My Brother, My Friend

Seven years ago today Keith, my brother was taken from this life. (picture is Keith and his wife Ginger) Never did I ever dream I would be left here without him. I will never forget the day Wendell rushed him to the hospital, only to find out very quickly he would have to undergo heart surgery. I always thought he would pull out of it, but he died 5 days later and my world started shaking. I knew that God doesn't put more on us than we can bear, so I placed it all in His hands and He gave me peace in the midst of loss. Keith was a great brother! Everyone loved him and as Chad (Karla's son) said one day when he saw Keith coming to my door..."Here comes Uncle Keith with all the laughs!" Yes, he was known for bringing a lot of laughter when he was around. He also had an incredible voice! No matter what style of song you gave him to sing, he sang it well. My favorite style for him to sing was always "country style". No one could put the country in the song like Keith could. When we were in a church service and began singing we always had fun. One day we were sitting together, (which was a mistake) and song service began. When they gave the page number in the songbook Keith and I decided we were going to sing the songs exactly the way they were written. You have to understand that as Pentecostals we give songs our own "twist" and sing it the way we want to, but that day, we wanted to sing them "right". That was a BIG mistake! LOL! We started singing and listening to the difference of how they were SUPPOSE to be sung and how the congregation was actually singing them, and we got tickled! I'll never forget laughing so hard that we were almost hysterical. We never let it go quite that far, because if Daddy would have "caught us" we would have been called out for sure! That was one thing you didn't want to happen! I can hear his booming voice right now as he would call our names out and say, "Keith.....Linda.....GO SIT BY YOUR MOTHER!" That wouldn't be the end of it either. We would have "gotten it" when we got home and would never do "that" again!! That is just one little story in my life, with my brother. Oh how I miss him. He would be so proud of his grandkids today! If he were here you would think no one else had any grandkids but him. LOL! Brag...brag.....brag.....! If you think I brag about mine...well....we'll just leave it at that. :) I wish I could tell him about my FOUR granddaughters. He would think they were beautiful, and so cute, and he would be RIGHT! LOL! I hope I haven't bored you with a little memory about my brother. I just felt like writing. Keith, I miss you, Wendell misses you, Jonathan and Andrew, Ronda and Karla, and all the family and thousands of friends. They still talk about you and the memories they have of you. I love you and will meet you again in the "sweet by and by". We will laugh, and sing, and talk, and laugh, and sing, and talk some more when we all gather around the throne. When the saints begin to sing I want to be standing right next to you. I get excited thinking about it!

One of My Heroes

Today was the Home Going Service for my friend, Sis. Barbara. What a lady she was! Sis. Barbara would have been so pleased with all of the friends and family that came to honor her. Our new parking lot was full and some even had to park on the grass. It was the first time we have had it completely full since we got it. I can hear her saying how excited she was that so many people were at "church" today, and that someday we will have a congregation at least that large and larger! She was a lady of vision! She loved seeing the church progress. The presence of God was felt by all who attended the service. From the first note played to the very end of the service God was in the sanctuary touching hearts and bringing comfort to all of us. I'm glad I knew this beautiful saint of God, a warrior of the Cross. My life was made richer because of her! I have never met anyone quite like Sis. Barbara. She was definitely a woman with a mission. Her mission was to teach children so that they would have a chance in life. She also wanted to win someone to the Lord. She wanted to take her family and friends with her to Heaven. That was her greatest desire! She met her goals. Her boys (Joseph, Jason, Brandon and David) are living for God today with a firm resolution that they will be saved! "Sis. Barbara, I already miss you and I will see you in my minds eye for a long time sitting in YOUR pew. I want you to know that Bro. Elms and I will keep preaching, teaching and living what we've always taught and lived and we will meet you one day "in front of the throne" and your sons and Julie will be with us. You fought a good fight! You kept the faith! You've "made it home".

Happy Father's Day!

