Senior's Lunch

We had our first Seniors Lunch today. Whew! What a wild time we had. There is certainly still a lot of life left in this bunch. We enjoyed a delicious meal, some good singing, and some fun fellowship. We talked briefly about a name for the group. We haven't decided on one yet but the name "Fruit Loops" did come up!? Also, we discussed some activities and ministry projects we would like to accomplish together. Overall, it was a grand time. I can't wait till next month! Here are a few shots of the day.

Don't ask about the last one---Miss Charlene was in a zone.

God Bless and have a great day.

Let me leave you with a verse I shared with our Seniors today:
Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 1 Pet 5:3 (KJV)

Our Travels

Here are a couple shots from the Brookshires' Wildlife Museum

we went to see with Mom and Dad

Here are a couple shots from the Rose Garden in Tyler

This week we are in the middle of our Vision Building School. It is going great. I will report back later and put in a couple photos of the fun and development.

Here are a few verses I want to share with our folks tonight:

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

-Psalm 133:1-3 (KJV)

We're doing Fine!

We are doing fine! We have been visiting with Scott's parents. We did some site seeing while they were here. We went to the Brookshire Museum, the Rose Garden in Tyler, and also the Board Walk in Sherveport, LA. I think that we all enjoyed our time together! We also got in a couple of card games, which we won't mention who won. It was an ugly time when it came to that!!! We have some photo's I will have Scott post those soon! We still didn't get around to seeing the Oil Museum, maybe sometime in the future!

We went last weekend to check on a camp, that has been given to the Temple Baptist Church & Clarence Sexton, to run. The camp's name is Independent Baptist Youth Camp. It was a very encouraging time for both of us. Scott was not able to get peace about what camp to send the kids to camp this year, so they didn't get the opportunity to go. We have been praying that the Lord would direct us to the camp He wanted us to attend. After the meeting it truly felt like we had an answer to prayer! The philosophy is what we want our kids to be exposed to, and Pastor Sexton, wants camp to always be an uplifting place for our kids to be at. We sure do miss the camp that we were attending in Georgia! Venture of Faith was our answer to prayer in Florida and we're praying this camp will be the same for us here!! One of the great things is that the camp is only 3 to 4 hours away from us! Less travel time. Also it's close enough that we can take the teens and juniors on seperate weeks. We're already heard from one of our teens that teens going by themselves was going to be fun! Anyway that was truly and encouragement to both of us!

We are having a "VBS" this week, and no it's not Vacation Bible School. We're having Vision Building School. We will all sit down together and share what we want to have the church do to reach our community, but how we can also help each other have a closer walk with the Lord. Where do you want to see your church in 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 years from now. We want the kids to realize that this is their church as well, and their opions really do matter! We're both very excited about what this can do for our church! But more importantly it has potenial of bringing us all closer to the Lord if we will allow that to happen!

Next month we will have one of our teens going off to college, the church will really miss having her, around all the time. We are all excited about her desire to attend Champion, and we're all excited to see how her life will change because of this step away from home, and what she is really comfortable with. She will do wonderfully! So pray for Donna, and also her parents, their nest will be empty, so just keep the whole family in prayer!

Scott and I will be celebrating 21 years of marriage next month also! Boy, it seems like only yesterday, we were those two young kids walking down the isle, our life truly has changed since then! The Lord has truly blessed our lives together! We have done some really fun things together, and the Lord has moved us all over, but we've been together so it couldn't have been any better! I am thankful that God allowed the two of us to be together all these years, I am grateful for the wonderful loving husband, who really loves the Lord, and really wants to please Him! I have the BEST HUSBAND in the whole world!

Enough of the running on! Keep us in your prayers, we're going to start working on the Church some more next month, we need to start on the Sunday School areas and get those cleaned up and up to date! More work, it shouldn't take long, but it will be exciting to get it all finished! So keep checking back, I am sure Scott will post those pics. also!

Well, it has been a while since either one of us have said anything on here! Yes, we are alive and we are doing well. We have been doing the normal things in life, of work and church! Sunday, we had a wonderful day! One of our largest crowds and there wasn't a special occasion, and the kids were not doing anything special, the Lord just blessed us with a full house and it was great! We also had two more families join our church, what a blessing, we are growing! We had a meeting for the whole church last night, the men had a meeting and the women had "Ladies Nite Out" (our monthly ladies meeting) there were 24 people that came out and we had a table of desserts, for everyone to share when the meetings were over!

We're really learning to enjoy East Texas, and we are so excited about the time when we can move over to Kilgore!! No Longview, is not that far away, but we want to be closer to the church, and the community. We're learning Kilgore pretty well, we know Longview very well, just ask, we can tell you where just about any store or restaurant are, Not that we should, but we can find the food!! But, we still have 6 months on our lease, we're hoping that we will be able to find something here in town when the time arises!

We will begin working some more on the church again soon!! We want to get the halls and classrooms painted and new carpet put down. We would also like to put a kitchen in the other building, and continue using the large room for the fellowship hall. It won't be a complete kitchen at first, but as time goes on we will do all the necessary work and get it finished. We are so excited about what the Lord is doing here, and the renewing spirit that is taking place. In the buildings, but most especially in our hearts!

