Pray for Protection Over Your Children

While looking through pictures the other day I ran across some that brought a great big THANK YOU to God for always watching over our children. Before Andrew and Mandy got married, we received a call from Mandy telling us that Andrew had been in an accident. He was attending Texas Bible College at the time, and was on his way to see Mandy when this happened.  We knew from the sound of Mandy's voice that it was bad, but she assured us he was okay.  We didn't really know how bad the accident had been until we saw the car.  Then, it really hit home! An 18-wheeler had rear-ended Andrew's little Honda, and it was a miracle it stopped before running over him completely. When the 18-wheeler hit the car, Andrew's drivers seat broke, causing him to fall back and being as tall as he is, the truck stopped just short of crushing his head. I look back and see once again the "mercies of God" on Andrew's life. We are so thankful! Here are the pictures from the accident. This happened about thirteen years ago.

To God be the glory! 

M.A.P. 2012 Was Special for Our Family

Our "kids" came to the M.A.P. Seminar this year.  Jonathan and Andrew will meet the board in February and will be getting Ordained in the Ordination Service at Camp Meeting in June.  Having them here at M.A.P. was very special for all of us.  We are very thankful they are part of the United Pentecostal Church, and are the Pastor's of two wonderful churches in our district.  God has been good to Wendell and I, and our sons have honored us with their lives.  Thank you Jonathan and Andrew for being the men you are.  We are also very, very thankful for our "daughters", Brenda and Mandy!  I want them to know we couldn't have had two daughters of our own any more committed to the things of God than they are.  Thank you both for your steadfast, faithful, commitment to God, our sons, and your churches.  You are both beautiful and we love you so much!  Thank you for loving Dad and I like you do.

Following are pictures we took on the last night of the seminar.  I'm so glad we got the opportunity to take pictures with our special guests, Bro. and Sis. Wayne Huntley and our Texas District Superintendent and his wife, Bro. and Sis. Danny Russo.  We love and respect these two couples very much and thank them for taking the time for this "photo shoot".

Our sons, Jonathan and Andrew with their Dad and Bro. Wayne Huntley.

Elms Family with Pastor and Sis. Wayne Huntley

Jonathan and Brenda, Bro. and Sis. Huntley, Andrew and Mandy having fun taking pictures.

It was special having Bro. and Sis. Huntley here this year.

Brenda, Patsy Huntley, Me, and Mandy

Jonathan and Brenda, Texas District Superintendent D.R. Russo and Sis. Russo, Andrew and Mandy

Elms Family With Bro. and Sis. Russo

Jonathan and Brenda

I think the "nerves" finally let go after a very intense weekend of ministerial training.

I'm glad we got a good picture of them before this happened.  :-)

I love to see our kids so HAPPY!

Andrew and Mandy (they held themselves together pretty good)

I think I spoke to fast!  Now it's our turn to have fun as Andrew and Jonathan look on in "wonder".

We did "pull ourselves together".

I think Mandy was teaching me to dance.

I think I got it! 

I want to say a great big thank you to Shayla Smith for taking the time to be our photographer.  She was so pleasant and fun.  We love you Shayla!

Shayla Marie's Dedication

Dedication Sunday! I woke up in a really good mood.  I don't know what "dedication" means, but I'm sure it's going to be special.

WOW!  I know this is a SPECIAL DAY when there's a picture this pretty being shown.

Daddy gets to hold me and feed me while Papa preaches.  I'm a blessed little girl!

I don't know what all is going on, but it looks like something really neat is getting ready to take place.  I loved watching Papa preach.

Papa finished preaching, then he came down and put his hand on Mommy and Daddy's head.  I'm sure they felt something really special.  They are such sweet parents!  I hope they felt what I did when Papa started praying.  My big sisters were there beside me, too.  It was special having them there.  Mommy said they were dedicated to the Lord just like me!   I may not know much about it now, but I know in a few years I will.  I can't wait to hear the stories of this special day.  Daddy wanted HIS Pastor, and MY Papa to dedicate me.   I'm glad!  I already love my Papa Elms!  Papa also dedicated my big sisters, Savanna and Scarlet AND I got to wear the SAME dedication dress that they did.  I wonder if I'll get it when I grow up?  (Shhhh...don't tell them I said that.  I don't want to have a fuss with my sisters.  It stresses me out!) 

