Jasmine Lloyd Part 2 "When Life Gives You Lemons"

Hey Everybody!

This is Part 2 of Jasmine's Blog.  If you missed Part 1, scroll down and read it first.  If you are interested in having the girls come speak....Contact us at ladies ministry@leeparkchurch.org

We love you Jasmine, Holly and Alex.  Thanks for sharing your story.  God be honored and Praised!

Becky

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver Him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment, he sought an opportunity to betray Him. – Matthew 26:14-16 

Jesus and Judas

When I think back on those days now
What I remember the most was what you told me about Christ,
That He came for the sick, not the healthy,
That I, your daughter, was sickest of all,
Your most likely candidate for Judas.

To me, you were Jesus.
Partly because you said so, 
And partly because I was six years old,
My impression of Jesus not yet formed.

I watched you rip pages of Scripture
From the old and beaten Bible you owned, 
Crushing holy psalms in your doughy fists,
And placing them in your mouth, swallowing whole. 
“I am the word of God,” you said,
“While I live, this Bible is obsolete.” 
And that would be the end of it,
Although secretly I wondered 
How those God-breathed words tasted on your tongue,
And how you could stand there, in righteous hypocrisy
Calling me the hated one of God. 

I do not think I was born a Judas,
But because you believed it so strongly,
Could have sworn it on your dying breath,
There were times where I felt 
The pieces of silver in my hand
Burning round circles onto my flesh. 
It was easy, in those moments,
To know what to do, exactly how to betray you.

A poem so dangerously honest, written by my youngest sister, Alex Trice. This poem reflects pieces of our lives, as we grew up in a closed world of godlessness, hopelessness and absolute despair.

In a more professional term, my sisters and I were deemed victims of human trafficking, which is a term for modern day slavery. We fall more into the category of “labored trafficking victims”.  Though our stories do not fit into the grander scheme of this global crime, the signs and symptoms of this case clearly stated we were.

I have two sisters, Holly and Alex. Our bond cannot be broken as sisters…to clarify though, Holly and I are blood sisters born in the London, and Alex was adopted from Hong Kong when she was 2. Our mothers were in some form and fashion “tricked” into giving away their children on empty promises made by a very charismatic English lady stating that their daughters will have a grand life full of opportunities and memories…

Opportunities you wonder…yes….we had opportunities, opportunities to serve this middle aged woman who believed she was Christ and all things god…Opportunities to fulfill our “calling” in life as her disciples…at what 5, 7 and 11 years old? Sounds crazy doesn’t it…but it is all true…

Memories…what kind of memories you may wonder…those filled with restricted communication with the outside world, no friends, no school…just domestic labour, physical and mental abuse.

This woman whom I’ll refer to as M, developed a relationship with our mothers, but a one sided relationship where she was in control of decisions and responses,  to the point where our mums were literally tricked into thinking their daughters would have an amazing safe life…that they just could not afford in their wildest dreams.

To wrap our story as short as possible, my sisters and I lived 13 years within the confines of M’s hole, before any authorities were notified. Neighbors couldn’t tell if we were boys or girls, since our hair was always buzzed short as a method of punishment.

Our living conditions were deplorable, we had no official education except for the Jane Austen’s, Thomas Hardy, Dictionaries and yes even Scripture…we had opportunity to enrich our minds, but reading, writing and singing became an outlet, an escape. (I’m sorry to have to do this…but I just have to add a picture of Mr Darcy…)

              

 Scripture in this hole was always abused; we were not allowed to read it for what it was. It was dictated by M to have it say what she wanted it to say. She twisted it and turned truths to lies, and absolutely to this day believes she is Christ, the lord and god. 

December 21^st, 2005, DSS of Union County followed a report to our hole in Monroe, assessed the situation, found this bizarre story to be completely true, and basically whisked my sisters and me away. The supervisor for that case, Tanya Meachum was our passage out --for some reason (God) we bonded and haven’t been able to break that bond, praise the Lord!

M supposedly fled the country 3 days later, and was eventually captured by authorities in Bulgaria in 2009. It has been about two years since M has been incarcerated here in the US, and probably as I ‘m writing…Judges and court officials in charge prepare to make a final decision as to what her outcome is to be—release from jail and then be deported, or remain in incarceration.

