Priority Ministries | Encouraging Women to Give God Priority | You Glo Girl!

Glo girls bloom wherever God plants them. And in this issue of You Glo Girl!, you’ll see pics from Laurie’s flowerbed and veggie garden, a blossom report from Robin Cook’s mission trip to Uganda, easy ideas from Jan to help you bloom and bless others (plus a yummy recipe), and more. Find out how to glo – glorify God – by blooming big time in this month’s You Glo Girl!

Glo-ing and Growing: Bloomin' Where I'm Planted
by Laurie Cole, Founder & President

It’s been almost a year since Bill and I downsized and moved into a 50-plus-year-old, fixer-upper. After a major interior rehab last year, we’re now beginning to rehab the exterior: the yard. So this month, I thought it would be fun to show you a few before and after pictures of our yard and how we’re blooming where God has planted us.

Exterior before

Here’s what we started with: grass, limbs sprouting from an old tree stump, and lots of turquoise trim.

Exterior after

The turquoise trim and sprouting stump are gone, a new tree is taking root, and the grass has been accessorized because, Houston , we’ve got flowerbeds!

Blooms and color; porch pots and trailing potato vine. Welcome to our front porch!

Roses (right) and purple dwarf agapanthus (left) are in bloom, and caladiums (left) beginning to pop up from bulbs we planted a couple of weeks ago.

We’re growing lettuce in a backyard pot beside our little vegetable garden.

Bright green basil is growing in another pot.


Our squash plants are coming on quite nicely.	Alas! Our tomato plants haven’t grown much, but can you see that yellow bloom I’m touching? It means we have the potential for tomatoes, so we’re praying over our tomato plants (and if you’ve ever eaten a home-grown tomato, you know it’s definitely worth praying for).

Bill and I never aspired to become “yard people.” But 31 years ago, we planted five or six climbing rose bushes in front of an ugly, chain-link fence in the backyard of our first house. A few weeks later, that bare-naked fence blossomed into a thing of beauty as clusters of crimson red roses clothed and completely covered it.

Then those roses did something we never anticipated: they ministered to us. Every time we saw them, their beauty blessed us and called us to join them in giving glory to the Creator of all things beautiful. Ever since then, we’ve been “yard people” not because we love yard work, but because we love yard beauty – the beauty of nature that blesses and inspires us to worship and connect with our Creator.

But the beauty of nature also enables us to connect with others and bless them. For instance, a few weeks ago, two of our sons were here helping us move dirt and build flowerbeds in the back yard. As I went to the front yard to check the dirt pile on our driveway, I noticed that my across-the-street neighbor, Linda, was in her front yard, too. When she saw me she called out and asked, “What in the world are y’all doing over there?” I replied, “We’re building flowerbeds and a little vegetable garden in our backyard. Wanna come see?” And she did.

After giving her a quick tour of the backyard, Linda and I talked and walked to the front yard again. We connected, and I got to know her better. I also discovered a little bit about her personal and spiritual life which was such a blessing. Then we said good-bye, and Linda started to walk back to her house. But she hesitated, turned toward me again, and spoke these sweet words, “We’re so glad to have y’all in the neighborhood.” Hearing those words affirmed that we truly are blooming where God has planted us.

Yes, I know “bloom where you’re planted” isn’t a Bible verse, but it’s a wise saying nonetheless. Its message is also consistent with scriptures like “rejoice in the Lord always,” (Phil. 4:4) and “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Phil. 4:11 ). Blooming where you’re planted involves resting in God’s sovereignty and glo-ing and growing in the good and not-so-good seasons of life. No, it doesn’t require you to literally plant a garden or build a flowerbed, but right now for Bill and me it does.

You see, Bill and I hope someday to move away from the urban setting where we currently live and, perhaps, build a house in the country. Maybe there’s something or someplace you dream of doing or being someday, too. If so, then you probably know that waiting can be frustrating, and frustration can breed discontent – but it doesn’t have to. Because in Christ, you can choose to bloom wherever God has planted you: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13 ).

So until Bill and I move – or even if we never do – we’re going to bloom in our urban neighborhood. We’re going to keep planting flowers and vegetables. We’re going to keep a pot or two of something pretty by our front door. And those blossoms and veggies will be a constant, symbolic reminder to us to bloom where God has planted us. And, hey, if you’d like to join us by committing to bloom where God has planted you, then I joyously invite you to show me. Plant a pot full of blooms by your front door, or make a flowerbed or small veggie garden, and send me your before and after pictures. I promise to pray for you. And trust me. Those blooms won’t just remind you to bloom. They’re going to minister to you, too!

Your sister,

Email Laurie

Priority Passage of the Month

Where has God planted you? Bloom there, beloved sister, and become a success story for His glory. Here’s how:

New! Watch Priority TV

Check out Priority TV, a great new feature we’ve just added to our website. Priority TV allows you to easily watch videos of Laurie’s interviews, clips from Priority Bible Studies, and more.

