Stopping By

I want to wish you all a wonderful weekend! We've had a great week at Junior Youth Camp. The kids were wonderful, the staff wonderful and God has been AWESOME! I just wanted to say "hello" to all my friends and family! Love you!

PROTECT YOUR FAITH

Today while getting ready to go take care of things, I was listening to some "good gospel music" on the radio. There were songs about "holding on","God is good", "great things are happening"...the normal uplifting songs I love to hear. These songs lift your spirit and bring peace to your mind in troubled times. Then I thought, "I need to listen to the news to see what's happening in the world." So, I did!

BROTHER! By the time I had listened just a FEW MINUTES, I started feeling "low"! I started thinking "negative" thoughts. My spirit wasn't "soaring" like it had been when I was listening to "good gospel music". There was not ONE thing they said on FOX or CNN that brought any happiness to my spirit, and it sure didn't BUILD my FAITH! House markets are down, the gas prices are terrible, food prices are high and getting higher, fires in California, drought in Western Oklahoma....on and on they talked and said THEIR predictions on how BAD things are, and how BAD things are going to get.

Then I had the thought...."PROTECT YOUR FAITH"!!! I think it came from God. We have several situations that we are praying for, and sometimes it seems God is taking His time! I needed to "think on the goodness of Jesus" and NOT the economy and all of the doom and gloom around us. MY GOD is BIGGER than the ECONOMY and HE can and WILL ANSWER our prayers. I needed to remember the words to this song.

When you're up against a struggle

That's shattered all your dreams

And your hopes been cruely crushed

By Satan's manifested schemes.

And you feel the urge within you

To submit to earthly fears

Don't let the faith your standing in

Seem to disappear

Praise the Lord.

He will work for those who praise him

Praise the Lord.

For our God inhabits praise.

Praise the Lord.

For the chains that seem to bind you

Serve only to remind you.

That they fall powerless behind you.

When you praise him.

Satan is a liar and he wants to make us think

That we are paupers, when we know ourselves

We're children of the king.

So lift up the mighty shield of faith

For the battle must be won

Remember Jesus Christ has risen

So the works already done.

We can become so entrenched with the thinking of "this world" and forget that our HOPE, our STRENGTH, our ANSWERS come from HIM! It doesn't matter what the news is saying! OUR GOD is the WAY-MAKER!

Here are a few things I think I'll do:

1. Don't listen to the nay-sayers!

2. Turn off the talk shows and news!

3. Look to Jesus!

4. Read His Word!

5. Listen to those who speak positive!

6. PRAY!

7. Think on the goodness of Jesus!

8. Speak words of FAITH!

9. Know in Whom I have believed!

".....with God all things are possible."

Magnolia Weekend

We were blessed this past weekend to be with Steve and Karen Wehrle in Magnolia TX. What a GREAT time we had!!! We arrived Saturday evening in time to get a bite of supper and go to a Street Rod Car Show. There were some BEAUTIFUL cars and I even remembered some of them. LOL!

Sunday services were absolutely WONDERFUL! I felt like I was at home in Life Tabernacle and my heart was overflowing with worship. There was a deep, sweet moving of God's presence! We have been so use to this kind of worship, and was so happy to experience it once again in our friend's church. The Wehrle's are wonderful people and so easy to be around. We enjoyed staying in their lovely home. I felt like I had walked into a haven when we arrived. "Home" isn't a house...."Home" is a place where love abounds and friendships thrive! That's where I was this past weekend.

The Wehrle's have a beautiful family! Two daughters are married to wonderful men and they have some of the cutest children. They brought many smiles to our hearts while we were there. Stephanie helped lead in worship, Stacey brought me joy in her worship and praise. It was beautiful! We found out that Matthew, Stephanie's husband has a great "country" voice. And Sonny, Stacey's husband, reminded me of one of my cousins. He is a quiet, strong man and enjoyable to be around. The Wehrle's also have a "special needs daughter" who is a very sweet girl. Her name is Starla and I know when we walked in that she wanted to meet us. She walked over and brushed against us as if to say, "Hello...nice to meet you." To watch Steve and Karen take care of her and to feel their love toward her is heart-warming. Their love is very deep and you can "feel" their care for her. The beauty of love that abounds in their home and lives is felt by everyone they come in contact with. After being in their company I can say I have experienced once again what it feels like to be loved by God Himself.

