FALL FESTIVAL 2010

We love living in this small town of Coweta!! The biggest event each year is FALL FESTIVAL which we just celebrated September 16-18. I wanted to share a little bit of it with you.



The main street becomes the midway for these 3 days in September each year.



Shot of Mickey with Sherry, our main cook with The King's Kitchen, and her two children. Reese, next to Sherry in the blue shirt, and Mattie, pink shirt and pony tail. These are two of the most precious, and well behaved children you'd ever want to meet.

The crowd downtown in front of one of our city landmarks, The Green Parrot cafe, waiting for the parade.

Let the parade begin - Saturday morning 11 o'clock

The flags!!

Fall Festival Queen and Little Miss Fall Festival. The Queen had just been crowned and chosen the night before after a talent contest. One of the girls from our church was the 1st Runner Up.

Next, here comes the large Coweta High School Band.

There goes the last of the band.

A cute, different entry.

One of MANY of the various attendants and even Queens from some surrounding small towns.

A church float from our neighboring town of Porter. Porter is where I attend the Monday morning Bible Study each week at Judy's home.

One of two floats of the First Baptist Church preschool. This is where Reese attends. You can't see it, but the children have little stick poles with a paper fish on the end. I helped Sherry cut out these fish the week before as our King's Kitchen meal was cooking.

The second float showing all the "fish" that had been caught by Jesus and the little fishermen.

Jesus following the two boats.

Since this is an election year there were an abundance of Political Candidate floats.

No parade in our area would be complete without tractors. We have many local farmers who raise hay and soy beans.

The parade ended with Lots and LOTS of horses and riders. Again, we have a large number of people who own and raise horses. Several people from our church own horses and a few were in this group.

Now, one of the best parts of the parade this year. Mickey & I found this parking spot, right near the High School where the parade began......so we literally had "front row seats" from the comfort of our car.

The two pictures I failed to get were two of the most important events of Fall Festival:

1 - A picture of me eating my HUGE corn-on-a-cob on a stick. YUMMY with lots of flavored salt and butter. Glad it had a large napkins wrapped around the bottom :o)

2 - TRULY THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF FALL FESTIVAL. The large Prayer Tent that is set up on the mid-way each year and is open every hour of the festival. It is sponsored by Coweta Ministerial Alliance and MANY of our church members worked the hours. People were out around the tent with prayer request cards and talking to the people, as well as those inside the tent, which was divided into several section, praying for request and with people. There were MANY prayer requests and MANY prayed for during these 3 days.

Thanks for letting me show you a special event of this town we have called "HOME" for the past 13 years.

A LOVELY GIFT

I have so much catching up to do!!!! Here goes one.

Way back on July 26th I was blessed to be the winner of a $40 Gift Certificate that Becky, of The Keys to the Cottage, had on a drawing on her previous blog.

It took me quite a while to select an item I wanted. There were so many items to choose from.

There is a young couple from our church getting married next month and I wanted to get a nice gift for them so I decided to get this:

A thermometer that reads the room temperature with different colored floating balls with the temperature on an attached tag. My daughter, Suzette, has one of these in her home and I have always admired it.

For weddings I like to give something along the "pretty" line, rather than something "practical" (like towels or sheets) so it is something they can have for years and remember receiving it from us. I have things like that in my home from 50+ years ago and I treasure them.

Thank you Becky for drawing my name. Thank you CSN Stores for offering the free Gift Certificate. Thank you God for yet another of your many blessings.

Best wishes Dream & James

I'm attending her bridal shower next Sunday :o)

SELLING OUR 5TH WHEEL

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiates 3:1



We have loved our 5th wheel. It has given us many happy memories of places we've visited and things we've seen.



It's been parked in our back yard for the past several years and the Ecclesiates verse above indicates that this season of our lives are past and it is time to sell it. It is not an easy thing to do.....but it is the "season".

1998 Designed Jayco

Front view showing the two slides outs. The living/dining area & the bedroom.

The beautiful oak woods and the interior.

The oak table & chairs with padded seats. One of my favorite features. I don't care for the booth style.

Here are all the details if per chance any of you, who read this blog, would be interested or know any one who might be interested.

1998 Designer Jayco with XL Package

One owner top of the line You’ll not find a nicer RV for the price. Ready to take south for the winter or just to make your dreams come true.

