God Bless America - 9-11-01

Today is a day to remember lives lost, new beginnings, and the value of a life we live.

God Bless America Today and Always!

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

Appreciation

I just want to show Him my appreciation...

This is a picture of my Pastor's son who is ten-years old; this was in last weeks service. Like him, God moved on me at a young age.

I can't seem to get this scripture out of my head...

Psalms 116:12 - What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

God has restored so much these past couple of weeks and has made so many changes. My soul is so thankful for His goodness that I feel I will burst!

I am an Apostolic and I believe what the Bible says through and through. I was born into this Faith and raised in a great church, the greatest in my opinion! I learned about God at a young age, so young in fact that I can't remember a moment that I didn't know about Him. My most vivid and first memories are of church services and church family. I received the Holy Ghost and was Baptized in Jesus Name when I was ten years-old.

God has kept me through all my teenage years and into my adult life. I am so glad to say that I have been enveloped in this Faith and have never left it and never will.

This life is without a doubt the best life to live. I know who He is, He knows who I am. He knows my downfalls, my insecurities, my limitations, yet He still loves me and calls me His.

The benefits he has bestowed on me are undeserved yet so appreciated.

I love Him so.

Labor Day Weekend & Bad Weather

It has been scorching hot in California! Our normally perfect weather is not so perfect and miserable. This is the kind of weather we call "earthquake weather". We haven't had a big earthquake in years, so we're waiting for it to hit... at least I am =). We did have one on Sunday that shook the rooms around and an aftershock the following day... but it was too small to do anything.

Tornado warnings were being set in Los Angeles... I told you the weather was crazy. One did hit down in the Mojave Desert, nowhere near me Thank God!

I did capture this beautiful sunset in front of my house on Saturday. Even though the weather made you miserable, looking at this sunset gave you a moment of serenity. I do know without the weather, this sunset would probably not be this beautiful!

On Labor Day, we were trying to cool off in the pool and saw this butterfly bathing in the sun. No matter how close I got it didn't flinch. I think I was more scared of it than it was of me... Don't ask me why, the beautiful thing below just gave me the heeby-jeebys (is that a word?).

~Fun in the Sun~

I love love love the beach. Whether it be Winter or Summer, the smells and sights, there's nothing like it.

My pastor's son had his sixteenth birthday party on Saturday at the beach. We ate, went swimming, had food fights, and roasted marshmellows by the fire. Lotsa fun!

One of the little girls, Eden, watched the sun setting and said, "the sun got a boo boo and fell down." She was shocked to see another "sun" in the sky. I explained that it was not a sun but a moon. She didn't quite get it so I said, when the sun goes night night, the moon wakes up. Her eyes lit up and I knew she got it that time. LOL - kids say the funniest things!

Enjoy pics of a fun day in California...

(top or right) Eden Jolie (bottom or left) Eden and Big sis, Jade

(right or top) My older brother and sister-in-law (left or bottom) My Pastor chucking hot dogs

A Night Out With Michael Buble'

We went to the Michael Buble' concert last night in Los Angeles at the Greek Theater. It was beautiful! The theater is outside and surrounded by pine trees and blanketed by the stars and the black sky.

The weather was perfect, not too cold or hot. We had high seats but the auditorium was not very big so it didn't feel bad.

If you aren't familiar with Buble', he is a jazz/swing singer who has not been around long. His music and voice are incredible!

Unfortunately I pulled by back out on Sunday caring a toddler up two flights of stairs to the church nursery and was hunched over before the concert. I finally gave in and took a painkiller that made me feel like Michael Buble' was performing for me alone! LOL! It was nice! I don't know if you can tell, but I am feeling the affects of another painkiller... =)
Anyway, Catherine bought these tickets a while back and Sony and I tagged along. It was such a great night! I took lots of pics and video... see below!

HERE ARE LINKS TO VIDEOS I TOOK....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yEKWDud7CWw

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XFjYfg5a4Xo

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WZ3oFMOH5XM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=T81Z8nQ--zw

California Beach

We went to the beach on Friday night with the youth. You would think that living in the OC and near the beach, I would be there often... This is my first time on the sand since last summer... I think I take it for granted which is a shame!

My sister, brothers, and sister-in-law tagged along to help chaperon. We took our sweet time getting down there so it was dark by the time we got to the fire pit. The youth started a fire for the adults and then started one for themselves. I think the adults had more fun then the teens! LOL

I posted some pics below. The affectionate couple is my brother and his wife =).

Good Read

I just finished a series of great books by Tamera Alexander.

The Fountain Creeks Chronicles were recommended by some online "buddies". I just had to pick up the first book and see what all the ruckus was about...