I also got the joy of being around "Grandma Holley"! :) Karen is so much like her that it's amazing. We had a time of remembering Bro. and Sis. W.R. Holley. (Karen's grandparents) My husband will never forget Bro. Holley coming to him and placing his hand on his shoulder and saying, "I'm really glad you're here. Now I can relax!" He said a few more words and it was a "special blessing" given to him. His "blessing" was so heart-felt and taken very seriously by my husband, the newly elected pastor of Life Tabernacle. After giving 24 years of our lives to the church Bro. Holley pastored for 30 or so years, the church is now in the very capable hands of Bro. Holley's grandson....Pastor Gene Holley, Jr.! How beautiful are the ways of God! Of course, we couldn't help but miss Bro. and Sis. E.L. Holley...Karen's parents and our friends!

Thank you...Steve, Karen, and family for loving us, and treating us like "family"!

June 21, 2000 - the day my world changed

It is fifty-three minutes passed June 21. This day has come and gone, but I have been thinking about my brother all day. Eight years ago on June 21, Keith left this world and all of his family and friends. I am privileged that today we have been with Steve and Karen Wehrle who "remembered" with me. They were great friends of Keith's and we enjoyed talking about him. I miss Keith and all the joy he brought to my life. I loved to hear him sing...no one can sing like him. I loved the twinkle in his eye when he thought of something funny. I loved the stories he told. I loved his laugh....we had a lot of them, together. I loved his warmth and love for his family and friends. I loved his big arms wrapped around me in a "bear hug". I loved hearing him say to me, "Hello Beautiful"! I just loved HIM! No, I didn't forget about him today, I enjoyed his "life" once again with friends. I just couldn't go to sleep without writing about my brother, my friend.

Sand or Gravel?

The other night I walked into the Concession Stand after a wonderful service with the Crusader's and was greeted by my husband with a smile, and with these words. "I might as well go ahead and tell you...." I stopped and looked at him to see what it was he was going to tell me. He had gone fishing with some friends and my first thought was, "You got an ant bite or came close to being stung by a red wasp." Of which, I am glad it was neither one! He can't afford to have either one of these things happen, because he is highly allergic to both of them. The doctor told him he needs to be extra careful because, "the next time could be fatal". Anyway, I was relieved when he told me "the story".

Before he left to go fishing he said, "I might not take my phone with me, because "so and so" seems to always lose his phone in the lake whenever he takes it", so Wendell thought it would be safer to just leave his. Then, he decided to go ahead and take it "just in case" someone needed him. When he got on the boat he looked around and found a real deep, "safe" cupholder to put the phone and glasses in.

They had a wonderful time catching fish! About 3 hours later Wendell went to get his phone out of the cupholder. It was still there just like he thought it would be, but when he got it out it was SOAKING WET! It had rained earlier in the day and the cupholder had quite a lot of water in it. Now, that is something no one thought to check!!!

Do you remember the OTHER iPhone he had a few months ago that was left on top of the car, it fell off, several cars ran over it, and I posted about the SMASHED iPhone? Well, now we have a WATER LOGGED iPhone!!!!! Oh, it looks good on the OUTSIDE, but the INSIDE is in BAD SHAPE! I could teach another lesson about THIS iPhone!

I felt so bad for my husband that I couldn't even get aggravated about it. I just shook my head and said, "Oh well....I guess you'll have to buy another one!"

We went to buy another one today, and wouldn't you know...there are NO iPhones to be found! They didn't even have them at Apple. They said they have sold out and the new one will not be out until July. We were in the store for 2 hours trying to get another phone set up!!! Finally, they called "tech" and they got the problem solved after working for quite a long time on the problem.

