The Will of God

It was November 1972, approximately two months after my wedding. I was talking to Daddy on the phone and he told me some devastating news. At least, to ME it was devastating! I listened as Daddy's words seemed to rip my heart out. "Linda, I called to tell you that I am going to resign the church. We have been elected Pastor of Stonewall United Pentecostal Church and we are moving to Houston, TX." I thought I was hearing things. Fresno was my home! I had lived there from the time I was six weeks old until I got married at the age of nineteen, and I had just gotten married! When I left with my husband on the evangelistic field, I expected to be able to go "home" to see my friends from time to time. If Daddy and Mother left, I would never be able to go back and it be the same! I thought about not ever going back to the house I called "home", and I cried. I cried for hours after that phone call. My world had been turned upside down and I wasn't quite sure how it would all work out. But, Daddy said it was the "will of God" so I would somehow have to accept it. A little while later Daddy and Mother moved. We were preaching revivals, so we made our way into Texas and visited them. Looking back, I see how a new life in TEXAS was begun and life was different. There were times I would ask Mother if she missed Fresno and her answer always surprised me. I just KNEW if I was missing Fresno, SHE missed her home, her church, and the saints she loved so much! Mother's voice broke through my thoughts as she tried to explain to me one more time, "I loved living in Fresno. It was home until God changed His will for our life. I can't explain it. I loved the church, the people, and the city, but I'm happy where I'm at."

I have to admit that I do not understand the ways of God. Through the years I have wondered how she could be so happy in one place, then all of a sudden be happy and love the next place as much as she did the first one. After all, Fresno was a mighty revival church! Evangelists LOVED coming to Fresno and preaching for Daddy and Mother. Oftentimes they would call it their "oasis". When Daddy resigned the church, preacher's from everywhere were shocked and said that he must have "missed the will of God" but, Daddy assured me that he didn't. God made changes in Daddy and Mother's life again and again, and I watched Mother adjust to the "new will of God". I never saw her discontented or unhappy. I cannot recall any time in life that I heard her grumble and complain about her "lot in life". She followed Daddy wherever God took him, believing in him, and the decisions he made with God. She was simply amazing!

Fast forward many years. My husband and I were in the "perfect will of God" in Wichita Falls.

We loved our church, our saints, and our home. The church was a revival church and still is. I had the choir of my dreams and loved hearing them minister through song. I can truthfully say, I never got tired of hearing them sing! There were times when they were singing that the POWER of the Holy Ghost would come sweeping into the sanctuary and you could feel UNITY flowing throughout the congregation. Services were changed because of the "spirit of unity" that came from the choir. I also had a Sunday School class that I started and taught for many years. I loved my class and the "style" of teaching that I used. From the day I started the class my motto was: "You never know what to expect when you come to PrimeLife." My heart overflows with thankfulness and love for the saints of God that supported my husband and I through the years. They taught our sons in Sunday School, took care of them when we were out of town, and welcomed our daughter-in-laws to the "family" when our sons got married. The memories flood my mind and they are precious! THEN...all of a sudden, GOD changed His will for our life! No one was more shocked than my husband and I when it happened. I was totally floored to think that we would be leaving our church, our saints, our home, and our security!!!! We were starting to marry the young adults that were just babies when we took the church, or had been born since we were there!  Twenty-four years had flown by and we were enjoying the blessings of God in the church and in our lives.  HOW could I leave them?  HOW could I tell them goodbye???? HOW could I leave the people who loved me and took care of me through times of sorrow, and rejoiced with me in the good times? Then...I remembered...MOTHER! "Linda, I loved the church, the people and the city, but when God changed His direction for our lives..." I knew if Mother could do it...I could do it! I felt my heart was being ripped out when we told our lovely congregation we were leaving! It was one of those times that I wanted to get in the floor and kick, scream, and cry because it hurt so bad! Yes, I'm sure I cried a few bucket of tears, but after I cried and came to grips with what was happening, I felt a deep settled peace down in the depths of my heart. I couldn't explain it and still can't. I just have to say, "When God changes your direction, you can be happy, peaceful, and contented."

