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Invincible Youth Ministry Conference Tour

I have a favor to ask you…

Posted on Thursday 24 April 2008 by Greg @ 12:11 pm
Filed under: Rants

My wonderful wife turns 40 on Sunday. I have some special surprises in store for her. One of the surprises is a bunch of encouraging notes from those who visit my blog from time to time. So would you consider typing an encouraging comment to her below? I’ll print them all out and let her read them at her party (not a surprise party…she hates those.)

For those of you who don’t know Debbie let me share with you a few things about this wonderful woman.

…she has survived being married to me for 17 years (I’m not the easiest person on the planet to live with…does that shock you?)

…she is a 5th grade public school teacher. Her kids, their parents and the other teachers at her school absolutely adore her. She is the kind of teacher you remember for the rest of your life. She loves her 5th graders and sees herself in as an ambassador of the love of God on her campus.

…she holds down the fortress on my many, many road trips. She drops off both kids before 7:20 am in two different places every school day to be able to make it to her school in time. She makes breakfast, packs lunches, cooks dinner, cleans the house, works with Jeremy on his homework and puts him and Kailey to bed at night, only to start the routine over the next day…all by herself. Of course, when I’m home I help…but she said that when I’m home it’s like having a third kid (?!)

I remember the first time I met her at Colorado Christian University. I saw this beautiful, big haired (it was the 80’s) redhead and approached her to get some, um, prayer requests from her. I said, “What’s your name?” She said, “I’m Debbie.” I said, “I’m Greggie.” (yes, I actually said that.)

Strike one.

But I re-approached her later and was finally able to get her to say yes to go out on a date. After our second date I asked for a commitment to “go steady.” She said, “no way.”

Strike two.

But, finally, after almost four years of dating we got married.

Homerun!

What is Debbie like? She is sweet yet strong. She is humble, self-effacing and much more concerned about other people’s welfare than her own. She loves animals and probably would work for PETA if she wasn’t married to me. When she asks, “How are you doing?” she really wants to know. She is the one person constantly reminding me to love others, not to be so dogmatic about everything and to take time to listen, smell the roses and all that stuff that I’m not naturally good at. This wonderfully sweet woman, who normally wouldn’t argue with anyone else, wins every single argument with me, every single time.

Debbie is God’s gift to me…and to you. Why to you? Because I guarantee some of the changes that have happened over the years at Dare 2 Share are as a result of her gentle and sometimes, not so gentle, prodding.

Would you type a note of encouragement to her for her 40th birthday celebration? She has sacrificed much more than I have so that a generation of teenagers could be equipped to reach their generation for Jesus. Your thoughtful note would mean a lot to her.

Signed, Greg Stier

35 Comments for 'I have a favor to ask you…'

  1. On April 24, 2008 @ 1:02 pm Matt said:
    • Happy Birthday and congratulation’s on surviving Greg for 17 years. God bless!

    • Permalink to Matt's comment

  2. On April 24, 2008 @ 1:39 pm BigFatPonyDancer84 said:
    • Happy birthday Debbie! You are doing a wonderful thing by being a teacher=] Kids need influences like you because you don’t know what there home life is like. I don’t even know you but you are awesome already to me. Doing all of those things like a mom would=] God bless you and your family!

      -Ellen

    • Permalink to BigFatPonyDancer84's comment

  3. On April 24, 2008 @ 1:44 pm mandee said:
    • I am so thankful for Debbie, her beautiful example of the love of Christ and her evedent joy.

      Happy Birthday!

    • Permalink to mandee's comment

  4. On April 24, 2008 @ 1:56 pm ptrjman said:
    • Happy Birthday Debbie!

      Thank you for the gift of sharing your husband and family with us as Greg ministers with us through D2S. Thank you for your work with young people in your school and at home. Enjoy a great day with family, friends, and a few comments from a blog that we enjoy every few days!

      Be Blessed,
      Pastor Joshua Meyer

    • Permalink to ptrjman's comment

  5. On April 24, 2008 @ 3:42 pm Brian said:
    • Debbie, Happy Birthday!! My wife Kim and I have to thank you so much for your involvement in the ministry of Dare2Share by supporting your husband every step of the way. Just yesterday I told Greg; “It takes a special woman to be married to you since you’re away from her and the kids so much.” If this encourages you in anyway know this; for every soul Greg has led to Christ and every person (including Kim and I)he’s impacted it’s taken your prayers, support, and love for your husband.

