Tyler, Balch Springs, Section One - a busy week

Last Sunday we were privileged to be at Tyler Tabernacle with Pastor and Sis. Littlefield. We had a lovely time with them and their church family. We really enjoyed the music, praise and worship, and being in the presence of God once again. I find it interesting to visit different churches and see how they "do things". We have some incredible churches in our organization! Bro. and Sis. Proctor were in the service and we had a nice time of fellowship with them and the Littlefield's after service.The Littlefield's and Proctor's are fine folks! This was our first time to ever have the privilege to visit and "get to know" them. We have seen them through the years, but to have the opportunity to sit across the table from them, drinking iced tea, and eating a good meal makes for a very enjoyable time!We were only in the morning service in Tyler, so we drove on to Balch Springs to be in church with Andrew and Mandy...and our GRANDdaughters! It was wonderful seeing the growth of the church and feeling the beautiful "spirit of unity" at Greater Apostolic Tabernacle. I love how God brings together a church and a man of God to accomplish His will. We enjoyed a powerful message preached by Andrew. He delivered his heartbeat for REVIVAL and the men backed him up all the way! I was real tired after church and forgot to take a picture of the girls. After we got to Andrew and Mandy's new house and changed into our "lounge clothes", and the girls were in their pajamas it dawned on me that I did not take a picture of them at church. They both looked so beautiful!!! We enjoyed staying with Andrew and Mandy and sitting in the living room visiting with them. Their home is so nice and cozy and we are extremely happy for them! They lived at the church in two rooms for a year and a half, and are happy to have a house to call HOME! I never heard them complain about "living at the church". God has blessed them for their faithfulness and attitude about the work of God. Alayna was at school when I snapped this picture just before we left.On Monday, we drove to Thurber to the Section One Christmas Party. We had a GREAT time with our "home section". Bro. and Sis. Colegrove are true leaders and friends. Bro. Colegrove is a good Presbyter! Bro. Harden and Sis. Harden work beside Bro. and Sis. Colegrove as the Sectional Secretary. We enjoyed sitting across the table from them as we ate dinner. It was a great time of fellowship!Fellowship, laughter, encouraging one another, and being with friends feeds the spirit, and I'm glad we get to enjoy it all!

Visit From Friends

It was so good to have Jimmy and Bobbie here with us for a "few hours". When you're with those you love and you're having a good time, "time" races on by, and it seems they leave as fast as they arrived!

Monday evening the Shoemake's drove into Lufkin, and it was so good having them here. They are "family" to us so we have a lot to talk about, and memories to share. They didn't stay a long time, but we did get to eat supper Monday night, and spend all of Tuesday and part of Wednesday with them. Wendell and Jimmy went fishing, and me and Bobbie just relaxed and talked, and talked, and talked some more! Jimmy loves fishing in Texas lakes, so they went to Sam Rayburn for several hours with Mark Green and had a great time.
We took them to eat fried catfish one night for dinner, and it was delicious. We call the place "Dean's" out in Huntington. I really think it has another name, but I don't know what it is. I do know they have some delicious catfish and the Shoemake's enjoyed it very much!My eyes are closed in this picture, but I wanted to be in at least ONE picture with them. :) Bobbie and I went to The Candy Kitchen where Chick-o-sticks are made. Of course, we had to buy a bag of them!
For those Texan's who did not know, The Candy Kitchen is here in Lufkin. I KNEW there was something special about this "small East Texas town"! When I was in Junior High I walked home from school and everyday I stopped at the corner store and bought me a Coke or Dr. Pepper and a Chick-o-stick. I had a wonderful time on the way home eating my candy and drinking my "pop". That's what we use to call them in California. I don't know if the Californian's have gone to the "universal" name of "Coke" or not. It's been about 31 years since I lived in California. Oh my! I'm really sounding "old" now. But, to put you all at ease, I'm not any older than I THINK I am! LOL! I really must be about 34! That sounds like a good age to me. :)

I really hope you all are having a wonderful summer. I have had a great time! I know some of you live in area's where it's "beautiful weather" most of the time, but for us TEXAN'S who live where it's HOT...."my fellow Texan's" please take care of yourselves. Try to stay cool! Just think...it won't be long until we will have some cool weather come in and we will be able to actually take a breath. I still wouldn't trade my life for anyplace else. That is what's so neat about "being in the will of God". I'm Blessed!

