JOHN SHIRK – Before my blogs move into the theme for this year, I wanted to make a quick comment about 2010-the Year of Missions.  It was the focus of WJTL not just to teach on missions, but to be part of God’s mission outreach to the world, and you stepped up to the plate to join us in extraordinary ways.  Through the 26 Hours of Compassion, at least 177 children were sponsored. Over $21,000 was donated in Bibles, rickshaws, and livestock to help poor and struggling families in Asia through Gospel For Asia. Through Lisa Landis’s trip to Guinea-Bissau through Eastern Mennonite Missions, $3,500 was raised on behalf of Christian education.  You also helped raise money for Food For The Poor to help people in Haiti who were suffering through a devastating earthquake. At the same time, you also helped WJTL to meet budget for 2010.  This is an example of how God is moving in people’s hearts to give generously so that lives might be transformed for the Gospel. 2011 will be the Year of Opportunity at WJTL. I will share more about the year ahead in a future blog.  Concerning the spiritual fruit of 2010, thank you for expressing faith in Christ in these generous ways. May God bless you with His wisdom, peace, and strength to do His will in 2011.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

STACEY GAGNE – I haven’t blogged as much as usual this month… because my fingers have been furiously keeping up with the donations that have poured in!  WJTL had a need.  Listeners responded.  God provided.

I was unsure how things would look as we ended 2010.  I trusted that God would take care of us somehow, but wasn’t sure how that would look considering the economy, considering how everyone has responded to the need for so many other organizations in need this year, etc.   But here we are having met budget before the end of the day with donations still coming in.  What a treat to get to open the envelopes, read the notes, share them with the staff and see our needs being met once again.  I have been amazed.

The Jon Foreman Song “Your Love is Strong” is one I’ve really appreciated this year … and these lyrics from scripture seem especially appropriate for today.  I’ll post them below.

Happy New Year!

Stacey Gagne

Celebrating the New Year with joy and amazement!

“Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Chorus (3x):
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you’ve found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

(Chorus 3x)

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons”

FRED MCNAUGHTON – WOW! Talk about overwhelmed!  When WJTL started of the month of December facing it’s biggest end of the year deficit I was honestly not sure we were going to make it.  Yes, we all had faith that God could do it, after all we have experienced his faithfulness in this ministry for 26 years.  We also know the generosity of the WJTL family.  We tell everyone, we have the best listeners, barring none.

Still, it was an act of faith to announce the amount needed and trust in God’s timing and outcome.

I am pleased to tell you that not only did we come close to meeting the deficit, WE SURPASSED IT!

Thank you for your prayers and thank you for your donations.  God has shown Himself faithful once again. He has moved in his people, and we are overwhelmed by His response.

We are honored and thankful that you are part of the WJTL family.

Happy New Year. May God’s richest blessings continue to be yours in 2011.

FRED MCNAUGHTON – This month we’ve been sharing some of our pictures from our Christmas Card Photoshoot. As we kiss 2010 goodbye we want you to know how much we appreciate you. Thanks for listening and thanks for your continued support.  Happy New Year.  May God’s richest blessings be yours in 2011!

FRED MCNAUGHTON – This month we’ve been sharing some of our pictures from our Christmas Card Photoshoot (courtesy of TJ and Brooke Mousetis’ Smilebooth) so you can get to know us a little better.

Remember I said earlier in the month that Ann loved Dunkin Donuts?  I wasn’t kidding.  DO NOT try to take them from her!

FRED MCNAUGHTON – This month we’ve been sharing some of our pictures from our Christmas Card Photoshoot (courtesy of TJ and Brooke Mousetis’ Smilebooth) so you can get to know us a little better.

We’ve had a great 2010.  Thank you for listening and thank you for your support! We appreciate you making us part of your day.  We appreciate you making us part of your year.  We appreciate YOU!  Thanks.

FRED MCNAUGHTON – Merry Christmas from the WJTL Staff.  We are spreading the Christmas cheer all December long while sharing pics and insights from our cast of characters.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Merry Christmas. Peace to you! May our world experience the true peace that faith in Jesus brings.

(LISA LANDIS) Wow!  They got me.  The first time I was ever truly surprised.  In case you missed the big surprise live on the radio, Doug Desmond of Alan Manufacturing and Supply Lancaster and Desmond Construction walked into the Get Up & Go Show studio during the 8:50am live radio break.  He was dressed as Santa and between, “Ho Ho Ho’s” he urged me outside the station door where a shiny KCB Cookie Smart Car was waiting! Fred McNaughton, Chris Strayer and the entire gang knew about the donation and kept the BIG secret.  I was impressed they could keep a secret!  The special KCB Smart Car was cleverly designed by Bill Dussinger of Penny Lane Graphics.  Bill, you thought of EVERYTHING-down to the smiling cookies and cookie hubcaps!

Again, I can’t thank Doug Desmond enough.  I’ve known Doug a long time and I always knew he had  a generous, giving spirit and big heart, but I never dreamed he’d donate a car to KCB!  Doug told us that it’s important to him that we reach the kids while they are young, so this is for the kids!!!

We plan to have fun with the KCB Cookie Smart Car and can’t wait for you to see it live and in person.  The next chance to see the car live on location is the KCB Skate at the Castle Roller Rink in Lancaster, Saturday, January 8th, 2011.  The skate runs from 10am-noon.

Here are some fun pictures of the car AND our first KCB Cookie Smart Car assignment-a trip last night to Best Buy Lancaster to award the KCB Picture Taking Contest winner her camera!  Congrats to 12-year old Bethany Wenger of Denver.

lisa@wjtl.com

FRED MCNAUGHTON – Merry Christmas from the WJTL Staff.  We are spreading the Christmas cheer all December long while sharing pics and insights from our cast of characters.

Today is Stacey’s Birthday. Happy Birthday Stacey.  We love you.  Stacey is the one on the far left, followed by Ann, Lisa and Cyndee.  Here the girls raise their mugs and Christmas Trees in celebration.  And since I work with Lisa everyday, I totally understand why they wrapped her in the WJTL banner wrap.  Much safer, much safer.  Email Stacey a birthday wish today – stacey@wjtl.com.

STACEY GAGNE – Ask anyone from the office and I think they’ll agree: I get giddy like a little girl at Christmastime.  Oh o.k., I can be giddy fairly often.   But especially now.   I’m excited to see my family,  anxious to give the gifts I’ve chosen, and excited to see SNOW in Vermont.  But there’s more…

I know that the joy and excitement I have has a deeper root.   As I hear and sing songs about Jesus being born, and our church services focus on the reason for the season…  we remember the many miracles.   I get full of wonder and my heart is full of joy.  We are celebrating a day that marks the birth of our Savior!!  I seek to celebrate that in my heart throughout the year!

May your heart be filled with joy that goes far beyond the season!!!

Merrry Christmas

Stacey Gagne

“I’ll be home for Christmas”