Are you in need of encouragement?
Would you like to receive training to sharpen your skills in ministry?
You need to attend Texas Life Connections (TLC) Life Saving 201!
When: February 6, 2010 from 9 am - 4:15 pm.
Where: Houston's First Baptist Church
Fee: $25 includes lunch. What a deal!
With this event, Texas Life Connections seeks to provide sound training and spiritual encouragement for people serving in life ministries. While opportunities exist for national annual conferences many are unable to attend. TLC is bringing a compact conference experience to you. Plus, the fee is so reasonable you cannot afford to miss it!
3 General Sessions will be offered by speakers:
Dr. Julie Parton (Texas Life Connections),
Destiny Cortez (WPC Houston)
Julie Stobbe (Act of Life)
Relevant breakout sessions will focus on evangelism training, praying with power, post-abortive clients, healthy sexuality, and understanding the relationship between sexual abuse and abortion.
As one who participated in the TLC event in Dallas last summer, I can tell you I was encouraged, sharpened and challenged in my walk with Christ and in my role in ministry.
Let's bear in mind we have unique circumstances in Houston surrounding the opening of North America's largest abortion facility here later this year. This should motivate us into action. Take advantage of this opportunity to get equipped. You will reach more women through the love of Christ with critical tools to assist and support them with their decisions.
Click here to register. You will not want to miss this unique gathering with your fellow co-laborers. Do not delay ~ Make plans today!
See you there,
Julie
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Lifetime Adoptions
Through my work with Act of Life I encounter many people and many agencies. Every now and then there will be a person or a group that really grabs my attention. This is the case with Lifetime Adoption in California.
I first met two Lifetime staff members Libby and Heather during an adoption breakout session I was leading at a CareNet conference in Atlanta, GA in October 2008. We had a great time chatting after the seminar and then continued to run into each other throughout the remainder of the conference. What a joy to spend time with two ladies who are so passionate about adoption!
Since then I have had the opportunity to learn more about Lifetime. I have seen the impact they have made on thousands of birth mothers, adoptive parents and precious children. How fitting a time to feature the work of this fine organization while our nation currently highlights Sanctity of Human Life month.
Take a moment to watch this video and learn how Lifetime is making a difference each and every day.
Celebrate Life! Celebrate Adoption! Celebrate the legacy adoption affords!
Blessings for a great day,
Julie
I first met two Lifetime staff members Libby and Heather during an adoption breakout session I was leading at a CareNet conference in Atlanta, GA in October 2008. We had a great time chatting after the seminar and then continued to run into each other throughout the remainder of the conference. What a joy to spend time with two ladies who are so passionate about adoption!
Since then I have had the opportunity to learn more about Lifetime. I have seen the impact they have made on thousands of birth mothers, adoptive parents and precious children. How fitting a time to feature the work of this fine organization while our nation currently highlights Sanctity of Human Life month.
Take a moment to watch this video and learn how Lifetime is making a difference each and every day.
Celebrate Life! Celebrate Adoption! Celebrate the legacy adoption affords!
Blessings for a great day,
Julie
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Act of Life's Latest Newsletter
Click here to download Act of Life's latest newsletter!
In this issue:
Find out about our impact on the community in 2009
Share in the success of our banquet with Dr. Richard Land
Learn new ways to connect with and support Act of Life
Plan for upcoming events
We are excited about what lies ahead in 2010, and we hope you'll come along for the ride!
Our Mission:
Act of Life dedicates itself to educating, encouraging and equipping those considering adoption, the professionals who serve them, and society in general.
Want more info? Check out our website here.
In this issue:
Find out about our impact on the community in 2009
Share in the success of our banquet with Dr. Richard Land
Learn new ways to connect with and support Act of Life
Plan for upcoming events
We are excited about what lies ahead in 2010, and we hope you'll come along for the ride!
Our Mission:
Act of Life dedicates itself to educating, encouraging and equipping those considering adoption, the professionals who serve them, and society in general.
Want more info? Check out our website here.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Off and Running
Happy New Year!
Act of Life is off to a strong start already. We have already touched 39 people with adoption information! We've educated clients who have called in or submitted email enquiries, educated residents of Houston's LifeHouse maternity home and trained counselors in 8 Dallas/Fort Worth pregnancy centers. All of this activity has been accomplished in the first 11 days of 2010! Praise the Lord!!
