Dear SUMites

Ann here. Oh, it’s good to be back after the ‘summer’ break! That said, it has been winter here in New Zealand!! Yes, we are topsy turvy down here 🙂

Now, it has been SO long since I last wrote, I thought I would tell you a little about three big faith activities going on for me at the moment. I’ll pop a scripture next to each part, as we go along.

Here’s what I’ve been up to:

First, I have been continuing to attend a wonderful fortnightly women’s life group. Oh SUMites, what joy. Those women are so important to me now, after several years of walking through our faith lives together. Here’s a photo with some of them.

Have you got a group you’re part of? If not, I pray that God will meet that desire.

He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them (Psalm 145:19)

The second thing is that God led me to a new church about six months ago, by surprise. It’s a Presbyterian church in a different suburb from where I live. It is also a different style of church to what I’m used to. So, I am attending it on faith.

Four other people have also been led to that church, and they and I have formed a little team of ‘quiet cheerleaders for that church’. We chit-chat about why we might be there. It’s fun.

Sometimes you go somewhere purely because you sense God has asked you to. And that is enough of a reason.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21, NIV)

And finally: Bryce and I bought a house quite unplanned earlier this year — in the countryside! We are city people. But we went for a drive one day to a lovely far-off peninsula, and there was a house for sale. Bryce slammed on the brakes, one thing led to another, and before we knew it, it was ours!

I didn’t press the point with Bryce, but I felt that God was in the purchase.

The house is far from where Bryce works, so we can’t live in it yet. We go up there and do work in the garden instead. But I have in my heart to turn it into a retreat where people can come and rest. Bryce knows about this 😊

I have a lovely leather notebook, sitting permanently in that house — And I am dreaming with God about the retreat, scribbling all ideas down…. and talking to him about the fact I think I’m building something there.

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength …” (Isaiah 30:15)

So, those are three big faith-based ‘things’ going on.

God certainly takes us through bends in the road, and twists and turns of seasons in our lives. We really never know what’s next — whether it’s easy or difficult. But any which way, it is RICH when we walk it with him.

SUMites, do you have any summer developments that have happened with you? Has God done something ‘rich to your heart’ this summer?

Much love

Ann