January. How Many Months Does This Month Have???

Does anyone else feel that way? If I judge January by all that has happened, it should be March by now. Likewise, if I judge it by the way January makes me feel … yep, it should be March. As one who runs a non-profit organization, I always underestimate the amount of time that year-end bookkeeping, letters, financial statements, and logistics will take. Although I have made a note in my planner to NOT commit to anything extra in January, I still over-schedule! I clearly do not follow through with my own directives or learn from past experience. Haha! Please don’t misunderstand me. I am Very Happy with how this new year has begun, and even though it’s still January (unbelievable), I’m excited about what God is doing in 2025!

You know that week of glazed-over oblivion between Christmas and the New Year? I always forget how fun the spontaneous gatherings are. Out-of-towners are visiting, schedules are more open, holiday decorations are still up, coffee shops resound with laughter. [Most people feel bloated; nobody wants to cook. There are plenty of leftovers and all the best cookies have been eaten. I call it “cheese ball week” ‘cause that’s how I feel.] But I thoroughly enjoy relaxing with friends, sleeping in, and allowing the season to move through me (as opposed to me conquering it). This new year gifted me with wonderful time with friends. I hope that the peace of the season has overflowed into your January, as well.

Mid-month, about 15 of us gathered to debrief 2024. These debriefs effectively create time to look back, assess, get perspective, and re-calibrate. They are quiet and reflective, personal times. If you are local and would like to participate in a quarterly debrief, the next one is planned for Saturday, April 12, 9 AM – noon, at my home in Loveland. Please let me know if you would like to attend!

I spent three days debriefing a missionary couple in gorgeous Estes Park. January is definitely the time to visit the YMCA grounds (and there I go scheduling something for next January — sheesh). With very few guests, it was quiet, peaceful, and laid back, and as always, the views were stunning. Full time mission ministry can be incredibly challenging. Yes, there are joys to celebrate, and yes, it is a privilege to serve Jesus. But community life, expectations, pace, fund-raising, and carrying the burdens of those to whom we minister (plus cross-cultural living) … it’s a unique kind of “hard”. Debriefs give ministry leaders an opportunity to tell their stories in a safe environment, and time to sit with Jesus and review both the joys and stressors. I’m happy to have already scheduled several for 2025. If you’d like to know more about debriefs, let’s set up a time to talk!

Last week, I visited YWAM Mazatlan, Mexico for a week of teaching on “Heart Purity for the Artist”. Our art students were from five different countries and ranged in age from 15 to 74! Artistic expressions have a way of exposing insecurities, so a week to focus on God’s purification process was convicting, inspiring, and healing. In my free time, I got to take long walks along the coastline, tour one of the YWAM Ships that is docked in Mazatlan, and visit a beautifully situated observatory complete with toucans, iguanas, parrots, and whale skeletons! But wait, there’s more! I also had the privilege of teaching Walk Thru the Old Testament to about 30 staff and students! This highly engaging curriculum is So Much Fun and super effective.

• Please join me in prayer for at least SIX opportunities to teach Walk Thru in 2025! Maybe it’s time for your church or group to host one??? 😊

This week, I get to spend a few days with Kai, my 12-year-old grandson! He’s funny, kind, considerate, super smart, well-read, musically talented, and truthful ~ an absolute delight to be with! While Kai is in school, I’ll be putting the finishing touches on my teaching for a women’s retreat this weekend. The topic? Honor in the Kingdom of God. It will be wonderful to reconnect around God’s Word with dear friends from Eastern Colorado and Wyoming!

That’s about it for now. As we (finally) say good-bye to January, may you confidently walk into February knowing that God — who began a good work in you — WILL carry it on to completion! You can be sure that He WILL eventually work all things together for good because you love Him and daily say ‘Yes!’ to Him.

Grace and peace, Mary Jean

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Ways to partner: Give online at getthewordout.cc/give · Venmo: @Mary Jean Powers / Get the Word Out · By check: Get the Word Out, 4210 Vulcan Creek Dr. Unit 208, Loveland, CO 80538.