Here is what I see. It has taken some time, digesting, thinking and praying, but my sisters and I have seen the Hand of God work. It is by the Grace of God we can now pull out our bibles and read it for exactly what it says. By the Grace of God, I sit here and type to you all, revealing how God can take the hopeless and make them hopeful.

God has had His hand over the three of us the whole time…as I look over the course of my life…I can see how my sisters and I were protected and provided for. One of our many saving graces were each other, God knew exactly what we needed to pull through and we took advantage of that gift… leaned on each other for support, love and sanity. After 13 years of H…e…double hockey sticks…we are not insane…at least not by professional standards. :D

Our new lives began, full of self discovery, mental growth, emotional stability, spiritual renewal and strength. We saw life as if we’d seen it for the first time…we cried when we went to the GED school in Wadesboro, because it looked like a prison and we thought we’d be dead by day 1...(uhhummm…Holly)…we always believed we would ALWAYS get an F on a school assignment and end up with a miraculous A…(ummmm…Alex.) I happen to always come out to be the perfect one…the one who was not leaving anywhere with very sweet and kind church girls (wanting to be friends)…inviting to buy me a coffee at La Vida Mocha…(because I really had no idea how to handle that interaction). Now I can’t stay away from coffee houses and I have no problem talking to anyone…you either need earplugs, or an extra pair of clean socks. :D

In the last 6 years or so, all us sisters have completed our high school education, whether that was graduating from an actual highschool holding the 6^th spot in the whole school, or graduating with a GED…even if we maybe had to take the math portion of the test…twice.  

Alex has been blessed to go to an awesome Communication School in Greensboro, called Elon. Holly studied at the Johnson and Wales in Charlotte…she also has a one year marital anniversary coming up! I am currently in a nursing program…plodding away.

One of many miracles was that the three of us got a real loving family, along with three awesome brothers. We are one big, loud family…hungry for God, love, knowledge and laughter. We have had opportunities to reunite with our biological mothers and build a new life with a long lasting relationship. All of this was possible by the Grace of God…trusting Him all the way. Following Him all the way opens up opportunities we never imagined possible.

There are two ways to respond to situations in your life; one as a non believer without hope, the other is as believer in Christ—full of hope to no end. My sisters and I have chosen to take our situation and praise God for all He has done, recognize that we are stronger because of it, and know that God truly will not give you more than you can handle…and as human beings we can handle more than we think. I love the book of James, it teaches us how to respond in life. I love that my sisters and I gave our hearts and lives to Christ. I love that even when we fall down—make mistakes, God does not turn his back on us or mock us. I love my life.

My sisters and I give our testimonies to churches around various counties and small groups which end with a couple of songs of praise.  What a delight to acknowledge God, to give Him all the credit, glory and thanks for our lives…to live it to the fullest, and to share the Grace He bestowed upon us with everyone who will hear!

Romans 8:28

A Bad Text....Provides an Opening to Share a Good God.....

Hey Everybody!  We appreciate so much the kind words about our Ladies Ministry Blog.  I have enjoyed so much hearing from all our LM teachers and we look forward to sharing more with you.  It has been fun to be a little silly too.  "Christianity is cool and fun:) is how Chris Justice would say it.  

I wanted to share something with you.
   A few months back , I had this young student from NC State text my phone by accident.  He had entered his friends number into his own phone incorrectly ...and the "incorrectly" was my cell phone number.  For a few months he would text things that were obviously not meant for me, or from anyone I knew.  I usually just ignored them.

 In one of his text he used a ...well...ahh...he used a less than word.  Being my "can't resist an opportunity to Mother" self,  I texted back. ... "Hey..I'm not a dude and maybe don't say the "d" word :) and have a great day!".....  Scared as to what kind of response I would get, I was pleasantly surprised to get right back a quick apology text.  He informed me that he was a nice boy and didn't normally talk that way.

  I liked that immediately.  He told me where he was going to school and I told him about being a preacher's wife and a mother of four.  Chris, the kids, all of us immediately started praying for him.  I asked him if he went to church.  He said he didn't now but had before.  He had now decided that church and God were not for him.  He had been through quite a bit of loss in his life and just wasn't sure God cared.  He believed God created everything but that was it.
  
