Thank you to all the volunteers and hostesses who made it possible for us to serve your communities more efficiently and effectively for the Lord! We look forward to hearing stories of what the Lord is doing in and through you throughout this next year until we see you again in 2013!

Now on to the fall we go.. Roanoke, VA and Southaven, MS… get ready!!

Did you know between 40 and 45 percent of adults in America make New Years Resolutions to start January 1st. However, almost 90 percent of those resolutions are forgotten by January 20th. I myself, am guilty of this conundrum of a cycle. For the past few years I have set goals for myself that are forgotten as my schedule picks up and life becomes crazy again. Instead of persevering into the wondrous goals I have set for myself, I end up making the same goals each year between the week of Christmas and New Years Day only to find my failures around the beginning of February.

But, I had a thought this morning. “Why don’t I let God set those goals for me? He knows me better than I know myself and I need Him!” Later in the morning I was reading through Get Over Yourself by our Extraordinary Speaker Jennifer Beckham and I read this excerpt:

“Elizabeth Barrett Browning once wrote, ‘God’s gifts put man’s best dreams to shame,’ and boy, was she right! In the end, God taught me that he Had a much bigger dream for my life than I had conceived.”

See ladies, this I exactly what I am talking about! We can strive to attain perfection through our eyes and through the world’s eyes day after day, year after year, only to find that it is in vain. If we really want to have our lives changed, we need to make only resolution for life; To let God take control. No matter where you are, no matter what you’ve done, lay that down at God’s feet and say, “I cannot do this anymore. I know the sinful things I’ve done that do not glorify you and I want to change. I resolve this year, to let you lead me Lord, in the way that is glorifying to you.”

Maybe you have no idea what I mean when I say let God take control of your life. Well, that’s probably because you have never made Jesus Christ Lord of your life before. If that is the case, you have one more step and it is the most important step and decision you will ever make I your life. You need to take some time to understand what it means to be a Christian and make that decision. We here at Extraordinary Women Ministries encourage you to talk to a godly friend, pastor, or mentor and find out what it means to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your Life.

I promise you, if you do that…2012 will be the beginning of a wonderful and meaningful eternity full of hope, faith, and love.

God Bless you all as we ring in the New Year!

Christmas is mere days away and with what seems like hundreds of gifts purchased and thousands of cookies baked, I’m sure we are all ready to celebrate with our families and friends. We are ready for Christmas Eve dinner and Candlelight services at church followed by tucking little ones into bed as they anticipate Santa coming down the chimneys throughout the night and leaving presents for everyone to open first thing Christmas morning.

But after the presents are opened on Christmas morning, take some time to attend your church service with other believers and praise God for sending His Son to Earth. There is a C.S. Lewis quote that says, “The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.” This is why Christ came to Earth. Because he came to Earth he became the bridge, the mediator for us to once again have contact with God. That is something to truly celebrate. He may have come as a baby, but let’s never forget Christ is King.

Finally, the Extraordinary Women team has some gift suggestions for you:
To your enemy . . .forgiveness,
To your opponent . . .tolerance.
To a friend . . . your heart.
To a customer . . . service.
To all men . . .charity.
To every child . . . a good example
To yourself . . .respect
-Author Unknown

Merry Christmas to you from all of us here at Extraordinary Women Ministries!

Gift for parents…check! Gift for kids…check! Gift for husband…check!

I don’t know about all the other Extraordinary Women out there, but Christmas shopping is one of my favorite things! I love buying special gifts for the people I love. From the anticipation of Black Friday to the last minute shopping on Christmas Eve we enjoy the thrill of finding a great sale; the warm feeling when we find that perfect gift for someone special.

But this year, we challenge you to go one step further. Look past all of the activities, all of the family gatherings and try to find one person you can bless with Christmas joy. If you have to work next week, bring someone a cup of coffee that maybe is not able to be close to friends and family this holiday season. If you know of someone at church who lost a loved one this year, make some time for them to let them know you are thinking about them. Know a family that maybe had a rough financial year? Buy some gifts from “Santa” and have them delivered. We have so many chances to be a light to the world for Christ this time of year; don’t get caught up in the hustle and bustle and miss your chance to show God’s love.

That’s why Christ came to Earth after all; to show the love of His Father. Love is what it is important. The rest is just tinsel.

