Family Life

From Jessica

I debated over and over whether or not I should go to the conference. Being a young adult and not knowing if there would be anyone my age, and worrying about what people thought about why I was going and several other things…I just wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. I eventually decided to go, and it must have been the Lord, because I can't really tell you why I decided to go. But I did, and the weekend blessed me more than I can explain. I attended the workshop on faithfulness, and at first I was just like, “yeah, I know all of this.” But as it went on, I realized that in the past few years I have come into a place of knowing but not believing a lot about who God is. I was good at talking the talk. A lot of times you hear that if you say something enough it becomes what you believe. But for me, it was actually that I said it all so much that I fooled myself into thinking I believed it. It completely turned my world upside down. A friend told me later that sometimes we have to be broken so that He can put us back together the correct way, and know fully that He has done it. It’s a mess that He can mold into something so beautiful. And it’s true.

The revelation I received in that workshop was built upon through the whole weekend. The speakers, the worship, the fellowship – all of it was so refreshing, convicting, motivating, and encouraging. I went to the conference feeling like I had somehow missed the call of God on my life. I went, unsure of what I would find, and unsure that it was the right decision to go. In the end, I left the conference in pieces, ready for the Lord to put me back together, for Him to write the story of my life, with a renewed passion for the place He has me in, the courage to face the dangers that are to come, and a confidence that God has created me for a purpose, even for such a time as this.

So, thank you for providing an outlet for God to speak through His people. I pray that the Lord blesses the SALSA Leadership team and Family Life abundantly. Thank you so much for all you do and for all the time and effort you put into the conference and SALSA year-round.

UNTITLED: Stepping Stone

Richard Brennan Miller @2010

I remember the nights, I called out, "Lord why me?"

Trials and tribulations, pain and anguish, what else could there be?

I was confused in my walk, thinking it would be a breeze,

Yet the Bible says nothing about flying through with ease.

You allow us to fall down, then your spirit lifts us up,

Your blessings abound, filling over the brim of my cup.

I stated to those around me, I was completely broke,

But you sent one of your servants, from his heart he spoke.

Telling us of your infinite love, of which there is no measure,

Nothing can compare, certainly no earthly pleasure.

He helped us to laugh, and allowed us to shed tears.

His testimony of the word proving we all have fears,

Yet in the end, one thing remained the same.

Eternity only comes when we believe on your name.

So as I close these words, I speak from my heart,

I hope others will join me in this final part,

A sincere gratitude to Ken, and SALSA for their time.

It set a firm foundation, on which we can climb.

As we move forward, and tomorrow is another day,

May we remember, only through Christ, for there is no other way!

From Bobbi

I just want to thank you and FLN so much for SALSA and the conferences that they host each year, especially the one in which I participated last weekend.  I have been on the SALSA leadership team for 3-1/2 years now and have enjoyed it ever so much.  It has fulfilled a need and desire in me to minister to my single brothers and sisters, a ministry to which God has called me.  I have started 5 different singles groups at 5 different churches over the past several years and have been blessed myself in doing so.  Before I was asked to be on the SALSA leadership team, I had never been to the SALSA Conference as I never felt a need to since I am perfectly content being single, believing I have the gift of singleness.  However, when I was asked to be on the SALSA leadership team, I went to my first conference about 3 years ago in order to fulfill my duties on the team, helping with set up and everything.  I soon found out how much fun it was, getting to know new single brothers and sisters from all over and fellowshipping with them.  The conference also really ministered to me spiritually as well.  I found out that the SALSA conference was not just for going to find a mate but was for going to find new friends and grow in the Lord.  I am very thankful that I became a member of the leadership team so that it kind of forced me to go to the conference and find out what a joy it was to be there.

 It was especially nice to be there last Saturday as it was my birthday and was so wonderful to be with all of them, my extended family, the body of Christ, on my special day.  My elderly mom has a memory problem and does not remember my birthday anymore so it was so nice being with people who do care.

