It's Official

This morning was the final official court date, so as of 10am this morning Julieanne Marina Gamble is officially a member of the Pitney family.

I've never been to an adoption hearing before. It was kind of neat. The Judge is a Christian and prayed with the family afterwards. 

Welcome to the family, Julieanne!

10 Things Tuesday: Prayers and Praises

Prayers:

1. Pray for the strengthening of our marriage as to everything that we have to do to get to Cameroon.
   
   
2. Pray for financial and prayer partners to join our team.
   
   
3. Pray that we are able to sell our house for a good price that will allow us to enter the mission field debt free with a "moving fund."
   
   
4. Pray for God to open up speaking opportunities in homes and at churches for us to cast the vision for our ministry.
   
   
5. Pray for a sense of peace in our house with all the extra medical expenses and extra house repair/tree expenses this year.

Praises:

1. Thank you for our amazing family and circle of friends.
   
   
2. Thank you for our new prayer and financial partners that have joined our team.
   
   
3. Thank you for the lessons that You have been teaching us through this journey.
   
   
4. Thank you for the continued healing of the young Zion Carlstrom.
   
   
5. Thank you for providing us with great jobs that we love.

Game Night with Friends

Steve and I seriously have the greatest friends, ever!  This was a great weekend.  I have to work all weekend, but the time I had off I spent cleaning up the house to get it ready for Game Night.  Sunday night, our friends Merry and Joe came over for a game night.  They brought over some great food.  They planned a potato and salad bar with all sorts of great toppings.

I made the delicious chocolate delights below.  I think they turned out really tasty.  I used Rocky Road as the bottom ice cream layer and Neapolitan as the middle ice cream layer.  I think next time I'll make more of the cheese cake filling and make that layer bigger.  They did not turn out as pretty as the picture with the recipe; they were pretty good though.  Steve likes cheese cake, but he can't have cream cheese. I never thought of making cheesecake filling with cottage cheese before. I found the recipe in a diabetic recipes cookbook.  I used real sugar, not sugar substitute.  I really liked this idea.

Overall, it was a great night with great friends, great conversations, some great games of Clue and Hangman.  We should really get together more often.

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Chocolate Fudge Cheese Cake Parfaits

YIELD Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS

1‑1/2	cups fat-free cottage cheese
4	packets sugar substitute or equivalent of 8 teaspoons sugar
2	teaspoons packed brown sugar
1‑1/2	teaspoons vanilla
2	tablespoons semisweet mini chocolate chips, divided
2	cups fat-free chocolate ice cream or fat-free frozen yogurt
3	tablespoons graham cracker crumbs

PREPARATION:

1. Combine cottage cheese, sugar substitute, brown sugar and vanilla in food processor or blender; process until smooth. Stir in 1 tablespoon mini chips with wooden spoon.
2. Spoon about 1/4 cup ice cream into each stemmed glass. Top with heaping tablespoon cheese mixture; sprinkle with 2 teaspoons graham cracker crumbs. Repeat layers. Freeze parfaits 15 to 30 minutes to firm slightly.
3. Garnish each parfait with remaining 1 tablespoon mini chips and remaining cracker crumbs.

Wycliffe celebrates 25 years in Cameroon

“My mother comes from Banso and my father from Noni. A few years before my mother’s death, she was yet to become a Christian. I took a copy of the Lamnso New Testament and through it, I learned how to read and write Lamnso. I went ahead and read the Lamnso Bible to my mother. She gave her life to Christ and started counseling us as a real mother would do. Before now, she knew there were two gods; one who responds to immediate needs and the other that is talked about in Churches. As she heard the scriptures in the mother tongue, she confessed that there is just one God and that is Jesus, who deserves all our worship and who cares for all our worries. I am so thankful to God for the work CABTAL is doing”

Mrs Mary Wamey, Calvary Chapel Bamenda
Secondary School teacher

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January 2012 marks a celebration of 25 years since Bible translation projects began in Cameroon, West Africa. When Bible translation began in 1987 in Cameroon, the model for translation was still to send a single expatriate team to begin a project. But that has changed.

"Cameroonians are now taking the leadership of these projects," explains Creson. "Local communities are very much involved in helping to shape the nature of the translation process--what they want to see, what they want to have built for them in terms of tools for discipleship, evangelism and church planting."

Nationals are taking over, and Wycliffe likes it. The local Cameroonian involvement has been vital to the speed and success of the numerous translation projects there. Above all, that means the Gospel is reaching people quicker.