Wendell, I love you more than words can say, and I wish you a very Happy Father's Day! You are my best friend and an awesome Dad! Your hand prints are all over the lives of our sons, and I appreciate you for all you have put into them. They are carbon copies of you and I'm proud to be your wife! I LOVE YOU!

I am a blessed lady to have two sons! Andrew and Jonathan, I want you to know that I couldn't be more proud of you! I have watched you become men, and then watched as you became husbands, and then as you became fathers to your beautiful little girls, and you have excelled in all of these. Thank you for being the men you are! I love you!

Go to Joseph's Blog!

Okay everyone.....you need to go read the post on Joseph James blog. We've had several children receive the Holy Ghost recently and what Joseph has to say about it is very, very, good! For those of you who do not know Joseph, let me explain just a little. Joseph and his brother Jason, have been raised in our church all of their lives and their parents have been "pillars in Life Tabernacle". I cannot tell you what they have meant to our church! Bro. Joe (the dad) was one of the greatest encouragers I have ever had in my life. A little over a year ago he died suddenly of a massive heart attack. Losing Bro. Joe left us all reeling from the shock. Sis. Barbara, (the mom) was fighting cancer when Bro. Joe was taken, so she was left to finish raising 2 younger boys whom her and Bro. Joe had adopted. What an incredible Dad and Mom, Bro. Joe and Sis. Barbara have been! Well, to not go into a lot of detail at this time....Sis. Barbara is now in Hospice and unless the Lord heals her we will not have her with us much longer. I ask for prayers to be sent to heaven on the behalf of this wonderful lady and her sons. Now, to get to what I was saying earlier.....Joseph is over our children's ministry in our church and when I was talking to him yesterday about the children getting the Holy Ghost he said some great things about how we are as adults and how we sometimes question whether or not a child gets the "real thing". I did not know he was going to post about this until I went to his blog tonight. I was moved beyond words for him to take the time to congratulate the children who have recently received the Holy Ghost, then to take the time to talk to us adults! I know he would not want me to bring attention to him, but that's why I have my own blog! (lol) Joseph, you never cease to amaze me in your commitment to God, your church, your family, and your ministry to children. Thank you! I know you have your hands full in watching over your mother, and younger brothers, David and Brandon, but God is giving you strength that is not understood by those "who have no hope". Thank you for helping me laugh yesterday when I was overcome with grief. You helped me through a tough time along with Julie (Jason's wonderful girl, soon to be wife). What a sweetheart she is! Jason...you are also in our prayers. You have been carrying a heavy load and I cannot even start to understand how you are feeling. Just know we are all holding you in our hearts! I will stop now....but I just want to say, "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!"

NOTE: After posting this before going to bed, Sis. Barbara went to be with the Lord around 4:00 A.M. Heaven has gained another beautiful rose from this earth. Again, please be in prayer for the family. Thank you!

Camp Meeting and Friends Slideshow

Camp Meeting '07 and Great Weekend!

