Tuesday at Lee Park!

Driving to the mountains for the night.  A nice church member couldn't use their timeshare so they gave it to us .  No worries..We have plenty of folks who get mad at us to keep us humble.  This won't change us...even if the resort is fancy.  Ohhhh I am kidding!!!

We had the best first week of Bible studies.   Ladies were everywhere..We are calling  it "Community day" at Lee Park...We were amazed at all the ladies coming from other churches.  We did put Lee Park bumper stickers on all their cars ...but we held true to our not asking them to visit Lee Park on a Sunday ...kidding again!

I loved being around the campus cooking all day Tuesday. Chris had close to thirty men on their lunch break and devotions with the pastor.  They had the best dessert of the day..Chocolate pudding cake with cool whip/ pudding/chocolate chip icing.  Boys are so funny serving themselves.  Lisa remarked how lost some of them were without their wives.:).  Ashea Griffin made the greatest sweet tea ever.  The men left filled in every possible way.  If any of your husbands are in the Monroe area at lunchtime...we would love to have them...starts at 12 and ends at 12:45.

The greatest thrill of the day was speaking with all our teachers after their first class.  We have spent most of our Summer meeting and preparing for the day.  Humble smile after humble smile from all of them.  Amazed and awed at the goodness of the Lord.  I love those ladies so much and love serving them and you.   They all looked for ways to help in the kitchen and were all so appreciative for the opportunity to serve.  Only God brings that kind of unity with ladies...Thank you, Lord!

It is still not too late for you to come.  Message us and we will get you plugged in a class.

"Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you" James 4:10

Thanks to everyone for their kindness in hard work ...and all honor and praise to King Jesus!!!!

I may have just found something to silence me immediately ..the "Hot Now" sign on our route:):)

Becky:)

Have You Read Your Bible Today?

Hey,  Everybody!!
Tomorrow is the day!  We are starting our thirteen Ladies Bible studies at Lee Park.    Sign-ups have been amazing.....the Lord does so many things in such a way that you are left with only one choice.... "Give HIM all praise and honor." Tomorrow's enrollment= "Give the Lord all praise and honor" !!!!!

I am praying for all our teachers/facilitators.  We have all ages teaching and all levels of years of faith in Christ Jesus.  I am of the big belief that leading/ facilitating a Ladies Bible study is something you don't have to wait to throw people into. All we need is a willing heart, a belief that God's Word provides every answer, a surrendered heart to Jesus and that you have finished two in depth Bible studies.  We don't have all the answers and we say "we don't know" when we don't ...and we take the question to the pastor. 

Today, meet one of our newest facilitators, Aleque James.  I love Aleque.  She and Kris Singleton will be leading the Kelly Minter, "Ruth" study.  They are both young and poke fun at this old woman.  They keep me youthful through smart, but funny text messages.  I love them both, and thank the Lord for their faithfulness to study God's Word.  Watching God firm up Aleque' resolve to trust His Word has brought great joy the last year...and was a great encouragement to my own faith.  Aleque and her husband, Stu, are expecting their second child.  Aleque is an optometrist running an office in Rock Hill.  She is very busy with her adorable son, Logan.....BUT yet she is teaching a Bible study!!!!!woohoo!!! I like that set of priorities :)

Thanks Aleque...I love you!
Becky 

Last year, a dear friend of mine, my pastor's wife,  gave me the "One Year Bible."  It was to help me establish a routine of reading my Bible daily, as well as gaining more application insight.  I've always had a Bible close to my reach throughout my life, but unfortunately not spent near as much time developing my understanding and love for God's Word as I should have.

After I was given this specific Bible last year, I committed to reading daily as well as finishing the Bible in one calendar year.  I cannot adequately express in words the magnitude that it has changed my life.  As I read daily, I am so often amazed at what a beautiful piece of work the Bible is and how awazing our Creator is as well.  God had an amazing plan even from the beginning... In every chapter of the Bible God is simply saying "I Love You".  The more I read, the more I realize I do not know.

There are so many wonderful stories of love, loss, forgiveness, redemption, and faithfulness from our ever-loving Father.  The amazing thing is that they are not just stories, they were real people in history, just like you and me.  I have learned more in the last year by spending intimate time in God's Word than I could have ever imagined that I did not know.  Having said that, I can now see what more there is to learn and that we will never know it all.  That's one amazing part of the personal relationship we have with God.  We can always strengthen our knowledge, love, and relationship, despite where we find ourselves.  There is always room for growth. I saw a great difference with this in my own life as I began to search and read the Bible consistently.

I encourage each of you to start somewhere and take a step in obedience by reading the Bible daily if you are not already.  I promise you will not regret this decision and God will honor your committment.  It will be worth it one day to be able to finish the Bible in a year, even if it takes until 11:00pm on December 31st as it did myself :) I cannot think of a better way to ring in the New Year!!!


