Woman of the Week for 04/12/2012: Carrie Whitfill
Nominated by: Carl Crampton
Carrie is a wonderful person and an excellent sister. She loves and cares for those around her and makes sure others have what they need before she takes care of herself. She is a single mom and takes extraordinary care of her daughter, Alyssa. She is a positive role model and a great person.
To make a very long story short, my circumstances left me medically discharged from the Air Force, homeless, and without a car. After my discharge, I moved to Louisiana to find a job, it took a while but I soon got one. Then Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the area, and the company I worked for moved to Tennessee. Carrie has been a true blessing. When she bought a different car, she signed hers over to me until I could pay her back ($4,000.00!) When I got a scholarship, she paid for the gas so I could go to school and work part-time here in Florida. I’ve finished school now and I’m starting to get back on my feet, but I couldn’t have done it without Carrie.
Despite my misfortunes, Carrie proves that we are not defined by our circumstances and that God is faithful!
Woman of the Week for 04/05/2012: Andrea Carter
Nominated by: Ruth Ardis
When I was diganosed with cancer in 2010, she went with me to the doctors appointments. She helped me tell an elder at my church. She encourged me to hang in there and to stay strong in my faith. She has been there to lean on when I need a shoulder to lean on. She helped get housing for my kids when I had to stay in Tampa for treatments. She was there when I had go back in after my cancer surgery for galblader surgery. After I became a Christian, she studied the Bible with me. She has helped me understand things in the Bible I didn’t understand. When I felt like throwing in the towel, she has encourged me to hang in there. She helped my daughter become a Christian by studying with her. She is a great example of a good Christian friend and sister in Christ. I’m honored to have her as a friend.
Woman of the Week for 03/29/2012: Susan Dempsey
Nominated by: Tom Dempsey
My wife of almost 32 blissful & blessed years is my most precious Angel God as ever made. She always puts my needs ahead of hers. Approximately a year and a half ago I got severely sick and if it wasn’t for my Angel I would be in my Heavenly Home. After I recovered in the hospital for 14 days I came home and each and every day I had to return to the hospital for outpatient IV antibiotics for 10 days – I could not walk because I had a severe blood infection that required 2 knee surgeries – therefore I had to return to the hospital for antibiotic pic-line therapy. My most precious Holy Angel helped me through it, by literally almost carrying me down the stairs to the car – driving me to and from the hospital where she never left my side. If it wasn’t for my precious Holy Angel there is no way I could ever have gotten better, and still to this day she makes sure that all of my needs are taken care of before hers. There is no greater Love that I feel for anything or anyone then my precious Holy Angel Wife, plus the most precious of all is that she has never asked for anything in return. Our relationship is one that I thank God and Jesus for because my wife could never be replaced by anything, and believe me I am so blessed to have her in my life.
Woman of the Week for 03/15/2012: Gayle Andrews
Nominated by: Laura Andrews
I’ve known Mom for almost 26 years and over the years she exemplifies a Godly woman who truly cares for and loves people. Anyone who knows her sees evidence of how she loves her family and others she sees during the week. She’s always been there to encourage Godly spiritual growth, educational aspirations, and overall well-being. As a former school teacher, she takes an interest in how others learn. On a weekly basis, she co-teaches a citizenship class for adult ESL students at our church and leads a devotional time. Her example of praying and ministering to others has impacted me as I work with children as well. On a personal note, I call her Mom, because she treats me like a daughter, not a daughter in law. My own mother passed away 14 years ago. Mom (Gayle) has always stepped in when my children were born and while I was having contractions by truly “lending” a hand to squeeze. She is always there with perfect timing. She is a humble lady who would help without getting credit or a needed “thank you.” I love Mom.
Woman of the Week for 03/08/2012: Judy Forbes
Nominated by: Karen Hartner
When I was 8 months pregnant with my first child, I had an important business meeting in Daytona Beach. My mother lives on the WEST coast of Florida. She did not want me driving by myself to Daytona so close to my due date. She insisted and drove from the WEST coast of Florida, to my house in Orlando, picked me up, drove me to the meeting, waited in the car while I was in my meeting, then drove me home and then went back to her home on the WEST coast of FL. After I gave birth, she came to our home and stayed for several days. She not only helped with the baby and pampered me, but she brought over food and cooked meals for us, did our laundry and cleaned our home. She is over the top!
