RLM Mission Statement: To lead others to know Christ as life and His grace, which will empower believer's to live hopeful and victorious lives. I lost my joy. Yep, that's right. A person in fu! time ministry that loves God with a! of her heart gave in to a season of discouragement. I've always been known for my transparency but sometimes I wish God would just let me keep one or two things to myself. I say, that with a smile. I know God doesn't MAKE me share my experiences. I honestly WANT to share my experience in hopes that it may encourage some of you. Royal Life went through a slow season that lasted just a little too long for our comfort. Yes, we are a support based ministry but it sti! takes income "om clients AND our support team to keep the ministry afloat. I'm going to share a few lines "om my journal a few months ago. Journal entry: God, I don't understand. What is going on? Is our time with Royal Life Ministries over? I know it's important to practice what we teach. The phrase we say the most in our sessions is "trust God." But honestly, I'm tired and confused. We had the privilege of having a two hour conference ca! with a beloved mentor who encouraged us in enormous ways. I want to say a big thank you to Mark Maulding "om Grace Life International in Charlotte, NC. He asked Tim and I some very potent questions. As we talked and prayed, God began to remind us through Mark that God birthed RLM as a support based ministry. Why? Because HE delights in community and His children partnering in ministry together. We've been surrounded by

Royal Life Ministries Summer Newsletter 2014

ministry "iends that live on support themselves for almost 30 years. Most everyone (there is an occasional optimist) puts support raising on the bottom of the "to do" list. It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day counseling that it is common to not work on support. We were reminded of what we learned 25 years ago. Support raising is just as much ministry as the counseling. How? We are giving people an opportunity to connect with God in prayer to see if He wants them to be a part of the lives we are touching. It gives people an opportunity to obey God, to invest financia!y in something that wi! last throughout a! of eternity. It keeps us humble to ask and to KNOW that this ministry is NOT just about us and what we do in our office.

More from my journal: "God , like I said, I'm weary. I'm ready to lay the ministry down and get a job and enjoy life. We don't see any provision and I'm tired of waiting."

Right a'er that journal entry we received eight phone ca!s for counseling in one week and gained three new supporters. Another supporter increased their monthly giving. Yes, I believe God has a sense of humor. I'm so glad that God graciously listened to my pain but didn't do what I asked. I am once again seeing tears flow down faces as we share the truth of their new identity in Christ. I am beyond excited. Like I've always said, "We've got a "ont row seat as we watch God work in precious lives." And we know this is a privilege and honor! And another thing, Tim and I grew spiritua!y, individua!y and as a couple, through the difficult season. Do we have a! of our "wants" now? No, but we definitely have ALL that we "need" and we choose to rest in the knowledge that we are right where God wants us!

Opportunities: Tim and I wi! be facilitating a discipleship course at our church once a week for 22 weeks. This is an in depth program that wi! include mentoring and walking along side individuals in their walk with God. We are both very excited to have this opportunity. Rebekah wi! be helping lead a study entitled "The Prodigal God" by Timothy Ke!er with women on Wednesday mornings starting in the fa!. Tim wi! be fo!owing God's lead as he continues to raise support and grow in his own walk with God. Please pray for us as we continue to counsel several couples who are hurting. So many of them are right where we were twenty years ago. Our face time counseling is going great! It's so exciting to help other's that live out of state. And of course, last but certainly not least, we wi! continue grand-parenting the most precious four little boys we've ever known! We see the time that we pour into these adorable lives as a huge investment with a great return! James 1:3&4 -... The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. RLM, 136 Walt Sanders Rd., Newnan, GA 30265, www.royallifeministries.org 770-254-9068