God's Protection

My phone rang this afternoon. It was Jonathan calling to "chat", but something told me that he was calling for more than that. We talked a minute then he told me that Brenda and the girls were in Wal-Mart when a tornado hit it. He said, "they are okay but were really scared!" I knew that was an understatement, but he's going to keep calm with me. He told me what he knew about it, and I was thanking God everyone was fine.

Then, I got a call from Brenda. "Mom, have you heard?" I told her Jonathan had called." Her voice was intense as she told of what her and the girls had just experienced.

Brenda, Savanna and Scarlet were in the shoe area of Wal-Mart when they heard hail hitting the roof. She said "It was SO LOUD"! Then, they heard more noise, and people running and yelling, "TORNADO! IT'S A TORNADO!" The lights went out, and Brenda grabbed Savanna and Scarlet just as a Wal-Mart worker grabbed her and said, "Come on! We've got to go!" They got into a hallway and Brenda said to the worker and the girls, "We've got to pray!" They started praying, and then the worker said, "We've got to go further! Follow me!" They followed her to a safer room that was packed with people. Savanna and Scarlet were crying and clinging to Brenda, so Brenda had to tell them, "Girls, we've got to get it together." Then she asked them, "Do you remember how God protected Noah and his family in the storm?" They said, "Yes." Brenda went on, "Well, He's going to protect us, too! Let's pray!" She said they started praying, and in a few minutes all was quiet, the lights came on, and someone came and said, "EVERYONE EVACUATE!"

They walked out of the room to the front of the store, and Brenda said it looked awful outside! Cars on top of cars, grocery carts everywhere, and debris everywhere! She walked over to her car and nothing had happened to it.

There was a lady from her church who had gone out to her car, in the same parking lot, and the tornado hit. The pressure sucked her windows out of her car, tilted the car, but she was okay except for some glass in her hair, and I'm sure some frazzled nerves!

There were others that I've heard about that were in the middle of the storm, but was not injured in anyway!!!

Tonight, I'm thanking God that ALL IS WELL!!! Things could have been so much worse! "He's an on time God!" I can go to sleep tonight knowing that our lives are in His hands and He'll take care of us.

Interesting Day

I'm almost too tired to post tonight, but before going to bed, I want to say just a little about our last couple of days.

Last night we went to Brenda's Surprise 30th Birthday Party at their church. She was really surprised when after prayer meeting she was taken to the Parlor where there was cake, punch, gifts and friends to wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We got there just a tiny bit later. When we walked in, we walked up behind her, and when she turned to see who was touching her shoulders she let out a squeal of happiness! :) It was wonderful! She almost cried, but held back the tears. We spent the rest of the night and today with them.

She was so surprised and happy to see us!

Rachel was so happy to surprise "her Sis. Elms"!
Pastor Elms showing the Hughes "special memories"!
Scarlet was asleep and we woke her up! She said, "Hi, Mimi. Where's Papa?" I loved it! As you can see, "Papa" was happy to see her. Messed up hair and all! :) This evening, when we left Jonathan and Brenda's, we went to Newton to a "Family and Friends Visitation" for Sis. Moorman who had passed away earlier this week. While speaking with her husband, he told us that he was one of the men who served on the committee for choosing the land for our beautiful camp ground here in Lufkin. He was quite an interesting man and very well educated! I'm sure he could tell us a lot of interesting stories from the past.

I also spoke with Bro. and Sis. Perdue, retired missionaries to Colombia. We renewed some memories. At the General Conference a few years ago Bro. Haney had a service called, "Passing the Mantle". It was during the prayer time that Bro. Haney had the Elder ministers to find a young man and pray for him, and "pass the mantle" of anointing on to him. When Bro. Perdue turned to "find that young man", Andrew, our son, was standing there, so he prayed for him. The neat thing about this is, Bro. and Sis. Orange and their family have been very good friends with this wonderful man and his wife, and Bro. Perdue was very happy to be praying for one of his friends "sons".

Then, I met a lady who's husband had passed away 3 months ago, and she was telling me about when her and her husband went to Great Falls, Montana and started a church MANY years ago! The challenges they faced and the victories they won were awesome, and as she spoke you could see the excitement of working for God. She said with feeling, "That church is still going today", and I felt her love for the ministry they had put into the work in Montana. Today, I was standing in the midst of "warriors of the cross"! There were more stories she told, and I encouraged her to "tell her story" so it can be preserved for generations to come!

One of the other people I talked with was somewhere around my age, and as we visited I knew I was speaking to someone who loves the truth and loves the heritage he has been given. We spoke of what it means to be a part of a great organization where there are people who love God, love each other, and give comfort and care to those who are "going through their valley". I could feel a loyalty to the things of God, and to those who have given us this Truth, and a group of ministers and wives who are "pulling together" for unity.

When we walked into the room FULL of people we did not know, I wondered who I was going to talk to. I asked myself how I was suppose to "be comfortable" in the midst of all of these people? I had already made up my mind, before getting to our destination, that I was going to be friendly, smile, speak to people, and make myself available to whoever might be looking my way. I was not disappointed in the response I received! In fact, I can say....I've had a very interesting day!

Here is a picture to bring you a smile. I guess this is the new way to "carry" your book when you get tired of holding it! :)
Thank you, Bro. Randy Hughes for a great idea!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRENDA!

Today is Brenda's ____th birthday! I want to say to her that she is lovely "inside and out"! Brenda, you have been all a sons father and mother could ever hope for. I'm glad Jonathan chose you for his wife. You have not disappointed us at all!!! Your #1 quality is your love for God and the things of God. You love Him more than anything in this world, and it is seen by those around you. Your love for your husband and girls is beautiful! Thank you for loving our son as you do, and THANK YOU for giving us some gorgeous granddaughters!!!! Dad and I love you more than we can express. Thank you for loving us! Also, thank you for being a wonderful Pastor's Wife. The saints of The Apostolic Church are always telling Dad and me how much they love you. Thank you for showing all of us how to walk with the Lord. No one could ever have a better example of how a true Christian is suppose to live. Have a wonderful birthday, a year filled with the greatness of God, and days filled with love from your family, church family and friends!