This passed week was wonderful! We had our Texas District Camp Meeting and it was the best we have had in awhile. The preaching by Bro. Ron Mullings, (California) Bro. David T. Elms, (Florida) and Bro. Paul Mooney, (Inidana) was wonderful! Every message I heard touched my mind and heart. On Friday night was crusade and Bro. Greg Godwin preached the message and it was interpreted for the spanish speaking people by Bro. Drost. At the end of the service there had been 246 people receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! The Holy Ghost was falling all around and while people received their personal Pentecost it sounded like a "count down"! It was almost continuous! Then, to make it even more special, our little Alayna Joy (4 years old) received the Holy Ghost!!!! It was wonderful! She came up to me and I asked her if she had received the Holy Ghost and she said, "Yes". I asked her how she knew she had received it, and her answer was so cute. She said, "Because I felt God's words come up in my throat!" She is so precious! Mandy asked her a lot of questions the next day and she answered everyone of them "right". She told Mandy that she "said God's words"! There is no doubt that she received the greatest gift anyone could ever receive! Also, Haiden, (8 years old) a boy from our church, received the Holy Ghost a few minutes before Alayna did. The wonderful thing about children receiving God at an early age is that they have a lifetime to serve Him! It was wonderful being in the presence of God in the services. Sis. Dedie Cooley was the Music Coordinator for the week and if you know her you KNOW the music was incredible! She did a great job! She worked so hard. It seemed like she was always at the keyboard going through songs with the musicians and singers. It definitely made the difference! We came home to a wonderful move of God this weekend. Bro. and Sis. Mullings were our special guests, and he definitely blessed out church with his ministry! The messages were powerful and ordained by God. I cannot tell you what the message he preached on Sunday night did for me. You need to listen to it on LifeTab.org. The title is: "My Faith Fights for Me". WOW! I know you will be blessed when you listen. We had a wonderful time. There is nothing like having "old friends" to visit with. We enjoyed a time of fellowship today, also. It was hard to say "goodbye", but we have great memories of this weekend. I trust you are all having a wonderful summer. I've missed blogging, but I haven't been where I could be "online". It's good being home! (I will add a slideshow sometime this week.)

Special Friend

This week has been very special for me. Since Wendell was gone with his brothers for the annual "Elms Brother's Reunion" Bobbie flew in to spend the week with me. We haven't had this much time together since Mother passed away, so it has been a special time for us. We tried to go shopping but couldn't get anything done, because we would start talking and stop in the middle of the store so we could keep our conversation going. I finally said, "Bobbie, this is ridiculous! We might as well go home!" After a few more attempts to keep shopping, we got tired and decided we really should go home, so we did! We had the best time! For those in the blog world that may not know our background let me explain. When Bobbie was 13 years old my parents took the church in Fresno where Bobbie and her family attended. I was 6 weeks old and she became my baby sitter along with her sister, and parents. Then she grew up, and met a young man and fell in love. When they decided to get married I was her flower girl. I was 4 years old! I can hear you all now, so go ahead and say it with me....AHHHHH! LOL! Her Dad and Mom were pillars in the church that I grew up in, and they have always been part of my life. There are so many stories that I could tell, but there is not enough room on this page to share them with you. I'll just share one thing. Wherever there is a piano you will usually see Bobbie eventually make her way over to it, and she will sit down and start playing and singing. I've had that experience all through my life when I've been with her. I have felt the presence of God come into my heart many times as she began to sing and play. To Bobbie, singing is not entertainment, it is worship to God! Anyone who has ever experienced her singing at the piano will agree with me and say that, "she has a special anointing" that everyone feels when she sings, and "no one plays the piano quite like she does". I know you'll enjoy this little home video I took while she was here this week. Sit back and relax and feel the presence of God as she sings from her heart.

Trip to California

Last week we flew to San Jose for Sis. Blanche Shoemake's "going home service". It was a beautiful service and we were so glad we could be there. I thank God for my friends and family! I also thank Him for the promise of HEAVEN! You can see there are a lot of smiles, but the reason we can smile during the "sad times" is because we know that someday we will see our loved ones again! "Won't we have a time when we get over yonder!" We also enjoyed visiting with Ronda and Nathan. We stayed with them and got to see Nathaniel, Matt and Danelle. It's always good being with them!

I just wanted to say hello to everyone and let you know I will be blogging again, soon. I've been very busy and haven't hardly turned on the computer this week. I hope everyone is doing good. See you soon....

Tagged!

I was tagged by Ronda, my sister, so I did it because I HAD to! LOL!

“A to Z Meme”

A -Available or Single? NEITHER! Married 34 years and still on our honeymoon!

B- Best Friend - Wendell, my husband. I've loved him since I was 12.

C- Cake or Pie - Cake. I love dense, heavy cakes or muffins.

D- Drink of Choice - Diet Coke!

E- Essential Item - my Bible - I find any answer I need in the pages of this Book.

