Archive for the ‘TRB update’ Category
What Should I Do When I Can’t See?
Recently Allen and I returned home from a 10 day ministry trip. It was packed with travel & ministry events. At the end of our trip Allen has spoken 14 times, I had spoke 9 times and we had slept in 5 different locations…..needless to say we had been busy. But the real impact of our trip showed in the lives that God had allowed to cross our path.
Even though we have been leading marriage conferences now for the past five years and we have been in the ministry for over 28 years it still humbles us to find ourselves face to face with the most tender and painful of situations that others are facing. Time and again on this trip both Allen and I were approached in private following a session we had just led and many times with tears a wife or a husband would share the painful struggles they were dealing with.
So often we would listen but silently be asking the Lord, “What do we say Lord to meet this need? How can this fleeting moment together even come close to bringing healing or hope to this hurting heart and situation?”
As one young lady shared how hard it was for her to forgive and put this very hurtful situation she had experienced into God’s hands she used words like, alone, scared, in darkness and wondering…..all common feelings for those who are experiencing deep pain. God quickly reminded me of an experience I had just weeks before…..
Allen and I had been invited to a retreat for ministry leaders at a retreat center not far from our home. They wanted to treat us to a night away and minister to our marriage by sharing what their retreat center offered to couples. We are always wanting to see what others are doing to help marriages so we eagerly signed up. It turned out to be a wonderful, enriching experience.
Our first afternoon was spend with 8 other couples doing “Relationship Strengthening Exercises”…..I had no idea what we were about to experience. After several games the leader said we were ready for the BLINDFOLDS! What? We were out in the middle of a wooded area, I have trouble walking and keeping my balance with my sight let alone blindfolded. He explained that one of us would be blindfolded and the other would lead by speaking words alone, not holding hands or touching. After 10 minutes of following the leader through the wooded area we would then switch. I was terrified! I knew without a doubt I was going to end up on the ground…..my only comfort was that at least half of the others wouldn’t see me rolling around on the ground because they too would be blindfolded.
Allen secured the blindfold way too tightly, I couldn’t even see a ray of light. My heart was pounding as he told me to take my first step. I began to slowly put one foot in front of the other, feeling the ground as I went. Allen continued to encourage me, but want me to move faster, the others were moving far ahead of us. My heart raced, would I stumble on a stump, roll down a small ravine or end up crawling up an incline? Allen kept giving me steady instructions as I took one step forward at a time.
I wish you could have seen me, blindfolded, both hands outstreched slowly taking one step at a time, not sure what was right ahead, but in my heart sure I was going to fall. My mind would race if Allen was silent for even just a moment, I wanted to hear his voice and know he was close by, watching out for my every step. I knew in my heart he didn’t want me to fall. Little by little we traveled the winding path and to my suprise as he reassured me we were almost there and the worst was behind us, I could feel my body beginning to relax a bit. Finally Allen took me in his arms and held me as he whispered in my ear, “you made it, you finished the course. Now you can lead me.”
As I’ve been appoached by those who are hurting, God has reminded me of this relationship enrichment experience because I know from my own hurtful experiences this is exactly how I’ve felt, alone, wandering in the darkness with only HIS voice of assurance leading me to take one small step forward. Moving as HE leads me was at times slow and fearful, expecially when I didn’t hear HIS voice, even for a moment. I have walked in my own darkness, hands outstreached wanting this experience to end, only finding I had to take another step forward. But oh, how wonderful it has been to finally fall into HIS arms and hear HIM say, “Sandi, you made it, you finished this course…….now go and lead others and tell them they can make it too.”
Deuteronomy 30:14 puts it this way, “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.” What a comfort in hurtful, troubling times to know HE is near…..even if it is simply HIS WORD. My advice, my words of comfort are always the same, “He can be trusted, follow HIM. Take just one slow step forward, don’t sit down and believe the devil when he says you can’t handle this. The devil is a liar, he wants you to be crippled in your fear. Don’t listen to him, listen to the WORD of GOD. HE will never leave you alone, HE is close by, trust HIM to lead you through this darkness. HE has led me and HE will lead you.”
What do I do when I can’t see? I cling to HIS WORD and keep taking one small step forward as HE leads me.
