Before going any further…I want to announce the winner of my Saturday blog giveaway post!

Drum roll please…

CINDY – Timestamp: 1:18 AM, Date: 10/2 – YOU ARE THE WINNER!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Please email me your mailing address, and I’ll send your winnings to you right away! 🙂 My email addy: [email protected]

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Good morning bloggy friends!

Some of you know that I work in administration for a Christian radio station. More specifically, I am most blessed to serve at 106.9 the Light (WMIT-FM), founded by Billy Graham nearly 50 years ago. Check us out at http://www.1069thelight.org/ whenever you get a chance. Our coverage area is quite large…portions of 7 states. However, with the internet and cell phone apps…you can listen to us all over the world!

I say all of this to say that today marks our first day (out of two) of Sharathon!!! These are two days that we set aside each year to invite our listeners to join us in the work God is doing in changing lives. That’s what it’s all about friends…changed lives. It’s not about money. Yes…it takes money to do ministry, but our focus is not on how many dollars can be raised – that’s in God’s hands. Our focus is on how many lives can be impacted through the work God is doing through us, His vessels, at the station. And…I should know…I am a life that has been changed (twice over) by the work of this station: first, as a listener back in 1997 and most recently back in June of this year (as an employee). I may have the opportunity to share that recent story on the air over the next two days, so I don’t want to do so now. But, I’ll be sure to share it here at a later date…regardless.

So, I ask those of you that are praying people to join me in praying for us to see a mighty God movement over these next two days! Please pray that we’ll hear testimony after testimony of lives changed through the work God is doing at 106.9 the Light. Please pray for stamina for the entire staff and volunteer team. Please pray that “no weapon formed against” by the enemy will prosper! This is solid, good ground…so, the attacks always ramp up about this time. Thank you, friends, for your faithfulness to pray!

Here are just a few pics from some of our “out and about” events:

First a couple of reminders: today is the last day to enter the Day 1 giveaway, click HERE for details. You have until 11:59 pm tonight to enter, and the winner will be announced tomorrow!

Secondly: if you haven’t had a chance to check out yesterday’s post yet…you might be in for a surprise (I know I was…ha!). I posted my first video blog (or VLOG). Now you can hear the voice behind the words!

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It’s strange, really. For the first time in 5 months, I feel fully alive again. Yes, today marks the 5th month anniversary of the day my husband disappeared and probably died. While his death certificate says he died May 4, because that was the day he was found (which is the day we observe on “official” stuff – including grave marker)…I believe he entered Heaven on May 3. Too many reasons to explain, but I’m nearly 100% sure of that. Regardless, 5 months ago today…my life changed. Dramatically.

So, how do I feel fully alive? I think the feeling came when I discovered that I’m ready to serve again. I want to serve others. I want to be the Lord’s mouthpiece. I want to return to speaking. I want to share the miracle He’s done in me through this horrific life event. I want others to see Christ through me. And…I’m excited about what lies ahead. Yes – I still dread the upcoming holidays without him. I dread “celebrating” my 40th birthday in January without him teasing me like crazy. I dread my first Valentine’s Day without my sweet Valentine to say “I love you”. I dread Easter. I dread the 1st anniversary of his death. But, even with the “dreads”…I’m excited. I’m ready to proceed in service with whatever plans the Lord has for me…but, with caution.

I say “with caution”, because the tidal waves are sure to come again. It’s just part of grief. And…it’s the hardest part to explain to someone that has never been in my shoes. They look at me and think, “Wow…she’s doing great! She’s healing so well.” And…then a tidal wave comes, and people seem shocked. It almost comes across to me as feeling like I’ve failed.

But, you know what? That’s a lie of the enemy. There is no formula to grief. No two people experience it exactly the same way. And, I can’t begin to predict what the next day will bring (much less the next hour). All I know to do is to take steps forward…to keep holding out my arms for the Lord to catch me when I start to fall…and to be willing to have Him carry me when I can’t take a single step. I’m willing to take the risk to bring glory to His name.

And…so I proceed…with caution.