ARCHIVE GALLERY

August 2007

August 6, 2007

Early Wednesday morning, July 18^th, Randy and three sleeping kids (we have our niece, Celeste, from San Diego, staying with us for about a month) dropped me off at the Denver airport to fly to Nashville for a youth event.  I was given an opportunity to speak for the Nazarene youth night with about 150 students from various Nazarene churches.   The whole evening went very well and despite my nerves, the message was delivered, as I believe, the Lord wanted.  I told them about serving in full in full-time ministry and many of the miracles that God has done in our lives.  I simply challenged them to live a life of faith right now, wherever they are at, instead of waiting until they “grow up.”  The youth were very attentive and quiet for me, which, as I am learning, says a lot.  So, this new area of ministry for me is quite challenging and I am enjoying encouraging students as they make decisions, which will affect the remainder of their lives.   

My Aunt Joyce and Uncle Larry from Cookeville (TN) Church of the Nazarene were at this conference and it was a perfect time for us to catch up.  I was blessed to spend some private time with them and they even drove me back to the Airport on Thursday morning.  We were talking about how the Lord has directed all of us in such specific ways and the abundant life we have been given in Him, and I was, again, reminded of the numerous family members we are blessed to visit.  Without this traveling ministry, we would miss out on many of the opportunities to see so many loved ones. 

While I was in Nashville, Randy and the kids drove another thousand miles from Denver to Minneapolis (yes, we think they drove across the bridge that just collapsed…thank you, Lord, for your protection!) to meet at, hold your breath…THE MALL OF AMERICA!  We (okay, “I”) have always wanted to see this “national monument” and since we were passing by it on our way to Wisconsin, we just couldn’t resist!  We spent part of Thursday and all day Friday at the Mall, and had a blast!  People always ask us about “family vacation” destinations.  “Where do you go?”  Well, we kind of sneak in a couple of days here and there and that is how we enjoy “vacation.”  Very rarely do we take a whole week off, but we are not complaining one bit.  We love seeing places we have only heard or read about.  When we are passing something great, we try to stop and see it, even if it means, “cramming it in.”  Who knows if we will ever be there again?  So, on Friday, Randy and the kids spent the day at the indoor theme park, while I walked by every store on every one of the four levels.  Kadison’s eighth birthday was the following Sunday, so we hit the gigantic Build-a-Bear Workshop for him to build a wolf named “Christian.”  He even got the Superman jammies to boot!  What a riot that place is.  Somebody is making a boatload of money.  It really was quite fun and it gave all of us a break from the nearly twenty-five hundred miles we had just traveled.  I hear they are building a bigger mall near Fort Worth, Texas.  Hmmm…..

Saturday, we drove the rest of the way to Sister Bay, Wisconsin, to serve at the 1^st Baptist Church of Sister Bay.  They have two services in the morning with a Sunday school hour in-between.  We led worship in both services and used the in-between hour to do a full concert.  After the second service, we moved the sound system outside to the back of the church for their annual church picnic.  We did all kinds of fun music while they ate, fellowshipped and enjoyed “Senior Olympics.”  We never did get to see the games, but heard they were hilarious. 

The two services were great because we were blessed to hear a message from the Senior Pastor, who is a gifted preacher.  It was a fantastic message and the concert was, to us, just the icing on the cake.  Although this church tends to be more reserved in their flavor of worship, they are very warm and responsive as well as welcoming.  The Spirit definitely moved and we were all encouraged to seek the Lord with new fervor.  

After church, we were invited to the Lundquist’s home to take a Segway tour.  We have posted pictures if you are unsure of what a Segway is.  It was a blast.  How wonderful God is to bless a little boy on his birthday!  KC was beside himself with joy as he sped around (we had to hold him back) on the Segway.  The Lundquist's daughter and son-in-law have a Segway business for the summer and they give tours to tourists.  It was awesome and if you ever have the chance, it is a great way to see beautiful sights.  They even whipped up a birthday dessert for KC and we sang “Happy Birthday” as he blew out his candles.  The kids have done really well with not being “home” on their birthdays (usually) to celebrate with friends, and the Lord always seems to give them a special treat for their special day. 

