Carol Ronning

Just spend an hour with Carol Ronning, and you will be energetically uplifted by the Love spilling out of this stunning Woman of Value. This Southern lady was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1945. Carol’s daddy Raymond was also born in a small town in Arkansas and he worked for the City as a heavy equipment operator.  Carol’s momma Maddie was a happy homemaker who did her best to keep Carol and her elder sister Bonnie dressed to shine no matter their income status.  Carol twinkled “When I was just 3 years old my daddy got saved and our family home literally changed into a “home sweet home”.   For two short years this Christian family lived in a state of bliss. Then just after her sister Bonnie got married and left home, tragedy struck. It was very traumatic for five year old Carol when her papa died.  “Home alone with momma, I remember that my heart would whimper when I overheard women whispering as I passed by ‘that’s the little girl who lost her dad”.  A short time later her mother remarried and her hard working momma began cleaning homes so that she could provide the best she could for her young daughter. Carol shared that she and her mom attended an extremely legalistic church. It was in this congregation that a bond of friendship grew between six people her own age.  Transparently Carol shared ‘I never ever wanted to disappoint my momma, but even though I attended church, I did not hear God's voice, or feel a personal connection with Jesus. “  At age 16 Carol  began dating Jerry. Before they both went off to separate colleges,  they opted to get engaged.  Carol attended “Ouachita Baptist College” and due to lack of funds, she dropped out after her first year.  Laughing Carol giggled “Jerry and I were both emotionally immature when we got married, but who isn’t at age 18”.  Carol recalls that the best thing that came out of her thirteen year marriage to Jerry was their two daughters, Kristen and Stephanie.   After six brief months of marriage, Carol began to experience regular verbal and physical abuse. Her husband’s job kept them on the move and the family ended up in Chicago. Jerry left Carol and the girls so after 13 years of torment,  in 1976 she got a divorce.  Her family wooed her back to Little Rock where she delighted in working for a great Law Firm. When the girls were age 13 and 11, their dad coached them to return to Chicago.  Carol beamed “It was a gift from God to be employed for a Transportation Company. I was the first female employed 

in Chicago for local and national sales. It boosted my confidence as I excelled in my career.”  Through work, Carol met Joseph Sutor and in 1981 they got married and they thrived together in Chicago. After four years of marriage, in 1985 Carol recalls that in the midst of a family crisis, she was home alone, on her knees crying out with her bible open to Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” After all the years of feeling that she could never measure up to the legal definition of being a good Christian, this verse hugged her heart! “While in tears, the Holy Spirit sealed my heart and I wept in the holy Presence of God as His love poured into my soul.”  As empty nesters, in 1999 Joe and Carol moved to Florida and they worked as a team in real estate. “I would get the listings and Joe would find the buyers, but I preferred my career in Transportation.”  Carol’s beloved momma went home to Jesus in 2004 and in her grief she sought and received counseling from Joy Poteet.  “God has never left me, He has been faithful to place the right person in my life to speak Truth when I desperately needed it.”  After living in Florida for eleven years, and for their 25^th wedding anniversary, Joe and Carol came to Lake Chapala to check it out.  The pace of Lakeside refreshed and encouraged them both. They returned to Florida to make arrangements for a major move. While living in Florida Carol read a series of six books by Neta Jackson. Based 

on "The Yada Yada Prayer Group”, Carol was led to begin the first Yada Yada group in Mexico. They quickly sold their home and in 2007 they moved to Ajijic. With her God given gift of hospitality, God brought women from all walks of life to attend monthly meetings in her home.  “God is always at work preparing us in advance for a future we may not have invited. In book one the group gets down, in book 2 they get real, in book  3 they learn tough love, by book 4 they get caught up, an in book 5 they get rolling in their own God ordained ministries. Little did I know how the women in my group would become pillars of faith for me to lean on.” In 2009 Carol’s husband Joe was diagnosed with cancer. After 30 years of marriage, in 2012 Joe went home to Jesus. God is faithful and He knows what we need before we ask, AMEN. “An extraordinary woman from the Yada Yada group stepped into my grief and lifted me up.”  Her sister-in-Christ Amy drove Carol and her dog Stosh to Colorado to be near her daughter Stephanie. “I bought a condo in Colorado, but I missed my life in Mexico.

