Sarah's Story

Being mentored by Nancy truly changed my life! We met because we were neighbors and her daughter was the first babysitter my children ever had. I saw the light of the Holy Spirit in Nancy’s eyes the moment we met. After watching her live her life with such patience and joy, I continued to be drawn to her. I was inspired by seeing her taking walks with her husband and witnessing the fruit of her mothering in her wonderful God-loving children. 

As a young mom with young children, I was mostly struck by the fact that Nancy loved her four children so very much, but she did not WORRY. How did this loving mom have so much PEACE?

Around this time, I was doing a well known Bible study (“Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby) and the biggest thing the Lord was teaching me was to OBEY Him without waiting for things to “make sense” in my human reasoning.

I kept feeling this prompting from the Lord to ask Nancy to be my mentor. I had all my excuses why not to do this. Nancy is probably too busy and she has 4 children of her own to raise! I also thought she is such a godly woman that she must be mentoring several other women. I didn’t want to bother her and at the same time the prompting from the Lord did not cease. I chose to OBEY!

I wrote Nancy a letter sharing with her all the fruit from the Lord I could see in her life and asked her if she would consider mentoring me. I felt nervous wondering if I was asking too much of her. (I’ve since joked with Nancy that I kind of felt the pressure as if I was proposing to her!) I was so surprised and excited when Nancy said YES! She said she was not mentoring anyone else. I was thrilled that I had obeyed the Lord. 

We started out wondering what this mentoring relationship should look like, so we started a Bible study together. This was good, but after taking some walks and talking more together, Nancy was led by the Lord to pray with me each time we were together. She was so loving, encouraging, and the best listener. I felt like I could share intimate things because she did not judge me and I trusted her. 

She always pointed me to God’s Word. I never left my time with her without us praying together. Nancy truly taught me how to PRAY! And prayer is what changes everything!!! She would pray so beautifully, specifically, and expectantly and then be so patient and encourage me to pray.

I learned about the power of praying together in agreement. I loved getting to know Nancy more as she would also share with me how I could pray for her. We would pray each week specifically over our marriages, our children, and many other details and decisions of our lives. There is nothing more bonding than to pray and rejoice together when God so faithfully answers. 

Because Nancy took that one-on-one intentional time with me, I now feel comfortable praying with others. She taught me that one of the best things to do is to have a prayer partner and to pray with other moms. I think of Nancy each Monday morning as women gather in my home and I lead our Moms in Prayer group. I can do this because Nancy taught me how and nurtured my faith and confidence.            

Because Nancy sacrificed her time and energy, I am better equipped to say yes to ministries God is calling me into. I am better able to serve as a BSF leader and now moving into a prayer coordinator role in Women’s Ministries at my church. Even more importantly, she taught me how to be a praying wife and mom and because of that my family, too, is impacted in this life and into eternity!          

Lives are truly changed and efforts are multiplied when you say yes to the Lord!  Because Nancy said yes to being my mentor, I am forever changed and forever grateful. Thank you, dear Nancy! To God be the GLORY!!!

I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Julie as my mentor. I feel truly blessed by God for the mentoring ministry God called you to start and for Julie.

Six months ago, I was going through one of the hardest times in my life. I was totally devastated, rejected and abandoned. I started out by writing Julie a 10-page explanation of my past that built all of this pain up so that we could spend our time together working on moving forward. I thought Julie might run for the hills (laughing) as I unloaded all of that onto her but she decided to stick with me. She could not have been a better mentor. She was the friend I never had who was willing to listen and who really cared about me. 

I spent many hours in my life being a friend but hadn’t received care in return until I met Julie. Julie was always there for me.  She continually encouraged me to trust in God. She taught me to forgive and bless others. She always had a compassionate, kind, loving, caring and gentle heart. At Christmastime (which was very hard because I couldn’t be with my family), Julie invited my boyfriend and I to her Christmas celebration. That was such a blessing and truly touched my heart. She was family for me.Julie bought me a Bible and said, “God will speak to you through your Bible. Your life is in there.” She was right! I have learned so much from Julie about the Bible.

I read the Bible everyday now and I am learning so much. She has been a true friend, sister, mentor and a gift from God. She loves and respects God so much that it just flows over onto others and myself. I believe there are many qualities that make Julie a great mentor: her knowledge of life and the Bible, her discernment, and her ears and eyes that are led by Christ. What pulls it all together is her deep love to bring glory to God. Her love for God and compassion for others is overflowing. I truly feel loved by Julie. That’s very hard to find.

I have grown so much in my relationship with God and my love for Christ these last 7 months. With Julie’s help, I have received healing, forgiveness and my hope has been restored.

 

Jeannine's Story

My mentor's friendship, love and prayers have rebuilt a new kind of wall: a spiritual shield wall. I no longer need to approach my life through the posture of fear and insecurity, but of spiritual truth that allows for a much healthier perspective on life, relationships and mothering. I am loved, accepted and cared for by my God and by my mentor regardless of my past experiences and especially during a stage of motherhood that can feel very lonely and self-condemning. God is good. To God be the glory for all those who mentor and have mentored us even if we never named them as such.

It took me two years to ask Nancy to be my mentor. Insecure thoughts flooded my mind and Satan reminded me of all the reasons why I wasn't good enough or that my life was too messy for anyone to want to be a part of. I justified that Nancy was too busy and why in the world would I invite someone into my family challenges, exhaustion from raising small children and could I offer anything in return?

Over those two years, the Lord brought Nancy and I together in the most unusual places. I knew that we were supposed to be in each other's lives somehow. I finally gathered enough courage to ask her to be my mentor. My life has not been the same since that day. I have another godly woman with years of experience speaking consistent truth over my marriage, my children and me. 

Our time together is sweet. It is filled with encouragement through shared experiences, Scripture and praying in agreement. The insecurities that built a brick wall since I was a child are crumbling. Being vulnerable and authentic has been extremely healing. I no longer am afraid to share my story and to ask for what I need. My children, marriage and other relationships are benefitting greatly from these powerful changes.