April 2015 Prayer Letter

Recap from Rockwall

             

 Rockwall is a suburb of Dallas. We had a great event with  620 people in attendance. Once again there were marriages and legacies changed forever! We can’t resist including a few comments:

· Came here on the brink of divorce, completely lost as a couple after 7 years of marriage.  God Almighty broke us down Saturday night, It hurt but it was amazing!  Finally, Hope in our marriage!  God’s mercy is awesome!!! Husband married 7 years

· God has used this ministry to soften my heart.  I’ve recommitted my life with God and I’m open to understanding my husband and loving him unconditionally.  Wife Married 10 yrs

· Words cannot describe.  I truly feel it has saved our marriage.  We have learned to embrace our weaknesses, differences and work towards “oneness” with each other and God.  Thank you!!  Husband  Married 11 yrs

     Our youngest son, Erik and his wife Amy are the proud parents of this little girl. Rory Mae Stokes was born on  March 5 (her daddy’s birthday). She was 7lbs and 12ozs and 20.25” long. Mom, Dad, and Rory are all doing super well. Thanks for your prayers! We are so grateful the Lord has allowed us the opportunity to move closer to our sons and their families!

You are such a blessing to us. Thank you for your faithful support and prayers! We hope you feel a part of God’s work changing lives and restoring marriages. John could not be planning the events and I could not be working the resource center at the events without you! We are so very grateful to have you on our team. We continue to thank God for you and ask the Lord to bless you as you seek His will for your lives.

Dallas (Rockwall) Weekend to Remember

March 6-8, 2015

Attendance 620

Salvation:  6

Holy Spirit:  98

Recommitment:   138

1.    H - Came here on the brink of divorce, completely lost as a couple of 7 years.  God Almighty broke us down Saturday night, It hurt but it was amazing!  Finally, Hope in our marriage!  God’s mercy is awesome!!!  1-7  Mar 7 yrs

 

      W - We were broken, and headed for divorce.  On day 2 when we wrote the love letters, I couldn’t write mine to my husband due to being so bitter.  Leaving this conference, I have hope.  1-9   Mar 7 yrs

2.  H - My wife and I paused our divorce process a week before attending.  This program has helped me discover a new light of marriage and what it truly means.  This has helped kick off a fresh start to saving our marriage.  Thank you  1-4   Mar 3 yrs

     W - My husband and I literally put our divorce on hold the Monday before the conference.  This has thought us to revisit what is most important and what our priorities should be.  It has confirmed that I need God’s help in fixing this marriage and having a healthy marriage.  This has giving me hope.  1-4  Mar 3 yrs

3.  This season has been really challenging because my husband was released from his job because of “restructuring”.  Our bread “winner” was now unemployed for 1 year, our son is a senior in hight school and I transitioned from high school to elementary.  We were on the path to divorce and we were gifted this marriage conference.  Praise the Lord!  We now have “tools” to refresh our marriage and continue to uphold our commitment.  Thank you.  Mar 28 yrs

4.  H - Words cannot describe.  I truly feel it has saved our marriage.  We have learned to embrace our weaknesses, differences and work towards “oneness” with each other and God.  Thank you!!  2-9  Mar 11 yrs

 5.  Reconnected with my wife and made a commitment to make our marriage thrive.  Saw my wife in a new lite and recognized my own faults.  Gave me the information on how to be a better man.  3-8  Mar 11 yrs

6.  We came broken and at rock bottom.  We were already on the mend from tragedy.  This really gave us the tools and guidance to continue the journey closer to God and one another that we are on.  God really used this event to speak to us.  We have reprioritized our lives.  Put God and each other at the center.  We will overcome neglect, abuse, adultery, in-law negative influence, alcohol problems, and many other issues.  We are stronger now more than we have ever been.  We realize that this is just the beginning of a wonderfully love and legacy.  Eye opener for both of us.  We will no longer focus on one another’s flaws, but love each other sacrificially and not blame it all on our spouse.   1-10  Mar 5 yrs

7.  God has used this ministry to soften my heart.  I’ve recommitted my life with God and I’m open to understanding my husband and loving him unconditionally.  1-7  Mar 10 yrs

8.  In January, I told my husband I wanted a separation - possibly a divorce.  He asked me to give him one more chance.  Meanwhile, my friend told me about a “weekend to remember”.  I began to pray in anticipation and I am so grateful.  We have hope now.  Tools to move us onto the same path - the path to oneness.  God has bout us together again.  My husband received Christ for the first time and I recommitted my life.  For the first time in over 10 ears we have had a true and honest conversation.  Thank you for the hope.  2-8  Mar 12 yrs

