Catching up?

Oh, I have been so bad at this blogging and probably won't get much better at it in the future.  Who am I kidding anyway. I have never kept a diary or even cared to spend time writing but I just keep on trying hoping I will get better.

I do have a load of stuff to tell about but  it all goes back  to IYC and assembly.  But instead I will start with the most recent because it is the freshest in my memory.  Yeah! we have a more permanent place to worship.  We move into our new office space the last weekend of October. At least that is what  we are shooting for.  We have a resting place for the 30 chairs God blessed us with that are setting in my garage.  Everyone is so excited and let me tell you God was definitely showing himself strong.  The landlord came down over $200.00 in rent and he didn't make us sign a long lease.  These are two of the things I was concerned about. Price of course and a long lease. I actually told them no twice with the offers he made because when I prayed I felt God told me he had something better in mind for us so I waited until the better come along.   I won't go into details on this public blog but if you average out 3 services per week and what we were paying for just 3-5 hrs at the Quality Inn the past 2 years. We are paying less than there and I feel good about that for the local church.

We also have welcomed the Guterriez family into our midst and they have been a real blessing to us. Sister Karla is interpreting for us and she is doing an awesome job.  We have had some beautiful services and the Holy Ghost has been moving steadily since we returned from the assembly.  We have had visitors who have come back.  We also are getting ready to have services in Scottsdale with some of the Spanish family and friends of the Guterriez. Many who need to get things worked out with God and many who were once members who we hope come back and get established in the Word.  Keep us in your prayers.  I know I need them so much.  I realize how frail and fleshly these human bodies are. Subject to sickness and tiredness.  I praise God he keeps me strong and going and I know that many of you pray for me and our church here in Phoenix.  We desire and appreciate them so much.

I am headed to Albuquerque, NM on Thursday and will be back early Sunday morning so I can preach at our local church also but will be preaching at their Mission Crusade for the 3 days.  Very excited to have been asked and can't wait to get into service and worship with the folks there.  I am praying God really move on the people who attend. Turn our eyes to the harvest Lord and as Sister Bishops theme for the year goes, "Lift Up Your Eyes And Look On the Fields For They Are White Already to Harvest." I wish I could stay longer but it is hard to leave the flock here and I will be gone for at least a couple of Sundays in November.  Ladies Retreat is coming up on Nov2nd and some of our local ladies and I are going to travel to be there and then our trip to Israel at the end of November first of December.  I am way excited about that!  Going to stop for now. We have a bible study tonight and I need to get going and get copies, etc, etc. 

Blessings

Blessings.  I am blessed. I have had so many answered prayers I don't even know where to begin.  If you haven't heard my son Adam received the Holy Ghost as Bro. Clarkson was impressed to lay hands on him in our Sunday morning convention service. Wow! The Holy Ghost was definitely in charge that morning. We saw manifestations of the Spirit in so many ways.  Several healed, saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, received divine revelation.  I don't think we even started the program that was scheduled the Holy Ghost took over the minute Bro. Clarkson stepped behind the pulpit and didn't stop until we left the building.  I can't remember a convention that I felt the power of God like I did in that one. In the afternoon service my daughter Sara received her female evangelist license along with Bro. Chris Thompson receiving his lay minister license. A little later Adam joined The Church of God. Yeah! I will have to download some pictures from facebook.  I think Sister Cathy has all the good ones. :)  Then most of us went on to family camp up in the beautiful setting of Manco, CO. and we had the same wonderful services.  It was just awesome! I think as I can remember 6 filled with the Holy Ghost and it was so relaxing. Probably cause I had no jobs or ministering to do, which was a first for me but I think it was more than that. I felt love and unity prevailed and everyone wanted God to have his way there and I believe He did/ I really, really enjoyed myself and was so thankful that Jennifer and the kids came for all but one day. We also had an auction of different food items the last night. The young lady maybe in her 20's who had been there along with another young man and his mom helping out for the summer came in that night while we were having our auction. God impressed her to give $300.00 for a case of Gatorade. Isn't that just like God. He knew the financial circumstance of camp this year and used someone who was not part of the church to give to the need.  This is second hand information but I was told she was impressed by our church people's love and worship and wanted us to come back again to the camp next year.