F- Favorite Color - Emerald Green

G- Gummi Bears or Worms - I don't like either one!

H- Hometown - Fresno, CA

I- Indulgence - Hot fudge sunday from Braum's

J-January or February - January! It's the beginning of a NEW YEAR!

K- Kids - Two incredible sons! Both in the ministry.

L- Life isn't complete without - God, family and friends. (relationship)

M- Marriage date - September 15

N- Number of siblings - 3 (one brother, 2 sisters)

O- Oranges or Apples - Oranges

P- Phobias/Fears - Flying in a plane! I'd rather have my feet on the ground.

Q- Favorite Quote - "I cannot fail for there are those who trust me."

R- Reasons to smile - God has been so good to me and I have FOUR beautiful granddaughters!

S- Season(ing) - Season - Fall; Seasoning - Salt! Not too many things taste good without it.

T- Tag Three - Mandy, 'Dubya' Lynn, Christina

U- Unknown fact about me - If it's unknown...I'm sure not going to tell it!

V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals - I'm not real crazy about meat, but not totally vegetarian.

W- Worst habit - Maybe this is the "unknown fact"?

X- X-rays or Ultrasounds - I do not want either, but have had both.

Y- Your favorite foods - Mexican, especially MY tacos!

Z- Zodiac - Taurus, but does it really matter?

Ok....Mandy, 'Dubya', and Christina it's your turn!

Home

We're HOME! Thank the Lord for safe flights. It was bumpy a few times and I nearly squeezed my husbands arm off, but it got smoother and wasn't too bad. We got the news about Sis. Barbara being in the hospital and headed there as soon as we got home. I hugged her and she asked me how I was doing, then said, "It's alright. It's alright." Please keep her and the family in your prayers. Those who are not part of our church, would you please pray for all of us. We need your prayers! Thank you and God bless you all.

A Wonderful Time In Lake Charles, LA

It has been a very busy week, but also very enjoyable. We left last Monday headed to Lake Charles, LA to preach for Bro. Rick Treece. We had not been to the church in 30 years! Jonathan was just 2 years old when we were there last. Now, that can make you feel "old" if you think about it very long. LOL! We arrived there on Tuesday afternoon, unloaded the car at the motel, and about an hour later we received a call from Elder Sis. Treece saying her and Bro. Treece would like to take us out for dinner. What a treat to get to be with them for a time of fellowship and talking about "old times". Sis. Treece can remember more than you can believe! It was so much fun talking to her, because she knows so much history about friends and family! In 1976 we were in Lake Charles for about three months with Bro. and Sis. Treece and we enjoyed being there helping in the church. It was one of life's highlights that we look back to with a lot of fond memories. Bro. Treece had trained coon dogs and he taught Jonathan to "howl" like a coon dog! It was so cute and everyone at the church remembered him doing that. We were surprised that a lot of people remembered us being there and to see so many saints of God still living for the Lord blessed us. They have a great church! Their worship is so heart-felt, and they still love the preaching! The presence of God is so strong when you are there in service. Bro. Rick Treece, pastor of the church, and Diane, his wife are gracious hosts. We had so much fun visiting with them. We didn't have to do one thing for ourselves. They picked us up when it was time to eat, took me to a couple stores that I needed to go to, showed us the new property where they are going to be building a new church real soon, took us to Cameron, LA where Hurricane Rita came through and wiped out the whole town, showed us wild alligators along the road, and when we were finished touring for the day, took us back to the motel so we could get ready for church, then, picked us up for church! They treated us like we were special. It's so nice being with "long-time friends" and enjoying each others company. We also enjoyed seeing Paula and Russell (Treece's daughter and her husband). They are a great couple! There are some people in life you never forget and the Treece family are such people. Thank the Lord for true Christian friends that you can have fun with and when you leave you feel you have been with some of God's CHOSEN people!

