The Jesus Freak Across the Street

The Jesus Freak Across the Street
Jesus lived across the street from me in a white Colonial-style house with black shutters in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Jesus was not who I expected; actually, He appeared as a 5 feet 7 inch, attractive, zealous, vivacious, bold military wife of three beautiful children. How could that be? At first glance, I would’ve missed Him, probably like most of the religious leaders did back in the early days of the church. At any rate, He, or should I say “she,” kept showing up on my doorstep unexplained during a difficult period in my life. In January, 2001, I lost my late husband, North Carolina Trooper, John H. Duncan, in a tragic high speed car chase, leaving me widowed with two children. In fact, we buried him on my son’s first birthday. Life for me changed drastically and more would come. This naturally happens when Jesus is your neighbor!

The Jesus impersonator, who was my neighbor, AKA Michelle Fowles, loved the Lord in ways that I could not comprehend. She was this bright, energetic ball of fire that would somehow land on my door step early in the morning with words of hope and encouragement while juggling a cup of coffee and bible in hand. However, some days I would quickly escort her out the same door she came! During this time, she was offensive to me because I was in no way, shape or form about to be converted, especially when this God she spoke of was in fact the same One who was in control of my life. I did not trust Him! One day, I even made an agreement with her. She could come over, but she couldn’t talk about Jesus or God to me. She agreed, but for Michelle, that was like cutting off her oxygen supply. Her visits would total about 15 minutes before she would burst into praises again about Jesus. And as usual, I asked her to leave. She was like a bad case of acne that I could not get rid of! Where was my spiritual Pro-Active when I needed it? However, most days she was more of a constant, loving support to me. I simply liked her. She would come visit me at 3 a.m. when she saw my light on because she was up nursing. She understood I had difficult lonely nights without my husband, and she would stay until I fell asleep again. I mean, who does this? Well, the Jesus freak across the street from me did! As months went by, my guard went down, and I began to enjoy and look forward to her visits. Her spirit drew me, and I desired to learn more about the Jesus freak across the street.

After many months, this awkward relationship blossomed into me actually visiting her house. I was in the home of Jesus! At first it was for coffee and conversation, but somehow it turned into a bible study. To this day, I don’t know how she did it. After all, she was Jesus, a miracle worker! This Jesus freak possessed supernatural powers, and I was won over by her passion and love for others. One day, Michelle said to me out of the blue, “Kim, I want for you to come speak at a PWOC meeting on post.”
“What is PWOC and why me?” I asked. She went on to explain that she shared my story of John’s death with these ladies, and they wanted to hear about how I was doing. She impressed the fact on me that I had a message of hope to share and that it would be an encouragement to them. Of course, it was hard to say “no” to Michelle. Her middle name is persistence. I was afraid she would call down the fire of God on me, so I reluctantly said “yes,” and prayed she would spare me the wrath of God!

I recall the morning going to PWOC; I felt clueless. I possessed little experience with public speaking, so not only was I nervous, but also terrified, especially because these women knew about God. In those days, I barely trusted Him. I distinctly asked Michelle on the way to the engagement, “Michelle, how many people would be present at the PWOC today?” She casually responded, “just a few.” Relieved, I thought to myself, “Okay, I think I can do this.” After all, I owed it to Michelle because she supported me through the past months. This was my way of thanking her. Besides, how hard can it be? I wrote a couple of scriptures down and a paragraph or two. My plan was to simply read it, and life would go on. Better yet, we would celebrate with coffee at Starbucks on the way home! More importantly, I would earn my good deed for the day! I was oblivious to the set-up I was about to walk into, both physically and supernaturally. But again, when Jesus is your neighbor, expect things to happen!

We arrived at the Fort Bragg Chapel and proceeded into the building. To my astonishment, more than just a few ladies attended. It was more like 100 women, who, by the way, were all Jesus freaks! I thought I was going to pass out! I grabbed Michelle and whispered “uh, I thought you said a few ladies, Michelle!” She laughed nonchalantly, and I recall her replying with some smart comment about how God multiplies and something about fish! I could have strangled her that day! If it wasn’t for the gracious, kind welcome committee standing in front of us, I would have. The program started, we worshipped, announcements were made, and then the moment of truth came. I made up my mind that I would follow through because these ladies came expecting something. I didn’t know what, because I was just the little widow whose mind was on earning a Starbucks latte afterwards! So, I gave it my best shot and took my first step of faith!