Per NADA: $12,400 Average Retail - $10,240 Low Retail
Our Price - $11,300

31’ & 2 slide outs – living/dining & bedroom. INSIDE: Beautiful oak cabinets, day/night shades, oak table with 4 individual padded chairs, fold down sofa bed, am-fm stereo radio with clock, alarm & tape deck, front and rear dual speakers, recliner, designer refrigerator featuring real oak door panels, micro-wave, ceiling fan, cedar lined full size closet w/sliding mirror doors, bedroom side cabinets & drawers with cedar lining, dressing table with matching padded oak stool, decorative lighting fixtures, central heat & air, full size shower with skylight, porcelain toilet. OUTSIDE: fiberglass exterior, XL exterior graphics, roof rack & ladder, 18’ retractable awning, slider windows at the end of the SuperSlides, TV antenna, satellite dish, cable outlets, main storage compartment has 12-volt interior light and pass-through capability, outside shower capability, electric front jacks, scissor stabilizer jacks, auxiliary battery, spare tire and carrier.

All original paper work and instructions manuals will be included.

SPIRITUAL SUNDAY 2010 - #11 - A Christian - What would you do?

A big thank you to Charlotte for this wonderful forum to share. Go here to read the many other posts.

A CHRISTIAN

Several years ago, a preached from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter to much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it." Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet."

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change...' The driver, with a smile, replies, "Aren't you the new preacher in town?" "Yes" he replied. "Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.

When the preacher stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, "Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter."

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself "Christian."

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?

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I want to ask the true Pray-er's who read this to join in standing and praying with us about our daughter and our son's family. Please go here, my previous post, for details.

A TIME OF TESTING!!!

My last post was about Vulnerability.... little did I know just how vulnerable our family would become.

First, we are dealing with some serious issues in the recent marriage of our son, Marc, and Deann. It is very hard to blend 2 families, especially when there are 5 children between the ages of 9 & 15!!! They knew that going in. Overall it is going well but they are having some on-going concerns with the oldest, our 15 year old granddaughter.

Second, we spent all day today in the hospital with our oldest daughter, Suzette. They drained a large amount of fluid off the right lung and also did a biopsy of an area. They let her go home for the week-end and we will get the report on Monday.

Who's report will we believe? WE WILL BELIEVE THE REPORT OF OUR LORD.

I ask that all you who read this blog and are prayer warriors to please stand with us and pray for our daughter, Suzette, and Marc's family.

II Timothy 1:12 - "For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." KJV

"But I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my grounds - the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end." The Message Bible

My word for 2010 - VULNERABLE

This is the word the Lord gave me on 12/30/09 as my word for the year 2010. Here is the post if you'd care to read it.

VULNERABLE

adj (Latin vulnus, a wound) - 1) That can be wounded, or injured. 2) open to, or liable to be hurt by, criticism or attack.

I love the way God warns us and protects us about various things. He is such a good and faithful God to me in all ways. But, I have to admit, even though He warns and prepares us, ....still......often times I am taken unawares. I was taken unawares this week.


This is the scripture He gave me then:


"So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: "Don't be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."

Nehemiah 4:13 The Message


Yes, I am VULNERABLE. But, He has placed those strong and dear to me to whom I could go to for Godly counsel and I did. Thank you Lord for those strong in The Word and Faith who I can turn to who uplift my arms for the battle. Thank you Father God that YOU are always the answer, the way and the more than enough God for me.

A GREAT GIVE-AWAY

If you'd like a chance to win this beautiful pendant then go here to put your name in the drawing.

I don't participate a lot in blogging about other people's give-aways but this is such a lovely, very unique piece that I wanted to do so today. Hope one of us wins!!!!! :o)

The Tender Solicitude

"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Matthew 10:30

What a promise is this! All that befalls you, to the very numbering of your hairs--is known to God! Nothing can happen by accident or chance. Nothing can elude His inspection. The fall of the forest leaf--the fluttering of the insect--the waving of the angel's wing--the annihilation of a world--all are equally noted by Him! Man speaks of great things and small things--but God knows no such distinction.



