HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today is my husbands 58th birthday. I fell in love with this wonderful man when he was 17 years old!! What a fun life we are having together. My dream came true that "I would one day marry this man I loved", and I have enjoyed every minute of my life with him. Wendell, you are a fun, loving, sweet husband and my dearest friend. You are a loving, caring father to Jonathan and Andrew and they think you "hung the moon"! Your "daughters" Brenda and Mandy love you so much. What can I say about your 4 grand-daughters? Their eyes light up when they see their Papa! Thank you for loving all of us the way you do and for being "true-blue" in your walk with God, your love for your family, your friends and for the love you give to the people we are privileged to pastor. I love you with all my heart!

Dad at Comedy Barn

My cousin from California sent this to me and I just had to share this with you all. If you're sick you will be well SOON! Enjoy!

Convertible Trip

I received this picture from a friend in an email. You know the ones that go around about "friendship". It had a poem attached to it, but I just wanted to share with you the picture. Wendell and I LOVE going on "convertible trips". One of the greatest ones we ever had was when we drove from home to Niagara Falls in a Miata!! We took the "back roads" all the way to Niagara Falls. The only time we got on the interstate was when we HAD TO, because the back roads ran out for awhile, or when we wanted to get a room for the night. That is, if we were close enough to the interstate. We saw some of the most beautiful country we had ever seen. We drove through the Amish country in Pennsylvania. We didn't stay where all the "tourists traps" were, we drove through the back country where they actually lived and worked. What a great time we had!

We went on another "convertible trip" to Yellowstone National Park, Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, "Going to the Sun Road" outside of Kallispell, Montana, across the Kananaskis Hwy. into Banff, Canada up to Jasper! What a DRIVE! The beauty we saw was breath-taking! Every way we turned was beauty!! What a magnificent God we have! We have done this trip a couple of times. We want to do this one again.

Another "convertible trip" we took was all the way to Prince Edward Island! We had a beautiful and great time! This trip was the one we took that our church gave us for pastoring here for 20+ years. They were so kind to let us be gone for a total of 2 months! We missed everyone terribly, but we had a nice, relaxing time.

We have made a lot of memories in a convertible. Our rule is: "The top has to stay down all the time, unless the weather is too HOT or too COLD!" You have to understand, too cold is "below 32 degrees and too hot is over 90 degrees! If it's either one of those we might put the top up! What a great way to travel! I could go into more trips we've taken, but this is just a "sketch" of a few major "convertible trips".

Maybe you ought to think about buying a convertible and try it. If you're anything like my husband and I, you will love it! Have a great day!

Parent Talk

Today was a great day here at Life Tabernacle! We had all morning and part of the afternoon full of teaching to parents about how to SAVE OUR CHILDREN! Parent Talk is what we call this day, and it has been very successful in helping parents understand today's children and teens.

Bro. Joseph Ouellette taught on "Spiritual Reproduction". He had some great insight on this subject. Joseph is a public school educator and always delivers his message well.







Bro. Andrew Elms
taught "Lost In Cyberspace". There was some SCARY stuff in this. We want our kids to be saved, so we better sit up and take notice of what they are getting involved in on their computers! We've heard about the internet before and all that it has to offer, both good and bad, but it hit home again today. Pray saints, pray, and do whatever you have to do to SAVE OUR CHILDREN!

Pastor Elms taught "Fourteen Rules of Child-Raising".
This lesson is the one his mother, Mom Elms, taught when she was asked to teach on how she raised her boys. She was a very successful Mom and knew how to raise kids! Her four boys all grew up to live for God and become preacher's of the Gospel. I'm privileged to be married to one of them and be a part of a great family!! After Bro. Elms finished I interviewed Sis. Johnnie Hale.
Sis. Johnnie is a beautiful lady, who has raised her FIVE children (three boys, two girls) to be responsible and respectful. Life Tabernacle loves her and her family very much! We always enjoy it when her "kids" come to visit. What she had to say today was so rich. She told us the "bottom line"....."I'm MAMA, and whatever MAMA says, they do!" Her adult children know she's MAMA and there is no fussing about what she has to say and what she expects out of them to this very day! (they range in ages 27 to 43) It was GREAT! If parents would raise their children like she did hers they wouldn't have the trouble they do with them.