Valentines Date Night Idea
“How sweet your words are to my taste, sweeter than honey to my lips.” Psalm 119:103
This will be Allen’s and my 28th Valentines Day….WOW how time passes by. I don’t know the history behind this special day, but I’m sure it had to be started by a women, most likely one who felt her special guy needed a reason to show her how much he loved her. Don’t get me wrong I’m sure there are guys out there who are just naturally inclined toward the romantic, but most ladies I’ve talked with seem to feel their guy kind of struggles in this department.
My husband, bless his heart, has always remember the day, sometimes on the ride home after a long day at work, but he has never totally forgotten. Though the years he has been pretty creative and even given me things I didn’t know I wanted or would have ever asked for. He’s spent lots of money on having those “gold dipped” roses delivered to my desk….well they really weren’t “gold dipped” but when I saw the cost deducted from our account I thought they should have been….especially when they were dead two days later! Then there was the year I was on a diet and he brought me a large box of candy. He explained by saying diets don’t count on Valentines Day….obviously he had never been on a diet. The kids were really excited though.
Let’s face it I’m the planner in our relationship and he is the willing participant. I’ve come to accept my role and have found my joy in the planning. Then as my well planned event unfolds I relax as my sweet husband follows my carefully laid out instructions, adding his own sweet touches of loving words, kisses to my hand and that fun loving, free spirited attitude of his. After all we planners have a hard time just letting go and having fun, don’t we? In the end it really never matters who did the planning, it’s all about being together and enjoying the moment…..and we’ve had lots to remember, even when it’s not been Valentines Day.
So you can imagine my total shock and surprise when I arrived home from a trip to Florida recently and found my husband waiting to greet me in our garage. He’d been home alone and I knew he was glad to see me, but I wondered why he came out to greet me as I pulled in. He was smiling from ear to ear and hugged me like I’d been gone for a year.
As he opened the door to our livingroom I realized my little “free spirit” had been doing some planning! The house flickered with candle light. There was soft music playing. On the table was a bouquet of flowers and a very romantic, mushy card. He’d even put some sparkling cider in a bowl to chill with fancy glasses sitting by. There were even chocolates and a wrapped gift! And the best gift of all? He’d cleaned the house from top to bottom! I couldn’t believe what I was experiencing, it was perfect!
Once I stopped saying, “Wow…wow…you even remembered…” he explained by simply saying, “Sandi, through the years you have done so much to make our relationship special. You always work so hard to make everything perfect for me and the kids to enjoy, making sure all the details are covered. I just wanted to do something special for you. I’m sorry it has taken me so long, did I forget anything?”
Honey, it was totally worth the wait and I wouldn’t change a thing!
No matter what Valentines Day may bring remember, it’s not about who planned it, where you enjoyed it, when or where the gift was bought or even how much it cost…it’s about the two of you! Oh and don’t forget to use those three little words as “sweet as honey” to your lips….I LOVE YOU!
It’s A New Ministry Year
Allen and I have been so excited about the start of 2011, a quick review of 2010 will help you to know why. Spring 2010 started off with more bookings than we have ever had in the past. We were blessed to share our ministry in 16 churches across the south-east.
2010 bought me personally great joy as I finally saw my book in printed form. I have been blessed to watch as God has used it in the lives of so many people.
Allen sharing the gospel @ ICE Event
In June Allen was challenged & excited to be a part of ICE in Orlando during the Southern Baptist Convention. This event allowed him to spend the entire week on the streets in low income areas of the city simply going door to door sharing the gospel. He was energized and renewed (despite the heat) as he personally saw over 30 people pray to receive Christ.
Then there was our wonderful “book tour” out to California in July. While we did enjoy renewing friendships and taking a trip down memory lane visiting locations where Allen & I first met and did our courting, our real joy was found in ministry.
We were so blessed to share The Right Blend with two small churches, one in Vista and one in downtown San Francisco. It’s hard to explain, but both churches are planted in a sea of lost people, most don’t even attend church at all. As we started the service in a store front location downtown in San Francisco there were only 8 people, including the pastor and us. But by the end of the service 20 people had arrived and 6 prayed to received the Lord! The pastor was thrilled, telling us he had never see that kind of response in his eight years he had served the church. We have continued to be blessed as the Lord uses us in the lives of those who are lost and hurting.