I read the first book and lost a lot of sleep trying to stay up as late as possible to read. I quickly ordered the next two in the trilogy and zipped through those.

If you have a moment to read and you like historical christian romance, these are a must read. You won't be disappointed!

August 9, 2007

Mom should have been in the middle of surgery right about now... but God is so good He's letting me think about frivolous thoughts instead... My mind wanders to Pride & Prejudice as My Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy screensaver dances across my computer.

I was walking through Target and spotted a book called "My Mr. Darcy" Huh? I had to pick it up and see what it was about. After reading the back, I was sure someone had hacked into my brain waves! It was the story of a contemporary women who went to Pemberly to visit where the movie was filmed (A&E) and who should be walking up, but Mr. Darcy himself.

Okay so she might have been a little loopy, but Lord, if you can send Mr. Darcy my way I would appreciate it... He's the one with the long coat on a horse with the big mansion.

God is a Healer!

We received news this morning that floored us!

Mom went in for her pre-op on Wednesday to prepare for surgery on Thursday 8/09. Earlier on we had discussed several options, she asked if the tumor could be shrunken and was told that there was no way. It was too big.

Her surgeon and hormone specialist ran into eachother yesterday and discussed her test, She received a call this morning and was told that her surgery had been canceled!! They will shrink the tumor by shots!!

We were in the middle of plans for caring for her and my father was on his way today to drop off a massive deposit for surgery. All our plans have fallen through - THANK GOD!

All I can say is that I am so glad to know the Healer! He never fails! You never go wrong trusting in Him! There is power in His name! He is Jesus, the one and only God!

Exciting Happenings

Mark 16:15 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

What an awesome weekend we had!
We have a visiting Evangelist, Bro. Shane Golden from Eva, Alabama, with us for the next few weeks and he has been talking to us and training on how to treat and reach people.

On Saturday we went out in groups for one hour and met some of the people in the community. My target place was... Target. I got four people to talk to me and discuss a simple 8 question survey and then asked them if they were interested in a 40 minute bible study. It was difficult at first, but after the shyness wore off, I was on a roll!

I got three people to say yes to a bible study! When the group of 60 people returned from their areas, we had over 115 bible studies! How awesome is that?

I was born and raised in Pentecost and never have I heard of this in our area! Exciting things are happening and I can't wait to see what God is going to do in Orange County!

A Little Surgery

We have less than three more weeks to tease mom that she has something wrong with her head... hahaha

She will be going in on August 9th to remove the tumor. It is about the size of a golf ball and functioning as her pituitary gland which controls the hormones. Funny thing is, mom does not have one side effect and the Doctors are baffled.

She has had two MRI's and several appointments with specialist. Her Surgeon wants it out but is leaving it up to her since there is a risk. I am sure she will be glad when it's all over.

She will be in surgery all day and then in the hospital for three days to recover. It will be about 4 weeks until she is able to attempt being normal. She will come out with less in and on her head. Were hoping that they leave some of her hair.

As for the family, we are scared, well I am =). I sometimes find myself scared and panicked and then sometimes the peace of God is so strong that I can't remember why I was scared in the first place. We have put her in God's hands... yet it is scary. Sometimes His way is not the way we want it to go.

One thing I know is that He has never failed me. Not in twenty-four years. And He never will. No matter what happens.

My Little Friend

I have this little friend, Charity is her name.

She is the sweetest little thing and has me wrapped around her finger! Like any other two year-old she sometimes has her "bad" moments and trying to be stern with her in class is pointless. She'll look at me with those big blue eyes and you can just see how sorry she is.

I took these pictures of her at our annual memorial picnic and I wanted to share them with you all.

Good News!

We had a big day for serious Doctor appointments in our family today. My dad went in for a test where they put him out and put a camera down through his mouth to check things out in the stomach.

His test went fine, he is now walking around with a Canon camera in him that will have to come out... shortly. LOL Don't make me get graphic!

Mom had her second appointment with the brain surgeon today. The tumor has not changed in size. She was given two options, wait and get checked every three months with MRI's every six months and see if there are any changes or remove it within a months time. The surgery is risky since the tumor is wrapped around her main artery in her head. Waiting is also a small risk since the tumor is pushing on her optic nerve... So she will be making a decision soon.

This is good news... Now we know whats happening and we have some answers.
God know what's happening in that head of hers! =)

No More Spankings In Heaven

We had a Luau tonight in KidzNet. All kids from 2-13 were together. We decorated the room in Luau style and prepared a puppet show.

