My Greatest Adventure

There is no contest when it comes to my greatest adventure. It was doing ministry with John and the Holy Spirit.

After I became a Jesus follower, I was learning to follow God's direction, and how to know the Holy Spirit's voice within me. But I soon learned I needed John's wisdom as well. For instance, while John was away on a business trip, I brought home a prostitute to rest and to make a lifestyle decision, but I did not think about how it would impact my 3 boys. Fortunately, John called and gave us clear direction.

John also needed to learn that we were to make decisions as one, with the Spirit. One of his lessons was when I was asked to be the first Director of Women's Ministry at our church. John decided it was not a good time for me to work in that position because our youngest son, Jason, would be going into junior high. John felt I should remain at home to be available for Jason during those challenging two years of school. I was very disappointed, but his decision was wise. Then God intervened. John was awake all night wrestling with God about his decision. The next day, John called me from work to tell me I should take the job that was offered. The Spirit also gave John some instruction as to the length of time I was to remain in the job.

We soon learned that the Spirit made us one in ministry decision-making. We each had our strengths, which were vital for future ministries.

I would come home and tell him about my day and the challenges I had. He always surprised me with direction that was ideal for the situation. We decided together which women we should invite to live with us. There were two pregnant moms and a homeless lady. We also invited a woman to live with us as long as she needed to. Her wedding was in our home.

John encouraged me to form a not-for-profit organization to encourage women in ministry — that organization is still going on today, forty years later. You can explore the website at NEWIM.org for information, retreats, and messages.

After retiring from my job at church, I worked with Neil Anderson, who trained me and gave me tools to help others find freedom in Christ. John had clear direction that this was what I should do.

I counseled for many years, I taught classes, spoke at retreats, until Jesus gave me direction to create with Him the very first stadium event in history for women, for the purpose of revival and restoration. It was held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, May 16 & 17, 1997. There were three other stadium events at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, the Irvine Amphitheater, and the Oklahoma City Arena.

John and I always worked together, but John worked behind the scenes and I was the upfront person. On rare occasions we would speak at the same event, but John had no desire to be upfront. Together, with the Holy Spirit, we had an amazing, adventurous ministry life. We certainly could not have imagined any of it.

Those adventures we shared together have come to an end; John is with Jesus now. However, at the moment of John's death, the Spirit spoke through me — aloud. I released my marriage to John, then surrendered to Jesus as my Husband.

As an elderly woman, the adventure continues, but it looks very different. I love my life! It is full of surprising opportunities that I love. In addition, I am surrounded by people who love me, and I serve others, as directed. How can I not have an adventurous, joy-filled life?

Thank you, my Father, my Husband, my Life.