If you are willing to take Aleque's challenge....to read the Bible in one year.....we would love to help you out. Just as Becky and the Ladies Ministry did for Aleque, we would love to do for you. Comment and let us know you want to accept the challenge, and we will get you a One Year Bible that takes the Bible and puts it in a one year reading plan for you, all in one place. Take the challenge, you'll be glad you did!
Lisa

The Body of Christ

Hey Ladies! ( and Men that like ladies:)

We are going to be busy on the blog for the next two weeks introducing you to our Bible study teachers / facilitators for the Fall semester of Ladies Bible studies at Lee Park.  

Today, meet Sharon York .  Sharon is not a Lee Park church member but she has been a faithful member of Tuesday Community Bible study day at Lee Park for a few years.  I have had Sharon in many of my classes.  My only hesitation in asking Sharon to teach last year was that I knew I would miss having her in the study I was teaching ...Thankfully, the Lord doesn't let you get away with that kind of selfishness:).  Sharon is bold for the Lord.  She is a beautiful woman.  She is a godly wife and mother.  We have a lot of fun with Sharon.  We don't get much time with Sharon, but our love for the Word of God unites us.  We have been tempted many times to ask Sharon to come to Lee Park and yet again, the Lord does not let me get away with that selfish behavior either.  God is doing a mighty work in Union County and Sharon already attends a good church.  Now. If she were attending a bad church..We wouldn't hesitate:).........We love you, Sharon...Thank you for your testimony!

Becky:)

"For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the 
body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many."  1 Corinthians 12:12-14

  

That verse has always been dear to me. But in the last year it has taken on even more meaning. Why, you might wonder? 

I am a member of Unionville Baptist Church where my family and I have been for more than 5 years. In that time I have seen my daughter come to know the Lord, followed by my son, and then the Lord tenderly spoke to my husband and he gave his heart and life to Him as well. My husband serves on the Deacon Board and I teach a Ladies Sunday School Class. We love it there. 

And on Tuesdays, you will find me teaching Bible study at Lee Park. I have to say, I love Lee Park. I am as excited on Tuesdays to be at Lee Park as I am on Sundays and Wednesdays to be at Unionville. The reason is, I serve the same God no matter the church. As a matter of fact, God doesn't set us apart according to the church of which we are a member. He sees us as the body, one body with one purpose to worship and glorify Him. 

I believe that at Lee Park, Pastor Chris and Becky's vision goes much further than the walls of Lee Park. Their vision reaches a community, a city, and a world that needs the Light of Jesus. How do you reach a world for Jesus....one person at a time, loving them and discipling them until they are ready to be fishers of men and women themselves. I believe God has richly blessed their vision to see past a church. Although I am a member at another church, one thing remains the same....we love the same Jesus. Actually, He makes my heart smile. I love that about Him. I love the women who come to study His Word, they are all so different, each one unique, but with one purpose in mind...to know Him and to make Him known. One body, many members. All coming together to glorify Jesus. 


Your Sister In Christ, 

Sharon 

Is God’s Word Alive and Real to You?

It's time for another guest blogger!! Today we have the privilege of introducing you to Robin Gagne'. Robin is part of the Ladies Ministry leadership team and teaches Bible study on Tuesdays, as well as works in AWANA on Wednesday. She is a homeschool mom to three children, and wife to Jeff, our Chairman of the Deacons at Lee Park. She is kind, sweet, godly and an all around wonderful person. To know Robin is to love her, we know you will too......................Lisa 

I have always loved the Bible.  However, earlier in my life it wasn’t always as real to me.  Especially when I would just read my Bible for about 5 or 10 minutes a day. It just seemed like a duty instead, my Christian duty that is.  

God’s desire for us all is close relationship with Him--to know Him and continue to grow in our relationship with Him. I thank God for providing the way to deepen my relationship with Him through my first Bible Study, which happened to be a Beth Moore study.  The church where I attended “MOPS” (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) meetings, when my oldest was only an infant, had a wonderful ladies ministry and offered Bible Studies. 

Bible Study opened up a whole new world for me!  That is all it took to ignite my desire within to dig into God’s Word.  Bible study brought the Bible to life and encouraged me to study longer, as well as apply God’s truths to my life like I had never done before. I discovered how amazing and exciting the Bible truly is!  Gathering together with other ladies to discuss God’s Word really gave me the accountability to stay focused and grow despite my temptation to rush my time in God’s Word or to skip days reading the Bible all together. 

Now, even after more than 20 different studies, I have found that I have only begun to scratch the surface— because, the more I learn about God’s Word, the more I understand how little I actually know about Him and how much more I need to learn.  Bible study gives me the desire to continue studying so that I can know God better and better!  

God’s Word speaks to us individually and changes our lives no matter how many times we read His Word!  We are so blessed here at Lee Park to have the opportunity and choices of so many great Bible studies!  Our hearts’ desire here in Ladies Ministry is for everyone to grow more and more in Christ’s love through God’s Word.  Jesus is everything and our answer to all that life brings our way.  Only God’s Word can give us the true wisdom and knowledge our hearts seek!  Only Jesus satisfies all our hearts’ longings!

Robin

Calling all cooks.....or those that want to be!