Michelle, of course gave me some superstar introduction, making me feel like I was the President of the United States. The intimidation factor just kept on growing. These poor ladies had no idea what they were in for, nothing as far as I was concerned. At least this is how I felt. Anyways, I stumbled my way to the podium with my pitiful sheet of paper. The room was silent with anticipation. All eyes were on me, and the only thing I could do was open my mouth in faith and speak! Somehow I read through my 2 simple paragraphs without stumbling or cracking my voice too much, and even gave them a bonus paragraph, as I shared a little of my heart. I figured that bought me a muffin to go along with my latte afterwards. So, after what seemed like an eternity, only 5 minutes passed. There, I was done, or so I thought. I looked at Michelle to come rescue me, and she looked at me with eyes that were saying, “Keep going!” With mental anguish, I did what every seasoned speaker did and began to ad lib. Like every good Jesus freak, Michelle sat there the whole time cheering me on.

To this day, I’m not sure what happened at that podium, but it was like an out of body experience where I heard myself speaking without control of what I was saying. Whatever it was, it was good, or so I was told! Ladies were laughing and crying, and I was in a place I never experienced before—I was in Christ Jesus! My nervousness subsided, my fear disappeared, and I was actually enjoying myself. At the conclusion, the ladies greeted me with praises and thanks for the hope I gave them. I was overwhelmed by all the hugs I received that day, and felt the fullness of Christ’s love! For the first time in my life, I felt alive, validated, appreciated, and most of all, I felt a purpose for my life!

I look back on that day, almost 9 years ago, and I’m amazed by God’s provision and grace for my life. No words can describe the depths of my gratefulness to my Heavenly Father for saving me! Today, because of this Jesus freak who lived across the street, I am now a professed Jesus freak myself! Since then, I have spoken for PWOC International. I remarried a wonderful Christian military man, and we have 4 children all together. Currently, I write monthly devotions for the PWOC International website. I share all of that with you not to boast, but to show how the love of a PWOC sister changed my life. Her light shined brightly before me and guided me out of the darkness and into my destiny in Christ Jesus. Now I walk with the same light shining brightly! Thank you, PWOC, for providing me a sister who God used to offer me Jesus. Thank you, Michelle Fowles, for being my neighborhood Jesus freak. I love you all!

Kimchi Lya Blow

Deployed , A Spiritual Position!

When most military wives hear the word “deploy” it sends us on an emotional roller coaster ride. We’re tempted to take our spouses and families, pack up and go A-WALL! Some of the thoughts and feelings we experience might be fear, anxiety, loneliness, depression, or even death. Why does this single word makes us feel so vulnerable? As military wives we must learn to accept this word on more positive terms. Yes, it is our duty! “Why?” you might ask, instead, you say, “ I didn’t sign up for this!” Well, in fact you did when you married your military spouse. News flash, “You are now a deployed soldier too!” . You are the soldier who stays in the rear and keeps the mission going at home. Just like your soldier, your orders are now set, you have a specific mission and self sacrifice and bravery are needed! Your spouse job entails defending a nation at all costs. Yikes!! Maybe some of you didn’t think about it before you jumped in and said, “YES!” Then again, some of you did. Either way, deployments are not an easy thing to accept never mind endure. It takes courage and more then that it takes faith.
The word “deploy” in the Webster is defined as such; apart, to spread out, position according to plan, to be deployed. To us spouses we only hear the word, “apart” and a year of taking on a lot of extra responsibility! Let’s look at what the Greek translation says about the word deployed from scripture. Now there’s a concept, looking at what God says about it and not how we “feel” about it. The word, “deployed “ from the Greek word, arak, means to “arrange in rows, put in order, take up position and to set a value.” Wow, I like the last one, to set a value! Notice there were no negative words such as fear, lonely, anxious, or even death. However, I know that our emotions tend to rule our thoughts and words but as Christian soldiers deployed in God’s Army we must look past our thoughts and let truth rule! After all, God tells us in His word to hold all our thoughts captive(2 Corinthians 10:5) to Him, right?
Let’s look more specifically into the truth. Truth just told us that to be deployed is to “put things in order.” What might God be trying to put in order? Hmmm, one thought is our nation. Another thought could be our personal and spiritual lives. How many of you know that God works all things out for those who love Him? Yes, even deployments! Have you ever noticed that when you have gone through a deployment, your time with God becomes intimate? He takes your vulnerable places and your desperate need to survive and forces you cry out to Him during these times. It gives us the opportunity to grow and be placed in such an order with God that peace exudes from our present circumstances. Truth also tells us that the word “deployed” means to “take up our position”. Wow, what could God be possibly trying to do here? “What position?” you might be asking. Well, our positions could mean our Authority here on earth and in the spiritual. When our husbands deploy they are taking on the position of authority across this great nation to protect, serve and defend. God created our soldiers for this very purpose! This is part of their destiny in Christ. This is powerful! This is God using them in great ways for our nation and other nations, not to mention for the greater Kingdom of God. Do you realize that because of deployments people in other nations have heard the gospel? Think about the affects of your soldiers standing in their rightful position and how it can impact lives. Now, let’s think about your position as a spouse who is left behind to survive. What is your “position”? Well, simply to be a support to your soldier , your family and your nation. Your position is just as important and holds just as much respect as the one who holds the weapons on the natural battlefield of life. You are being placed in the position to hold the weapons of warfare in the spiritual- where the real battle is engaged! Fire away and let’s not forget there is an enemy out there ready to kill, steal and destroy , especially during vulnerable times , like deployments. Danger is always eminent. There is no greater position you can take then when God calls you into action in His name!
Moving on, we see that the word deployed means to “set a value.” What is more valuable to this nation then people who believe in its very foundation? So much so, that they are willing to possibly die for it! God’s word says it best, “No greater man then this, then he who will lay down his life for his brother.” This ladies, has value! This is the true value of a Christian who loves the way the Lord requires us to. To not think of ourselves in a deployment but rather the greater cause at stake. To sacrifice and die to our emotions, thoughts and plans and to place Christ’s work as a greater value than our own lives! This is invaluable, -priceless!!!
In the end, deployments are never easy at best. But we have the opportunity to place that stigma aside and make it the best year. With every great sacrifice comes even greater change. God requires us to not only love Him but honor Him in all we do. Deployments are part of our worship to Him, a sacrifice of the heart and an endless message that we are not only in this for us but more so for Him. So, the next time you hear the word “deployed “think of it along these terms , you are being given an opportunity to be deployed into a position of order and make a valuable impact for others. After all, our life is not our own but rather it is the Lord’s to deploy.