      We pray for you, the kids, and Greg. May you enjoy your birthday party with your family!

    • Permalink to Brian's comment

  6. On April 24, 2008 @ 4:00 pm Katie said:
    • Hey debbie ,Happy b-day .Hope you have a great one

    • Permalink to Katie's comment

  7. On April 24, 2008 @ 5:59 pm Dessa said:
    • Happy Birthday Debbie!
      Another Debbie I know (at least by name) that is married to a pastor. I hope you have a wonderful day. I hope your student’s made you feel special today as well. It is a special calling especially the 5th grade. :-)
      Take care God loves you and smiles at you
      Enjoy your day
      God bless you
      Dessa

    • Permalink to Dessa's comment

  8. On April 24, 2008 @ 6:13 pm Kelsey said:
    • Happy Birthday, I want to say thank you for all you allow your third child (hehe) to do. If it weren’t for him and God, many people at my school would not know what I believe, and I would not be equipped to share my faith. THANK YOU!!!

      ~Kelsey

    • Permalink to Kelsey's comment

  9. On April 24, 2008 @ 6:21 pm Will said:
    • Happy Birthday, Debbie!
      Our King, “THE King Is Enthralled by your Beauty, Debbie; honor Him, for He Is your Lord.” -Psalm 45:11
      OK, I kinda added ‘Debbie’. Thank you for honoring Him and pouring out your life for Jesus Christ into Greg and his ministry. And thank you for listening to His Quiet Voice in your ministry to Greg, your family, and all the lives you touch through Jesus Christ. We have never met and perhaps never will until the Day Jesus Christ is setting your Crown upon your head. I’ll be the maniac screaming for you and all our brothers and sisters in Christ and for Christ Himself! God Bless you on this day, your birthday, and every day, Debbie Stier. - Will

    • Permalink to Will's comment

  10. On April 24, 2008 @ 7:49 pm Brianna said:
    • Dear Debbie/Mrs. stier.

      From the looks of what greg stier has been writing you are an amazing women, with a passion for God and generously serving. Providing for your home and you sacrificially love others! I beileve and thank you for being such a great role model!!!! Wait 2 GO!!!!
      You are like the wife of noble charecter in proverbs 31:10-31. Happy Birthday!!! God-Speed!

    • Permalink to Brianna's comment

  11. On April 24, 2008 @ 8:36 pm r.baek4380 said:
    • congratulations and have a great birthday debbie.:] i am so glad and thankful that u have met greg and that he has come through this wonderful mistry, dare2share. i am just so greatful even if i may not know u. i am a 7th grader in georgia. and i am trying to live my life for christ. thank you in every way. for helping out in d2s. and for being part of gregs life. always reminding him to love others. taking great care for your children. and for just being a role-model for the students you teach. and much more…and again thankyou. have an amazing birthday. i know that there will be another great year ahead for you to reach for god. you are such a wonderful mother/teacher/wife/friend/role-model. again, have a enormously wonderful year and god bless!
      <3 Rachel Baek

    • Permalink to r.baek4380's comment

  12. On April 24, 2008 @ 9:05 pm Shadowkyle said:
    • Hey congrats on the big four-oh Debbie. You finally made it over the hill but I’m sure if you’re still with Greg, you two will continue to live long prosperous lives in Jesus Christ. Have a happy birthday and God Bless!

    • Permalink to Shadowkyle's comment

  13. On April 24, 2008 @ 10:15 pm Kristina said:
    • Hey,

      Happy Birthday Mrs. Stier! From what Greg said, you sound like an awesome person to me. I wish you, Greg, and your kids the best. I’m sure you have another great year coming up for you. Thank you for letting your husband be away from you so he can be at Dare 2 Share and tell us about God. My life radically changed one year ago in Seattle when God used Greg to get through to me. I am forever greatful for what your husband does and what you put up with. : )

    • Permalink to Kristina's comment

  14. On April 25, 2008 @ 3:04 am Bubelaiken said:
    • Hey.

      Happy birthday mrs.stier. well you sounds awesome wife and im glad that greg have you. without you he wouldn’t do Dare 2 share or have Jeremy or His daughter in his life. I am glad that you had taught him a lots of lesson. Without your support he wouldn’t do Dare 2 share with us and I am glad that you fully support him and always be there for him.

      soo Thank you Mrs.stier!! for everything!!!!

