A Few Words of Thanks

“In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer


Generosity is the last Fruit of the Spirit that I am going to write about. This summer has been an experience of a lifetime as we have witnessed hundreds of people as they expressed generosity. In May, Eric and I began our American tour by flying into Nashville and speaking within the first 48 hours off the plane. We have been in Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Arkansas speaking throughout May, June, July, and the first three weeks of August. We have experienced the birth of my third niece, birthdays, family vacations, and many other wonderful things. This summer has been a spiritual journey for the both of us as we have prepared financially, emotionally, and spiritually to fully rely on God. We have never been so incredibly vulnerable. Churches have opened their doors to us and have helped us experience worship in many different ways. Individuals have opened their homes and given us a place to lay our heads, food to put in our hungry stomachs, and sometimes even clothes. We could not have accomplished anything this summer without these wonderful churches and people. We would like to say “thank you” to everyone that has helped us and nurtured us.

I have attached a few pictures of the people that showed us extreme generosity.

Eric and I with Becky Camp at Perryville UMC

Eric with his father, Rodger, and Linda Perdue 

Liz with her parents, Bill and Linda Buchanan

Our other family...the Allisons. Never thought I would have such a large family!! It is great!

Liz's brother, Matt, sister-in-law, Melanie, and Liz's two lovely nieces, Ada and Nora

Dan and Joy Weathersbee opened their home to us more than once.

The Brandons: Kevin, Rebecca, Ellie, Stephanie, and Chelsea...Liz's best friends

John, Suzanne, Isaac, and Sam Wehner...they provided us with a place to lay our heads and fed us.

Tad and Nick sitting at the SigEp house. Eric stayed with them a few nights while Liz was in AR.

Nancy, Will, and Jake Nanney...they picked us in the middle of the night when the car was struck by lightening.

Eric's sister, Elizabeth, brother-in-law, Benjamin, and niece, Emily. They have done more for us that fits on this tiny space.

Ice Cream, Pringles, and Milky Ways...OH MY!!!

Galations 5:22, 23 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”


When talking about self-control there are multiple things in our lives that we must consider. Many of you know that I love food…that is no secret. Food is quite possibly my greatest weakness. While in Tanzania for four months I lost over 20 lbs. and while in America for only three months I have gained all of that and more. When we first arrived in Tennessee back in May I tried to tell myself to wait and not get carried away with the variety of food that would be available. I have obviously failed to reach my goal. Self-control is not one of the fruits of Spirit that I hold very well. I have to work hard to not buy the Milky Way when we are in a gas station or the bag of Flammin’ Cheetos in the grocery store. People have asked us what they can send in a package if they find the money to do so. I always respond with…FOOD!!!

How are we to have self-control in the society that we live in? What do you struggle with controlling? Do you need more self-control towards food, watching t.v., playing on the computer, sex, or gossiping?

Little Acts of Kindness

Over the next little bit I am going to post blogs based on a few of the Fruits of the Spirit that I have experienced this summer. I have not always acted as though I have these Fruits but I pray that they help all of us to reflect on our lives and the way we act towards others. Galatians 5:22, 23 says, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”


Eric and I walked into the optometrists the other day waiting on his father to get contacts. There was a worker that was obviously stressed to her limits while her coworkers were criticizing her work. They were telling her all the things she did wrong and how they had to fix her mistakes. She left the room only to go into a small room and break into tears. My heart broke for her as I remembered being a new employee a few times and not knowing what to do. I remember the feeling of not being able to do anything right and getting so discouraged. Like me, she obviously strives on encouraging words and positive criticism instead of negatively charged words.

Eric and I leave two weeks from today to join the ministry of Grassroots again for a minimum of one year. Working with people in Tanzania is no different than here in America. We still have to recognize each person’s strengths, weaknesses, those things that help them succeed, and those that make them fail. Whether we are in America or in Tanzania, kindness is still a fruit of the spirit that we should strive to have. Eric and I left the optometrist office only to turn around two minutes later. I walked in and found her in the small room filing papers. I knocked on the door and she whipped around. She had this look on her face that said, “What else have I done wrong?” I told her that I simply hoped that she would have a good day. Her shoulders fell as she began to relax and then turned around quickly as tears filled her eyes.

I did nothing special. I simply told someone that I cared. My challenge to myself and to you is that we all tell someone that we care and that we show kindness to those that are in pain, whether it is emotionally, spiritually, or physically.