Besides having wonderful teaching, the fellowship was great, and Bro. Andrew and Sis. Mandy had delicious snacks and drinks. Sis. Mandy did a beautiful job of setting up the "food table". I'm so thankful to be a part of a church who loves their kids and young people enough to spend the time and energy to train both parents and kids.

Note: I'm sorry I didn't have a picture of my husband teaching. I was too caught up in what he was saying and didn't think about the camera, but during a break I did catch this one of him and little Ashlyn Kate! Isn't it sweet?

Special Friends

Sometimes in life, you find a special friend;
Someone who changes your life
just by being part of it.
Someone who makes you laugh
until you can't stop;
Someone who makes you believe
that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you
that there really is an unlocked door
just waiting for you to open it.

Nothing Like It

This morning Scarlet woke up and was wandering around the house saying, "Mimi, Mimi". The only problem is that she is at HOME, almost 2 hours from here, and I'm not there with her! My phone rings at my house and it was Scarlet. She was talking to Papa! I wasn't quite awake so I called her back and her sweet, soft, voice said, "hi, mimi, 'ov you", well.....that just sent me into a missing mode for her and Savanna. There is nothing like waking up to the sweet voice of one of my grand-daughters saying, "Mimi", except holding them in my arms. I haven't quite decided whether I'm going to visit today or not, but it sure is a nice thought.

All I Can Say is......WOW!

Do you hear the sound of abundance of rain? God's Spirit is being poured out in magnificent proportions! Sunday was another wonderful day "in His presence" at Life Tabernacle! Souls are being touched by the power of Almighty God. Over the last several weeks we have had a break in our altar service. Thank God! For so long there has been a vice on anyone who was hungry for God, and even though the spirit of God was moving on them to come forward to talk to the Lord they couldn't move and wouldn't move. Now, the Spirit draws them, and people who are hungry for God and a change in their lives actually come to the altar to pray! Again, Sunday morning was a wonderful time around the altar. Jesus must be getting ready to come and take His children home, so He is drawing hungry hearts more and more.

Sunday night we had Missionary Hemus and his beautiful family with us!
When I walked off of the platform after choir warm-up I went to speak to Sis. Hemus and welcome her to our church. We visited a few moments, and when I turned around a lot of the young people had come over to the orchestra area and was talking and visiting with Haley and Patrick Hemus. It was like they were "old friends". I felt UNITY flowing from the group and was so proud of them. It was more than them being friendly, it was an awakening in the spirit to UNITY once again! Then the service started and from the first word of "Oh Magnify the Lord with me. Let us exalt His Name together...." the presence of God was moving and people were in "one mind and one accord"! The choir sang, and it was wonderful. Bro. Elms then introduced Missionary Hemus. He is from the United Kingdom, (Liverpool) so he definitely has the English broque, which was fun to hear. (even though I couldn't understand him at times) He told me, "You American's just need to think faster!" LOL! They gave their presentation along with a fantastic DVD of the work there. As we were watching it you could feel the power of God moving throughout the congregation. Bro. Hemus went back to the pulpit to preach, and then I saw my husband do something I've never seen him do before. He stepped up to Bro. Hemus and asked him for the microphone, then told him "you can be seated". Then, he told the church that he felt we needed to bless these missionaries with a "special offering". He had an amount in mind, but didn't tell the church what it was. We took an offering and during the offering there was prayer going on. You could feel it building, and building, and building, until there was a MIGHTY MOVE of the HOLY GHOST! There was tongues and interpretation from God to the Hemus family, and then intercession was made for them. I feel the presence of God as I'm writing this today! It was so powerful and needed. You never know what a Missionary family may be going through when they come to your church. We need to be sensitive to them in every way when they are with us. They are not just "another missionary" coming to our church. They are "men and women and children of God" who have been called, chosen, and faithful. We should honor them, bless them, and take care of their needs as much as possible. Doing this requires us all to be "senstive in the Holy Ghost" so that God will flow through us as a church body to bless them. I don't know why I'm writing this, but maybe someone will read it and re-think their "lost burden" for those who are serving our King. Now, I will go on.....after the time of intercessory prayer, Bro. Hemus told us while he was praying that he knew God had sent angels from this service to go and bring victory to the United Kingdom! Our church secretary then came in to tell Bro. Elms how much had been given in the offering so he could tell the church, but I can't tell you.........that may be posted later.........all I can say right now is it was far more than what we expected! Thank God for saints who love His work and want to give time, money, prayer, and care to those who are called of God to bring the gospel to the lost and I give honor to men and women who preach the gospel no matter where they are! They may be here in America or on foreign soil. God BLESS PREACHERS of the WORD who bring TRUTH to the world!!

