LAST LESSONS #153 — STORIES — 3

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Valerie’s story

My name is Valerie. I have been reading your blogs since they began and wanted to thank you. I have purchased books for my edification from your recommendations and had the privilege to purchase books for the new Rafiki School in Florida.

I first came to recognize your name through Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). BSF was fantastic training for me (10 years as a group leader and my favorite—being on the Admin Team) and drastically changed my worldview. In my opinion there is still nothing like it. BSF taught me and disciplined me to pursue God first in the morning and acknowledge Him throughout my day. I remember being in my early 30’s with children and it was difficult. Now that my youngest is 13 it seems unnatural when I begin my day without first going to Him. Oh, how I love Him.

After such incredible training I was then equipped to follow the Lords leading. And lead He did :). What adventures!! The Lord led me to start a woman’s Bible study at my church (First Baptist Church of Brandon) that wasn’t a “book” study but studied The Book. We have since moved from that area, yet I still go back into Brandon to teach this study once a month. The ladies are so hungry for His Word, and I delight in it! He even had me be "at the right place" "at the right time" to be First Baptist Church of Brandon’s Interim Administrator for over 2 years—what a long, fun God story that is—for another time. My life has been packed full of those kinds of God moments, where if I had not been trained to seek Him, to listen to Him, to read about Him— would have missed out on a fulfilling life—full of Him.

At your 94 years, it encourages me that God is never finished with us, He always has something He wants us involved in.

All for His glory,

Valerie

P.S. from Rosemary: I am grateful for the stories that are coming in. They are such a witness to what studying the Bible can do in a person’s life. Don’t worry, if you write an imperfect story, I will edit it! Remember, I was an English teacher.