An Example of Everyday Virtue

In last week's blog, Christina mentioned that our church hosted our annual Missions Conference. This is a conference where our church hosts three missionary families and the families provide testimonies of their travels across the world as they tell the world about Jesus. Tonight, I want to introduce you ladies to one of the missionary wives, Lana Cretzman!

Lana is a saved mother of two, daughter, sister, aunt, friend ( I could go on for days her many titles) and a missionary wife. In the past 3 weeks she, her husband Mathew, and two daughters, Azlynn and Maddi Kate, have traveled across 14 states in their minivan. Yes, i said 14 states! With their car packed to capacity and two daughters strapped in their car seats, Lana and the family have been traveling non-stop across the country attending missionary conferences and spreading God's word since February 2010. Soon, Lana and family will travel to the Dominican Republic to train fellow Christians to start their own churches and spread the word of God.

But before speaking in depth with Lana, I read her personal blog. More so, for her family back home, Lana blogs about her travels from state to state, church to church, and about the best and most challenging times of deputation. From taking care of a sick husband and two children while on the road, to the ever-changing one room home accommodations that she experiences, Lana's testimonies are inspirational and at times convicting (in a good way). Her testimony made me question how selfish I had been about the little things in my life, while this woman has given up having a stable home.

Later, I got a chance to have some girl time with Lana, before she and her family headed east for another missions conference. Let me just say that she is one of the most humbling human beings that I've ever encountered. We met at Pentagon Rowe and talked while our kids used my truck as play gym. She took me on a tour of her " home" (her minivan) and I couldn't help but admire her even more. I asked her the one question running through my head, "what about laundry?" She laughed and explained that because she has a great deal of family and friends throughtout the country, she typically washes clothes at a family/friend's house when they stop or she will wash at a laundromat. And get this, she can go two weeks without washing clothes. (I know that my question seems a little silly, but this is coming from someone who hates doing laundry and going to laundromats). We exchanged stories about how we met our spouses, the crazy things our kids do, and our new hair-dos ( we both just got highlights lol), before saying our goodbyes.

It is important for me to share Lana's testimony with you because it reminds me once again that God can use any one of us at anytime. At only 25 years-old, this beautiful, spunky, God fearing woman and her family, have made a life altering decision to leave their comfortable lives and follow God. To sum it up, when God called, the Cretzman's followed. What a great God we serve! So the next time you get frustrated about having to clean your home, or you get a flat tire while on the road, or you just want a break from mother/wifehood, think of Lana Cretzman who is handling all of these pressures from her vehicle. To learn more about the Cretzman family, please checkout their website at www.creztmantocuba.com. Let's lift up this virtuous woman by keeping her and her family in our daily prayers.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way," (Ps 37:23).

Until Next Time,

KPA
 
Once raised by a Virtuous single mother, I am now a strong Virtuous, Fashionista, who is living for today, who is a woman of strength, that understands the power of my words, that is aware of GOD’s presence, is allowing my light to shine, whose growing to be more passionate about serving the Lord, who can listen without pride to constructive criticism, whose fear does not hold me back, who runs to the Lord first about everything, who strives to stay on GOD’s course, who is saved by the grace of GOD, who admits to being envious of others at times, who knows my worth, has a calming peace, who gives thanks daily, who wants to be a GODLY example to others, who is able to forgive my enemies, who has high expectations of me, who has been created in GOD’s own image, who lovingly submits to my spouse, who understands GOD's love, has an intimate relationship with GOD, supports Breast Cancer Awareness, with a family who honors me, Virtuous friends who love me, and with a giving spirit.