God Showed Me The Rest Of The Puzzle

I had been moving around so much as an adult that I was beginning to feel frustrated and felt that I would never feel at home anywhere. But thanks to two people who never gave up on me, even when I gave them many opportunies to do so, here I am in Decatur, Alabama attending DBC. Larry and Cherie Waye have known me well for 3 1/2 years. When they moved from NY to Decatur, I was eager to visit them. I came here their first weekend in AL. On February 5, 2005, I attended DBC for the first time. Pastor Doug preached a sermon that really hit me hard. It was exactly what I needed to hear, so much in fact that I was embarrassed to be sitting next to Cherie and later that day Larry made a point to say that he had not told Pastor Doug that I was attending church that morning and had not told him what to preach on. Due to that sermon and three discipleship lessons that Cherie and I completed that weekend, I recommitted my life to Christ during the halftime show of the Superbowl. My next Sunday morning at DBC was on May 22, 2005 when Pastor Doug preached on Finding Your Passion for Missions. He also spoke about finding your passion for a career. He said that if you hate your job, you wont act like a Christian in the workplace. During the altar call he also said "Some of you may quit your jobs due to this sermon." Cherie elbowed me and Larry was on stage staring and smiling right at me. Although I did not go to the altar that day, I really wanted to. That evening before I flew back to FL, I told Larry and Cherie I was moving to Decatur and while in the airport, I called my boss and told her I would be quitting.

At the time when I decided to move to Decatur, I thought I had a job opportunity here but that ended up falling through. Still, the signs that God was calling me to this church were overwhelming and I made the comittment to move here with no job opportunities in sight. I do not know where it came from but that move was totally done through faith alone. As it turns out, two weeks after I moved here I had a job interview and accepted a job in Tennessee with a Christian boss. I never cease to thank God for that job knowing that it was all totally Him for how things worked out. The faith that it took to move here has been a huge building block of faith for the future.

Right now I want to thank everyone from DBC for all their prayers, support, and friendship that they have offered me over the past year while I have been here. I have never been at a church that has been more welcoming or loving. During the first few months here people whom I didnt even know would approach me and ask me how my job search was going or how I was transitioning to AL life. People would always tell me that they were praying for me. Finally in January of this year I started going to a new caregroup. From the first day that I visited Daphana Dekoker's table, I could tell the love that Daphana had for all her members and all the love that the women had for each other and for Daphana. I wanted to be part of that so bad but never thought I would fit in. I was constantly in and out of that group and if it weren't for a six month comittment to that group that I made with someone, I never would have stuck it out. But those girls are the most loving people I have met. They have ended up being true friends to me. We have been able to socialize together, they have held me accountable when I have needed it, they have been encouraging and supporting. So, to Daphana's table, I really do want to say thanks for all you have done to pull me into the group. You are an amazing group of women and I am glad I am part of your group. And thanks again to Larry and Cherie. You could have found a great church in another state and told me that is where I should go to find a home church. But you didnt. You supported me in coming to DBC and allowed God to show me the rest of the puzzle. I have never been happier in my life than I am right now. You guys really have changed my life and for you two and everyone else at DBC...you know who you are...I love you guys.


Bethaney Tessitore

Two Praises

Praise One

Katy had two major tests run this week. Both test turned out great. We praise the Lord for answered prayer.

Praise Two

We had over thirty couples attend the resent marriage retreat in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Reports, of how so many marriages were helped, healed, and blessed, have been wonderful. The testimony of our daughter and son-in-law Sunday Night was such a blessing to our hearts. The devil fights so hard to try to destroy the families of pastors that it blesses me and I hope blesses you, to hear of how God is working to bless families.

Doug Ripley

Early Christmas

I am a single mom who depends on monthly child support. I have not received any money for the past seven weeks due to my children's father losing his job. I have been patient and have trusted God to provide, which He has. My children's father started a new job recently and I was expecting my support to start in plenty of time to buy Christmas presents for my kids. However, the court system informed me last Thursday that it would be another four or five weeks until I would start seeing income.

I went to my children's father hoping he would give me the support freely so I could buy some presents. He stated that he didn’t have any extra to give and that he might be getting laid off from his new job soon. Yes, I was anxious and feeling nervous, but from somewhere deep inside I decided to not worry about it, that God was bigger than this issue and that He would provide so that my kids wouldn’t be disappointed Christmas morning.

All along I have been telling my kids that it would be a small Christmas this year. We have been discussing the real meaning of Christmas, and they definitely know that presents are second to Christ, family and friends. The next day at work, one of my co-workers handed me an envelope with $220 in it. Several people had heard that I had received the bad news from the courts and went together to raise some money for us. At first I felt embarrassed and even ashamed. I’m usually on the giving end of the equation, and I’m not used to be on the receiving end. I had to swallow my pride and accepted the gift. Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of money to provide for my children’s needs; but the wants are sometimes unheard of!!

I am thankful to God for providing for us in this way. God works in many ways, one of which is through other Christians and their generous hearts. I feel like I’ve already had Christmas this year, my gift was in receiving love and support from God through His people.

Rachel Wylie