Life begins at 50

Dear Sisters,

This week has been a wonderful and special week in my life. On St. Patrick's Day I turned 50. Many people wish to be younger and are unhappy when they hit the big
50. At 50, I feel that I have finally come in to my own, that I am fulfilling the purpose that God has been preparing me for all my life. I feel complete.

On the evening before my birthday I had a wonderful dinner celebration in Maine with my brother Billy and his wife Dawn which included two of his kids, Sara and Ben along with Devon, Ben's girlfriend. Of course my hubby Phil, Carrie and my mom were there also.

After dinner I had the priviledge of leading a Break the Chains celebration at the Court St. Baptist Church in Auburn, Maine. The women made and sold over $2500 worth of aprons to support the BTC project assisting victims of Human Trafficking. What a wonderful and inspiring group of women.

Today, my church, Trinity Baptist Church, voted to accept my proposal and today we launched a new ministry, "All Hands In" a ministry that will be working on human trafficking issues and it's first project will be to provide a safe house in Boston for trafficking victims. I am so blessed that God would use me and allow me to be a part of this ministry. I ask for your prayers during this time of start-up and preparation of "All Hands In"

So here I am at 50 feeling that God's windows of opportunities are endless and can hardly wait to see where he leads me next. I thank God for the past 50 years and all the events and experiences that have made up my life to date. That make me the person I am and I am proud to continue to be a Women of 50....Destined for God's Purpose.

Blessings,

Barbara

International Women's Day

This past Monday was International Women's Day and I could not pass this opportunity to say that I am thankful for all the women in my life. Women who have been mentors, friends, pastors and family members. You are all so special.

I am particularly thankful to my AB Women's Ministries and AB GIRLS families. These two ministries lift up and empower women and girls. Each has challenged and stretched me to be a woman who is destined for God's purpose. To every Christian woman and girl, I want to challenge you on how can we make a difference in a girl or woman's life who is oppressed. How can we partner with Christian sisters in other countries to support educaton for young girls, give women economic empowerment or provide better health options for women.

Read Nicholas Kristof's column http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/three-proven-steps-to-advance-the-worlds-women-on-international-womens-day/ or read the book, Half te Sky. Think and pray about it.

We are creative and innovative women and if we work together, I believe we can be a part of a larger movement in assisting women out of oppression while modeling the love of Christ.

Step out with me and let us continue to empower women and girls.... destined for God's purpose.

Your Sister in Christ,

Barbara