"People are coming to Christ now in unprecedented numbers, and God is really at work in the community in Cameroon," says Creson.

The success in Cameroon is representative of projects across the globe. Wycliffe has been able to get more local believers involved with translation projects worldwide. The advantage of locals combined with the advancement of technology is driving translation forward with serious speed.

Vision 2025--Wycliffe's goal to get a Bible translation project rolling for every language in the world by the year 2025--is looking more and more doable, thanks to hard-working teams like the ones in Cameroon. But thousands of people help to make these projects possible, including prayer warriors and financial supporters.

Join our Team  

See More: http://mnnonline.org/article/16753

10 Things Tuesday: My Week in Pictures

It's been a really busy few weeks at work. I know that I missed last week's 10 Things Tuesday and today is a day late. Let's call this 10 Things Tuesday - Wednesday edition.

1. 
   
2. 
   
   
3. A few weeks ago, I posted on 10 Things Tuesday how excited I was for a friend who after 2 losses and her husband beat prostate cancer, that they were pregnant with their "hopefully" rainbow baby.
   
   
4. Yesterday at their 16 week appointment, they couldn't find the heartbeat.  I'm so heartbroken for them.  It's just not fair.
 

4. When I think about the struggles that many people go through to have kids, my problems don't seem so big anymore.

5. I absolutely love the place I'm going for my massage therapy.  Everyone is so nice. If you make an appointment and tell them that I referred you, than I get a free massage!  
6. Tuesday is family trivia night at our friend Jean's house!
  

7. My husband had the whole day off from both jobs yesterday. I came home from work to find that he did laundry, dishes, vacuumed, cleaned the bedroom, and the kitchen.  He even did some Wycliffe work.  He had a productive day.

8.

   

9.

10.

Bible Study: Psalm 25

 

¹ In you, Lord my God,

    I put my trust.

² I trust in you;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.
³ No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous without cause.

⁴ Show me your ways, Lord,

    teach me your paths.

⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,

    for you are God my Savior,

    and my hope is in you all day long.

⁶ Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
    for they are from of old.
⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth
    and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
    for you, Lord, are good.

⁸ Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
⁹ He guides the humble in what is right
    and teaches them his way.
¹⁰ All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
    toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
¹¹ For the sake of your name, Lord,
    forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

¹² Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
    He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
¹³ They will spend their days in prosperity,
    and their descendants will inherit the land.
¹⁴ The Lord confides in those who fear him;
    he makes his covenant known to them.
¹⁵ My eyes are ever on the Lord,
    for only he will release my feet from the snare.

¹⁶ Turn to me and be gracious to me,

    for I am lonely and afflicted.

¹⁷ Relieve the troubles of my heart

    and free me from my anguish.

¹⁸ Look on my affliction and my distress
    and take away all my sins.
¹⁹ See how numerous are my enemies
    and how fiercely they hate me!

²⁰ Guard my life and rescue me;

    do not let me be put to shame,

    for I take refuge in you.

²¹ May integrity and uprightness protect me,
    because my hope, Lord, is in you.

²² Deliver Israel, O God,
    from all their troubles!

Ended Up Being a Great Weekend

Steve somehow got Friday off from both jobs. I had to work at the YWCA until noon, then when I went to Sears to work my normal 1 to 7 shift, I found out I had the day off.  So we both ended up having almost the whole day off.

I helped Steve finish fixing our shed roof and cleaned up the back yard.  Then it was family time when my parents, Grammie, sister and her boyfriend came over for dessert.

Saturday, we both had to work and we finally got some much needed rain.  Then we worked on planning our presentation at church on Sunday.  Sunday, we met with a different Sunday School and shared our journey to Cameroon. I think we did really well and it was fun to meet some new people. Even though we go to small church, I don't know everybody yet.

After church and work, my sister, mom and Grammie had some girls night out fun shopping for clothes. Of course, we went to Sears for their Friends and Family event. I love discounts.  The picture is one of the new outfits that I'm wearing today. I have a cute black skirt and some new white sandles on too.

Bible Study: Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

¹ Lord, hear my prayer,
    listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
    come to my relief.
² Do not bring your servant into judgment,
    for no one living is righteous before you.
³ The enemy pursues me,
    he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
    like those long dead.
⁴ So my spirit grows faint within me;
    my heart within me is dismayed.
⁵ I remember the days of long ago;
    I meditate on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.
⁶ I spread out my hands to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land.