We got home and after several hours of my husband "messing" with the new one I think he has decided that when the NEW iPhone comes out he will be taking this one back and exchanging it! Of course, they told him he could when he bought it.

Bro. Graham preached a message at Camp Meeing about "sand in your shoes". It was fantastic! I think we have decided that some of the "sand we've had in our shoes" lately has turned itself into GRAVEL!!!! :) But, I guess "gravel" is really better than "sand", because you can pick the "gravel" up a lot easier and get rid of it. With "sand" it takes a lot more time and effort for it to be totally gone! Besides, it's just an iPhone that's ruined....not our attitude, or spirit, or anything that REALLY matters!

Crusader Camp Slideshow

Tonight was the end of Crusader Camp and we had an awesome move of the Holy Ghost! I was privileged to be in the service and was able to spend some time in the altar with the kids, and I enjoyed it so much! There is nothing like being in the presence of God and watching as He fills children with His spirit. I must say that I had a wonderful time this week! I loved being here on the camp ground with so much activity going on and being a small part of Crusader Camp. Here are a few pictures from the week. ENJOY!

Monday we begin Junior High Camp! More fun is on the way!!!!

Not Sleepy!

I'm suppose to be asleep, but can't seem to get sleepy, so I wanted to at least sit down for a minute and say this week has been a good week. Crusaders Camp is going on and I've heard we have about 500 "little" campers here. We're so use to seeing adults on the campground, and my husband said, "It looks like a bunch of little ants running all over the place!" It's so cute to see these "little people" making friends, enjoying fellowship, playing ball, and having the "time of their lives". My favorite time of the day is to drive around in the golf cart and see them headed to church! They are young, but you can tell they have a purpose as they walk toward the tabernacle.

Wendell and I rode over to the tabernacle the other night to see what was happening and when we walked through the door our kids from home spotted us. It was a grand reunion for several minutes! I have to admit that I cried a few tears. It made me a little homesick to see them and to see those who came to help this week. You cannot love people deeply without hurting when you leave them. Some say you shouldn't love people very much because you're going to get hurt. Well, I have to ask, "What is life about if you can't love others?" I have wonderful memories down deep in my heart that no one can take away. Those memories may make me smile, laugh, cry, or just "remember", but when they do I know I am blessed to have known and loved the people in my life.

I will close with what happened to tonight at church. I was sitting, holding our "sleeping Ashlyn" when again a few of the kids from Life Tabernacle spotted Bro. Elms and me. They came back to give us hugs, and after a little time went by I said to them, "Don't ya'll need to go up front and pray?" Howie looked at me and said, "No, I prayed yesterday, and I prayed the day before, so I don't need to pray today!" LOL! I loved it and loved him for being so open! LOL! That's why I love kids. They just "tell it like it is".

I do have a few pictures, but it would take too long to post them tonight. My eyes are getting a little heavy, so I think I will try to go to sleep. I'll be checking back in soon.

Camp Meeting Slideshow

First, let me say that it's good to be back to my computer for a few minutes! We have been going non-stop since Camp Meeting began and I am making myself sit down for a few minutes to post. I've missed "visiting" with everyone in the "blog world".

As I stated in the previous post, TEXAS Camp Meeting was absolutely phenomenal this year! Every service, every speaker, every praise group and all the musicians did an incredible job of bringing us into the presence of God and leading us to worship and adore Him. The preaching was solid Apostolic preaching. We had our times of rejoicing, re-dedication, "getting the sand out of our shoes" (thank you Bro. Graham) and enjoying messages of separation and truth!!!! I don't know when I have ever been in a camp meeting quite like this one. That is not an overstatement for me. It was just that awesome!

Here are a "few" pictures I took during the week. You would be sitting at your computer a long time if I posted all of them! LOL! I hope you will enjoy these.

