SYR Ministries

SYR Ministries
Text Box: Well, to say the least, EVERYTHING is now in full motion. Summer has ended, school has started, and the ministry has not missed out on all the action. Many of you have asked about the newsletter, so I would like to let you know that this publication will be issued at least quarterly. However, from time to time, you may receive a few extra newsletters or special updates in between the regular scheduled time. It really depends on how busy I am, but I will do my best to keep you informed. As you will notice throughout this issue, women’s ministries, women’s retreats, and women’s special programs are activities that I really enjoy. I try to attend at least one women’s retreat a year because they tend to help me both spiritually and emotionally. I will forever cherish the friendships that I have gained from them and the memories will last forever. One year, at the Gulf States Women’s Autumn Renewal Retreat, my mother and I were assigned to be roommates with Jessica Belcher, the Prayer Walk Coordinator for the women’s ministry and a very sweet person. She really has a good heart and always seems to find ways to help others. We became friends during that retreat. Then, a few years ago she gave me the book Christ’s Way to Pray, by Philip G. Samaan, as a gift. She felt pretty certain that I would enjoy reading it and that I would find the overall message about prayer very inspiring. My intention was to take it home and give feedback during the next retreat. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to read any of the book before seeing her again a year later. I had been extremely busy with work and home, and, before I knew it, time had slipped away. When we saw each other again, I regretfully told Jessica the situation. She was very understanding, and I promised to read it before the next retreat. Well that year proved to be a most challenging one for me. New challenges seemed to occur on a daily basis. Things had become quite difficult and it was to a point where I clearly saw that God was my only help and hope. It had gone beyond “One Day at a Time”, as the song goes. Each day had to be taken on minute-by-minute and step-by-step. During this time, I really appreciated reading Christ's Way to Pray. On one occasion, when I fell completely apart, these words from the book began to mend and heal my broken spirit: “Jesus is able, Jesus is enough!” Slowly, but surely, these words (along with prayer and reading the Bible) began to give me strength and hope daily. As the days continued, I started to appreciate my gift more and more. It seemed as if it was just what I needed for that point in my life. Then, to top it all off, the unthinkable happened. That summer, I personally met Dr. Saaman. He was a guest speaker and presenter at our church. I was able to share my testimony of his book with him and sing during one of his seminars. I even gave him a CD as a token of my appreciation for his calling. Jessica doesn’t know the details about this, so I am sure that she will be surprised. Thank you so much, Jessica, for your gift of hope.

Hope for Tomorrow

Hope for Tomorrow

1

Southern Union

Women’s Conference

2

Tuscaloosa Skyland SDA Church

2-3

Shondolyn Returns Home

3

Shondolyn’s Corner

4

Woman to Woman

4

Special Thanks

4
Text Box: Volume 1, Issue 2 Text Box: October 21, 2008 Text Box: Special Point of Interest: Here’s what I call “a little glimpse of heaven on earth.” It was sent to me by my online friend, Pamela Bates. To check it out, click below: http://www.cyberthing.net Text Box: Upcoming Event: Shondolyn will be the guest speaker for the annual Women’s Day program at the Shiloh SDA Church in Greenwood, MS, on December 6, 2008. She will also give a concert that evening. Even though this program is late in the year, it is the first official event scheduled for SYR Ministries. Therefore, Shondolyn is really looking forward to it. Please come out and support the women of Shiloh on this occasion.