But as the fall came we were a bit surprised as we saw many events on our fall schedule cancel due to the down turn in the economy. Allen and I both secured part-time jobs in an effort to “make it to the new year”. We both have been amazed to watch as God has been faithful to provide “manna” to meet our daily needs. We’ve tried to stay foucsed and faithful during this “down time” and bookings for 2011 are coming in, a bit slow, but steady.
We have our first event of the year on January 23 at First Baptist Church of Welcome, NC. This is the church Allen was pastoring when we married and we spent our first five years together. The church seems to be as excited about our return as we are and we can’t think of a better way to start our new year.
We ask that you continue to lift us up in prayer, our hearts are full of things we feel the Lord is leading us to accomplish. We realize that when times are difficult we don’t need to pull back, but rather push ahead. Since God has lead us into a ministry to couples and hurting homes we realize that now our ministry is needed more than ever! We want to enourage couples to stay focused on Him and not be distracted by “worldly things”.
If there is one thing God has impressed on both Allen and I during these past few months, it is this, we can’t accomplish all He has laid on our hearts alone. I think this is best expressed in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up…..And a three fold cord is not quickly broken.”
As we start our new year we ask you to join us in reaching and ministering to the lost and hurting. Here are some of the ways you can be of help.
**Prayer Support **One-time Financial Donation **Monthly Commitment of Financial Support **Volunteer At Future Events **Volunteer Help w/ Light Office Work **Help meet PRESENT MINISTRY needs : New Lap Top Computer, Repair Costs for Ministry Vehicle, Cover Monthly Life Insurance Premiums for 2011 ($235 monthly), Purchase of Various Ministry Promotional Items for 2011, Spring Promotional mailing.
If you feel the Lord leading you to help in any of the above ways, please use the contact tap on our web-page to e-mail us your desire to be both a blessing and help in 2011. We’d also love to have you sent us a word of encouragement for the coming year by posting a comment on this blog. We are praying for you and your family to have a blessed 2011! ALLEN & SANDI
A New Christmas Tradition
When our children were young decorating the house for Christmas was such a exciting time! The kids (and Allen) couldn’t wait to get started. Usually the day after Thanksgiving we’d crank up our favorite Christmas CD, Amy Grants Christmas, pop some pop corn and begin to pull all the boxes out that were loaded with Christmas decorations. Soon all the contents were scattered throughout the house in no perticualar order. After having admired each item and then discarded it on the floor or table the kids would move on to the next item. I guess just emptying the boxes were their contribution to the decorating process.
Being the organized member of the family I would try year after year to bring order to their madness, only to give up after about ten minutes. After all it was six against one, I didn’t have a chance. I’d patiently wait in frustration until they all lost interest and then my work would begin, I’d straighten, arrange, re-hang and put all the finishing touches on our home….every room was touched with Christmas cheer, usually taking me nearly a week to get everything looking just perfect.
I loved the way it all looked once completed and so did my family. Each night we’d turn the lights on, both inside and out. The tree was soon crowed with presents, the smell of pine hung heavy in the air (even though we had a fake tree, I’d always buy some pine scent to make it authentic), the candy bowls were filled to the brim with sweets and of course it just wouldn’t be complete without LOTS of candles.
As the years passed this decorating madness settled down and the kids got better at placing the ornaments and lights. To my delight as they grew older I didn’t even have to make as many adjustments, although getting them all home on the same night to help decorate did become a bit of a challenge. As a family I thought we were set in our holiday traditions and it seemed it would go on forever.
Many of you with grown children know the truth of what I’m about to say, time has a way of changing things. It wasn’t long ago Allen and I found ourselves alone to celebrate the holiday season. All the children had grown and established their own homes and traditions (to my delight many of their traditions where started in our home years ago). As a part of our life with grown children we established a holiday rotation plan that we hoped would allow our children time with both sides of their family. One year Thanksgiving at our house and Christmas at the in-laws, then switching the next year so the kids would not be torn between parents and we all could relax and enjoy the short time we had together. But plans have a way of taking on a life of their own and we’ve found our family time together has whittled down to a smaller time slot and become even more dear as the family has grown and spread out in several different states. Often it’s not about the actual day we can be together that matters, it’s more about just being ALL together which is becoming quite an accomplishment!