How especially comforting to think of this tender solicitude with reference to His own covenant people--that He metes out all their joys--and all their sorrows! Every sweet--and every bitter--is ordained by Him. Even "wearisome nights" are "appointed." Not a pang I feel, not a tear I shed--but is known to Him. What are called "dark dealings," are the ordinations of undeviating faithfulness. Man may err--his ways are often crooked; "but as for God--His way is perfect!" He puts my tears into His bottle. Every moment His everlasting arms are underneath and around me. He keeps me "as the apple of His eye." He "bears" me as a man bears his own son!



Do I look to the FUTURE? Is there much of uncertainty and mystery hanging over it? It may be, much foreboding of evil. Trust Him! All is marked out for me. Dangers will be averted; bewildering mazes will show themselves to be interlaced and interweaved with mercy. "He keeps the feet of His saints." Not a hair of their head will be touched.



He leads sometimes darkly, sometimes sorrowfully; most frequently by cross and circuitous ways, which we ourselves would not have chosen; but always wisely, always tenderly. With all its mazy windings and turnings, its roughness and ruggedness--the believer's is not only a right way--but the right way--the best which covenant love and wisdom could select.



"Nothing," says Jeremy Taylor, "does so establish the mind amid the rollings and turbulence of present things--as both a look above them and a look beyond them; above them--to the steady and loving hand by which they are ruled; and beyond them--to the sweet and beautiful end to which, by that hand, they will be brought." "The Great Counselor," says Thomas Brooks, "puts clouds and darkness round about Him, bidding us follow at His beck through the cloud, promising an eternal and uninterrupted sunshine on the other side." On that "other side" we shall see how every apparent rough blast has been hastening our boats nearer the desired haven.Well may I commit the keeping of my soul to Jesus in well-doing--as unto a faithful Creator. He gave Himself for me. This transcendent pledge of love--is the guarantee for the bestowment of every other needed blessing. Oh, blessed thought! my sorrows are numbered--by the Man of Sorrows; my tears are counted--by Him who shed first His tears, and then His blood for me! He will impose no needless burden, and exact no unnecessary sacrifice. There was no unnecessary drop in the cup of His own sufferings; neither will there be in that of His people. "Though He slays me--yet will I trust in Him!" "Therefore comfort one another with these words."



(John MacDuff, "The Words of Jesus")



I copied this from my dear friend, Sandra's, Water Colour Dreams blog. I trust it will bless you as it blessed me.

AUGUST 3 - SEPTEMBER 12 An unbelievable 40 days

I didn't realize, until I just typed the title of this post, that it had been exactly 40 days that our life has been an absolute whirl of activity and WORK!!! This is a very long post, and is really a time-line for me to remember all that happened during these 40 days.

On Tuesday, August 3rd Mickey & a close friend of ours, Mike, began working on our 5th wheel in preparation to selling it. They worked Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. Then on Friday, the 6th, Mickey went to the VA Clinic in Tulsa about the incision from his chest surgery, which was giving him trouble. That evening we took our son, Marc, and his wife, Deann, out for steaks to celebrated Marc's birthday which had been August 2nd!

Monday through Thursday, August 9 - 12th, they worked each day on the 5th wheel. It was hard labor and work and very hot temperatures!!!! Their work was finished and the next week Mickey & I began to clean the inside from top to bottom, plus Mickey washed the outside. Again dealing with heat index temperatures over 100 each day.

Monday, August 16th, we made a trip to the VA Hospital in Muskogee where Mickey had an echo-cardiogram.

On Wednesday, August 18th we heard that our Pastor had tried out at another church on Sunday, when we thought he was on vacation!!! By the next morning, August 19th, we knew for a fact he was resigning as pastor of CAG. It almost knocked the socks off of us as it was so totally unexpected!!!!

On Sunday, August 22nd, Pastor Gary announced to the church that he was indeed resigning. We were broken hearted in the natural and yet in our Spirits we knew this was God working and not man.

On August 23rd, Monday, I borrowed a carpet shampoo machine from a friend. On Tuesday the 24th I worked from 6:30 a.m. until 7:oo p.m. at the Run-off Election and Mickey harvested his fall honey. On Wednesday we shampooed the 5th wheel carpets. On Thursday, the 26th we processed and bottled the honey crop. Boy, his girls (as Mickey calls his bee's!) did a great job and he got 5 gallons of that pure, delicious, rich local honey. YUM!!!

After bottling it we ended up with 31 pints, 4 - 1/2 pints, and 17 - 1/4 pints.

