Please Pray...

For the Team:
• Work together well
• Put one another’s preferences before our own
• Energy, health, and safety
• Be an encouragement to these families
• Flexibility and sensitivity to how God is working
For me, personally:
• Lord will prepare my heart and make me sensitive to kids’ needs as I plan to share 4+ Bible lessons with 35+ elementary kids.
• God would meet these kids’ where they need it most (they come from all over the globe!)
• God will use this trip for future guidance/direction

Philippines...here I come!

Dear Family and Friends:

I would like to share with you an exciting opportunity the Lord has given me to serve short-term in the Philippines this coming January. I will be traveling with a team of about 8 people to Manila, Philippines on December 30th and arriving back in the states on January 13th. My team from Jerome Prairie Bible Church (Grants Pass, OR) will be leading a program for the children and teens at the Philippines’ New Tribes Mission’s (NTM) Annual Conference.

Over 70 missionary families serve with NTM in the Philippines in 10+ different countries, working together to reach many unreached people groups with the gospel of Jesus Christ. These missionaries look forward to this conference for a time of fellowship and encouragement; updates and mission business matters; and teaching from the Word of God.

Let’s talk about the kids and teen programs! About 80 kids and teens will be attending this conference. They come from a variety of living situations like home schooling in remote tribal villages to attending schools for missionary children in the city. I will helping to lead the children’s program (K-5th Grades/4 hours each day), which will be similar to a Vacation Bible School with Bible lessons, crafts, sports, and fun!

There will also be plenty of time to interact with the missionaries at the conference. I look forward to getting to know these missionary families and hear what God is doing in the Philippines through this important work! Our team’s prayer is that the Lord will work through us to encourage these missionaries and their children during this week.

After the conference week, our team will travel to the Agta village (north of Manilla) to get a glimpse of how missionaries live and work in a remote tribe! This is particularly exciting for me as I have been asked by Jared and Bana Major to consider living with them and teaching their children while they minister to the Agta tribe next year. They have 3 girls ages 7, 4, and 2, and one baby boy on the way! The Major family has spent the past 8 years preparing to live and work among the Agta people, and plan to move into the tribe during the Spring of 2012. Having a teacher for their children will free them up to learn the language and culture, as well as assist with medical needs (Bana’s job primarily). I do not know when I will go or for how long, but this short trip will hopefully give me a better picture of that possibility. Please pray with me about this! You can check out the Major’s website at http://majortribe.com/.

I am inviting you to support me in the call the God has given me to serve by one of the following ways:
• Please PRAY for me and the team! Pray for the missionary families who will be attending the conference and for the people they serve in the Philippines. Pray also for me, for health and protection on the trip, for my effectiveness in ministry and the things God desires to teach me through this experience. Pray that I will find the financial support to make this trip possible. Pray especially that I will return with a real vision to share with the others in the United States.
• Consider giving financially toward this trip. The total cost of the trip is $1800 per person. Jerome Prairie Bible Church is committing to raise half of the expense. It is my responsibility to raise the remaining $900. I am trusting God to move in people’s hearts, leading them to donate toward this missions’ trip. If you feel you would like to participate in this way, please:
a. Make a check payable to Jerome Prairie Bible Church
b. Write “Philippines Mission Trip – Mary Cunningham” on the memo line or include a note with my name on it.
c. Send your check to Jerome Prairie Bible Church at the address below:
2564 Walnut Ave.
Grants Pass, OR 97527
Your gift is tax-deductible and JPBC will send you an acknowledgment.

Thank you for taking the time to consider being a part of this exciting opportunity! Whether you are able to give financially or not, please pray for me from December 30th, 2011 through January 13th, 2012. I will be posting stories and pictures on my blog after I return: http://merry4jesus.blogspot.com/.

Looking forward to what God is going to do,

Mary Cunningham

Pictures of 5th Grade

I've been wanting to show people pictures of my AWESOME 5th graders from last year. I've finally put some up to share with you a little of the fun times we had! Hope you can see what stellar students I had! :)

This picture is particularly unique because my class is coloring the VICE PRINCIPAL's head with markers! :) He is a fun guy and yes, it did come off.