Woman of the Week for 03/1/2012: Sherry Searles
Nominated by: Bill Searles
My wife is a woman with a pure faithful heart. She is strong in the Lord, always giving, always loving, and never expecting anything is return. In 2007, our then grandson, Alex, was a victim of severe child abuse by the hand of our ex-daughter-in-law. He was only given a 10 percent of surviving. Alex was totally vegetative and we were given very little hope of his recovery. Sherry never gave up hope. Her faith in God’s healing grace was unwavering. There was a decision point to either let Alex go or to dedicate the remainder of our lives to care for him. Sherry, without hesitation gave up her career and life as we knew it and committed to caring for Alex and our then 8 month old granddaughter which we both adopted in 2008. Alex suffers from traumatic brain injury and has had to re-learn the most basic functions of life. Sherry has never left Alex’s side and through Sherry’s selfless love and dedication Alex has made an amazing recovery. Sherry has been his anchor, mother, and teacher providing him and our family unwavering love and support. Here is a link to Alex’s story done by 700 club, https://www.cbn.com/700club/features/amazing/alex_searles041609.aspx.
Woman of the Week for 02/23/2012: Anita Smith
Nominated by: Donna Collins Tinsley
Anita is an encouraging, enthusiastic, impassioned, motivating, spirited Southern woman who inspires us to have faith when things appears dark.
Although she is now widowed, she regards the Lord as her husband and protector through the storms of life. She was not afraid although alone during hurricanes and continues to teach and mentor women even though an ocular stroke has taken away the vision from one eye.
If you have ever sat in one of her Bible Studies you would be amazed at the wisdom God has given this woman; but don’t think she is all study and no fun. Even though Anita is in her 80’s, she can out-dance many a young woman at weddings and has even given her time to help elderly people at the assisted living centers get up and boogie to music for exercise.
One thing that Anita has done that really has encouraged me that a woman can accomplish big goals even in the later years is she recently completed a program to get a degree in Biblical Counseling at age 83. I would love for Anita to win this award to help commemorate her anniversary of teaching women for 25 years this month.
Woman of the Week for 02/16/2012: Eyla Moringlane
Nominated by: Zoe Labrada
Eyla Moringlane is a devoted woman of God. Not only is she family, but a best friend and sister through Christ as well. She is a wife and mother of two boys which she currently home-schools. Not only has she taken on the task of providing a solid Bible based educational foundation for her two boys, she also serves in her church through the worship ministry. Several months ago I was torn between what God was calling me to do and what I wanted to do. I was going through one of the toughest times in my life. I was 7 months pregnant, laid off from work, just finishing grad school, and had no health insurance. Eyla stepped up to the plate and did what God was asking her to do. She was there for me through the most difficult time of my life, providing that much needed support. I did not have from anyone else all the while helping me realize that God came first no matter what. Eyla also helped me out financially to where my family was able to get back on its feet. She gave me the best gift ever, teaching me that there was so much to live for through Christ. At a time when I felt like my world was ending, she taught me that life wasn’t over and that God had other plans. I nominate her because I feel she needs to be recognized. Not only is she loved by me and the family, but by the community as well. Thank you.
Woman of the Week for 02/09/2012: Mary Rowland
Nominated by: Lauren Kelly
I’m pretty biased but I happen to think my Mom is the most incredible woman you will EVER meet. To me she is woman of the week, month, year, and century. She has faced a lot of adversity in her life and is yet facing another one. Her husband and love of her life is going through the fight of his life. He was diagnosed with Glioplastoma, a terminal and rare form of brain cancer. He is under hospice care and only has a short time left with us. They’ve only been married a short 2.5 years, not long enough. She has been nothing short of amazing during this time. She has been such a pillar of strength when her husband has needed it the most. Her faith never waivers and continues to praise God during the storm. To me she gives new meaning to “during sickness and in health.” She will always be my example and inspiration. I would love to honor her and give her the recognition she so deserves. She truly is the most important woman in my life and my best friend!
Woman of the Week for 02/02/2012: Tahra West
Nominated by: Nicole West
When I think of my sister-n-love I think of the woman from Proverbs. She has 5 children & home schools. She cooks their meals with mostly fresh & organic ingredients & is always making home made breads & cakes for people. She is very patient & kind. Always there to offer words of encouragement & lend a helping hand. She does all this & still seems to have time to make jewelry too! She is a prayer warrior & will stand up & fight for you when you can’t. I don’t know where she gets her energy but she just goes & goes like the energizer bunny. Oh did I mention she’s an awesome decorator & can sing too? I want to be just like her when I grow up. Tahra, I don’t say it very often but it is always in my heart. I love you & have so much respect for you.
