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Winter is my favorite time of year but Autumn is a very close second... the summer heat is finally behind us, giving way to cooler days and chilly evenings. I'm always on the lookout for migrating birds flying overhead or feeding in a field. Fall colors are bursting through in all their glory, making Sunday drives even more enjoyable.

The cooler weather also means I can start wearing my turtlenecks and sweaters again!  If I feel chilled, I can just give the thermostat a click to turn on the furnace to warm up the house, or put a few logs on the hearth to light a cheery, crackling fire and warm up that way.  But not everyone is as fortunate this time of year. Some people have a daily struggle to stay warm, and that's where the Wood Ministry can help.

This will be my third season helping with the Wood Ministry.  Although I like being out in the fresh air, cutting and stacking logs, I have discovered that my favorite part of the Wood Ministry is being a Sponsor.  As we are outside among the glory of the fall colors, I can take some time to talk about the glory of God.

The first person I spoke with as a Sponsor was a woman who was "down on her luck," as she put it, and who needed a little help to get through the winter.  I was very nervous as to what I would say to her and I tried to collect my thoughts on the drive to her home.  When we arrived, I took a moment before I got out of the car and I closed my eyes and asked God to help me say the right words, to be a comfort to her, and I even asked Him for some sort of ice breaker - and boy, did He send me an ice breaker!

When I opened my eyes, who did I find staring at me, waiting to greet me, but a big, fluffy dog with his tail wagging enthusiastically!  What a sense of relief I felt as God had presented me with the perfect conversation starter because I am such an animal lover, and who doesn't like to talk about their pets?!  The dog stayed right by my side as I went to introduce myself to the homeowner.  While sharing a cup of hot chocolate that she had prepared, with her dog leaning up against me, I truly felt filled with the Spirit as I shared my involvement with our church, the wonderful fellowship I receive from its members, and the love and comfort I feel from God as I continue learning how to fully open my heart to Him.  It was a great experience and I felt very humbled and blessed as I got to know this woman and learn a little more about her and the situation she had found herself in.

Not every experience has been quite the same as that first one, but that is part of what makes Wood Ministry Sponsorship so special... every person is different, so every situation is different.  If Sponsorship sounds like something that you might be interested in contact Paul Brouse for more information.