Archives For The Secret to Success is Support

Even the least of them

Renee Ann Smith —  November 23, 2010 — 6 Comments

Today Deb Hunter and Emily Joyce talk about service and giving back. So if you’re an email subscriber, come to the blog and read their stories. You’ll be glad you did!

The Hunter Family

Matthew 25: 40 sums up Jesus’ view of service, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it unto Me.” He promises special rewards for those who meet the needs of the most vulnerable among us. And my first guest has taken Him at His word!

Debbie Hunter and her husband Joe have spent most of their adult years working in ministry. Joe is part of the team at the Christian radio station, Sound of Life in Poughkeepsie, New York. He impacts lives for God as host of the Cup ‘A Joe Morning Show. (You can read his bio here.)

I first met Deb when she was the Administrative Assistant at Northern Dutchess Christian

Deb and Joe with NDCS students

School, where I taught for nineteen years. She’s the kind of gal who is always active in church ministry–usually as a youth leader and part of the worship team. Deb led our students on eight trips with Habitat for Humanity. Joe recently returned from a trip to Ethiopia with Compassion International. I think they’ve taken other short-term mission trips, as well. I’ve lost track at this point!

They have three children: Kelly, 21, who is finishing an Equine Science and Management program at SUNY, Morrisville, Kevin, 16, and Kyle, 15, who are both enjoying high school.

In Deb’s life, God used a bad situation to reveal a new avenue for service: Both Deb and I lost our jobs when NDCS unexpectedly closed its doors in early September of 2008. With her husband in full-time Christian service, Deb has always had to work and panicked at the thought of her five-person family surviving without a second income. But God immediately supplied a temporary job and then provided financially while He allowed her some time at home. He then led her to a new position in a community-based non-for-profit agency.

Deb’s New Opportunity in Her Own Words: Continue Reading…

Get crafty

Renee Ann Smith —  October 31, 2010 — 8 Comments

Here’s another special post for my new friends from the blogging community: The Secret to Success is Support. And all of my regular readers get to enjoy it, too!

I’m not especially crafty, and I don’t knit, crochet, or sew. I do like to bake. But my specialties aren’t usually worthy of entrance in a contest. For example, when I make brownies, I take them out while they’re still mushy—on purpose. But try cutting them like that. Not a pretty sight!

So entering day 2 of the contest at the SITS girls site caused me some consternation. (And like you who visit from the SITS site, I want to win that Canon Rebel T2i!)

Then I hit on something I made this week. Look, I’ll show you . . .

When I flash my camera around my little school

I make SMILES!