ARCHIVE GALLERY
February 2006
We are doing just fine on our winter tour in the western states. Amidst all of the struggles and challenges, God has shown Himself to be faithful and generous once again. Not that we are surprised, just utterly grateful.
We were really excited to see the congregation at Parkway Hills Church of the Nazarene in Chula Vista, California. Last year we led worship at their revival and really bonded with these loving people. Pastor Jim Russom and his lovely wife, Susan, have been so warm and welcoming to us, we knew we would have a great time together again. And we did.
We got there on Saturday to set up for an early concert on Sunday morning. It was a great time of worship and prayer. This is a praying church and at first they seemed a bit quiet and tentative, but when Pastor Jim opened the altar for prayer, the people came and poured out their hearts to the Lord. We just love to be a part of this and love when a pastor encourages his flock to come forward. To watch people come together and lift one another up in prayer is truly encouraging. God must love to bless His kids when they take the altar seriously. Anyway, the response in worship and prayer was fantastic and afterwards, the comments were confirming that the Lord moved in a powerful way.
Not only that, but Pastor Jim told the people that our refrigerator in the motor home died and he believed that they should pay for a new one. He then went on to say that if they just gave us $1500.00 for a new fridge, then we would have no salary for the week. So, he thought they should do both. Would you believe these 200 people gave enough for a new fridge and for our salary?! Praise the Lord for His generosity and provision.
On Thursday we had the new fridge installed and it is perfect! How exciting to have to wait on the Lord for everything that we need…scary, but exciting. We just want to say, again, thank you to the Lord for His goodness and thank you to Parkway Hills for their giving. We will give praise every time we open that fridge!
We were able to spend quite a bit of time with people from the church over the weekend and just grew to love them more. Berto, Lety and their mom, Lydia spent some time with us Sunday evening and we laughed the night away. KC fell asleep at the table in the restaurant while Berto made roses out of the linen napkins (he is a very talented florist…and even gave me a beautiful arrangement that is STILL alive).
Monday we visited Randy’s Uncle Jim and Aunt Nan who live not far from Chula Vista. They are building a beautiful house to sell with quite a view. We went to lunch with them and enjoyed their company as usual.
Greg and Michelle, from Parkway Hills Nazarene, have become dear to us over the last couple of years. He works at the San Diego Zoo and gave us free zoo passes for our family. We went on Wednesday and because Greg didn’t have to work, he was our personal tour guide. This day was a home schooling mom’s dream! We even got to go behind the scenes and feed an anoa (in the buffalo family, if I remember correctly!) and see some camels up close. So cool. It is just amazing how God blesses us with fun things, too.
Last week, my sister was given 8 free tickets to Lego-land. It is an amusement park filled with Lego designs. Absolutely unbelievable. Randy and I took the kids (including my nieces) and spent a day there. This living by faith sure is fun and exciting. When it is hard, it’s hard, but when it is fun, it is REALLY fun!
I think more than anything, this tour has been much tougher than last year and so far, I am not really sure why. The ministry has been great and God has confirmed to us over and again that we are right where we are supposed to be. We are reading some great books, spending time in the Word, encouraging pastors and their wives, learning to love others just as they are, give each other grace beyond reason and trust without wavering. It is so easy for me to look at how I think I am deficient and how I have so far to go to accomplish what I think needs to be done. But when I read that sentence back to myself, I quickly notice how many times I typed the word, “I”. That says a lot to me.
Please pray that our journey goes just as the Lord intends and that He keeps us seeking Him wholeheartedly. In the end, that is what will really matter. Please pray for our safety on the roads as we head for Phoenix on Monday, February 6.
I know I am late in getting this journal entry posted, but we have not been online the last couple of weeks and time has just flown by. Everything is going really well and God continues to show us a purpose for being right where we are.
February 5th found us worshipping with Pastor Cecil Lucas and his congregation at New Hope Community Church in Escondido, CA. This church has Wesleyan roots and just changed its name to include “community”. They are a precious part of the body and are always devising unique ways to serve their community. We had a bit more time to spend with the pastor and his family this year, so it was extra special to spend our final Sunday in California with the Lucas family and the people of New Hope Community. This congregation has a large variety of ages and worship preferences…so we try to incorporate a lot of styles of music. As the service was about to begin, two elderly ladies reminded Randy that last year he vowed to include a classical piece the next time we were there. So, only because of his word, he quickly brushed up on a classical piece and included that in the order of service. The thing that sticks in my mind about this church is how the Pastor’s family always participates in worship. You can just tell they are actively engaged and enjoying the moments spent in God’s presence.
As soon as the service was done, we quickly wrapped up the sound system (Randy never wrapped cords so fast!) and high-tailed it to my sister’s to watch the Super bowl. Because of the time difference, pre-game had already started but Randy was thankful and totally immersed in the festivities. (I must also add that I won the score prediction game…although right now I cannot even remember who won or what I predicted…which shows you how much I care. But, I do care that I won…!)
The next morning we left for Phoenix and had a casual and scenic filled trip through the mountains. Wednesday night we sang at Palm West Community Church, “An Oasis in the Desert” which is their motto. This is an older “than us” congregation which is always a lot of fun because they just love music and are usually very kind and receiving. And they were. We have never met the Senior Pastor, as he was out of town both times we were there, but his people sure are loving which is usually a good indication of what a pastor is like. Not always, but usually the congregation mirrors the pastor.
