Welcome 2011!

I am finally getting in the swing of things around my house. Is it really the middle of January? It seems like our family has been blessed with a lot of together time lately. Christmas break was a blast and we enjoyed seeing extended family. The snow break was so much fun! The boys are old enough to go out in the snow and play for several hours. Yesterday the boys were out of school for MLK day and we had fun at home. So, can I be honest with you and say that I was a tad bit excited this morning when I dropped the boys off at school? I have missed my quiet house (which really isn't that quiet anymore--- I will explain in a second!) I have missed my uninterrupted time with the Lord. I have missed singing at the top of my lungs to my precious Savior. Don't get me wrong. I will probably be the first person in the car pool line to pick up my crew, but I will admit that I have enjoyed my much needed time with the Lord. Thank you, Jesus!

So as 2011 is in full swing, I want to give you a few updates on my life as well as True Vine Ministry. Hang on to your seat---- here we go!

Updates:
1. We have a new dog! (Hence the comment about our house NOT being so quiet!) Lulu is a one and a half year old maltese. She requires a lot of attention from me and the guys but we are so glad she is a Lennon! Lulu is having to learn a lot of rules right now and she is doing pretty good. I feel like she is another full-time job but my boys LOVE her so it is worth it. I even found myself glad to see her when I came home from a meeting last night.

2. Jay and the boys are doing great. Jay is working hard on some changes to the TVM website. He is trying to get me up to speed in the area of technology. I am so thankful for my supportive husband. The boys are fun and I love to see life through their eyes.

3. TVM's speaking schedule for the spring is full! I am excited to share God's Word with so many women this year. Check out the events page for a location near you!

4. Women's Inc: I will continue to contribute a monthly column to Women's Inc. I will post the links each month on Facebook, twitter, and this blog. I have also been asked to submit four additional columns for the new Home edition of Women's Inc. I am going to write a series on the Fruit of the Spirit at work in our homes--- A Peaceful Home, A Loving Home, A Kind Home, and A Joyful Home. So excited to share God's truth in this setting!

5. I will be doing more web-conferences this year. I hope to schedule at least four. The web-conferences will be free so keep an eye on my events page for details.

6. Reflecting His Glory: Book sales are going well for RHG. I have several events this year and two state-wide events. My goal is to focus on Arkansas and get the word out about this tool for women. The first event is next week at the Statewide Evangelism Conference.

7. Free To Thrive!: The manuscript is complete! Thank you, Jesus! The editing process is about to begin. I hope to publish in the fall of 2011.

8. Social Networking: This year I am going to focus on using facebook, twitter, and this blog to encourage women in their walk with Jesus. I just have to be honest--- social networking is a challenge for me. I am a face-to-face kind of gal. However, if I can honor the Lord through this means, I will gladly do it!

9. Church Work: As many of you know, I spent a lot of my time in 2010 helping at the staff level at my home church in the area of adult education. I was honored to step in when needed but I am thankful to report that this weekend we have a Godly man and family coming in view of a call for the area of adult ministry. Lord willing, I will be totally released from church work in 2011 so that I can focus on TVM. Of course, I will still be very involved in ministry at my home church but in more lay leader roles.

10. Mission Work: Once again, I am looking forward to traveling to the other side of the world to share the love of Jesus Christ. Jay and I are working together to connect churches in the State of Arkansas with mission needs on the other side of the world. We are currently working with 9 churches. We are so grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to serve--- to the ends of the earth!

Come Lord Jesus, Come!
Andrea at TVM

Thanksgiving Blessings!

It is Thanksgiving day and I am overwhelmed with God's many blessings! How about you?

I am thankful for my loving Savior who willingly died in my place. Even though my mind fully comprehends the actions Jesus took, I am not sure my heart will ever be able to understand the pain Jesus bore when He took God's wrath for my sin. Today, all I know to say is "Thank you, Lord!"

I am thankful for my family. Jay, Jake, and Andrew are a blessing to me. Jay is a rock in my life and my boys keep me real. I am also thankful for my parents and siblings. Mom, Dad, Jason, and Shannon have put up with me for 34 years. I love them more every day. I have wonderful in-laws who are so very supportive of me and True Vine Ministry. (in fact, I am posting this blog from their house!) Thank you Joe and Cindy!

I am thankful for my friends. Wow! I am blessed in this area of my life. Life would not be the same without my circle of friends. This circle includes friends that I have known for many years as well as friends I have met in recent years. Life is richer with all of my friends in it! I love you all!!

I am thankful for my church family. As I think back over the last year, I am amazed at God's hand of direction. The Lord has walked us through so much and I am thankful for my church family who has remained steadfast in their hearts for God. I can't imagine walking through life without this important group of people in my life.

I am thankful for my community. I love Conway! I hope the Lord allows us to live in Conway for many years. I love writing for Women's Inc. To me, this is one way I can give back to a community who has given so much to me and my family.

I hope as you read this entry, you are reminded of the many blessings in your life. Feel free to share your thoughts of thanks!

Blessings to you and yours!

Love!
Andrea

Shopping and Friends!