I said a prayer to the Lord...."Thank you, Lord for P...Use us, Lord to lead him to a saving knowledge of You..Help me to be bold for You, Lord.   Help me to show this young man Your love.  Thank you for pursuing, P.  Help him to respond.  Help him to repent and live for you. "

Then, I shared my faith in Christ Jesus.  I told P of the Lord's personal nature.  I told him so many things about the Lord, and I loved it.  I loved expressing a love for a young man I had not met, but being able to act as if I had.  Salvation in Christ Jesus can make us fearless in these situations.  It can give us a real love for the lost.  

I tried not to "freak" the boy out:)....BUT man! ...The Lord was coming after him hard......and my earnestness to remind him of that fact was too.......  How exciting.   Our loving..pursuing Lord is the greatest...and that He let's us watch..partake...love as He would...share and remind others of His grace....."What?"....It is Amazing!

I am still loving on this young man.  He has not yet asked Jesus to be His Savior.  He sure sounds and acts like a young man that is on the cusp of responding to the Lord.   

Will you pray for him?

Have you ever known you must share your Faith in Christ with someone the Lord placed in your path?...So much so ...that you have an ache....(a really good ache..an excited ache...God is going to do it ache) ......I'm praying that you and I walk in boldness to share Christ at every turn.....That our hearts would ache for the lost...I asked the Lord to forgive me for not sharing more and responding to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to share more.  I can be guilty, in recent days, of only being bold with those who come through the doors of Lee Park.  I asked the Lord to forgive me of that too .

I hope you have the best day!
Becky:)

Blessed by the Lord's words  in the "Sermon on the Mount"....Matthew 5:14-16

Will I Ever Learn?

Hey!

Today we want you to meet Donna Rodgers. Donna is teaching Beth Moore's When Godly People Do Ungodly Things for our Tuesday Community Bible Study. Many of you that have been to any type of event at Lee Park, or for that matter Sunday Worship, already know Donna, but may not know that you do. Donna is the Director of Lee Park's Drama Ministry in our Worship Department. She writes most of the fabulous scripts for Sunday mornings, as well as the scripts for Bon Noel, Friday Night Live, the Sweetheart Banquet, etc. She is VERY talented. She is married to Wayne, who also serves in the technical arts side of the Worship Department....and he is very good at what he does! They are a wonderful couple to know. They are the proud parents of two young adult daughters. One of their daughters is married and expecting their first grandchild in a couple of months....just ask them about it, and they will beam! Donna is a wonderful writer, director, teacher....and wise friend. We know you will love her too.


Lisa

Before the year 2011 comes to a close in fewer weeks than we can fathom already, I will celebrate my 50^th birthday.  Wow…that was an out-of-body experience putting down in writing for the first time!  The fact is, my age never bothers me.  As my husband likes to say, “It beats the alternative!” (Humorously said, of course…especially since as believers, we have something far greater to look forward to beyond this life on earth).  

To be honest, my daughters’ aging is much harder for me to come to terms with than my own aging.  Those baby and toddler years really are fleeting as so many mothers much farther down the mother path tried to tell me.  I should have stressed less and enjoyed more their moments of childhood which at the time seemed unending, but now are as a blink of the eye. I should have joined them more in fun expressions of abandon and laughter during their adolescence instead of sweating the small stuff as I did.  Ahh, hindsight…why couldn’t you have been foresight instead?

But that does not mean I do not reflect…take stock…inspect…my heart and life at these milestone years of my own life.  I do, indeed, examine where I am, what I’ve accomplished, what my failings were and what I learned from those times.  Do you want to know the main thing I have learned after being a 50 year “life student”?

Here it is:  I still have SO much to learn!  

Even with as much studying, application, and hands-on training I’ve had in life, I am still no expert!  I am still merely a student, learning as I go, filled with questions that each new change and turn in life seems to bring to the surface.  About the time I think I have something figured out, God reveals just how much more I still have to learn.

Now, please don’t mistake what I am saying.  This is a good thing!  It’s not about being “smart or dumb”…it’s about desiring to know more and challenging ourselves to care enough to search for the answers.  As I apply this to my spiritual life, the more I read the scriptures, the more I become acutely aware that I don’t know near as much as I would like to think I do!  But, since I desire to know my Lord and Savior as much as He will allow me, I challenge myself to learn more about Him through reading His Word, praying to Him, and (the thing I have difficulty doing the most) taking the time to be still and listen to Him.  I pray I never lose that desire and drive in my spirit.

