Special time with loved ones!

Had a wonderful trip to Claremore last week!  We got there just in time for supper on Thursday.  (We were actually about an hour late, but they were good enough to feed us anyway!)  So nice to catch up with dear friends and hear a good gospel sermon from Keith.  Then we got to see three people immersed into Christ!  What a joyful occasion!

The next morning, we watched the volleyball tournament, which was a hoot...especially Team Ligers!


Sorry, but I couldn't resist posting this pic!

 

 

Friday night, Grady gave a very good lesson on observing the Lord's Supper.

Saturday was a fun-filled day, beginning with a "sunrise" singing (which was absolutely incredible, despite the early hour).  Then, out to Craig and Julie's for "the best party ever", as it was described.  There were so many things for the young'uns to do and a great big tent, with a HUGE fan, for us older folks to enjoy sitting under to watch.  Later that evening, a lot of us gathered on the hillside of the university to watch fireworks...and visit some more!

We heard two good lessons on the Lord's Day, with a good dinner and more visiting in between.  Then the sad good-byes and long trip home...  I am so glad that we were able to attend.  It was wonderful to visit with loved ones that I hadn't seen in a long while, plus I was able to make some new friends.  AND I came home with my batteries charged up!

Monday was spent doing laundry and cleaning up.  Then I was up half the night with a stomach bug, so Tuesday was pretty much a bust.  I was feeling enough better by suppertime to go ahead with date night.  We ate supper at Cotton Patch and bumped into Dora there.  She said that Alena is making progress in rehab.  She can communicate, as long as she keeps it to just one word.  She is also able to feed herself using her left hand.  She is working very hard at her rehab!  She is one tough lady!  Even though she is in her late 80's, she has always stayed busy taking care of everyone else.  Learning to have to depend on others is going to be a hard thing for her.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers!

We had a few hours visit with our Jesse boy today!  How I have missed that little guy!  He is growing up so fast.  We had a blast playing together.  He even said Granny!  (Actually it was more like "Ganny", but that's close enough!)   BUT when asked where Granny is, he always points to Dennis!  Ha!  Enjoyed our day together, plus the wonderful supper that Mandy cooked for us!  (I also LOVE their new house!)

Sorry it is a little fuzzy, but it is hard to catch this little guy still enough for a good picture!

Speaking of houses, Sheila and Jessica have a contract on theirs!  Woo-hoo!  I'm happy that they will finally sell their house, but it will be sad to see them move away from Mineral Wells.  Weatherford is not far down the road though!

I finally got Shepherd's blanket finished.  I put the finishing touches on it in the car last night.  My hands and fingers were SO tired and sore...that is a LOT of knot tying!  I can't wait until he gets brought home and gets to use it!

Well, it is late and I'm tired, so it is off to bed for me. 


Never too old to be born again!

I just had to share some wonderful news from the Highway congregation:  yesterday morning, Frank Snow (a 80-ish year old man who is married to Wanda, who grew up attending church at Highway) was immersed into Christ!  This was the answer to YEARS of prayers and studies and encouragement from the whole congregation.  Thanks be to God for a heart made tender for receiving the Word!

Ro 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

New additions to our church family

We are so happy to welcome newcomers to our congregation at Highway!  Wayne and Mayrene D. have moved to Weatherford to be closer to their two daughters, Karen and Linda.  Rebecca H. has moved there, also, to attend Weatherford College.  We are so happy and thankful to have them all with us. 

I am also happy to report that Maddie F. was baptized last week...as well as her cousin, Troy H.  Such a wonderful surprise when it was announced this past Lord's Day morning!  I know Layne and Heather are thrilled to have both of their children beginning their Christian walk at such young ages.  It has been so neat to watch little Brett take on a role in the assemblies.  Such a wonderful young family!

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity

Good news and randomness

Caidem and I are slowly getting to know each other better and getting into a routine.  I talked to Anita yesterday and she agreed to keep him every Wednesday.  Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are Debbie's long days (she has him here at 6:30), so that will allow him to sleep in one of those days.  It will also give me a day to take care of things that I couldn't do otherwise (doctor appts, CASA visits, mowing, etc.).  I think it will work out good all around.

Well, Dennis had offered to take me to Pappadeux for my birthday last week.  However, I guess a virus was going around and it found me that day.  I just wasn't up to a 2 hour roundtrip to eat food that would probably not have settled well on my stomach.  So I took a rain check and we ate at a local Italian restaurant (cause you can never go wrong with pasta!).  Turns out Sheila had the same thing the same day and Dennis and Jessica had it the next day.  But I truly enjoyed all the cards and wishes I received from friends and family.  I am very blessed!