Hello from Branson, Mo. I am on a shopping trip with a few girlfriends from my Small Group. We are ready to take Branson by storm. As I spend time with my friends, I am reminded about the importance of friends. Friends are there for you in good times and bad. The Bible teaches that we should have at least three types of friendships in our lives. First, we should have Close Friends who hold us accountable to God's Word. This type of friendship was demonstrated in the life of David and Jonathan. Next, we should have Caring Friends who are fun to spend time with and encourage us in our faith. This type of friendship was demonstrated in the Early Church. Finally, we should have Casual Friends that we are willing to invest our lives in so we can share the love of Jesus Christ. This type of friendship was seen in the life and ministry of Jesus who looked for ways to invest in the lives of those around Him as He walked on this earth.

Tonight, before I go to bed, I want to ask you a question. "What kind of friend are you?" I hope you can say that you are the type of friend who points others towards Jesus. If so, you can know that God is being honored in your friendships. If not, take a hard look at your friendships and ask the Lord to help you be the kind of friend that brings honor to Him!

Good night, my sweet friend!

Andrea

P.S. I will let you know what kind of deals I find in Branson! I am excited :)

Busy Days!

WOW! Life is busy but good! I do not know about you, but I cannot believe it is the middle of November. I will confess, my Christmas tree is up and I am ready to spend time with my sweet family.

Last week I wrapped up TVM's speaking schedule for 2010. What a great year! As I reflect on the year, I am so thankful for all the opportunities to share God's Word as well as meet so many new friends.

This week, I finished up the first group study of Reflecting His Glory at my home church. What a blessing! The feedback has been wonderful. I am thankful for all the ladies that took part in the study. Speaking of Reflecting His Glory, it along with our family, will be featured in the December issue of Women's Inc. I can't wait to see the magazine. I will share the link with you when it comes out.

Now that things have slowed down at TVM, I am working on finishing up Free To Thrive! I hope to finish the manuscript this week and send it off to the editor by the end of the month. I am so excited about this resource. As I write, I see the great potential for a devotion type study focusing on our freedom in Christ. The great thing about this devotion is the fact that it is designed for women who are bound up in the craziness of life. Can you relate? It is my hope that this tool will help women get free from the trappings of this world and long to have a balanced, meaningful life in Christ.

Jay and I are doing a little remodel work in our home. When we bought our home eight years ago, we made a list of things we hoped to improve. We had no idea it would take 8 years to get to many of the things on our list but it did! RIght now we are tackling the kitchen. We have painted the ceiling, changed out the appliances, and put up new light fixtures. Next we are putting in a new sink and new countertops. After that we will install a tile backsplash and tile flooring. It will look like a new kitchen when we are done. We are so excited to see it all come together. The kitchen remodel will also be featured in an upcoming Women's Inc. So stay tuned for pictures.

So, I am trying to make this blog more interactive so I have a question for you--- "Have you ever remodeled a room in your home? What advice do you have for me and Jay?

Love!
Andrea

Camping Trip! Help!

I am leaving tomorrow morning bright and early to go backpacking/camping with my good friend Janet. If you know me very well, you know that Janet must be a good friend if I am going backpacking/camping with her. Bottom line--- I am not an outdoor girl! My idea of fun is going to a nice hotel, taking in a movie, enjoying a nice meal, and sleeping on an extra soft mattress with lots of pillows! So the thought of carrying my bed into the back country and sleeping with the critters makes me a little nervous.

I knew I was in trouble when I found out that I cannot wear deodorant or smelly hand lotion because it might attract the bears. It was at this point that I decided I better get serious about my approach to my backpacking adventure. So let me share my approach with you. I am going to approach this adventure like a mission trip. From the beginning, I am going to know that I will do things I do not normally do. I will live in ways I do not normally live. And by God's grace, I hope to share the love of Jesus with someone along the way.

I plan to take my camera and I will post pictures when I return. Pray for me and especially Janet. I do not think she has a clue what she has gotten herself in to!


Love,
Andrea

FBC Manila Retreat

Last weekend I had the great honor of leading a women's retreat for First Baptist Church Manila, AR. What a great weekend!! We gathered in the beautiful town of Ponca, AR. If you have not been to Ponca, you need to go! God's creation just cries out to Him! The trees, the animals, the streams, and the mountains proclaim that God is our creator God.

During our time in Ponca, we looked at the topic Free To Thrive! God's Word challenged us to Thrive no matter the circumstances going on in our lives. Galatians 5:1 served as our focal verse, "It is for freedom Christ set us free, stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." It was a great weekend with a great group of ladies. Check out the pictures below!

Reflecting His Glory Update

Well, it has been awhile! I just wanted to let you know that Reflecting His Glory has been published!! I am in the middle of teaching the study at my home church. It has been so exciting to see God use this study to challenge women to really examine their hearts desire. Each week we have placed ourselves before the Lord and asked Him to show us areas where we fail to reflect Him. God certainly has been working in my heart and I hear the same from my sisters. No doubt, reflecting requires hard work and daily surrender. We ultimately reflect Him when others see Jesus in us.

As I teach the study, I am writing the leaders guide. This guide will be available in the next few weeks for any church or women's group. It is my hope that the leaders guide will make the study more user friendly for groups. Please join me in prayer for God's plan for this study. "Lord, may Your will be done!"

You can order your copy of Reflecting His Glory today. Click on the RHG link at www.andrealennon.net

More soon!

Love,
Andrea