Finding A Resting Place

“Wait on the Lord” ~ In the past, when I’ve seen this verse posted on someone’s Face Book status or shared in a Bible study, it was used to refer to a girl or guy waiting on the LORD for that perfect someone. While I think that kind of “waiting on the LORD” is legit, I believe God has helped me to discover a deeper meaning to this phrase.

What God taught me during these short summer months stemmed from my mother’s life of calmness, peace and steadiness.

At the beginning of this summer, I knew I needed to take some time just to relax and do nothing! After my first year of teaching (which I enjoyed SO much), my mom passing away, and going through a couple different jobs - all in one year – I knew it was time to mentally “chill out.”

I’d like to share with you a couple things God taught me through this process.

First of all, he told me to LISTEN MORE & TALK LESS. This one kind of makes me laugh, because if you know me, you know I’m a very social person and love to talk. At the same time, I’ve had a lot of jobs that require I be the one in front, doing the talking! Reaching out to new people, training teachers how to teach, communicating to churches about God’s work among kids, and helping students to grasp new concepts are all examples of me talking for my job!

However, God wanted me to take some time out from talking and to simply listen! My mom is a HUGE example to me on this one. The picture that God brought to mind was a large, gentle, yet firm hand (God’s hand) being held out towards my mouth: get the picture?

It’s amazing the difference it makes to quietly listen to others instead of talking to fill in the gaps of quiet time.

Another lesson God spoke to me about was BE STILL. Do you ever feel like you are constantly anxious, worried or stressed out? Well, that was me.

This stillness refers to the most inner person of my being – my soul. No, this is not equivalent to the Buddhist idea of “inner peace” as seen in Kung Fu Panda II. Rather, this peace comes from BEING in a QUIET PLACE of rest, away from the business of life, and letting God deal with those deep heart issues. One by one, he will strip away the real heart issues as you let Him. This may be hard to do if you have a million commitments! But can I suggest one thing? If you feel you are needing to do this….you may need to step away from some of your commitments. People CAN go on without you, believe it or not!

One thing I noticed after I let God deal with my soul in this way, was a quietness/calmness that came with me wherever I went, not just in that quiet place.

Anyone who works with kids or has kids knows how things can get really crazy sometimes! However, when I think about my mom raising her 9 children, I do not think of a frazzled woman grasping at time and constantly overwhelmed about life, like you often see in movies. Yes, she had her moments of frustration and feeling inadequate for the tasks at hand, but those were few and far between compared to the calmness and quietness of soul she possessed. This year, during my first year of teaching, I really thought about this character trait in general!

From what I have observed, my mom gained this peace by:

1. Giving her cares to Jesus on a daily and even moment by moment basis

Being in constant communication with Him rather than people.

2. Letting go of her control and letting God do what He wants to do!

3. Being flexible

I know I have just discovered the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the lesson of QUIETING MY SOUL. However, I hope this bit of honest sharing blesses your life in some way today!

One Month Since Mom's Home-Going: March 6, 2010

Today marks one month (to the day) when my mom went home to be with the Lord. She took her last breath at 5:25am on February 6th, 2010.

Here are my words/thoughts to mom today, "From our point of view, we miss you sooo much, mom! But from your perspective, you have enjoyed every day of this month in perfect Heaven, and its as if no time has passed to you. What a day that will be when we get to meet up with you:)"

Hailey's Poem

On days like today, I really miss my mom! It just doesn't seem real that she is not here anymore to be a part of our lives. People have told me that over time we will miss her more, and that is very true.

So, on days like today, I pull out the letter, cards, and in this case, poems, people have written to us during our loss. Here is a poem I must share with you, written by one of my 5th grade students. Beware, its a tear-jerker!

From: Hailey, For Miss Cunningham

"Your family [is] sweet your family [is] nice

why does your mom have to go?

Now she had to go I'm so sorry!

Well, Lord wants her up [to] glory

She's going to have a funeral pretty soon now

I'm glad I got to meet her so young and so sweet

When I go up to Heaven I would like to see her

but also now she is an angle, happy and so loveable

Well it is going to take a while to cheer up

but God is with your family now

he is going to love all your hearts.

Your heart is saved."

Thank you Hailey!