We are having an amazing time here in Quito, Ecuador seeing what the Lord is doing through Compassion. The children and families are so very thankful for the work that is being done. We have had the privilege of visiting two projects so far and will go on to see our third and final project tomorrow. We have also done home visits and been able to view the homes of some of the sponsored children and get a more intimate perspective on their living conditions. We are SO very blessed in America. I know that we all know that very well, but it is difficult to keep that in perspective when we are going through our busy days and things are tight financially. Tonight we were blessed to meet five brothers who all went through the Compassion program in the mountain regions and are now men. Two are teachers, one is studying music at the national conservatory, one works for the government finance department and the other is beginning to study architecture at the national conservatory. They started out without shoes, clothes and any access to education and are all now successful because of Compassion. They are believers and are also in an Ecuadorian band, just made a CD and travel to churches in their neighboring cities to perform! They told us that they do not know where they would be if it were not for Compassion and their sponsors support and prayers.

That is just one little story I wanted to share with you. I have attached a picture of the little boy, Antony, that Bryan and I are now going to sponsor. I was able to meet him, his brother Jandry and his mother today (second picture). His mother is only 25 and has Antony who is 4 and Jandry who is 7 to raise by herself as her husband left her 6 months ago. She does not have a permanent job right now, so it is difficult for her to take care of her two children. Jandry does not have a sponsor, so Bryan (my husband) and I are talking about sponsoring him too! Their mother was so very grateful to me and kept asking me, “Please do not forgot us” and “Please pray for us.” I am not sure if she is a Christian yet, but the children are learning about how much God loves them and I prayed with her several times today and told her I would continue to do so.

Thank you for praying for us this week. It has definitely been an incredible experience. I pray that I will continue to learn more from the Lord and these beautiful people the next two days!

Blessings,
Lindsay

Julie Clinton’s latest devotional is all about being open and willing to serve the Lord. The EW team is excited and feels so blessed to have the opportunity to see service in action and be a small part of His work being done on August 1st – 6th, 2011. Check the EW blog for more details in the coming days!!

How are you planning to celebrate this 4th of July holiday weekend?  Cookouts.  Swim parties.  Boating on the lake.  Delicious red, white and blue desserts.  And, don’t forget–Fireworks!!  What a blessing we have been given to freely celebrate life, love and liberty!  We live in a great nation–the greatest nation on Earth!

May you be blessed by this special devotional and have a wonderful weekend creating special memories with those you love!

July 1 – July 4

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV

On July 4th, 1776 the Continental Congress voted to accept the Declaration of Independence. On August 2nd, 56 men signed it. A new nation was born.

Of those gallant 56 men, most were well educated and wealthy. They had prospered under British rule – but they were not free. And they paid a precious price in declaring their freedom, and the freedom of the new nation.

In all, 5 of the 56 were captured and tortured by the British. 29 had their homes, businesses and property destroyed and eventually went bankrupt. Several lived off charity and died penniless. 9 were killed in the Revolution. 2 lost sons.

But not one betrayed their pledge and commitment to the nation they had birthed.

The 4th of July is a celebration of the results of what they accomplished. Families gather to fellowship and picnic. All across the nation, from back yards to huge stadiums, magnificent firework extravaganzas are displayed — to celebrate. These celebrations are a symbol of our country’s independence and commitment to a bill of rights which formed the foundation for America.

As Christians, we too often fail to celebrate our spiritual liberty. It starts by understanding and remembering what Christ suffered and accomplished on the cross. He paid “in full” our sin debt and offers new life and spiritual freedom to all who choose to believe.

Celebrate these verses:

“…and you will know the truth (Jesus), and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 ESV

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 ESV

“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Jesus Christ from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2 ESV

“For freedom Christ has set us free…” Galatians 5:1 ESV

In 1 Corinthians 6:20, the Apostle Paul reminds us that we have been “bought with a price”. He then adds, “So glorify God in your body.” (ESV) Interestingly, Strong’s Concordance lists “celebrate” as one of the meanings of glorify. Christ not only purchased our salvation, He purchased our freedom. Jesus came to give us life — abundant life (John 10:10 ESV). Celebrate that freedom. Celebrate His life in you. It just might turn your life around.

Each Father’s Day, part of me is sad as I am unable spend physical time with my own father since he is with Jesus.  Yet, I still have hope and know he is forever in my heart and I will see him again someday!  I am so thankful for the role he played in my life.

I don’t know your situation.  My wish is that all of you can have a wonderful day with your earthly father, full of love and fellowship.  But I know for many of you, this will not happen for whatever reason.  I encourage you with this . . .

No matter what your situation may be with your earthly father, your Heavenly Father cares deeply about you and loves you more than you will ever know!  Embrace His love for you today and celebrate Him!!

Now, get out those pens and paper . . .