    • Permalink to Bubelaiken's comment

  15. On April 25, 2008 @ 6:39 am Dave Langer said:
    • Happy Birthday, Debbie!

      Thank you for your sacrifices on behalf of the Gospel. THis side of heaven, you may never know how many lives have been changed for the better simply because of your obedience, courage, and humility. But one day you WILL hear your heavenly Father say to you, “Well done, child. Very well done indeed.”

      God Bless You!

      Dave Langer
      Sumter, SC

    • Permalink to Dave Langer's comment

  16. On April 25, 2008 @ 8:13 am Becky said:
    • Happy Birthday Debbie! Keep being an encourgment to Greg.
      God Bless,
      Becky

    • Permalink to Becky's comment

  17. On April 25, 2008 @ 10:02 am Janna - Laurel UMC Montana said:
    • Happy Birthday Debbie! You’ve raised a great family, touched thousands and thousands of people and are the embodiment and living proof of God’s existence! Keep shining your light in the lives of your students and empowering those you come in contact with.
      GOD BLESS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

    • Permalink to Janna - Laurel UMC Montana's comment

  18. On April 25, 2008 @ 10:11 am Chance said:
    • Happy Birthady Debbie! May God Bless you!
      Love,
      Chance

    • Permalink to Chance's comment

  19. On April 25, 2008 @ 12:30 pm Heather said:
    • Dearest Debbie,

      Last year at Dare2Share, my younger brother got saved. That alone makes me eternally indebted to you. But even more so is the fact that he is now avidly witnessing to his friends. He took the double dare and has not lost momentum yet. He even organized his own mini four-week training session for our youth group’s leadership team, after which we went door by door evangelizing. Because of the support you give Greg, I will now spend forever in Heaven with my brother, and I cannot wait to see you there!

      Also, thank you for being a teacher. In my opinion, it is one of the noblest professions as so many of my teachers have so thoroughly impacted my life. I hope and pray that you continue serving God right where you are and I hope God will reveal the entirety of your influence when you get to Heaven!

      Happy Birthday!

      Love in Christ,
      Heather

    • Permalink to Heather's comment

  20. On April 25, 2008 @ 2:02 pm Nadeen said:
    • Happy Birthday Debbie! You are an amazing woman. You always have been. From the day I first met you 13 years+ ago until now, I have always thought I’d love to be like you. You’re a great example to me of godly gentleness and love. And for putting up with a character like Greg all these years, I know you’ll be living in the biggest mansion in heaven with daily spa services! :-) Just kidding Greg.
      Lots of Love,
      Former Grace-churcher, Nadeen (goddard)

    • Permalink to Nadeen's comment

  21. On April 25, 2008 @ 4:39 pm Courtenay said:
    • Happy Birthday Debbie!I don’t even know you, but from what Greg wrote, I think you are a pretty inspirational woman of God. I look forward to meeting you one day either on earth or in heaven. All I can say is keep teaching! I had a teacher like you in grade six who really changed the way I looked at school and I’m going to school now to become a teacher. Her influence on my life was way bigger than she’ll ever know. Be encouraged and blessed on your birthday! God Bless
      Courtenay Kasper

    • Permalink to Courtenay's comment

  22. On April 25, 2008 @ 5:04 pm Emily L. said:
    • Happy Birthday Debbie!!!
      It sounds like from the description Greg gave that your are supermom!! You are so lucky to have greg as a husband! I am only in 7th grade but I hope that when I get older and am dating that I find a guy like Greg! You are also amazing because you juggle all of your kids’ stuff and you can manage someone elses’ kids too as a teacher!! Teachers touch kids lives and that is what you are doing!
      In God We Trust,
      Emily
      Lincoln, NE

    • Permalink to Emily L.'s comment

  23. On April 25, 2008 @ 7:00 pm Lucy said:
    • Happy birthday Debbie!

      They say that behind every great man, there is a great woman. I think you and Greg certainly prove that statement true! :)

      - Lucy

    • Permalink to Lucy's comment

  24. On April 25, 2008 @ 10:32 pm battlegirl01 said:
    • dear Debbie,
      Happy Birthday!! Greg saysthe sweetest things about you! You must be so beautiful! I know God has blessed you with many gifts and talent to use to praise Him. Use them well.