Yes, Mimi's Bragging

It's been awhile since I posted any pictures of our little sweetheart Ashlyn Kate. So, I thought I would show her off a little bit tonight. This is her with her first Valentine Bear.

Every little girl needs a First Baby and she loved her. She was giving her kisses! LOL!! Really, she was just hungry.





















She's already learned to pray! I was holding her and Aunt Sharon said, "Look at her! Where's the camera?" So, here is her first time to have her picture taken when she was in "prayer".


I didn't leave Alayna out! Don't worry she still gets a lot of attention from everybody! Here she is with her little Valentine Poodle who gives a lot of love.

Jonathan and Brenda came and this was her first time to get to hold little Ashlyn Kate. She was so happy to have her in her arms.

Here's Mommy and Ashlyn. Such a sweet picture. Mandy is a wonderful mother.

Just one more of Ashlyn in pink, then I'll quit bragging!

Don't Lose Hope

Just before retiring for the night I wanted to write something that came to my mind and I hope will encourage you to keep walking with the Lord.

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

I sometimes can't hardly wait until this great day comes! I know many people who are going through so much hurt, sickness, pain, and sorrow, but I want to remind you that we have a HOPE! Our hope is that someday.....SOMEDAY we will never have to go through anymore pain or sorrow. There will be no more tears. No disappointments! No sickness! Our HOPE is HEAVEN!

When Mother was in her final days in this life she said to Daddy, "Murray, will you tell me about Heaven, again?" Daddy would sit by her bed, holding her hand, and he would talk about Heaven. How beautiful it was going to be. Jasper walls, gates of pearl, streets of gold, a chrystal river, the Tree of Life, and the greatest part of it all was Jesus sitting on the throne and when we all got there we were going to "meet in front of the throne". She would relax and rest for awhile longer knowing that her HOPE was steadfast and sure!

All my life I remember sitting around the family dinner table, or the fireplace and Daddy would start talking about Heaven. He made it so beautiful that you wouldn't want to miss it for anything this world had to offer! We would sometimes be standing outside, and he would look up in the sky at the white clouds sailing across the blue sky, and he would say, "I wonder if that's the cloud Jesus will be coming on?" He kept heaven in our minds. He never wanted us to forget where our HOPE was.

There is a song Daddy and Mother use to sing and it was simply called "Heaven". As they lifted their voices together in harmony, I felt my heart longing to go there.

Since childhood I've heard of a heaven. And I wondered if it could be true. That there were sweet mansions eternal. In that land beyond the blue. I pondered could people really go there, then one day sweet Jesus came in.
And I caught a vision of glory, my heart with all heaven did blend.

Heaven.......happy home above.
Heaven.......land of peace and love.
Oh, it makes me feel like traveling on.
Heaven.......eternal.
Heaven.......supernal.
Oh, I'm so glad that it's real!

My dear friends and loved ones. Don't get burdened down with this world. Don't be discouraged with your life. Jesus knows exactly where you are and how much you can bear. It will be worth it all when we see Him!

There'll be no sorrow there. No more burdens to bear.

No more sickness, no pain.

No more parting over there.

And forever I will be with the One Who died for me.

What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see.

When I look upon His face, the one Who saved me by His grace.

When He takes me by the hand, and leads me to that Promised Land.

What a day, glorious day that will be!

If Jesus should come today I want to remind you that I will meet you "in front of the throne"! Are you going to meet me there?

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS

YOU'RE THE GREATEST!

IT'S SNOWING!

(I can't believe it!)

