The Tent

Work began on Monday and now the tent is up and ready for Camp Meeting to begin. It was a good week with minimal mishaps. When the three main poles (which are four stories high) were going up, they fell once and gave everyone a good scare. Fortunately, no one was hurt and the poles were finally in place. I have enjoyed relaxing in the cool weather. This is truly my vacation week. My Internet is limited but I hope to post more this coming week. Hope you are having a blessed summer.

Get Up! Make It Happen!

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are.

I don't believe in circumstances.

The people who get on in this world are the people who get up

and look for the circumstances they want, and,

if they can't find them, make them.

- George Bernard Shaw

It's Camp Time

Summer is always hectic for us and quite busy with various church activities but camp time is the favored time. We took our RV to the camp on Friday and got it all set up then returned home Saturday to attend our weekend services. Sunday morning, "Grandpa" Sam White will be speaking for us. He may not have many to speak to but those who do come will enjoy it. We have many kids attending Jr. Camp this year and they will all leave early this morning before church to make the trip to camp. The parents enjoy taking their kids to camp because they can enjoy the California Central Coast on their way home. The weather at the coast was in the 50's when we left to come back to the San Joaquin Valley where the temps have been over 100 for several days. Brian and his crew will be setting up the Camp Meeting tent during this week while Jr. Camp is going on. The second week, people from all over the state will come to Camp Meeting. After Camp Meeting, Sr. Camp takes place. Camp, camp, and more camp. I love it! My kids love it! Pictures coming soon.

THE Brace

The brace (pictured above) is the contraption I am wearing for two months. I had an injury to my foot before Christmas last year and I thought it would get better but, it did not. I went to the doctor in March and it has taken until now to get the referrals and correct doctors, thanks to having and HMO. The orthopaedic surgeon I saw here, Dr. Amirpour, wanted me sent to a "teaching" school where I could see a doctor that specializes in foot/ankle problems. Dr. Soohoo from UCLA is who I was then referred to and he optimistically hopes the problem will heal itself while wearing the brace. I have a tendon that is at the point of rupturing and it is causing my foot to "fall off" my ankle. I have had six doctors tell me this is a very complicated problem and one that is not easily resolved. When I was casted to form a mold for the brace, the doctor handed me a sheet and said, "Pick a color." It had every color under the sun and several prints. I decided I may as well put some fun into this miserable situation and I chose "Zulu."

Also, say a prayer for Brian. He will see an orthopaedic surgeon tomorrow to determine what do to do for his shoulder. The shoulder was injured in the wreck in January but it continues to cause him great discomfort. Brian hopes he will not need surgery.

What's Your Destination

The various religions are like different roads converging on the same point.

What difference does it make if we follow different routes,

provided we arrive at the same destination.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Hmmmm.......I think the above quote is confusing. Let's see - if we were all planning a trip to Denver, Colorado, we would travel many different routes to get there but in the realm of the religious world, the quote doesn't make sense because many religions are not seeking the same destination. Some desire heaven and meeting Jesus face to face but others do not believe in Christ. Their religion has them praying to idols, false prophets, and some believe their destination will be reincarnation as a cow in the field or rat in the alley. Sorry, Mahatma Gandhi, but you missed it on this one. As for me, my desired final destination will have me entering gates of pearl, walking streets of gold, and worshipping Jesus forever.

Life Lesson

Hard things are put in our way,

not to stop us,

but to call out our courage and strength.

- Anonymous

Our rough spots form our character.

I Loved You Enough...

I received this poem in a forwarded e-mail. I don't know who wrote it, but wanted to share it.

I loved you enough...

to ask where you were going,

with whom,and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough...

to insist that you save your money and buy a bike for yourself
even though we could afford to buy one for you.
I loved you enough...

to help you discover that your new friend was a creep.
I loved you enough...

to make you go pay for the bubble gum
you had taken and tell the clerk,
"I stole this yesterday and want to pay for it."
I loved you enough...

to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room,
a job that should have taken 15 minutes.
I loved you enough...

to let you see anger, disappointment, and tears in my eyes.
Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect.
I loved you enough...

to let you assume the responsibility for your actions
even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.
But most of all,
I loved you enough...

to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it.