My daughter was convinced that I needed to join EHarmony and  meet someone.”  With reluctance, Carol joined EHarmony and in 2013 she met Dan Ronning, her current husband. Hallelujah, we are all blessed that this amazing couple trusted God, sold their properties and moved back to Lakeside in 2015.Carol’s life reflects the heart of Jesus for all people.  Her Yada Yada Ministry has been re-established and women from every denomination now meet in her home every 2^nd Wednesday at noon. One scripture that particularly speaks to Carol is “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 During this interview we read “ Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.  To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1 Corin 9:19-22.  Aug 14, 2019 was the final YADA YADA meeting hosted by Carol.

Kathy Hockin

From time to time we all get visited by angels. Most of the time we do not recognize them. Ever since we first had lunch at Paninos, my spirit was in awe. Kathy Hockin operates in such quiet humility that we might miss the awesome gift of His glory in her. As a child, Kathy was called, and she gladly responded, “Yes Lord, here I am use me.” Her parents Alan and Myrtle met, married, and settled in Montrose, Colorado.  Kathy was born on June 14, 1947. She chose to remain in Montrose even though her personal storms have been fierce. She was raised in a home of believers, but her faith grew beyond her Catholic and Lutheran parents. Today, she claims her position in the kingdom as “a child of God.” and looks to Him for His will and guidance.  She is very active in her community with her JEEP CLUB and she participates in Competition Trail Riding.  Jesus gave us His all and then gifted us faith to believe that He goes before us, He dwells within us, He equips us, and He never abandons us. Kathy has been emboldened by the Holy Spirit to pray for patients in hospitals as she lays hands on them in total faith.  She keeps her ears tuned into the Holy Spirit and remains extremely near to her heavenly Father. Kathy was very close to her humble dad and like Allen, she has been generous in her hometown by  distributing groceries to those who have need.   Her mother, Myrtle, came from a family of professionals who all held firm opinions. She honors both her father and mother as God intended.

As our Creator knit Kathy together in her mother’s womb with His grand plan, her purposed breeding has always motivated her to serve. She is a registered nurse with various degrees.  She has worked as an EMT, and also led a local 4H Club for 27 years. Kathy birthed 4 children and adopted two. She has also buried two husbands, and two children. Whether at a mountain top or low valley, Kathy maintains her steadfast trust and belief in God. “When life gets tough, and it does for everyone, that is when you praise God.” Obedient to His Word, Kathy knows that her heavenly Father inhabits her praises. She trusts that He is ever with her, and therefore, she remains fearless! As a Master Gardner, Kathy contends, “When you are on your knees pulling weeds, it’s a good time to talk to God.” Kathy stands and lives in victory! She raised kids and delighted in all the laughter and laundry. She has beaten cancer twice and states “I don’t ever remember not believing in God.” Unafraid, she traveled to Mexico in 2024 to get directions from the Boss on His next move for her. She attends Cowboy Fellowship in Colorado and shines His light wherever she goes. Kathy participated in a recent three day conference at Lakeside which focused on unity and gifting.  We were all blessed as Kathy stood up to read a Word from the Lord she had been given during the conference. ❤️ John 15:1-5 “I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." "You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it MUST remain in the Vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. “I am the Vine; you are the branches." The tiny word IF has great potential IF we obey.  "If you REMAIN in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing." A prayer to ignite your gift

Donna Purselley Marr

In 1952 the world was blessed when Donna was born in Ft Worth, Texas! She and her two sisters come from three generations of proud Texans! Her mother never drove a car or held a job outside the home. She saw her Daddy kiss her Mother twice each day. "Before work and before bed I witnessed the love in their kissing.  Nothing much changed at home. Daddy got off work at 4:00 pm and mother had supper on the table by 4:45 pm. Dishes were being done by 5:00 pm." Daddy loved being a Texan and an Army Veteran. "I was Daddy's girl and he taught me what tool to hand him when he had his head underneath the hood of our pink and grey Chevrolet. I always loved listening to daddy tell his war stories." Donna graduated from Paschal High School in Ft Worth and admits "School was difficult for me!" In 1972 Donna married her first boyfriend right out of high school. They had both been raised in church with Godly parents on both sides. Donna's mother was the church Treasurer, she attended bible studies and baked cakes for all events.   This young couple decided they already had enough church.  They agreed to take part in 1970's and they sampled all the world had to offer. Eventually her husband announced he wanted an open marriage. Donna could not agree to that so she chose divorce. Within a few months she got married to husband #2.  In 1978 John Dear and

