It’s Not About Me!

I have been a little quiet these past few months. I am still here I promise! Many have reached out in love to check on me. Thank you. The prayers, texts, phone calls and hugs do not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

I have been pondering lots these past few months since Joe’s stage 4 cancer diagnosis. I have had some pretty intense conversations with God since the first of March. I have begged and pleaded with him to give me details of the journey that lies ahead. I want to know the upcoming details of the journey the most when I allow fear of the unknown to creep in. His answer each time I ask hasn’t changed. “My Daughter, if I were to tell you all the plans that I have for you and Joe on this journey, you couldn’t understand or handle it all now!” Trust me and remember I love you and you are never alone. I am here and I will never leave you nor forsake you. Yes God, I know I really do, but could you please just tell me? Please? And, all I hear him say is soon. Soon, in my little annoyed voice, what does that mean God?

Soon in your time what does that mean? And then it hit me…Susan, It’s not about me! I am asking my questions and being consumed by the “me” thinking. People ask me often how are you doing? How are you dealing with this? I am doing ok and I am dealing one moment at a time. But in reality, the plain and simple truth is that I am just a tiny speck on the big screen of life and only God has the capacity to see all of it. He saw all that came before us and sees all that will come after us, and only He can know the role that each of us can play that will best serve Him and each other.

So what, my life and Joe’s isn’t ideal by our standards right now. But it’s not about me or Joe. It’s about what He can do with our life. It’s about serving Him and each other. I have learned a lot about myself, my faith, and my perspective. Nothing about my life is about me; it’s about who He needs me to be.

And how can I complain about that! So as far as I am concerned, this journey that stretches me beyond what I think is my capacity to be stretched, in reality is a blessing in disguise. Walking into the cancer center allows me to bring His presence into a place of hardship and pain and bring light amongst the darkness. Others can see the smile and God’s love through our linked journeys and most times we do not even have to say anything. They feel God’s presence through a simple act of kindness or a simple hello or a simple smile because in that moment it’s not about me and our journey it’s about being the hands and feet of Jesus in their journey!

When I think of our community I think of Matthew 18:20 when Jesus said, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Community is the people we love and the people that we come into contact with each day. These people that we love are in the community of our hearts and are those who are gathered with God in their hearts. Why and how can that be? Because we all share that common bond of love and belief! We are yoked together whether we are physically together or not. I truly believe that, because I have experienced it big and bold these past few months.

So what’s my point and how does it tie into our Emmaus community? Jesus told us to do this life together, as a community. And because of Him, there are no boundaries. There is only the common bond of belief and love. What are we to do with this common bond of belief and love?…go make disciples! Yep go! Our guest pastor Sunday said he believes there are 6 love languages and the 6th one is obedience. Yep obey…. go make disciples! Go invite our friends and strangers that cross our path to the next Chrysalis journey or the next Walk to Emmaus. Or even better, also do life with them! Invite them to coffee or dinner or to your next reunion group meeting. See their problem and be the answer. And I must pause and remember when they react not the way I feel they should, I should extend grace because remember it’s not about me! Community I love you big and you love us big! Thank you, for my heart is full and the blessings are there daily in the journey.

Updates

We have some exciting Chrysalis news! Our teams for our upcoming Chrysalis journeys are meeting and God is already moving in a mighty way amongst the teams! Young Women’s Journey #43 is fast approaching! August 30-September 2, 2018. Sarah Tucker is the LD. Please invite and send your applications to Kayla Watson 2610 Milwaukee Ave 14A Lubbock, TX 79407 kwatson86@gmail.com

Young Men’s Journey #35 is fasting approaching as well! September 13-16th 2018 Kelton Coleman is the LD. Send your applications to: Jonathan Bloxom 2722 Frankford Ave. Apt. 501 Lubbock, TX 79407 jonathanbloxom@gmail.com 806-632-4764

We will be doing team selections soon for the 2019 journeys. If you want to be pray fully considered to work these journeys please reach out and let us know. We need you and Christ is counting on you!

Fly with Christ,
Susan Gillispie
Chrysalis Community LD
806-789-9049 aspc@sptc.net

Good day Emmaus Community! This is the day the Lord has made and I am grateful I can rejoice in it.

It’s send off day for our Young men’s journey. This weekend is going to be AWEsome! This journey is full and these young men’s lives are going to be changed as they remember and learn more about being the disciples of Christ.

Make plans now to share in this journey. Attend send off tonight at 6:30 then Saturday at 6 pm help bless the Chrysalis ministry by participating in the fajita fundraiser dinner. Plates are $10 and all donations go to sponsor all our caterpillars for these journeys. 35 young men are attending free this weekend because of the Chrysalis scholarship program and your generous contributions.

Right after the fajita dinner then I ask that you walk across the street and allow the Lord to bless you by being a blessing to these caterpillars at candlelight. Come back Sunday at 4 to hear the amazing testimonies that will come from this journey. The team and the Emmaus and Chrysalis boards appreciate your prayers this weekend. Holy Spirit come and fill our hearts!

