365 Days of Service

Too many big changes have taken place in the last six months to do them justice here. The biggest change of all was the decision to leave the staff at LifeChurch.tv to pursue a new direction. My last day was October 30, 2009 and since that time I’ve been able to work on a lot of personal projects, support Ryan in his role at LifeChurch.tv more than I was ever able to before, and to develop some new working relationships. I’m currently pursuing God’s plan for the future, and praying about the new direction He would take us as a family. It’s been a great adventure so far, and I know His plan is perfect.

For more about what I’m doing now, follow my blog at http://www.alisondowdy.com.

I have had some time off from serving everyday, God has blessed this time of rest, and now I’ve been pursuing more intensive ways to serve. I’ve continued serving at SWITCH on Wednesday nights with Ryan, and that time serving together has been a blessing to our marriage. Lots of friends have had new additions to their family (I LOVE new babies) and we’ve delivered diapers and dinners. We’ve hosted friends in our home for dinner and fellowship - and had a blast serving them. I had an opportunity to serve my family during a wonderful trip to Texas to play with 3 nieces and 2 nephews. And I’ve continued to serve at Mercy Ministry once a month during the Single Mom’s night where we feed and entertain moms and kids and get them groceries to feed them through the month.

I’d mentioned in a post in May that I thought my math was bad which ultimately meant that when June 11th rolled around again, I’d still be finishing up my 365 days of service. This amazing adventure all began in New Orleans on June 11, 2008. It turns out somewhere along the journey I miscounted my days and on June 11 (Day 358) I’ve still got a week left to serve. It’s not a problem, however, because I fully anticipate these 7 days being jammed-packed full of awesome opportunities to serve! It also means that I’ll be celebrating my 7th wedding anniversary with Ryan, watching several hundred people be baptized (some by Ryan) at LifeStock on Sunday and celebrating my 365th day with my family in Texas! God is so good.

I’ll be serving at one of the One Prayer micro mission opportunities available around the Oklahoma City area on Saturday, June 13th. Will you join us?? http://edm.lifechurch.tv/blog/post/mission-partners-2009

Day 355 - June 8

I spent the evening resting tonight, instead of making my usual trip to Mercy Ministry. This is the day of the month when a fantastic group of people get together to knock it all out before I even leave work. I have not been feeling well recently so I just needed a night to rest. I spent time in prayer over the prayer requests we receive at Church Online: http://internet.lifechurch.tv/. I have not been able to serve during their live experiences recently, so I volunteer as part of the prayer team. It’s been a different way to serve for me, but I believe in the power of prayer and am glad to be able to lift up these requests to God.

Day 356 - June 9

As part of the One Prayer series this year (http://2009.oneprayer.com/) I asked our LifeGroup to serve with me at Mercy Ministry one evening. Tonight was the night we decided to work on some special projects that needed to get done. We painted signs on the building, touched up a bathroom with paint and repainted a few walls in the wherehouse. It was a great time for us to serve alongside each other, to focus on others and to make an impact on a really deserving ministry.

Day 357 - June 10

Usually I serve at SWITCH with Ryan on Wednesday nights, but because my usual role (student check-in) doesn’t apply to one evening a month, I wasn’t needed to help out. I spent a few minutes with the kids while they played a few games. It was pretty entertaining. But because I am leaving on vacation very soon, I worked through the evening so I could give Ryan a ride home. I got a ton of work done and will have a couple of new series to add to the OPEN web site very soon!

The end of this fantastic journey is slowing getting near. I have been so excited about all that has happened in our lives during the past year. But I am most excited about the opportunity to share the power of this journey with those I get to meet in the future. Thanks for following along over the last year!

Day 347 - May 31

I spent the day serving Ryan around the house today. He had expressed some frustration with me waiting until the very end of the weekend to get started on house cleaning (I guess I was interrupting his Sunday night down time). So I got it all done earlier today. Not bad really, considering now all I have to do tonight is relax!