The Will of God? What is it? How do you know when you're in it? How do you know when you're out of it? Why does God change His mind? Why doesn't He leave us where we're comfortable? Why is it when you seem to have everything the way you want it He decides He wants you someplace you never wanted to be? Questions...Oh, I've had them, and YOU'VE had them! It would be crazy for me to try and answer the questions. Sometimes, you just walk by faith and know that He does ALL things well! I still do not have the answers, but I do know that down deep in my heart we are "living in the will of God". I'm contented, happy, and at peace knowing that He walks with me, and that He has our life in His hands! That's really all that matters for when God decides He wants you in a place that you never dreamed you'd be, HE makes up the difference and the questions don't have to have an answer! Maybe this is the reason we have started singing this song in the last few years...

I've been on the mountain with Jesus.
I've been in the valley so low.
But not one time has He failed me.
When to Him with my burdens I go.

So, let me walk with you Jesus.
Don't ever leave me alone.
For without you I could never.
No, never make Heaven my home.

Maybe I'm talking to someone who has had questions about the "will of God" in your life. Maybe you've been questioning "why" your life has been changed from what you would call the "norm". I don't know what you've been facing, but I do know God has not left you! He is still walking beside you! If you can somehow pull yourself away from the question marks, look to Jesus and trust Him, you will be able to lift your head and feel peace in your spirit! Keep walking with Him! Focus your thoughts and mind on the One who does ALL THINGS WELL, and let His presence comfort you as you walk with Him. HE has "YOUR WHOLE WORLD" in His hands!

"Just to walk with Him means everything to me..."

Our Personal God and Spanish Camp Meeting '09

Spanish Camp Meeting was this past week and was a great success! The services were held in the "big Tabernacle" this year and we had some great crowds. Wendell went a couple of nights, and I went one, but that one night was a "landmark night" for us. I will explain.

Last Wednesday night was a "down night" for me. I do not have very many of these times, but for awhile on Wednesday I was "down". Wendell and I sat down and talked about our "impossible situation" with our house not selling and the "giants" that were confronting us. Yes, I say "impossible" and "giants" because that's exactly how we felt and we knew WE could do NOTHING about it. Yes, we had prayed. Yes, you had prayed. But, it seemed there was no answer. I wasn't giving up, yet for a "short time" on Wednesday evening I caved in. Now, that I've totally exposed my "human thinking", I will go ahead and tell you what I said. While we were in discussion I said to my husband..."I just don't understand! It just makes me WONDER! I KNOW we are in the will of God, but it just makes me WONDER what is going on!" God heard what I said and decided right then to give me an answer.

Thursday night rolled around and we went to Spanish Camp Meeting..

You must understand that everything is spoken in Spanish, and every song is sung in Spanish, and I do not understand anything that is being said. We had a wonderful time of praise and worship! The music was beautiful, and I felt the presence of God touching me. I was thankful to be in His presence! I really was enjoying the music and the beautiful voices that were singing praises to God! Here is one of the songs they were singing.

When the service leader took the pulpit he was excited! If I had not known better I would have said he was "preaching", but I knew he was excited and saying things that was going along with the service when all of a sudden, in the middle of it all, I heard him say very clearly, "STOP WONDERING! STOP WONDERING RIGHT NOW!" I was completely overwhelmed as I heard God speak to me in the middle of this Spanish speaking service!!!! Those were the ONLY English words the "man of God" spoke the rest of the night! Without a doubt I KNEW I had just heard from GOD!!!

I feel His presence as I write this tonight.

After church, I told Wendell about it and he said, "Let me show you something." He opened his Bible and showed me a scripture he had underlined and said, "When I sat down tonight on the platform I opened my Bible and underlined this scripture." He pointed to it and I read:

Phil. 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

That was wonderful, but what made it even more awesome was when Missionary Sones, the Camp Meeting Evangelist went to the pulpit, he greeted the crowd, then said, "Tonight let me turn your attention to...

Phil. 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Then he told us the title of his message:

"My God Is Not In A Crisis"!!!!