Another "Angel" Taken Home

This morning Sis. Bobbie Shoemake called and told us of the passing of Sis. Blanche Shoemake. My heart is saddened to know another precious friend has gone on to her reward. Sis. Shoemake was a beautiful lady! "Pure gold" are the words my husband used to describe her. Please keep the Shoemake family and church in your prayers. God bless you all!

Travelling

The last two weeks have been very busy for us, so I want to catch you up on where we've been. Last week we took a few days and ran to Beaumont to see Jonathan, Brenda and the girls, and see the "field" the Lord has moved them to. I had already been, but my husband had not. It was good for us to be with them and be able to tour The Apostolic Church. We also went to service on Tuesday night and enjoyed the presence of the Lord in the service. The church is doing wonderful and they are loving their Pastor and family. It's always good hearing Jonathan preach. We do not get to hear him very often and this was a treat. After spending several days with them we then went back to Lufkin to be at the TBC Graduation. Kyle was so happy to be finished with college and ready to be home for awhile. We were happy to be there with him to celebrate his accomplishments. We got to visit with friends which is always refreshing. We went home for Sunday (as I have already reported below). We had great church on the weekend, then on Monday afternoon we left for Lake Charles, LA to preach for Pastor Rick Treece. (I will report on this later) On our way down to Lake Charles we stopped in Beaumont to eat lunch with the family again. Isn't it funny how "Beaumont" has become a part of my vocabulary? Ron and Debbie Alomar (Brenda's parents) are there visiting. They have recently moved from California to Jackson, TN where Donald and Bridgett are pastoring, so now they are only 10 hours away from Brenda. It was good seeing them, again. Now, we are in Lake Charles. I will write about being here later. I hope you all have a great week!!

I really hope no one gets tired of reading about my family, friends and church, but they are my life, so I guess I'll keep talking about them. If it wasn't for these wonderful people "life wouldn't be near as much fun"! I love you all! May the Lord keep you, guide you, and be near you in everything you do. Until He comes...I will always be thankful for my family, friends, and church.

Wonderful Mother's Day and Birthday

I had a wonderful Mother's Day and birthday! My church really surprised me and I just wanted to share a few photos with my "blog friends". I had gone to Texas Women's Conference in Lufkin and even went shopping, which is very UN-usual for me. I do not like to shop (really) but gave into the pleading of Brenda to go to one dress shop with her....so....I did. I found the dress I wanted, but didn't buy it. In conversation with some of my ladies at the conference they asked me if I had gone shopping. I told them I had and found a dress I wanted, but didn't buy it. Well, to make a long story short, they surprised me with it for Mother's Day and Birthday! I was totally shocked! Then on Sunday night they presented me with a basket full of wonderful shower gels, lotion, candle, etc. from Bath and Body. I couldn't believe it! THANK YOU again to my wonderful church for loving me. I love you more than I can say!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

To my two lovely sisters and in remembrance of a beautiful Mother, I wish you both a Happy Mother's Day. You both are so beautiful and I've been privleged to have you as sisters. I know there are a lot of "sisters" who do not have the relationship that we do and I am thankful for the "friendship" we get to enjoy with each other. There are times we laugh together and we do that rather well, and there are times we cry together. The "crying times" are getting further apart, and I am glad of that. Then, there are times we just sit and relax and not have to say anything and we know what we're all thinking without a word spoken. That's when just a "look" can either throw us into long periods of laughter, or giggles, (if we're in church or someplace we would try to keep our composure). Most of the time we laugh instead of cry, even if we're suppose to be serious. Some may not understand what we're laughing at, and that's okay, because when we have each other that's all that matters at the moment. As I write, I get tickled just thinking about these times. Of course, we had a great teacher in Mother. She's the one that taught us to not take life too seriously. I want you both to know that I treasure your friendship and love. You're wonderful and I love you!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to my two "super-cali-fragi-listic-expe-ali-do-cious" DAUGHTERS!