Donna produced their first child and named him Scott Dear. When Scott was 2.5 years old, Donna decided that life is too short to live in misery.  "I hated to give up my sweet name Donna Dear, but John proved himself not to be the one for me." Donna winced silly me "I never skipped a Christmas between marriages!" A few months later Mac became husband #3.  After four years of marriage...in 1985 Malcolm Raymond was born. We nicknamed him "Mal" and when he was 2 years old,  Donna then met her current husband. "Ray Marr and I met when we worked across the street from one another. I always wore jeans and boots to work and Ray worked part-time for a country western singer. Ray and his wife invited Mac and Donna to a country concert one night. Soon after that Donna and Ray talked about how unsatisfied they were in their marriages, and one thing led to another. In 1988 they both filed for divorce and flew to Las Vegas and got married. Donna and Ray moved to Cleburne, Texas to begin a new life. After a year or so of marriage, Ray walked into Donna's office and announced "I'm going to turn myself in!" Donna was shocked "For what?". Ray confessed "I've been caught stealing money at work. We have two choices. 1) Pack and run  2) Stay and go to jail."   Donna was adamant "I've got two kids and I will not run!" Ray turned himself in to the local Sheriff and Donna bailed him out. In the meantime, an old drug running buddy of her husband arrived at their door. Ray Hampton stood in their living room and announced "People often say 'looks like you found Jesus, but I tell you the truth, Jesus found me!" Their friend invited Donna and her husband to church on an Easter Sunday.  Both Ray and Donna felt at home among at this Baptist church. Within three weeks they joined and Donna got baptized. With tears flowing Donna recalls

"When I came up out of that water, I looked down into that freezing cold Baptismal and it was filthy dirty with all my sins!" A few months later, as Ray's trial approached, he gave his full testimony and once again, God revealed His amazing grace. Ray says that as he gave his testimony, he could see Donna sinking in her seat. Donna squirmed in fear that this body of believers would sit in judgement. She was shocked to receive so much love after all them heard Ray's raw confession.  "At Ray's trial,  13 people from our church showed up and sat in the back to pray!" God was so merciful to replace Ray's intended known "Hang Judge" with a "Visiting Judge" who reduced the sentence from 15 years in the Huntsville Prison to a probation with a reduced  restitution. Their friend Ray Hampton, who invited them to church... is the preacher who married Donna's son Scott in 2017.  Darling Donna is a woman who 'loves greatly'. She is a woman one can esteem quickly for the mercy she generously bestows! Jesus asked "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ....Therefore, I tell you her many sins have been forgiven - as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves much."  While living in Texas, Ray and Donna both worked 12 hours a day.  Donna worked for United Health Care in the HR department. Because of the stress, she developed extreme psoriasis. The Dermatologist took a biopsy and warned Donna that she needed to make a change as there was no drug to cure her painful condition.  On the way home from the doctor Donna was stuck in traffic for two hours.  She called her boss, then her husband to relate the doctor's prognosis. A week or so later Donna's sister Jeanette came for a visit. She had visited Lakeside for four months and came home tanned, thinner and happy.  In October 2015 Donna turned in her retirement notice. On January 1, 2016 Ray and Donna moved to Lakeside. We came, we saw, we liked, we stayed and we never looked back!  No more meds, stress or psoriasis. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith." Hebrews 12. Donna teaches by her example of oozing joy and grace.  She threw off everything that hindered her ......and I am inspired to do the same!

Jan Hicks

Living life without regret was what Jan Hicks talked about at the Women's Weekly Prayer Breakfast on August 9, 2018. She grabbed us all by the soul as she shared her awesome transformation “in the Lord”. Jan gave her life to Jesus at the age of 42 and today Jan lives a life free of regret. Her book “Crossing2Freedom” has been a life changer for thousands, including me. Consider just how far is the distance from the East to the West. If you begin traveling East to arrive at the West you will never arrive --- as the distance is eternal, it is incalculable. So when God says that He forgave our sins and will remember them know more, and “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 ---- when we embrace this FACT as our truth, we can be FREE to love ourselves, and our neighbors as He loves us. God's unconditional Love continues to accomplish in us and through us. As we accept His forgiveness, we can then forgive ourselves as God already has. Hallelujah ! We can now live without regret for what we may have done…or may not have done! Therefore let us celebrate this day that the Lord has made, and let us rejoice and be glad in it! God promised that he would restore what was lost to us in our wild days! “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten…” Joel 2:25 Let us praise God in all things, the good, the bad and the ugly! “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.” Psalm 71:20 - Oh Lord Jesus, 