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

On a personal note Joe and I have been so blessed by all the love, support, texts, meals, and prayers as he walks victoriously through this cancer journey. He is receiving his chemo round 2 today. My personal thanks to the Chrysalis Board and the Emmaus board for all that you have done for us and for stepping in and covering for me this weekend.

Fly with Christ,

Susan Gillispie
Chrysalis Community LD

Consider It All Joy

This is the day the Lord has made, I will BE GLAD AND REJOICE IN IT!

Do I really mean that? Even if the wind and dirt is blowing only how it can in Lubbock, TX? Even if my husband received his first cycle of chemo? Yes, finding joy and peace in all things, is something I have had to faithfully practice moment by moment this past month and then will continue to do so in the days and months ahead. Many of you have been on your knees praying for my family, loving us, feeding us, and supporting us through this new journey we must walk.

March 21st my husband, Joe Gillispie, was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer and yet we can choose to rejoice and we can consider it all joy. The peace that passes all understanding is active and we can experience it as we trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding but in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight. God is with us always even until the end of the world.

Friends, God is Faithful and His works will be displayed through this journey. We are at peace and we are standing on the promises of God.

We have some exciting Chrysalis news! Young Men’s Journey #34 is fasting approaching! May 3-6 2018 and Ryan Rathmann is the LD. We have many signed up but there is still room for more. Send your applications to: Jonathan Bloxom 2722 Frankford Ave. Apt. 501 Lubbock, TX 79407. jonathanbloxom@gmail.com 806-632-4764

That is a weekend that you can participate in, so make plans now! Saturday May 5th at 6 pm at the St. Joseph Hall 21st and Division St. Slaton, TX we will be hosting a Chrysalis Fajita Scholarship Fundraising Dinner. We need your support! All of our caterpillars attend our Chrysalis journeys free of charge and that is because of the fundraising dinners that we host and you support during the year. So please come enjoy food and fellowship and then slide on over to the church for the community candlelight service for the boy’s journey that will be happening at 8 that evening.

Plates are a minimum donation of $10. The raffle drawing will also be held that evening so if you haven’t purchased your raffle tickets yet please see a board member or you may purchase them at the door. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. See any Chrysalis board member to purchase yours. The items that are to be raffled are:

• Savage Arms 10 Savage Ashbury Precision 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle MRSP $1799 (subject to rules and regulation background check)
• Green Mountain Smoker valued up to $1000.
• Various Red Raider Meat packages valued from $200-360
• DE Walt 20Vmax Lithium Ion-4tool Combo Kit
• Relax, Refresh, and Revive Gift Basket includes Two 60 minute Swedish Massages by Ally Mae Massages, $200 Gift Card for a Vision Pro Residential House Cleaning, $200 All Seasons Property Care Gift Card for flower landscaping, total value of gift basket $510.
• $100 Thacker Jewelry Gift Card.

As I close I am reminded this past month why we should teach the young adults the importance of finding a church and being an active part of your church community and your Chrysalis/Emmaus reunion group. They need to know go to the socials and invest in each other. Those early years of going to college together, getting married, having babies, playing t-ball and eating at Chuck E Cheese forms a tight bond and stronghold for things to come. As we grow we might not get to see each other weekly or monthly anymore but what will happen is these Chrysalis and Emmaus relationships’ support and love holds true for a lifetime. Then when the battle comes and your family faces it head on you won’t be alone.

These community relationships truly are bound together through love. My family would not have made it through this past month and the months ahead without this strong bond and love. God’s love active through the body of Christ. So whose young life can you impact for eternity just by inviting them to a Chrysalis or a walk to Emmaus? Don’t waste another moment ask and they will come. I am grateful for these relationships. Let’s share God’s love with those around us.

Fly with Christ,

Susan Gillispie
Chrysalis Community LD
806-789-9049
aspc@sptc.net

Spring Cleaning Our Hearts

March 1 brings a new refreshed excitement in my heart.  My confession to you is that I am not a winter person but I do love spring.  The season of spring is when we as homemakers often get serious about cleaning our house after being cooped up all winter.   I’ve decided my heart needs a bit of a spring cleaning as well.  If I’m honest, and I’m sure the same goes for you, I don’t always like what I see on the inside.  My sinful desires and especially my selfishness cause me to do the very thing I hate.  (Romans 7:15) Thankfully, because of God’s grace, my sins are covered.  While I am justified (made to be right standing with God) though the cross, I am continually being sanctified (made holy) through the working of the Holy Spirit and the living Word of God. This month as spring is blossoming I want to focus daily on Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” It is only through God’s grace and strength that we can fix our heart issues.  Does your heart need a spring cleaning? Are you (and I) as a Priesthood of Believers bearing good fruit?  Have we loved the unloved today?  Have we invited that person that the Holy Spirit has prompted you to invite to the next Walk to Emmaus or Chrysalis?  Let us join together in this prayer as we continue to be servants of God and bring glory to our Savior.  May we say with King David, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Ps 41:7)

We have so many exciting things happening in the Chrysalis community.  About 20 of our youth met for an amazing time of food, fellowship, worship, and communion in the home of Missy Hall.  If you are in the Chrysalis family reunion group and you are not plugging into this monthly fellowship you are truly missing out!  Watch for the details for the next luncheon the end of March on our FB Chrysalis group page.   