Day 348 - June 1

Tonight I ran to Mercy Ministry to take a look at some opportunities to serve during One Prayer (http://www.oneprayer.com) this year. I’ve been asked to lead a small group mission project during the series and I have some ideas how we can serve at Mercy. I was able to connect with volunteers tonight, too, and spent some time in prayer over our clients this coming week.

Day 349 - June 2

When we met with our LifeGroup tonight, one of the members of the group wanted to watch a powerful documentary about a family that overcame terrible grief to impart grace, forgiveness, and blessings on another family in their town. It was really inspirational to see how a relationship built out of obedience and God’s love has the power to overcome anything. This world is a place where we are going to hurt and where we will experience suffering, but it’s all about how we choose to embrace life that truly sets us apart and makes us holy. It was definitely a message we all benefitted from hearing. Our group also prayed for our friends, one who is recovering from surgery, and her husband who is taking care of her. We’re feeding them meals all week.

Day 350 - June 3

Served alongside Ryan at Switch tonight. What a great experience it is getting to serve as a family. Ryan left and went to another expeirence at a LifeChurch.tv campus and had an opportunity to minister to a group of troubled kids. It was a great night getting to talk about the incredible ways God is using our family to bless others.

Day 351 - June 4

I spent the evening serving single moms at Mercy Ministry tonight. It was a great night full of great conversation, prayer, catching up with the ladies and meeting God with these women. I love being able to connect with them every month to see how their prayers have been answered and to see that they are thriving in their relationship with God. Amazing to see lives changed right before your eyes.

Day 352 - June 5

I followed up Single Mom’s Night at Mercy Ministry by serving another Single Mom’s organization here in town: The Bethel Foundation http://www.bethelfoundationusa.com/. They received a truck shipment full of gifts and food for their patrons this morning and needed help unloading it. I spent the morning working alongside some regular volunteers and the organization’s director, Linda. It was good to connect with them and to be able to offer more services to the single moms we minister to at Mercy Ministry. I look forward to staying involved with Bethel Foundation.

Day 353 - June 6

I served at the Edmond Campus of LifeChurch.tv recruiting volunteers for our One Prayer Micro Mission opportunities during the month of June. If you want to get involved, read more about them here: http://edm.lifechurch.tv/blog/post/mission-partners-2009.

Day 354 - June 7

Spent the morning at the Edmond Campus again recruiting volunteers for the One Prayer missions. It’s so good to see so many people ready to step up and serve the less fortunate or those in need.

Day 342 - May 25

Had a group of the wives of the Edmond Campus of LifeChurch.tv over for dinner tonight. We had a great night of conversation and laughing. I definitely count myself blessed to have these amazing women of God and pastor’s wives to call friends.

Day 343 - May 26

We had our LifeGroup meeting tonight and we were all planning meals for our friend who is having surgery next week. I love that our LifeGroup can get together to take care of each other. I also grabbed a Papa Murphys pizza to benefit Kennedy Stearns to share with our LifeGroup. Kennedy is a little girl in the church who is battling Leukemia.

Day 343 - May 27

Served during the first part of Switch tonight while Ryan was busy organizing the night. I am excited to get to play a very small role in leading these kids to become fully devoted followers of Christ.

Day 344 - May 28

We had the opportunity to join with other staff to serve our senior pastor, Craig, by sitting in the auditorium while he recorded two messages. He’s taking time off to be with his family - one week for family camp, so cool - and he expressed his appreciation for our help allowing him to do that. What a guy!

Day 345 - May 29

Ryan and I attended a wedding for two friends who are creating a brand-new family together. It was so exciting seeing them finally get married after a long engagement. The bride was beautiful, the reception was fun and we really got a chance to celebrate all the amazing things God is doing in thier lives. We took a gift and prayed and offered some advice about married life. Had a lot of fun with our friends.

Day 346 - May 30

I was able to get a painting started for a friend. Her little girl is about 4 years old and she’s started a French theme in her bedroom. I’m adding a wall mural with her initial and some Fleur de Lis. It will be very cute.