Our church in Phoenix is getting ready to grow. We have had 5 members of the church move here in the last month and expecting to have an increase in membership here locally not counting our newest member Adam.  I have been telling the local congregation since I came here about how God showed me this church was filled with saints and how he spoke to my heart that He was going to provide for me and my family and the church here. Not necessarily just materially but most of all spiritually.  He is not lax on His promises and I just cannot praise Him enough for what I feel and what I see.  Also I was healed at camp I believe. Ha!Ha! I can't really tell you when it happened.  I was prayed for the first night of convention and accepted by faith but I had pain quite often after that. I just kept claiming my healing.  I think it was the first night of camp when the Holy Ghost moved on Bro. Booths son and he received the Holy Ghost. All I know is I'm healed and didn't feel pain all through camp.  I had (had) past tense been told because of x-rays and MRI, I had arthritis in both hips and neck and several herniated disk in my back and let me tell you I could feel them but Praise God! I can't anymore.
Lets see what else. I should really write all these things down so when I get to blog I can remember.  I'm getting ready to move to Mesa, AZ closer to Tempe where the church is. It will save me at least an hour round trip which I am very thankful for.  I move in September which I hate the packing and actual physical move but I am so going to be happy when I'm settled and all things are in place. I couldn't move any closer I just don't feel safe in Tempe so I'm in an area that I feel safe and can get around easier. God provided a beautiful place for us and I have already signed the lease. Bro. Jimmie will come out and actually move me mid September.

Headed out to IYC the night of the 16th of Aug. about a week away.  Jimmie and I were asked to teach a class so I'm very excited about the topic and the theme.  Can't wait to see what God is going to do during IYC and the general assembly. I can't wait to see my husband for 2 weeks either. Still praying he will get moved here to Mesa for work but I know it is all in God's hands and His timing. So I wait patiently knowing He is working it out for our good. :)   Have some visitation to do today with some of our shut-ins so I had better get going.

Trip to Washington state was wonderful and I finally got some pictures downloaded from my phone of the beautiful scenery there. We had awesome weather the whole time we were there. It was nice that we all got to go together doesn't happen to much anymore. Sara is working and getting ready to finish her last semester this fall at ASU. Aaron still working part time and starts at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in August so trips together are few.  We drove up through California and Oregon and stayed at a KOA park in Oregon the first night. We all went for a hike in the woods on a trail before Sara had to do school and take a  test online and Aaron well he spent time doing what Aaron does best on trips resting, texting, facebook with an occasional game. Jimmie and I played a game of horse and a couple of cat in basketball and I actually won one but of course he beat me two out of three. Then we played a game of putt-putt golf and again he won. I had fun anyways even though I lost a lot. We got up the next morning and headed to Ft. Lewis/McChord and got settled into a campground on post. It was really beautiful. We were right on the lake and I couldn't believe you could see the bottom of it. The water was crystal clear. We spent one day going to see a lighthouses on the coast but only actually got to see one up close because we kind of under estimated the time it would take to go all the way up the coast and across in WA but I still got to see the most gorgeous scenery and Sara and I took a trail through a rain forest.  We rode the ferry across so we could see Seattle at night. We got back to the RV about midnight and the next day got up and went towards Vancouver.  We spent one day in Vancouver in the famous Stanley park walking  around the small lake they have there and then took a horse drawn carriage which was more like a trolly car pulled by two Klidesdales around the park. One day in Seattle at the market and more walking down the piers and such and another trip across with the car on the ferry going from Seattle. Made a run to the first Starbucks and got us a coffee and a picture. Couldn't forget that while we were in Seattle.  Road the new air conditioned state of the art Ferris wheel they have now in Seattle. Could forget that.  I found out very quickly that I have a very bad fear of heights especially when suspended in a little closed car with pins holding you in.  Needless to say my family had never seen me in the state I was in and frankly I have never been as afraid and panic in my entire life and that's saying a lot. So I can tell you I will never ride one again. I held on to my seat and couldn't move, literally couldn't move. I was so freaked out and anytime anyone moved even an arm I panicked. Yes, very bad fear of heights although I can go to the Grand Canyon and stand near the edge and never bother me. I've been in helicopters and such too.  I guess that's the reason I never dreamed I would react to a Ferris wheel like that. We also spent a day at Mt. Rainer and played in the snow. Fun! We crammed so much into the little few days we had then we should have but we always do when we have time together. We are always exhausted but have the best times. When we come home and we are again away from Bro. Jimmie it is a  difficult adjustment for us all but God just always comes through and helps us. We are getting ready next weekend to head to convention and camp so I'm getting excited about that.  Adam, Jen and the kids are attending and Jen and the kids are going to camp also.  Adam can't because of working nights and needing an internet connection but he is going to catch as much as possible of the convention.  I might have already told that in a previous post. I'm a little foggy headed so I am going to try and post a few pictures and say goodnight.