What a beautiful sight!!

That evening we joined others to celebrate the birthday of Cameron, a young man in our church.

On Friday night, August 27th, we had an Indian Taco Dinner and a Silent Auction as a fund raiser for a dear friend, Mark Bates, who recently lost part of his right foot to diabetes. Mickey and I worked in the kitchen serving and then cleaning up. We came home exhausted and literally fell into bed at 9:30 ..... BUT a total of $11,995 was raised!!!! WOW!!!!

Mark and his lovely wife, Robbin. Robbin is the one who sees that the King's Kitchen has the wonderful home made desserts each and every week.

The next day, Saturday, August 28th, our church held an Estate Auction which was left to our church but we were so exhausted we did not attend.

Sunday, August 29th, was Pastor Gary's last day as our Pastor and his last sermon. The Woman's Ministry hosted a lovely reception with cake, cupcakes, and finger foods for them after the Sunday a.m. service. That evening we had Charles Graham, who has a beautiful voice, bless us for the evening service.

Wednesday, September 1st, we are back at VA Hospital where Mickey has minor surgery to remove about 2 inches of the metal stitching from his October, 2009 heart surgery which they replaced with regular stitches. Our oldest daughter, Suzette, had surgery the same day, here in Tulsa. That evening at church the Board of Deacons placed the name of Steve Lee, our Associate Pastor, as a candidate for the Senior Pastor position. We were delighted!! Both that it was Steve, AND that the Board was acting quickly so that CAG would not miss a beat in our moving forward for the Lord.

Thursday, September 2nd we went to Jenks to visit our recuperating daughter, Suzette at home.

Friday, September 3rd, Mickey had an eye appointment at the Tulsa VA Clinic!!!

Sunday & Monday, September 5 & 6, Labor Day week-end. I spent Sunday afternoon and all day Monday thawing, skinning, cutting and slow cooking a huge 37 lb box of chicken halves that were donated by a family in our church for The King's Kitchen. I ended up with an ice cream bucket and a large size container that you purchase potato salad in of cooked chicken. We will be able to make 2 or 3 meals from this bounty. Sunday afternoon Cameron & Athena and their youngest daughter dropped by for a visit. We so enjoyed them.

Also, Monday and Tuesday, September 6th & 7, Mickey and I were busy preparing and pricing for a garage sale. HARD WORK!!!

Wednesday, September 8th, I left the house at 8:15 a.m. to take our daughter Suzette for her 9:30 a.m. 1 week Dr. check-up from her surgery. We stopped by Arby's and I brought lunch which we brought back to her house to eat. I stayed with her until about 2:30. It was so nice to have this one-on-one time with my daughter.

Thursday, September 9th, we set up for the garage sale which we held on Friday & Saturday, September 10th & 11th. On Thursday we also visited with 2 new couples who had called and inquired about our King's Kitchen meal. They will be added to our routes and beginning receiving the meal next Tuesday.

On Saturday, September 11th, I left Mickey watching the garage sale at 11 while I went to Wagoner to participate in CRY OUT AMERICA outside the Wagoner County Court House. It was a wonderful 1 hour service.

I got home at 1:30 and Marc, Deann, Oksana & Aric came out and brought us hamburgers and fries for lunch. We had a nice visit with the 4 of them and then Aric stayed with us Saturday night.

We closed down the garage sale at 4 p.m. It was successful and we praise God for that but Mickey says it is the LAST one we will ever have.

TODAY: September 12th!!!! Steve Lee preached his "try out" sermon at both the 8 and 10:45 services. The title was "Greater Days Ahead..." taken from John 14:1-14 with special emphasis on vs 12-14. It was GREAT. There was such an excitement during the entire service. After church Aric, Mickey & I met Marc, Deann, & Oksana at Delta Cafe for lunch and for them to take Aric home with them. Then at 4 o'clock we had an open forum at the church for the members to ask questions of Steve & his wife, Michelle. MANY very important questions (a total of 30) were asked and both Steve & Michelle's answers were so right on. The forum lasted until almost 6 p.m. All the members only were given a simple ballet with a Yes and No on it. One of the deacons opened the meeting with an explanation and time line of Pastor Gary notifying them on August 19th that he was resigning and our voting tonight.

