Snow Day Snow Play

Snow Day Snow Play what better way to spend a snowy morning than to build a snowman  snowmomma?  Amy and Michael had great fun this week playing in the snow.  I have fond memories of playing in the snow as a child.  I lived in Michigan for a couple of years as a young child then
moved to Topeka, Kansas in second grade.  I grew up with snow.  I love snow.  I went to college in Oklahoma.  When it snowed there, it was scary.  They didn't know how to drive in it! 


Skip ahead a few years....

Now our family lives in Southwest Missouri.  I love living here except for one thing.  Snow is an event.  At least it's an event for me.  It's an annoyance for most people, I'm afraid.  A couple of winters ago, it snowed and snowed and snowed.  Lowell was working in Kansas City.  We were home with no car and were snowed in five days at a time!  Stir crazy?  Yes a little.  Love it?  Yes a lot!

Last year, no snow. ~frown~ I didn't complain to God, because I knew that there was a lot of work that needed to be done in Joplin to recover from the tornado.  This year it appeared that we would have no snow again.  I was sad.  I'm thrilled that last week and this week we've had a little snow.  It was quickly cleaned off the roads, so it isn't such an annoyance for folks.  Me?  I'm reveling in it. 

What about you?  Do you like snow?  Do you have a snow memory that you'd share with us?

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Your Thriving Family

Blessings Beyond Measure... The Christmas Reach... Joplin MO

 

Thank you Kenneth Copeland Ministries for making a real difference in our community.

Charity

This is my friend Charity.  She's the greatest.  If you've called Joplin Family Worship Center to help with tornado relief in any way, she's the gal you probably talked to.  She's just the sweetest gal you'll ever meet.

I don't know what we would have done over this last year, especially right after the tornado, if it hadn't been for Charity.  We joined the church after the tornado to help with the relief and to plant new roots.  Charity was my life-line friend as I tried to get acquainted... making a new friend only to find that she lived in Pennsylvania or New Hampshire or Texas or .... We had volunteers from everywhere help us!

Thanks so much for being my friend and for serving Joplin Charity!

"Were You Affected by The Tornado?

So many people have asked me, "Were you affected by the tornado?"  I always hesitate before I answer.  Was my family directly in the tornado?  No.  Did we lose friends, property, or a job?  No.  Did it change our lives dramatically?  Yes.  The Joplin Tornado changed all our lives.

Our focus for the last 15 months has been on helping the Joplin community recover.  We've done so through Joplin Family Worship Center.  Our "help" has taken many forms.  We've housed volunteers at our place, cooked for hundreds at a time, cleaned, unloaded trucks, pulled massive pallets of supplies into our church sanctuary on pallet jacks, organized supplies for distribution, prayed with victims, given out furniture, supplies, clothing, food, and other things in our church's distribution center, and basically helped whenever we were needed. 

My husband is the Director of Operations and Community Liasson for JFWC Resource Center.  That means he's basically the go between church and community.  He attends lots of meetings, runs our distribution center with as many as 30 employees, coordinates building projects, coordinates volunteers, up to 500 at times during the summers, coordinated giveaways of CROCS shoes, wooden toys at Christmas, thousands of wrapped Christmas gifts for needy families, an Easter outreach with Kenneth Copeland Ministries.... You get the idea.  Our family has been affected.  More importantly, our family is helping to effect change for the better in our community.

God, our creator, is amazing.  Jesus is amazing.  The Holy Spirit is amazing.  They have done amazing things in the Body of Christ throughout the Joplin area and throughout the country.

Even FEMA has noticed a difference in how Joplin is recovering in comparison to some other major disaster cities.  They recognize that it is the Faith Community.  We know who that is.  ~smile~

Amazing things have been done. Amazing things are yet to be done.  I encourage you to pray and ask the Lord how you can be part of the amazing.

I'm ask you to pray earnestly for the people of Joplin.  A social worker told our pastor that post traumatic stress has lead to an increase in divorces, child abuse, and suicides in our community.  We need to pray for mental as well as physical recovery for our community.  People need the Lord.  Nothing and Nobody else can bring forth full recovery.

Thank you so much for your prayers and your support.