A Letter Just for Dad

By: Dr. Tim Clinton

To send a letter is a good way to move somewhere without moving anything but your heart. -Phyllis Theroux

“Honor your father…” Eph 6:2

The note was strategically placed on the table next to my keys where I would find it on the way out of the door. “Dad” was written on the folded piece of paper in flowing cursive hand writing. Before I even picked it up a spontaneous smile appeared on my face. My 21-year-old daughter, Megan, has had a knack since she was little, for leaving these little love notes at exactly the right time. Knowing that I had a particularly busy day ahead, she had written, “Have a great day dad. I love you.” I smiled and took the note with me. Why? She had taken the time to pen the note with paper and ink. Not a text — not an email — but a hand written note of love and encouragement.

In The Little Red Book of Wisdom’s revised addition, Mark DeMoss laments the lost art of letter writing and states, “Where letter writing is practiced, some letters leave indelible prints on hearts and souls.”

There is something incredibly powerful in written words. Perhaps that is why the words “write” or “written” are used over 300 times in the (written by the way) Bible. The Ten Commandments were written on stone tablets by the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18 ESV) After commanding Israel to keep His statutes — to teach them to their children — to talk about them — to keep them on their hearts — to bind them to their hands — He then said, “write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:9 ESV) Writing His words down gave them added value.

I love what the Apostle John expresses in 1 John 5:13 — “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” (ESV)

As a way to express our affection, and to give honor to Dad, over 102 million cards will be given this Father’s Day. Each one will have a wonderful rhyming poem or lyric printed inside, with too often, only a simple signature added at the bottom. This year, try something different. Write your dad a note. Express your heartfelt feelings. It may take some time, but it is a beautiful way to convey honor to your father.

You may have been hurt or wounded by your father. A note of forgiveness will build a bridge over the pain and bring healing.

Perhaps your father has passed on. Write him a note anyway. You will be amazed how personal and close just the act of writing will make you feel. If your dad is still living, and it is at all possible, deliver it to him in person. It just might turn his Father’s Day around.

Many Blessings always,

Tim and Julie Clinton

For the Mother Who Fears Failure

By: Ann Voskamp

I became a mother on the eve of Mother’s Day.

And when they placed that vernix-covered, wrinkled babe into my 21-year old arms that muggy Saturday evening in May, no wave of relief, or ecstasy washed over me.

Being the first to caress another human being’s cheek, I only felt raw, unadulterated, strangling terror.

If I could have ran, I would have.

The newborn baby boy on my chest drowsily opened one eye. That one eye looked into mine…and I choked. This baby — this person — so helpless and fragile, was depending on me—- flawed, deficient, inexperienced me.

Tomorrow, my husband would offer me my very first Mother’s Day card. We hadn’t been married 11 months. I wasn’t ready for any of this.

I had never shaped another person before. I had my own issues, my own baggage. Didn’t someone at least need a license or something before taking home a swaddled — soul?

And I knew, far too personally, how the struggles of a Mother can affect a vulnerable child.

A mere seven days before this, this birthing our firstborn, still lumbering under the heaviness of pregnancy, I had wandered down the hollow halls of a locked psychiatric ward…having left my own mother behind those heavy steel doors. They’d clanked shut. And my mother was behind them for a 72-hour lockdown. One hand on my swollen belly, my other had brushed away hot, stinging tears. I had prayed that her three days behind those doors might somehow bring a measure of peace.

My Mama — she had suffered through an abusive childhood. And I had suffered through my early years as she wrestled to lay her past down. Then in the autumn of her 26th year, with 2 preschoolers at her side, and a 3 week old in her arms, Mama witnessed her 18-month-old daughter, my little sister, fall under the crushing wheels of a delivery truck in our farmyard. Mothers never dream of tucking their baby into a shiny black coffin to bury in cold earth.

The haunting of her past fused with the horrors of her present, took beautiful Mama away from me… to hospitals and psychiatric wards throughout my childhood. About to embark on this rite of passage from needing a mother — to being a mother, I felt all too well the weight of motherhood’s mantle.

How could I, in all frankness, have the wherewithal and competence to lead another human being into the good and right way when I didn’t know the way myself?

That first long night in the darkened hospital room, my hand traced the fingers and toes of this new little person. How could I do this? The lump in my throat grew. Failure was certain. I was going to let this little boy down. I found it hard to breathe.

A Bible lay open on my side table. I ran my hand over the crinkled page, knowing the words that whispered somewhere on that darkened leaf.

… he gently leads those that have young… Isaiah 40:11

In the dark of that room, that was all I had to cling to: The gracious Shepherd would have to lead this little babe and me on.