Day 335 - May 18

I headed to Mercy Ministry tonight, as I usually do on Monday, and had a great time bagging groceries with a great group. One of the things I’ll probably have a hard time deciding when I’m past 365, is in what areas to continue serving. While I have enjoyed getting to know these groups and helping at Mercy immensely (nevermind the spiritual growth I’ve experienced) I’m looking forward to new experiences. I have other organizations that have captured my heart that I am interested in exploring. And I know I’ll continue to serve at SWITCH with Ryan on Wednesday nights. How will I spend the rest of my time? I’ll be in prayer about this for the next few weeks.

Day 336 - May 19

We had some folks over for LifeGroup tonight, unexpectedly in turned out, and it was a great night full of prayer and powerful conversation. Initially we invited the entire group over, but only a few couples could attend. When Ryan started to feel badly during the day, we decided to cancel it. One of the couples didn’t get the message, however, and it was such a good thing they didn’t. We were able to counsel them about health issues and pet (new puppy!) issues and they left feeling so much better about their circumstances. I love it when God uses our lives to impact others in such a positive way.

Day 337 - May 20

We had SWITCH at the Edmond Campus of LifeChurch.tv tonight and I helped with the check-in process again. I’m getting better at knowing the kids’ names and soon I might actually be able to check them in without asking!

Day 338 - May 21

I covered for one of the girls at the bookstore where I used to work tonight. She called and was in a pinch and I was happy to help her out. She was always so nice when I was there and I was glad she felt okay about calling my out of the blue to ask for help.

Day 339 - May 22

Ryan and I attended a wedding for two of our SWITCH leaders tonight. It was a great event watching them unite in Christ and look forward to what they are going to accomplish together. We took a gift for them and are excited to see them again when they return from the honeymoon. They are missed at SWITCH right now.

Day 340 - May 23

I spent a big chunk of the day cleaning for a get-together on Monday for friends. One of the ladies at the Edmond Campus is leaving the country for the summer and we wanted to send her off with a little party. It’s always good motivation to get the house cleaned when we are having people over.

Day 341 - May 24

I did something completely out of the ordinary and got up this morning to help Ryan at the 8:30am experience in our 5th grade room. What made this so unusual was the early hour I had to get up - not my typical Sunday morning, and working with 5th graders. If you’ve kept up with the past year, you’ll quickly recognize how I lean toward younger kids. I have a lot of experience with kiddos 5 and under, but the older kids are intimidating. It was a fun morning serving with Ryan, though, and I’m glad I got to see him at work.

Day 328 - May 11

Monday, I was supposed to go to Mercy Ministry, but the team that meets this week goes so early and works so fast that I hardly have any reason to go. I spent some time in prayer for folks at the Internet Campus.

Day 329 - May 12

A friend in our LifeGroup had her birthday today, so I got some delicious treats and dipping chocolate to take to LifeGroup. I had a small gift for her, too. I think she felt special.

Day 330 - May 13

I spent the early part of the evening checking kids into the system at SWITCH. Ryan was going to stay for the night, but we had really bad weather coming in. I took off a little early to go “rescue” our freaked out dog.

Day 331 - May 14

One of the things that makes my job at LifeChurch.tv so interesting is the feedback I get from people using our materials in their personal life, at their church or in their community. I got an email from a woman looking for a particular message she had heard. I was unable to help her find the exact message, but we chatted by email back and forth a few times. It turned out to be a great conversation and one of those moments when God allows me to speak into another’s life. She is struggling through some difficulties in her marriage and I was just a listening ear, but also someone who showed compassion and encouragement. I had a response from her tonight saying she was glad to be able to connect to other believers in difficult times. What a cool way to serve someone else today. I’m definitely going to keep her marriage in my prayers, too.

Day 332 - May 15

Ryan has been really great about taking care of the yard this spring. With all the rain we’ve been getting lately, it has been a big job. The one area that constantly gets neglected is the shrubbery and the flower beds. I took a few hours to clean those up and didn’t ask for (much) help from him. It only has to be done once or twice a year, but I like to spare him the hassle of dealing with the shrubs.