Brenda and Mandy you are both beautiful, inside and out! I am so blessed to have you as my "daughters"! You are like my own and if I would have had girls I would have wanted them to be "just like you". God saw that I needed you in my life and gave you to me and I love you so much! Thank you for marrying Jonathan and Andrew. God perfectly matched you to them. Thank you for being the beautiful example of what a wife should be. I've watched you through the years, and I couldn't be more proud of you! Then, you are awesome MOTHER'S! I have total confidence in the way you are leading your daughters. Savanna, Scarlet, Alayna and Ashlyn are blessed to have mother's like you. THANK YOU for being a Godly example to them and leading them "in the way they ought to go"! I LOVE YOU!

And to all my friends.....HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! You are special to me and I don't know what I would do without you. God bless you! I LOVE YOU!

Andrew Keith Elms.....Our Son!

Tonight Andrew preached and did an INCREDIBLE job! His title was, "And Jesus Stood Still". For those of you who do not know our youngest son, all I can say is YOU REALLY OUGHT TO MEET HIM! What a great man he is! Yes, he is great in stature, 6' 5"....200 and "none of your business" pounds. (like Daddy use to say), but more than his size, he is a wonderful person. He is big in stature, but his heart is just as big. God has been using him in ministry to the young people of our church, and he and Mandy are making a difference in their lives. He also taught our "Keenagers Class" (one of our adult classes) for a month and I was told that he did a fantastic job! I've heard this same report from different people. Andrew, God is using you and your preaching has definitely grown into a powerful ministry. We are blessed to have you and Mandy here with us and want you to know we have all the confidence in the world in your walk with God. I love you......Mom

His Presence

"When I come into His presence I humble myself, I lift up both my hands and I begin to worship Him. I worship Him. When I come into His presence I humble myself remembering what He's done, the victories He's won so I praise Him. I praise Him! For all He's done for me...redeemed and set me free. And because, just because He's God."

After a stressful day, today....I walked into my house and was ready to be out of the rat-race of life when all of a sudden the words to this song came to my heart and I felt His presence! I do not have to wonder what it was like when the "glory cloud" filled the sanctuary and the priests of the Old Testament walked into God's presence, because I have experienced the presence of God many times throughout my life. When I was down, depressed, worried, tired, stressed, sick, anxious...whatever the situation...God brought to mind the things He has done and I could once again worship Him. There are deserts in life that we go through. Sometimes they last a day, a week, a month, a year, or even several years. During these times God will come to us in the most unexpected way. I opened my mail box today and had a card from a lady I do not know and it read, "Sis. Elms, you do not know me but, I wanted to let you know I am praying for you today. You are precious in HIS eyes. May God bless you special this day!....signed....Sister in Christ." I was so thankful for this note. A lady from another city felt to send me a card and I opened it on a day that I really needed it! Don't get worried....I'm okay. Just needed a little reassurance that everything would be alright .......and it is.

Remember Me

I received this from Charlene, a lady in my church. It is very touching and I thought it would do us all good to see it. Let's pray for our President and our troops like never before. We need God to help us through these last days, and give our President strength and wisdom to do what is right for our beautiful country, America. We also need to ask God for His protection on all those who are fighting for our freedoms. They need our support. God Bless America!

Friendship Sunday

Sunday was a wonderful day for Life Tabernacle! After our morning service we stayed at the church and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and all the fixin's to go with them. After a good lunch with friends and family that had been invited we had a day of FUN! We had 5 bouncers for the youngest to the adults, and everyone had a blast on them. There was a good game of basketball played and the guys really enjoyed that. We even had JUMP ROPE, the "old fashion" game! Who would have ever thought it would have been the thing everyone wanted to do? LOL! It was so much fun. I know I keep saying "fun", but how else do you describe a great time with friends? I wanted to get this slideshow on today so everyone could enjoy Friendship Sunday again. We had a wonderful time! I took a lot of pictures and this slideshow will be a long one, but I promise you will enjoy it. :) Enjoy!