Celebration Story From the Steigengas

About two months ago we were contacted by some friends who had a little over $1,000 in their TRIP account (Tuition Reduction Incentive Program for Christian schools). They have since decided to not send their kids to Christian school and wondered if we were interested in buying their account from them for $800. This would mean we get a reduction and they get money they otherwise would have had to let go of. We decided to say yes. However, we are seriously working on being debt free, so we don't have $800 right now. We decided to ask if we can work out a payment plan with them. They said, "Of course! We are just happy it's going to someone we know." Together we decided on $400 now and $400 in January. To be honest, coming up with $400 would be a stretch for us but we continued to pray about this. As it turns out, the next weekend we were having a garage sale. I have never made over $100 at any of my sales but we decided to simplify our lives. We planned to sell a lot of things we haven't used in the last year and started praying that we would make $400 at our sale. At the sale, I had decided that if people offered less on an item I would always say yes and hope that in some way we were blessing them through that. So our last day of the sale comes and we closed and I started counting the money we had made. I just about fainted when I counted $400.91! I think I counted it five times. Where in the world did the 0.91 come from? This amount was in addition to the money we paid for advertising or for the change we started with. $400.91 was all profit! God is so good and He has proven over and over again that if we are in debt to no one but Him, He will provide and maybe even give us a little extra. I REALLY enjoyed that Slurpee that I got for 0.91. Praise God!

John 15:17 "This is my command: Love each other."

Celebration Story From the Dozemans

We wanted to update everyone on how we are doing. We received the autopsy results from Kaden and the cause of his death was placenta related. Basically the placenta failed him due to extra chromosomes in it. Our doctor was shocked and told us this happens once in thousands of pregnancies so it's not common. We are thankful to receive answers and that it is something rare and not related to what happened with Grace. We are praying that we will continue to walk by faith in His timing for another little one to raise. Thank you for all your prayers and support, it means so much to us. We are so thankful that we serve a God who is able.

I started a blog at www.walkingbyhopeandfaith.blogspot.com for anyone who would like to follow our journey.

Celebration Story From Rene' Baird

My oldest son and his wife are experiencing their first pregnancy. They have an adopted son from Guatemala as they thought they wouldn't be able to have children naturally. He is 34 and she is almost 34. We are so excited by this miracle from God. Also, our lawn had become a jungle and the shrubbery and garden were hopeless. Last night I came home and our lawn was mowed, the shrubbery pruned, and the garden weeded. Our neighbors had done this for us. Apparently they had seen me sitting out back on our deck in the backyard crying a couple of nights. I didn't realize anyone could see me there. Anyway they wanted to do something for us. Please ask God's blessing on them.

Celebration Story From Dick and Sue Richards

I just have to tell this because it is so awesome and a real celebration. As many people know, we raise our granddaughter Alyssa. She is legally blind. When she was first born we took her to Grand Rapids Ophthalmologist to see a pediatric ophthalmologist. She told us that Alyssa was blind and would never be able to drive, read, etc. A good friend of ours is a firefighter for the City of Walker. He contacted a friend who is an eye surgeon in New York and a surgeon at Will's Eye Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was told that we should take Alyssa to Dr. Peters on Cascade Road where she would receive the same treatment that would be given at Will's Eye Institute. We have been going there for 5 years now. Dr. Peters told us that Alyssa does have some vision but what she has is limited. He doubted she would ever be able to drive. Through out this all, Rich has been laying hands on Alyssa periodically and praying with her, along with others from the church. A couple of weeks ago we took her to Dr. Peters for a checkup and he was amazed with how well she was doing. He said that she may someday even be able to drive! You can imagine how happy we were to think that this little baby that one doctor said would never be able to read or drive has come this far! This definitely is a God thing. God does work miracles and she is our little miracle girl. We are so thankful that God has given her to us. We are asking everyone to pray for her as we keep moving forward. This is a big step for all of us. Thank you!

Celebration Story From Sue VanderWiel

I have seen God at work through the new awareness of prayer at EGM. I praise Him for His presence and moving us into prayer on a deeper level. I praise Him for sending so many out to pray during the 24 and 40 hours of prayer. I praise Him for hearing our prayers and answering so quickly. Those who were without jobs, God has opened doors! He is faithful and provided. I also praise Him for the opportunity to pray for the lost this past year.

Celebration Story From Anonymous

We are celebrating that we as a family took the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Univeristy course and we are almost debt free with the exception of our house. Since attending the Dave Ramsey course a year and a half ago we have not missed a week of tithing, we have sent our daughter and son to a Christian school and have the tuition paid off, we went on a 10 day mission trip, and we have not used a credit card in 18 months. Truly something to celebrate!

Celebration Story From Jan Stravers

Eighteen women just completed a 12 week study with Beth Moore on the book of Daniel. We learned a lot and also found out how much we didn't know (about history, prophecy, and end times). We were also challenged to continue to study and look at the different ways of interpreting these matters. We learned that our society is much like Babylon's culture with an "it's all about me" mentality and were inspired to try to make a difference in this culture in which God has placed us. The words from the old song mean a lot more to us now!

Dare to be a Daniel; dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose firm; dare to make it know.