Ashes January 2019

Beauty
From
to Healing from the past.
Hope for the future.

Dear Family and Friends,

Happy New Year! I hope your year is off to a jump start, as it has
been for me. I’m studying John 15:4 “Remain in me; as I also
remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain
in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
That’s how my dear friend Gloria Marshall lived her life.

Gloria and John Marshall with Paul & Sheryl & Rev Angelo at Parkside Missions
Conference, Bakersfield, Calif., October 2009.

Gloria Marshall, my kindred spirit, mentor, fellow pastor’s wife,
missionary was promoted to heaven on Dec. 20. I first met Gloria
in 2000, when Pastor Paul and I served on the staff of Olive Drive
Church. Gloria and her husband, John invited us to attend their
Sunday school class Christmas party to help acquaint us with
new friends and ministries. Gloria and John continued as our
role models and cheerleaders while Pastor Paul was involved in
mission trips to Sierra Leon, Liberia and the Congo, and affirmed
us as Paul and I joined the staff of International Christian
Ministries. Pastor Paul recommended Gloria to take his place
on the board of Children To Love when his term was up. Gloria
served as a member of Parkside Church Missions board and
Children to Love Board of Directors for nearly 20 years and had a
huge heart for missions and “the least of these.” Recently, Gloria
affirmed my transition to Freedom In Christ, encouraged me in
my writing ministry and cheered me in my international speaking
presentations.
Gloria and John Marshall at Children to Love event in Bakersfield, Calif.
I am sharing these thoughts of Gloria Marshall with you to
encourage you. First, take a moment to thank God and thank
those who have influenced you. Second, look for those around
you who might benefit from your influence. We don’t have to look
very far to find those in need. John 15:15-16 “I no longer call you
servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.
Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned
from my father I have made known to you. You did not choose
me, but I chose you and appointed you to bear fruit—fruit that
will last.” Thank you for your prayers for the family and ministries
Gloria Marshall left behind. The fruit Gloria bore through her
many years of service will last. An eternity.
Sheryl

sheryl@fromashestobeauty.com