feel comfortable going to a secular social worker or anyone in the military system. What would people think? Feeling isolated and alone, I continued down the path I’d been on – praying for God to deliver me while attempting to make changes in my own strength. My changes were false and temporary, directed from the outside in. I felt like some unknown force had a grip on me so powerful, so deeply rooted, that I couldn’t break free … no matter what I did.

My superficial attempts at behaving differently, changing my attitudes, and being more positive resulted in failure and frustration. Only Jesus, through the work of the Holy Spirit, had the power to transform me from the inside out. Fortunately, I was at the place where I acknowledged having a problem and I sought God’s deliverance. However, my approach and expectations were unrealistic. I didn’t just beg God to change me. I expected Him to reach down inside my soul and supernaturally pull out the strongholds. I wanted Him to heal me on the spot … or shortly after my pleading began. Yeah, right.  He had a very different plan – a plan I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

TO BE CONTINUED …

Women of PWOC, stay connected! In the coming weeks I will continue sharing my Journey of Transformation from being wounded and angry to healed and thriving. My purpose in sharing this story is to glorify God, to show the truth about Him, to display His goodness and provision in the midst of suffering, and to give you hope. No matter where you find yourself at this time in your life be assured that God is trustworthy and faithful despite how you feel about Him. He does have good plans for you. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11).

LauraFirtko

 

“Life Happens – Jesus Answers” is a weekly column addressing the challenges we face in life, coupled with the presence and grace of Jesus, our One True Source of hope and peace. The column’s author, Laura Firtko, can be reached by email here: LifeHappens@pwoc.org

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How do you Connect?

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday, News & Announcements
Oct 212009

Letters with stamps. Remember those? Maybe a long distant phone call with a timer that keeps track of how much money you’ve spent. Maybe an occasional visit in person with someone you haven’t seen in a long time.

Does that sound like a long time ago? How do you connect with others?

Yes, going next door or down the street for that hot cup of coffee and understanding ear is still preferred, but if you can’t make personal contact, how do you reach out to others and feel connected?

I facebook. It has changed the way I see ministry. The possibilities multiply by being connected to so many people.

I began emailing in 1996, instant messaging not much after that, have used the internet for research for at least a decade, but am completely sold on social networking as the #1 way to reach someone that’s not living close to you.

We have currently been given favor and approval to have our very own fan page on facebook! In six days, we had reached 400 fans with an average of 10-20 new fans per hour! If you’ve already signed on, you know the benefits. You will see the daily PWOCI blog with opportunity to leave comments. You, the fan, will be able to post pictures and comments, and we hope to hear your great conference stories. You will reconnect with ladies you’ve known in your different local PWOCs and meet new friends. There are discussions set up for a variety of topics: blog, conferences, regions, change, publicity ideas, prayer, and several more. Our website is linked to our facebook page, making it more convenient for you to connect. Look for the button on the home page and the blog page.

By being on facebook, you can connect with many PWOC ladies around the world. Imagine that squeal that we hear in the lobby of a conference hotel. Imagine that it’s an “online squeal” when you join the facebook called “Protestant Women of the Chapel International.” See ya there!

And bring some new friends to join the fun!!

Melinda Hemphill, PWOCI Communications

Link to PWOC on Facebook here.

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Help! I've Lost my Identity

Bits & Pieces, Testimonies
Sep 232009

Submitted by Laura Firtko, Fort Carson, CO

Today I sense some enemy action. What do I mean by that? It appears that Satan is trying to get me all spun up and anxious before PWOC tomorrow. This morning my ID card decided to jump out of my purse, apparently. You know how it is as a military spouse — ya ain’t got no identity without that little piece of laminated personal info.

In the military it goes like this:  No ID card, no identity; No ID card, no getting on post (not easily anyway); no ID card, no commissary; no ID card, no medical appointments; no ID card, you might as well have been vaporized!

This is what happened: I paid a visit to the ever-so-available, and desperately needed Air Force Academy Fitness Center; dropped my ID card into my purse; went to brush my teeth (don’t ask); put my gym bag and purse in a locker; locked the locker securely; and went about my workout. It wasn’t until I finished showering and returned home that I discovered my LIFE was missing!

Now, it is highly unusual for me to lose much of anything, especially my precious government issued uniformed services ID and privilege card. Thank the Father that Jesus recognizes me. Without Him, I’d be nothin’ and I’d get nowhere!

Here comes the prayer: Okay, Lord, I do believe that this is happening for a reason because everything you do in my life has purpose and value. So, show me what you want me to learn from this, and while you’re at it, would you mind having someone turn in my ID at the AFA Fitness Center desk. Thank you so much. Oh, today would be good, you see, I have to get on post early tomorrow to set up for hospitality, AND instead of being in the sanctuary as usual, we have to be flexible and do it all in the fellowship hall, which means I have to have it set up before we start or shortly thereafter, and the gal who is normally there to work with me is on leave … Okay, okay. I really don’t have anything to complain about. My heart is beating, I feel pretty good, I got home safely in our first snow of the year … (yes, women of PWOC, it’s September 21 and it has snowed heavily in parts of Colorado Springs, CO. This is the earliest snow I’ve ever seen). Slip slidin’ away … not really. Just tell me to get back to the story.

Knowing God the way I do, I’m certain that something good will come out of what feels like a total disaster. Oh yeah, Father, please protect me from identity theft. Right now my identity is only missing. I certainly don’t want it stolen and used by someone else. This is serious. Please send a wonderful, honest person to retrieve my existence on this earth and turn it in at the AFA Fitness Center desk. Amen.

