Paulding County Fellowship of Christian Athletes

In July of 2005, Rich and I left our NC home to come to Paulding County, Georgia, with the calling of starting a church. Well, He never definitely defined what type of church would be started and so that is what this story is about. I remember leaving Cleveland that day with my mother and daddy and sister and neighbors watching us leave. While we excited about the next phase, we were sad to leave family behind. Little did we know that in a few short weeks, our youngest son, Ben, would leave Georgia and return to finish high school in North Carolina. You just do not expect your youngest son to leave home at 16. (Praise God for the Nelson family!)
We desperately needed jobs. Teaching jobs are not that easy to come by, and to be honest with you, I had been teaching in Christian school for 10 years and the thoughts of returning to public school intimidated me. I submitted resumes to every middle school and every elementary school in Paulding County. Only one middle school contacted me and they couldn't use me but they directed me to a teacher leaving their school to go to the new middle school as an assistant principal. She, in turn, sent my information to the principal. If you ask that principal today, she will tell you that something was telling her to keep pursuing me. Through a God-directed turn of events, I landed at Austin Middle School in the most perfect position created especially for me. (Praise God for Tammy Allen!) I have just started my fifth year in Paulding County. I know the spiritual condition of my students more than I ever knew in Christian school and have never felt intimidated at all!
Rich was privileged to serve at West Ridge Church as a part-time Church Planter intern and worked at Kohl's department store. Now, even looking back, the relationships he established there were God-ordained ....he counseled a married couple with financial difficulty, he counseled and married another couple, he prayed with people over matters with their children..... he was NOT just your average dock supervisor! (Praise God for Bill)
There are SO many stories about how God has worked in relationships here. I can look back on the past four years and see that lives have been dramatically changed just by a touch here or a spoken word there to encourage our fellow co-workers.One evening, some of our own children happened to be in town and were at Six Flags. Rich and I were driving over to meet them and Rich received a phone call from Brian Bloye, pastor of West Ridge Church. He was excited about a new ministry involving West Ridge and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He and Matt Willmington immediately thought it was a perfect ministry for Rich Erdman - former soccer coach, former bus driver, former youth pastor, dad and husband. After seeking the Lord's favor, Rich decided to join in that ministry - all the while wondering if he was to do this ministry or start the church.
That was three years ago. The first FCA kick-off for Paulding County was held in the Student Theater at West Ridge with around 50 - 75 people in attendance. The second kick-off was held the following year in the same location with around 200 present. This past year, for the third annual kick-off, we had to move to the worship center of West Ridge and hosted around 750 teens, coaches, parents, and pastors. Eighty-one decisions were made that night alone - one of them being a rec league softball coach.
In the three years of this ministry in Paulding County, hundreds of lives have been changed for eternity. Coaches are calling Rich for family ministry - he has attended funerals, weddings, and visited hospitals for the births of new babies.
Coaches are opening the Word of God in huddle meetings designed just for them. In the five high schools and eight middle schools in Paulding County, huddles meet weekly on every campus. You might ask, "What is a huddle?" A huddle is a time of fellowship for the teens as well as worship with music and specific prayer time. A speaker imparts the Word of God on our public school campuses. As a teacher on one of these campuses, I cannot begin to tell you how exciting it is when my students tell me that my husband (that FCA guy) spoke to their football/softball/soccer/basketball team the day before. All of this is part of the ministry of FCA. On the night of the kick-off this year, I turned to Rich and said, "Looks like you have your church!"
I am writing this to let you know that God is alive and well through the FCA of Paulding County. It is a life-changing ministry that reaches outside the walls of the church and into the campuses of our schools where the enemy thinks he has a foothold. I so appreciate you taking the time to read this letter.
Rich and I are asking that you will pray for this ministry. Pray specifically for Rich and his health as he continues to establish relationships with these students and coaches. Pray specifically for the ministry of FCA financially - funds are needed to continue to provide for the men and women on staff. Pray for the future leaders who will arise from these high school and middle school huddles; that they will be bold witnesses to a starving world. I heard recently that WE WERE CALLED TO INFLUENCE THE INFLUENTIAL. Other than the music industry, nothing else influences our world like athletes and sports. Please join us in influencing the influential.....pray that the Lord of the Harvest will continue to draw other unto Him.
Philippians 4:4-7 "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