FAB Life- Army Wife- "Embrace the NEW!" BY Kimchi Blow

Fab Life, Army Wife. I know what some of you might be thinking, “Whatever!” Or some of you might agree that being an Army wife is fabulous. If you want my honest opinion, it will depend on what day you ask me, where I am currently stationed, and if hubby is deployed. Honestly though, most days I would not trade my life as a military wife for anything. Yes, it has its challenges but so does civilian life. We always want what we can’t have and sometimes never appreciate what we do have. It starts with the right mind set and the attitude will follow. I am a “Suck it up, Drive on!” kind of gal. Sure, I have those days where I wish we could settle into a community permanently, having wonderful, close knit friends whose children grow up with mine and where I will see my kids get married in the same church they grew up in. But let’s get real, this is not Leave it to Beaver, this is real life. Sure, life would be blissful if I could get our family cast on that show. Whose life is really like that anyways??? I think I would probably grow bored after a year or so and wish for new orders to take us on a new adventure. Or I can imagine myself on a Calgon commercial saying, “Calgon take me away and make it Hawaii!” Life is what you make of it, military or not. I am proud to be a military wife and I know what I do on the home front counts. It is a call. When my husband puts on his uniform so do I. There is a job to be done and in the end the commitment will pay off not only to our country, but to our children too. They will see the sacrifices made with deployments and the countless days they see their soldier gone fighting wars, but they will be able to know they were a part of something bigger than themselves. And in the end, isn’t that what life is all about, other people and not ourselves?
Speaking of orders, we are 37 days out from transitioning from the Mojave Desert to the land of the Wizard of Oz and tornadoes, Kansas. I am actually looking forward to it. There is something about the unknown that excites me. Of course, I don’t like the sea of boxes that will await me and will take me months to go through, but the thought and possibilities that await us with each new move is stimulating to ponder. I am the kind of gal who loves to go shopping at yard sales just for the thrill of the hunt, just to see what is out there. To go where no woman has ever gone before, per say. To me, new moves represents new opportunities, new people, new experiences, new stores to shop, new challenges to overcome, new things to learn, just NEW LIFE in general. The old has to make way for the New, so why not take it on and run with it! Am I crazy? Some would say, yes! But I say, bring it on! Blow some fresh new wind my way! By the way, did I mention to you that if you know me, I am known to change furniture around in my house weekly just for the NEW vibe it gives out. I told you I was crazy!
Anyways, I want to encourage any of you who might be facing a NEW move, a New change, a NEW challenge, a NEW whatever, embrace it! Give yourself the chance to grow and you will find yourself in the end better for it OR better yet, you might just find yourself!
Until next time….keep persevering and paint your toes, summer is coming!!!!!!!!