Service to Celebrate Mom's Life:

A service to celebrate Pam’s life is scheduled at 4:00 PM this coming Friday February 11th at the Jerome Prairie Bible Church, 2564 Walnut Ave., Grants Pass, OR. A potluck dinner is to follow.

If you are not able to attend the service for my mom on Friday, you can watch it life at:
www.digitalvibemusic.com/live_event.html

Precious Moments: the Morning my Mom saw the Face of Jesus:)

Psalm 116:15says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants."

The morning that the Lord took my mom home to be with him was truly an amazing, beautiful, and peaceful experience!

I woke up to my alarm going off at 4:25am, the reminder that it was time to give mom her meds. My sister Joy was already sitting by mom's side. She told me that mom was having very unusual breathing and her touch was beginning to be cold: we knew things were getting close. After waking up Dad and calling hospice, we were told that mom had 3 minutes to 3 hours left. All of the family gathered around mom, and Geni Shields came over. Dan recieved my text message (that was a miracle in itself: he was staying at a house with no cell/internet connection, but had been able to get a small signal). John and Kenize were not there yet.

It was not the scary, sad experience that I/we had thought it would be; rather, a uniquely peaceful experience. Dad began to read some Bible verses and prayed with mom one last time. He told her how much he loved her and how she would be immensely missed! Josh was serenading mom on the piano; she always loved Josh's music, and it calmed and quieted her heart many a time.

Dad was reading the 23rd Psalm to the family, Joy and Dan were keeping track of her breathing and pulse. Just as Dad got to the end of the Psalm, "...And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever," mom took her last breath. In that same moment, John and Kenzie came through the living room door and walked in to hear Dan say, "That was it! She's gone."

What followed was moments of peace and awe, mixed with tears. The most amazing thing of all was mom's face a few minutes later. She was smiling! Just a few minutes earlier, she had no smile on her face, but in that moment, she had the smile of a child who was seeing Daddy after a long time. That smile has given me an extra measure of faith that mom saw Jesus right then and there as her soul left earth and entered the glorious presence of Jesus!

A Time to Say Goodbye

Over the course of the past few days, we confirmed with hospice that mom's time is near. So much has happened so quickly these past two days. She is now unresponsive and we are expecting that our time with her is probably 24 hours or less.

Last night, Pastor James and Suzie came over to lead our family through a time of releasing mom. I know this might sound a little strange, but it was actually really good. We all took our time to say our last words to mom, tell her we love her, and let her know its ok for her to go. I know each of us will cherish that time of closeness and sharing together, forever. We don't know if mom heard us or not, because she was unresponsive. However, as I have said before, many people can still hear while in an unresponsive state. There were some signs that she heard us. To everyone present, she was the center of attention, and definitely heard us!

Thank you for your prayers. We know our time of grief has only begun. Yet, God remains faithful and good, right? The Cunninghams send their appreciation and love to everyone of you!

A Theme of JOY :)

Yes, a Theme of Joy has emerged in the face of a tragedy. "What an oxymoron!" You may be thinking. "That isn't the word I would think of when pondering the death of someone I love so much." But, yes, it's true. Throughout the past few weeks, God has been repeatedly bringing this theme to mind.

Just the other night, I randomly opened my Bible to Psalms 98-100. As I read, the apparent theme of each psalms was... Joy! The next day, a teacher/friend from New Hope emailed Psalm 100 to me, as her class was beginning to do some work with that passage and she thought it would be encouraging for me.

Psalm 100

^1" Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

² Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

³ Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

The week before I left to stay home with mom, God brought this theme to mind in my classroom. That particular day, I asked my students to share different Bible verses and songs throughout the day that had to do with joy. I am blessed with a class that likes to participate. We were not short of songs and verses!

So how can a person have joy in a trial? If one's heart trusts in the Lord, there is hope and a future...a wonderfully, unfathomable future! Death is not the end, but a beginning. Trust me, I don't even begin to understand this, but I know it is true for my mom. And God does give joy in sorrow.

I am not trying to say that I never have a sad day or cry. Rather, knowing Jesus brings joy in the midst of sorrow. It helps us to keep our heads up and move on...towards hope.

Isaiah 61:3

"...and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor."

This, my friends, is a glimpse of Heaven!

