Welcome Blaire!

With great joy I would like to introduce Blaire Whitehead to you!

Here is a bit about her (Can you tell she loves kids?  She's great with them!):


I never know what to say about myself! Ah, umm... I'm an almost 23 year old and I've been going to The Well for about 8 years now. I love love love children and families and nannied for 3 years. I now work for two photographers at La Bella Vita Photography and babysit for a few families on the side. God has blessed with me with an incredible job and lots of opportunities to serve kids and try and love on them. My main ministry is the 4th-5th graders that come to the 5pm service on Sundays and want to know more about their God and how He loves them. It's the highlight of my week to be there with them and be trusted with their hurts and desires of their hearts and families. I see Jesus in our time together and have loved be a part of it for the past four years. Ah, I'm not good with writing out words so much, but I thoroughly enjoy heart to hearts in person with people! :)


I'm encouraged through hand written notes and prayer so much. My biggest love language I think is quality time with people because that's a huge way I learn from people.


The more I pray the Lord will give me more of a hunger for His word, He graciously answers! :) I used to be disciplined with memorizing scripture with a close friend, but it hasn't been a priority in my heart the past several months and I want to work on hiding His word in my heart more and more. God uses Joshua 1:8 continually to spur me on in meditating on the word. I want the words of my lips to reflect the glory of Jesus Christ and point others to Him with the accountability and community of the people He's put in my life.


What is one thing you would love to know about Blaire?  Let's welcome Blaire with open arms!

Get Together!

Good Morning!  I have some exciting news to share with you all!  The time has come-as many of us as possible get to meet each other on Saturday, February 11th! (I will let you know the time as soon as we have it nailed down.)


Amy Garifo is taking lead on planning our time together.  You were so gracious to jump in and be willing to help.  Thank you!


Would anyone be willing to host in February?


If you can help in any way, why don't you comment how you would enjoy serving and Amy will contact you.


May the joy of the LORD be our strength today.

Scripture Memory Verse #2!

Good Morning!  As I sat with the Lord this morning, He embraced me, reminding me of His faithfulness and lavish love.  May we bask in His goodness today!


Let's check in with each other in the comment section:


1.  How are you all doing with your first verse of 2012?  Whether you have it memorized or are still working on it, there is something you must know about life in Christ and being on this team- there is no guilt here!  Keep soaking and marinating in the Word.  He is transforming us and renewing our mind.  How wonderful it is to live in grace!


2.  What is your verse for the last half of January?


3.  Why did you choose it?


4.  Where are you from?  City & State.  There are a number of you that are just joining us and I thought it would be fun for us to see how the Lord brings us together through His Word.


5.  Amy and I are about to set dates for our four get togethers this year. Are any of you interested in helping with that? If so, in what way (s)? To plan, organize, be creative, host, make food, send out invites, etc...so many possibilities.  I know the Lord has graced many of you with giftedness in these areas and if you have capacity, we want to provide opportunity for you to serve.


You are so loved by Jesus Christ!  Don't ever forget that!

Welcome Ann!

My heart is soaring to introduce Ann to you!  I met Ann a few years ago at a Women's Retreat and have only had moments with her and was so encouraged by her love for Jesus Christ.  She will be such an encouragement to you all, I am sure of it!


I am not able to keep up with the number of ladies who are desiring to join our Memory Team, so be prepared to give a warm welcome to a handful of ladies in the weeks to come!  We are overjoyed each and every one of you are joining us to look to Jesus together!!


Let's get to know Ann:


I am a mommy to three wonderful boys, Nicholas (12), Cody (10) and Brett (9) and I am the luckiest woman to have been married to my high school sweetheart for 16 years now.  I love Jesus and desire to be filled with more of Him and less of me each day.  I desire to be His hands and feet in any situation that He blesses me to be a part of. I desire to love God more and know him more each year and being in His word (and hiding it in my heart) is paramount to do that.

Memorizing scripture has been an area in my walk/growth with the Lord that has been lacking.  I keep saying that I want to get better but have not been following through well.  I made it my goal for 2012 and when I saw this posted on Facebook thought it would be the accountability and structure that I need to follow through.

Feel free to get to know Ann in the comment section and ask her about her life!


I will be updating the contact info and sending it to you all soon!

Welcome Linda!

Let's welcome Linda to our Team!  May the Lord be lifted high!


Here is just a snip it of our new friend, so we can get to know her a bit:

I look forward to meeting some new ladies and growing in my knowledge of God’s word. I want to memorize more not only because he commands us to do so, but because I have reaped the rewards of a more patient and spirit-led life when I have his scriptures actively coursing through my brain.

I have lived in Fresno all my life, graduated from Fresno State with a degree in Economics and celebrated my 17th anniversary in September 2011. Our two children are 3 and 5 and I have a home business editing for local students and authors.

Do you all have questions for Linda?  Feel free to ask them in the comment section.


Love and grace and power to you today, in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Debbie's Journey With the Lord

We have the privilege of supporting one another as we go through life and wanted to share an email from Debbie:

Hello Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! I wanted to reach out to let you know I have started my own blog, and have prayed for you all to join me so that it may help in my encouragement and strength to stay steadfast and consistent in my postings, and in my journey.