9.  I felt like giving up on my marriage a month ago but listening to the FamilyLife broadcast kept me going.  Like they said, “Help for today, Hope for tomorrow”.  In one of the shows Dennis Rainey said “Don’t quit” so that’s why I’m here because I decided not to quit.  God has worked in me and my husband through this conference.  3-8  Mar 10 yrs

10.  I see him differently and see my old differently.  Lots to work on.  He definitely has changed.  He said thank you to me for “dragging” him to this conference after 5 years of asking him to attend.  He said thank you about 10 times to me during the weekend.  5-9  Mar 14 yrs

March 2015 Prayer Letter

WTR in Rochester, MN Recap

When the wheels begin to fall off the wagon it is a great time to remember that we are not in charge, the Lord is! As you deal with the unexpected how good it is to remember to look to Him as you seek out alternatives, contingencies, and make decisions going forward. Our first WTR of the spring season in Rochester was definitely full of surprises and the unexpected.

  

Friday night we had a 2 wk old baby show up in the ballroom with his parents. Though there had been some mis-communication from someone at the FamilyLife office that suggested this was acceptable, it unfortunately is not allowed. 

A couple on the local volunteer city team were friends of the baby toting couple. She offered to watch the little guy during the sessions so that they would stay and attend the event. Well, it just so happened I was also available to help out with babysitting duty as well (twist my arm)!

 

Sunday morning brought a 6am wakeup call. There had been a flood in the ballroom caused by a broken ceiling sprinkler. Some of our AV equipment, movie screen, and of course the carpet, and some chairs were soaked.

              
The hotel staff responded quickly including bringing in professionals to try and vacuum up as much water as possible and then bring in blowers to dry the carpet.

Unfortunately they were not able to get it all done by the 9am start up time.
So, John decided along with the senior speaker to delay the start by 30 minutes.

However we did not want the guests to leave so myself and one of the city team folks headed to Dunkin Doughnuts for a dozen, dozen doughnuts. Everyone seemed content to have a doughnut and wait around for the later start.

To God Be The Glory!

In spite of the unforeseen challenges God showed up in a mighty way. There were 370 guests at  the Rochester, MN WTR and 67 of those became Christ Followers that weekend!!!!!

Rochester Weekend to Remember Update

Rochester, MN Top Ten Comments

February 13-15, 2015

Attendance: 370

Holy Spirit: 85

Recommit: 123

Salvations: 67

It impacted both of us a lot—we were getting divorced. Saved our marriage, gave us both a new outlook on how to treat each other and what we both need—came here as two single people and leaving like we’re starting over, like we started dating again—learning forgiveness and how to make our marriage right. A lot of help. Thank you.

Married 12 years

My husband and I came to the weekend discouraged with each other and our marriage. The weekend was full of so much wonder, encouraging marital advice that we even got the opportunity to use while on the weekend. We are leaving hopeful and overjoyed that we married on another.

Married 2 years

There were tons of practical advice/tips based on biblical principles & the speakers were very transparent and relatable. On date night we had an opportunity to put into practice what we learned earlier in the day—how to forgive one another.

Married 1 year

I came here with a marriage devastated by unfaithfulness, anger, hurt. We drove here in separate cars—almost not coming at all—with little hope, yet desperate for a glimmer of hope. I leave with two days of real, hopeful communication with my wife knowing there is a lot of work to do and a lot of healing to happen, but with a lot of hope.

Married 22 years

The weekend content was crafted in such a way that it somehow dissolved the walls I’d constructed regarding being open and vulnerable with my wife. I feel like the communication and connection we experienced in 3 days made up for a few years of gathering stagnation in our marriage.

Married 6 years

This is our 5^th year in a row at WTR. We love the time away and the opportunity to focus on our marriage. It continually amazes me how God teaches us something new each year and continues to strengthen our marriage in Him.

Married 13 years (wife of below)

This is our fifth Weekend to Remember. When we first went, 5 years ago, it transformed our marriage. We go every year now as a tune-up for our marriage.

Married 13 years (husband of above)

Things are a struggle at my house. I was contemplating leaving last week, but I knew this (event) was coming. It’s good to have some tools to realize my wife is not the enemy. Divorce is not an option. Through God, I can change. Through God, WE can change.

Married 9 years

We have struggled for almost 5 years starting with the premature birth of our triplets, a 9-week NICU stay, to one of the kids being diagnosed with brain cancer. The kids came first and we lost ourselves during this. Weekend to Remember has allowed us to remember why we got married and our purpose to glorify God together. We are not each other’s enemy after all.

Married 3 years

Before attending this getaway our marriage was in crisis. The getaway has given me many useful tools on how to move forward & work on repairing our marriage & given me continued hope.

Married 9 years