From there, we drove only 9 miles to Ellison Bay Baptist Church for their evening service.  What lovely, friendly people we met!  The service went great and we enjoyed laughter and tears together as we heard testimonies of what the Lord was doing in individual lives.  He is truly amazing and we love hearing what others are experiencing as they get to know their Savior.  I was blessed to talk with the Pastor’s wife and encourage her with raising young children.  She is quite a doll and we look forward to worshipping with these precious people again.   

We left Ellison Bay at approximately 9:30 PM and drove until 2 AM.  Exhausted, we slept well, got up (Randy and I did, the kids kept sleeping) and we drove the final miles to Branson, Missouri.  We participated in the Evangelical Church Alliance annual conference.  Randy serves on their board of directors and we are both ordained through this organization.  It is the oldest ordaining council in the United States and serves as an umbrella for those in ministry.  We have been involved with the ECA for about 9 years and cannot believe the new world it has opened up for us.  The people we would have never met and places we would have never been without the contacts made through the ECA…we would have missed out!   

It was an awesome conference with Tim Lovelace (Christian comedian, singer/ songwriter and speaker) and Judge Roy Moore who was the Alabama State Supreme Court Justice who was removed from office for refusing to remove the Ten Commandments statue from his courthouse.  It was amazing to hear him speak to the issues of God’s law and the state of our nation.  I asked him if he would consider running for President…interesting answer he had for me. 

We have been selling Ten Commandment t-shirts and hats at our product table.  Judge Moore signed most of our hats for us….so if you want one, let us know and we will set one aside for you!   

We were also blessed to see Reverend Rob Schenk from Faith and Action ministry in Washington DC.  He serves on the National Clergy Council and is a missionary to Capitol Hill.  We have served with him before and will again in November at the 25^th Anniversary of Faith and Action.   

Unfortunately, we had to leave the conference early to be in Romeo, Michigan by Friday mid-day to be ready for an evening service.  Simpson Park Camp holds it’s annual family camp every August and this year, we were the worship leaders.  The camp was ten days long with 3 services per day (most days we led worship at just two of the services) with wonderful preachers.   All three kids stayed with Grammy and Pup-pup for the entire time.  Originally, they were just going to keep them for a few days, and then bring them to the camp for the kid’s program, but they were having such a good time and honestly, they were all ready for a break from the busy schedule, that the kids stayed there while Randy and I served at the camp.  Everyone kept asking us about the kids, especially because Randy led worship at this same camp when I was pregnant with Kennedie and on bed rest in 1996.   So, eleven years later, many of them wondered about this “baby.”  So many of these people had prayed for us during that time in our lives and it was a blessing to be with them.  My folks did come to the final service on Sunday morning and the kids were all there, so it was a great close to a great week. 

The number of people who attended this camp from around the country amazed me.  Some nights there were 700-800 people there and most were from the Methodist or Nazarene denominations.  My kids were the 5^th generation from my family to attend services at this camp and one of the cabins even had the “Valade” (my maiden name) name on it as a memorial.  There was a lot of history and tradition there and hearing stories about my dad as a youngster was worth the entire week! 

One of the evangelists was Dr. Stephen Manley from Nashville, TN, and he spoke on Acts 2:1-4 the entire week.  At first I wondered how he could find so much to say about four verses, now my curiosity has been satisfied!  What an incredible gift this man has, to put into words the love of the Father and the life of Jesus.  We will never be the same…and if you ever have the chance to hear him preach, you must.  His website is www.crossstyle.org.  He hosts ministry conferences and he travels across the country continuously, so look for him in your area.

After leaving Simpson Park, we drove to Waldenwoods RV campground in Hartland, MI, to stay for the next week before heading out to New York.   We have a free week of camping here, so this is the perfect time to use it.  It is our very first time staying at an RV campground, so we are learning the ropes and enjoying letting the water run continuously in the shower as we have full-hook up! 