Today begins the Crusader Camp! These are the "little kids" and they are swarming all over the camp ground! We are going to have FUN this week! I can't wait to get my "work" done so I can get on the golf cart and go check everything out!!!! Ya'll have a great week and I will be blogging again, when I have a break from all the FUN, FOOD and FELLOWSHIP!

TEXAS CAMP MEETING

I will not take the time to elaborate on what all has happened this week, but I can just say...WOW! To "kick off" the week there was a TBC Benefit Concert on Monday night, and I want to say that it was wonderful! The singers sang with passion and anointing. We had a wonderful variety of music, from "Bluegrass Gospel, to "good ole' Pentecostal singing, to contemporary. We were touched by the Holy Ghost as the songs mininstered to our hearts, and I was proud once again to be part of The United Pentecostal Church. You won't find better music anywhere! Tuesday morning Camp Meeting "officially" started. We have heard powerful messages, and solid teaching in each session. There has not been a "down time" since it started! The "spirit of unity" has definitely been felt here on the "ole' camp ground". I can honestly say I've never been to a better Camp Meeting, and I'm thrilled to be here!

One of the highlights of the week for me was today when I walked into the tabernacle and heard Sis. Robbie Guidroz playing the piano in the morning Bible Study. Bro. Guidroz was the Devotional Speaker and he had her play for worship. I love listening to her as she skillfully "tickles the ivorys" to the glory of God! She is a beautiful lady through and through, and one of my "favorite people"!

I will share some Camp Meeting pictures with you at a later time, but I just wanted to say a little today about what has been happening. Have a wonderful evening. I will try to post a little more tomorrow.

Blogory - Written by: Blog Authors

I will be the first to say this "project" has been one of the most FUN things I have done since I started writing this blog! :) It has been so neat to read all of the different twists to this "blogory". My husband is the one who gave me the name! I loved his description of a "blog story". Thank you all who contributed! As you know, we could continue this for a long time. Maybe I should, but I have Camp Meeting starting tonight, so I will be busy the rest of this week. Hopefully, I will be able to blog along the way. Following is the story WE wrote. It turned out very good! I really hate to end it, but maybe we can continue it or start another one sometime.

"The Lad"

Yesterday while walking down the lane, I happened upon a young lad. He was on his knees at the side of the lane, looking at a beautiful flower. The flower had come up through the crack in the big rock which made him very nervous. The rock looked rather unstable, almost as if it could fall at any moment. However, he couldn't take his eyes off the beautiful flower and then he heard a voice speaking softly. His gaze firmly fixed on the beautiful flower, he froze to hear the words coming from behind him. The strong scent of the flower was almost intoxicating and he struggled to comprehend. The voice repeated the words gently, saying "Come closer. It is okay, just come closer." As he did a gentle breeze came along causing the flower to sway as if it were dancing.

Now, the lad had seen dancing flowers before, but somehow he knew this flower was magical and so he decided to share his excitement with someone other than himself, so he ran to get his grandmother. She was very old, highly respected, from an ancient Indian tribe. When he was little she used to hold him and tell him of a day that will come when you grow up and see beauty spring from desolation. At this moment, you will receive revelation that determines your direction in life. Your purpose will be to encourage and strengthen those who have lost their way, to show them direction and lead them back to the true path.

But now, the grandmother and grandson were looking at the magical flower. The intoxicating scent and the dancing and swaying of the flower seemed to have them in a trance. As they knelt there looking at the flower the rock began to shift. The crack was widening, stretching, and suddenly burst open to reveal a dazzling rainbow of colors. Neither had ever seen such a beautiful display. It was just like in the old legend his grandmother had told him many times. As they were standing looking at the translucent colors of the rainbow they realized "this is it, this is what they had been waiting for". Never before had so many colors met his eyes. As the colors swirled, the grandmother was once again lifted into the heavens and vanished. Grandmother's spirit had returned to God.

In a cold sweat, the lad startled awake. No longer the lad of the dream, the young man tried to make sense of the flower and brilliant colors knowing they were directing him to accept the calling to preach the gospel that God had given to him. He knew God was directing him to return to the people of his ancestors and he must follow his heart.