So, for those who are a few steps ahead of me, I’m sure you are thinking, “Yeah…I already knew that!”, and I thank God for that, and for you.  For those just a few paces behind me or right beside me on this walk, keep that desire stirred and that drive active.  Chances are, you’ll pass me up!  And for those of you just starting this journey of discovery, I hope you listen and learn from those who have gone on before you in God’s wisdom and truth, and be encouraged you are not finding yourself in a lonely isolated situation of learning. 

We are all students of our Lord.  We must share what we learn, in love, with one another.  No matter your age (chronological or spiritual), there is someone in need of hearing what you have learned.  Pass it along!

Wednesday Whine??

"Wednesday Whine"?

Doesn't that sound like a good name for a weekly blog series.  How about "Tuesday Takedown"?  Is this something you would read?  It might not be what you were expecting from a preacher's wife.  I pitched the idea to Chris (great looking pastor on poster picture below) last night. 

He nixed it ...obliterated it, really.  I don't think I had my plan pulled together enough...I should of prepared more before I pitched the idea.  In previous days of our marriage, I might of just went ahead with the plan and asked for forgiveness later.  I have been around too long(in trouble enough) to think I would succeed in that plan.  Here's how the conversation went:

Me: "Hey Babe "(evidently, my tone was that of ornery)

Chris: " What Bec"(He uses my name when he can smell manipulation)

Me: " I had an idea about something for the blog" (changed my voice to sweet ness to accommodate my manipulative plan..I may have touched his arm..turned my head sideways and smiled...I excel at lame:)

Chris: What is it? ( non-committal ......fully aware of my ways)

Me:" How about I change names ...of course...but can I put up some of the emails we get at the church in the negative fashion....(Chris walking away tuning me out) .....dissect them and point out how wrong those folks are for hating Lee Park(a little dramatic on my part) and us.......please may I ...I have a name for it?"

Chris: " " .....( I know ..I think it is rude to have empty quotes too ...I mean I had a name and everything and nothing from him...nothing!!!!:)

Me: "Are you thinking about it?"

Chris: " Let's go over our Wednesday night stuff for our class...how many verses are we using" ( had to bring the Bible in) .....

And that is pretty much what Chris thinks of my plan.  Daggoneit....I was gonna change the names....Who would ever guess who Monique (soap opera name) is??? 

And that right there ...in a nutshell...is my husband!

He really does love people....even angry..disgruntled ...and even those showing great endurance for their disgruntledness by sending emails.....The boy is godly even in the privacy of our home. 

Well, and just like that..no Tuesday takedown and no Wednesday whine.....I really did go into the conversation thinking he would just limit me to one day....that he would only let me have one title.....ohh, I am kidding!  ....I knew there was no way I would succeed.

Chris is very human....I ...(especially when someone spouts about my hubby) can be very human....Things hurt...bad!!! ....and we discuss it with each other.
 
BUT God is very good! 

When we seek Him ...we really do find understanding....people may be putting our faces on their issue...but their real issue is the gospel.  As long as Chris is faithful to be an expository preacher...preaching the text.  We can be certain we will have those who don't like us....."it is what it is" (one of our favorite things to say to each other).....This side of Heaven ...people will still get mad and they will still use email.....

Well ..I will go back to the drawing board and look for some other series ideas.  I might ask Chris' asst., Judy first and see if she can help tighten up my sales pitch. 

We love the Lord ,most!  We must have different responses...I am prone to the world's takedown/whine response...but following my husband's lead and running hard after the Lord....I have those responses less and less. 

Loving people...even mouthy ones....really is better ...it feels good!

Thankful the Lord insists upon it!

"Preach the Word...Love the People" .....much better than "Wednesday Whine" or "Tuesday Takedown"

Much love everyone!(even to you angry ones)
Becky:)

What's it like to be married to me?

Ladies,

Today you will get to hear from Mary Armstrong. Mary is a fabulous Bible teacher and a great and caring friend to all that meet her. She is married to Gene, and mom to Erika, another of our Bible study facilitators, and Nataley. She is a hair stylist with a shop at her home, as well as a homeschool mom. Somewhere in her spare time (ha!) is able to read a lot of wonderful books that she suggests to us, and she has not been wrong about a great book yet! Today she is sharing with you, too. We know you will love Mary!
Lisa

Have you ever found yourself asking the question, "What would it be like to be married to a millionaire?..........a celebrity?  Or maybe you idealize a husband that appears to do all the right things and that showers his wife with love, gifts, and affection?

