Catch Up Time

This week has been a week that we have enjoyed so much!

Wendell preached a men's rally in Cleburne, TX last Saturday, so we had the opportunity to be in church at Andrew and Mandy's on Sunday morning. We were also happy to see Todd and Julie, Madison and Mason!!! They had been at the Junior Bible Quizzing Tournament in Longview and stopped by to be in church at Balch Springs. We got to have lunch with them before we all parted ways. It was so good being with some of "our kids". Todd use to stay at the house with the boys when they were young. We always felt very comfortable knowing he was there with them, so we "adopted him" as one of our sons! Seeing them made us very happy, and then when it was all over I was a little sad. There's nothing like being with those we've loved for so many years!
Of course, it was wonderful seeing Andrew and Mandy and two of our "sweethearts"! Alayna tried her best to get us to stay longer. Ahhh...it was almost more than this grandma could take! She "blocked" the apartment door... ...then, Ashlyn joined her in "blocking" the door to the Armada on my side.It was so sweet!

When we got home things were swiftly "back to normal". Wendell went to the office and me to the motorhome. I just had a little nagging emptiness in my heart. I guess you can say, I was lonely!

Thursday, Wendell and I went to eat a bite of lunch at Logan's. He had gone out to the car ahead of me, and as I was walking across the parking lot I looked up and saw a van going by and as it passed I read, "LIFE TABERNACLE"! About that time I hear a horn honk, and then saw the big smile of CURTIS SHAHAN, and as PASSED ON BY...he WAVED! I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES, AND SURE COULDN'T BELIEVE THEY DIDN'T STOP AND AT LEAST SAY "HI"!!!!! :) I figured out real fast WHY they didn't, (Due to a LOT of highway construction there was really no place to turn around, and they missed the drive-way to Logan's) but we still would have LOVED seeing all of them! Bro. Elms was disappointed that they didn't stop, too. I hope they enjoyed their trip to Deweyville where Darrell Orange was having a "Wild Game Supper", but NEXT TIME you BETTER STOP!!! :)

When Wendell came home from the office, he told me Bro. Frankens from Homer had called and was inviting us to be in service with them, because Missionary John Hemus was there and he had told Bro. Frankens we were "good friends". We were so happy to have the opportunity to see our friend once again. He had preached for us in Wichita Falls, and we had enjoyed having him and the family very much. They were some of those people you just "connect" with. As we were winding things up to get ready for church, the phone rang and it was Chris Isom from "home" calling! We were so happy to hear from Bro. Chris!!! He was in Lufkin for the evening and wanted to meet us for supper. Of course, we wanted to go eat with him! So, we met him, had supper, and invited him to go with us to church. He wanted to go, especially since he had missed Wednesday nights service at home. He was ready to be in church! We all enjoyed the service in Homer with Bro. and Sis. Frankens and Bro. Hemus! We even found out after church that Bro. Hemus plays the guitar VERY WELL! Bro. and Sis. Hemus have a church in Liverpool, England and they are experiencing great revival! Many souls are coming to God and they are so excited about what God is doing for them. I wish Sis. Hemus could have been with him, but she was not able to be there. Maybe next time we will get to see her, too. She's such a sweet lady!

Tonight we were privileged to be Denison, TX with David and Kay Gilbert as they celebrated 30 Years as Pastor of Truth Tabernacle! Bro. Bobby Edwards preached a wonderful message and definitely ministered to my husband and I.The Edwards are wonderful friends!

We got to visit with Bobby Stanley a few minutes, but missed Glenda!She's in North Carolina with her kids and granddaughter. I know she is having a wonderful time!

Presbyter Bob Myre was there. Bob and Donna are wonderful! Donna couldn't be with him, so for his picture he posed with an "imaginary Donna"! LOL!There were more friends who attended: David and Sandra Myer, Virgil and Nancy Cornwell, and many others. There is no way for me to remember everyone that was there, so just let me say...We all had a wonderful time being together!!!