Oh, I’m not done yet. This episode is still fresh and I’ve learned so much already. What have I learned? That even when the U.S. Government doesn’t acknowledge my existence, Jesus Christ does. Not only that … He rejoices over my existence and considers me to be of inestimable worth and value. Be encouraged, women! Even when fellow humans don’t acknowledge you as the special, one-of-a-kind creation you are, God the Father regards you as the apple of His eye. His unconditional love and acceptance are immeasurable, and they are worth much more than earthly recognition. Yes, even the recognition that comes with a military ID card.

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Our God Works Like That

Bits & Pieces
Sep 092009

Submitted by Erin Nonaka, Ft. Bragg, NC

Do you ever just sit in awe of God choosing to show you the little things in life that are a part of the bigger plan that He has?  I sure do, and in fact, yesterday (our PWOC meeting day) was a day when He let me in on a little glimpse of it.

I was running a little late and was beginning to get frustrated that I was going to miss the pockets of traffic that would get me to PWOC in time to get my responsibilities taken care of before we started.  I was also thinking out loud as my 3 year old sat in the back listening to his music, saying “Okay, today is the twin’s birthday. I need to make reservations for dinner, when I get out of bible study I need to go and get cupcakes and go to the kids class, and then we are going to go have fun time together getting new bikes..” and on and on I went.  Just so I could get a clear mental picture of what my day would look like.  ( c’mon girls, I know you do it too!)  Then just as I get on post, I receive a phone call in the car.  This call was from a good friend that does not regularly attend PWOC but knows that I do.  She had a neighbor across the street that just started attending and was getting ready to go this morning, when my friend “happened” to meet her outside before she left.  This precious neighbor shared some very distressing family news with her, which prompted my friend to call me just moments later.  The call went something like this: “ I am so glad I caught you. I just spoke with my neighbor who is really struggling with this family situation.  I told her to find you when she gets to PWOC this morning. Can you be sure you also look for her, this is what she looks like….etc..” I assured her that I would and was on my way.  I got to PWOC, dropped my little man off and started about my duties thinking and praying I would not forget to find this precious new PWOC sister. It was at that moment that I realized, if I hadn’t been running late this morning, I wouldn’t have gotten that phone call.  Thank you Lord for me being late, I thought (which, hello, I never thank God for being late – I am usually just mad at myself).  Later that morning, during our fellowship time, we found each other.  With very few words we introduced ourselves, were in tears, and then in prayer together joined by our prayer chairwoman. 

WOW, God you are incredible.  What a divine plan.  Only God could have orchestrated that.  Life does not just “happen”, when we allow God to be in everything, HE IS!!  The Lord made a way for this woman to have an urgent and immediate need met. She was able to find prayer, support, and love the way only God could give through her new friends at our PWOC bible study.  Praise the Lord.

On a personal note, I see that I was a small piece in this.  I know that this is not the end of God’s plan for this delicate situation, but the beginning of it.  I do not know how it is going to end, but I do know that our God is a miraculous God.  I am excited to see what He does and how we can open our hearts to be pieces of this bigger picture.  What another beautiful glimpse of what PWOC is and can be for all women.  I am truly humbled.

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Women’s Ministry Coordinator - New Position this year!

Local Limelight, News & Announcements
Aug 202009

Submitted by: Sandy Murphy, Ft. Bragg PWOC Chapel Liason

Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) has a new ministry position. The position is called the Women’s Ministry Coordinator. When PWOC International updated the PWOC Women’s Ministry Manuel, this new position was added in order to provide a liaison between the local PWOC and each of the post’s Protestant chapel services. See the new Women’s Ministry Manual for a complete description.

At Ft Bragg & Pope AFB we have many Protestant chapel services. Ft Bragg’s PWOC has created a Chapel Liaison position to serve as the lead Women’s Ministry Coordinator to oversee each of the Women’s Ministry Coordinators of the various Protestant chapel services.

The primary goal of the each of the PWOC Women’s Ministry Coordinators is to be a liaison between Ft Bragg’s PWOC and her specific chapel service that she attends. Information and announcements will flow both ways. PWOC recognizes the importance of getting PWOC information and announcements to each of the chapel services. PWOC is also focused on educating the PWOC community about our fabulous chapel services and community support needs that our chapel services may require. The Women’s Ministry Coordinator of each chapel will work closely with her specific chapel chaplains and be a bridge between the PWOC Community and each Protestant chapel service.

As we begin a new PWOC year, we are sending out a letter to our Protestant chaplains educating them about this new position. PWOC will be advertising the need for PWOC ladies to fill these positions. We are asking each of the chaplains, who are leaders in the outstanding chapel services on Ft Bragg and Pope AFB, to encourage one of the PWOC ladies attending their specific service to serve as their chapel’s Women’s Ministry Coordinator. If a chaplain has a candidate for this position, we are asking them to contact the Ft Bragg PWOC Chapel Liaison.

Many thanks are going out for the support that the Ft Bragg PWOC community receives from our chaplains as we continue to live out our PWOC aim of involving women in the work of the chapel in keeping with their abilities and interests.

Peace and Blessings to you all!!

 

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Where do our Monday Devotions come from? Part IV

Devotions, Who are we
Jul 022009

christina-mcclurePWOC has provided fertile ground to cultivate the gifts God has planted within me.  Years ago, my first discipler, Susie, was actively engaged in Ft. Campbell’s PWOC.  Susie first watered my spiritual gifts by teaching me about them.  Her mentoring alone taught me much on the gifts of teaching, mercy, and faith. Years later, others within PWOC-I have further watered those seeds as they prayed for me, encouraged me, and trained me according to the gifts they saw within me.  Despite my youth, PWOC has enabled me to keep those special God given gifts “dusted off and in use.”  And to think, it all began with one woman loving me right through the doors into PWOC. 

Christina lives near Ft. Eustis with her handyman husband, Don, and two awesome kids.  They live life in vibrant color, for God’s glory.

 

 

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