Month: December 2010

MC & HNY

On By MarkIn Christmas, Family, God's Glory, ZacLeave a comment

Here’s the web-version of our Christmas Letter we sent out to our family.  After reading a few this season, we realized what a year this has been and it only seemed appropriate to share how God has led and blessed us this past year.

In January, Laurie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully God allowed the doctors to find it early and she began immediate treatments after her February surgery. We were both very thankful her mom was able to come and help out the week of her surgery.  Her radiation treatments started in March.  Her last treatment was May 13th. She is cancer-free but will continue with regular follow up visits.

Just two days after Laurie’s last treatment we made the trip to say goodbye to my nephew Zac. We saw him briefly on Sunday morning, and that afternoon he was able to see Jesus face to face.  It was an added blessing to see several family members for his amazing memorial service at NewSpring Church. I miss him on a regular basis.  You can watch a part of his story here.

A huge highlight from our summer was a few days in Mammoth Lakes, CA.  It was our first time there and Laurie had it planned out very well where we simply enjoyed down time in a beautiful setting. At the end of our week, we did a quick drive through Yosemite and came out the western side so we could have an afternoon visit with Laurie’s Grandma Clarice.  We were both so glad we made that trip. Grandma died just a few months later.  Laurie was able to join her mom in Three Rivers for a brief visit for Grandma’s memorial service. An added blessing was reacquainting with family.

In October I learned the reason for some unexpected weight loss was a condition called Graves Disease, a form of hyperthyroidism. Though the name sounds morbid, it appears this is not terribly uncommon and it is very treatable.  My good doctor has me on a medication with regular blood work to monitor the progression. So far so good.

Thanksgiving gave us the opportunity to see several family members in Mesa, as Stacey hosted the main event.  We had a great Christmas Eve service with our largest crowd ever.  We were blessed to share the holiday with two of my sisters from Tucson, Janet and Sandra.

As we’ve exchanged gifts and shared precious family time together, we clearly think of our gift to God first and foremost.  What is it?  To give to God the praise and thanks He is due. We are so blessed.  And above all, we give Him thanks for Jesus, His Son. “For unto us is born this day in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Mark and Laurie Smith

A Full Day of Grace

On By MarkIn Christmas, church, GRACE, ThanksLeave a comment

Last night as I was reflecting on the day, I realized just how good God is and what an amazing ride it is to serve Him and lead others to do the same.  Here are a few highlights:

  • I had a brief meeting yesterday with our Grace Group leaders and hosts. I was reminded how thankful I am for each of them and their leadership within our church family.
  • Each Sunday we meet with everyone working that day throughout the ministries of Grace.  We now meet at 9:30 and pray for the day and for our ministry and the opportunities we’ll have.  I love these people and their willingness to serve the family of Grace.
  • 10 minutes before the service even starts we have live worship music as our musicians get the day going and welcoming as the church gathers. Yesterday there was such a sweet spirit in the room as we awaited the 10 o’clock start.
  • We had our Grace Group at lunch yesterday, because of the Kids program last night.  With this amazing weather we grilled burgers as we said farewell to some that are leaving this semester.  Like many of the Grace Groups, we’ll start up after the first of the year.  Love our Group!
  • Last night Kelly Phillips led a group of Grace kids in a Christmas program.  It was very sweet. You could tell a lot of work went into practicing, costumes, building a set, and memorizing lines.  Kids did great!
  • Last night we got to hear testimony from one of our families who just returned from a missions trip.  Their enthusiasm is contagious. Laurie and I were encouraged and reminded of why we’re here as we listened and prayed with our dear friends.

The day seemed a little longer than usual, but it was full of God’s grace. We are seeing His hand at work throughout Grace and for that, we are most blessed and thankful.

Pray.

On By MarkIn PrayLeave a comment

How gracious of the Lord to teach us to pray.  I guess He didn’t have to, but it only figures that He would, because He loves to hear from His kids!  We know the facts of prayer, yet most people I talk with still struggle with prayer.

We’ve spent two weeks studying prayer, as only Paul can teach it.  It started a few weeks ago as we looked at Ephesians 1:15-23. Then this past Sunday, we looked at Paul’s second prayer in Ephesians 3.  These passages have sparked some great conversations in Grace Groups throughout Flagstaff.  It’s simple really.  God wants us to spend some time, and thoughtful time at that, only because He loves us. Not because we are in some kind of a “I have to in order to…”. No. He loves us.  So, really let’s just pray. Don’t make a big deal of it. Talk to God. Often. He really doesn’t care if you’re driving, or walking, or washing the dog.  Talk to Him.

What you’ll learn in Ephesians is that He wants you to know what He’s done for you. Paul helps us see that prayer is way more than rattling off a list of things we’d like God to fix, remove or add to our current life.  No, it’s way more. It’s about realizing who we are IN CHRIST and what we can look forward to.

I did have two different people tell me this week of acronyms that help them:

PRAY: Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield

ACTS: Adoration, Confess, Thanksgiving, Supplication

For those that remember from the sermon, I guess it would be SACTS!  “Selah, before you speak!”

Hope that helps. Whatever it takes, let’s not be shy about talking to our Father.  I think He’d really like that.