Ways you can get involved with Chrysalis…support our raffle ticket fund raiser.  Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.  See any Chrysalis board member to purchase yours.  The items that are to be raffled are: 1. Savage Arms 10 Savage Ashbury Precision 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle MRSP $1799 (subject to rules and regulation background check) 2.  Green Mountain Smoker valued up to $1000.  3. Various Red Raider Meat packages valued from $200-360 4.  DE Walt 20Vmax Lithium Ion-4tool Combo Kit 5.  Relax, Refresh, and Revive Gift Basket includes Two 60 minute Swedish Massages by Ally Mae Massages, $200 Gift Card for a Vision Pro Residential House Cleaning, $200 All Seasons Property Care Gift Card for flower landscaping, total value of gift basket $510.  6.  $100 Thacker Jewelry Gift Card.   The drawing will be held at our Spring Cook out Fundraiser Saturday May 5^th right before the boys Chrysalis Candlelight.  More details to follow.  All proceeds from our fundraisers go to scholarship all of our caterpillars. 

Please pray for our upcoming journeys.  Teams are being selected and are meeting.  We need you to invite and sponsor your young men and women ages 18-24 2018 Journey dates are as follows:

Young Men’s Journey #34 May 3-6 2018 Ryan Rathmann LD

Young Women’s Journey #43 August 30-Sept 2, 2018 Sarah Tucker LD

Young Men’s Journey #35 September 13-16, 2018 Kelton Coleman LD

If you haven’t worked a Chrysalis you are missing out on a huge blessing.  Would you like to be a part of our team selection database?  Contact me so I can add your name.  Are you a prayer warrior and prayer is your passion or you’re wanting it to be?  Then contact me to be added to our prayer team selection database.  I look forward to spring cleaning my heart and watching God actively work in and through this Emmaus community.  Spring forth my friends.

Fly with Christ,

Susan Gillispie
Chrysalis Community LD
806-789-9049
aspc@sptc.net

Hello Emmaus Community,

Happy New Year! Let me introduce myself. I am Susan Gillispie and I have the blessing of serving you this year as the Chrysalis LD. I have been married to Joe for 29 years and we have 3 sons, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and the cutest granddaughter on the planet! We own a landscaping/lawn business here in Lubbock and that keeps me on my toes most days.

As I sit here at my desk on this January 1st I am reflecting on this past year and looking forward to this New Year. I hesitate to make the typical list of resolutions as I have done in the past. You know the typical lose 30 pounds and get healthy, read the Bible in a year, declutter my drawers, etc. Why you might ask….because I always seem to fail at them before February 1st. But I do want change this year…I want change but what should that look like and how do I make those changes? What is it really that needs to change in my life?

That’s a hard question but no doubt one that God has already answered for me. It’s really neat to see how God will speak to you; maybe it’s through a sermon; through prayer; through a silly Facebook quiz you know the one from Dayspring asking what your 2018 word will be; and of course, through his Word. Over the past few days all of that has led me to this phrase of change for me; Simple Humility.

I hear God telling me simplify. It’s more than a to do list to check off. The answer is so simple I have missed it. I was reminded yesterday from my pastor that the best way to embrace the New Year is to grasp the One Thing…Psalms 27:4 says One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Simply behold and gaze on the beauty of the Lord. How? Simply by seeking Him, abiding in Him, beholding Him, and believing Him. Why? So that I may see Jesus as He is and see everything else through Him.

So where does the humility part come in…I haven’t always been a huge fan of that word then I looked up the biblical definition of the word. Oy! The biblical definition of humility is living in total submission to God. Simply, I need to get myself out of the way. Everything we want or ever need is in Him. All our answers to our problems are in Him. Simple humility. He is the answer to every resolution I could try to commit to.

So what change does Susan need to make this 2018? Simple Humility. Simply live each moment in the submission and awe of my God and his beauty. My pastor is beginning a new sermon series next week and I am super excited about it. It’s titled Soul-tending. And when I read the scripture reference for the series I got ultra-excited. Maybe it’s because of the landscaping reference and that being my profession but really it’s simply because I am excited about walking this 2018 in simple humility and ready to see the growth God has for me and for you. James 1:21 (Msg) In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.

Join us in praying over the Young Women’s Chrysalis #42 that starts this Thursday evening. Join us for sendoff, Community meeting, and Saturday for Candlelight. I am excited to see the soul tending that God is going to produce in each of these team members and caterpillars.

Fly with Christ,
Susan Gillispie