Introducing myself and the vision

Hello Everyone/Anyone

I am truly a newbie with an experienced blogger sitting behind me. But I wanted the ministry to become part of the "social network". So I hope I will get responses from my first blog. My skin will thicken when necessary but gentle criticism is always accepted and welcomed.

First I would like to introduce myself. I am Sharon Conley born and raised in Kansas and had a great small town family life in Coffeyville, Kansas. My adult life has been an adventure some due to my mis-calculated decisions which has taken me to California (twice), New Mexico, Georgia, New York, Kansas (back and forth), Texas, and Oklahoma (once for graduate school and now I'm baaack!!!) Being back in Tulsa, Oklahoma brings both stability and purpose. I must admit stability feels very good.

I have many years of experience in the corporate world and many years of volunteer experience in the Domestic Violence, Family Reunification, and mentored teen moms. These experiences has brought me to realize the words God spoke to me during my busy years as a full time graduate student and working a full time third shift job..."you are to be a proactive intervention to My children." The instruction came in the year of 2000, my year of jubilee. I was in Germany visiting with my daughter and her family when the specific instructions from God began. First the name came...God's Redemption Affects Children Everywhere. Then came the acronym because He wanted people to understand His G.R.A.C.E.

He used my volunteer, internship, and practicum experiences with the at-risk comunity to visualize and realize and need for me and others to proactively intervene in the lives of the children. Go to the root of the hurt and the pain to stop the progression of anti-social behavior found in adults that had no one to intervene or advocate for them.

G.R.A.C.E. was incorporated in 2007 and we are waiting for our non-profit status to be mailed to us. The vision has been in me for many years but once I got the concept without the true revelation I took off running. God remained steady and full of compassion as I ran with His vision to New York and then to Texas. Yes, I tried very hard to bring G.R.A.C.E. into fruition on my own ability at the same time saying "God is wanting this vision to manifest NOW." Gee, as I look back at myself I even have to laugh as I know God was.

I must admit while living in Texas I became more quiet and He began to speak volumes to me about the vision. He gave me the vision and mission statement and the beautiful logo. The logo is a rainbow...His Promise with the colors of His children...red, yellow, black, and white. When time came for me to leave Texas and return to Tulsa I had to have a completed business plan. Thanks to His leading and my dear friend Linda from New York G.R.A.C.E. has a business plan. Sitting still and knowing He is God reaps such great rewards.

I invite you to visit our website www.grace-ministry.com to learn more about us and become a friend on facebook.