Last Weekend

I'm just now getting around to writing about last weekend when our friends, Ronnie and Jerry Ann Guidroz were with us. If you have never been with these wonderful people you are missing out on knowing some of the finest people alive. They are so kind, loving, caring, unselfish, and hospitable! When you have been with them for awhile you know you have been with people who really love God and you. Bro. Guidroz blessed our church with two great messages. Sunday morning he preached "The Spell of the Cross" and Sunday night he preached a masterpiece entitled, "We Don't Need More Money...We Just Need God to Bless What We've Got". He has a unique way of presenting the Word of God and we always enjoy his messages. Sis. Guidroz spoke in PrimeLIFE, my Sunday School class. She did a wonderful job of presenting Jesus and making us WANT to have "A Heart Like God's Heart". We were all touched with the sincerity of her words. You could feel God's heart as she spoke. We got to have lunch with them before they left on Monday. I hated to see them go, but I knew I couldn't keep them here. They are very busy doing the Lord's work, so they had to leave. Thank you Bro. and Sis. Guidroz for coming to Wichita Falls and blessing all of us with your ministry.

Note: I was walking out of the garage this week and a florist drove up in my drive-way with a delivery, so I went to see what it was. The Guidroz had sent a beautiful arrangement to us with a "thank you" note. That was so sweet and we appreciate their thoughtfulness.

Tribute to My Friend, Linda Shahan

I am writing this post with a heavy heart tonight, because last night at about 8:35 the Lord chose to take one of my friends home to be with Him. Sis. Shahan has been a beautiful example of a true Christian and a lady who loved to be involved in whatever ministry she found to work in. She lived the scripture, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..." When she saw that a ministry was missing in the church she would start it! She had a passion for the things of God that was amazing. She also loved to have fun! When she laughed it was contagious. One year we were snow skiing and you could hear her laughing all over the mountain. I hear her laughter ringing in my ears as I write this. I will miss her more than I can express. I do not understand why she had to go away from us, but I trust God in His decision. He walked along the "garden of life" and picked another one of His most beautiful roses and heaven will be more beautiful because of her presence. I will meet you in the morning, my friend. Meet me in front of the throne, because I'm sure, not too far away from me will be Bro. Elms, Bro. Shahan, Todd, Julie K, Madison, Mason, Curtis, Julie Dawn, Kelsey, and Wesley! We WILL be there!

Alayna

I know, I know! I need to post something, but I haven't had a chance. I will try and get a new post on tomorrow sometime. I hope everyone is having a great week. Ours has been full and running over with busyness, but maybe someday it will slow down. Is there any hope in that? I thought life would slow down when I didn't have children at home, but it has just gotten faster, and faster, and faster! Whew! I sometimes want to yell...."STOP THE WORLD AND LET ME OFF"! LOL! Anyway, I still hope you all are having a great week. I can say this....God is GOOD! He never changes! He's our strength!

Note: I guess I just wrote a new post, huh? LOL!

Beaumont Visit

After being with the Mathews on Sunday, when we got back to the hotel we received a call from Jonathan saying he was having to take Brenda to Emergency at the hospital because she was so sick. So, on Monday morning I left for Beaumont and Andrew came to Ft. Worth and picked up his Dad. I definitely HAD to go check on Brenda and help her. I was so upset thinking about them being in a new place, and the girls not knowing very many people, yet, and I just couldn't stay away. I called Brenda and told her I was on my way and she was so happy! When I arrived she looked like she was feeling better and she said, "Mom, as soon as you told me you were coming a miracle took place and I started feeling better!" Well, I know exactly how that is when you're sick and you want your Mom around. No matter how old you are...when you're sick it is wonderful when "Mom" shows up!! I was so glad she was feeling better and we got a lot of the house decorated so they could feel at home. Brenda and Jonathan were very thankful for my help. I enjoyed being in church with them on Tuesday night and meeting some of the saints there. The girls were just so cute and we had so much fun. They definitely kept me entertained!! LOL! I took some pictures, but not enough! :) Savanna wanted to "pose" for the camera, so she did, and Scarlet had to follow "sissy". It was so funny!

Special Weekend With Mathews

There has been so much going on this week and I haven't had a chance to read emails, or blog, because I had no access to the internet. Last Sunday we were in Ft. Worth with Clarence and Madge Mathews at their church. We had a great time in service. Sis. Madge shocked me with how well she plays the keyboard. She also leads the choir as she plays. I was impressed! They definitely sang from their hearts and it was so good!! Bro. Clarence is a wonderful Pastor and led the service with passion. Brandon played the drums and did a great job and Erin sung in the choir. The family is very talented and a blessing to all who know them. Madge was so thoughtful and had the choir sing a song that Clarence had the lead on, because she knew how much we love to hear him sing. Of course, Bro. Elms preached a wonderful message and it was used by God to touch many hearts. After a lunch with the leaders of the church we went back to the church for a Leaders Meeting. Bro. Elms talked about the right attitude as a leader. We had a wonderful time. I even caught "Pastor Mathews" jumping on a PO-GO Stick! LOL! He was having a good time with some of the boys in the church parking lot and I just happened to catch him!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHARON!


