Happy 2024, dear readers!
As we begin a new year, I (Melissa) would like to share a brief update with you:
This past summer, Emily stepped down as co-administrator of The Valley ministry. While I’ve missed her support and help in matters big and small, her decision–made for her own wellbeing–has not affected our friendship, and we remain close (literally–we love being only 15 minutes away from each other!). Thank you, Emily, for all your work in this ministry!
Since then, my friend Janeen, whom we’ve met on the blog, has agreed to step in to help me with brainstorming, accountability, and general administration. Janeen and I went to the same church in New Jersey for several years, and she remains a mentor figure to me, and a blessing to many where she and her husband now live in Iowa.
Another friend, Jasmine, has also volunteered her services to help me with the blog graphics (NOT my gifting!). Jas has shared her story and several guest articles with us, and she continues to see God’s blessing on her own writing career in New South Wales, Australia.
Guest posts by Jas:
- The Unravelling: Lessons From God’s Pruning
- Living With a Thorn in the Flesh
- One Set of Footprints: What It Means for God to Carry You Through Suffering
- and hopefully more!
I wish we could have a group photo of all of us together, but that may have to wait until Heaven. 🙂 In the meantime, I’m so thankful for these godly women and cherished friends and their investment into The Valley ministry–and for the technology that makes both our friendships and their ministry involvement possible!
Please keep praying for us, that God would guide us, keep us upright in His ways, and use us for His glory both in The Valley and wherever else we serve.
And, as always, if there’s something you would like to see on The Valley website or blog, or if you have any other feedback for us, please feel free to let us know either in a comment or through the contact page.
Thank you for reading! We’re thankful for you and pray for you regularly!
~Melissa
The Valley 
2 replies on “Announcement: New Year, New Helpers”
Melissa,
I am so thankful God opened the opportunity to work with your mentor, Janeen, on The Valley. I believe this will model the Biblical concept of Older Women investing in younger women, found in Titus. I always appreciated Juli Slattery’s mentor, Linda Dillo, who helped launch Authentic Intimacy and then I saw Juli investing in younger women. I am thrilled for both of you and how God is going to lead the ministry.
Many Blessings to you as you continue on Hope through The Valley.
❤️ Warmly,
Sandy Joseph
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Sandy! We’re excited to see what God will do. 🙂
LikeLike