No more waiting for downloads. No more searching our site to find a video. Priority TV means quick and easy access to Priority videos. See for yourself. Watch Priority TV now!

Beauty by The Book in the Top 20!

Exciting news! Beauty by The Book has been nominated by Women’s Ministry leaders from all over the country as one of the Top 20 Bible Studies for 2009! AND Laurie will be doing a live, online interview for the Women’s Ministry Expo with Marnie Swedberg on Wednesday, May 13 at 2:30 p.m CST .

Find out more by visiting the Women’s Ministry Expo online, and mark your calendar to listen to Laurie’s interview on May 13^th. And one more thing. Join us right now and thank the Lord for this gracious recognition and blessing. To God be the glory!

Glo-ing Update from Uganda

Last month we asked you to pray for Robin Cook, a dear friend of ours from Baton Rouge, LA, who went Uganda on a mission trip for Imagine Acts Ministry.This month, we are thrilled to report that God answered your prayers! And as you can see from these photos, Robin was not only able to teach The Temple: Glorifying God in Your Everyday Life to women in Mityana, Uganda as we prayed she would, she was also able to teach a great group of Christian men. Now that’s glo-rious!

Robin & the men

Robin & the women

A young woman with her
Priority "You Glo Girl!" tote bag

In addition to teaching The Temple, Robin also ministered at an orphanage, taught accounting and fiduciary trust to a young man who keeps the books for the orphanage, made home visits on behalf of several churches, and encouraged and trained pastors and leaders from over 70 churches to use an illustrated book Imagine Acts has produced to evangelize and share the gospel. To read more about Robin’s trip and see some inspirational pictures, click here.

Robin, you are one strong, courageous woman of God. How grateful we are for your willingness to go to the uttermost parts of Uganda to take His Word and share His love with so many! You glo, girl!!!

Jots from Janet
Janet Valentine by Janet Valentine, Executive Director

After months of prayer, planning, and preparation, the women of Grand Parkway Baptist in Sugar Land, Texas gathered among the bluebonnet covered countryside at the Heartland Country Inn in Brenham , TX on April 17-18 with excitement and expectation. In spite of many inches of rain that weekend, it was impossible to dampen their spirits. Here’s the scoop (and some great pictures) from the Grand Parkway event and from a fantastic Women’s Tea & Brunch at Nassau Bay Baptist Church .

During our wonderful (but wet) weekend with the women from Grand Parkway Baptist, Laurie taught the powerful truths of biblical beauty from Proverbs (including props).

Laurie shows a not-so-beautiful t-shirt

Laurie teaching

We’re thrilled to welcome 67 new glo girlfriends from Grand Parkway as You Glo Girl! subscribers this month! We met many new friends that weekend, and felt an instant connection with their entire group because of the warm welcome we received from their Retreat Coordinator, Roselyn Ware (Lezli Busbee’s mother for all of you Sagemont Church glo girls) and Marcia Williamson (WM Director).

Roselyn, Laurie, and Marcia

The women at Grand Parkway are very special to us. They recently completed Laurie’s There is a Season Bible study and are looking forward to doing Beauty by The Book soon. Thank you, Roselyn, Marcia, and all of you Grand Parkway gals for your sweet fellowship and obvious love for the Lord and His Word!

Before Laurie tells you about the Nassau Bay Baptist Women’s Tea (which I was unable to attend because my husband and I were on a road trip to Oklahoma and Kansas ), let me give you a little FYI about my health and treatment for myelofibrosis. It looks like my doctor will be moving me from the clinical trial I’ve been on for the past several months to another form of treatment soon. I covet your prayers for the effectiveness of this new drug. Thank you for interceding for me! I’ll keep you updated about my condition and God’s answers to your prayers in the coming months. Now, here’s Laurie to tell you about our other great April event:

While I certainly missed Janet being with me, I had an amazing time at the Nassau Bay Baptist Women’s Tea on April 25^th where I taught on Sense & Sensitivity: What Jane Austen Never Taught You But The Bible Will. And as someone who has the “dishes gene,” I love these kind of events where the hostesses bring all of their beautiful china, crystal, and serving pieces. Take a look at a sampling of the hostesses and tables at this event:

Patricia Hess welcomed her guests with a warm smile and a beautiful table set with her antique flow blue china. Gorgeous!

I enjoyed sweet fellowship before the event even began with Judy LeFan pictured here at the table she hosted.

Here’s some fabulous pre-World
War I antique china and silver that
graced one of the tables at the event.

Camille Myers and her precious mom, Pam Stimpson, are a great mother/daughter team who share a call to Women’s Ministry at Nassau Bay .

Camille Myers, Women’s Ministry Director at Nassau Bay Baptist, and her mother, Pam Stimpson, lead the Women’s Tea which has become an 18-year outreach ministry at the church. Many visitors attend every year as the women of Nassau Bay invite their friends, neighbors, hairdressers – you name it – to come and enjoy a delicious brunch, fun fellowship, and an uplifting message from God’s Word that always includes the gospel. It’s a glo-rious ministry-filled event.