Today I want to extend love and light, I want to be more of what you created me to be. Lord, show me how I can issue more love and light into the world around me. Oh Lord thank You for Thy kingdom come unto me, this day, as it is in heaven! “Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love You kept me from the pit of destruction; You have put all my sins behind Your back.” Isaiah 38:16-17  Jan Hicks comes to Lakesie as a friend and teacher at the Wellspring conference at Jucum.  Get to know ALL that the Lord has restored for His purpose.  Be entirely inspired by what our God can do for you. Jan's Amazing Testimony

Dawn Armstrong

Dawn is a precious Japanese flower that was transplanted from Hawaii to Mexico! Her dazzling soul touches many! She is also known for those hurricane force hugs that squeeze the joy right out of you!  She is another Preacher's wife at Lakeside. Dawn was born in Honolulu in 1959.  She has one older brother who lives in Utah, and a younger sister that lives in Hawaii. With a wide smile Dawn shared "God blessed me with awesome parents!  Growing up in Hawaii was more magical than the popular show 'Leave it to Beaver!'  My mother came from Okinawa at the age of 4 to Hawaii. I am so proud of my mom, she studied hard and worked as a nurse for many years. My grandparents on mom's side were exposed to Christianity by a neighbor who took the family to a Salvation Army church. It was astonishing for me to learn that my grandparents deviated from the common Buddhist practices of their culture to a faith in Jesus."  Dawn accepted Jesus as her Savior when she was just 15. "The Truth showed me that my thoughts were not His. Right after I got saved I foolishly dreamed 'I am a Christian now and life will be so easy!' Life took a few hard turns before I obtained my degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Hawaii." For 20 years Dawn blessed many children with her teaching and example of God's mercy and love!  After college Dawn chose to get married.  In 1989 she gave birth to her daughter Kelli , then in 1992 her son Todd was born. Soon after her son was born, Dawn chose to re-dedicate her life to Christ. After seven years of marriage, Dawn and her first husband divorced. For the next four years, this single mom continued to work as the Director of a church Preschool. God had His plans for Dawn and while still living in Hawaii, Dawn met Ken, her current husband.

"Ken was the CEO of Habitat for Humanity and his office space was provided by the church I was working in. In December of 1998 I took my kids around the offices to sing Christmas carols.  I knocked on Ken's office door and when he opened it... I thought 'who was this man?'.  My kids and I sang a few songs and that very night is when our romance began." Ken and Dawn got married in April 2000.  While the family took their time to adjust, in 2001 this newlywed couple moved to Grants Pass, Oregon. Blending her kids with Ken's daughter was difficult as Amanda lived in California. "I had lost my passion for teaching kids and agreed to look after our pastor's mother-in-law.  Well I loved it! For the next 14 years, while living in Oregon, I was fulfilled by a career in Elder Care. Ken became the Associate Pastor in two Oregon congregations and we also conducted a "home church".  In 2005 Ken and Dawn were led to open a coffee house which they named the 'Wildfire Christian Fellowship'. God provided all that was needed, but He was not done with His greater plans for this obedient couple. In 2009 Dawn's dad lost his battle with cancer, but before he went home to Jesus, it was his wish that the family reconcile their differences. "My dad's personal relationship and trust in Jesus gave him peace. John 14: 1-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am." In March of 2016 Ken interviewed to fill a pulpit position in Oregon.  Ken put the word out that he was available for a few months before his new position began. A dear friend from Mexico suggested that Ken fly to Lakeside and preach for 5 weeks.  Ken accepted the invite and flew to Guadalajara by himself.

