July Devotional- 2010

I am often asked by this younger generation, "what’s it all about--this freedom in Christ thing you talk about?" It’s easy for me to share my joy about the freedom that comes with knowing and living Jesus Christ! You see, Jesus is in the business of changing lives.

The more you become like Jesus, the more He releases your God-given potential and you experience a freedom that can only be found in Him. Jesus "moves" us from a "state" of bondage to a "state" of freedom! He "moves" us from a "state" of sorrow to a "state" of joy. Jesus can give you freedom, so trust Him and follow Him. His truth can give you freedom, so study His word, believe it, and obey it. Following the light on His path leads you out of darkness and takes you from despair to hope.

Oswald Chambers says it best. "Freedom is life controlled by God’s truth and motivated by His love. Bondage is life controlled by lies we believe and motivated by our selfishness. Freedom is the result of a living relationship with Jesus Christ--walking with Him, talking with Him, and learning from Him."

Let the freedom of Christ ring with every beat of your heart!

Scripture to Remember
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
- 2 Corinthians 3:17

Question To Consider
Am I living in the freedom of Christ or in the bondage of the world?

Prayer
Lord, change my heart today. Help me to follow your light on the path of life. Release me from the bondage of lies and selfishness that I might clearly see and understand the freedom of Your truth and love. Amen

Thought for the Day
Today I will choose to stand firm in the truth of His word!

-Susan Miller

Heart Talk from Susan Miller- July 2010

Dear Moving Friends

The beach is one of my favorite places to go during the summer. Of all the beaches I have known, none holds my heart like the beaches of Destin, Florida. I grew up along the NW Coast of Florida, known as the Florida panhandle, where my dad served for many years, and later retired, at Eglin Air Force Base.

The beautiful Gulf of Mexico, with its emerald green water, and sugar white beaches, are an intricate part of my childhood memories. I have walked those beaches, picked up sea shells, climbed the sand dunes, played in the water, courted Bill there during our dating years, and took our children there for their first taste of sand and salt water. Any opportunity I have of going back to wiggle my toes in the sand, find a spot to nestle in, spread my beach towel, and gaze out at the Gulf, is as refreshing to my heart and soul as the cool water is to my body when I first go in the ocean. So you can imagine my excitement when plans began to form many months ago for a “girls’ weekend” in Destin with my daughter, daughter-in-law, and three granddaughters.

And then came the oil spill in the Gulf, affecting and changing the lives of those who work and live all along the coast—as well as the emerald green water, and the sugar white beaches we all love. When my eight-year-old granddaughter heard about the oil reaching the shores of our beaches, her spirit was not dampened at all about going there. Her response echoed the thoughts of our family, “Well Nana, if we can’t go swimming, we’ll just find a place somewhere to build sand castles on the beach!” And, that is what we will do—we won’t give up, or give in to the oil spill. We are still going to Destin. We will build sand castles on the beach--somehow, someway. We will find new things to do together as a family, and make memories. Perhaps it will be to pitch in and help--somehow, someway--to make our beaches beautiful again.

My granddaughter’s response is a lesson for us to remember. I couldn’t help but think of how many times our plans, hopes, and dreams are changed or altered through circumstances beyond our control. Never lose heart, my friends. Don’t give up, or give in, to the disappointment and discouragement that can so easily consume us when life doesn’t happen as we’ve planned. Wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be--go out and build your own sand castles in the sand—somehow, someway. “Behold, I will do something new. Now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19) (….and even sandcastles in the sand!)

From My Heart to Yours,

Susan Miller

South Mountain Community Church, Draper, UT

Maureen Maldonado, - Class Leader

From Co-Leader, Michelle Calmy...

I was born and raised in Las Vegas, and hadn't budged until October 10, 2009. That is when we moved to Draper, UT.

As the class was letting go, I was letting go. As the class was starting over, so was I. And as I helped the class move forward, I was in the process of moving forward myself. This class forced me to reach out beyond my comfort zone, and take the first step, make the first phone call, offer love and support to a wonderful group of women that, 11 weeks ago, I hardly knew. Moving to a new city for the very first time in my life, I would have never taken those steps. I would have just driven in my garage and shut the garage door while shutting out the rest of the neighborhood, the new friends that I would not have made, and essentially the rest of my new Utah world. I would still be clinging to everything that I left in Las Vegas, instead of cherishing it.

