For 20 years, Bill and I have lived in Houston (just a few short miles away from the Gulf of Mexico ) and for 20 years we’ve managed to dodge numerous hurricanes. But on September 12, Hurricane Ike nailed us. Around midnight the storm’s bombastic winds and horizontal rains bullied us out of our bedroom and into our hallway where we camped out on our couch cushions. One hour later, as the storm intensified, the electricity cut off. It was the longest, darkest, scariest night of my life.

But Bill was with me, and what a comfort he was. I was stressed, but He was strong. I was panicked, but He was peaceful. And because of some provisions he had purchased the day before the storm, we were among the fortunate few who had a good supply of water, ice, batteries, and (hallelujah!) even a generator. Bill was God’s provision for me before the storm, through the storm, and for a couple of days after the storm. He hunted and found gas to run our generator when gas was next to impossible to find. He kept our refrigerator running and our food from spoiling. And he kept a few fans in our house blowing when my hot flashes were in hyperdrive.  

Then Bill left. He went to Israel . And because he’d been planning this trip for months, and because I naively assumed the electricity would certainly come on in a day or two, I insisted that he go. After bravely shuttling him to the airport and courageously kissing him goodbye, I fought back tears the entire way home. God’s provision, however, was already waiting for me.

Two days before the storm, David (my oldest son who also lives in the Houston area) took his wife and two children to Austin . After the hurricane, he returned home to check his house and property. Fortunately, the damage to his house was minimal, but he had no electricity AND no water. So, since I had a generator, David temporarily moved into my house. My precious son became God’s provision for me. David kept the generator running, the refrigerator humming, and those all-important fans blowing.

Eventually, however, water and electricity was restored at David’s house, so he and his family moved home. That’s when it began to look like me and the generator would be on our own.

Generators are very female unfriendly machines. They require frequent fillings of gas from extremely heavy gas cans. They have something called a “choke” that mysteriously needs adjusting. Plus, they require beefy biceps to jerk their cord and turn their motor. In short, running a generator is not a task I feel qualified to do. I am not mechanical. I am not strong. But “when I am weak, He is strong” (2 Cor. 12:10 ). And when I am hot-flashing and require fans to prevent me from a meltdown, God loves to prove that He alone is my provision.

Twelve hours after electricity was restored to our house and two full weeks after the storm, Bill returned home from Israel . But not before God taught me in a very personal and practical way that He truly is Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, the God who can even empower and enable a menopausal, hot-flashing woman to run a generator. Glory!

God faithfully provided for me before, during, and after the storm, and He’ll do the same for you. So, if you see a storm coming, be on the lookout for Jehovah Jireh. He may use your husband, your child, your friend, or even a stranger to provide for you in the storm. Or He may enable and empower you to do something you feel absolutely unqualified and unable to do – like starting a generator, or raising a teen-ager, or being single, widowed, or divorced – just to prove that He alone truly is your provision.

Email Laurie

Priority Passage of the Month

You know what? You can make it through any kind of storm in life, and here’s how: Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 NIV Girlfriend, give God’s Word priority. Practice it daily. And when storm season comes, you’ll stand firm. You will not fall. Glory!

One lone home stands on Crystal Beach after Hurricane Ike.

Glo-rious News!!!
by Pam Henderson, Production & Resources Director

Everyone on the Priority staff will tell you, I love graphs. Like a picture, graphs communicate volumes in one glance. Take this one, for instance. This graph is a modern-day picture of one of our favorite scriptures, “Do not despise…small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zech. 4:10 ). The graph shows the numbers of Priority Bible study workbooks sold each month since August 2004.

Although we know Priority’s journey with God is eternal, the present road includes a few measurable milestones, and we want to share them with you this month. For example, in 5 years, over 7,000 workbooks have been purchased from ladies in over 40 US states and 3 Canadian provinces. About 300 study groups have gathered with their women’s ministry leaders to use Priority Bible Studies and to hear one of Laurie’s lectures on DVD. Thank you, Lord!

While the numbers are inspiring, they also depict another of our favorite scriptures, “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass” (1 Thes. 5:24 ). Over four years ago, Priority began as a vision to equip and encourage women to love God most and seek Him first (Matt. 6:33 ). The Lord allowed Laurie, then Janet, then each of the staff to begin with baby steps. Along the fascinating and courageous journey of Priority Ministries, He has stretched our faith, encouraged us with magnificent partners on every side, and provided remarkable answers to our prayers before we even breathed them.

Our primary goal is to please God and to help you put first things first and give Him priority. We are so blessed by your faithful support and sweet encouragement. Thank you for rejoicing with us this month for the glorious growth He’s given this ministry. And thanks especially for your part in Priority. We love you!

Need a Great Bible Study?

Click here to preview Priority Bible Studies now!

Perfect for groups or individual study, check out all three Priority studies and view workbook, video, and leader guide samples now!

Biblically Beautiful Priority Bible Study Sisters!

Take a look at a biblically beautiful Priority Bible Study group. Karen King, Director of the Mothering Matters Bible Study at Sagemont Church in Houston, sent us this picture of her Beauty By The Book group, and we’re thrilled to pieces to share it with you:

Thank you, Karen, for your leadership and desire to encourage women to give God priority! Our love and prayers are with you and every single woman in your great group.

Wanna Show Us Your Group?

If you’re doing a Priority Bible Study, we’d love, love , LOVE to see your group! And we’d love even more to feature a picture of your group in this newsletter and on our website.