Fulfilled

There's a lot of things in my life that I'm thankful for. Here are just a few of those things that make my life worth living.

1. The presence of God.

2. A good Apostolic church service.

3. Hearing good anointed preaching.

4. Being with Pastors and their families...preaching, praying, singing, and shouting.

5. Seeing new babies born into the Kingdom of God and backsliders coming home.

6. Rubbing shoulders with the saints of God in praise, worship and fellowship in the aisles after church.

7. Visiting with friends and family over a good meal.

8. Hearing the phone ring, answering it to hear your "Pastor Son" excited about what God is doing in his church, or a special happening of the day.

9. Watching your granddaughter pray for her little friends who come up for "special prayer".

10. Feeling the warm hug from a friend that says, "I love you".

11. Watching on the sideline as the compliment of a friend brightens the eyes and lifts the heart of another friend.

12. Going to bed at night with an overflowing heart of thanksgiving, because I am "blessed beyond measure"!!!!

Now...that's living!

Today, has been "such a day". I have not described to you anything more than what I have experienced on this Sunday.

My husband received a call this week from Darrell Orange inviting him to come preach for him this Sunday morning, so we were went to Deweyville today. We had a wonderful time in service and getting to visit for a short while after church over lunch. I'm glad we have them as "our friends". They always treat us very warm,making us feel very much at home.

We came back to Beaumont, rested for a short time, then went to church at The Apostolic Church. It was another wonderful time in the presence of God. God spoke to our hearts as my husband ministered in the Holy Ghost and I was once again thankful for the Truth that saves us! Of course, it's always great getting to be with our family, Jonathan, Brenda, Savanna and Scarlet. After the service I had the privilege of meeting one of my "blog followers". No, she hasn't signed up as such, but has written me several times. I was glad to finally meet her.

Then, we met Bobby and Elaine Edwards to eat and visit after church! They have been our friends for many years. Actually, Elaine and I have been friends since I was 14 years old! I know...that was a long time ago, but our friendship has grown through the years and it doesn't matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, it seems we just "pick up where we left off" when we get to be together. It's so nice having a friend like her. I have several like this, and I'm thankful for them! We all need days like I had today. If you are part of a church that loves God, loves truth, and loves being separated from this world...you are blessed beyond measure! Hold on to these "treasures"!!!! And remember, there are thousands of preachers and saints who have not "bowed to this world".

We all need each other!!!! This week, visit with a friend. Speak words of encouragement. Let them know you are standing by their side.

An East Texas Horse Ride

A couple days ago my husband was invited to go with Bro. Russo for about 3 hours on a horse ride. He spends a lot of time in the office, so he decided to take the opportunity to get out and have some fun and relaxation. I'm glad he got to go! Here are a few pictures. When I saw them I started relaxing, just thinking about being out on that "lonesome road".

Bro. Russo leading the way.

The "cowboys" are following.

I really like this one of Bro. Russo. He looks relaxed and happy! We love to see him enjoying a break.

Down the lane they go...

Bro. Neely rode in the wagon and my husband kept him company.

Pulled over for a rest. How about some hot coffee, and a little singin'?

Superintendent Russo and Secretary Elms.

Bro. Neely in the wagon enjoyed "the ride", with Bro. Russo and Bro. Elms.

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam;

And the deer and the antelope play.

Where seldom is heard, a discouraging word;

And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Section 4 Christmas Banquet

All week I have remembered something Mandy, my sweet daughter-in-law said when we were leaving our church and the city in which we had labored for 24 years. I was emotional a lot of the time, yet knowing we were in the will of God I had peace. One day during one of my emotional times Mandy said, "Mom, when you get moved and settled in Lufkin you are going to be so happy! You're going to enjoy doing what you've always wanted to do, and that is visiting your friends churches, and meeting more preacher's and their wives. You are going to have a blast traveling around the district." I will say that I have been experiencing that "JOY" Mandy told me I would have. Thank you Mandy for saying those words, and understanding me when I wasn't able to understand myself.

Last night was the Section 4 Banquet. It was held at the Crown Colony Country Club here in Lufkin, and the food was delicious, the banquet facilities lovely, and the fellowship superb!