5:50 pm

GO TEXOMA!

Country music radio station KLUR 99.9 FM still isn't playing music by the Dixie Chicks, despite their overwhelming win at the Grammy's Sunday.

"The trio won every category in which they were nominated, including three of the most-coveted awards - Album of the Year for "Taking the Long Way" and Record and Song of the Year for "Not Ready to Make Nice," the group's defiant response to negative feedback from their anti-Bush comments. KLUR pulled the Dixie Chicks' music from the rotation in 2003, soon after lead singer Natalie Maines said on the eve of the Iraq War at a performance in London, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas." The group was banned after listeners called in to vote on whether or not they wanted the group's songs played." Go here for the rest of the story.

My thoughts on this article: I don't listen to KLUR but I was so happy to read about this in our paper this morning. Anyone who would speak against our President should not have the privilege of singing on America's radio stations! It's sad to think that some in America have already forgotten the "slam" to him from the Dixie Chicks! Thank you TEXOMA for voting against their music being played. I now think that the "sister station" to KLUR ought to take the same stand! Don't let those who are disrespectful to our nation and our President make you bend to their disloyalty!!

So Blessed!

"I'm saved and I know that I am! I'm saved and I know that I am! I'm saved and I know that I am! I'm so glad to know that I am, oh yes, I'm so glad to know that I am!

I'm blessed and I know that I am! I'm blessed and I know that I am! I'm blessed and I know that I am! I'm so glad to know that I am, oh yes, I'm so glad to know that I am!

Satisfied and I know that I am! I'm satisfied and I know that I am! Satisfied and I know that I am! I'm so glad to know that I am, oh yes, I'm so glad to know that I am!"

For some reason this song popped into my head tonight. We sung it when I was a teenager. I know it's repetitious, but it tells exactly how I feel this evening. To think I have found salvation in the power of repentance, baptism in Jesus Name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost is the greatest realization that a person can have! Now, all I have to do is cultivate my relationship with God, love Him, live my life to please Him and I've got it made! I am SAVED from this old world of sin, and I'm glad that I am!

What a peace and joy fills my heart as I sit in my lovely home listening to the wind blow outside. It is bringing in another "cold front" and I'm warm and cozy as I write this post. I thank God for His BLESSINGS! He has given me so much! The material things are very much appreciated and I tell Him "thank you" all of the time for those things, but the reality of my blessings are, that I have two sons in the ministry, married to gorgeous girls who love the Lord with all of their hearts, and want to please Him in everything they do! They are beautiful examples of what a Christian should be. Then, of course, my wonderful grand-daughters! I will just say this tonight about them....the two oldest ones LOVE to worship the Lord in church and it thrills me when I see their hands lifted in praise to God, or see them singing to the top of their lungs as the congregation sings. The two youngest ones will learn soon.

I also have two beautiful, loving, caring, and fun sisters who are married to preachers and they both pastor growing churches! Ronda and her husband Nathan pastor in California, and their "kids" are living for God and working for Him. Karla and Gene are pastoring a thriving, growing church here in Texas and their two boys are living for the Lord, and love playing the drums and bass for the church services.

And of course, I must mention my Godly husband! I don't have to mention him because "I don't want him to think I left him out", I have to mention Him because he is the greatest man in the world! Every lady should feel that way about her husband! I sure won't argue with you about that one. :)

I'm just overwhelmed with the "goodness and blessings of God" in my life!! We have a wonderful congregation to pastor. They "love" God, they want to "please" God, they are "willing" to do anything they can for God. So, what better combination can you get? I just have to say it again.....

I'm blessed and I know that I am!

Now, in the last part of this post I want to say...

I'M SATISFIED! I wouldn't trade my life with anyone, anywhere, anyplace! God has been so good to me! I'm not bragging..........I'm giving HIM PRAISE!