Mid-Week Update:

Its been a few days since I've posted, so I will give you a generic overview of how mom is doing. On Tuesday and Wednesday, she was eating still, yet less every day. She is taking in very little fluids as well. Her nurse encouraged her to stay near the bed, but she is a very determined lady and has wanted to come out to the living room to be near her family (with help, of course) on Tuesday and Wednesday. Today (Thursday) she is staying in her bed and we are coming to her.

She has been napping more and more, waking up here and there. Some people have told me that when a person is towards the end, they are still able to hear what is going on, even though it looks like they are sleeping, or not able to verbally communicate. That has been true of Mom! She is pretty aware of what is going on and will join in conversation here and there. When she speaks it is getting harder to understand her.

It's been so good to be here with her, even though every day we see her fade away a little more.

Monday

Today's post is, earthly speaking, on the downside. Mom's nurse came to see how she was doing. Things have began to decline more rapidly, as we had seen over the weekend. She is loosing her appetite, very weak and frail, and very sleepy. She cannot walk around the house without someone helping her.

A hospital bed was delivered today. She will hopefully be more comfortable in a movable, self-programed bed. So far, she has slept soundly in it!

A couple highlights from the weekend:

#1) Having Terry and Betty Edwards visit from Central Oregon! They are always an encouragement to my family:).

#2) Eating delicious meals from amazing people! Meals from Shan Creek Church, Jerome Prairie and other visitors keep coming. Brandi and I were just talking about how long it has been since the last time someone in the house cooked dinner. I think we have all gained a pound or two, or five... Just for the info: Carrie Lundsberg makes the BEST ravioli soup! Delicious! Thank you everyone, for your kindness.

Friday...Trip to the Beach!

Update on Mom: She was resting more today, but was also able to get up and walk around some. She has been taking both a morning and afternoon nap. She had a great day with her grandgirls. Morgan almost pulled herself to a standing position today!

Today it was time to take a break, and travel along the coast to the girls' basketball game! John, Kenzie, Eli and I took our time driving to Brookings where we stopped for lunch at the harbor. It was such a beautiful day for a drive and the beach was gorgeous! We had some time to walk along the beach and climb through rocks. Eli and John, those crazy monkeys, climbed up a humongous rock. I tried to follow them, but... I am not as daring...:) We found the tunnel that Kenzie "discovered" a few years ago while she and John were at the coast. I think she's going to be famous someday! lol:)

It was fun to be at a game with Eli and Noah again. Those guys cheer really loud! The funniest thing was when John cheered for Lydia and it turned out to be Cathy - lol! The Varsity girls were ahead until half-time, but unfortunately, they lost by 7 points in the last quarter. Bummer! Lydia told me that the JV girls won; yay!

For dinner, we had to turn around twice to make up our minds where we wanted to eat dinner. We settled for a pizza place in Bandon that turned out to be really good.

It made for a long day, but, all-in-all, a very relazing, fun day!

You're Beautiful by Phil Wickham

Two Monday's ago, Josh videotaped mom dancing with John to the song, "You're Beautiful" by Phil Wickham. Since mom won't be here for the wedding, John wanted to make sure he got a chance to dance with her. I don't think he could have picked a better song! Talk about an emotional moment. We have been singing this song ever since!

You're Beautiful
by Phil Wickham

I see your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say... You’re Beautiful

I see your pow’r in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
Its all proclaiming who you are... You’re beautiful

I see you there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now you are setting on your heavenly throne
Soon you will be coming home... You’re Beautiful

When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing... You’re Beautiful

Thursday Morning ...

This morning, I read an email from a wonderful friend up in Falls City, OR. Kathy is a mother of 9 children as well, and was my adopted mom while I lived and worked up there (she still is!). She shared a few things that she would like to see at the end of her life: her children singing praise songs, reading the Bible, praying, and talking about Heaven together. As I shared the email with mom, we thought about how God has allowed us to do all of those things! We look forward to talking more about what Heaven will be like and what she will get to do up there. For the believer, death is not a "goodbye," but a "See you later!" Because time is different up there, it's only going to be a short while before we will be reunited with her. What a fabulous hope we have through Jesus Christ!

Our conversation with family this morning centered around Heaven. I asked mom what she was looking forward to in Heaven. "To get to see so many people that will be there." What is thing you are looking forward to the most? "To see Jesus," she said with a smile.