  Sister Melissa we would love to come there sometime in the future. Since Bro. Jimmie will be so close in WA maybe we will get too visit him and then make a trip there. :)  Sister Smith I wanted to let you know that while Bro. Jimmie was home we sent our deposit off for the trip to Israel! We are really excited so I hope it doesn't get canceled.  I'm so thankful the way has been made for us both to go. A chance of a life time.

Had a wonderful time on the 4th of July with my family and some military friends of Bro. Jimmie's who live in Mesa, AZ about 5 min. from Adam and Jen.  We all, including Adam and Jen and kids, went to their house for a barbeque. It was real nice and John Ivy smoked some chicken and a boston rump. His wife Kristen made the best dips.  There were about 5 different kinds. Homemade red salsa, guacamole, this other green salsa, 2 different ranch style ones.  Delicious.  They have 2 boys and a girl who are not too much older than Rylee. So the kids enjoyed the evening. We set off a few fireworks with the kids out front when it got dark and came home tired and wore out.  Poor Adam still had to go to work for the night.  He is doing very well since he came back to the Lord and I am always thrilled when he wants to talk to me about spiritual matters. Feels great!  We are heading out to WA to spend a little more time with Bro. Jimmie before he heads back to TX until Sept. will be back Saturday. We are taking the RV up there so he can get it set up and ready for his move.  I am looking to move closer into town this fall since we live about an hour from where we gather for church in Tempe.  I've made this trip back and forth for two years going on my third. We rent a conference room so we also drag all our church stuff in and out every Sunday.  I'm not complaining too much  mind you. :) I'm thankful for the place just would like to be able to get there with a little more ease and when some of the members are sick or need me to be able to get to them a little quicker. Plus Aaron starts at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Chandler and Sara has one last semester at ASU and her internship which will be in Tempe and downtown at the Children's museum.  The drive is a killer everyday not too mention the gas used. So hence the need for a move.  I'm thankful that our folks are so good about the drive they make to church some of them have health issues. A few of them live almost an hour away too but they are faithful and come every Sunday.  Tempe is just the most central for everyone and I would like to be closer to the church for outreach in the community. It is easier if you live in the community the church is in or at least resonable time from it.  Well on to another subject. Israel, yes what an opportunity and blessing it would be to go and we are seriously praying and considering.  We might never get this opportunity in our life time again so we are really wanting to go especially since it is with other church saints. Just a lot of things to consider and pray about, seriously.  If your on facebook their are pictures on our church facebook page of the revival. Just have never been able to get the pics from Sara and Jens camera to my computer to post here. Maybe one day. LOL I'm so bad.

Help!! when I try to post a reply to a comment on my post it isn't showing up? Have I just sent Sister Smith 4 comments to her email or her account? I'm sure she is tired of the same information. Ha!Ha!  Everything on here has changed. Please help!! :)