August 13, 2007

Thursday, we all said our goodbyes to Celeste, our niece, from San Diego.  After one last dinner with Grandma and Grandpa, she was packed and ready to go.  It has been so quiet since she left!  We miss her already and cannot wait until we are all together again.  We love having any one of the nieces with us, although it just reminds us how fast their childhood is actually going. 

For the very first time, we stayed in an RV campground and it rained the entire week!   The last day was really nice, so as Randy drove to East Lansing, MI to perform a wedding ceremony, the kids and I finally got to enjoy the lake.  After paddle boating, swimming and the playground, we all liked the campground idea much better. 

That afternoon, we got cleaned up, packed up and headed out to the second wedding of the day.  Our pastor’s daughter was married that evening and we did some of the music.  It was an outdoor wedding and we were amazed at the gorgeous weather that seemed to be just for them.  It was a lovely ceremony and beautiful location right on a lake with boats passing by and ducks adding to the scenery.  We loaded up the equipment and drove to Lapeer, MI to unload the equipment and set up for Sunday services at Trinity United Methodist Church. 

We arrived about 11:30 PM and dear Pastor Piper met us at the door to help us unload.  He is so kind and loving and willing to share his people with us, that we just couldn’t help but grow attached to him and his lovely wife, Mary.  We met the Pipers years ago and he is the president of Simpson Park Camp in Romeo where we just led worship for ten days.  While at the camp, we asked him to announce an open Sunday (August 12) in case any pastors there would be open to using us on that particular day.  He didn’t even announce it and took the Sunday himself.  It is so wild to see how the Lord directs our steps and fills in the holes.  Sometimes, it is at the last minute, but He takes care of us!  

My mom and dad came to the second service to worship with us.  They also came to see a cousin of my dad’s, who has attended this church for years.  After two great services, we went to dinner with the Pipers and Don and Kay Morris, as well as my folks.  Sometimes I think the ministry is better AFTER church!  Anyway, it was a great time with all of them and we look forward to returning to this flock soon.   

Please pray for us as we prepare to leave for Connecticut on Wednesday.  We were originally leaving last night in order to spend a couple of days in NYC to take the kids to see the city, but we are, honestly, exhausted.  It has been a very full summer of ministry and people….very good and very full.  Personally, I am tired and a bit grouchy and I need to just spend some time with the Lord preparing for a new school year and a new frame of mind.  The Lord keeps reminding me that my heart needs to be realigned with His will everyday and that the goal is for Him to do whatever He wants with my life.  We are consciously aware of Satan’s schemes to ruin our lives and derail us from the course our feet are on.  This is a battle that we are in and lives are at stake, so we must keep the Word written on our hearts so that we have a sword sharpened and ready.   Thank you so much for praying for us and caring enough to read our entries.  Blessings!

August 20, 2007 

We arrived in Connecticut on Friday evening just in time for a tasty dinner with Pastor Larry Wooldridge and his wife, Connie.  He pastors two Worldwide Church of God fellowships in Stratford and Meriden.  Saturday, we worshipped with his Stratford congregation and, as we have said before, immediately noticed the  warm and loving attitudes of this denomination.  During the service, Kennedie prayed for the upcoming week of ministry at New Heights Camp (where we and several church members would be serving…including Pastor Larry as “Chief Dishwasher”) and thrilled us, again, at her ease in front of people.  After the service and a wonderful time of fellowship, we made a bee-line for Wal-Mart to pick up some last minute camp supplies.  Getting to the camp that evening, we saw much of the lovely state of Connecticut and found the Boy Scout Camp (which the denomination uses every year) to be absolutely beautiful.  I, for one, had never seen camp that uses tents as well as dorms for their campers.  Kennedie was thrilled she was one of the junior campers who would be staying in the dorm and Kadison was bummed he wasn’t staying in a tent.  I was thankful, again, for my home on wheels!  I will tell you all about camp next week and report what the Lord does during this awesome opportunity of ministry.