This change has caused me to be tempted to dread the holiday season all together. In the past several years Allen has watched in silence as his “Christmas Elf” has slowly cut our tree down to a mear two feet, our tree ornimates that had been collected over the years have been left in a box in favor of simple lights and matching ornimates bought at a discount store. The Christmas villiage, that I once spent days to set up hasn’t even made it out of the box the past several years. I tried to tell Allen (and myself) that I wanted to have a more simple look…..since it was only us!
Even my gift giving has changed and not just because of a lack of money. I used to plan for months the gifts to give my family, after all their main source of gifts where from mom and dad (I mean Santa….yes for the early years we did Santa). But know I find it hard to know what to give my kids, most of whom can buy whatever they want? I never thought I’d say this, but shopping during the holidays has lost it’s wonder…..ahhhh! What is life coming to????
Don’t get me wrong, I love the holiday season and the Savior who came to give us all the gift of salvation. It gives me joy to see my children happy and establishing their own homes and traditions. But as a mom it’s hard at this times to reflect on those days of happy chaos when the house was full of laughter and anticipation of Christmas morning. What makes it even harder is to know that during those happy days I really never dreamed they would come to an end and I actually though it was a chore to have to fix the tree, straighten the wreath and hang the garland all over again! I had it good back then and didn’t even know it!
Then it happened, as I sat on my bed thinking about the kids coming visit for Thanksgiving this year, having a pitty party because I knew our time together would be short and then it was all down hill through Christmas. I heard a voice say “Sandi, as your family has changed, so have you….don’t get sad, find a way to make this work for everyone……ADJUST!”
Adjust I did. The day after Thanksgiving everyone had gathered at our house with plans to go out to eat to celebrate some birthdays since we all were together. I ask Allen and my son-in-law to get all the boxes of decorations out and I wanted to let my seven grand kids decroate the house! You should have seen the look on my kids faces as they saw the grand kids tear into the boxes and begin to fling stuff all over the house!
One of my girls even whispered, “You never let us just have at it like this…..are you sure you want to let them do this, they might break something and look at what they are doing to the tree!” She was part right, when she and her siblings were growing up I never just let them decorate in their own personal “way” without me running around in frustration trying to get them to do it my way. But for some reason this chaos was not frustrating but comforting! My house looked like a familiar wreck once they all left! Everyone ended up with a smile once the decorating was complete, the grand kids had a blast decorating and Allen was thrilled to have the house looking so festive again. And me, well I had a smile that lasted for days as I had the privilege of fixing the tree, straightening the wreath and hanging the garland all over again! I love the holiday season again now that I have a NEW TRADITION.
We welcome Eli Welborn to the FAMILY!
Eli with Mom & Dad
This morning at 8:22am our son, John Welborn and his beautiful wife Ashley welcomed little Elijah Marshall Welborn into the world at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisburg, VA. He was quite the little man, weighing in at 10 lbs and 9 oz!!! John was overjoyed and wanted to immediately send his picture off to coach Richt of the GA Bulldogs for consideration. Ashley on the other hand was relieved to finally have him in her arms and to have delivered her “big” bundle of joy by C-section!
Both Ashley’s parents, Terry and Jill Tulley were on hand with us to welcome our grandson here and we are all thrilled. Everyone behaved and waited patiently for their turn to hold little Eli while he just slept and was passed around. Eli is a very healthy little guy and a hardy eater! He
Big Sister Gracie & Eli
is the Tulley’s second grandchild after Gracie, John and Ashley’s two and half year old daughter and proud Big Sister. We all couldn’t get enough of Gracie and Eli together, Gracie wanted to hold
him constantly. When someone else was taking their turn she would jump around the room and tell everyone who would listen that, “I love him so much.” I’m afraid his hair will wear off on top because of all the sweet little kisses she keeps giving him!
3 Generations of Welborns
Eli is our eighth grandchild and second grandson. Allen is thrilled by the fact that our son John has produced the first Welborn heir to insure the family name will carry on to the next generation. And who knows he could be the next great Welborn preacher of the gospel! What a blessing that would be to his proud Papa and daddy.
I can’t wait to see my “little” Eli in the t-shirt I bought him that says….”You think I’m handsome, you should see my daddy!”