Sharon is a loyal friend, one who does not seek recognition, but gives unselfishly, never expecting anything in return! I have known Sharon for 30 years and she has always been the same. She is a friend who follows after the footsteps of Jesus and stays by your side when others may walk away. Sharon, I love you and am very blessed to call you "FRIEND". Thank you for your love and friendship.

Pastor Elms and Family Welcomed to Beaumont

Today was the first service for Jonathan, Brenda, Savanna and Scarlet at The Apostolic Church in Beaumont. They had wonderful services this morning and tonight. Brenda was too sick to be at church this evening and was more distraught over missing church than she was over being sick. A great big thank you to all who prayed for her. I'm sure she will be feeling better soon. If you would like to read the bulletin welcoming them, go here. I know all of you who read my blog are interested in what God has been doing in the lives of those who are dear to me, so I wanted to make it easy for you to share in my thankfulness.

To the Saints at Ranger: I know some of you read my blog and I want you to know that I have been thinking about you and praying that God will send the right Pastor and family to you. You are an incredible group of people and we love you so much. You have been a beautiful part of our lives for many years and you have made our lives richer just by knowing you. You have been so loving and loyal to our "kids". Thank you for your never ending care of the ministry. When God rewards you for your "labor of love" I want to be there. Bro. Elms and I have talked many times of how you know how to love the ministry and especially give your respect and support to the "young minister" God places in your lives. You allow him to grow into what the Lord has placed in his heart and we respect you and give honor to you for your never failing love.

A Busy and Interesting Week

This past week has been a week of mixed emotions, but full of thankfulness. It started Monday morning with us driving to Austin, TX for Gene and Karla's Ordination Service at the South Texas District Conference.

It was a great service, filled with the presence of God. Bro. Terry Pugh preached a wonderful message.












God touched Bro. Gene with a special anointing as the ministry prayed for him and Sis. Karla.








It was a very special time for us all. I was so proud of them and Bro. Elms was touched very deeply to have another "son in the gospel" ordained.








I thought it was special that Bro. Danny Johnson who was part of Life Tabernacle ministry with Bro. Ensey, is now on the South Texas District Board, and was one of the minister's who prayed for Gene and Karla.
Along with ordination comes another level of ministry and we are so proud to say Gene and Karla are from Life Tabernacle. Bro. and Sis. Holley (Gene's dad and mom) were at the service, also. It was wonderful to see them and to see how proud they were of their son.
There is nothing like having sons in the ministry, doing the will of God. After the service we were invited to a reception and special time of fellowship at the Bernard's church. It was good seeing friends and visiting with them.

We left Austin and headed to Ranger to say goodbye to the kids before they moved to Beaumont, TX to their new church. They were tired from packing, but we had a nice time of visiting at Cafe Rico's in Eastland. The girls were beautiful as always, and couldn't seem to give us enough hugs and kisses.














Scarlet wanted to come home with us! She knew what car to go to!

Tomorrow is Jonathan and Brenda's first service at The Apostolic Church, as pastor, and they are looking forward to great things happening! Another chapter of life has begun with Jonathan and his family living 8 hours away instead of 2, but we are happy, thankful, and a bit overwhelmed with the blessings of God! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Quick Post

I just want to say THANK YOU to Life Tabernacle for praying for me last night at prayer meeting and anyone else who prayed. I woke up this morning feeling much better. Yesterday, I was feeling like knives were going through my throat, and having been around Brenda the day before, who has stept throat I sure didn't need to be around anyone. But, THANK THE LORD today is a DIFFERENT DAY and I thank Him for touching me! Hopefully, I will write more later tonight.

Sick and Busy

That's a strange "title" for this post, I guess, but it tells just how things have been. Again, the crazy "bug" has hit both of us, but we keep swatting at it and trying to kill it! I don't know when everyone has been sick so many times in one season! I know that "this too shall pass" and things will be better SOON, but, until then I will just say, "OH WELL"! I have a lot to blog about, but haven't had the chance since returning home from Austin, but I'm sure I will get around to it sometime soon. Does anyone have a "round tuit"? LOL! I remember Mother having one. Anytime someone said "I'll get around to it" she would hand them one. LOL! You should have seen the look on their face when she handed the "round tuit" to them. It was funny. Well, I'm rambling, but I just wanted to say, "hello" to all my fellow-bloggers. Have a great day or night, which ever it is when you read this.