Could I count on Him to lead the way?

The next day dawned Mother’s Day. My own Mama knocked gently at my door.

I smiled shyly as I pulled back the blankets to reveal her first grandchild. We cried as she rocked him close.

“This is for you,” she quietly offered. I took the bag from her outstretched arm.

Inside, an intricate, homemade cover for our hand-me-down car seat.

“Mama…you must have stayed up all night?!” I marveled. None of us were ready this — this little babe arriving 4 weeks early.

She nodded.

“Oh, Mom, you’ve got to be so tired. You shouldn’t have. Really, Mom.” I reached out to embrace her and swaddled baby.

She pressed her cheek close to mine.

“Relationships cost,” she whispered.

In spite of her own anguishing battles, Mama, time and again, chose to pay the price of relationship. Late nights, she’d poured over study notes with me, proof-reading essays, prepared me for university interviews.  Mama had tried.  She’d tried to lay aside self and invest into relationship with me.

I gently took our little boy from Mama’s arms and bundled him into Mama’s made-with-love car seat. We stood back and smiled. This little person wrapped in her selfless love. The Shepherd was leading me—through Mama’s example.

Turning to Mom, I managed a laugh, hoping levity would mask the doubts that had me in a choke hold. “Think I can do this, Mama?”

She took my hand and squeezed.

“It’s not that you aren’t going to blow it. It’s what you do with it afterwards.”

Over the years, Mama had often blown it. Though good intentioned, she had missed significant events, spoken harshly, been unavailable… disappointed me. Yet my love for her coursed deep and sure…simply because she had listened to and heard my pain.

And she had humbly owned her failures, apologized for the disappointments, and fervently attempted to pay the cost of relationship.

Mama’s refrain began to massage hope into my scared stiff heart:

Relationships cost.

It’s not that you aren’t going to blow it. It is what you do with it, when you do.

Perhaps there was something more powerful to experience than a perfect Mother: the wonder of a committed Mother who simply humbles herself.

Like that Shepherd who knew the cost of relationship, chose to pay the price, and, staggeringly, “humbled Himself… even to the point of death on a cross” (Phil 2:8).

Out of the ashes and brokenness of our sin, rises the breathtaking exquisiteness of humility and grace, the Cross. And out of the anguish and woundedness of Mama’s life, surfaced a gentle humility and a dogged devotion to relationship. Regardless.

I felt the strangling terror give way to realization. Motherhood does not require, thankfully, perfection. It simply requires commitment and humility.

I was ready now to take our baby boy home and be a Mother.

One last glance around the room —  found my first Mother’s Day card sitting on the windowsill.

I picked up the card. I had feared I would never be a Mother’s Day card Mother. Mama had shown me that I didn’t need to be.

The Shepherd leads those with young not to be Hallmark versions of perfection, but rather  persevering versions of humility. Grace stands in the gaps.

Mama held open the door with a brave smile, and I nodded sure and carried our son out into the world, underneath is all held by His everlasting arms…

To read more from the talented Ann Voskamp, visit her blog “A Holy Experience”

Thank-you Ann!  And, happy Mother’s day to all of the Extraordinary Moms out there…we love being a part of your life!

Julie Clinton the EWomen Team



EWomen will be traveling to 3 venues throughout this month and we hope you will be with us.  We had a great month of March as we were able to minister to nearly 11,000 women in Oklahoma and South Carolina.

God has done a great work thus far and we are so excited to see what he has planned for this month.  Many of you who have attended our events in Tulsa, Greenville and Pensacola, met our new Praise and Worship leader, Michael O’Brien!  Michael has been a wonderful addition to the EW Team and even wrote a song just for our conferences this year!  We are so thankful to have him with us as he is a very talented artist who loves the Lord and has a true gift of drawing many to the throne of God!  Visit his website to learn more about his ministry:  www.michael0.org

Here’s the lyrics to this year’s theme song!!  Enjoy and we will see you soon at a conference near you!!

Everlasting Hope

Written Michael O’Brien

From the dawn of all Creation

God’s revealed Your holiness

Every kingdom of every nation

Will one day soon confess

Chorus

Jesus You’re the Everlasting Hope

Jesus You’re the Everlasting Hope

All that is good perfect and right

Merciful Savior Giver of Life

You’re The Everlasting Hope

All the heavens see Your Glory

Let all the Earth sing Your praise

For there’s one name above all names

It’s in Christ we are saved

Bridge

Wonderful Glorious Jesus

Blessed Redeemer and Friend

Wonderful Glorious Jesus

You are Love