Hey Everybody!

We are so excited to be sharing the first of our many recipes here on the blog.  

Marilyn Williams runs our kitchen with me on Wednesday nights.  We plan the meals together(fake reason to go out to lunch often) and try to do so in an inexpensive yet tasty manner.  I love to be with Marilyn.  She is the Mother of two wonderful kids, Kelly and Chad.  She is married to Roger, her farmer husband, and all around "hit with the ladies" when he wears his overalls. 

Her newest role is that of "Granna" to Levi.  She has been at Lee Park for many years and serving faithfully.  We both love aprons and being in a kitchen...especially the Lee Park kitchen.
Marilyn is an excellent cook.  I love and use many of her recipes. 

Becky:)

 

From Marilyn's Kitchen:

CHICKEN POT PIE

4 – 5 large chicken breasts (Cooked)

1 can Cream of Celery Soup

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

1 can Chicken Broth

1 can Mixed vegetables (Veg-All) drained, or 1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables

Put chicken in bottom of greased 9 X 13 baking dish.  Combine soups and vegetables in saucepan and let mixture come to a boil.  Stir until all soups are dissolved.  Pour soup mixture over chicken.

CRUST

1 cup Self-Rising Flour

1 stick Margarine, melted

1 cup Milk

Mix together and pour over chicken.  Bake at 400 degrees until crust is brown and vegetables are tender.

VARIATION:  Sometimes I leave out the vegetables and make the pie with just the soups.   I just serve it over creamed potatoes.  It is great this way too.

If you are a chocoholic like I am, you will love this cake.  It is super easy to make (only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish) and the longer it sits, the better it gets. 

CHOCOLATE SHEATH CAKE

2 cups Sugar

2 cups Self Rising Flour

1 stick Margarine

½ cup Crisco (liquid)

4 T. Cocoa

1 cup Water

½ cup Buttermilk

2 Eggs

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Vanilla

Sift together flour and sugar and put into large mixing bowl.  Place margarine, Crisco, cocoa and water into saucepan and bring to boil.  Pour over flour and sugar mixture, beating well.  Mix together buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla and pour into other mixture and then into a greased and floured 9 X 13 pan.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.

ICING

1 tsp. Vanilla

½ cup chopped nuts

6 T. Milk

1 stick Margarine

4 T. Cocoa

1 box Confectioners Sugar

Start icing 5 minutes before cake is done.  Put all ingredients except confectioners sugar into saucepan, bring to boil.  Pour over confectioners sugar and beat well.  Remove cake from oven and spread icing on hot cake.

Paths of Love

Becky and I (Lisa), are excited to introduce a guest blogger today, Sharon Latta.

Sharon is also in leadership in the Ladies Ministry with us. She is very friendly and outgoing, and we tease her that she knows everyone in Union county! She is also the wife of our Executive Pastor, Rev. Kit Latta. Sharon is a teacher, and has been in the school full time for the past couple of years. This year she is home full time in order to be the helpmate to her husband in his ministry, as well as to do more with the Ladies Ministry. We love Sharon, and know you will too.........

The house that we live in is very special to me. It was a house that I spent a great deal of time in as I was growing up. It was a house that was filled with much love and joy, making it not a house, but very much a home. It was the home of my maternal grandparents. I was fortunate enough to know both sets of my grandparents and they lived just five houses apart. We spent time at both homes, but where all the action took place was at my mom’s parents. They had a garden, cows, cats, kittens and a dog - also a barn to play in and a great area where we rode bikes in the yard. We made many memories there, playing, picking vegetables and then canning them. When I was a teenager, I remember telling my grandmother (Mema) that I wanted to live in their house one day. She could not understand why - but I knew it was because I was very close to them and had wonderful memories of all the activities that went on there.

My dream came true eleven years ago when we were given the opportunity to move into their home. I was so excited but knew much work needed to be done to make it livable for our family. Mema and Pop-pop had not lived there in about six years. We finally decided how we wanted to remodel it and we pretty much gutted the house- updating it completely. The only room that I would not change in a significant way was the kitchen. I had spent so many hours in that kitchen with Mema watching her take steps from the sink across the room to the stove and refrigerator. It was not the most modern of layouts but it was hers and I wanted to walk the same path that she walked as she prepared meals, baked biscuits and made cakes. Several people tried to get me to change it - to make it more convenient - but I was determined to follow her path in the room where she had shared so much of herself and her love with me.

As important as all of this is, it is even more critical to walk in the path that God has laid out for me. I know without a doubt that the path that He has for me is of greater importance than the path that my family, friends, or even society might wish to chart for my life. Therefore, His path is the one that I strive to keep in focus. As Proverbs 3:5 and 6 says,” Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” If I follow my Lord and Savior on the journeys of my life, I am certain that the blessings I will receive will be great, just as they will be for you. Trust the Lord for your path. He will not abandon you. He will not lead you astray. And just as I find comfort in the path of my grandmother, we can find comfort in the path of our God. The blessings will be GREAT.

In Christ’s Love,
Sharon Latta