Laura Lane
Trusting in the Lord

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Meet Jesus

~~~~~

A Letter from Joplin, Mo Pastor Dan Wermuth

"Dear Family and Friends of Joplin-

We are yet Praising God for the great out pouring of love from accross this nation in response to our moment of great need. 55+ thousand meals fed to survivors and volunteers, over 8 thousand families served with assistance, 650+ homes repaired or restored. 13 thousand+ volunteers have accomplished relief work through JFWC alone. Its staggering!

When the LORD said to us to "just say yes to the bless", we never would have imagined what that might look like. This summer alone will have over 4000 people eating meals here at JFWC...housing many of them and providing case management for the families being served.

I have prayed about this post for several weeks. Now is the time...I am asking that you would consider a Round Two. Another wave of "Show the Love of God". A financial gift keeps the relief work in full force. As you can imagine the overhead is large, our God is larger, His people blessed to be a blessing. Food, hygiene kits, household items and cleaning supplies are distributed everyday. Still a need for gift cards for building supplies and fuel.

Many people who have fallen through the cracks of the system. And great people here willing to help them find the saftey net and then move them forward to productivity. Hundreds and hundreds have come to Christ because Christ came to them in the form of a hand up not a hand out. Gods love in action through you. Hearts are being healed, families finding hope, new beginings...

Please repost these thoughts as you see fit.

Please pray about it, then consider what the LORD might have you or your family, Congregation, Civic group might do for a "Round Two".

 Your hands and feet in Joplin-
His Love and Grace in action-
Pastors Dan Cindy Wermuth
417-623-6134 JFWC"








Click here to go to Joplin Family Worship Center's website.

Joplin Tornado Recovery Video

This amazing video was made by Hayden Murphy, a member of our church and a student at Joplin High School.






Your prayers and support continue to make a terrific impact in Joplin, Missouri.

Thank you,
Laura


Want to help?

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Blissful and Domestic

Forever Changed

Although we live about 10 miles east of Joplin, our lives were forever changed a year ago.
We are honored to serve the Joplin community with Joplin Family Worship Center.  God has done something very significant in Joplin.  The faith community has come together from across the country and from several foreign countries in a dramatic and miraculous way.  When you face a tragedy like Joplin's, denominations don't matter.  You realize that we're God's children; and, we're here to be Jesus with skin on to those around us in need.


My family is in the very last photo on the video.  From front left, Emily, Amy, Laura, Michael.  Lowell is in the back on the left.  We've come a long way.  Most of the wreckage is cleared away.  The immediate needs have been met.  Now it's a matter of helping with the rebuilding of homes, businesses, and lives.

Thank you to everyone who has helped

and prayed for Joplin. 

May God the Father,

the Lord Jesus Christ,

and the Holy Spirit richly bless you.

Shared at:

Deep Roots at Home

Have You Met Jesus?

One of the Joplin residents took this photo directly after the tornado.

Have you met Jesus?

Would you like to?

He has completely changed my life, who I am, how I live. I am forgiven for all the bad I've thought or done. Christians really are not perfect. We really do have forgiveness from God the creator of all because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

I have peace with God.
I have hope for my future.
Do you?

6 steps to knowing God

Joplin is Counting on You!

Photo credit:  Branden Bethke

We're counting on you to remember Joplin in your prayers please. 

May 22, the one year anniversary of the tornado that devastated our community.  Lots of folks will be remembering and the memories are not good.  Hundreds of people still do not have homes of their own and hundreds are seeking jobs.  

We, at Joplin Family Worship Center, are partnering with God and with our community to be Jesus with skin on.  We're still very active in the relief and restoration effort.  We're still sending work teams to help with rebuilding and repair projects, giving out resources, and feeding survivors.  We're also housing and feeding volunteers.  We're expecting thousands of volunteers to help in the continuing clean up and rebuilding this summer. 

If you'd like to help us, please go to jfwc.org.  Every little bit helps.  If you get to come to help, be sure to ask my husband, Lowell Lane, to introduce us!  You'll know Lowell.  He's the one everyone asks everything.  ~smile~

Thanks so much for praying for us!

More Storms in the Joplin area. This time in Branson, MO.

It was an F2 tornado.  Fortunately, their busy season doesn't start until next week.  Unfortunately, 13 died.  Please pray for their families and for those who were injured in and around Branson.

Hope 4 Joplin 2011 Tornado video

These numbers are even higher now.  Thank you everyone for your support and prayers.  We've got a long way to go; but, the generosity, love, and prayers you all are providing are making recovery much much easier.

Our family lives 10 miles from Joplin.  My husband, Lowell Lane, is the operations manager for the Joplin Family Worship Center relief organization.  If you want to help by volunteering or making a donation, we can help you get your help to the folks of Joplin.

It Began as a Comment About Giving

It began as a comment about giving on Annie's blog, Scrappalachia.  As I wrote, I thought I should share it with you, too.

We have seen miraculous giving over the last 7 months.  My husband is director of operations for the Joplin, Missouri Tornado Relief effort at Joplin Family Worship Center.

Thousands of volunteers have come to help from across America and the world.  Millions of dollars worth of supplies have passed through our hands and been distributed to those affected by the tornado.  We have served thousands of meals and continue to do so. 