10 Things I Love about Jonathan

Today is Jonathan's birthday !!! WoW! He's 28 years old and I CANNOT believe it! Ten things .....10. He is a great dad. He is there as much as possible to read to his children and tuck them in. He does diapers and dishes.9. He is a great husband. He and Ashley have overcome many obstacles but he has remained committed and provides for his family.8. He wants to be Frank. Actually, his wit and humor are another thing I love about him!7. He is considerate. He tries very hard to make sure everyone is included and taken care of.6. He is an ethical person. He really seeks to do the right thing with integrity in every circumstance.5. He is a big extended family man. He loves his grandparents and tries to communicate with them often.4. He has turned into a handy man! That is perhaps the biggest surprise! His house is a true testimony to his hard work and craftsmanship.3. He is a testimony at his job. Many people look up to him and admire the way he handles things at work.2. He's cute. :)1. This makes him sound perfect and he really isn't BUT He has the love of the Savior and the promise of eternity with his Heavenly Father .... can't wait to spend every day forever with him!

Growing Older

We have a very close family and I absolutely adore my nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. And I consider them my own children, and I never want them to hurt. While they were growing up, I was growing older in my marriage, going through all the things that big boys and big girls go through while being married - most of which is not fun. I always described things like this: having children was easier than being married.... because children come to you unmolded and you can kinda influence the mold. But husbands come with mold already and you can't unmold them!! Really, just being married is a lot of work. It is the most rewarding relationship this side of Heaven but it is HARD! So, while on the outside, you are setting this example for extended family, they never really see the hard part. Now that my nieces and nephews are themselves in this wonderful marriage relationship, they are living reality and it is even harder in this world we live in today. I just want to encourage them to see the big picture. God has a plan for your marriage ... it is to be able to say, in the end, we ran the race, we persevered, we will give You glory. While the everyday mundane business of staying in love seems like it is just too hard sometimes to accomplish, think about the big picture. Think about the legacy you will leave your children and think about how God views your relationship. You will be okay, you will persevere, you will be rewarded. But you cannot do it alone - He will give you the grace you need. I love you, and I am proud of you. You come from good stock.

10 Things I Love about Skip

10. He is just a really nice guy. Always, he has taken up for the underdog - even if it meant school suspension.
9. He came to my rescue when I needed him the most at the beginning of last school year - putting his plans on hold to help us.
8. He's kinda cute still :).
7. He is a gentleman. When we used to see him travel with teams, he was always the guy carrying the girls' stuff.
6. He can talk with me for hours - still. We used to do that a lot when he was a teen-ager.
5. He had a big time chance to rebel when he was 16 and we moved him away from home and friends - but he didn't. It was so hard for him, but he was respectful and dealt with a difficult time very maturely.
4. He is a great mediator and people person. He can resolve issues.
3. He overcame a serious childhood illness to grow big and strong.
2. He loves his brothers and will take care of things when we are no longer able to.
1. But the best part is that when all this junk is over in this fallen world, we get to spend eternity together !! Whoo-hoo!

The Marietta Erdman's

When we moved to Georgia four years ago, we were blessed to live near little brother Steve and his family. This guy cracks me up! I met Steve in 1979. He was sitting in the back of a station wagon - you know, one of those seats that turns backwards so that you can see where you've been. I don't know exactly how old he was when I met him but he was way cool. I know he was in high school - Rich was 22 and Steve is 5 years younger - so he was around 16 or 17. ANYWAY, I should say he was suave and debonair but I will stick with "way cool." The first thing he ever said to me was, "I love southern girls..... they have such expressive eyes." Uh, hello, I was probably the only Southern girl he had ever met but his comment certainly left an impression. Like I said, he was way cool. So, I really have not spent much time with him in the 30 years I have been married to his brother, but the times we spend together are fun. The really funny thing is that he is the same age as his son is now when we first met!

