PressPause Returns to the Little Lighthouse

Sharon Braner, Janet Renfro, Carolyn Reiger,
Patty Clay and Laura Francis

On May 10, 2012 PressPause returned to the Little Lighthouse of Tulsa, OK.  to serve dinner to the parents of the graduating class.

The Little Lighthouse has been serving children with special needs from birth to age six since 1972. Upon graduation these children move into the public school system, private schools or are home schooled. Leaving the security and expertise of the Little Lighthouse can be a traumatic transitional time.

Twenty seven parents (thirteen daddies) all new to Stonecroft, attended.  Seven staff members encouraged the parents as five PressPause volunteers cooked and served. 

 Marty Hight of Tulsa gave the group tips on how to become an effective advocate for the children in the next phase of their education.  Her delightful humor and personal family stories were encouraging.  Marty shared how her strong faith in God gave her strength and joy in rearing her now 12 year old special needs child, Avery.  Full of confidence and sporting a big smile, Avery joined her mom as she spoke.

Marcia Mitchell, founder and CEO of the school welcomed the group and encouraged them to stay close to the faculty and staff who dearly love each child.  Her strong faith is the foundation of the school as it welcomes people of all faiths or no faith into the state-of-the art facility.  The Little Lighthouse is a Tulsa treasure that is changing  lives locally and has become an international resource as delegations from other countries visit the school.

Eighteen copies of the Gospel of John were picked up by the parents.

The volunteers of PressPause consider it a privilege to serve the parents and staff of this remarkable place.

 



Sharon Braner & Ellen Langland

May 3, 2012, National Day of Prayer, was the day and Tulsa First Baptist Church, Tulsa, OK was the setting.  The ladies of First Baptist invited PressPause Chair Sharon Braner to be the speaker for their spring luncheon.  Sharon shared her Stonecroft talk "What is Your Life Singing Today?"  Lots of laughter and musical memories were shared and Jesus was presented as the only ONE that can change our hearts, attitudes, emotions and life.

A former Stonecroft Village Missionary attended along with approximately 50 ladies that have never been involved with any Stonecroft Christian Women's Club.  New friendships were formed and plans to work together in the future were discussed.

The ladies agreed to sing the "song of redemtion" when they left the meeting, praying that when others look at them they would see Jesus first.

MOM'S PANEL AT REDEEMER COVENANT CHURCH

Julie, Dorea, Sharita, Holly, Sharon

Redeemer Covenant Church of Tulsa, OK invited PressPause to it's campus Sunday, April 22, 2012.  The event was the Mentoring Mom's Spring Luncheon organized to celebrate their nine month program. Women of all ages and stages of life attended. A few babies accompanied their mommies.

Stonecroft's Mom's Panel presented the "Top Ten Things I've Learned or Am Learning" about parenting.  Sharita Bent shared her lessons of life with a toddler, Holly Tumpkin gave tips for moms of elementary age children, Julie Wilson talked about life with teenagers, Dorea Potter covered life lessons with college age kids and Sharon Braner gave lessons about being a mom of married children with children of their own. Dorea also presented the list of lessons learned by Caroline Casselberry who is on a mission trip to Honduras.  Caroline's story involves raising teenagers alone after the death of her husband.

A vital relationship with Jesus was presented as critical and  the source of patience, love and wisdom no matter what stage of parenting.

Forty ladies attended the event, thirty-four were first time guests at any Stonecroft outreach meeting. Several Stonecroft booklets, "A New Beginning," were shared as were the Pocket New Testaments, Gospel of John.  Contact numbers and e-mails were exchanged as new friendships were formed.

Carrie Storms organized the luncheon and heads the mentoring program at Redeemer. Amy Clark invited the panel to participate. It was a lovely day of encouraging women of all ages to connect with each other and their God. 

PressPause and Human Trafficking

First Baptist Church of Bartlesville, OK was the setting for Tulsa OK, PressPause p.s.46.10 Thursday April 5, 2012.
The "Adults on Mission" group invited Stonecroft speaker Sharon Braner to give a PowerPoint presentation explaining  modern day slavery known today as Human Trafficking. 38 members and 6 guests attended.  All were Stonecroft first-time guests.
Information was shared and a Q&A time  followed.  Jesus was presented as the deliverer from the bondage of sin that reigns in all hearts that have not surrendered to Him. He alone "sets the captives free."
Contacts were made and new friendships formed. Prayer and encouragement followed the presentation and  everyone left with a new awareness of people suffering in our communities that need our help.