Then, Papa took me in his arms.  I loved his big arms!  He started praying and I know something special happened.  I'm sure I'll understand it when I grow up.  Mommy and Daddy will tell me all about it.  It has something to do about them "giving me back to God".  Maybe I'll grow up to be a preacher's wife, just like Mommy!  All I know right now is that I'm so happy God gave me to one of the most loving families in the whole wide world!  

WHY is Papa crying?  Maybe it's because he loves me SO MUCH!

Awww...that's one of the sweetest kisses a little girl could ever get!  When Papa kisses me it's really, really special.

I got my FIRST BIBLE today!  I think I heard Mimi say something about she likes to give Bibles to her granddaughters on special occasions.  I'm glad she didn't forget ME, since I'm her SIXTH granddaughter! 

Texas District Is On the Move

Tonight is a quiet, relaxing night as I sit here in my recliner.  This past month has been whirlwind of activity in the Texas District, and it feels good to be home.  We have driven hundreds of miles going to Sectional Conferences, and we have stayed in many hotels along the way.  God was good to us and kept His protection around us as we traveled, and we are thankful.  You know, He loves taking care of His children!

After our M.A.P. Seminar the first weekend in January we started our travels.

First Week
Section 4 - Lufkin - Presbyter Mark Green
Section 2 - Port Arthur - Presbyter Darrell McCoy
Section 3 - Pinehurst - Presbyter Darrell Orange
Section 5 - Gun Barrell City - Presbyter Kevin Prince

The Second Week we didn't have any conferences, so we had planned to have Christmas with our kids, but both of our sons had funerals to take care of at their churches, and we also lost a precious lady, Sis. Rhoads. At the end of that week was TBC Legacy Conference and we enjoyed being in church with the young people of the district. 

The Third Week of January we traveled to:
Section 1 - Breckenridge - Presbyter Ken Colegrove
Section 7 - Dallas - Presbyter Gerald McGaha

While in Dallas we had Christmas with Andrew, Mandy and the girls.  Do I need to say we had a GREAT time?  :-)  It's always wonderful being with ouR kids!  There was much excitement even though it was already JANUARY and we were just now getting to give our gifts to each other!  Maybe waiting awhile to get together made it even more special.  Wednesday night we got to be in church with them, and my husband preached a great message.  There's just nothing better than being in service with our kids and granddaughters!  We love every second!


The next day we traveled to:
Section 6 - Wylie - Presbyter Robert Myre

From Wylie, we went to Beaumont to attend the TBC Live Recording at The Apostolic Church.  I am SO glad we got to be there!  It was incredible!  I was so proud of Texas Bible College students and all of the faculty.  God has been good to us in the Texas District and we are very thankful for what is happening in our college.

We stayed for the weekend in Beaumont.  On Saturday evening we had Christmas with Jonathan, Brenda and the girls.  Again, we had an awesome time opening gifts.  It was so funny, because I couldn't remember some of the gifts I had bought back before Christmas, so I had almost as much fun as the girls did.  Sunday was the dedication of our sweet baby, Shayla.  That is always a beautiful time. After having a meal with the family we came home for a night to repack so we could head out again.  (Are y'all tired yet?)

The Last Week of January we only had two conferences.
Section 8 - Corsicana - Presbyter Clay Strawn
Section 9 - Splendora - Presbyter Steve Wehrle

I could give you a lot of details about each conference, but let me just say that UNITY was felt in every conference.  There was a beautiful spirit of love and friendship, and you could tell that the preacher's and wives were enjoying being together.  Bro. Russo asked all of our Presbyter's to preach their conference, and every one of them was great!  They gave a clear sound of revival, unity, and strength.  Also, the ladies got to be together for a little while at each meeting.  I loved getting a lot of hugs and smiles from them.  There is something about just being together as minister's wives that makes one happy.  We left encouraged, ready to see greater things accomplished in 2012!  Thank you ALL for a wonderful time and for accepting us into your "circle of friends" while we were in your area.

I always get a little sad when the last conference rolls around.  I can't help it!  After a month filled with seeing friends all over our district, I hate to see it come to an end.  We have been tired since arriving home, but give us a few days at home and we'll be ready to go again.  There's a lot on the calendar so all I can say is...LET'S GO TEXAS DISTRICT and see what greater things God has planned for us this year.  I am excited and I know those of you who are part of our wonderful district are also!  You can feel it in the air.