What do you think?

Note: To see who contributed to this story, go to "Storytime" Comments. Please visit all of them on their personal blogs. You will enjoy their writing!

Storytime!

Let's write a story! You want to? It's always fun for someone to start a story and someone else to add to it, so I think I want to start one tonight. Leave your "story contribution" in the comments and let's see how good we can do! LOL! When we finish I will post it altogether. Just call me crazy! I don't have a clue why I'm doing this. I guess you can call it.....having FUN! Let's go!

Yesterday while I was walking down the lane I happened upon a....

God's Ways

HAPPY! EXCITED! THANKFUL!

I cannot go into the "reasons" why I am experiencing these emotions, but at the appropriate time I will! Just let me say, "God has done a GREAT thing!"

I'm thankful! I'm happy! I'm excited!

God definitely has EVERYTHING in HIS hands, and He moves in mysterious ways. When He does one thing "here", he does another thing "there" and He places our lives where He wants them!

I'm EXCITED! I'm HAPPY! I'm THANKFUL!

Maybe you get the picture by now? :) Have a great day!

Deweyville Weekend

My how time flies when you're having fun! This week is passing by really fast in some ways, and slow in others. There are some "happenings" that I am waiting on that is very important, so in some ways the week has been very slow, but then it seems to have gone by so quickly and I haven't had time to stop and "blog"!!

This past weekend we were in Deweyville with Darrell and Jeanetta Orange, the family, and their wonderful church family. Wendell preached both Sunday morning and Sunday evening, and the preacing and the services were absolutely wonderful! I felt I had found "the oasis" for my soul. God touched me in a very special way, and I will just say, "I needed it". My husband preached under the anointing of the Holy Ghost and God spoke through him to all of us. The praise singing, special singing, and worship was beautiful and heartfelt. Sis. Orange is a great musician and singer. She is very anointed, and when she sings you can feel the mighty rush of the Holy Ghost! I love watching as she "gets a blessing" from the Lord. We need musicians and singers to be used by God, letting Him flow through them in a mighty way so that others can also be touched! One of the highlights of Sunday evening service was when Michael, Mandy, and Sis. Orange sang, "I'm Never Gonna Look Back"! At the end of my husbands message I even got to play the organ as they repeated the song. It was the perfect ending for the message.

In one of the services, there was a gentleman in a wheelchair who couldn't contain his worship any longer, and he started worshiping God "rolling back and forth across the front of the sanctuary" with uplifted hands. It was wonderful to see him praising God even in the midst of a "bad situation"! It's amazing how many people won't give of themselves in worship and they are not handicapped in any way. As God was blessing I turned and saw Andrew and Mandy being touched in a powerful way. My heart was overjoyed to see them worshiping and praising God as He poured out His blessings on them!

It was good being with ALL of the Orange family. Michael and Stephanie live there in Deweyville and he is helping his Dad with the church. Philip and Kelly came for the weekend, and Andrew and Mandy were there, so that made for a "happy day"! I called and left Jonathan a message that "he ought to get someone to preach for him on Sunday night and come join us", but he was having a "graduation service" and could not come. We missed them not being with the rest of us.

Well, as I said I would do....I have put together a slideshow for you to enjoy. I know "Aunt Kathy" from North Carolina (Sis. Orange sister) will enjoy it to the fullest! Maybe someday she will be there when we're all together.

Quick Post

I wanted to write a real quick post before going to sleep tonight and just say I will be posting about our weekend in Deweyville soon. We had a great time and I took some pictures I want to share, so keep watching for them. I have not been able to post today, because we have been on the road to Wichita Falls. We needed to pick up a few things that we've needed so decided to take a FAST trip to get them. Of course, knowing they were having choir practise at the church I got there as quickly as I could to see a few who were still standing around talking. It did me a lot of good to get a lot of hugs and smiles. I will go to sleep tonight with a contentment knowing I am loved!