⁷ Answer me quickly, Lord;
    my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
    or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
⁸ Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.
⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
    lead me on level ground.

¹¹ For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
    in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
¹² In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
    destroy all my foes,
    for I am your servant.

Bible Study: Colossians 3-4

Last week, my online Bible Study finished up our study of Colossians with a chat on Monday.
My Main Takeaway from Colossians: To focus on riding myself of the things that kill (anger, rage, envy, etc) and let the peace of Christ rule in my heart.  To be remember it's a daily choice to be THANKFUL, which is not always easy to do when it's so easy to focus on what you don't have.  God wants us to be encouraged in heart and united in love, strengthened in the faith, and overflowing the thankfulness.

Colossians 3:

Verses 1-17: "Rules for Holy Living"

Verse 4 says, "Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will apear with him in glory."

Verse 5 says, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:

What are some of the things that bring life and some that bring life?
Life:
"we are to be filled with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" (vs. 12)
"let the word of the Christ dwell in you richley." (vs. 16)
"and be thankful" (vs. 15)
"love, which binds them all in perfect unity" (vs. 14)
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (vs 17)

Thankfulness is mentioned 3 times in chapters 3 and 4.  It must be a reminded command because we need to be reminded of it. We have to actively choose thankfulness.  It's a daily choice.

Death:
Anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, coveting. (vs. 8)
Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. (vs. 5)

Proverbs 14:30: "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

It really does. I think sometimes that's how things work with us.  They kill us from the inside. We may look great on the outside, but we are rotting away on the inside.

 Verses 18-25: "Rules For Christian Living"

Verse 18-21: "Wives submit to you husband, as it is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them."
People don't like the word "submit," but if you replace it with the word "serve" it makes better sense.  If your husband is truly loving the wife with Christlike love, then it's easy and natural to submit.  These verses say that we are to serve our husbands, like we are serving the Lord, and they are to love us as Jesus loves the church.

There should be a balance. If our husbands ever have to command us to submit, then something is wrong.  The balance is off.

Family seems to important to Paul.  It was important to him that the Colossians understand what love of a family was supposed to look like.  The parents are to be a team, but the husband should still be the head of the family.  Children should obey, but with loving direction.Verse 22-25: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord."
Does this verse mean that God supported slavery?  In this verse, I see God's compassion for slaves. I don't think God likes slavery, but He still wanted the slaves to serve their masters and "whatever they do, work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

It's a call to be excellent in all we do.  "Masters, provide  your slaves with what is right and fair, becuase you know that you also have a master in heaven."  This speaks more of the balance of love and respect, serving each other, advocating for eachother, etc.

 Chapter 4:

Do you have any people in your life who meet a specific spiritual or physical need for you, like Paul has in Chapter 4?

It's great that Paul honors his partners in this chapter.  We all have partners, other Christians, that help and encourage of on our journey towards Christ.  We all need to remember thank those who helped along the way.

It all comes down to community. God never designed Christianity to be done in isolation. Can you be a Christian without going to church? Sure, but God designed us for community.

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am chains." (vs. 2-3)

10 Things Tuesday: My Thoughts Today

This is a slightly edited version of what I posted today on my online group's 10 Things Tuesday.

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1. Tonight, my hubby and I are taking our nephew (and the rest of his family) to his first Minor League baseball game and they are showing fireworks after the game.
   
2. Our County Fair is this week too, so we might take them there too.
   
3. My friend announced on Facebook this weekend that, after having a husband fight and win a battle with Prostate Cancer, and two losses in the last 2 years, she is 14 wks pregnant with her *hopefully* rainbow baby. I am so excited for them.
   
4. I love my online Bible Study. I'm looking forward to studying Psalms 143 this week.
   
5. I hate when there is a Holiday in the middle of the week. It messes up my whole schedule.
   
6. This is the first week of our new Fiscal Year at work. 
   
   
7. I have so much to do at work because of #6, but no motivation.
   
8. Last week, I started going to a massage therapist twice a week for a total of 6 sessions to help me with my anxiety and stress.
   
9. We really need rain here.
   
10. My sister finally moved into the house my family bought this weekend.  It's gorgeous.
    Bedroom - Before                                      
    
    Bedroom - After
    
    I wish I had a picture of the new kitchen floor. My dad designed and cut all the tile. It looks great.