We love you both so much Ashley and John, you make us proud in every way!
I'm so proud of you John!
Nanny
(AKA – Sandi)
Allen & Sandi to speak @ FBC Woodstock on August 8th!
A week ago Sunday Allen got a call from our pastor Dr. Johnny Hunt, he has been on a one month sabbatical so it was a bit of a surprise to hear from him. He shared that he had begun reading my book THE RIGHT BLEND. He told Allen that he had only read the first four chapters but had already been moved to tears. He shared that the Lord had impressed him that our message needed to be heard and asked if we were free Sunday, August 8th and could share our ministry and testimonies during the 6:00pm evening service.
We had tried to fill that date for the past two months – but the Lord had other plans and it was an open date on our calendar…. so of course we accepted his invitation (with shouts of joy and tears from me!) We both are honored that our pastor would feel so strongly about our message and want to not only indorse our ministry but give us a Sunday evening service to share. We realize this opportunity will not only reach our church family and community, but through FBC’s internet ministry we will have the privilege of sharing the testimonies God has given us to thousands around the globe.
Please join us in prayer for this event. We have a sincere desire for the Lord to be glorified thorough our personal testimonies and the message we will be sharing. We are asking the Lord to move in the hearts and lives of those who are hurting and struggling in their relationships, as well as a harvest of lost souls. We are trusting the Lord to help us to be a blessing to our church family and pastor – they have been so kind to us.
Pastor Johnny has also asked that we be prepared to sell a LOT OF BOOKS! He personally is going to make a strong appeal that everyone should read the book THE RIGHT BLEND. I’m so excited just to have written a book that people seem to enjoy reading and that the Lord is able to speak through. This wonderful endorsement by my pastor means so much! (FYI….if you have not gotten your copy you can order one on this web page.)
Please plan to join us at 6:00pm on Sunday, August 8, 2010, we’d would love to see you. If you know of someone in the area who needs a word of encouragement and hope for the relationship they are in, please encourage them to attend. Or simply watch the pod cast on fbcw.org.
We are blessed to have so many who support our ministry, please know that having your prayer support is such an encouragement to both Allen and I.
Thank You For Allowing God To Use You In California…..
Allen on the beach @ Malibu
What an amazing trip we had out to California. God was at work in our lives and ministry as we presented the gospel as well as practical principles to help couples have a happy, God honoring relationship. The trip could not have gone any better and we know it was a result of your prayers and financial support! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we are praying God’s blessing on you and your family as a result of your support of our ministry.
This trip started as a personal desire to be used during our summer “slump”. Back in January we began to pray about how God might want to use us during the summer months of June and July which have in past years been a very slow time of ministry bookings. In February our dear friends Bob and Peggy Rooks told us about a church reunion in Poway, CA they hoped we could attend in July. We felt this was the open door we had been praying about and asked Pastor Rooks if he could put us in touch with pastor’s out west who might be interested in our marriage conference. We began to pray for the Lord to confirm this trip with ministry invitations and to provide funds for this wonderful opportunity.
In mid-April the Lord provided for us to purchase airfare at a very low cost, less than $700 total for both of us to fly round trip. We were committed and on our way. As with all our ministry efforts this was a huge step of faith, we were trusting the Lord to provide the way. We want to say a heart felt thank you to so many who have joined us in prayer AND who were willing to give!
Lifeway BC, Visa, CA - AM, July 4, 2010
Most churches in California average only 50 or less in attendance, for a church to have 200 is considered a very large church. The ministry is hard and often bears little tangible results leading to discouragement and burn out for the pastor and their families. Often these pastors are bi-vocational, working 40 plus hours a week at a job and then pastoring the flock in the evening and weekend hours. Rarely do they have outside speakers due to the cost and lack of evangelists who will come to their church.
As a result of our traveling to California we were able to share The Right Blend ministry with two church. July 4th found us at Lifeway Baptist Church with Pastor Jerry Shirley. Pastor Shirley has been at Lifeway BC for the past 6 years. Neither of us knew what to expect on a holiday weekend, especially since the church had never done anything like this before. To our delight, the church had a strong attendance of abut 75 and our message of hope and encouragement was overwhelmingly received!