August 27, 2007

Our week at camp consisted of leading worship during the chapel services, teaching a purity session for the senior campers and “pitching in” wherever needed.  Pastor Jeff Broadnax, who directs and organizes this camp, was given our name from camp directors in California (Mark and Anne Stapleton) and scheduled us to lead worship for the week.  The campers came from all over the US, but mainly from the New York/Connecticut/New Jersey area.  Since every camp is different, we never know what to expect from a week, until it begins.  This camp was much more relaxed and casual than other camps where we have served.  Once we understood that, we loved it!  There was plenty of time to sit and talk with the campers and just get to know them.  It was a growing experience to just spend time with the youth and enter into their world a bit.  With approximately 40 of the 120 campers unchurched, the structure of worship was a bit more challenging.  The kids were very respectful and participated, while some just observed  and slowly began to join us.  Thursday night was a purity session where Randy teamed with Pastor Jeff and took the senior boys while I took the senior girls and split up to tackle the topic of a moral life in an immoral world.  What these kids are up against is unbelievable and I love the opportunity to give them truth that is usually avoided in today’s world of sexual exploration.  The response to the evening was fantastic and even the counselors seemed encouraged.  Honestly, my nerves were a bit raw before the session began, but a perfectly timed phone call from my Californian sister, Keli, refocused me on being a God-pleaser at all costs and prayed for me over the phone.  There was an immediate peace that swept over me and I knew the Lord was going to work in that session.  Never underestimate the power of prayer.    Kennedie and Kadison had a fantastic time and grew in maturity and understanding of respecting others while living in close quarters.  You would think that living in an RV would do just that, but it is different when you are living with people you don’t know!  Kennedie received the “Inspiration Award” which was given to a camper who was especially encouraging to others.  We were so thrilled, for that is our ministry exactly.  We are serving through encouragement!  KC was one of the youngest campers and did really well adjusting to the rustic environment and “early morning – late night” schedule.       The whole week went beautifully and we were thankful for the opportunity to meet the lovely people of New Heights camp.   

We left the camp on Sunday morning early to drive about 30 minutes to Stratford, CT.  We met Pastor Larry the Boys and Girls Club where is 2^nd congregation meets (very nice facility) every Sunday morning.  There are certain services that the Lord just ministers in a unique way to Randy and I, and this was one of them.  The people joined their hearts in worship and before we knew it, an hour and a half had flown by.   During the service, Kennedie and Kadison reported on the previous week at camp and what the Lord had done in their lives.  You are able to hear their testimonies, which follows the song Days of Elijah by clicking on this link.  www.centralconnecticutwcg.or/sermons.html  When you get to the sight, select arrow which lets you choose a title and look for our names near the bottom of the list.  

After a great dinner with Pastor Larry and Connie, we drove to Queens, NY to stay with Vinetta Schwietzer, a dear friend, whom we have grown to love.  She has lived in the same house in Flushing for 57 years and is moving to Michigan sometime in September.  At 87 years old, she has a contagious passion for the Lord and we love to be around her.  She prayed that the Lord would open up a place on the street in front of her home for us to park our RV during the week as we traveled by train into downtown NYC.  30 minutes before we arrived, the parked cars all moved and she and a neighbor were able to hold 45 feet a coveted parking space.  Unbelievable.   We were all grateful – not shocked – but very grateful.  

We took 3 days and traveled into downtown New York City to show the kids wonderful sights.  The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, The Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, and Ground Zero were some of the places we visited.  Ending the week was Little Italy and China Town.  While walking through China Town, KC noticed countless Buddha statues lining the streets.   Studying one carefully, he says at the top of his lungs, “Hey mom…who is this guy?”  Moving on quickly, we thought Little Italy may be interesting and it was.  There is just so much to see and we were so thankful to have 3 days all to ourselves for family time before school starts and the craziness of a hectic fall schedule.  What an incredible time we had.  Thank you for praying for us!