It has been a very hard year for me, with a struggle in finding where I belong, feeling lost and unworthy in seeking Christ, losing a very dear friend to cancer right before Christmas, only to have myself diagnosed with it 2 days after his passing. Then to top off the year, all 12 of my tires were slashed right after Christmas by a person who is obviously very lost in this world, and in his search of himself, in order to have committed such a horrible act against myself and my children. Because of that act, I missed the second day of work at a well paying, legitimate, work at home position. So I now find myself mourning my friend, without work or an income as a single mother, fighting a terminal disease with no money for the surgery I need because it was used to put tires back on the vehicles so I could get to my treatments. Needless to say, I have experienced more tears, heartache, stress, and worry than I can ever remember having.

Yet, the Lord is with me! Jesus is my savior, and I have faith, trust, and belief in the path He has me on. I open myself to Him, and no matter how scared and unsure I may be, I will follow wherever He leads me. He will protect, He will provide, and He will make straight my paths. I have begun this blog to give me a sense of encouragement, faith, hope, and strong belief in the year ahead. I will be daily posting whatever God has embedded in my heart, whether it be a poem, scripture, story, photograph, or something else (a contribution from you perhaps). I have prayed often about this, and God spoke to me telling me to launch it at midnight of the New Year (which I have), and stay steadfast with it every single day. This will give me accountability in my journey, and by having you all join and comment/contribute, it will keep me accountable, on track, and thirsting to keep my journey going.

I refuse to lose faith or let my spirits and belief dwindle again. The Lord has called me and has a definite plan for me. I do not know or understand what it is, but I trust in it, because God makes no mistakes. So as I begin this journey in the scariest time of my life, I ask all of you sisters in Christ to please add yourself as a member on my blog. Follow me, contribute, comment, and share with me your journey in 2012 as well. Let us be there for each other, help each other grow in the Word, and be a source of strength for the coming days, months, and years, as our Lord Jesus Christ helps our Glorious Father unravel His plans for each and every one of us!

God Bless you all, I hope you had a wonderful New Year's, and I look forward to you being a part of my journey if you heart so desires and leads yo uin my direction. I love you all!

~Debbie

Here is the link to her blog: http://my2012journeyinthelord.blogspot.com/ or you can simply click on the title of this post and it will take you there!

Welcome Kathleen!

We have another dear member to our Team--Kathleen! (I told her weeks ago that I would post this, because she joined us in December and I am thrilled she did. I am just a bit delayed.)

We are so glad you are joining us as we look to Jesus Christ spread throughout the US, but with one heart, as we soak in the Word and allow His Truth to marinate in us and change us for His glory!

I asked Kathleen to share abit about herself:

Hello Scripture Memory Team. My name is Kathlelen Scrivner. I spent the first 24 years of life finding fulfillment in what the world considers worthwile. I managed to have "success" as the world defines it but was never satisfied or content. I accepted the Lord's salvation when I was 24 but stuggled to grow. I was playing professional golf and had few people to mentor me. At age 27 I felt the need to leave the professional golf life and settle down. Matthew 6:33 had been shared with me and I saw the verse in 82 font, bold, and underlined. "Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." I was invited to a Bible study and for the next 18 years was always in a study (as a member and eventually as a discussion leader or children's leader). The truth of God's Word has directed my steps in every season and challenge of life. I am forever grateful for His grace and patience.

Four years ago I planned to substitute teach as a means to supplement our income, but after a year of sub experiences I realized that being a substitute was not fulfilling my passion to invest in young people (it also became apparent that there was a need to eventually work outside the home). In an attempt to balance family, school and extended family needs I cannot commit to a Bible study at this time. I long for study (and fellowship) but realize that during this season of life I need to be still before the Lord. I need the personal discipline to be in the Word and let Him teach me.

Last June I secured my preliminary credential (this is the name these days). My technical subject matter is Physical Education but I do not want this credential title to limit my desire to pursue other areas of interest. The Lord has blessed me with a heart to teach and the desire to reach young people with His truth, His way. I am finding that it is an increasing challenge to stay focused on the Lord and grounded according to His truth. I don't want His Word to guide and direct-- I NEED HIS WORD TO GUIDE AND DIRECT ME.

My husband, Doug, and I have been married for 24 years and have three children. Laura (17), Jenna (14), and Kevin (8).

I am thankful for this outlet and look forward to gleaning from others. Together we share a discipline that will satisfy our deepest longings as we intentionally seek to be taught by Him.

Kathleen

Team, feel free to ask Kathleen questions in the comment section and we can get to know her more!

Love to each of you! I missed you yesterday and wasn't able to post on January 1st, as our family was driving home from Washington. I am grateful for Melissa, who graciously posted for us! Let's choose our verses and dive into the Word, seeking the Lord's face!

I love our TEAM!

Verse #1

Happy New Year! I'm excited to memorize scripture with you over this next year. Nothing has impacted my walk with Christ more than His word (okay and maybe a whole lot of prayer). Truly, His word has both conformed me and comforted me. I aim for it to be the lens through which I view life, reminding me that His wisdom is beyond my wisdom. I must constantly surrender my thoughts and my feelings to His word and His plan for me. And it has never.let.me.down.

I am so grateful for the gift of His word and thankful for be a part of a redemption story much bigger than I can imagine!

So in joy and excitement, let's share our first memory verse of 2012 with one another!

1. What is your verse?

2. Why did you choose it?

3. What are 3 words that describe 2011?

4. What is one thing you will do in 2012 to be intentional about growing in Christ?