Priceless Friends

Sheldon, Bryn & Blake
The kids laughed at Sparkles stuffing her whole face
in a cup to lick up the last drops of a strawberry icee.

Recently, I was sent to UCLA to meet with an orthopaedic specialist for a situation with my foot. To boost my morale, my dear friends Mark and Debbie and their son Sheldon met us following my doctor visit. We had dinner and then sat at Starbucks till nearly 11 pm laughing and enjoying our time together. The kids played Scrabble, walked Sparkles, and chased a ball around the place after nearly everyone was gone except us. Friends like these are priceless. I thank God for giving me such great friends and I cherish their encouragement, support and love. One thing I know is true, a friend loveth at all times.

Shout Out for Luis

Just in case you didn't take the time to read my "Weekend In Review," I want to give another shout out for Luis Lenzi. He is an excellent saxophonist and keyboardist. Please check out his website at www.luislenzi.com to hear clips of his recently released CD. (Cover photo above)

Weekend In Review

Patriotic girls: Devanae, Daria, Kaitlyn, & Bryn
free to be silly ~~SMILE~~

Brian and saxophonist Luis Lenzi

Independence Day, Independence weekend. Let me tell you about it. Saturday was a very hot day in the San Joaquin Valley with temperatures over 100 but, as expected, the evening was beautiful and breezy. We went to the church park at sundown loaded with fireworks and an ice chest full of water and popsicles. The kids were busy lighting sparklers, snapping Wolfpacks, and running around the park. Us adults, sat in our comfy chairs and watched the display of fireworks. We finally went home and had the kids in bed before midnight. It was a great Independence Day celebrating our freedom we so cherish in America.

Sunday came and with it, more celebration of independence. This time, we celebrated spiritual freedom. We had a special guest musician, Luis Lenzi, who ministered to our church with his testimony and saxophone. Luis received his degree in music from Cal State University Bakersfield and has dedicated his talents to God. Please check out his website at www.luislenzi.com to hear clips of his newly released CD and read more of his accomplishments. Before Luis played his last song, he told us how he decided on the title of his composition, "My Past Is Behind Me." This piece of music was played with great passion and it was evident many were touched by what they heard. Following this last song, everyone was encouraged to come to the front of the sanctuary for a time of prayer. It was then, that a great spirit of independence swept through the place. Now I will admit these names I am fixing to tell you may sound like a Disney story, but I want you to know Tiger and Rascal received the gift of God's spirit. Willie Lopez, better known as "Tiger," has been astray from God for more than 30 years but, when the power of God hit him, he was a changed man. It looked like he was boxing the devil in the air and the smile on his face was certainly from ear to ear. Last week I posted a picture of Brian with Tiger following Tiger's baptism. Rascal, who was born Delores Lopez and not related to Tiger, is a tiny, petite girl who is mother to (I believe) eight children. Rascal decided to leave her "past behind" and was filled with the joy of the Lord. Yes, it was an independence weekend. I celebrate America and I celebrate God. I celebrate the new life for Tiger and Rascal.

Snapshots from 2009 WAY Choir Tour

Choir on stage in Hollister

Bryn & Sparkles captured the captain's seat in the motorhome
Blake (Alcatraz is shrouded in fog in the background)
Kaitlyn, Bryn & Mychail
(Mychail Haney is Bryn's new best friend.
Something about those redheads. They stick together.)
Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

Traveling on Hwy. 101 in Northern California

Bryn singing a-long

WAY members ministering at Santa Rosa

The Band

On stage in Hanford

Again, in Hanford

Brian and Tiger following Tiger's baptism.

In the back of our sanctuary, there are beautiful, etched glass windows which were designed and created by Tiger Lopez sometime in the 80's. Tiger was raised in our church as a very young child but had never established a relationship with God. His life has taken him many places but, after years of a mother's prayer, Tiger has come "home." Tonight he was baptized and life feels brand new again. Congratulations, Tiger, on your baptism. May God's blessings flow abundantly to you.