Thursday, May 19, 2011

A Hope Alive milestone

In a few minutes I’m headed out the door to one of the most exciting events of the year! One of our graduate moms is achieving a milestone for Hope Alive resident women. She is graduating from Frederick Community College this evening with her first college degree!! I say first because she has her sights set on earning a doctorate degree and as determined and motivated as she is I believe she’ll do it!

I know when she and her son came through our doors nearly 3 years ago that she never imagined this day would arrive. At that time she merely dreamed of attending college. Since then, her hard work and determination has been recognized with numerous awards, scholarships and superb grades! Now that she has an associate’s degree under her belt she feels that anything is possible! And beyond that, she has hope of a wonderful and successful future for herself and her family. She'll be the first to give all the credit to God and the wonderful things He has done in her life!

A few of our staff will be present and you can bet we’ll be cheering the loudest as she walks across the stage to receive her degree. You might want to check out our June newsletter as we’re hoping to include a photo with her in cap and gown and what I bet will be a big wide smile! Time to go! Can’t wait! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Hope in the midst of discouragement

The work of this ministry is always challenging and on occasion very discouraging. So a visit I had this past Tuesday with a graduate family was especially uplifting after a difficult weekend.

Last Saturday, one of our resident moms abruptly announced that she and her two young children were leaving the program. We were well aware that this mom had “hit a wall” in the painful work of healing and recovery. This often happens with our resident women as they address the life-controlling issues at the root of their homelessness. The normal response is either “fight” or “flight”. Unfortunately, this particular mother chose “flight”. Needless to say we were all greatly saddened and discouraged at the choice she had made.

Then on Tuesday, I stopped by to visit one of our graduate families. This mom proudly showed me around their new home and really felt it was God ordained that their spacious home was provided so she could help someone else in need. She felt good to be able to give back and help change the life of another. She and her son continue to work hard as they both finish classes this semester. They are on their own and filled with hope and a future.

It’s amazing how God provides hope in the midst of discouragement. I never forget the verse in Joshua 1:9 that I wore around my neck for years as a constant reminder to be strong and courageous and not to be overcome with fear and discouragement because He is with us wherever we go. What an amazing promise that brings light and hope to our lives! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director

Thursday, May 5, 2011

National Day of Prayer

Today is National Day of Prayer – actually the 60th Annual National Day of Prayer! The early morning prayer breakfast I attended (sponsored by One in Christ ministry) provided a focused time in prayer for our nation and leaders and a stirring message by the keynote speaker, Cynthia Dunbar. As an educator and attorney, Ms. Dunbar’s mission is to return our country to the faith of our founding fathers that our government was established on in the constitution and declaration of independence.

A highlight of the morning for me was a comment made that the Maryland International House of Prayer (MIHOP) staff and prayer warriors pray constantly for Hope Alive! We cannot do what God has called us to do without prayer and God’s presence and power in this ministry and our lives. It’s so encouraging to know we are covered in prayer!

By prayer, God sets the captives free and brings hope and healing to every mother and child we serve! By prayer, our resident moms feel there is the promise of a future and new life! By prayer, our families experience God’s unconditional love and acceptance that leads to peace and new hope!

Thank you to all who pray for this ministry and the families we are called to serve. We are grateful to God for the prayer warriors He raises up on our behalf. May you know the God and Father of our nation - the One who sets us free and gives new life through His Son Jesus Christ! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director