"Let me tell you goodbye  doesn't mean forever ...."  That's funny, it reminds me of a song and a movie!

Elevate Life Church has meant so much to me for the past 5 1/2 years that I was a member and servant leader.  In my opinion, there is no better group of people that love the Lord and the people!  Many people's lives have been transformed out of alcoholism, drugs, sex, etc.  Whatever your vice is and we ALL have them, it is a great place to THINK, BE and DO.  Our life is a journey and it is up to us to lead ourselves so that we can lead others.  It never ends and if we don't get it right the first time, God has a way of taking us around the track and it is up to us to stop and decide we no longer want to keep going around that merry go round.

When I made my decision to move back home to take care of my father, I spoke with Gwyn Armendariz (or armed and dangerous!) who is on staff at this wonderful church.  I served with her and the fabulous, do-it-all-never-stop Glenda Miner who is Pastor Sheila's personal assistant under the women's ministry.  I wanted to treat them to lunch and tell her of my decision to step down from the SHINE ministry where I was the captain.  To make a long story short, her husband told her ahead of time so she already knew when we met for lunch.  When she and Gwyn arrived, she said she was expecting someone else to join us.  I asked, "who else is going to be joining us?"  She said, "Pastor Sheila" (i.e. Pastor Precious!).  I knew at that time she knew what I was going to tell her!  We ended up having a wonderful lunch and spent about 1 1/2 - 2 hours together.  I was so blessed to have Pastor Sheila join us.  When she found out I was leaving, she wanted to join us for lunch and be able to love on me a little bit.  I am so thankful for the time I had there to serve with ALL the wonderful ladies in my SHINE team and the wonderful people on staff at Elevate Life Church. 

It is certainly not easy saying "bye" to friends and not knowing when you will be back and see them again.  If you know that you are headed in the right direction and your steps are ordered by the Lord, you also know that everything will be all right. 

On the last night at my home, it had been raining almost non-stop.  When I woke up that morning to put the rest of my stuff in the car, it was pouring down.  The rain resembled what I was feeling inside -- all torn up, empty and crying.  I knew if I started crying out loud, I would not be able to stop.  What kept me going was the fact that I had a 12 hour drive for the day and since I wear contacts, I wanted to be able to see while I was driving and not have them all tear stained! 

Pastor Ray Harmon called me after I had been on the road for about six hours and that was when I finally broke down.  There was some part of me that wondered what I was moving away from and the covering that I would no longer have with this church and what my future held.  Every day all we can do is walk by faith and do what we have been called to do.  Never think that what "little" you might do is insignificant because it isn't!  I always told my SHINE team that when we are together, especially for Girls Night In, you never know what anyone is going through and to be gracious to them (talk, smile, love on them) because you can make a difference.  Who knows what a kind word or smile can do for someone?  It can be the turning point in their life to bring about a positive change and direction.

"If you elevate your thinking, you will elevate your life."  Keith Craft

SHINE Ministry:  Spiritual Hands Inspiring and Nurturing Eternity