Blessings Part 2

Hello, yes it has been 9 months and will not make any promises I will be better. I could tell you how busy I am here but that would be an excuse that would not work so well when I know people who are as busy as me and still they find time to post. I just felt an urge to try and share some of the blessings here in the Phoenix church and in my family along with some prayer request.  In my last post we were excited about the Washburn's coming to Phoenix.  They have been settling in nicely and we are thankful to have them here.  In the past few months we have welcomed two new couples who have either moved to Phoenix or in the process.  Sara and Isaiah Peter are here.  Isaiah actually arrived a couple months after Sara because she had started culinary school  but he came in Wednesday night and we are excited for them both.  Also we have Caitlin and D.J. Letcher trying to make there way here by April sometime.  They came and visited again for a couple weeks and God opened up the door for Caitlin to get a job. Please pray that there house sells back in KY so that they can get moved quickly. Our little church has been enjoying the blessings and presence of the Lord in our services and we are excited about the outreach to the community here also.

 Bro. Jimmie is headed to Afghanistan in just a short while and desire you pray for him while he is away.  We are not sure how long he will be gone for.  We had hoped since we have been saving for another trip to Israel he would be home in time but it might not be the case. As wonderful as the trip would be I am still on the fence as to going without him and bringing Adam or Sara if they could get that much time off.

We had a wonderful district convention last weekend. It was on loving one another.   Every message, boost and song were so good and you could feel the Holy Ghost drawing us closer to Him and each other.  At our home church I had actually preached 2 Sundays on this very subject and then got the schedule and saw what the theme was and the themes scripture given to this pastor. He had all the pastors in the region on to preach plus our regional overseer Jonathan Smith and Mexico national overseer Bro. Bañuelos I was very excited to get there and hear and I wasn't disappointed. 

Next month we have our youth convention which will also be in Hatch, NM April 18-19th.  I have been trying to get all our VLB's there so we will have a nice bunch from Phoenix. Many are coming and excited to go.   We have our youth emphasis that week also and our VLB leader Adam Clifton will be doing a few special things with our youth.  We also have a youth revival coming up the first week of May with Stephen Wantulok scheduled. Going to get these youth zealed up and turn them loose on the Phoenix area.  Excited for what God is going to do in them and through them.

I also would like you to pray for my son and daughter in law.  She has had several miscarrages the last one was last year and we buried our precious Ellie June 5th.  Please be in prayer because she is about 14 weeks along and due early September.

God bless,

God's Blessings

I don't even know where to begin except to give God the praise for all He is doing at our Phoenix Valley church.  We are grateful and thankful for the Washburns who are in the process of moving here. It was an answered prayer.  We also have been having services on Tuesday night with the Spanish community over by where our members the Guteirrez live.  We have seen 6 people get saved. With 2 being sanctified and 1 receiving the Holy Ghost in the past 3 weeks of services.  One was outside in the courtyard and then two more took place in homes in the area.  We praise God for these and hope they will continue to grow and find their way to the church.  We had a potluck this past Sunday and had 23 attend church.

Now for the personal news. :)  I guess that was the personal news. Ha!Ha! just kidding I do have a little.  I am going to be a grandma again to a beautiful grand daughter due at the beginning of October. Yeah!  3 girls 1 boy is the count and all from Adam and Jen.  They are doing wonderful and  such a blessing to the church here.  He is going to be set forth as a lay minister at Regional Convention.  Brother Clarkson thought it would be nice to do it at that time. Sara is still working hard at the Children's Museum continue to pray she is able to find a full time job with regular hours. She is working weekends and is still able to be at church because our service being at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday but this will not be the case forever.   Aaron is finishing up his semester with college and planning to attend BTI and Arkansas camp here in a couple weeks.  He is planning to return home and continue his job search for the summer.  Bro. Jimmie is still stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA and I am planning to visit him this next week. It is hard to find time when he comes here for work and when we are so busy with church work so I am attempting to go visit him.  He will still be working while I am there but he will be getting 4 days off this weekend for memorial day.  We are planning to take a trip. I believe north across the border but not sure because he won't tell me but told me to bring my passport. :)

Testimony: We have been trying to get our tax exempt status 501C3 for the local church here and I filed the Articles of Incorporation for nonprofit here last week.  In Arizona you don't get very far in fund raising or anything else without it, complicated and I won't bore you with all the details still needing done but  I got the paperwork in the mail and it said we have been approved.  The wonderful news and part of the testimony is that we were able to get the name The Church of God.  Woohoo! The lady at the filing place asked me about the name. She said did you look on line to find out if it was available. I told her I sure did and reserved the name. She said she was surprised no one had taken the name and that we were able to get it.  I told her it was no surprise for God we are The Church of God.   Anyways I got to witness a little and she was very sweet nice lady. 

God bless and will write again next month, Lord willing. :)

P.S. So good to hear from you Sister Karen. I  pray all is well with you and Alan.  I hope you know your are in my thought and prayers. We should try to talk soon. :)

Blessed

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted on this site.  Wow! I'm sure nobody is checking after so long. Can't blame you. :)  So much has happened there is no way I could tell you all of it.  I am just blessed and thankful for all the wonderful services, people and family that have been in my life for the past six months or so. Including the trip of a lifetime to Israel.  I am looking forward to the Doran's visit next week and hope to take them to the Grand Canyon for the day.  I hope they enjoy there visit and get well rested while they are here.  We have had a revival in the past month and Bro. Clarkson was our evangelist. He brought his wonderful family too.  What a blessing  they were to our local church and to my family. Bro. Jimmie was able to be here for the entire week and after everyone left I definitely felt the emptiness of the house.  Well for now I will call it a night. 

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.