The fact is daily wedded life can be difficult for some of us and mundane for others.  When that is the case it is easy to imagine what marriage would be like for us if we were in a different set of circumstances or even married to someone else.  But as I heard someone humorously say, "The grass looks greener on the other side of the fence because there is a septic  tank there." On a much more serious note, it is vitally important that we learn to ask the right questions concerning the role God has placed us in as a wife.

One question you may not have  asked yourself is found in Linda Dillow's excellent, new book on marriage.  This gifted author makes us realize that instead of fantasizing on the "perfect" mate we would like to have, we need to be asking our own self some life-changing questions.  The first and foremost being, "What's it like to be married to me?"  Did I hear an "ouch" echoing along with mine?
From this pertinent question derives the name of Dillow's highly recommended book: What's It Like to be Married to Me?...and Other Dangerous Questions.

We all know what we would like our husbands to be like.  And sometimes we go around assuming the role of our spouse's  "personal holy spirit", advisor, and maybe even fashion consultant, without any solicitation on his part. As I read this book I was convicted, and at the same time liberated to realize I am only accountable for myself and obeying God's design for me as a wife.  God didn't call me to change my husband, but He did call me to love him, respect him, and submit to his leadership as I allow the Holy Spirit to transform me. I am convinced Satan tempts us to try to change other people in order to divert us from focusing on the only one we are responsible for allowing God to change - ourselves.

No matter where you are in your marriage...if you already have a great one, or if you are barely holding on by a thread, this book will convict, challenge, and infuse hope into your soul.  It is filled with God's Truth and real-life stories of women who chose to "dangerously" inquire, "What's It Like to Be Married to Me?" ....and then have the courage to answer it.

I hope you will consider making this book a must-read....God's Word will breathe renewed life into your marriage...the grass on your side of the fence will grow a little greener....and when onlookers see it they will find the transformation taking place comes from God's Word instead of a septic tank!

When Life Gives You Lemons: A Testimony of God's Power

Meet Jasmine!

I want to introduce her to you, but I am gonna let her tell her story in a series of blogs.  You are gonna love her like I do, her smile alone is reason enough.  She and her two sisters, Holly and Alex, are so dear to me.  That the Lord entrusted them to us at Lee Park is one of the greatest blessing.  All I will say is ...after her testimony it is impossible to not consider there is a God ...and He is so loving ...protecting ...pursuing ...and keeping!  Every time I have the blessing of being with this girls...I walk away saying "Only You, Lord!" 

Love you, Jazzy!

Becky 

My name is Jasmine. I live in a very rural part of North Carolina. I’ve been in the States close to 10 years, but was born in London, UK. I left London at the age of 11 and moved to Spain-- where I lived until the age of 18. I’ve had quite a journey getting to where I am today, a journey I would never have picked out for myself, but had I not traveled it, experienced it, I highly doubt I would know the true Lord and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

My life prior to surrendering to Christ, can be reduced to some of life’s sayings, such as; “When life throws you lemons, make lemonade…” or “What doesn’t kill you, will only make you stronger…” or “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me…” You get the picture.

I would like to add some scripture from The Bible…had these been plastered to my heart and soul as as a younger woman, a young girl, I’m sure I would have slept and awoken with a better sense of peace confidence, and hope;

Hebrews 11:3: By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

Romans 8:28: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Please stick around to hear back from me! I have so much more to say; I will reveal my past…the people involved, the situation in which God intervened, and my life now as a believer…and as I tell myself sometimes, there by the Grace of God go I.

For all you busy working women, Tanya (my mum) and I are teaching a class this Fall and are thrilled to get a chance to fellowship, laugh and more importantly grow in our walk and development of our mind and spirit for the work of Christ. Bearing in mind we have to get up at 6am, feed the children, take them to school, go to work, (or in my case, no children…but still get up at 6am and go to school myself J ) we will be in and out in an hour. Time is precious and we won’t dedicate it to praying for sick toes and nasty looking scratches…if you know what I mean. 

Tanya and I both love to have fun, pick at each other (lovingly) and have true heart to heart “talks on the back porch” with a cup of good fresh coffee. Can’t wait to meet you all!!