I love to hear Steve talk about his family - not mushy gushy stuff - I like the challenging stuff. He has these really gorgeous kids that I thought walked on water until he starts telling his stories. He has a good outlook on stuff - he doesn't get really bent out of shape about anything and knows that "this too shall pass" with his young'uns and keeps it in perspective.

I love to hear Steve talk about his wife, Janet. She is a great match for him! She actually keeps him in perspective so that he can keep everything else in perspective.

This year begins his son's senior year - this is the year when all the parenting pays off. This is the year when the kid begins to really soar only this time with a little less parenting. While all of us know the time is coming, we all know that it IS time. Christian, you will be just fine. Janet, drink a lot of whatever it is you are drinking these days while you listen to a song that will wrench your heart out - you will thank me for this later - "Find Your Wings."

Find Your Wings by Mark Harris

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers
I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to knowYou're walking in the truth
And if I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories I pray that

God will fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

we love ya!

How did he live?

Everyone is concerned about how MJ died but the question really should be: How did he live? And before passing any judgment that should be a question for us all … how did you live? A long time ago I found a quote by Betty Feezor (a 60s tv personality from Charlotte) that said "Live, so that when you are gone, it would have mattered that you were here." Very profound words.In my fifty years I have remained on earth while witnessing the passing of grandparents, church friends, and even students who have died much too young. Death is a fact of life but living is where it's really at.Last summer my husband's family endured the illness and death of his oldest brother; a man who lived his final years quietly inspiring those with brain injuries and MS; as he was a victim of those himself. This past spring I lost a dear friend named Doris to cancer; a woman who one day decided she wanted to teach and wow what a gift! She spent her final years quietly imparting her wisdom and teaching important skills to children in a most patient and loving manner. This past week in the chaos surrounding the deaths of show business icons, Elaine slipped quietly into eternal sleep after living a lifetime giving to all of her students everything that was within her to give after she first gave unselfishly to her family and church family. My friend DJ was simply riding home one Saturday afternoon and his life ended rounding a curve just feet from home. Now he is eternally home but while here, he lived a simple, quiet life absolutely in love with his wife and daughter and all of his other family members.There are no televised 911 calls wondering about the last few minutes of the lives of these people. There are no hour long interviews with doctors, no famous preachers calling for second opinions, no doubts about the future of their family members, yet these quiet people lived lives of dignity, unselfishness, faithfulness, joy, peace, kindness, and love. The marks they left on the world will be marks on the hearts of those people who were touched by significant and random acts of kindness. They left the world virtually unknown, touching a small crowd that, in turn, touched another small crowd, which, in turn touched another small crowd.
The point is this … why are we concerned about HOW he died and WHY he died then HOW HE LIVED? The Scripture says, “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wickedness. For the LORD GOD is a sun and a shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you !” (Ps. 84:10-12)
God calls some people to become famous, some He calls to remain anonymous, some He calls to lead quiet, gentle lives. I want to constantly think eternally ..... to consider being a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to live in lavishness, chained to this world. And when I come to die, just give me Jesus.

Happy Birthday Little Mermaid Snow White Princess

So, me being old and stuff, I did leave out a VIB on my last post. This Very Important Birthday belongs to a special four year old little mermaid snow white princess. I use all those terms because I just could not possibly decide which fairy tale princess is the best description of this little girl. She is so adorable, especially in her special pose that I caught at her birthday party. (This pose, by the way, prompted me to question her mother about the dance moves they practice at their house.) There is one thing about this princess, however, she is exactly like her mother.

Jennifer married Randy 10 years ago and it was a very good idea. Randy is a fabulous dad and a great husband. I do not know much about his growing up years, but the past 10 years, he has proven to take his responsibilities very seriously. I am very proud of him. Jenny has had many obstacles to overcome. She has had to face many choices and she chose the high road. It would have been easy for her to become a "victim" or live in the "system", but instead she chose to get an education and use her gifts and talents to make the world a better place. She is an excellent sister and aunt; a loving daughter; and one of the most unselfish people I know.

So, when I say that Kaitlin is exactly like her mother, I mean that in the greatest sense of the word. Happy birthday, Kaitlin, and many more. And it isn't so bad if you turn out just like mom.