We serve a Mighty God and He is worthy of our praise!!!

Whew!

It has been busy. I'm sorry I don't have any photos to post, but there has been a lot going on. (I will hopefully, Lord willingly, get some new pics soon.) Anyway, since we moved into the new Auditorium for Easter Sunday we have been a little busy. On Saturday, April 25th we had a open house for the church. We wanted to "open" the church to the public. Come see what was done and meet the new pastor. This has been something I have been planning since day one. We put a big ad in the newspaper, we advertised all over town, we rented a sno-cone machine, popcorn machine and had helium balloons. We put together packets to hand out about the church, upcoming events and even some candy inside. Well the day was great! I can't say we had a huge number of visitors, but folks were aware that something new was happening. We waved at every car that came by for about 3 hours solid. We held up signs inviting them to come. Like I said a few stopped by. It was a big boost for our people. They really enjoyed the idea of making us so "Public". We have met some folks on visitation since then that have said, "Yes, you are the church that had the open house and has a new pastor. We want to get by and visit." Who knows what will become of all of it. Also, we must have let 100 balloons go that day with tracts inside. Good day. I believe the Lord did bless and will continue to bless.

Also, we were able to have a week long revival with Daniel Hawtree, May 3-8. What a great meeting we had. The Lord was so good. Sunday started with a big day in attendance and I was so excited to see one of our teenage van riders get saved. He had no doubt Jesus had come into his heart. I ask him if died right now where would he go, he said "I know I am going to heaven when I die because I just got saved Pastor Scott." Amen. The rest of the week was just as great. I have been preaching on being prepared for revival for several weeks and I believe our folks were truly ready for and expecting revival. The messages all week were very effective. Several of the members have told me that have moved closer to God because of the revival. Praise The Lord.

On the personal side, Becky and I are doing great. We are longing more and more to get moved into Kilgore. It is very difficult trying to minister from out of town. We just want to be closer to the church and the people. God is good. He will provide for us. We are just anxious I guess. Otherwise, we are fine. Like I said we have been busy. I am excited about the warmer weather and longer days. I can get in some evening visits. Becky is enjoying the warm weather and the beautiful colors of spring and early summer.

I will go. Lord willingly, some pics to come soon. God bless and I will leave you with a thought from Bro. Daniel's message on prayer:

Ask--Seek--Knock.

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV)

We Made It!!

We made it!! We got back into the new remodeled auditorium for Easter Sunday. We worked hard and long for several days, but we made it. It was so exciting to be finished (Well, with this project anyway). What a great day we had! We had another record day--84 and we got to use the new van to pick up kids. Amen!

Anyway, I have some photos of the final product, but I must say the pictures don't do it justice. You need to come see it for yourself (Hint-Hint). It looks great! Thanks for all the prayers and support from all. We couldn't have made it with out you.

Hope everyone had a great Easter.

We love and miss you all! God Bless.

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

Luke 24:5-7 (KJV)

Praise The Lord!!

We have much to Praise The Lord about.

The Lord has done so much for us in the last couple of weeks:

1

We are almost finished (I use that term loosely, this is only phase 1 of at least 4) with the remodel of the auditorium. After many, many hours of work, (including about 12 hours on Saturday for most of the men) we are almost there and holding while they install the carpet. We will make a mad dash this weekend to finish all the details before Sunday. We are all looking forward to having Easter in the new sanctuary. Praise The Lord!

2
We were able to buy a "new" van for the Church. It is a 2002 Chevy Express. It is in great condition. We are thrilled to be able to get it. The old van is....well,...old and wore out. We can still use it around town, but not for any trip. This is such a blessing. We have been praying about a van since we arrived. However, with all the remodel that was needed, the funds just weren't going to be there for awhile. Anyway, a foundation in town distributes grants to local non-profit organizations. To make a long story short, we petitioned for a grant and after much prayer and "worry" we received a check in the mail for $5,000.00! Praise The Lord!! The funny part of the story is that after about 10 days from presenting our need and proposal to the board. I told Becky while driving to church one day, "I sure would like to get a response from the foundation." It wasn't an hour later when I was in the Church discussing the remodel with my deacon when Becky tapped me on the shoulder and handed me an envelope. When I saw who it was from I was scared to open it. Needless to say I was thrilled when I opened it and saw the check. God Is Good. He uses many things to supply our needs. Well, from the grant and some other money that was given we were able to pick up the van at a good price.

3

Becky and I and our other nature lovers Paul & Betsy were able to steal away last Friday for a couple hours to see the beautiful azaelas. Tyler, a town near by, has an "Azaela Trail" that you can follow in your car and also walk through some beautiful gardens. We were a tad late in the season, due to our busy schedules, but they were still just as beautiful. Praise The Lord for His Beauty and good friends to share it with!

God has been so good. May I close with these good verses:

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 150:1-6 (KJV)