He went on to preach straight to US! It was as if no one else was there. Bro. Sones didn't know anything about us, and I'm sure he thought he was preaching to the large congregation of people, but God was directing his words straight into our hearts!

After church I told Bro. and Sis. Navarro about what I had heard the young man say in English, and Sis. Navarro asked, "Did he say that?" I had to laugh and answered, "Yes he did, or else God interpreted it for me!"

You know, it doesn't matter to me if God was my interpreter, or if the young man said it, but I do know God spoke straight to me as I sat in His presence! I don't know when I have had anything impact my mind like God did that night! I'm so glad our God is a "personal God". He loves us and He works His will in our lives if we will completely trust Him!

As a lot of you know from being on Facebook, we got an offer on our house TODAY and now a contract has been signed and is being sent back to the realtor in the morning! Andrew and Mandy have now had an offer on their house! I haven't heard yet about a contract, but I'm sure it's coming! It looks like God decided to take care of "two birds with one stone" and is working it all out in one weekend!

Thank you ALL for praying and believing with us! Our God is an awesome God!

Some Thoughts and Hudson, TX

As I have already said in my last post, our life has been very busy, but let me say...we are loving it! Janet, from home, just left a comment saying, "It looks like ya'll are having the time of your life." I will affirm her observation. Let me explain, though. I have made it a point to "live in the NOW". I have enjoyed each stage of life and I continue to do so. My mother was the MOST CONTENTED lady I've ever known, and I have always wanted to be "just like her". I don't believe I have attained her level, and probably never will, but she sure gives me a goal to reach for.

When you're in the "will of God", following His leading, how can you be unhappy? I know there are places I have said I would NEVER want to live, and Lufkin was one of those places. But, I can honestly say that I am really enjoying living here! I am enjoying my husband "going to the office" and returning home around 5:00 each day. When he's through at the office, he locks the door and we have the evening free unless he is preaching someplace. I LOVED being a Pastor's wife to the wonderful people God placed in our lives, but now I am enjoying where God has placed my husband. Why make yourself miserable? I'm just happy being married to the man I'm married to, and wherever God leads him...I will follow. Don't get me wrong! I've had to "die to self" many times in my life. I have cried many tears when leaving those I loved so much. It wasn't fun telling our wonderful saints that we were leaving, because God had chosen it to be so. But, the life I have been given has been wonderful. Why am I saying all of this tonight? :) I really don't know. I just felt like saying it, I guess.

Now, to our weekend service in Hudson, Texas. Hudson is a town that is connected to Lufkin. In fact, you wouldn't know you were leaving Lufkin if you didn't see a sign telling you that you've just entered the City Limits of Hudson. Bro. and Sis. Ron Smith retired a few years ago and really did not plan on pastoring again. They moved to Hudson (Lufkin), bought a little house, fixed it up and moved in. They sold a lot of things when they left their home and church in Huntsville, TX. I don't know all the things that happened that directed them back into pastoring, but they are doing a wonderful work in Hudson.
Sunday morning we decided to visit their church since we were not ministering anyplace else.
We are so glad we went! They were so sweet and welcoming to us and we thoroughly enjoyed being in the Sunday School and Morning Worship with them. Jeff Jones taught the lesson and did a fine job! We were asked to sing, so we did. They seemed to enjoy it. Then, Bro. Smith preached a wonderful, heartfelt message! He made me want to live for God even more. Thank God for preacher's who preach "the message" with love.

After church the Smith's invited us to eat lunch with them. They took us to Ralph and Kacoo's, then took us around town to show us places to live whenever our house sells in Wichita Falls. They drove us by Bro. and Sis. Neely's house and we really enjoyed seeing where they have lived for a long time. We had a wonderful time visiting with them! We even had to stop and get a "DIET COKE" (Bro. Kenny) LOL!

It's amazing how many preachers and their wives we have "known", yet have not "known" through the years!! LOL! That's a little catchy, isn't it? We have talked about how we almost feel like we are in a "brand new district" since moving to Lufkin. We are learning of towns "we have never heard of", and meeting people we have heard of, yet "had never met". Wow! It's quite a change being in the "middle of things" since we've been so far away for about 28 years. Living in Wichita Falls, we were closer to two or three other District Campgrounds, than we were to our own Texas District Campground. Now, we're living ON the Campground! It's exciting and fun...even in our motorhome. Of course, that is another story. Wendell is the one wanting a house! :) Oh well, someday it will happen.