Also, Darren and Ginger....ya'll did a fabulous job putting together a great celebration for your parents! We love you!

The week is not over, and there's more good things ahead. I think I will go to sleep, so I can enjoy some more FUN!

Fun, Exciting Wednesday Evening - And...a SURPRISE!

Last Sunday when Jonathan and Brenda were "evacuated" from their home we were in church at Homer, TX with Bro. and Sis. Frankens. As I said in my last post, we had a great time! While we were in service Bro. Frankens asked Jonathan to preach for him on Wednesday night. They didn't think they were going to since they went home for their Tuesday night service, but Jonathan decided to come back up and preach. I'm so glad he did! Of course, we went out to hear him since we don't have that opportunity very often, and we were not disappointed at all! :) Brenda sang, and blessed my heart. She has a nice, beautiful voice, then Jonathan preached! WOW! I just have to say, I'm proud he's our son! He blessed the church and the Pastor and wife with the message. Some of the folks from Beaumont came with Jonathan and Brenda.  They all came on the church van and had a great time. It was so nice seeing everyone from my "second home church"!  Bro. Frankens had testimony service and a few of them testified. I just have to say, we had a refreshing time in the presence of God and being with "fellow believers"!

After service we all headed to IHOP and was I in for a SURPRISE! When we were pulling into the parking lot we saw a couple going to their car. I said to my husband, "I think I know them!" Then it dawned on me WHO this couple was. So, I got out of the car, walked over and introduced myself. LOL! I had never actually met them, but had READ THEIR BLOG enough times to "recognize" who they were. It was......Ken and Julie Cook! We talked for awhile, and, of course I HAD to take a picture or two!
Bro. Don Ryan....this is for YOU. Guess what....we even talked about you. :) For those of you who do not know, Julie Cook is Don Ryan's sister! My world keeps getting smaller and smaller. Or, maybe I should say.....bigger and bigger. It's all in the way you look at it, I guess. Maybe it's getting BIGGER, but FEELING SMALLER? Oh well....it is what it is! LOL!

I trust you are all having a wonderful week. We will be heading to Wichita Falls to be at a wedding we've all been waiting for, for a LONG TIME! I'm looking forward to being "home" for a few days with family, friends, and "church family". We will see you all SOON!!!

Homer Weekend

I hope you are all having a wonderful day! We are "waiting" for the wind and rain to hit here from Hurricane Gustav. We've been told by authorities here that they are thinking we will get only 3-5 inches of rain, which I'm thankful for. I guess we'll just keep waiting until.....

Jonathan sent Brenda and the girls to us on Saturday, then he came Sunday afternoon, after they had a Sunday morning service. Of course, a lot of people had already evacuated, but they had a backslider pray through, and had new visitor. Jonathan was glad he stayed!

Yesterday, my husband was invited to preach at Homer, TX, just outside of Lufkin, and we had a great time! Last night, Jonathan, Brenda and the girls went with us and it was wonderful having them with us in church! We don't get that opportunity very often, so it was really nice!

We had awesome church and the presence of God was wonderful! It was a great experience! Their music was different from what I've been use to, but it was refreshing. Simple chords, beat, and words! I told a man who played one of the guitars that all they needed was a good "fiddle player"! Everyone sang with ALL THEIR HEARTS and you could feel the excitement as we praised the Lord. Everyone had such a passion for God, and their passion was contagious, and I found myself being carried into the presence of God. Bro. and Sis. Frankens and family were so enjoyable to be around. You could tell they were sold out to serving God and others.

In our travels we get to visit a lot of churches, and we have experienced all types of worship and praise. I love seeing how God uses so many different personalities to do His work. I really do love it!

Well, the trees are starting to move a little more from the wind that is picking up. I'm not worried or concerned about the storm. I know we are in His hands. There's not a safer place to be! If it gets too "wild" we will head over to the "camp kitchen" with the McInnis' and TBC students who are still here. Like Bro. McInnis said, "At least we will have something to eat if we're in the kitchen." :)