Along the lines of training, we want you to be aware of an upcoming training that will be held next Thursday, Jan. 21 at Source for Women here in Houston. It will run 11 - 5 and will include lunch. This particular seminar is fully underwritten by Gladney Center for Adoption, so there is no cost to attend.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity ~ Details are as follows:
When: Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Registration and Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Training: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: The Source for Women
6009 Richmond Ave. Suite 130 Houston, 77057
In the Galleria area
CEUs will be available upon request. This is the perfect opportunity to train your staff and volunteers on how to best present the adoption option with knowledge and confidence!
RSVP by January 18 to Amber Stoffer Thomas at 713-780-0030 or athomas@thesourceforwomen.org so we can prepare for this wonderful day of
fun, fellowship and learning.
Hope to see you on January 21!
Act of Life is off to a strong start already. We have already touched 39 people with adoption information! We've educated clients who have called in or submitted email enquiries, educated residents of Houston's LifeHouse maternity home and trained counselors in 8 Dallas/Fort Worth pregnancy centers. All of this activity has been accomplished in the first 11 days of 2010! Praise the Lord!!
Along the lines of training, we want you to be aware of an upcoming training that will be held next Thursday, Jan. 21 at Source for Women here in Houston. It will run 11 - 5 and will include lunch. This particular seminar is fully underwritten by Gladney Center for Adoption, so there is no cost to attend.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity ~ Details are as follows:
When: Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Registration and Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Training: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: The Source for Women
6009 Richmond Ave. Suite 130 Houston, 77057
In the Galleria area
CEUs will be available upon request. This is the perfect opportunity to train your staff and volunteers on how to best present the adoption option with knowledge and confidence!
RSVP by January 18 to Amber Stoffer Thomas at 713-780-0030 or athomas@thesourceforwomen.org so we can prepare for this wonderful day of
fun, fellowship and learning.
Hope to see you on January 21!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas
From our home to yours ~ Merry Christmas to one and all!
Blessings for a properous and peaceful new year!
Julie
Blessings for a properous and peaceful new year!
Julie
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Monday, December 21, 2009
With This Ring I Thee Wed
Our family has been awaiting December 19, 2009 for a LONG time. This was the special day Conor Thomas Farrell and Bekah Mae Grisham got married. Sagemont Church was decorated beautifully in white with blue accents. These were perfect colors in the sanctuary, for it highlighted the blue and silver that the bridesmaids wore. The stage had multiple Christmas trees on various levels which added a festive flair to the occasion.
Both Connor & Katherine were pleased as punch to participate in the wedding, and I was honored to be able to sing a song Bekah wrote the lyrics for. It was a touching service - one my cousin, Havard Grisham (father of the bride) performed. There was not a dry eye in the house that day.
A jolly reception followed where family and friends gathered for good food, lots of fun, super tunes and much dancing! Yes, our entire family was cuttin' a rug and kickin' up the sawdust. Well, okay, there was no sawdust literally but figuratively. . . . man oh MAN!
Bekah and Conor are a beautiful Christian couple who exemplify the love of Christ and all that the joy of living for Him entails. The Stobbes bless the Farrells and pray for many years of adventure and happiness.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
It's Beginning to Look a lot Like. . .
CHRISTMAS!
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
Just hear those sleigh bells ringing!
Silent Night, Holy Night.
These are the opening lines from a few Christmas music favorites. I imagine it is looking a lot like Christmas at your home too. I'm a little tardy in posting an update, but alas, those cookies, cakes and candy don't bake themselves!
Two weekends ago our family began decking our halls inside and out. Doug brought home a high lift machine to make it easier to hang lights on the edge of our eaves. The kids loved getting a chance to go up pretty high to see things from a bird's eye perspective. Inside we've put up not one tree but two. We have a large open space above our front door with a picture window that frames our lit tree perfectly. It was fun climbing the ladder, hoisting the tree, stringing the lights and placing the decorations just 'so'. The downstairs tree features our favorite ornaments we have collected and the priceless treasures our children have made throughout the years.
Out of all the fun that decorating, baking and exchanging can bring, one of my most favorite moments is at the very beginning as we bring out the boxes of decorations. One by one I hear my children exclaim, "Oooooh! Remember THIS one?!" or "Mom, look at THIS!" Hearing the excitement in their voices and seeing this special holiday through their eyes is the most rewarding and renewing thing for my spirit.