On the phone with Dawn in Oregon, Ken shared that he felt the call to move and serve in Mexico. "Ken and I had colorful phone discussions and I was absolutely opposed at first! Then against my will, God gave me His peace over the move.  I flew to Mexico for Ken's 5th week of preaching at Little Chapel.  We visited a few small fishing villages and I fell in love with the people and the culture! I found myself saying 'Let's do this!' Ken and Dawn packed 6 giant tubs and their wonder dog Duke into their car and on October 1, 2016 they drove to Mexico.' We make our plans, and the Lord changes them!  What we thought we would be doing has changed many times since we moved to Lakeside." On Mother's Day 2018 Pastor Ken and his beautiful bride Dawn established a nondenominational Christian congregation, "The Lord's Church" which is located in San Antonio, across the street from Panino's.  Dawn has held tightly to the Truth of Jeremiah 29:11. Ever positive, she encourages everyone to "Trust in God, and in His plans.  He never changes, but His plans for us may take us in surprising directions. Our Father shows us a few steps ahead, never all the bumps, twists and turns.  That is where our 'FAITH' comes in.  Today I can honestly say that I have no regrets. My life has been filled with delightful surprises! Two grandchildren and a wonderful, faithful husband who encourages me to be all that God has designed me to be!" Living in Mexico is a new exciting chapter for Ken and Dawn, and while they still maintain a strong connection to their Oregon church "family", they praise God for their new family at Lakeside. The above cutie picture is of Dawn's grand kiddos taken in Sept 2018. A happy Pickles is holding her new baby brother Kolten. "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wing. Psalm 17:8" For certain, with good reason, Dawn is the apple of Ken's eye!  Lord thank You for giving us Dawn to cherish, we see Your reflection of love in her eyes! Dawn and her husband Ken moved back to the USA in May of 2019. We pray for Ken Armstrong as he was called to run for the President of the USA on the Libertarian ticket.

Barbara Hoyle Yada Yada

I am Barbara,  that shameless woman who is always fascinated to listen and marvel about what God has done in the lives of others.  My passion for non-fiction books is second to writing and listening to a good story.  The truth remains, I have yet to hear a life story which did not involve a few unforseen tragedies. In 1951 my mother (an immigrant from Germany) gave birth to her final child. Little Barbie was almost born in the back of a police car in Modesto, California.  My sister Mary and I are only 10 months apart an our older brother Ben was our childhood hero. For my first three years we lived on a chicken ranch, then we moved briefly to San Francisco, and ended up in Stockton where I graduated from Amos Alonzo Stagg Senior High School in 1969.  I have been a gypsy when it comes to moving about the planet.  I married my high school sweetheart in 1970 and our only son Jason was born in 1971. After three years of a rocky marriage, a divorce was filed and my son and I moved to Sacramento.  Looking back,  I lived on the run...in Santa Cruz, Diamond Bar, Manteca, Humble and Corpus Christi, Tx,  New Iberia, Louisiana, Galt and I retired in Mexico.   My lifelong personal quest to get to know Jesus more deeply, more closely, more intimately, is now possible, as I can "be still" at Lakeside.

Praise God, for all things! As I reflect back I recognize the steady holy presence of God. Ever present, always guiding, loving, protecting while teaching me His great ways. In 2019 my understanding blossomed more fully! In January of 2019 a group of 20 wildly diverse women began meeting up for the first ever BSF at a local church in Riberas! It was time to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and what the Holy Spirit revealed was captured in a book entitled  Behind the Curtain. Born and raised Catholic, church was in Latin. At seven years of age, the Spirit led me to sit in the back of a few area churches, alone, to see if God loved the Methodists, Protestants, or Pentecostals. My full testimony is on a link below, but the short version is that God confirmed that He loves all seekers of the Truth. Since moving to Lakeside in 2014, I found it somewhat difficult to connect with people at a soul level, even in the various churches I have attended. We have all boldly moved to a foreign land and we have all left behind close relations. ❤ As women of the living Word, we fully trust that God will replenish all we need to grow "in Him".  Through this Women of Value blog, my prayers have been answered. A fresh bouquet of passionate, adventurous women have transparently and boldly opened up their hearts.. My short life has been an amazing search and rescue mission for Jesus, AMEN! Ask me about the time the FBI was called upon to keep me safe from Jimmy Hoffa and his dangerous thugs!  Or the time I flat lined during surgery and God raised me back to life.  As a young girl I was trained to keep family secrets. I worked hard to present myself as normal and acceptable. One very painful secret was that at the age of 15 my mother ushered me into a private hospital to give birth to a daughter I have named Andrea Marie. The entire outside-of-marriage-pregnancy-and-birth was covered up with trips to a convent for counseling. The nurse put a blanket over my eyes and my first born child was removed from my body never to be seen by me. My mother admonished "we will never speak of this again."  Hushed into secrecy, guilt consumed my soul. Tearful torments filled my nights as I longed to know what family adopted Andrea. As a group leader for a Christian based recovery program, I have learned that very few have escaped childhood without a scar. My mother

