Happy Halloween!

First, before you condemn me for saying, "Happy Halloween," hear my opinion of this day. It stems from Genesis 1:1. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth..." He also created night and day, man and woman, tears and laughter. I have heard people condemn God saying, "If He was such a good, loving God, why are there murderers and rapist?" Well, God did not create a murderer or a rapist. He gave man and woman the freedom to choose. Eve chose to partake of a tree she knew was not for her consumption. Likewise, God created day and night but it was humanity that chose to pervert days by celebrating paganism. As for me, I have not chosen to celebrate a day that has been perverted by evildoers. Rather, I have chosen to celebrate the day because it is the day the Lord hath made. So, if my little girl dresses up like Sarah Palin, knocks on grandma's door and gets free candy, I don't think we have perverted the day. Since we also agree with the scripture that instructs us to shun the appearance of evil, I will not allow my child to represent a character that stems from paganism, the occult, sorcery or witchcraft. I know my opinion is controversial but, this is my story and I'm sticking to it. :)

Tell Someone! Get Help!

Earlier this month, a young, 27 year old man violently stabbed his 20 year old girlfriend to death. This tragedy is heartbreaking but it personally brings me pain. You see, the young man was raised in our church as a child. His mother and father divorced when he was very young and the mother took the children and moved several hours away. Answers will never be sufficient and, in reality, it is as if there were two deaths. One family is heartbroken for having their daughter taken away from them and another family is grieving with the knowledge their son/brother will soon be facing the death penalty. Apparently, the young man could not handle another time of rejection. My heart bleeds for both families and my mind wonders if the story would be different if the parents had not divorced and rededicated their lives to God. Of course, I will never know.

On a news website where this case was discussed, there was a discussion concerning risks and also signs to watch for. Please read below some of these risks and warning signs. If you know of anyone who could be at risk, share this information with them and encourage them to seek help.

The RISKS of a woman being killed by someone close to her is significantly increased when the abuser:
Has access to a gun
Has made previous threats or assaults with a gun.
Is extremely jealous
Engages in physical violence of increasing severity and/or frequency.
Abuses drugs or alcohol.

Here are some WARNING SIGNS of domestic violence perpetrators:
(These traits might not be apparent until the person is threatened by a loss of control, such as a breakup of the relationship.)
- Self-centered
- Obsessive
- Refusal to cope with rejection
- Quick and frequent swings from "rage" to "love”
- Constantly questioning or interrogating

Larry David's DISGUSTING BEHAVIOR

I find the below news link to be quite disturbing. In my opinion, Larry David deserves for his career to come to a screeching stop. There are lines that should not be crossed - - -even under the guise of comedy. I am thoroughly disgusted.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...rinates-jesus/

QUOTE FROM ARTICLE: Comedian Larry David is under attack from critics who say he pushed the mocking of religion and Christian belief in miracles over the edge in the latest episode of his HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm," which the cable network defended as "playful." On the show's most recent installment, which aired Sunday, David urinates on a painting of Jesus Christ, causing a woman to believe the painting depicts Jesus crying.

Thank God for Friends

A friend is one who sees through you

and still enjoys the view.

- Wilma Askinas

Happy 8th Birthday, Bryn!

2 weeks old with Grandma Wilson
2 years old at Pismo Beach
3 years old
4 years old

5th Birthday

6th Birdthday

7th Birthday eating special dinner fixed by Daddy

8th Birthday

My dear little princess, you are growing up too fast. It seems like just yesterday, you were mommy's real, living baby doll. Now, you are my buddy, my little partner, my angel. I love to hear you sing and laugh. One of my favorite things, is when we have enough to time to cuddle in the mornings and sing all of our songs we have made up. You have made mommy and daddy so happy and we love you 500 trillion, billion, oodles and gobs, to infinity and beyond.

Seek, Find, Love

To seek God is the greatest of all adventures.

To find God is the greatest human achievement.

To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances.

Introducing the New UPCI General Superintendent

St Louis - October 5, 2009. The United Pentecostal Church International announces the election of the Reverend Doctor David K. Bernard as General Superintendent of the 3-million-member church. The ministers of the organization selected Reverend Bernard at their 85th annual General Conference held in St Louis last week.