Update

We were suppose to be leaving for Jackson, TN today to preach for Donald and Bridget Lance, (Jackson Church in the photo) but my husband came down with bronchitis and he has been VERY SICK! The Lance's were disappointed, but understanding. We were disappointed! We really wanted to go. We enjoyed being in services with them when we were there last year. The church was looking forward to Bro. Elms ministry, but we'll have to wait for another opening on the calendar. God knows! So, I am looking forward to the services this weekend here at Life Tabernacle. It's always hard to be gone from home, because you never know what is going to happen! Healings, deliverance, salvation, a mighty move of the Holy Ghost? There is no telling what God will do. Thank you all who have been praying for my husband. He is still really sick, but getting a little better each day. This too shall pass.

If you live in Wichita Falls you need to drive by our church! They FINISHED pouring the parking lot yesterday! It looks GREAT!

Look What the Lord Has Done

Please WRITE your testimony of how God has changed your life! I want to hear about it! There are many people who are searching for what you have found. Let's be LIGHT to a dark world.

Note: Some have already written and their comments can be read under the post "Check Out #5 in "Great Things".

"The future does not belong to the faint hearted, it belongs to the brave." -Ronald Reagan

TOO AWFUL!!

I was appalled this morning when I read this article about the "almost two year old" girl that was "hit so hard that she hit her head and was knocked unconscious" then was put outside in SUBFREEZING temperatures to stay, because her dad woke up and she was playing and wouldn't go back to bed! It made him so......go HERE.

What kind of person is it that could mistreat a CHILD like this? I instantly get ANGRY when I read news headlines that tell of a child being mistreated! It brings me to tears to think this child was so abused! I know we do not know the "whole story", but the "rest of the story" will be told eventually. There will be consequenses, but will they be tough enough? I do know that EVERY PERSON will someday stand before God and will at that time be judged for what they did on earth. I would hate to be in this man's shoes!!

Check Out #5 in "Great Things"

Since writing my last post "Great Things" I have added #5. I am so excited about what God is doing at Jon and Brenda's church. In the last 6-8 weeks they have had FOUR people filled with the Holy Ghost! (Read Acts 2:38) People are so hungry for a relationship with God and they are searching to find Him in a deeper way. When you experience the baptism of the Holy Ghost you receive POWER over sin that you never dreamed you would be able to overcome! There are so many benefits in knowing HIM in the fullness of TRUTH! Thank God for salvation in His Name! YOU can receive the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, just like they did in the book of Acts! Thousands are receiving this precious gift all over the world. If you want to know what the scriptures say regarding this experience go here. You will have your questions answered!

If you have received the gift of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) please write and tell us how it changed your life. I would love to hear from you.

GREAT THINGS!

The reports started coming in this afternoon between 3 and 4:30. I was so happy to hear about what God is doing!

1. Bro. Doug Boyd reported 22 in attendance in Burkburnett, TX (daughter work of Life Tabernacle)

2. Carla Clark reported 4 received the Holy Ghost in service this morning!

3. Bro. Terry Creekmore reported one whole section of his church was full of young people when he walked into church this morning.

4. Bro. Gene Holley reported 28 in service today! (daughter work of New Life UPC, Austin)

5. Bro. Jonathan Elms reported 1 received the Holy Ghost!

6. We had 1 backslider pray through and absolutely INCREDIBLE moves of the Holy Ghost today and tonight!

What else can I say? God is just AWESOME! He is doing MIGHTY THINGS!

Tomorrow night we are starting "Focused Family Prayer" at Life Tabernacle. We will be having prayer meetings all over the church. Nursery will be having a time of "worship, praising, and singing". You must start teaching your children when they are in your arms. The 3-4 year old children will be having special training in prayer, praise and worship. (Sharon Bivens teaching) Joseph Ouellette will be having special training and prayer with the 5-11 year old kids! Andrew and Mandy Elms will be having prayer and instruction with 12-25 age group! WOW! I'm getting excited as I write! Men will be in the sanctuary tearing down the gates of hell for the backslidden children of Life Tabernacle families (no matter what age the "children" are) and they will be building walls around our children through prayer! The Ladies of Life, 25 and up will be interceding for lost children and backsliders as well!! Each first Monday of the month we will be having "Family Focus Prayer"! God is doing great things and I am looking forward to what else is going to happen this year. We are in the middle of an outpouring of God's Spirit and I can't wait to see more souls set free from sin! A mighty army of prayer warriors are advancing on the gates of hell tearing down strongholds in the lives of our children, and we are boldly approaching the throne room of God and asking Him to SAVE OUR CHILDREN! We are driving back the enemy and laying hold of the PROMISES GOD!