Allen and I taught and spoke at both the SS hour and AM worship times. Our testimonies of struggle and trust in the Lord hit a strong cord with the people. Following the services both Allen and I were flooded with couple wanting to share their stories and how God had spoken to them through the service. Pastor Shirley is praying & seeking support from other area churches in hope of having us come back to lead a weekend long conference in the future.
A view of the Pacific
Monday found us heading up the coast to San Francisco to Balboa Baptist Church located in the heart of the city. After 3 days of breath taking travel up Hwy 1 we finally pulled up in front of Balboa Baptist Church. It was not a traditional building but simply a door on a busy street located in a sea of people. We knocked on the door and were greeted by Pastor Doug Boyle, a bi-vocational pastor who has been serving this, his first church, since graduating from seminary 6 years ago. He seemed excited, but a bit apologetic about the humble state of his church. Allen and I had no preconceived expectation, but only knew the Lord had sent us. We assured him we were ready to share even if it was just the three of us.
By 7pm 6 people had arrived and we started the service. By the time Allen began to share his personal testimony the small room was filled with about 20 people. As I stood to share my testimony my heart was racing as I realized God had sent me back to the very city my grandfather had sought to end my life in before I’d even had taken my first breath. I shared with tears streaming down my face how God had a plan for me from the moment I was conceived and how He had given me hope and purpose the day I asked Him into my heart. I could tell the Holy Spirit was at work as people wept. By the end of the service SIX lost souls had prayed to receive the LORD!!! Thank Lord Jesus!!!
Pastor Doug was thrilled, he shared that in the six years he has been their pastor he has never seen a response like the one we had just experienced. It was quite late when we finally packed up and left grateful to have witnessed God’s Word in action, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matt 18:20
We returned home close to have “broken even,” on paper, after the love offerings and gifts were tallied. But what price can you put on a soul? Is there any limit to the value of encouraging a weary pastor to continue the good fight? We are forever thankful for YOU allowing God to use YOU in California through your prayers and support of our ministry.
We are bless by you……..ALLEN and SANDI
It is not to late to donate should you feel led, we still have several week until our busy fall schedule starts, your support will enable us to meet our personal needs as well as ministry needs.
Simply click the DONATE button or mail your check to:
Finish Line Focused Ministries, 7008 Woodfield way, Woodstock GA 30188
A Trip Down Memory Lane…….
Jan & Her Dad Pastor Bob Rooks (He married us)
This past weekend I found that my mind is a funny thing (OK this is not the time for friends and family to laugh in agreement). I say this because I’ve spent the weekend renewing friendships and visiting places most of which I have not seen since the day I married Allen over 27 years ago. How funny it has been to find that the images I’ve had locked in my mind do not match what I found as we returned to Poway, California this past weekend for a church reunion.
I knew that time had passed and things would look a little different, after all I had aged and changed (oh so slightly) and nothing in California every stays stagnat. But as we drove down the main street in Poway I couldn’t even recognize one thing until my dear friend, Jan began to point out where things used to be and the new that had replaced it. Poway has sure changed from a small little town to a “sleek upscale” community. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I realized the bank I had gotten my career start at was now a scrapebooking store!
Our First Date Beyond The Windows
As we moved down the main highway through town we came to what used to be Bob’s Big Boy, the resturant Allen and I shared our first coke and he held my hand for the whole town to drive by and see! The resturant was still there and looked the same only the name had changed.
A little further down the road the church we were married at, no longer FBC of Poway but The Well (I found that all the church in California have catcher names these days). The front still looked the same, but the parking lot and back had been upgraded. I’ll addmit my heart did race as I realize I stood on the spot my new husband had whisked me away to our new life together. My mind raced thinking of the past 27 years, I left a young bride of only 23 and returned a wife, mother and grandmother of 8!!!! WOW, as I drove away that night long ago I had no idea what
FBC & The spot we left on our new life together!
awaited me….maybe that was a good thing..ha, ha.
Sunday afternoon was another trip down memory lane as I expected to greet the faces I had left 27 years ago only to be suprised by how time had changed everyone BUT ME…ha, ha! Actually I
Peggy Rooks my sweet match maker! Thanks Peggy!
had the time of my life!!!! Having spent the last 27 years in Allen’s world it was such an amazing joy to renew old friendships and rekindle long lost memories. I don’t think I’ve smiled or laughed more in years. Each time someone from the past hugged my neck my mind would flash back to a memory I had not thought of in years and of course when I shared my flashback everyone laughed and shared their memories as well.
