Jered-Jodi-and the Twins! Jaydan and Lelia get bigger and cuter every day! Both now weigh almost 14 lbs and are laughing, talking, and almost ready to sit up on their own. It is amazing to watch them change daily. Next week, I get to keep them every day while Jodi takes a full load in summer school!
The verdict is still out on how to treat Lelia's birthmark, an hemengioma, which is very common in preemies and usually disappears on its own over a year or two. But because Lelia's birthmark is on her lip, the doctors are trying to decide on the best course of treatment. Please pray!
Dan Two years ago, Dan - along with three other pastors, dreamed a new dream that resulted in the beginning of a new church here in Charlotte - Next Level Church. We began with a core group of 30 and now run between 650 - 700 in attendance each week at our Matthews Campus and just launched a Ballantyne campus last week with over 300 attending the very first service! You may have heard or read about the church that asks seekers to "Give us a shot!" Yup! That's our new campus! Check out our web siteand celebrate with us what God is doing. Dan is the travelin' man! He is now half-time at Next Level, and splits the "other half" between Westside Church in Kansas City and Green Lake Conference Center in Wisconsin. He says he is still trying to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up :)
Danna Our daughter, Danna, is busy with college, work, her new role as "Aunt Danna" and bringing joy and excitement into the lives of her parents. Danna lives here in Charlotte in her own apartment. She's awesome! One of her favorite activities is hiking. Warning: If you are afraid of heights, you might want to skip the picture below.
Danna and a couple of friends have just reached the top of one of the tallest mountains in our area.
And just for the record, she may be 21 but it is NOT "OK" for my baby girl to be sitting on the edge of a boulder at the highest point of some mountain!
Mercy!
Life is certainly never dull for Southerlands!
Mary
I am starting my fifth book this summer and am very excited about it! More details to come.
All I can say is "WOW"! I am in the midst of what I believe is one of the greatest years of ministry for both Dan and for me. And as you browse my website, you will notice a lot of changes! For the past several months, I have worked with Rob Eagar of Wildfire Marketing...or a better way to say it is that Rob has worked me! God has used Rob and his wife, Ashley, to...ummm...shall we say, re-invent my wheel!
I have been doing ministry a long time, but now have more excitement about what lies ahead than at just about any point in life. We went back to the basics as Rob asked me, "Why do you speak and write? Is God calling you to continue this ministry or is He calling you to something else?" I had a flippant standard response all ready...but it didn't impress Rob. I really did go have to go back to square one and hear God re-call me!
The results have been amazing! The borders of my ministry have been expanded, to say the least. And my new website! Thanks to Jeff Eskridge, a web ghuru and close friend for making that happen.
Prayer Warriors: I would hesitate to open even one eye each morning if these ladies were not praying for me! A dynamic group of godly women, led by Ginger Meador, prays daily for me, my family, and this ministry as well the many prayer requests submitted through the online bible study.
Ministry Leaders: I now have a newsletter for you and a new conference for women's ministry directors and wives of ministers. I want to encourage you and join you on your journey.
New Online Bible Study:Over 8,600 women are now enrolled in my online bible study. A new study begins June 12, Have You Made Up Your Mind? We will explore what God has to say about the discipline and power of our thought life. Check it out!
E-Newsletter: New format...new purpose...fresh ideas...and resources to help you grow in Christ.
Girlfriends in God: Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith and I are GIGs...Girlfriends in God. You can receive our daily devotions by signing up on our websiteor on Crosswalk.comwho also carries the devotions. We now have over 55,000 subscribers! And this year, we begin leading conferences across the country. Go God!
A final word:
Please pray that God will continue to guide and direct my every step of this journey. And thank you for joining me! If I can help you in any way, please e-mailme! Prayer requests...praises...ideas and suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you!