Once again I find myself behind on posting and not able to spend much time writing about what has been going on.  I spent 4 days with Haley in CO at the beginning of June and never was able to post about all we did. Now I'm unable to remember most of it. Typical of me. We did get to visit the first day I got there with Sister Karen at lunch and then with Sister Cathy, Brother Daniel, the boys and their most newest arrival Catelyn.  I'm sure I just killed the spelling on her beautiful name. Sorry Sister Cathy. :) I told you I would never remember the spelling. I also got to go on a nice trip with Haley and the kids up in the mountains. We also went to ... oh I give up its was a museum with lots of beautiful rocks and we got there and they were about to close because the lady had an appointment. We ended up laughing later about it cause I didn't hear I only had 15 min to look through so I was very upset when I realized I had spent to much time looking at the first floor cases.  I wandered why Haley was rushing about and went downstairs to look and left me all alone.  You really had to be there because now I realize how funny it was.  I have a hearing aid in my left ear but I can't even remember if I had it in.  Obviously it didn't work cause I didn't hear it was going to close. We also went to a lake nearby her house. Yes, you guessed it I don't remember the name but we had a real nice time letting the kids play on the playground and watching the ducks.   Lets see if I can remember the last few days.  Took Sister Annette and Megan to the airport this morning. Had a wonderful visit with them.  They stayed another week while Bro. Deitz went back home after revival.  He had to work of course and also take care of the church he pastors in GA. We spent time playing games watching old movies. My fav is Green Gables. Oh! I know I have seen it at least a couple dozen times but it never loses its charm.
We also spent a lot of time trying to find something to do. The summer is not the best time to come to AZ  to visit unless the person you are visiting has a large pool or lake in the backyard but even then you run the risk of feeling like you are taking a hot bath. I don't have one in my yard so inside activities are a must or you need to travel to the mountains where its cooler. It has been 108 and upwards of 112 degrees  this past week. Lets not even mention the dust storms.  My husband will be coming home again on the 6th of July.  He is moving the motor home up to Washington to get it set up to live in and making a trip this way first.  It will be a quick trip but I'm thankful we will all be together again.  Life apart is hard and people ask me all the time how we do it.  Answer: God.  God has been with us and keeps us.  He is my all and all and its amazing what you can do if you feel with all your heart God is directing your life and your in His will.  My personal feeling is this and you don't have to agree but its my blog so I get to write it.  My husband and I have been apart many times for military reasons. When God called me to AZ to pastor we knew that it might call for a sacrifice of us living apart but God reassured us He was in this and He would provide for our family and He has.  I'm in the Lords army and so is my family sometimes  it will take sacrifice and sometimes it might even require time apart but would I sacrifice for the military army and not for the Lord's army. I think not. So I do miss him terribly and it is lonely but I know who to go to when I feel overwhelmed with emotions or situations and He is every so wonderful to put me all back together and give me perspective and strength for each day. Some of my favorite scriptures:Psalm 91, Philippians 4:11-13, Proverbs 3:5-6.  Bro. Jimmie is still trying to get a job here in AZ and it looks like it could still happen within the next year so just keep us in your prayers.  We value them. :) 

Having a wonderful revival with the Deitz family. Have had several healings. Praise the Lord! The Holy Ghost has been moving mightily in our midst. Will update more when have time with pictures.

I made it to my new home here in Blogsville. I enjoyed my time at Haley's this week and now I am enjoying spending some time with my family in AZ.  Jimmie is in town and we are getting ready to have a revival with Bro. Philip Deitz and Megan Deitz. Were gonna let Sister Annette tag along as long as she behaves herself and plays the piano for us. LOL I'm looking forward to them coming and having company at the house. Bro. Deitz will be here for about a week but Annette and Megan will stay until the end of month. I am also looking forward to the revival itself and can't wait to see what God is going to do through it.  Please keep us in prayer it will be June 14-17th. Also continue to pray for Adam that he will receive the Holy Ghost.  He works nights so he won't be able to attend accept on Sunday. He is doing wonderful and so is his family.  I feel so thankful for the miracles I am seeing in his life. Its wonderful to have long conversations with my son once again.  He testifys of Gods wonderful love and of many other things the Lord is doing in his life.  It make a mother very happy.  I feel very blessed.  Our local church here is doing very well also. Although we haven't seen a lot of visitors coming through the doors. We have seen a lot of growth in our congregation in ways that can't be measured in numbers.  God has been very good to us and I have wonderful members to pastor. They are such a blessing to me and I am so amazed at how they drive such long distances to be in church. It is a sacrifice but God has blessed them for their faithfulness and effort.  We continue to outreach and know that God is going to begin to move on the efforts and prayers that have been made.  He is faithful and all things are in His perfect timing.  Next time I'll spend a little time telling you more about my visit to CO. Till next time.