As the reunion progressed I realized a crazy thing was happening. With each hug, each shared smile and memory revisited my initial reaction of ” 27 years having passed” now didn’t seem so evident. Things began to feel much more familiar, in fact all these places and faces seemed even more real and precious than they ever had! I suddenly realized even though I didn’t have the deep family roots and home place that Allen did, I too have a history and place I can call home, a place where people miss me, love me and a place that has my history, my roots.
The POWAY HOME where I grew up
I know this may sound strange, but when I left California and started my life with Allen and kids I couldn’t look back with tears. If I had I wouldn’t have been able to make a new, happy life with my wonderful family, it was part of the blending process I guess. But for years I have thought my roots where scattered and I didn’t really have a place I could call home, except where Allen and the kids were. But now I realize it is true, home is where the heart is, where memories were made and loved one still dwell. For me that place is Poway, California. The place I granduated from high school, met the Lord, grow in my faith, developed life long friendships and then married my sweetie! It has been so much fun to come HOME! SANDI
Is God Leading You To Be Of Help?
TRB Sunday - So. Elm St BC, Greensboro, NC
About 21 months ago God lead me to quite my full time job as a banker and take a hugh step of faith by joining Allen in ministry. We both knew my heart was not in the corporate world and that my efforts would have an eternal effect if applied to the ministry God had called both of us too.
Being a banker I got my calculator out and tried to figure out how in the world we were going to make it based on past ministry income. No matter how I fiddled with the figuars it just made no sense at all for me to make this change. But God’s ways are not our ways and here we are 21 months later having had our best year in ministry. We’ve been blessed to see many people saved, marriages strengthened and hurting lives encouraged by the power of God’s Word.
There is one thing I’ve learned since joining Allen full time, booking meetings, living on love offerings and running a full time ministry is no easy task, it’s a lot harder than my 9 to 5 job ever was, but much more rewarding! There is no subsitute for being in the center of God’s will.
One of the hardest obstacles is budgeting to meet our obligations both personally & on the ministry level. Up to this point we
TRB Retreat @ Unicoi Lodge, GA - Feb 2010
have been depending mostly on love offerings to meet our annual budget. The varying size of the churches we minister to and their ability to give has played a large part in our abilities to meet budget & has dictated weather we can expand our ministry. After much prayer and consulting others who run a full time ministry, we realize that to continue to reach those in need we will need to ask God to lead others to join us in prayer AND monetary support to insure we have a dependable foundation from which to run our ministry.
This foundational support will allow us to meet our obligation during the slow months of the year, which we have found to be June, July & December in addition to holiday weekends throughout the year. These months are harder to book since most churches have yearly activities such as VBS, church wide activates & of course Christmas programs. Our goal is to book at least 35-40 events per year, which would result in quite a vigorous schedule. Last year we had 33 bookings, a hugh increase from prior years which means more lives were touched and souls reached for our Lord.
Allen leading EBAW Revival @ New Union BC
Despite having the best year yet in our ministry efforts we still fell short of reaching our budget needs or being able to accomplish all that the Lord had laid on our hearts to do. We realize after much prayer & soul searching that we can not accomplish what God would have us do without Him bringing others along side us to help. Are you one of those people?
Young Lady Prays To Receive Christ -Block Party @ FBC Apopka
Allen and I have such a desire to encourage the saved and reach the Lost with the power of God’s Word. He has blessed our lives so richly and we know He wants to do the same for others, but we need foundational support to accomplish this. During our “off” months we have a desire to go to places that couldn’t afford to host us otherwise. To do this we need funds to meet our ministry budget. Are you willing to help?
Sharing the Gospel - June 2010
This month Allen spent 10 days in Orlando, FL knocking on doors and sharing the gospel. He personally lead 28 people to the LORD! Next month we have plans to travel to California and hope be leading The Right Blend Sunday at two small “mission field” churches located in a sea of need. Neither of these efforts are viable sources of income, but are something we both feel the Lord leading us to do, trusting Him to provide. We want to be good stewards of our time and efforts. There are so many more things God has placed on our hearts to do, but we need others to join us in prayer and support, are you one of those people?