I honestly had no idea how much this class could change the lives of women who feel pain from their losses - sometimes even feeling hopeless - that it may never get better. I believe that there is now hope. I believe that we are now moving forward, with the help of Just Moved Ministry.

Moving Story- June 2010

This month we’re sharing the Moving Story of a Moving On After Moving Inclass leader in Utah. Michelle played a unique role in the class: not only was she helping to lead the class, she was a new mover herself...

Michelle in Utah

As the class was letting go, I was letting go...

When I first was asked to help lead the [Moving On After Moving In] class, I was a little nervous. I have a teaching degree in elementary education, and have worked for In-N-Out Burger (mostly as a trainer) for almost 17 years, so I knew that teaching a class would not be the main challenge for me. But what I did think was, "What do I have to offer anyone about moving?" I said this to myself because I had never moved before.

I was born and raised in Nevada, and hadn't budged until October 10, 2009. That is when we moved to Utah. But, as I was beginning to assist in the class and starting to take on some of the responsibility myself, I learned that maybe I could help some of these women get through some of their struggles. I was able to do that because I was going through the struggles myself. I had lost some of my own identity in the move. So, how am I working to get through that? I was able to share those things and get some great advice from some of the ladies who had already struggled through it. I realized, just as Susan Miller says in one of the videos, that I was in the trenches with the ladies. I was able to help, as well as be helped.

As the class was letting go, I was letting go. As the class was starting over, so was I. And as I helped the class move forward, I was in the process of moving forward myself. This class forced me to reach out beyond my comfort zone, and take the first step, make the first phone call, offer love and support to a wonderful group of women that,11 weeks ago, I hardly knew. Moving to a new city for the very first time in my life, I would have never taken those steps. I would have just driven in my garage and shut the garage door while shutting out the rest of the neighborhood, the new friends that I would not have made, and essentially the rest of my new Utah world. I would still be clinging to everything that I left in Las Vegas, instead of cherishing it.

I honestly had no idea how much this class could change the lives of women who feel pain from their losses, sometimes even feeling hopeless, that it may never get better. I believe that there is now hope. I believe that we are now moving forward, with the help of Just Moved Ministry. I thank Susan Miller for going through these moving experiences first, and sharing her story and her life with us, as well as her deep faith in Jesus. I want to acknowledge In-N-Out Burger for allowing us the resources to be able to have this class, and for caring about the people who work for the company so much. I truly know what an extraordinary company that I work for. I also thank the class leader for inviting me to join her on this journey. I have made a lifelong friend in her. And to the ladies that I spent my Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings with, I am so grateful for the special time that we have been able to share with each other. I am truly blessed to have been a part of this class.

Moving Tips- June 2010

Tips to help your kids cope with a move...

Summer is the most popular time for families to make a move. Kids can struggle emotionally with a move as much, if not more, than Mom. The following are some tips from Susan Miller’s book, But Mom, I Don’t Want to Move!, to help keep the lines of communication open, offer emotional support, and help them grow through a time of great transition.

A reminder to you and your children:

· Grieving for friends and family is normal. It’s okay to cry. Your friends and family are worth every tear.

· Comforting with loving arms speaks volumes.

· Laughter can soothe the heart. Laugh a lot.

· Spend one-on-one time with each child. It makes each one feel cared about during the chaos of a move.

· Learn to read behind your children’s eyes. It’s amazing what you will learn.

So how do you help your children process their move? There are some key things you will want to remember that will help to pave the way!

1. Get in the trenches with your kids. Share some of the feelings you had when you moved as a child. This lets them know they are not alone in their feelings.

2. Provide an atmosphere of safety and freedom to express feelings openly.

3. Give them permission to feel angry or sad. “You’re not giving them permission to be disrespectful or destructive; but to feel what they’re feeling. All emotions are acceptable, but all behaviors are not,” writes David Ferguson in his book Parenting with Intimacy.

4. Children need to feel understood and supported when they express their feelings.

5. Don’t judge or criticize them when they express their emotions.

6. Remind your children that their feelings are normal. Explain to them that grieving is part of the healing process after a move.

