|
W O R D S A T T H E W E L L
Last week, I had the privilege of attending Sondays as a cabin mom. The crazy thing is that it was my first time to attend youth camp – EVER! Wild, huh? I never went to youth camp as a kid or teenager, so it was a huge blessing to attend camp with my three oldest kids, spending the week worshipping, listening to God’s Word being preached, praying, and having fun.
Everyone has their own takeaway from camp, and I am no exception. On Thursday morning we all attended the Concert of Prayer, a two-hour service filled with worship and prayer. It’s an emotional time as students bring their pain to God and rely on one another for support. It’s raw and real and overwhelming at times. As a self-proclaimed, “fixer,” it was difficult for me to listen to so many kids’ heartbreaking stories, and then offer them “only” prayer. I wanted to offer them what I perceived to be “more”: resources, books, counseling. Yet, in that moment, we were simply called to pray.
A couple days later, when I was back at home, freshly showered and rested, I talked to my own kids about their experience at the Concert of Prayer. My daughter told me exactly what I needed to hear. “Mom, sometimes you’re not supposed to fix it. Sometimes you’re just supposed to pray. All you ever wanna do is ‘do, do do.’” Ouch. It hurts when your kids point out your flaws.
But she was right. The point of Concert of Prayer wasn’t for me to fix anyone. The point was to pray. And to show students that prayer is the most powerful thing we can do when we are hurting, scared, tired, worried, and alone. Prayer isn’t the last thing we do—it’s the first thing. Prayer isn’t one of the things, it’s the best thing. Prayer is always enough.
I challenge you this week—whatever you are struggling with—stop thinking about it, stop talking about, and stop worrying about it. Instead, start praying about. And watch what God does.
When you call me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. - Jeremiah 29:12
|
|
|
W O M E N A T T H E W E L L
E M I L Y M A R T I N
Family
I am married to Ryan Martin, my best friend and husband. My wonderful parents are Jim and Sharon Faulk; they were FW members between ‘87-‘97 and brought me to FW on every trip to Waco throughout my childhood! Grace and Carly Faulk are my greatest joy and younger sisters. Teddy is our eight-year-old goofball of a dog.
How long have you lived in Waco; been a member of FW?
I was actually born in Waco, but my family moved when I was three years old. We returned to Waco often, and I even attended FW Chi Alpha while we lived out of state, but I permanently returned to Texas to attend Baylor in 2012. I attended Baylor and returned to Waco in 2017 to work for Baylor University. There was a year of remote work in McKinney in 2019 to cut the long distance while my husband and I were dating, but I have been back since July of 2020. I've been attending FW since 2017! Oddly enough, Ryan and I are not actually official members, but that's our next step when life calms down a little bit!
Describe your perfect day.
My perfect average day would begin with sleeping in, followed by weightlifting at Train Waco and a quick lunch at Franklin Ave Mac House, some shopping at Home Goods, Target, and Hobby Lobby! I would then grab some Crumble cookies to make a little charcuterie cookie board after dinner! This would be followed by heading home to snuggle with my pup, Teddy, and make a snazzy spaghetti dinner with my husband in our tiny kitchen. After dinner, we’d all hop on the couch to end the evening with a new episode of Only Murders in the Building or New Girl (our current favorites)!
If we’re referring to a perfect day overall (besides our wedding), I’d have to say wandering in the heart of Florence, Italy with Ryan to enjoy delicious food, a different and rich culture, and gorgeous art and architecture!
What is the greatest lesson God has taught you?
In an overarching sense, your struggles are one of the greatest gifts you can be given. My depression has been my greatest gift. I was angry over it for years. My experience with it caused me to leave the church in college, but over time and through quite a bit of counseling and reflection, it became a strength instead of a burden. Through it, I have learned that I am known, loved, redeemed, and understood. Depression and anxiety often lie and tell you that the chaos in your brain causes you to be less of each of those things in the eyes of the Lord. Time has shown me that they are a gift, and that being open and honest about my experiences with those (and other struggles in my life) for the glory of God is a freeing, magnificent piece of being human. Through honesty about my past and my experiences with mental illness, I have built some of my greatest friendships with people from all walks of life (some Christian, some not). I have been able to walk with my sisters through their mental health struggles while building deep relationships with them, and I have learned what genuine love and empathy truly feel like.
What is your favorite quote or Scripture?“You will stay true, even in the chaos. Your word remains truth, even when my mind wreaks havoc. I will be still, for I've known all along, My Jehovah Shalom.” from the song P E A C E by Hillsong Young & Free. My favorite Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34. My dad used to quote this each night when I was a kid when he tucked my sisters and I in. I don’t think he ever could’ve expected that all three of his daughters would later be diagnosed with some form of depression and anxiety, and that this passage would become my favorite promise, constant comfort and greatest hope for peace.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summer at The Well
We have two more weeks of Coffee at The Well, so if you haven’t joined us, there is still time! Come to Common Grounds Woodway on Thursdays in July at 9:00 a.m. We’ll see you there!
Looking for a Bible study for the fall? We have several to offer! Stay tuned for details and registration deadlines.
The Dwelling
Mondays starting August 22, 9-11 am at The Venue
Isaiah
Mondays starting September 12, 9-11:30 am, location TBD
Just Moved
Tuesdays starting September 13, 9-11:30 am at The Venue
He Is Where The Joy Is
Wednesdays starting August 24, 9-11 am at The Venue
He Is Where The Joy Is
Wednesdays starting August 24, 6-7 pm, location TBD
Amos
Wednesdays starting August 24, 6-7 pm, location TBD
|
|
|
|
|
Check out the following women’s Life Groups:
Ruddell LG
Led by Michelle Rudell – Sundays, 8:15 am, Rm 301
Oates LG
Led by Elizabeth Oates - Sundays, 9:30 am, Rm 301
Baldwin &
Thornton LG
Led by Jane Baldwin and Kim Thornton – Sundays, 11:00 am, Rm 344
Reagan & Boyd LG
Led by Nelwyn Reagan and Sherron Boyd – Sundays, 11:00 am, Choir Room
|
|
|
Let Us Pray for You
The women of The Well believe in the power and comfort of prayer. That is why we want to invite you to submit your prayer requests and our Prayer Team will faithfully pray over you.
Please email your requests to our
Prayer Team.
|
|
|
|
|
Even if you didn’t go to Sondays, you can still worship like you did! Check out the awesome Sondays worship playlist created by our very own Art Wellborn.
|
|
|
|
Want to get involved?
We have several full-time positions open at FW, including:
- Administrative Assistant
- Communications Coordinator
- Preschool Associate
We also have an opening for a volunteer to serve on our Social Media Team. If you’re interested, please contact Elizabeth Oates at eoates@firstwoodway.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