Heather P. came down Friday to spend a week with the girls.  They were all over Friday night for supper.  I sure enjoyed getting to spend some time with the three of them!  Most of the time when Heather is here, it is for a meeting when there are a LOT of people around.  I think this was the first time I had to just have Heather here.  She is such a sweet girl, and I hope to have many other opportunities to visit with her.

The guys had their study/business meeting Sunday between services.  They always carry sack lunches when they do that and spend the entire afternoon together.  So I like to use the opportunity to have my ladies over for our study group.  Josephine was feeling poorly, but Heather stepped in to "take her place" (as if ANYONE could take Josephine's place!).  It was a really good study/discussion!  I'm excited that now that Debbie is living here, we will be able to start back on a weekly schedule.  I really treasure our time together!

I awakened this morning to some wonderful news!  Ricky's girlfriend, Angie, was immersed into Christ last night!  I'm so happy for her.  I haven't had opportunity to really get to know her (only met her at Josh and Brittney's wedding), but she seems like such a sweet, good-hearted person.  I look forward to spending more time with her in the near future.

The weather has really been HOT lately, with high humidity.  It sure makes it difficult to try to do anything out of doors.  I really feel sorry for all the people who have to work out in it.  I know it takes a hard tole on Dennis!  Hoping for more moderate temperatures and the occasional rainy day!

SAVE THE DATE:  We are planning a meeting at Highway for Sept. 28-30.  Mark your calendars and we hope that many of you can make it down at that time!

Well, that is about it for my ramblings today.  Hope this week finds each of you well!

Ps 119:63  I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. 64  The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

A growing body!

A new child is born in Christ!  Last night after their study, Pam H. was immersed into Christ (even tho it was freezing outside and she was terrified of water!).  Pam works for Layne and has been attending with her husband, Pete, at Highway for about a year now.  Pete was baptized when he was 14 but has been out of duty for a very long time.  He has expressed his desire to return to the church.  We are so excited to have this wonderful couple as part of our family!

It does my heart good to see the love and energy that is flowing at Highway!  We've been through some rough times over the past few years.  However, the growth of the congregation and each member has been so encouraging.  We've had five conversions in the past few months...aided by several different members.  The beauty of the "body", as Christ designed it, is an amazing thing.   Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

What is even better is to hear of the same thing happening in other congregations around the brotherhood.  It is an exciting time in the church!  I pray that we will continue to respond to God's teachings and the influence of His Spirit and that the Word will be magnified in the world.  To God be the glory!

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

O Happy Day!

Dennis came home Thursday night from work and said, "I'm off!"  It was his long weekend to be off from work, but he was on the schedule (he hasn't had a weekend off, other than vacation time, since August).  However, FW doesn't like all the overtime hours being paid so they informed the postmaster to send someone home and Dennis was it!  What an unexpected treat!  Since Sundays are usually Dennis' only day to rest, I don't usually invite anyone over for Sunday dinner...to allow him to nap all afternoon.  With the weekend free, we decided to have company.  The Rasmussen bunch and Mike and Denice all came over and spent the afternoon.  It was so nice to have time together!  Then about 3:30, Debbie, a lady that Jared works with and has been studying with, joined us.  (She had to work Sunday morning.)  After the evening assembly and supper with Daddy and Bobbie and Anita and Sherrod, we headed home and went to bed early.  At 11:30, I was awakened by a text message from Anita.  Jared had been studying on the phone with Debbie all evening and she was wanting to be baptized...right away!  We all hastily got dressed and headed over to the Cunningham's house (to utilize their hot tub).  Debbie was immersed into Christ at about 1:00 this morning!  Such a joyful occasion!!!  After singing a few songs and welcoming our new sister, we all dispersed to our separate homes for a short night of rest.  ;)

My girls were in Clarksville over the weekend.  This was their yearly girls' weekend at Britney's house.  Last week was pretty busy, so we haven't seen them since last Monday night.  I am missing my girls, and I still don't know when I'll get to see them!  Tonight we have a visitation to attend in Weatherford.  The twin brother of our dear brother Jim passed away last week and his funeral is tomorrow.  The girls have something planned tomorrow night and Wednesday is their "Brown night."  We usually have our study with Pam and Pete on Thursdays, so it will probably be Friday before they can come over.  I don't like going that long without having time with my girls!!!!  Maybe we can work in a lunch date sometime this week!

Linda M's surgery was last Wednesday and went very well!  She is really doing well, considering!  She said her pain that she was having before surgery is completely gone.  Of course, there is considerable pain from the incision, plus the inevitable back spasms, but she is progressing well and may get to go home tomorrow.  Hallelujah!  She has been suffering for SO long.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!  Please pray for our new babe in Christ!

Ac 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.