David K. Bernard is the founder and senior pastor of New Life Church in Austin, Texas. He is also District Superintendent of the South Texas District of the United Pentecostal Church International and president of Urshan Graduate School of Theology, located in St Louis. He has earned a doctor of jurisprudence with honors from the University of Texas, a master of theology from the University of South Africa, and a bachelor of arts in mathematical sciences and managerial studies with high honors from Rice University. He is currently a doctor of theology candidate in New Testament at the University of South Africa.

In addition to his ministry in Austin and throughout the United States, he has ministered in forty-five countries on six continents. Bernard is also a prolific writer who has written extensively on the Bible, theology, the history of doctrine, and Christian living. To date, he has written thirty books, with a circulation of about 750,000. He has been published in thirty-six languages. In addition to his books, he has produced debates and teaching series on CD and DVD and other preaching and teaching helps on CD-ROM.

David Bernard and his wife, Connie, have three children, Jonathan (married to Sara), Daniel, and Lindsey, and one grandchild, Elijah.

The United Pentecostal Church International, headquartered in St Louis, has 30,000 churches in 192 nations around the world and a ministerial membership of 27,000. It was formed in 1945 from the merger of two previously established organizations. The UPCI emerged out of the Pentecostal movement that began in Topeka, Kansas, in 1901. It traces its organizational roots to October 1916, when a large group of ministers withdrew from the Assemblies of God over the doctrinal issues of the oneness of God and water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
For the past eight years, Reverend Kenneth F. Haney has served as the General Superintendent of the church. Reverend Bernard is the 7th General Superintendent in the church's history.

Serenity Prayer (Revised)

I saw this on a friend's FB wall and couldn't resist sharing it with you. My friend, (a man) was out shopping with two women and posted he needed prayer. This was one of the responses given. Too cute!

God grant him the serenity to purchase the things he cannot afford,

the courage to charge the things he must,

and the wisdom not to point out the difference.

Industrious Indians

While on vacation and traveling through Indian country, we saw the above pictured vehicle. It gave us a good chuckle and, you have got to admit, it was industrious to repair the crunched van with adobe.

My Dear Blog, I Apologize...

My poor blog must feel so forsaken! UGH!!! I'm sorry, blog. I will try to better but life is hectic for me right now! Just wanted to share a couple pics I just took of Blake and Bryn. They are growing up too fast. The other day Blake said to me, "Mom, I'm getting orange fuzz on my face." LOL Much to my chagrin, I realize it won't be long until Blake will be shaving. Where has time gone?!?!?!?!?!?

On the Road Again...

Rob, Shara, Brian, and me
Shara & Rob
Slyvia Clemons, counselor and speaker for Points of Refuge class
Dr. Keith Sjostrand, POR instructor
Points of Refuge chairman, Ron Libby

Tracie Smith (right) and me

Shara McKee, Tracie Smith, Diane Green and me (far left)

The Luciano Pavarotti of the UPC, Hugh Rosem and me

This poor blog must feel sadly forsaken! Life has been very busy but I have not left my blog high and dry. My internet access has been limited while traveling. Brian and I left in our RV last Saturday to attend the United Pentecostal Church International General Conference held in St. Louis, Missouri. The road trip was fun in spite of the thermostat going out on our rig. That caused us to spend an extra day in Albuquerque, New Mexico where the problem was corrected. We arrived in St. Louis Tuesday evening and our good friends, Rob and Shara McKee, took us to dinner to celebrate our anniversary and the following day brought me a Gooey Butter Cake for my birthday. On Wednesday, Brian and I attended a class for our new endeavor as care givers for Points of Refuge. (http://www.pointsofrefuge.org/) The class featured three licensed counselors adding their expertise to the program. Wednesday night, we attended the musical/drama "One to Be Won." It featured a 300 voice choir, a large orchestra and a cast of great actors. Afterwards, I got to meet fellow blogger Tracie Smith. We all went out and had a great time visiting, laughing and eating. (Eating: what Pentecostals do best) This morning, I browsed the exhibit hall while Brian attended the ministers business session. Around noon, we pulled our RV out of its space and headed towards Branson. We hope to see the Noah production tonight. Brian and I are enjoying our time together and the time we were able to spend with our good friends.