Heart Notes from Susan

Dear Moving Friends,

It's Monday morning, the first week of the New Year, and I find myself moving slowly, just trying to get my thoughts together for the day. Because of the holidays I'm out of the rhythm of my normal routine, and a little overwhelmed with a long to-do list demanding my attention between home and office. I'm waiting on a service man to show up for some home maintenance so I can get to the Just Moved office--when the phone rings. Although I don't recognize the number on caller ID, the name is all too familiar.

"Susan, it's Elaine! Happy New Year darlin', how are you?" I smile from ear to ear just hearing her unforgettable voice and feeling the warmth of her love over the phone. I've known Elaine since I was in college. She lived across the street from my mom and dad in Florida, and was my mom's best friend for what seemed like forever. She was an intricate part of my family's daily life. I wore Elaine's wedding dress when I married Bill, she celebrated the birth of my children, she tucked me in her bed the night my mom died, and grieved with me when Bill died.

Elaine and mom celebrated any and every holiday, with great zest and enthusiasm-- especially the 4th of July. The tradition was always a sheet cake decorated like a red, white, and blue flag with little toothpick flags on top; a red, white, and blue paper tablecloth for the picnic table in her back yard, with matching red, white, and blue paper plates and napkins. Red jello salad with cool whip was the first thing on our plates. We always wore the same stars and stripes head bands and matching red t-shirts for pictures, which I still have. Sparklers glittered at dusk dark as we waved them in the air, as if we could, at that moment and time, sparkle the world with our laughter.

Elaine is now 81 years old, and lives alone--but has lots of friends, as you can imagine. I haven't seen her in years, but I call her a couple of times during the year, and she always calls me at Christmas. This year she didn't call-until this morning. Perfect timing to get me back on track. Her words not only encourage me, but help to put my life in perspective for the day, and even for the New Year. Her life has been tested with pain and heartaches over the years, but she stands unwavering in her faith, and leans on the everlasting arms of Jesus each day. She shares how every day when she awakes she says, "Good morning God, I can't handle today alone, so I'm depending on you to help me." Then she says, "Susan, I don't know how people live every day without God. I talk to Him all day long. I couldn't have gotten through the death of family and friends, health problems, and hard times without Him."

Do I know this in my head and heart? Yes, and I hope you do too. Do we need to hear it again (and again) from people God puts in our path, at just the right moment, when we need it the most? Yes, we do. Let me be your "Elaine" today, as I remind you that God will never leave you, or forsake you in the New Year. Greet Him every morning and give Him your day. Talk to Him all day long. Depend on Him to meet your needs, through the good times, and the hard times, as you face this year. Then, perhaps when we are 81 years old, we can share the wisdom of our years with God to encourage someone-like me, or you.

From My Heart to Yours,
Susan Miller

January Moving Message from Susan Miller

January Moving Message from Susan Miller

Happy New Year

Moving on Class Spotlight

Christ Community Church
Huntersville, NC

We just finished our Fall Just Moved! class - our biggest yet at 19 members! Such a blessing for all of us to be a part of!

This is a photo from this week's "graduation" celebration! (four women were unfortunately not in the picture.)

After breaking for the holidays, we plan to begin praying for and planning our One-day Spring Just Moved Conference.

Leadership team: Julie Tipton, Marjorie Newhook, Janelle Kjolen, Melissa Winters, and Mary Ann Vickers

December Devotional

Will you trust?

An angel ushered Zacharias and Mary in to a miraculous story of mystery and wonder far beyond the scope of their individual lives. Zacharias would be the father of John the Baptist and Mary the mother of Jesus. Zacharias needed to know the certainty of events yet to come; Mary received this sudden change in her life in faith and trust.

Scripture to Remember:

"And Zacharias said to the angel, ‘How shall I know this for certain?'" Luke 1:18

"And Mary said, ‘Behold, ...be it done to me according to your word.'" Luke 1:38

Question to Consider:

Has your life been redirected in an unexpected and, perhaps, unwanted way? God is asking you to trust Him as He invites you into a life of mystery and wonder. He is using your circumstances to not only shape your mind, heart, and spirit, but to affect your family and community - perhaps even the world. Will you choose to believe this - with faith and trust?