If you have been blessed by our ministry and feel God leading you to help……simply click the DONATE button at the top left corner of this page or mail a check today to: Finish Line Focused Ministries – 7008 Woodfield Way – Woodstock, GA 30188. We are a non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductable.
Please know that if you feel lead to give $10 or $1000 – a one time gift or monthly support, your willingness to join us in reaching the lost & encouraging the saved means so very much to both Allen and I. We are thankful to those who already support our ministry & look forward in anticipation to see who God will lead to join us.
Lord, our bags are pack.....send us!
Allen & Sandi
Welborn
Can One COUPLE Make A Difference?
Annie & Rufus Hinson
Last weekend this question came to mind as Allen and I attended the Hinson cousin family reunion. Close to a 100 people gathered to share a meal and family stories of years gone by. Throughout the day I heard over and over, “Isn’t it amazing that this all started with one couple!”
That couple was Rufus and Annie Hinson, Allen’s mother Texie’s parents. Married on June 6, 1906, together they raised 11 children setting in motion over 100 years later the cousin reunion I attended. I know they never dreamed that the family they raised in a small crowed farm house would years later result in the many happy faces that surrounded me last weekend.
It was amazing to me to look at the small black and white pictures of this couple and then look around and see that so many of their descendants still carried a strong resemblance to this original couple. It wasn’t only the physical traits that lingered, it was a strong sense of family. This couple had taught their children to value family relationships and 100 years later even though they had passed away over 40 years ago and their last child had gone home to meet them just this past year, their grandchildren and great grandchildren still carried that original belief that strength is found in your family roots.
As Allen, his brother and sister introduced me to their cousins, I was also struck by the fact that so many were in full time service to the Lord! Faith and service were something that was also instilled in the family. It was such a blessing as several shared about the years they had prayed for Uncle Johnny….the rebel of the Hinson clan. He was the last of Ruffs and Annies children to pass away last year. Uncle Johnny had never made a profession of faith and had a reputation of living on the wild side, yet God in His wisdom had let him linger until just a few months before he passed and his nephew, a preacher, came by and shared the gospel one more time. Tears flowed as this nephew shared how his uncle had bowed his head and prayed for forgiveness, then received eternal life, which he is now enjoying with the rest of his family in heaven. It was such a blessing to hear so many praise the Lord at hearing how their prayers had been answered and their Uncle had ended his long life saved.
How amazing that the values and faith of one couple could 100 years later still be affecting the lives of their descendants and others around the world!! It all started with just ONE COUPLE. I’m sure as they struggled through life’s challenges together, daily work, the great depression, loss of loved ones – which included their own children, small living space for a family their size, children at different ages and all of them with different needs and challenges. This couple, like any married couple, must have wondered, “Does any of this really matter? There has to be more to life than this!”
The answer is YES there is more at stake than just the two of us and our daily struggles. Generations of our descendants are depending on us to look through the daily mess and keep our eyes focused on the bigger picture. How would it change what you as a couple value if you could travel down through time to your families reunion. Don’t get me wrong, every family faces challenges and is made up of individuals, but it really does come down to what we as a couple place value on and then pass those values on to our children who in turn pass those values on to their children.
A FEW QUESTIONS TO ASK OURSELVES: Are material things of great value to us as a couple? Is worldly success and fame something to attain and therefore work day and night for? What are we as a couple willing to sacrifice for? Or do we place value on time spent with the people we love most. Is it a priority to worship God together? As a couple and family do we turn to Him for our needs or do our children see us depending on ourselves to make it though the tough times? Do we as a couple have a burden for the lost in our family and the world around us? Do we share our possessions with those in need? Do the words I speak to my spouse betray how my heart really feels OR do those words give comfort to my children that their home is built on love and commitment.
One couple can make a difference in so many lives, but it all starts with their commitment to each other and is strengthened and held together by God. If we’ll hold strong to our faith and each other we just might look down in amazement from heaven and say, “Wow, did we really make that big a difference?”
Buy The Right Blend Book.
THE RIGHT BLEND is a story of tears, struggles and great joy. It is a story of a strong commitment to love. You will be challenged, inspired and moved to love your spouse and family in an unimaginable way.
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