So c’mon! Grab your camera, get your group to smile (while holding up their Priority Bible Study workbooks – we think it’s such a nice touch), snap their pretty pic and send it to us at glogirleditor@priorityministries.com.

See you and your group soon!

Journey with Janet & Laurie
by Janet Valentine, Executive Director

God’s Word reminds us that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Nothing comes into our lives that doesn’t first filter through His hands. With no idea how our lives were about to be affected, Laurie and I drove to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to visit a dear friend – Robin Cook – who organized a get together so we could meet the small group she leads. They have done two of Laurie’s studies and are currently doing the third. It was a blast meeting, shopping, eating, and fellowshipping with them.  Robin Cook and our Baton Rouge girlfriends.

But we could never have imagined that within a few short days, Houston, Baton Rouge and the Gulf Coast region would be visited by someone we hope we’ll never meet again.

Neither snow, rain, high winds, nor Hurricane Ike shall keep Laurie from her speaking schedule :-).  Just 7 days after the hurricane hit (and before Laurie’s electricity had come back on at her house in Houston ) we flew to St. Louis for the first annual Hope Bible Church Women’s Conference.  We were met at the airport by Renee Russell and Teresa Frey, coordinators for the event.  Instantly we felt at home with these sweet, easy-to-love women. 

Upon arriving at the church, we saw they’d used a pink and black color scheme to transform the entire sanctuary into a female friendly oasis. Soooo pretty! Laurie taught on the principles of biblical beauty, and we made many new friends.  To our great surprise, a dear friend of ours (and Priority Partner from our home church – Sagemont Church in Houston ) Shelia Lalumandier was also there. Sheila had flown up to see her cousin and to attend the event.  We were overjoyed  to see her there!  We’re also thrilled to welcome 67 new glo girlfriends from Hope Bible Church as subscribers to this newsletter. We love y’all and loved being with y’all (and thanks for your patience with our Texas accents and all the y’alls you heard from us that weekend).

Laurie teaching at the Hope Bible Church Women’s Conference in St. Louis .

There were many young people in the audience and Laurie was able to give each attendee a copy of the Bible study and to sign some autographs. Biblically beautiful girls on the Life Today set with Laurie.

One of the other guests videotaping that evening was Rebecca St. James and it was so fun meeting her. She’s one biblically beautiful young woman! Recording artist and author, Rebecca St. James with Laurie at Life Today.

The first weekend of October we headed to First Baptist Church in Jacksonville , TX .  for an evangelistic weekend festival, and it was great.  The Friday evening women’s event kicked off the weekend with over 400 ladies attending.  Laurie taught Who is Grace and How Do I Find Her.  Outside they had rides for the kids, a rodeo arena, big tents, antique cars and much more.  It was truly an extravaganza. We’re so happy to welcome many new subscribers and new glo girlfriends from Jacksonville this month to the newsletter. What a blessing it was to be with you. How proud and grateful we are for the way you reached out to your community with the gospel that glorious weekend!

At FBC Jacksonville, Janet and Laurie enjoyed visiting with many women at the Priority resource table.

Cedar Bayou Baptist in Baytown, TX held their evangelistic outreach – Bayou Blast October 17-18.  Even though Baytown was greatly affected by Hurricane Ike, their enthusiasm wouldn’t be dampened from hosting this event.  Laurie taught the ladies on Friday evening and was warmly met by some gracious Cedar Bayou gals and their guests. Please pray for the 10 women who accepted the Lord as their Savior at this event. Hallelujah and thank you Cedar Bayou for reaching out to Baytown ! 

Our staff retreat was to be held in Galveston at a beach house this month . . . but, of course, that’s not going to happen. But since we’re biblically beautiful and flexible women :-), we’re going to have a weekend staff slumber party instead. Fun! Please pray for a time of refreshing for all of us. We love all of you and count it a true privilege to know and pray for you.

Email Janet

Going & Glo-ing

The holidays are coming, and another fall speaking season is winding down. But Laurie and Janet have a couple of events left. Come and glo with them by clicking on the contact info to get more info. November 17 Ladies Night Out Gateway Community Church, Houston, TX Contact: Victoria Stratton December 5 Christmas Dinner Fairfield Baptist Church, Fairfield, TX Contact: Cyndy Gusler

The Sky is Falling!  The Sky is Falling!
by Debbie Todd, Director of Support & Stewardship

Wow! What a time of instability we’re experiencing as Americans. I finally had to turn the media OFF! The world may think the sky is falling, but nothing has changed for those who depend on God. We depend on Him in good times and bad. Yet we recognize it takes faith in days like these to give a substantial amount to your church or a ministry. That’s why we want our Partners – those of you who financially support Priority – to know how honored and blessed we are by your generous giving despite the recent ups and downs of Wall Street.

As our Partner through these stormy financial times, we know you possess an eternal perspective and the heart of a steward. And as we look into His Word, we praise Him for these descriptions of your godliness, contentment, and desire to invest in eternity:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought
nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content
with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I
leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
Hebrews 13:5 NIV

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…but store up for yourselves
 treasures in heaven…for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21

We hold our relationship with you in the highest regard, dear Partner. Thank you for your prayers, love, and financial support. While others are saying, “The sky is falling,” God is using you to help women fall in love with Jesus.

Find out how you can become a Priority Partner.

Email Debbie

Priority Prayer Points

“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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