Right after the concert we jumped in the car (we tow it behind the RV) and drove about 2 hours to Flagstaff and stayed in a hotel for the night. We have friends who are walking across America (Los Angeles to Washington DC…January 1 to July 4th) and they need a driver everyday. The purpose is simply to fulfill a calling on their life. God has asked them to walk across our country and believe that wherever they put their foot, they are claiming back that land for the cause of Christ. Honestly, I did not understand fully this project, but knew we were supposed to help in some way. So, Thursday found Randy driving for them as they walked their 20 miles for that day. Can you believe this? The dedication and logistics are overwhelming. In case you are wondering (this was one of my first questions) they rarely have to use the restroom when they are walking. Many times they are in desolate areas, sometimes it is right on the interstate or in a field. If you are interested in their “miracle stories”… go to www.walktoreclaimamerica.com and be blessed. I am so glad we got to experience their ministry first hand…now I understand.
Friday began a marriage seminar at Desert Christian Fellowship in Phoenix. We met with about 25 couples and they even had a kid’s program. The conference went really well and the stories people told just blew my mind. I love how couples will open up to us…and let us in on their private lives. We get to pray with so many who want to go deeper in their walk with Christ and believe for a special move of the Spirit in their life.
Saturday morning at 6:00, Kennedie woke up and threw up. Now, I must tell you, I was angry. Not at her, but at Satan. In my life, I tend to let Satan off the hook. I do not usually tag an incident as small as vomit as from Satan! However, EVERY TIME WE HOLD A MARRIAGE SEMINAR OUT OF TOWN, ONE OF OUR KIDS THROWS UP. That is all I can tell you. Here we are, no close friends or family, an RV and a sick kid. I cannot be teaching and caring for her at the same time, so the situation becomes sticky. I chose to stay with Kennedie and defer my responsibility. We called Pastor Dave and Connie (our home church Pastor) and ask them to pray. They PRAYED and fought the enemy with us. Kennedie learned about Satan stealing from her…the kids were going to “Peter Piper Pizza” for the afternoon (like Chuck E. Cheese) and this was something she had really wanted to experience. Connie told her about Satan robbing her and the couples at the Seminar and that she needed to fight. After a few tears, a couple of hours and a very bold woman from the church looking at Ken and saying, “Well, are you coming with us or not?” Kennedie got dressed and stepped on Satan’s head. HA! It was a wonder to see the transformation. We won. Even though Kennedie had gotten violently sick two times earlier that morning, from that point on she felt fine! (She played with the other kids and had a great time. She of course went “light” on the pizza.) The banquet Saturday night was awesome as well as the Sunday services (2 in the morning and 1 in the evening). Another challenge to believe, trust and not freak out. Another moment conquered in the power of Jesus’ name.
Sunday night we sang at Faith Assembly of God right down the road. God was there and I just worshipped my heart out, as the recent battle was cause to praise. I will tell you more next week about the on-going RV repairs, God’s provision and God’s purpose in it all.
We truly hope you are experiencing His grace and miraculous power in your home.Blessings!
Sunday morning we sang at Family Life Assembly of God in Glendale Arizona. We met this pastor last year when he booked a last minute concert and really took a chance not knowing a whole lot about us. We just clicked with he and his lovely wife. So, we really were excited to be with them again. It was a great service of worship, although both of us were really under the weather. I was especially sick with a cold that landed in my throat and took away my voice. So, I sang melody with Randy other than the lower range of harmony notes. This is extremely frustrating because a concert is booked for months in advance and the people are looking forward to it, as are we! And then, boom! I did not have the voice to do what we came to do…but, in the mean time, God once again, took over and did His work in spite of us.
After church we went to dinner with good friends, Florin and Kim Rivish, and their family, along with Jason and Pamela Harrison and their kids.
The Rivish’s and Harrison’s are from the Glendale area and we have gotten to know them over the last year passing through the Phoenix area. It is amazing to us that God provides friends wherever we go. That is just another facet of the Body of Christ and trust in the journey. “Lord, are my kids going to have friends to play with?” Again, I say, socialization is a problem with home schooling…just not the way most people think. We are too social!
Sunday night we ministered at Desert Bible Chapel in Apache Junction, AZ.
This church is a precious group of people and always have a good turnout on Sunday night for church! The kids got to participate in Awana and I was thrilled to watch my daughter overcome her hesitancy (which is rare) to succeed very well in the group. Can I nauseate you with a good old-fashioned brag story? After the service ended, Kennedie’s teacher came to me and said, “Normally we try to get the kids to pass one Bible section or lesson per week in Awana, but tonight Kennedie passed four sections!”
Alpha Omega Publications has a fantastic Bible curriculum and can be used even if you don’t home school your kids. Both Kennedie and Kadison love their Bible class and are learning a ton. You can order the Lifepacs at www.aop.com. They have K through 12th grade and are only about four dollars apiece. If you have kids and they are not currently doing a Bible lesson daily or weekly, you have got to order this! Invest in their life, right now, while you still have them. One day it will be too late to teach them the things of God. I hear so many people say their kids will have to choose God for themselves. That is completely true, THEREFORE, I will help them learn of His faithfulness and love while they are in my care so that as they grow they will have a much better picture of who He is.
Okay…back to the journal. I began to preach for a moment and this could take all day.
Please pray for Pastor Knoblock and his wife, Judy as he is battling cancer and the diagnosis was quite a shock. The doctors have predicted that he has only six months to live. We were so glad to hear that just that morning in the service, the congregation laid hands on him and prayed earnestly for God’s touch upon his life. Such lovely people who know the Lord and want to serve Him.
I also had a great conversation with a woman a little younger than me who was raised in the church, and is really searching for the truth. She wants to honestly know what is true and I was able to tell her in total confidence that He is the truth. I can tell she is the kind of person that will proceed with caution, but when she really meets Jesus, she will fall head over heels in love with Him. I am so excited for her, because she is going to God and asking for a revelation of the truth. He is going to be all over that! Even in a Sunday night church service, do not assume everyone there is on the same page. We are all at different places in the journey and God is committed to the process of each life! Amen!