Camp Mid-Life began when my husband Bill found a run-down, out-dated, 50+-year-old house that he thought had the potential of being a great “fixer” and rental property. It was priced at half the market value and since we’re both 50, it looked like a good investment for our future retirement. Plus, mid-lifers love new mountains to climb, and this was an exciting challenge for us. So, we bought the old house (see pics below), and made plans to fix it up and find a renter.

Then Camp Mid-Life took a very unexpected turn. We decided to sell our own house. Tired of the two-story house (our mid-life knees despise stairs) with its mostly empty bedrooms and the never-ending maintenance of a pool and a big yard, summer seemed like the perfect time to put it on the market. One week later, it sold. That’s when Camp Mid-Life came to an official climax and we, 50-year-old mid-lifers, decided to move in to the 50+-year-old “rent” house.

For the next few weeks, Bill and I (mostly Bill) worked night and day to demo, rehab and resurrect the old property. The result? Three things: 1) Bill learned to do stuff he never knew he could do (and he learned the cell numbers of contractors who could do everything else); 2) I learned the way around every nook and cranny of every Home Depot and Lowe’s store within a 50-mile radius; and 3) the old house turned out better than we thought it would (see our “after” pics below).

It’s August, and we’ve officially moved in to our new/old house. As I reflect upon my summer at Camp Mid-Life , God’s twofold message to me is clear: He really is sovereign over every season of life, and He really does have a good purpose for every season. Even the season of mid-life.

No, God’s plan for my summer didn’t include a reunion with my parents, and it didn’t produce a new Bible study either. But here’s the sweetest result of Camp Mid-Life : It brought Bill and me closer as a couple. Yes, it was scary, sweaty, and super stressful, but Bill and I didn’t just survive our summer at Camp Mid-Life . We thrived. Camp Mid-Life tested our marriage to the max but God and God alone brought us through, and in this mid-life season of our marriage, I’m grateful to report that Team Cole is stronger than ever.

The other day, Bill and I saw a cute little red Ford Mustang. After a very brief discussion, we decided we can’t make a mid-life purchase like that just yet because we still need our mini-van to cart our grandkids around. In other words, we may be mid-lifers, but we’re still way too young for a Mustang. But make no mistake. When (and if) Mustang season arrives, it will be red and it will be a convertible. Mid-life. What a great season!

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

Email Laurie

Need A Fall Bible Study Fast?

If you need a fall Bible study now, Priority now has three great choices for you. And we can ship workbooks, videos, and leader guides (and some really cute coordinating book bags) to you fast! View workbook and video samples of all three Priority Bible Studies online now or purchase them at Priority’s online store or by calling Courtney on our toll-free number, 1-866-YOUGLOGIRL (1-866-968-4564). View samples of this study View samples of this study View samples of this study

Courtney Hays, Resource Distributor 1-866-YOUGLOGIRL (1-866-968-4564)

Jots from Janet
by Janet Valentine, Executive Director

Sooooo much has happened over the past few months, and I have sooooo much to share with you (and some great pics, too). First, I’ll tell you what’s been going on at Priority, then I want to catch you up on what’s been going on in my own personal life. Many of you have inquired about my health since I was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, and I am so grateful for your support and prayers. I’ve got updates galore, girlfriend, so here’s the latest: April was a full month of retreats and conferences. Laurie and Pam went to Brighton Park Baptist Church in Corpus Christi , Texas for their Life On The Bay evangelistic outreach event, and many accepted Christ that weekend. Thank you, Pam, for filling in for me at this event. And thanks to the men and women at Brighton Park Church for their warm welcome and for allowing us to be a part of such a glorious weekend.

Laurie and I went to Central Baptist Church in Bryan/College Station, Texas on April 11-12 for a ladies retreat. We stayed at a beautiful historic bed and breakfast and enjoyed a wonderful home-cooked meal with the Central Baptist women’s ministry leadership team.

Pam attended a women’s conference with Laurie on April 18-19 at the West Conroe Baptist Church in Conroe , Texas . The women at West Conroe were wonderful, and we were privileged to meet, greet, and get to know many of them. It was a glorious weekend with many, many life-changing decisions made.  

Laurie with Dianna Gross, pastor’s wife and Women’s Ministry leader at West Conroe .

Meet Rooney Williams, a precious Priority friend we were so blessed to meet at the West Conroe event.

