A Season to Renew

By: April Sliwak | Founder
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“This summer I’ll be called into stillness. Stillness with the Lord to hear from him; all the things he wants to say to me that perhaps I was too busy to hear before. Stillness to be heard; to pray, dream and ask”; excerpt from my July Newsletter.

Thank you for your prayers for the healing of my wound. God is faithful and is a Healer. 

In this season I studied Ann Voskamp’s, Waymaker, a six-session guide including a weekly video with self-reflection questions. I had the pleasure of meeting Ann in Ocean City, NJ with my daughters, sister, and friends at the Tabernacle in July. It was so sweet to hear her lovely voice and message and then to meet her afterwards. The experience was complimentary and solidifying to what I heard from God in my stillness; “Yes, you’ve been too busy to hear me before but now that I have your attention, I’m calling you, my beloved April, into a season of a sabbatical.”!

This time I will not be making my own plans but instead, I’ll be obedient.

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. Psalm 23:2-3

Friends, I’ve been serving in Her Life Speaks for seven years and God is calling me into a Sabbatical this year until January 2024. What is a Sabbatical and its purpose? Well, it’ll be a period for me to spend time with God. It’s a time for soul care, travel, receiving and to be still. A season of prayer, reading, worship, and doing nothing at all. A time for me to just sit, feel, and listen. A Sabbatical is a time to reconnect with the Lord and to be blessed by the loving kindness and unconditional love He offers.

I covet your prayers as I navigate stillness. This should be interesting and I can’t wait for all that God has to show me. I thank you as you continue to support Her Life Speaks and its mission. 

Has God called you into something new this season? Are you afraid? Excited? Will you be obedient? Will you trust? 

Love,
April

Meet Shabree Henry

Friends, while I’m away on sabbatical, I’ve appointed ShaBree Henry, Program Specialist for Her Life Speaks, to be the Interim Executive Director. ShaBree joined HLS 18 months ago and she jumped right into ministry to serve women and girls, particularly with The Beauty Project.

ShaBree’s servant leadership was evident right from the start. She is a mastermind behind programs, organization, social media, marketing, and management. She’s gifted in discernment and encouragement and ShaBree loves the Lord. I trust her and have leaned into her for sage advice, prayer, and support.

Please join me in supporting ShaBree as she oversees Her Life Speaks in my absence. Keep her in your prayers anytime you think of her and send her an encouraging message or prayer if you feel led to: [email protected]

With a heart full of gratitude,
April

Meet Shabree