7. Give them unconditional love and acceptance.

8. Listen, listen, listen---with your heart, with your eyes, and in between the lines of conversation.

9. Reassure them that it’s okay to cry. Let the tears flow. They can be healing and cleansing for emotions.

10. Keep communication open by encouraging everyone to talk during times of emotional stress points. Work at getting it all out on the table to better understand who, what, and why.

11. Comfort your child. It can restore and soothe the emotions.

12. Don’t forget the value of touch. A hug can speak a thousand words. Holding your child in your arms can break down emotional walls.

13. Remember, your children are watching how you respond to the situation. For the most part, they will take your lead emotionally.

Extra Emotional Support Provided by God’s Word

For loneliness—“And lo, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

For fear—“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (fear), but of power and love and discipline (sound judgment)” (2Timothy 1:7).

For anger—“Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26).

For disappointment—“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8).

For grief—“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you” (Isaiah 43:2).

For anxiety—“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22, NIV).

For sadness—“Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5, NIV).

For resentment—“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you” (Ezekiel 36:26, NIV).

For hurt—“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1Peter 5:10, NIV).

For self-esteem—“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

For comfort—“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

For hope—“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19).

Devotional- June 2010

Take time…Make time...Spend time...

As you begin the summer months, take time to smell the flowers along the way, make time for yourself to refresh and renew, and spend time in God’s word. You can take time to smell the flowers if you stop long enough to lookfor God’s beauty in nature, and listen to His voice. You can make time for yourself by rescheduling your calendar and giving yourself permission for needed self-care and rest. You can spend time in God’s word by opening your Bible and starting now! Here are some scriptures for summer reading. Add to the list as you read your favorites.

As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God. Psalm 42:1

Be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

In the morning, O Lord, Thou will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch. Psalm 5:3

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

We can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord, and as the spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18

For we walk by faith, not by sight... 2 Corinthians 5:7

And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives! Job 19:25

Scripture to Remember: Choose one from above

Question to Consider: Will I take time, make time, and spend time in God’s word?

Prayer: Oh God, as I begin the summer, lead me to the path of rest and renewal. Along the way, let me stop, look, and listen—for you. May your word flood my heart and mind, and quench a thirst in me for you.

Thought for the Day: This is the beginning of a new day! I will rejoice and be glad in it!

-Susan Miller

Heart Talk from Susan Miller- June 2010

Have you ever felt like you’ve met yourself coming and going with a busy schedule? I think I met myself several times at the airport last month! My travel took me to California, Georgia, Utah, Washington D.C., and Virginia. I absolutely love connecting with ourMoving On class leadership teams all over the country and having the opportunity to speak to the hearts of women in our classes. It’s my privilege to be up close and personal with women whose lives have been touched by Just Moved Ministry.

It was wonderful for me to reconnect with Carla Land, a dear friend and class leader at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville, California. She hosted a lovely combined mother-daughter tea, class reunion, and fundraiser for our ministry in her home. They raised almost $1,500! In Vienna, Virginia, I had the joy of speaking to the morning and evening classes from McLean Bible Church, and being a part of the birthday celebration for their beloved class leader, Jackie Spiegel. As a corporate spouse, Maureen Maldanado is committed to bringing our classes to spouses and employees at new In-n-Out Burger locations. She hosted a dinner in the Salt Lake City, Utah area for the women in her two classes, including husbands and children! What a privilege to be their guest and get to see the impact for Christ Maureen is making on these women and families!

Even though I get tired from the physical aspect of traveling, these are the times that refresh my spirit in the ministry I love. Whether I am speaking in a church, a home, at a military installation, at a conference, or in a corporate setting—I get to rub shoulders with women who move, look into their eyes, listen to their stories, teach them about Jesus, pray for their brokenness, and walk away knowing my life will never be the same.

At the end of a busy spring, I guess what I’m saying is simply, thank you. Thank you for being a part of my life—whether you are a class leader, or part of a leadership team who gives your all to women who move; whether you are one of thousands of newcomers who touch my life; whether you work behind the scenes at our office as staff, as a volunteer, or as a friend standing on the sidelines—all of you cheer me on to do God’s work. You make me look better than I am and do more than I think I can. You fill my cup so that I can keep pouring out. You are the wind beneath my wings.

Have a safe, blessed, and memory-making summer. I’ll be hanging out a lot with my family and grandchildren. Stay in touch; lots of things are happening at Just Moved in the fall!

From My Heart to Yours,