Been Gone to Magnolia - Great times!

This week has swiftly passed by and the coming of the Lord is that much closer! Oh how I long to be in that Heavenly land singing with the saints around the throne. No, I don't want to go before everyone else, because when exciting things are happening I like to be in the middle of it all, so when the rapture takes place I want to there with the rest of the saints of God as we go "sailing through the air".

It's amazing to me how quickly time passes when you're having a good time! We have been in Magnolia with the Wehrle's for the last few days. I was privileged to speak at Karen's (Sis. Wehrle) Mother/Daughter/Friend Banquet on Thursday evening and I've had a wonderful time with her and her ladies. The banquet was decorated beautifully in an Asian theme. Every detail was meticulously placed down to the little goldfish swimming in their own fish bowl for the center pieces! They served Chinese food and it was all very good. We had some acrobats from "a long way off" who had "trouble" getting their "stunts" accomplished because of a "problem" with one of their backs!! LOL!

Bro. Wehrle and Bro. Elms even stepped in to watch them!We looked in on a Nail Salon when a "little lady" needed her nails done. The "Asisan nail specialist" (Stacie) was at her finest! Another GREAT re-enactment of the "finer things in life"! I didn't get a picture of them, but they were FABULOUS! LOL! There was a small orchestra that played a song from the 1600's venue, lead by Macki,(the Wehrle's little 5 year old granddaughter). She didn't miss a beat!!!At the finishing crescendo of the song a "girls trio" took it to another level with a modern day rendition of the 1600's song. WOW! They were AWESOME! Magnolia Apostolic Tabernacle Ladies Ministry did a fabulous job in every aspect of the banquet! The Wehrle's have trained wonderful leaders and can enjoy the "fruit of their labor". I am so thankful to have them as true friends. You never have to worry about what they are going to say that puts you on edge. They are wonderful to be around! I thank God for people such as them.

I have to tell you about Macki...She's a little "sweetheart" like my granddaughters, and when I saw her sitting at our table at the banquet I spoke to her, but she wasn't REAL happy. So, I said "What's wrong?" She said, "I wanted an umbrella in my dessert, too!" I looked at my dessert and noticed I had an umbrella. Of course, I took mine out and put it in hers and said, "How's that?" I took my camera out just in time to capture this HAPPY little girl with HER umbrella! Karen took me to eat on Thursday at a "homestyle" restaurant. The Heritage House was everything I think of when I think about "Grandma's house"! The food was delicous...even if one of their main specialties is "Chicken Fried Steak"! This was NOT a "FROZEN, ready to be cooked" Chicken Fried Steak, it was the REAL DEAL! SO GOOD!!!!!! Oh....and YES I ate one! :)

We have been staying with the Wehrle's in their home, because our motorhome was having some work done on it. They have treated us with grace and love. We have been able to relax with them, and feel more like family than friends. We've had a lot of laughter and times of talking about God and His Kingdom. We've talked about "life in the parsonage" and "remembered our heritage". One of the things I will hold very close to my heart is when I sat down at the piano and started playing and singing, then Karen joined me on the organ! We played song after song that we remembered growing up and had such an enjoyable time. As we played I felt the stresses of life fall away and we were lifted into a "timeless place"! The "old songs of yesterday" had a feel about them that I miss today. There's something in the words of the songs that bring comfort, conviction, strength, awe, longing for Heaven, thankfulness, praise, and worship! When we played about Heaven I felt "lifted up in my spirit" because I know I have HOPE beyond this life. When we played about the Blood, I felt thanksgiving as I realized my sins have been covered by His blood. When we played "I'm KNOW I'm SAVED and I'm so glad about it", I felt dancing in my heart to realize there is NO DOUBT that I know and have TRUTH in my life that will take me through the gates of HOME! Yes, we have had a wonderful, heavenly time being with our friends....Steve and Karen. Thank you wonderful friends for a "heaven on earth" experience. We love you!

Before I say goodbye for the day let me introduce you to my "new friend", Daisy! I love her! She belongs to the Wehrle's and I'm just a "tiny bit jealous". Maybe someday I will be able to have my "own dog". :)Note: I didn't take a lot of pictures at the banquet. I'm sorry, but I didn't want to look like "the reporter coming to town". I should have asked someone to take them for me. :( Sorry! Maybe I'll think of that in the future.

Another "Magnolia Weekend"

After District Conference ended we were invited by our dear friends, Steve and Karen Wehrle to go home with them for the weekend. Steve asked my husband to preach the weekend services for him, so...of course he said, "yes"! We always enjoy being with the Wehrle's! They are great friends and awesome Christians. They're always the same and it's just "easy to love them".

Karen told me she had a Sectional Ladies Luncheon to go to on Saturday, so instead of going all the way to Magnolia, then driving back to the luncheon the men went together and I went with Karen. We then got a call from the men that Mark and Diane Green were meeting us at Wal-Mart parking lot, so we pulled off and waited for them. Diane was also on her way to the luncheon, so needless to say, we had a great time of visiting as we travelled! The ladies were surprised to see me and Diane, but seemed really happy that we came. Sis. Roffie Ensey is the Ladies Sectional Director and she had cooked some of the most delicious enchiladas I've ever eaten!I love having the opportunity to visit the different churches and functions. It's so fulfilling to see what is happening among the churches of our district! God is doing great things for all of us! When you get a glimpse of the harvest that is happening it warms your heart to know your "brothers and sisters" are being blessed by God.

Bro. Steve Wehrle recently became the Presbyter for Section 9 and this was Sis. Wehrle's first "sectional minister's wives meeting" to go to as a Presbyter's wife, and she did wonderful in talking to the ladies. She has such a sweet spirit and a passion to see the work of God thrive! I know she's loved by many. You can't help but love her!

The weekend services at Magnolia Apostolic Tabernacle were warmed by God's presence. The choir was incredible, as always. Sis. Wehrle leads them and she is passionate about being 100% for His glory, and you are lifted into His presence as they sing. At Holiday Youth Convention this year Magnolia's Youth Group received the "Rigdon Cup Award" for their excellence as a youth group. They shared the award with the church on Sunday night, and everyone was so proud of them! I know Pastor Wehrle was so happy that "his youth group" would be honored in this manner. If you wanted to see a "proud Pastor" (Holy Ghost proud - as my Dad use to say) you should have been there Sunday night! :)I thank God for Preacher's who are preaching the Truth and "holding fast to the Apostles Doctrine". You can fill it when you're with them, you can see it when you're at their church, and you can enjoy being with them, because you don't have to worry about HAVING TO DEFEND what is Truth! I thank God for preacher's wives, young and older, who love what their husband preaches and example what true righteousness is. I am blessed to call you "FRIEND"!

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"!