Our 2008 spring speaking travels ended as they began – in beautiful California . Laurie was invited back to Pismo Beach , CA for the Cornerstone Community Church annual women’s retreat. Words cannot adequately describe the West Coast weather and views we saw. But far more beautiful than the weather or the views, we love our beautiful sisters at Cornerstone. How dear they are to us!

Here is a picture of a small group Bible study at Cornerstone that recently completed Laurie’s There is a Season study: Meet Roe, Karen, Wendy, Laurie, Sandy , Debbie, Stacey and Gina.

While we were at Pismo Beach , we were also blessed to enjoy a dessert get together with a few of our Priority Partners from Cornerstone. We love each one of you girls, and we treasure and thank God for the time He gave us with you that weekend. Sandy Schmid, Debbie Todd, Meagan Martin, Laurie, and Robin Albanese.

Now, let me catch you up on what’s been going on in my life this summer. June and July were filled with family and fun. My father-in-law drove down from Kansas to visit – at 88, that’s a big adventure! Also, our grandson, Jackson, turned 3. And our granddaughter, Avery, is 5 months old and is getting more and more interactive.

Jackson, Papa (Lee), Nana (Janet), Courtney, and Avery

I love taking the summer off from travel and a full schedule. It enables us to renew, refresh, and recharge for the fall travel season. My husband, Lee, and I took a much-needed trip to the Texas Hill Country and recharged at a great resort.

Also, Laurie spoke at the Ladies’ Night Out at Sagemont Church , our home church here in Houston . It was a great evening. Her newest topic, Sense & Sensitivity: What Jane Austen Never Told You but the Bible Will, was a rich teaching about how to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leadership. We were blessed that evening with 8 new Priority Partners. Thank you, Sagemont sisters (especially Sharon Green and Lezli Busbee), for a glorious evening of fellowship around God’s Word. There’s no place like home!

Finally, I want to update you about my health. Several months ago, Laurie shared with you about my recent diagnosis of myelofibrosis (a rare blood disease). I want to thank all of you for your prayers and concern. As of today, I have seen my doctor at M.D. Anderson twice. A bone marrow biopsy has confirmed the diagnosis and revealed a chromosomal mutation. For the next three months, I will be treated with injections of a growth hormone every two weeks. This should raise my overall hemoglobin. Unfortunately, however, this means I will never play professional baseball. :-)

Seriously, precious sisters, I know and believe that the LORD is the Great Physician – I trust Him and His ultimate work. No, life isn’t going as I had planned right now, but God isn’t caught off guard. He is Almighty. He is All Powerful. He is in control. He is in the business of miracles.

I choose to cast my cares upon Him and pray that He will sustain me (Psalm 55:22). In my heart, I plan my course, but He determines my steps (Prov. 16:9). His grace is sufficient for me and His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).

I ask that you continue to pray as God prompts you knowing that, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results,” (James 5:17 ). I love and value you more than you will ever know.

Email Janet

Going & Glo-ing

Take a look at where Laurie and Janet will be going and glo-ing in September! September 19-20 Women's Retreat Hope Bible Church, Offalon, MO Contact: Renee Russell September 25 Ladies Night Out Gateway Community Church, Houston, TX Contact: Victoria Stratton

Pam's Summer Tutorial
by Pam Henderson, Production & Resources Director

The Lord’s tutorial for me this summer included some very tangible displays of His protection, provision, and blessing. And I not only want to share them with you, I want you to see God’s faithfulness. First, my husband had his gall bladder removed this summer. We are thankful for Joe’s full recuperation following surgery and predictable complications. And, since he has just reclaimed his role as mower of the lawn, my aching feet rejoice uncontrollably! P.S. the Lord delighted me with a new friend while waiting during Joe’s surgery at Methodist Hospital . Sharon R., I’m hoping to see you and Dee E. at the FBC Jacksonville event in October!

Second, a little dream I have anticipated for our 24-year-old home came true this summer: We replaced six major appliances all at once! A double-oven, 5-burner cooktop and telescoping downdraft vent, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer are now glo-ing in my kitchen and utility room! It’s the next best thing to getting a new house! As this summer comes to a close, I’m thanking God again and again for His provision and protection over every big and little detail in my life.

My dazzling new kitchen!