 Since I do not have any other family other than my mom and my sister, when I used to hear about my friends attending their "family reunions", it made me a bit sad and made me really wish that I had a large family in which to participate in a family reunion.  Last year when I went to the All-Singles-Groups picnic hosted by the Single Friends in Christ singles’ group that I had started 4years ago, the thought occurred to me that that singles’ picnic, as well as SALSA’s Walt’s Pond picnic, was just like having a family reunion only with all my single brothers and sisters in Christ.  Cool!

Another thing I decided to do since I have no children and no family other than my elderly mom and my sister was to put FLN in my will to receive part of my estate when I pass on as I really want to be a good steward of the money God has graciously given me.  I know that many people have been blessed by FLN and by SALSA and that my money will definitely be put to good use.

 Anyway, I just wanted to let you know how much SALSA has blessed my life and pray that it continues for many years.  Long live SALSA!  : )

Anonymous

I can only imagine the work that went into such a well planned weekend for us singles. It was my first time and I was encouraged and convicted! Having been born again since 1990 and knowing ABOUT Christ form my "United Methodist church upbringing" but never having been given the Gospel or taught the true character of God, I was not sure what level of faith walk I would experience at a Singles conference (to be honest not to offend). I was pleasantly surprised by your servant hearts and the whole tone of the weekend it was definetly inspired by the Holy Spirit. I want to thank you for your dedication and I know prayers for the weekend. THe blessings are as follows:

THe Lord gave me the courage to come alone (took me out of my confort zone) even with a snow storm(spiritual warfare) at full peak in Rochester. Victory in Him!

The Lord gave me a wonderful room mate which I had prayed about(answered prayer) Yes!

The Lord gave me boldness and a confidence to talk with others that I rarley experience. (Wow CHRIST confidence)

The Lord used me to encourage others in several differnt ways.i.e. During prayer time on Sat. AM no one else in the group prayed I waited after praying over the requests and finally the guy next to me put his hand on my shoulder and said."thank you" it was then that I opened my eyes and realized that everyon ee lse was sitting observing me. That was a little disconcerting but the Lord had me begin to facilitate the groups interactions by asking for intorductions and the like. WOW! at the end of our little discussion THe Lord had me share with the "thank you man" about parenting his 3 children in the Lord. It was an answer to his prayer!

Ken Rudolph was such an example of humility, inspriation, truth and Joy! went home with a contrite heart realizing that I have quite a way to go to truely Desire to live Dangerously for Jesus.

The food was very good. Especially the home made choc. chop cookies Fri. eveening and the cinnamon buns Sunday morning!! Great touch! Makes you feel more at home especially Fri.evening.

Since the conference have been able to share with others already have been able to encourage. inform and share the gospel with 4 women. One who was subbing at school with me that I did not know whose husband is in a Ghandi ministry in the schools (he went to Colgate Divinity School but some how has gotten comprimised in his belief system.

Thank you for having Patti presenting on Faithfulness-possible or impossible. The workshp was was well attended and so driven by the Holy Spirit and her desire to do His will. We so need to expereince others who are called by God who walk out of their comfort zones. Her message gave me more understanding of women who have distorted belief systems do to the wounds they have received in this world of darkness. The Lord brings me single moms to counsel, encourage and teach and I can not always identify with their actions or give them good counsel but now I know more what to do!

The list just goes on and on...

Keep on keeping on with all that the Lord calls you to do in HIs Big Picture for you :)

From Ray

To the salsa leadership team and the management team at family life. First a job well done, shouts of praise for everyone involved. My first retreat ever for mixed singles or any singles as far as that goes. I was really blessed twice because of the retreat. I prayed weeks before, for God to help me out of my safe zone for the retreat, which he did so blessed. He let me fellowship with a great bunch of people who had all different situations in their lives and God let me listen to their strong faith in how he helped them be strong and survive. I have been thinking of the retreat every day since we left and i get these shivers of excitement every time WOW. I feel more at ease out in public thanks to the GREAT WEEKEND. very very good speaker and band.

From Tina

I know I gave a verbal testimony, but would love to reiterate just how wonderful this retreat is: A special place for singles to come together and meet with the Lord and refresh. And as if that is not enough: it is a time of wonderful fellowship and fun all wrapped in one. What a great place for Christian singles to be able to take home so much more than what they come with!! Thank you for the amazing opportunity.