Back Home

Hello everyone! I've been away from the computer for a few days so I wanted to let you know that I'm still around! We had a wonderful time at Jonathan and Brenda's. We drove in the snow almost the whole way. When we left Wichita Falls it started snowing and continued till we got to Ranger.
It was very enjoyable driving through the beautiful country being covered with snow.We couldn't resist stopping and taking a picture of this Texas long-horn. He was definitely looking us over!
We got there on Thursday afternoon, went to supper, went back to the house, got comfortable and there we stayed until we left today. It was so nice getting to hug on Savanna and Scarlet.
We took care of them for a few hours while Jon and Brenda were gone and thoroughly enjoyed it. After a time of Savanna being in my lap and talking about her "life" she made her way over to Papa's lap and there she stayed for about an hour playing tic-tac-toe. I could hear the competition happening across the room. LOL! I think Savanna even beat Papa in a few games. Scarlet crawled up in my lap and we sang, and said rhymes, wiggled our nose, made "rabbit lips", pretty eyes, and all the things you do with a 2 year old. We had so much fun! It was like they realized they had us all to themselves without any adults around and took full advantage of it. When we were travelling we received a phone call that someone was trying to reach us, so I made a phone call and found out it was Rick,an old friend. Rick was bringing someone up to visit Daddy and Mother's grave. I was so surprised to find out that Dave was with him. Rick, Dave and I were young people together in Fresno.
Wendell and I met them for supper and had a nice time of visiting. We enjoyed some laughs and shed a few tears. Dave is married to my childhood friend, Sharon. Sharon and I were 9 years old when we met. Her Dad (Herman) and my Dad, were friends when they were boys. (that's just a little history I thought you would enjoy even though a lot of you do not know these people) You know, life has a way of sneaking up on you and it flies by faster than you can say "scat"! It's great having new friends, but there is nothing like getting to talk about the "old days" with someone you've known most of your life. Am I sounding old or what? LOL! I guess my point is, as you get older you start realizing the importance of relationships. We enjoyed the visit!

It's COLD!

Thursday Night, Feb 1
Low: 23 °F RealFeel®: 13 °F


Alright, I have to admit (Joseph) IT IS COLD and going to get COLDER! Today won't be too bad, but tonight in Wichita Falls it's going to be 23 degrees but it will FEEL LIKE 13! Now, that means you must be at home in a warm cozy robe, or pajamas, with furry slippers and a fire in the fireplace!!! If you don't have a fireplace, then by all means, get you an electric heater, plug it in and sit in front of it and be thankful you've got a heater! As for us, we are headed to Jon and Brenda's to "see the girls, and of course, Jon and Brenda". Somehow when the grand-babies come along the "kids" always think that we "only come to see the grand-babies" so I had to say it like that!" Any other grandparent out there know what I'm talking about? LOL! We always "reassure them that they are just as important as the girls", let's just look at it the right way "if it wasn't for them, there would be no grand-babies"! LOL I am really stretching this out of proportion, as you know, but it's all in fun! I am looking forward to seeing Savanna and Scarlet and can't wait to feel their little arms around my neck, and feel their "little bodies", as Mom Elms used to say about our boys. I'm also looking forward to seeing our son, and hearing his voice when he says, "Hi, Mom. Glad ya'll are here!" and Brenda, well....she's just a doll and always gets so excited when we are in her home. She treats us just like her "own parents" and always has! Today, I am so thankful for our family....Jonathan, Brenda, Savanna, Scarlet, Andrew, Mandy, Alayna, and Ashlyn! My cup is running over with JOY! I will leave you with a little song my mother sung to us kids when it was COLD and FOGGY in the California valley.

K-k-k-k-k-katie! K-k-k-k-k-katie!

I'll be standing at your k-k-k-kitchen door!

When the m-m-m-m-m-m-moooon shines,

Over the c-c-c-c-cow shed,

I'll be standing at your k-k-k-kitchen door!

Ya'll have a warm, cuddly, cozy, day!