We have several traditions in the Stobbe Household. Here is a mere sampling of some of our family antics, I mean, activities:
1. Santa Dust
This is a combination of glitter and oatmeal that we sprinkle on our front lawn so Santa will know where our house is. The glitter reflects the moon's rays while Rudolph and his friends smell the oatmeal. This little recipe is from my dear sweet MamaGayle! (p.s. Our children are still giddy with glee each year even though they have both made THE discovery about the Man in Red.)
2. Santa's Goody Plate
Most families place cookies and milk fireside for Santa to sample. That's too ordinary for this house apparently. Each year is different. One year we offered lemonade and a granola bar, another it was pretzels and a Capri Sun pouch. You catch the drift, don't you? (nota bene: The p.s. above holds true for this category as well.)
3. Christmas Morning Present Exchange
After tearing open our gifts and snapping more photos than we will ever look at, we open the final gift remaining under the tree. It is always the one that is the least decorated. The final gift is always the same. It never changes. It is a plain little tin. Inside we find scriptures and symbols that represent the story of Christ's birth and the story of salvation. The reason we celebrate His birth is not for the store bought gifts, but for the blood bought gift - salvation. The life of Jesus is the greatest gift of all because when we accept Him as the gift from God then we will receive salvation forever. It is the only gift that truly keeps on giving.
What does your family do at Christmas to help you remember the reason we celebrate? Why not share a tradition with me? Who knows, we might just incorporate one of your ideas. And, hey, if you have an idea for what food and drink to offer Santa this year - please consider this the "suggestion box".
Much love to you and yours during this festive time of year! Now, go get to it!
Julie
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Just hear those sleigh bells ringing!
Silent Night, Holy Night.
These are the opening lines from a few Christmas music favorites. I imagine it is looking a lot like Christmas at your home too. I'm a little tardy in posting an update, but alas, those cookies, cakes and candy don't bake themselves!
Two weekends ago our family began decking our halls inside and out. Doug brought home a high lift machine to make it easier to hang lights on the edge of our eaves. The kids loved getting a chance to go up pretty high to see things from a bird's eye perspective. Inside we've put up not one tree but two. We have a large open space above our front door with a picture window that frames our lit tree perfectly. It was fun climbing the ladder, hoisting the tree, stringing the lights and placing the decorations just 'so'. The downstairs tree features our favorite ornaments we have collected and the priceless treasures our children have made throughout the years.
Out of all the fun that decorating, baking and exchanging can bring, one of my most favorite moments is at the very beginning as we bring out the boxes of decorations. One by one I hear my children exclaim, "Oooooh! Remember THIS one?!" or "Mom, look at THIS!" Hearing the excitement in their voices and seeing this special holiday through their eyes is the most rewarding and renewing thing for my spirit.
We have several traditions in the Stobbe Household. Here is a mere sampling of some of our family antics, I mean, activities:
1. Santa Dust
This is a combination of glitter and oatmeal that we sprinkle on our front lawn so Santa will know where our house is. The glitter reflects the moon's rays while Rudolph and his friends smell the oatmeal. This little recipe is from my dear sweet MamaGayle! (p.s. Our children are still giddy with glee each year even though they have both made THE discovery about the Man in Red.)
2. Santa's Goody Plate
Most families place cookies and milk fireside for Santa to sample. That's too ordinary for this house apparently. Each year is different. One year we offered lemonade and a granola bar, another it was pretzels and a Capri Sun pouch. You catch the drift, don't you? (nota bene: The p.s. above holds true for this category as well.)
3. Christmas Morning Present Exchange
After tearing open our gifts and snapping more photos than we will ever look at, we open the final gift remaining under the tree. It is always the one that is the least decorated. The final gift is always the same. It never changes. It is a plain little tin. Inside we find scriptures and symbols that represent the story of Christ's birth and the story of salvation. The reason we celebrate His birth is not for the store bought gifts, but for the blood bought gift - salvation. The life of Jesus is the greatest gift of all because when we accept Him as the gift from God then we will receive salvation forever. It is the only gift that truly keeps on giving.
What does your family do at Christmas to help you remember the reason we celebrate? Why not share a tradition with me? Who knows, we might just incorporate one of your ideas. And, hey, if you have an idea for what food and drink to offer Santa this year - please consider this the "suggestion box".
Much love to you and yours during this festive time of year! Now, go get to it!
Julie
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