concocted the lie that I was to tell. "I had enough credits so I opted to skip the first half of my senior year so I would not miss out on all the fun senior activities." Truth is I was tutored at home during my shame filled pregnancy. With my secret secure, right out of high school I worked for JC Penny, then I served the public as a teller for a bank. I married the father of my first born when I was 19. Our second child was named Jason.  There are too many short stints and twists in my journey to itemize, but looking back, I SEE Jesus ever with me and  I would not change a thing!  My college education was obtained through a series of life and work related hard lessons.  2006 was a hard year while I recovered from a brain anyuresm, my father and ex husband died.  After fallung to the floor at work temporarily paralyzed, I bled internally from a VAD and was rushed to UC Davis Hospital. The medical community reported I should be dead or paralyzed. My heavenly Father had other plans for me. There are more marvelous blessings than tragedies!  I participated in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea as an Ambassador of Goodwill for the USA. By the grace of God  I thrived as a divorced woman for over 30 years until I met Mike, a retired pastor. After six months of dating,  we bravely tied the knot! Obediently, I surrendered my plans to move to Mexico alone and volunteer to  marry Michael Hoyle on November 17, 2012.

Then, as it happens, in March of 2016 my mom died, and in April 2016 my only son Jason died. Hope for other mom's Grieving a child   God has His plan for all of us and He never gives us more than we can handle ALONE.  God knows our past, present and future. I praise God for His ways, and His perfect timing! My heavenly Father knows best and I  needed a man of faith to lean on after I retired in December 2014. My job working for the police department was extremely stressful.  I love living in Mexico and through this blog I hope to connect deeply with Women of Faith.  Words cannot contain my gratitude for all that God has done in me and for me. My full disclosure testimony is on this post written right after retiring.   Denial and Surrender to Jesus.  My hard learned life lesson is that when I face hard situations, that I seek my Father's counsel and trust Him. Historically I can see countless times that I would have been way better off had I sought the counsel of God first before jumping out on a whim!  My prayer: “Lord, help me with how to respond to the person you lead me to talk to this day. Help me to observe You in every situation and give me words to speak, or just poke me in my spirit when I am to just listen and say nothing. Holy Spirit, I proclaim You as my most reliable and loving counselor.  Help me hear Your voice, and embrace Your comfort whenever in need.  I trust You as the Driver and it is my privilege to allow You to lead me.  My miserable failures and goofy choices continue to humble me as experience reminds me to trust God and seek His counsel first. God has placed a few awesome friends in my life who are bold enough to speak the truth in love.  No advice will ever compare, however, to the Spirit of God speaking directly to me. This is why Jesus told His disciples that it was better that He go away to make way for the one coming after Him (John 16:7). In our moments of desperation, He is with us, but He will only come when He is called upon.  He will speak when we are willing to listen and obey His direction." To God be ALL the GLORY for the massive amount of unwasted grace He poured into me. God bless all who have contributed by their brave willingness to be interviewed. YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!!! and VALUED!!!!

Sharlene Rederburg

What an energetic, savvy, witty and fun woman! Sharlene was born in 1955 in the small town of Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Canada.  She says "I was fortunate to live an absolutely charmed life, on a farm with one sister and four brothers." Her father gave her a colt to care for when she was only 9 years old. Her beloved dad taught her many things but the one Sharlene values the most is "If you want something, you must work for it!" This incredible Woman of Value plays hard and works hard. When she was 13, she begged her dad to get her out of the kitchen. She ran the tractor across the field and into her grandma's granary, her punishment? Back to the kitchen! "I am not domestic, and I still will not cook a dish for a potluck!" While in high school Sharlene admits she was highly competitive because she always hoped to make her parents proud. She rode horses and did barrel racing in the 4H club. She competed in figure skating, Curling, softball, swam, played ice hockey and broom ball. Sharlene appreciates the value of TEAM and all the life lessons that being on teams taught her. She sang in every variety nite at school and in her community. Around the kitchen table her parents shared stories from the bible and Sharlene attended Vacation Bible School and was baptized. As a public speaker she riveted the audience with dramatic readings of stories. As a quick learner, Sharlene skipped a grade and graduated early at the

