Alpha and Omega thing

Kalyn was sick all weekend long with a sore throat. A trip to the clinic reveals strep throat. I am so tired of sickness! I banish it from my family! Get thee behind me, Devil! Okay, enough of that ..... back to the story. Kalyn didn't go to her Sunday school class or children's church. She stayed with us. The choir did a song with a lyric that said " You are Alpha, Omega." Kalyn leaned over to me and said " I don't get this Alpha, Omega thing." I explained that Alpha meant beginning--- Omega means end. God is the beginning and the end, He will be here for both and He is everywhere in between. She nodded like she understood. In a few seconds, she pulled on my sleeve and said" Wouldn't it be easier to just call him "GOD"?

It rained almost the entire time we were in the Smokies. On our last day there, Kalyn really wanted to play wee-put golf so we told her she needed to pray for the rain to stop. It stopped just in time for us to play. I guess she forgot to ask God to keep it stopped because right when we got to hole #9, it started pouring rain. Steven and Kalyn at least had jackets. I was stuck out in the downpour---got completely soaked. My clothes were not even dry by the time we got home. But we still had a great time. Kalyn even won a free game by getting a hole-in-one on the last putt.

It is official!

We have officially made the transition to Faith Covenant Church of God! We discussed things with Pastor Gilbert last Wednesday night. He welcomed us with open arms. We tried to explain the best we possibly could, how we just felt that God was leading us there and had been for quite some time. How "little" things just seemed to fall into place, along with the "big " things. LOL! We have had some difficult moments, after all ....its hard leaving home. But we feel strongly that God has bigger and better things in store for all three of us. Kalyn is doing extremely well, better than we ever hoped. I watched her Wednesday night as she ran and played with friends, and again on Sunday morning. She has fit in perfectly. She was running, smiling, and talking to several other kids. I just had to smile at how God amazes me thru her. Steven and I felt like a boulder had been lifted from our shoulders. On Sunday morning, we truly felt like we could rest easy. We are where we belong. No more trying to figure it out on our own. God has placed us where He wants us. Can't wait to see what all He plans for us!! Oh, by the way, Steven and I told Pastor Heath and Sis Hayley that we would assist them in their student ministry any way they need us. HERE WE GO!

Winterfest news

We returned last night from Winterfest/Smoky Mtns. Winterfest was wonderful! We had an awesome time. If any of you ever get the chance to go, I highly reccommend it. Amazing to see 20,000 young people worshipping with all their might. Nothing like it! Friday night was the best service to us. Jentzen Franklin preached on the Spirit of Python. He actually had a 16 foot long python on the stage with him. He talked on how Satan slowly squeezes the life out of you, one breath at a time, just like a python with it's prey. That's what we are---the devil's prey. We have to be on guard and not even let him close or else we loose our breath until we die. The entire arena sat motionless, completely quiet during his whole message. It was the best sermon I have ever heard Pastor Franklin do. On Saturday night, Casting Crowns-my absolute favorite group- and Eddie James performed. During Eddie James's part of the service, he had some of the young people from his home testify. Several testified of being delivered from drug addiction, pornography, but the one that caught my attention was a young man who testified of being delivered from homosexuality. I danced at my seat! He said " No matter what the world tells you, you are NOT born gay." He said lots more, but you get the idea. Tommy Bates preached a great lesson. He talked about "affirmation" and how if a young man is not affirmed by his father, all sorts of things happen, like abusing women, homosexuality, etc. If a young woman is not affirmed, she may turn to promiscuity, homosexuality, etc. It gave me lots to think about, especially trying to raise a young woman of God. Sunday's service was good also. Reggie Dabbs preached a sermon about Gomer. His point was basically that our lives do not have a price tag. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us with His blood. Now, it is up to us to not make His purchase of us be in vain, for nothing.

We were so happy to run into some friends---Sis Terrie, Shay, Caleb, and Courtney. We actually sat with them Saturday night and Sunday morning. It was great to meet their youth group and leaders. We were welcome and felt right at home. Thanks guys! We miss ya'll. Love ya more than we can ever say.

closing doors

This past Wednesday night was our last of teaching the children's class. Bro Skipper met with us after class and said that he did not feel comfortable with us doing the class if we were not going to continue to attend on Sundays. Steven and I told him when we resigned that we would continue the class until they found someone else to teach it. I did not want those young people to be without a class. They are too dear to be thrown away like that. So he said he would have someone to sit with them. I hate that I am not going to get to say "goodbye". That was the only thing I asked for, that I would be able to say bye and help with the transition of a new teacher for one class period. I guess God knew that I could not stop teaching the class on my own so He found a way to stop it for me. He has closed one door so He can open another one. I am going to miss those kids terribly, but I look forward to what God has in store for me and my family.