Day 333 - May 16

A friend at the church asked me to serve in their infant room during the evening experience. It was a great chance to play and cuddle with some little sweet babies. I would hardly call that serving!

Day 334 - May 17

Spent the early part of the day finishing up a painting for friends. Their boys’ room (they will have 3 in there soon) is now decorated with an awesome mural of planets, planes and spaceships and I love it. I hope they do too. And, some might struggle to call this serving, but I did attend the new “Star Trek” movie with Ryan tonight. Not exactly something I’d normally choose to see, but he wanted to see it pretty badly, and I volunteered to go. Turns out it was pretty good. It was a day full of space themes.

Day 328 - May 11

I recently left off with Day 308 - April 21, and haven’t updated since. Instead of going back and trying to remember everything I’ve done, I decided to re-dedicate myself to blogging for the last “30″ days of this 365 day project. It all began in 2008 on June 11. There are an extra 7 days in here somewhere, so either my dates are wrong (which is most likely the reason) or there are a few extra days in 2009.

Here are some highlights from the past few weeks that really stuck out to me:

Prayed with Terri at the Mercy Ministry single moms’ night the other day. Reminded how grateful I am for a real relationship with Christ. Terri says she prays and that she is grateful for the blessings in her life - her life (attempted suicide once before) and her kids (they’ve been removed from her home 2x before) - but when we talked about her relationship with God, with her Savior, it was clear to me that there wasn’t a real relationship there, as much as an awareness. I was doing my best to encourage her to spend time in the Bible and to seek out answers and hope for her life through God’s living word each day. I really hope it has an impact. I’ll keep praying for her too.

I had an idea after I recently left my appointment at the dentist; they gave me the bag of samples they always do. Instead of taking it inside and losing it in the medicine cabinet, I made up my mind to give it to someone who really needed it. I saw a guy on the corner, and I didn’t have anything else to offer him. He said “God bless you” when I asked if he wanted the toothbrush and paste, and seemed very grateful. Glad I was able to do that and I have ideas about what else to keep in my car.

Ryan and I recently sat down and wrote and mailed Mother’s Day cards to the women in our family. What a great time of reflection about all the love and care they have provided both of us with over the last 30 years. I realized that while I have only my mom left, Ryan has mothers, step-mothers, grandmothers and step-grandmothers galore. What a blessing to have so many amazing women still pouring into our lives.

Ryan and I decided to sell our second car recently to save on the monthly cost of the loan. It all worked out according to God’s plan and we were able to acquire the amount of money we wanted for the car in the end. It has been difficult to adjust to the change, but we have had friends from all over helping us get where we need to be. Recently, Ryan’s team leader left for a trip and gave Ryan his car’s keys for a week! It was such a huge blessing for both of us and to show his gratitude, Ryan has already cleaned out their car for them. I love seeing his generous spirit play out and reflect God’s love in others’ lives.

Day 308 - April 21

I logged in to “Church Online” today at LifeChurch.tv. They recently changed the name from the Internet Campus (which is where I started this LifeChurch.tv journey, as the campus administrator) to Church Online. I don’t really care what they want to call it, I’m still so amazed at the stories and the miraculous things happening all over the world when people discover it. I’ve been serving as a part of the online prayer team and I didn’t have any live requests today. I have been praying over the requests we get throughout the week, and I took a few minutes to lift those people up to God today. I’d also recently been told the story of a former mob member in Ireland who recently discovered church online and was radically changing his life - even returning to face attempted murder charges against him. Amazing what God can do. I can’t wait to hear the end of this guy’s story - or the beginning, whatever God has planned.

As always, we attended LifeGroup tonight, and before we arrived, I was already getting text messages about bringing our leftover birthday cake! It was hilarious. But we wanted to share the rest because we knew we’d eat it if we didn’t. You can’t beat a mint-chocolate chip ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins. So good.