age of 17. As a graduation gift, her brother took her to Calgary to get a job. "It was like a country bumpkin falling off a turnip truck!" While she was working as a telephone operator, she met her first husband. His constant verbal and physical abuse caused this vivacious woman to loose any positive sense of who she was. "You are fat, ugly, stupid and have no friends!" These lies destroyed her confidence. Sharlene recounts "I was not accustomed to failure! Giving up on my marriage was a huge challenge for me and I needed some wise counsel." The green light she got was contained in this truth "It takes greater courage to leave a bad situation than to stay. By staying, you know what you can expect." Sharlene heard that she would be BRAVE to LEAVE. For the next 15 years Sharlene dated a lot while working as a Financial Analyst for the Canada Post. She established and implemented systems to collect data, and did the budgeting. Sharlene loved her job, a place where she knew she was valued and respected. In 1993 a three year relationship ended and

even though she felt "he was not the one", she was devastated by the breakup. "I was dressed in my business suit and heels, walking down the street, at noon... sobbing. Not knowing exactly how, I ended up at the doors of a local church.  I had only been to this church once before to attend a Medieval Feast.  I was desperate for help and the door was locked. That is when I really began hysterically crying. There was a man kneeling in the garden looking at me. I had not passed him, seen him or stepped over him on my walk.  He just seemed to appear and asked "Do you need to get inside?" Yes I sobbed!"  Sharlene entered the church and prayed to God. After a year of church shopping she landed at Meewasian Valley United Church in Saskatoon. Sharlene got involved in women's ministries which included several canoe trips. Sharlene began specifically praying for certain character traits for a life mate. A friend gave her a CREDO for Relationships with Others. "You and I are in a relationship which is important to me, and I want it to be important to you, too. Each of us is a unique person with seperate needs. You have a right to meet your needs, and I have a right to meet mine.

Also, we have the right to our own beliefs and values. I'll respect your rights, and I want you to respect mine. When your actions interfere with my needs, I'll let you know so that you can listen and possibly change. When my actions interfere with your needs, I want you to tell me. Then I'll listen and change if I can. When either of us can't change to meet the other's needs, let's face our conflict and solve it together. I don't want to lose by letting you win, and I don't want to win by making you lose. I want us to find solutions that are acceptable to both of us, so that we both win. By following this Credo, we will like ourselves and each other better, and our relationship will grow stronger."  After reciting specific affirmations for a life mate, in 1995 she met Rob Rederburg. Sharlene shared that she had prayed that God would give her a sign if Rob was the "one" he chose for her.  Well, during a 4 hour telephone conversation Sharlene read her important CREDO to Rob and he shocked her when he told her that he had that same credo framed at home! They got married at their church in Saskatoon on Feb11, 2000.

Sharlene was single from age 25-40 and she had never had children. She put herself on an adoption list to give herself options, knowing it would take years. In the meantime she joined Big Sisters to see if she would like hanging out with kids.  On her own, she decided having kids alone was not for her. Her affirmation/prayer included that the man for her would be a man if he had kids, they would be welcome by me, but that he would not desire anymore kids. Well God answered my prayer and as a result of my marriage to Rob I have been blessed with three stepchildren and a granddaughter. Between them, Rob and Sharlene held 5 jobs which provided little more than an hour a day for one another.  In addition to their crazy busy work schedules they purchased fixer uppers to flip and bank the profits.  Feeling blessed Sharlene boldly questioned God. "Lord can You show me how I can serve You using whatever talents you gave me?" She tells "God responded with a question 'What do you have?" Sharlene thought about her talents and thought 'humor and singing' what can I do with that?"  On the same day she was reading the paper and saw an ad for a Clown School.  Sharlene attended 9 weeks of Clown College and served as a Raggedy Ann Clown at the local hospital for six years.  After 30 years working at the Canada Post, Sharlene retired in February 2011. In May 2012 this hard working couple moved into their custom- built-dream-lakefront-home in Meota. In 2018 God helped them sell all properties and in August 2018 they moved to "Paradise" in Ajijic.  Sharlene loves to sing karaoke, dance and have a good time!  Rob chose to take dance lessons to keep his wife happy and together they won a dance contest in Cuba!    They enjoy meeting new people and contributing in their community at Lakeside. They attend "The Lord's Church" in San Antonio. Sharlene brings lots of love, hope and FUN to Lakeside!