During the lesson, Cathy asked the kids what they wanted in heaven. One little boy said he wanted a PlayStation II. LOL

My sister-in-laws nephew, Elijah, is three years old and the cutest brat! haha yes, he is a huge brat, but so cute! He is very scared of the dark and did not like it when the puppet show was on and lights were out. He kept trying to convince himself that the puppets were not monsters.

Cathy was telling the kids what would not be in heaven... No more boo boo's, no more being scared. Elijah kept trying to get her attention to let her know there would be no more spankings in Heaven! How true it is, no more spankings in heaven! Only he would think of this!

Charlie is Out There

Recently my Pastor has been talking about reaching those that do not know God. The time is now, the harvest is ripe, we just have to get out there.

In today's world, there are so many different religions and so many people have the "truth". So many are trying to "sell" this truth at all cost. How many times has someone knocked on your door and gave you a bible study on your front porch? It seems that our neighborhood has been assigned the Mormon religion. They are such nice people, but trained so well. I remember growing up across the street from a Mormon family, the Johnson's, and their daughter was my best friend. Our mothers would but heads at times on our beliefs, probably due to my weekly bible studies at their house LOL! Just kidding, I wasn't that bad. Anyway, they are a very hospitable people. When I was eighteen, these two Mormon girls knocked on our door and continued to come back. We befriended them, went out to eat, bowling, hung out and had a bible study. They would sit and hear our beliefs and we would do the same for them. One thing I learned is that they are not a lazy people. They may not have the truth, but they are doing something with what they do have... What more could we do? We have this truth and were just sitting on it!


My sister is head of the children's department at our church and we've been talking to to them about being the light of the world - Matthew 5:16 to be exact. I figured that we better teach by example...

This morning we decided to pass out a few fliers in the church neighborhood and let the families know that we were in the area and we had a ton of fun stuff for their kids to do.

I knocked on this one door and it was answered by a hefty little man, his name was Charlie he told me that he was eleven years old. After talking to him and inviting him to my class, I felt overwhelmed with emotion and my heart just ached. I walked down the walkway and thought of all the other kids, home alone, living day to day, not knowing, that there was so much more out there. Someone that loved them more then their mom and dad, more than grandma and grandpa. I wanted to knock on every door I saw and let them know about Jesus.

We are so isolated in our own little worlds and don't realized we have a commission. Not to preach and teach a bible study to those stuck on their porches wanting to get back in the house and bolt the door, but to show them in the way we live that there is something special about us, something that they can have too... There are so many more Charlies out there...

God Bless America - 07.04.07

We have so much to be thankful for as Americans! A lot of things in the USA are falling apart but there is still so much to be thankful for...

1. Freedom to serve God
   
2. Work available


3. God-fearing President

These are just a few. On this day I wish to say God Bless America, the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Below are some pictures from our kids group. The department adopted a unit stationed in Iraq. Our kids signed a flag and sent it on to the station.

Family Gathering

On Monday we had the memorial service. It was very nice and went smoothly. We had our laughs and our tears but all in all, God was there as a comforter and strength.

After the graveside ceremony we went to our church for a reception in her honor. I was very proud of the ladies, they took care of us and made sure that everyone was comfortable.

We took a family picture and I asked if we could hold grandma's picture with us (not seen below), she was the reason why we were all there today.

I believe we are all still in shock, even though it had to happen. Once the feeling of shock leaves, we can get on with our lives and just look forward to the day we meet her again knowing that she is without pain for eternity.

Happy Birthday Mama

Mother-

Today is a great day for a birthday. It may not seem so, but it is a good day to remember that God giveth and taketh, blessed be His name. Life and death are in His hands. There is no better place to be.

You are the strongest, most courageous women I know.

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY~
I love you!

Deba

Memorial Services

Today, June 25, 2007 we will say our final goodbyes to Grandma.
It will be a hard day on everyone, but we just have to remember to celebrate in the midst of the pain we feel.

"Spoken For"

Mercy Me

Take this world from me

I don't need it anymore

I am finally free

My heart is spoken for

Oh and I praise you

Oh and I worship you..

Covered by your love divine

Child of the risen Lord

To hear you say "This one's mine"

My heart is spoken for

Now I have a peace

I've never known before

I find myself complete

My heart is spoken for

Goodbye

Grandmacitha,

Today you walked on streets of gold, heard angels singing, saw loved ones and most of all saw the face of God.

After 66 years of living for Him and 80 years of being apart of this world, you went home.

We have mixed emotions, but we rejoice that you are home and away from pain, worry, fear, loneliness.

I have loved you more than you'll ever know and I will miss you. I can't until we all will be dancing on streets of gold.

Deba