Prayer:

Lord, I trust you with my circumstances and my future. I choose to believe that you are doing something wonderful through them and I say ‘be it done to me according to your word.'

Thought for the day:

Today I will wear my watch or bracelet on the opposite wrist. Each time I take notice of it I will say aloud or silently to myself, "I choose to trust God with my circumstances."

-Ann Kelley

What ministry leaders are saying about Just Moved Ministry

Dr. Dennis Rainey

President, FamilyLife

Just Moved Ministry picks up where the moving van drops off. Through their Moving On classes, marriages are strengthened during the stress of relocation, parents are equipped to help their children cope with a move, and women are given biblical principles and encouragement.

John Trent, Ph.D.
Author: Encouraging Words
President of StrongFamilies.com

Susan is doing a tremendous job of helping women deal with the trauma of transition. Her material can help anyone who wants to move ahead in a healthy way after they have experienced a move or major adjustment. I highly recommend her work shops and materials.

Barbara Johnson
Author: Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy

Susan Miller's After the Boxes Are Unpacked, is a handbook of suggestions and encouragement, not just to those who are moving, but to all of us. This book will enrich lots of folks who have felt pangs of grief over our losses because it teaches us how to survive our losses. I LOVED IT!

Keith Carlson
Pastor, Adult Ministries
Johnston Evangelical Free Church
Johnston, Iowa

Thank you for your ministry. I have personally met some of the ladies from our community who have come here to attend the Newcomer's study and I want you to know that it is working, and working well. I was so impressed when I saw the number of ladies who attended, all who were brand new visitors to our church. This is very exciting to watch. Who knows what God may do through all whose lives are being touched.

Aileen Ostendorff
Family Life Ministries
Little Rock, Arkansas

Your ministry has had such a huge impact here at Family Life as we use Susan\'s book with every new gal who comes.

Dianne Christensen

Director of Women’s Ministry

Hoffmantown Church, Albuquerque, NM

I deal with many organizations in my ministry here and Just Moved reflects excellence and encouragement. Your staff reflects Christ’s character and my dealings with them have been affirming that this ministry direction is of the Lord’s leading. Thank you!

Tips for Moving On

Gift-Giving Ideas for Far Flung Friends and Family

If you're far from family and friends, but plan to send them Christmas gifts, how do you do it in a way that doesn't require collecting boxes from the produce department of the grocery store, searching for the bag of packaging peanuts that you're sure you saved last summer, and standing in line at the post office? Here are a few ideas to simplify long-distance gift giving.

Give to a favorite charity
Does Mom volunteer at the Humane Society? Your brother, Bill, sings in a community choir? Let them know that you will be giving a donation to their organizations to show support for what is important to them.

Pay for a helpful service
Is your closest friend hosting the family or the company party for Christmas? Arrange to pay for a cleaning service to spruce up her house and give her one less responsibility.

Gift Cards
Purchase and send gift cards for restaurants or stores that you know are in the area. National chains like Starbucks and Home Depot are everywhere!

Event Tickets
By using the internet, you can learn about upcoming concerts and events in any city in the world. Do a little research in the area where your loved ones live and purchase tickets for them to an event you know they'll love.

Buy on line
Order gifts through the internet and have them mailed directly to the recipients. Many online businesses offer free shipping for a minimum purchase.

Magazine Subscription
Buy a gift subscription for a magazine that pertains to the interests of a long-distance loved one. There are magazines to suit everyone's interests: from outdoor living to needlepoint, from Civil War history to video games.

Outdoor Adventure!
Through the internet you can purchase an exciting adventure for the outdoor enthusiast on your list. With just the click of a mouse you can find hot-air balloon rides or river kayaking lessons that are offered around the country.

Invest in an Interest
Does your brother-in-law enjoy playing golf, but wishes he was better? Arrange for a lesson with a golf pro in his area. Does your sister enjoy cooking? Purchase a gift certificate for her to take a cooking class at a local kitchen store. Do they wish that they had more time together? Pay for some ballroom dancing lessons! (Think... "Dancing with the Stars"!)

No matter what you choose to send your loved ones this Christmas, be sure to express your love and appreciation for each person. Be specific! Tell each person at least one quality that you love about him or her.

-Ann Kelley