Email Pam

Wanted: Priority Bible Study Group Pics

Starting a Priority Bible Study group this fall? Would you and your group like to be featured in this newsletter or on our website? Then grab your camera, take it to Bible study, get your group to hold up their Priority Bible Study workbooks (There is a Season, The Temple , or Beauty by The Book) and say, “Cheese.” We want your Priority Bible Study fall pics, and here’s all you need to do. Simply snap a digital picture or two of your Priority Bible Study group with their workbooks and email it to us at glogirleditor@priorityministries.com. Also, please include some basic info about your group in your email (like your city, state, church, group member’s names, where/when you meet, etc.). Find your camera, and stash it in your purse! We can’t wait to see you and your group!

Glo-girls from FBC Nacogdoches

Summertime with Shanda
by Shanda Stiles, IT Director

For me, summer brings a mixed bag of panic (how will I entertain these kids?) and relief (no more homework or packing lunches!).  But I have had a terrific summer – a really, really terrific summer – and here’s a list of a few highlights and some fun pics for you.

• Camping, camping, & more camping.  My talented and handy husband remodeled the inside of a 5^th-wheel trailer about a year ago, which has translated into loads of family fun! Down here in the hot South, it’s torture to camp in the summertime; unless, of course, you have a trailer with air-conditioning and head towards water! So we did just that!

The Stiles family in the Guadelupe River

The Stiles family at Galveston State Park

I just love this sign that we saw on the way to Garner State Park.

Good Books.  When we camp, one of my favorite things to do is to wake up in the morning before the rest of the family, get a good cup of coffee, and sit outside in a comfortable chair with a good book.  This summer I’m reading the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, and, wow, these books are great!

Shanda doing 3 of her favorite things: camping, reading, and drinking coffee!

Concerts.  I went to a Journey concert a couple of weeks ago.  If you were a teenager in the 80s, then you KNOW who Journey is -- they sang all the cool love songs… Open Arms, Faithfully, etc.  What a blast from the past!  Then, a week later, I heard MercyMe in concert. Whoa!  They were absolutely fantastic -- and the crowd was a lot less rowdy!

Shanda (top) with 2 friends at the Mercy Me concert

Family.  In June, we joyfully celebrated my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary.  A month later, we grieved the passing of my grandfather, PaPa Marceaux.  I was reminded of his passion for the Word.  He faithfully taught Bible classes in (Cajun) French and had carefully noted dates in his Bible every time he had read it entirely through, totaling 20 times during his lifetime.  I also had an opportunity to spend some precious, extended time with my grandmother and sister.

Shanda (left) with her parents (Roger & Charlene Dauzat) and sister (Dawn Bitar)

• Friends.  I got to visit, hang out, & catch up with several friends who have moved away – some out of state and some just too far away to see as often as I’d like.  Susan, Monica, & Lisa…  I love you and miss you!
  
  
• FaceBook.  I got hooked on Facebook.  Now I have yet another way to waste time in front of the computer, playing games and finding “friends”.

Hope your summer’s been full of highlights, too!

Email Shanda

Summer Down But Not Out
by Debbie Todd, Director of Support & Stewardship

You’d think a severed Achilles tendon would have slowed down my pace a little this summer . . . but you’d be wrong. :-) Here’s a short list of what I’ve been up to in spite of my aching ankle:

• Spent lots of time in the rehabilitation clinic to recover from my Achilles tendon surgery. It’s slow and steady, but I am definitely improving.
• Went to Phoenix , Arizona , for a scrapbook convention and had lots of fun!  Plus, I learned some really cool things from some very talented artists.
• Spent some time floating on the lazy river at the Hill Country Hyatt, but my favorite time spent was at the spa!
• Enjoyed a family vacation at the beach for a week. We had a wonderful time hanging out with friends, playing miniature golf, playing washers, and the boys played Bocce Ball. Here’s a pic at the beach of my family and me:

Jason Kahle, Brittany, Debbie, Bill, and Brett Todd

• One really sad event:  The loss of my sweet father-in-law, Joe Magliolo.  He passed away after a lengthy illness.
• I worked on a lot of Priority Ministries projects!!!  Janet and I call these projects “sweat shops,” but we have a blast while we work.  Cool new items will soon be coming to the store and our resource table. But you’ll get to see them first in upcoming newsletters.
• Janet and I had a summer Garage Sale together!!!  I cleaned out my house for this big event . . . and I hope that I never do it again. Whew!!!

  Well, as you can see I have had a very full summer!  I’m ready for my regular routine to kick back in gear for the fall.  Hope to see you at one of our events.  Check out our calendar online and come see us!

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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