PRAYER REQUEST

Genesis Youth Group:

We talked about PRAYER last night and I have a very special, very sincere request: please pray for the men of Dotiki Coal Mine in Providence, Kentucky. There was a rock fall and explosion inside the underground mine yesterday and two miners are still trapped. Rescue crews have been on the scene and they are trying to get to the victims, hoping to find them alive.

This is very dear to me, as I am a coal miner's daughter and this is in my hometown area. I have many close friends and extended family who work at Dotiki, as well as other coal mines in the area. My fervent prayer is that the rescue crews will find the miners alive...beaten and bruised, coal miners are a breed of their own. They risk their lives every single day to provide for their families. I'm so thankful for my own Dad and wish I could give him a hug; but I did call him this morning to tell him how much I love him.

Be grateful for your friends and family; hold them close and tell them how much you appreciate them.

Peace and blessings to you all.

Love,
Nicole

Transitions.............a change of pace, a chance of scenery, but mostly an adjustment of what we thought was "normal" in our lives

Rev. Lara preached this morning on TRANSITIONS....it's not the beginning or the end, but it's the middle that seems to disrupt our lives and cause chaos. Transition is not necessarily a change, but rather an evolution - progress - growing towards the new opportunity before us.

How do you handle transitions in your life?

Genesis 18: 1-15 is about Abraham and Sarah and their response to the guests of honor in their home (it was actually a tent!) To understand the scripture, you have to remember that Abraham and Sarah were both late in age, about 90 years old, when one guest of honor (Jesus) said they would be the parents of great nations - Sarah would be pregnant soon. I don't know about you, but a 90-year-old pregnant lady is pretty weird.

Do you offer to God your best or least quality?

The best part of the story, though, is Abraham's incredible reaction to the visitors: he was ready to receive the guests' message by offering himself to the experience and he provided the best hospitality through his quality gifts and service.

I challenge all of you to consider your priorities when it comes to serving God and to consider the quality of 'product' that you offer to Him. Do you serve your "guest of honor" filet mignon or a hamburger?

I also challenge you to pray that God will use your talents and gifts to serve others and that you will seize that opportunity. It's important that when you hear or feel that 'knocking' in your heart, open yourself up to God for his blessing.

What are you grateful for?

If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get. ~ Frank A. Clark

There are 86,400 seconds in a day, just imagine the times you can say a simple 'thank you' to someone. I challenge you to have a gentle and grateful spirit this week, and I encourage you to express gratitude to someone in your life right now.

I am most grateful for God's grace, a supportive husband, wonderful family and friends, and opportunities to enrich my spiritual journey.

What are you grateful for?

Hello, my name is......

Some of you know me as the "Picture Lady" when Olan Mills was here to take pictures for the church directory...if you attend school in Burleson or Joshua, you've probably had me in class as a substitute teacher...and some may not know me at all. Please let me introduce myself:

Hello, my name is Nicole and I am the new Director of Youth Ministries at First United Methodist Church in Joshua. I am 26 years young and married to Kevin, my husband of three years. We live in Joshua with our two horses, Curtis and Blue, and Kevin enjoys team-roping while I enjoy Bible studies, reading, journaling, blogging, writing, and cooking. I am also becoming quite the interior painter, just ask Rev. Lara!!!!

I am most passionate about this opportunity because of my experience as a teenager in the youth group at Webb Memorial United Methodist Church in Clay, Kentucky. I started attending when I was in the sixth grade and didn't leave until I was a sophomore in college - I didn't want to leave the good company! Beginning at a young age, I was mentored and nurtured by many wonderful young people also developing and maturing in their faith. I am grateful for the Christ-loving models I had as a young girl. I hope to share this with you as well.

When I was a freshman in high school, I attended a weekend retreat for girls called Youth Encounter the Savior and later served on 11 Y.E.S. teams as a table leader and wheatie. These weekends provided me with an opportunity to experience Christ's love through acts of self-less service. Perhaps my closest moment to Christ was the night I washed the feet of pilgrims and team members on Y.E.S. Weekend #71. I attended a Chrysalis weekend as a junior in high school. I plan to attend a Women's Emmaus Weekend this fall. I believe these retreats are wonderful spiritual experiences in a young person's walk of faith. If you have questions or would like to attend a Chrysalis weekend in the Central Texas Conference, please let me know.

Professionally, I graduated in 2006 from Texas A&M University-Commerce with a bachelor's degree in journalism and public relations. In 2007, I began working in corporate marketing and business development for an international transportation consulting firm.......a lot of big words for a career that I didn't enjoy. In 2009, I got my teacher's certificate in English, Language Arts, Reading and Social Studies for grades 4-8. I have been a substitute teacher and TAKS Reading Tutor for Burleson I.S.D. I also substitute teach for Fort Worth and Joshua school districts. I am currently seeking a full-time position teaching upper elementary or middle school.  

Geez, enough about me.........I want to know about Y-O-U.

I am so excited about this opportunity to be a part of YOUR Genesis youth group and to learn YOUR story. The United Methodist Church's slogan is Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors. As you learn more about me, I hope you find me to be approachable and trustworthy. I want our youth group to be a nurturing, safe place to go for spiritual renewal in a fun, friendly, and comfortable environment. We have lots of exciting activities planned the next couple of weeks, including fundraisers for missions trips - I look forward to seeing you there!!!

Grace & Peace,
Nicole