The vote was taken and STEVE LEE was elected Senior Pastor of Coweta Assembly of God by a unanimous vote of 100%!!!! There is such a feeling of total unity in our Body and we are all excited about what God is going to do not only at our Church but in our City of Coweta.

Steve & Michelle Lee and their 3 daughters

After church we went to McD's for ice-cream, apple pies and coffee. Three ladies from our church were there so we joined them and enjoyed our visit.

What a Day - What a G-L-O-R-I-O-U-S Day.

I have to tell you though, I am ready for a little less work and constant activity for a little while!!!!! But time is short and we must be busy while there is still time. We are so thankful that the Lord gives us the strength and the stamina that we have been blessed with.

SPIRITUAL SUNDAY 2010 #11 - Blessing Basket

I had blogged earlier about receiving one of these blessing baskets that one of the young woman in our church had started and given to me. Then I blogged about passing it on to a young single mom in our church.

Well, I just thought this was such a wonderful idea that I got a basket and made up another one to start around.

Here is my little filled basket with the tag that reads:

A blessing basket

filled just for you,

with cheerful thoughts

and prayers, too!

Enjoy your gift

but when you're done

please fill it up

and pass it to

another one :o)

The reverse side of the tag reads: If you are unable to fill it up that's OK! Enjoy your gift and return the basket to Cowetqa Assembly of God. 486-3110 Have a blessed day!
The person I choose to present my blessing basket to, and start this chain, is Thelma. Thelma attends the Monday morning Bible Study we go to and she and I worked together in the Klothes Kloset at the church up until I quit to help Mickey with The King's Kitchen. She is a wonderful, jewell of a person.

Here she is with the basket. Betty, her co-worker is looking on. I presented it to her on Thursday when the two of them were busy sorting and going through bags of donated clothing at the Klothes Kloset.

I am posting this here on Spiritual Sundays, even though I had already posted about it on my blog the other two times regarding the first basket. I just think this is such a wonderful idea and wanted to share it here and hopefully many of you who read Spiritual Sundays will pick up the idea and get it going in your Church.

Please let me know if you do!!!

FOR TODAY - The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Outside my window...it is pitch black and night time.

I am thinking... I am really tired and need to go to bed.

I am thankful for... another successful delivery of our Tuesday's King Kitchen meal to 41 shut-ins.

I am remembering... why I love the fall season of the year so much.

I am currently reading... two books: When GOD winks at You by Squire Rushnell and A Place Called Heaven by Dr. Gary L. Wood.

I am hoping... My garage sale this Friday & Saturday will be a success.

On my mind... my part in Cry Out America at my local Court House on Friday, September 11th.

Noticing that... the weather report is on the TV my husband is watching.

From the kitchen... the dishes all washed and put away and everything in order ready for tomorrow morning.

Around the house... things are winding down for the night.

One of my favorite things... the Bible reading and prayer time my husband & I spend doing together each morning.

From my camera...

this picture of the many pints 1/2 pints and quarter pint jars of honey we bottled from my husbands honey bee hives a couple of weeks ago. Soooo good!!!

You may join everyone over here to do your own Daybook. It's fun!

PRAYER SHAWL #4

Here is my 4th Prayer Shawl. This variegated green one, prayed for as I made it, is for our youngest son, Marc.

These are the hands of the 7 of us at the 3rd Day Sister's Tuesday night bible study class as it was being prayer over there.

The gals at the Monday morning bible study I attend have also joined in this Prayer Shawl Ministry so this one for Marc was also prayed over by the 7 woman who attend it. Double blessed!!!

It took me only 29 days to complete this 4th Shawl. I've certainly gotten faster at them :o)

I am already working on #5 which will be a purple one for my 15th year old granddaughter. I had failed to put one of the earlier ones I was working on up when she came over and seeing it she said, "Grandma, if you're making one of those for ALL of us I want a purple one!" So!!!!!! Who's NOT going to fulfill that request?

I'm curious if any others of you out there are making these? If so, please be sure and let me know.

When You're Holding a Hammer Everything Looks Like a Nail

A GIVE AWAY with a BIG purpose!

Charity at Life with the Hildebrands is doing a giveaway that you don't want to miss.

See the cool new way that you can be involved in helping those in less privileged nations. You really have to see it for yourself at Get Bridged.