We want to be, as our pastor says, "Jesus with skin on".

It's what our family and our church has been doing to give, it's what we'll be doing to give for another four or five years.  It has changed us.  It's now who we are.  We are blessed to be a blessing.

If you or your readers would like to help by volunteering or donating, please go to http://jfwc.org for information on how to help us help Joplin.

Please pray for Joplin.  It will be a very difficult season for many people.  Counselors are seeing a lot of post traumatic stress and depression. 

Happy Christmas!
Laura Lane

Joplin Tornado Before and After

Please pray for Joplin residents this month.  It's going to be very hard for many people.

Gayla of Prairie Flower Cottage shared her story here.

This is the video she shared on her blog.

Please read her story.

It's one of thousands.

Please help us help Joplin tornado victims.

God has blessed; we've come a long way; we have a long way to go.

Thank you for your prayers and your support.

Thankfulness Day 18 Volunteers

I thank God for the thousands of volunteers who have come through Joplin and Joplin Family Worship Center to help Joplin.  For information about how you can help, click here.

Thankfulness 14... Bringing a Little Joy to Joplin 2011

Thank you to all who have given so generously to help the citizens of Joplin in our tornado recovery.  This will be the first Thanksgiving and Christmas without loved ones and without the homes that were lost.  We at Joplin Family Worship Center will be hosting an event on Saturday to distribute new Christmas decorations.  Will you consider helping in Bringing a Little Joy to Joplin?

"It is such a blessing to be part of such a great event. This family has worked so hard to help the families who lost everything in the Joplin Tornado.  They called me this evening and told me it looks like they have a 40 foot moving truck packed with Christmas Decor items headed to Joplin from St. Louis. 

This event will take place on Saturday November 19, 2011 at Joplin Family Worship Center located at 5290 E. 7th Street Joplin, Mo.  Doors open at 12 and close at 4pm.

We will have all kinds of items from trees, lights, ornaments, nativity sets, and much much more. We will also be playing Christmas music, have cider, and a few snacks.This is a first come first serve event, but you must have a photo I.D. and proof of your destruction address such as a FEMA letter."  Lowell Lane

Thank you all for your prayers and for your generosity to Joplin.

Laura Lane
Lowell Lane

Thankfulness Day 6 Help and Hope for Joplin

Thank you to everyone who has helped Joplin.  We simply cannot ever thank everyone enough.  We've got a strong start on recovery.  You can reach Joplin Family Worship Center by clicking the button below.  God bless you.



Linking with Brenda.

Thankfulness Day 4 All Home

May 22, 2011

5:41

We heard no sirens... only a tremendous thundering that didn't stop.

I thank God...

We were all home. 

 We were all safe.

We were all praying for Joplin

...THANK YOU GOD...

Thank you God that you preserved us and so many lives across Joplin.  Though we were miles from the destruction, the path of the tornado was headed our way.   May we continue to give and share your love, the love of God with those who were affected.

Thank you for the thousands of volunteers you've sent and the generous supplies you've sent.  May we continue to be generous to those in need both in body and in spirit.

Amen.

Thankfulness Day 3 Life Verses

Have you heard of life verses?
Basically, it is a verse or verses that the Lord has given to you, that has quickened your spirit, that you hold onto for life.  Many verses minister to us for a season. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."  2 Timothy 3:16 A life verse differs in that it stays with you.  It guides your thinking and actions for a long extended time presumably life.  Pastor Dan Wermuth of Joplin Family Worship Center shared his last night. 

"So he answered me and said to me:  "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts."  Zechariah 4:6  This verse filters how he looks at the world and influences his actions.  It's been quite a powerful verse as he leads our church and volunteers from across the country in the Joplin tornado relief efforts.

I thank God for my life verse.  He gave it to me years ago.  I am given to anxiety if I don't ask the Holy Spirt to guard my thoughts.  Bills, extended illness, pain, homeschooling, family tension, all can add to anxiety.  I have to remind myself to be anxious for NO  THING.   You can read about my experience with this verse here. 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7 

Now that's a verse to mark in your Bible!  For that matter, the whole fourth chapter of Philippians is a great place to camp out until you have its truths deep in your heart and mind.  With the holidays* and all the extra ministry activities coming up, I think I'm going to camp there this week.  Care to join me?

Think about it, search the Lord and His Word.  Ask your Father what your life verse is.  He loves it when we seek Him.  "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart." Psalm 119:1-3

Just something to think about....

Laura

*For me, the holidays are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.  With that in mind, I don't mind Happy Holidays.

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Deep Roots at Home - Raising Homemakers

Hope 4 Joplin

Hope 4 Joplin

If you'd like to help the families of Joplin, you can do so through Joplin Family Worship Center's Disaster Resource Center. We have helped thousands of volunteers to find ways to help in Joplin's recovery. We also provide food, clothing, and household goods directly to citizens of the community who were directly impacted by the tornado by destruction of their homes or loss of their jobs. We are able to do so only because of the generosity of people from all across the country.

There are lots of ways to help.

Go to Hope 4 Joplin to find out how you fit into the recovery picture.

Thank you for helping Joplin Family Worship Center help Joplin.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition is in Joplin Missouri!

7 houses

7 days

Thank you Extreme Makeover Home Edition!

Get involved!