1 Peter 1 fits so perfectly with my mom's life and standing with the Lord. We read this passage this morning (brackets are added):

"[Pam], an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of [Grants Pass, Oregon and abroad] who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls...

"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Mom has not had the strong pain in her side like she did earlier this week. She was alert this morning, even enough that Dan was able to videotape her talking alot about her childhood and life.

Wednesday

Mom was getting up and walking around more this morning. She was not in a lot of pain today - Praise God! Mom and Dad enjoyed a nice visit from Pastor Guy and Geni Shields. Geni, or Nurse Geni as we like to call her, has been such an encouragement through this whole endeavor. At lunch time, mom was getting really tired. She is such a determined woman: even when she is tired, she doesn't want to miss out. She will stay up as long as she can, before her eyes start to close. She took a nice semi-long nap and got dressed up for dinner. We had a delicious dinner from Jean Ingels: spagetti caserole! Almost every night for the past 1 1/2 weeks, we have been blown away with yummy dinners from gracious friends. Thanks you guys!

Some days I am reminded of how much we do need her, like today.

Tuesday

Mom had a fairly good day today! She began the day with more pain in her right side (tumor is squishing her lung somewhat), and had difficulty sleeping last night due to the pain. After calling Hospice, we were able to figure out some things to do for the pain. She was very mentally alert today:) Mom and I read through some of her cards, emails and Facebook messages together. She was doing a great job reading the cards, but toward the end, she rested while I read.

We had two visitors this morning and a few in the evening.

Tonight we were really blessed (can't think of a better word!) to be all together for Bible reading and prayer before going our separate ways. Dad read Revelation 21-22 to focus our attention on what Heaven is going to be like (the New Heaven and Earth that God will set up someday, but still has similar characteristics to the immediate Heaven). It was so cool to talk together with mom about what she is going to be experiencing so very soon! No more tears, pain, but instead the glory of God! Infathomable. Mom is going to run around with some of her dear friends who have gone before and praise God with all of her might! Now that makes me smile:)

After Bible reading, we all took turns praying around the room. Prayer is such a great gift from God. For one thing, each person, and the group as a whole is communicating to God. Prayer also helps us to see what is really going on in the other person's heart, and bringing it before the Lord. Prayers for mom included: lessened pain, her heart to be focussed steadily on Heaven, peace and comfort, more time with her, seizing the time left with her, and thanking the Lord for the time He has given us with her.

One more thing: Although it has been very hard to see my mom's health fade every day, I am SO thankful to be able to spend this precious time with her and family. I cannot imagine how hard it would be to loose someone right away. We have the chance to be prepared...and to tell her how wonderful she is, one more time.

Monday: Mom began the week with a nice late morning of sleeping in, which actually had us worried. Although we thought perhaps she had taken too many meds the night before, it turned out she was ok, and felt more relaxed on Monday:). She looked so beautiful in the new pink shirt I got her. One of the beautiful blessings of this week for mom, has been having her precious grandgirls here! Eliana and Morgan are always so busy. Morgan just learned how to crawl and has been super excited to make her bouncing moves around the living room. Mom enjoyed sitting in her new easy chair (given by the Kenzie's parents! Thanks Heisners!) and watching her grandchildren play. She has been able to hold Morgan, and that happy little girl is very content in her lap!

Mom Cunningham

Many of you have been checking in about mom throughout the past few weeks when notice was given that her health is failing because of metastasized breast cancer in the liver. I cannot even tell you what an encouragement that has been to my family and me!

Because my family and I know so many people who love mom and want to know how she was doing, I thought I'd go ahead and post updates on a daily basis.

THIS WEEK:

Over the weekend, mom and family enjoyed many visitors. Jeepers, people have been so kind, always bringing flowers and/or cards for mom, and lots and lots of food! I know mom enjoys every visitor and is feeling especially loved these days. Thanks you guys! Mom did her best to be there for every visitor. By the end of the day though, she was tired!

Sunday was a great day to be at home with family. Mom was in more apparent pain today, but was low on a med., so hadn't been taking the usual amount. Joy, Dan and I drove to Cindy's to pick up the med, and decided to take a detour to Albertsons and Dutch Bros (random detail - lol).