Nassau Bay Baptist just completed Beauty by The Book, and one of the sweetest blessings I received at the Women’s Tea was meeting several young moms who told me that they are teaching the principles of biblical beauty to their daughters. Hallelujah!

Trisha Smith was one of the biggest blessings
I met at Nassau Bay Baptist.
She plans to do Beauty by The Book
with her 13-year-old daughter soon.

I also enjoyed meeting Catherine Rumph, a young Beauty-by-The-Book mom from Gloria Dei Lutheran in Nassau Bay (Catherine, you totally blessed and ministered to me). And I experienced sweet reunions with several special friends from years past like Linda Lazenby from First Baptist Tomball, TX , and Candy Jones and Pat Boone, both former members of my own church who now belong and serve at Nassau Bay Baptist.

As I conclude this journal of our April events, Janet and I extend our heartfelt thanks to the women at Grand Parkway Baptist and Nassau Bay Baptist. Your open hearts to us – and especially to the Lord – encouraged and refreshed us far more than you’ll ever know. Our love and prayers are with you, and we pray that God will give us future opportunities to serve Him with you and your great churches.

Email Janet

Priority Prayer Points

Your prayers are powerful! As we share the following prayers requests with you, we want to thank you in advance for your intercession because we know “the earnest prayer of a righteous (woman) has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16 NLT).

Janet will be starting a new drug therapy treatment for myelofibrosis (a rare blood disease) soon. Please ask God to continue to give her supernatural strength and encouragement each day as she places her trust in Him for His healing touch.
We are beginning to calendar speaking and teaching events for 2010. Although we would love to accept every invitation, we cannot. Please pray for Divine leadership and discernment as we seek God’s will and God’s timing.
In June, Priority will be moving into our new office. Praise and thank the Lord with us for His provision. Ask Him to use this new place and new season of ministry to further the mission He’s given us.

Nancy Campbell,
Prayer Director

We would love to pray for you. Please email your prayer request to Nancy , and we promise to faithfully and confidentially intercede for you, dear sister.

Email Nancy with your prayer request.

Glo-ing at Home
by Jan Hart, Administrative Support

Let the fun begin! Blooms are popping on flowers everywhere and this is the time of year we are so blessed by God’s wonderful creation. If you are fortunate to have flowers in your yard this spring, here are a few easy ways you can use those blooms to bless others.

Share fresh-cut flowers from your flowerbeds with your neighbors, clerks at your favorite supermarket, a local nursing home, or teachers. I can promise it will bring a bright spot to their day because I have been blessed to be a bouquet recipient myself this spring. For several weeks, a very special person has provided a vase of gorgeous flowers from her yard for my office. And since I don’t have windows in my office, this has allowed me a little bit of spring-time enjoyment – and made me one happy camper, too! PLUS, when you cut flowers, it encourages them to bloom even more. We all win!

If flowers are not your “cup of tea” but you have a bountiful vegetable garden, then share some of that bounty with others. It will make your friends’ and neighbors’ day when you show up at their doors with the first fruits of the season. There’s nothing like fresh tomatoes straight from the garden.

Don’t have space for a garden or raised bed? Then why not try your hand at container gardening for veggies? Who knows you may have more of a “green” thumb than you think! Check out this web site for some handy tips on container vegetable gardens.

Here’s a wonderful recipe to utilize those first glorious tomatoes from the garden. No garden? Then plan an enjoyable day trip to your local farmer’s market – what fun!

Click on the recipe below to print!

Gotta Glo

We hope and pray this issue of You Glo Girl! has encouraged you to glorify God by blooming where God has planted you. Glo in your neighborhood as you work in your yard and share your blossoms and home-grown veggies. Glo at church as you serve Him with your spiritual gifts (and, perhaps, your fine china). Glo in your home and on your job. And as He gives you opportunity, glo as you reach out to the uttermost parts of the earth (like Uganda ) with the gospel of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We gotta glo for now, but please know of our love and gratitude for your interest in Priority and for subscribing to this newsletter. You won’t hear from us next month (You Glo Girl! takes a sabbatical in June). So until we visit your inbox again in July, you know: You glo, girl!

Loving Him most, seeking Him first,

Your sisters at Priority,

Priority Ministries Staff
Laurie Cole, Janet Valentine, Courtney Hays,
Pam Henderson, Shanda Stiles, Jan Hart,
Debbie Todd, Stephanie Cole, and Nancy Campbell (not pictured)

“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart…soul…(and) mind.” Matt. 22:37
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” Matt. 6:33

Contact us at
www.priorityministries.org

Priority Ministries
P. O. Box 590663
Houston, TX 77259-0663

Priority Ministries is a 501(C)3 non-profit ministry.

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