Paul wrote in Phil. 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I'm sure I will enjoy a house when I get another one, but until then, we will be content living on the ole' camp ground, enjoying where we have been placed in His Kingdom. What better life can you ask for?

Keep Holding On

A friend sent me this quote her mother says when things are not going right, and I have found it to be true. She writes, "We love to rejoice in the midst of the miracle, but never forget, the blind man had to endure a life of hardship, and a little spit in the eyes before he could experience the joy and fulfillment of God's true plan."

If you are going through a situation that doesn't seem to be "lining up" to what you thought it would, just "keep holding on"! God has a PLAN! When His plan is fulfilled it will be beautiful.

I will be the first to admit that He surprises me from time to time, but, I do not want to grieve Him by questioning His will. He has always put the pieces of the puzzle together in my life, and yours, so just let Him work the puzzle. Our son, Andrew preached a message recently about the "tapestry of life". The title of his message was, "Everything's Gonna Be Alright". What a message! I just believe it's "gonna be alright"!

I am looking forward to our "new life" in Lufkin. I never thought I would ever be saying I would enjoy living in Lufkin! :) Most of my experiences in Lufkin, through the years, has been the "hot, HUMID, stifling" heat in the Summertime. During those weeks we would go to church, go eat, then back to the room or motorhome to stay cool. I have been assured that the whole year is NOT like that, so I trust those who have lived in this area. I know one thing.....when God calls you to do something for Him "everything will be alright".

Jonathan and I drove around yesterday looking at different areas to live in, and found some nice places. Of course, I will not buy another house until mine sells, so please pray that God will send the right people along to buy my house. It is a beautiful home and I will miss it, but I will find another one and enjoy it.

The Kingdom of God has many different areas in which to work. We love being with preacher's and their families. I am looking forward to "getting to know" the ministers and their wives in Texas. God has a lot of wonderful things in store for the Texas District! I believe we can all excel in the things of God. I just wonder what the next years have to hold for those who "come together in unity".

I really can't wait for June to arrive and Camp Meeting to get here. Then, after Camp Meeting, our camps start, young people arrive, and children come to "the old camp ground"! I have ALWAYS wanted to be on the camp ground for the month of June. I know it's HOT, but there is something about the electrifying excitement among those who gather that I enjoy. This year I plan to be there enjoying the fellowship with those who come to TEXAS CAMP MEETING! Preachers, PK's (of which I am proud to be one), saints, missionaries, guests from other states will all be here, and it's going to be a great time! Then, I can't wait to see the young people and children of Texas at the Youth Camps! TEXAS! I love it! I'm glad I'm part of it! LOL! Hey, I like that! Can we ALL say it together, now? LOL!

"TEXAS!!!! I LOVE IT! I'M GLAD I'M PART OF IT!"

"When we all pull together......how happy we'll be!"

Update

I first want to say I'm sorry for being gone so long from my blog. I've missed writing and hearing from my friends!!

A lot of you already know that Wendell was voted in as the Texas District Secretary at our District Conference last week in Beaumont, so that is the reason I have not been on the computer. We are looking forward to the new challenge and know, without a doubt, this is the will of God for our lives at this time. We feel very humbled to think the ministers would even consider us for this position! Now, to the SAD part of all of this.

In Texas, the District Secretary job is a full-time position. So, last night Wendell resigned from our AWESOME church, and I will tell you it was so hard seeing our people hurting so badly!! I cannot, nor will I, go into the emotions I feel at this time. I will say, I feel like I did when I buried my parents! When you love deeply, it hurts deeply! Please be in prayer for all of us as we go through this transition. We know that all will be well and that the church will go on in REVIVAL and the promises of God WILL BE fulfilled!!!! Life Tabernacle, I LOVE YOU and will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER forget you and your love for us! You are our "priceless treasures"!!