      Love,
      CJ

    • Permalink to battlegirl01's comment

  25. On April 26, 2008 @ 8:19 am a girl said:
    • Happy Birthday Debbie!

      from a girl

    • Permalink to a girl's comment

  26. On April 26, 2008 @ 9:58 am Tony said:
    • Happy Birthday Debbie,

      Even though my wife and I are thousands of miles away, we would like to say Thank You for your contribution to the generation of teenagers that are being equipped to share the Gospel by D2S. Your treasure is being sent ahead of you and awaits in eternity. You’re awesome!

      In Christ,
      Tony & Holly Godfrey

    • Permalink to Tony's comment

  27. On April 26, 2008 @ 10:57 am donnatamez said:
    • Happy Birthday Mrs. Debbie

      I know that you will probably never meet me, but with what your wonderful husband has shared about you I feel as if I have known you all my life. I would like to thank you for helping Greg and contributing to the growth of teenagers in Christ. I think even more of you now knowing that you are a school teacher because I am an aspiring teacher. I hope that this and all the others have really brightened your birthday, and that you have many, many more in the future. Happy Birthday once again and God Bless!

      Jesus Found, and Glory Bound
      Donna Williams (NC)

    • Permalink to donnatamez's comment

  28. On April 26, 2008 @ 2:58 pm Lily said:
    • Debbie,

    • Permalink to Lily's comment

  29. On April 26, 2008 @ 3:02 pm Lily said:
    • God has blessed Greg with a wonderful wife like you. I hope that you have a wonderful birthday this year and in the years to come. I am thankful to you for all that you do to support your husband so he can minister to kids around the country. I am one of the many thousands of teens indirectly impacted by your love for your husband. I hope that you will continue to grow in your love for God as well as for Greg.

    • Permalink to Lily's comment

  30. On April 26, 2008 @ 3:56 pm Brittany said:
    • Happy Birthday, Debbie!

      I hope it is a wonderful birthday for a wonderful person [or at least, that’s what Greg keeps telling us ;) ]!

      -Britt

    • Permalink to Brittany's comment

  31. On April 27, 2008 @ 10:19 am Katie said:
    • Happy Birthday Debbie!
      Thank you so much for all you do to impact us tennagers’ lives! I know it’s gotta be tiring during the conferences when Greg’s gone a lot. Thank you sooooo much for everything you do for Dare2Share. I know you are an amazing woman, and I haven’t even met you! Keep up the good work! Thanks again!

      ~Katie

    • Permalink to Katie's comment

  32. On April 28, 2008 @ 10:59 am kevin said:
    • Hey Deb, happy birthday. Thank you for sharing yourself through Greg. For him to have the mental freedom to pour into others is huge and not to be under estimated. It is a privelege to be around him. You are the one that allows that to happen, so have a wonderful birthday and let everyone wait on you for a change.

    • Permalink to kevin's comment

  33. On April 28, 2008 @ 12:11 pm Tom Burnett said:
    • God Bless you Debbie. You are truly working in the trenches, behind the scenes. Your ministry at your school, as well as to your family and husband is truly a a blessing to hear about. Daily picking up your cross, and serving Jesus. Moms are the best!

    • Permalink to Tom Burnett's comment

  34. On April 28, 2008 @ 3:54 pm Mary Liston said:
    • Hey Debbie, I know this is kinda late but Happy Birthday! We love you! God Bless!

      P.S. We have the same birthday :) How Cool!!

    • Permalink to Mary Liston's comment

  35. On May 2, 2008 @ 2:40 pm Shurinai said:
    • Dear Debbie,

      Hey! Happy Birthday! I’m proud of you for surviving Greg for so man years it must be hard ;) lol. I hope you two continue to have awesome lives. I pray that God will continue to use you to be a blessing to your family and to dare2share. We all love you.

      In Him,
      Shurinai

    • Permalink to Shurinai's comment

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