Bro. Mark Green is the Presbyter for Section 4 and has welcomed us into the section with open arms.

Bro. and Sis. Green have been wonderful to us and we love them so much!

Bro. and Sis. Lynn Story were the "entertaninment for the evening" and we had a lot of good laughs. They got a lot of people involved in their "show" and it kept things really interesting.They had different ones come up and they had to put a drawing tablet on top of their head, draw a floor, Christmas tree, a star on top of the tree, a fireplace, etc. It was quite funny to watch!Here are a few pictures of some of the ones that participated.

Bro. Schreckhise
Bro. Neely
Victoria Green There was another skit that I will call "ME TARZAN!" It was hilarious! Here are two Tarzan's!Sis. Story(Jane)looking for Tarzan!I loved watching Bro. and Sis. Russo have a good laugh!Bro. and Sis. Shiflet. It was great seeing them again.Bro. and Sis. Jonathan Green. I had a good time talking to them and the Bennett's.There was a large crowd and there is no way to take enough pictures or enough space to share them. So, let me just say, I LOVE CHRISTMAS and all it stands for. Along with the birth of our Savior we have this time to spend with family and friends. We can let other's know how much we love and appreciate them. It's wonderful being together! If you haven't had your banquet yet, be sure and go this year. You will enjoy being with those of "like precious faith", and will go home refreshed. I will leave you with one more picture.

Santa and Me!MERRY CHRISTMAS!

McLeod Weekend, Monday, and Tuesday With Friends

I have lived in TEXAS for a LONG TIME and never knew this is how you spelled the name of this town.  I always thought it was spelled "McCloud", because this is the way "McLeod" sounds.  So, for those who have been "in the dark" as I was, you have learned "something new" today.  The english language never ceases to amaze me!  :) 

We were in this beautiful area of TEXAS this past weekend, and enjoyed every second of our time spent there.  I did not know what to expect, except I had heard the church was in the country.  After driving down through the "woods" we came upon the church.  We were so impressed with how beautiful the church was, and the grounds were so very beautifully cared for.  We were met with smiles, and hand shakes, and "glad you are here" from wonderful people of God.  When we entered the sanctuary the presence of God met us and we once again felt "right at home"!  Pastor and Sis. Jeff Story have pastored in this field for quite some time, and have done a wonderful job in shepherding the flock in McLeod.Saturday evening the Story's took us to Pier 27 restaurant where we were served delicious catfish and hushpuppies!I found out while we were there that Nathan and Ronda LOVED eating there when they lived in Texarkana, so I picked up my phone and gave her a "sweet little call"!  It felt so good to be able to tell her where I was!  LOL!  Ronda is always calling me and telling me she is on her way to some place beautiful, like....Monterey, Carmel, or San Francisco, or just riding around in her convertible with the top down "enjoying the California coastal weather"!  I know I wasn't in THAT beautiful of a place, but I was in a place she LOVED eating at.  LOL!  It really was good and we left there very full and satisfied.  

After arriving home Monday, we were at the office for a little while.  Just as we were leaving, Mark and Diane Green drove up.  We told them we were on our way to eat, so we invited them to go.  We had a wonderful time sitting and talking, eating, and sitting and talking, for over 2 hours.  It's great having friends!Tuesday was a very busy day.  I had an appointment to go to, and some things to take care of, and Wendell had a funeral he needed to attend.  When we finally saw each other later in the day he said, "We have a dinner appointment".  I was surprised, yet happy.  I'd had a stressful day (for whatever reason) so, I was ready to do something fun!  

Bro. and Sis. Ron Smith had invited us over for a "home cooked meal"!We really looked forward to getting to visit with them, and getting to enjoy the "food".  :) When we got there we learned that some more very dear, precious friends would be there.  Bro. and Sis. Neeley knocked on the door a few minutes later and we were so happy they were joining us.After eating a scumptious meal of pork loin and rice, corn, lima beans, salad, cantaloupe, hot rolls, and peanut butter pie, we were as full as we could be!  It was all so delicious!!!! We had a lot of fun listening to Bro. Smith's "dog stories", too.  :)

Special Note:  Kent and Traci...I wish ya'll could have been with us last night!  I thought about you often.  My camera batteries were dead, so I took some "blurry photos" with my iPhone, just for you!