To God Be the Glory

What an incredible Easter we have had! It started out with great Sunday School and went into our Morning Worship! The presence of the Lord was so prevalent and you could feel His presence from the beginning. As we worshipped His glory filled the sanctuary. After church we had an Easter Egg Hunt for the children behind the church. It was pretty chilly! (in the 40's) They had fun anyway Here is Alayna with all of her "finds".




















Ashlyn got an Easter basket from her Mommy and Daddy.
Tonight was another outpouring of His Spirit. Onjolyce (age 5) received the gift of the Holy Ghost during worship, and while she was still praying she looked at Bro. Joseph and Sis. Carmen and said, "I want to be baptized!" It was so adorable. Pastor Elms baptized her in Jesus Name!



















Praise God! The Kids Choir was scheduled to sing and they did an incredible job. What was one of the most touching things to me was when they sung "Oh, How I Love Jesus" and Onjolyce had a solo
on the first verse. When she started singing I almost melted off of the organ stool! I can go to bed happy tonight knowing that God has worked just one more time in the hearts and lives of all who were in church with us at Life Tabernacle today!





P.S. I was talking to someone in our church tonight and they said they had never seen a picture of my Mother, so I thought I would add this picture of the most beautiful lady in the world, so anyone who did not know her could see what a lovely lady she was! We always called her our "Queen"! She matched the description 100%.

A New Calling

On Wednesday night, April 4 Jonathan and Brenda were voted in as Pastor at The Apostolic Church in Beaumont, TX. Jonathan resigned his pastorate at First United Pentecostal Church in Ranger, TX last night. The saints in Ranger have been supportive through this process and feel along with Jonathan that the Lord's will has been done, although they are sad to be losing their pastor and family. Jonathan and his family have been there for 7 years. Savanna and Scarlet were born while they have been there, so the girls have some very special, and loving people in their lives. They love you all so much! God has other plans for the Jonathan Elms family so they must move on. We have known the people at Ranger UPC for many years and we know they understand when the Lord moves His servants someplace else. God will send the right man for the church there. Thank you for loving our children. We love you very much!

Since God has brought about these happenings in Jonathan and Brenda's life, things have been a little upside down for them. It's amazing how God starts working in a pastor's heart to bring about His will. You love the people you have been loving for years, then God makes the heart of a Pastor large enough to love another congregation. A pastor's heart must be giant in size! Jonathan and Brenda are very excited about the new adventure God has placed in their life. They are in the middle of packing and will be moving sometime next week. The saints in Beaumont are excited and are looking forward to their new pastor arriving. We are looking forward to meeting all of the people of The Apostolic Church. God bless you all!

Jonathan and Brenda, now I've got to say something to you. We are so proud of you and know that God has His hand on your life. We are going to miss you so much. You've been only an hour and forty-five minutes away from us, but now it will be about 8 hours!! That's the one thing that bothers me about this whole thing, but as I said, when I get lonely I'll be down to see you and the girls. Ya'll are going to be incredible in your new church and we look forward to hearing about all the great things God has done!

Great Man Remembered

Today, I celebrate a great man of God, my father. He went to be with the Lord 3 years ago today. I miss him so much that it hurts, at times. I would like to be able to tell him about the accomplishments of my two sons, Jonathan and Andrew and how they have made him proud in their ministry's. He always talked about his grandsons and what great men they were. Daddy, today I want you to know they are still walking with the Lord and doing His work. I would like to show him my grand-daughters....all four of them. He would love watching them worship in church. I know they would win his heart! Daddy, we are doing well as a family. Ronda and Karla are doing well. We have been through good days and bad days since you've been gone, but God has always been with us. You always said, "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts" and that's what we have done. We know that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." You taught us to trust God and I thank you. If we hadn't had the firm foundation of truth established in our hearts from your preaching and teaching, the last several years of life might have thrown us, so I want you to know that I appreciate your firm hand and your unconditional love in my life. I really don't know what to say, except that I love you and I will "meet you in front of the throne"! It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. I know wherever He is, you will be standing close by, greeting the saints who have made their way to that bright city! I can't wait to see you again!

Hey Everybody....It's RONDA'S birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR RONDA.......................HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

You are such a wonderful "little sister" (as Keith would say). I remember when I was five years old and you were born! My how time flies! You have always been beautiful and you have brought many hours of fun and happiness to my life. Thank you for being a true Christian! I've always been proud to walk with you anywhere! You are classy and remind me so much of Mother. Sometimes it's like sitting and talking to her when you are around. I hope you have a great day and enjoy this year, because next year you hit the big one!! (I won't tell which one it is!) LOL!

Quick update

Tonight, another young lady (Samantha) was BAPTIZED in Jesus Name, and received the HOLY GHOST with the evidence of speaking in tongues when she came out of the water!!