The Christian Post is doing a 4 part series on my right now and the first installment came out today – hope you enjoy them! Let us know what you think. 🙂 You can find those here.

With Meagan Gillan, head of Women Ministries for the Evangelical Covenant Denomination

With all the presidents of regions for women’s ministry

Isn’t it great when you think you’re going to serve others and give, and then you realize that while that may have happened too, God had something just for you? Last Friday, Donna and I left bright and early and drove to Chicago. I was invited to do some worship and just meet with the women’s leadership for the Evangelical Covenant denomination at their annual meeting. We got there Friday night and met them at The Compassion Experience, a traveling experience that takes you into the real story of a couple of kids who have been sponsored by Compassion and tells you their story and where they ended up – it was fascinating and moving and I immediately looked up where it will be this year when I got home. I want to take my kids! If it’s anywhere near you, don’t miss it – it’s free too, which is always a plus. 🙂

We had dinner together and frankly, I was a little intimidated by this group as they run women’s ministry for all of the US and Canada for a whole denomination, but I had no reason to be – what incredible, Godly, sweet, humble, funny women. We had a blast getting to know them!

Saturday morning I did some worship and music for them, and then they were going to do a discernment exercise, basically guided prayer where you are seeking God’s will and direction for future ministry by praying together. They invited me to stay, and I did it with Donna about my ministry. What a wonderful God we serve! He made several things so clear to me that I have been praying about and wrestling over for some time. It was so sweet of Him, and it really touched my heart. I felt like I had come to do this ministry for these women, but God had me there just to speak to me about our direction!

We ended the weekend talking to a pastor’s wife about a ministry event who also happened to be one of Donna’s oldest friends. Can’t really have a better meeting than that – she was so much fun! We even got to stop by Donna’s alma mater, Wheaton, to see how everything had changed. Add to that the spectacular color on the trees the entire way home, and that was a pretty amazing weekend.

Ministry Best Practices has republished my article “Why Has My Congregation Stopped Singing?” They did a slightly abbreviated version of it – you can check that out here!

Andy and Katie listening to the toasts

On a personal note, I just had to share that I gained another (my third!!) sister named Katie yesterday. My brother Andy got married this weekend and we are just thrilled for them. Welcome to the family!

At the Missionary Churches retreat

I had the great privilege to do the women’s retreat for the East Central District of the Misisonary Church this past weekend, and what fun to be back with them! I had done their retreat a couple of years ago, and so many of these women are people I’m excited to get to hang out with in heaven. Just a blessing to have more time with them here on earth! We learned about God’s power to transform us into people He can use, and it was wonderful to hear all the feedback about how God was speaking to people that weekend. Hope to be back with them soon!

It’s Sensory Awareness Month! Many of you know that we have been through SPD with our son, Toby, and that is the topic of my book “Life Not Typical: How Special Need Parenting Changed My Faith and My Song.” This month there are several places featuring an article I wrote and my video for special needs families called “Your Child.” Here’s a link to one of them – I’d love to hear what you think of the article!