GROWING IN AND SHARING TEACHING

I love my church family and the wonderful connections The Lord has made in our lives

 I was so blessed this morning to get to share Bill Cloud's teaching Alef to Tav - The Word of God with Judy's Monday Morning Home Bible Study.  I was blessed to attend this study for over 2 years and love these ladies so very much.  Thank you Judy for giving me this privilege today.

THEN

Sunday afternoon a group of us traveled to Stilwell, Oklahoma to hear Randy Caldwell teach.

WOW were we blessed.

(from left to right - front to back)  1st Row - Don & Betty ~ 2nd Row Pat's arm & hand, Shorty, Howard, Judy

3rd Row Eunice & Judy ~ Last seat Robin

 (Another shot to get the other people in) 1st Row Fay - Don 2nd Row Pat & Shorty & Howards head -

 Last Thelma

Driver Corby - Co-Pilot Marc

Following in a separate red pick-up Tim - Jeanne - Sandra - Ella Mae

No pictures of them or Mickey or I 

Total of 19 and we were all sooo blessed!!

We left the church at 2:30 heading out to Stilwell.  Located the church and then had time to drive back in to the small town and find a McD's for icecream etc.
Back and in our rows of pews for the 5 o'clock service.
Such powerful teaching!!!
Thank you Lord.

ROYAL RANGER FLAG

Mickey teaches a 4th grade Royal Ranger group of boys every Wednesday night.  Quite a testing for an 80 year old!!! 

Their Patrol is called Coyote Patrol. 

I wanted to share a project my husband, one of the royal rangers boys & a friend just completed.

Their very own Patrol flag.

(1) The Coyote drawing was created by 4th grader Caleb Cook.

(2) Mickey took the drawing to Kinko's and had another print made and then had the 2 prints laminated, one for each side of the flag. 

(3) Mickey & I went to the fabric store to pick out a fabric and found this yellow flag material we thought looked nice & bright. Mickey measured out the exact size for the flag.

(4) We asked one of my WOW Woman Bible Study woman, Kathy Robinson, to hem all the edges and make the placket at the top for the rod.

(5)  Mickey bought the 3/4" square flag pole at Loews.  He cut the 2 lengths to size and then cut notches in both poles to fit flush and glued them in place.

(6)  Mickey went to Hobby Lobby and bought leather strips to decorate where the poles were joined.

(7) He attached a wild turkey feather at the end of the cross bar for added appeal.

(8) Mickey cut off the excess wood on the flag pole cross bar.

The finished project!

The Coyote patrol in formation as they practice for the first time with the new flag.  There is another patrol in front and one behind.

Saying their pledge to the U.S. Flag, the Oklahoma State Flag & the Christian Flag as Caleb holds their Coyote Patrol flag during their opening service.

A project well done~~~~ Thanks Caleb & Kathy!!

  

CHRISTMAS 2012 HAPPENINGS #1

December is always a very busy month for us - It always began with celebrating Suzette's birthday on the 13th.  Then Jacque's on the 22nd & granddaughter, Jessica, on the 23rd, and mine on the 25th.

It has been our custom, over the last # of years. for us "girls" to have lunch out and then go get manicure & pedicures.  This year was a little sad because, first we did not have Suzette with us, second Jessica went to Dallas for a football game, and Oksana was not with us this year. 

SO----I picked up Jacque for lunch but had not told her I had also made appointments for our manicures & pedicures.  When she got in the car I told her about the appointments.  She looked at me like--what???  "Mom, you know I can't get a pedicure with my broken foot!!"  Oopps!!!!  That had not even registered with me so she has a "raincheck" for those when her right foot is completely healed.

Off to lunch we went at The Apple Barrel and when they found out it was her birthday she was served this complimentary nice big piece of cheesecake with strawberries.  We had a wonderful visit and talk and of course shed some tears over it just being the 2 of us - sob-sob.

My gift to her, was a pair of sterling silver conch style earrings with black onyx stones in the center.  forgot to get a picture) I had bought these for her while in Santa Fe in September and I told her these were to go with the sterling silver conch belt I have that will be hers someday.  

Then I took her shopping at Bass Pro, since she had a little more Christmas shopping to finish and of course can't drive!!

I OWE YOU ONE manicure & pedicure Jacque :o) 

 This is our wonderful friend, Ronnie, and his youngest grandson, Cody, all dressed up like Santa Clause with the bread and sweet rolls he had just picked up from Pan*era Bread for The King's Kitchen, after school tutoring program, and to distribute where needed.  What a blessing each week to our church and others.

 This was Marc, with his dirty Santa Christmas gift from his work party.  He assured, or would it be warned, everyone this lovely item will make a return visit at the 2012 Christmas party!!!

Every year our church has Missionary Christmas.  We "adopt" a special Missionary family to come and we have a party and bless their socks off with gifts. This year was Wednesday, December 19th.

 The tree laden with gifts

 The Mission Family Elizabeth & Brad Ward (on each end) and Denise & Teddy Wyatt (our Church members who head up this project in the cente)r.  The Wards also have 3 children, Luke, Jacob & Felisha who were present but not in this picture.  The Wards will soon be going to Chili as Missionaries.

 Our small group Real Christianity collected enough money to purchase this iPod for them as our gift to them. 

Last, but not least, on Tuesday night, December 18th the WOW Woman Bible Study celebrated with a little Christmas Party and a dirty Santa gift exchange.

(left to right) Cindy W, Christina, Kathy, Susan, Jeanne, Phyllis, Glenda, Jennifer, Sandra & Connie.

It was a fun evening, away from our studies, to eat too much and have a really good time.  I love these woman.  They bless me each and every Tuesday evening with their presence. 

PASSING IT ON!!!

When I received my wonderful basket last week I asked the Lord to let me know who I needed to pass it on to. It was a hard decision!!!! I would have liked to have 100's of them because I have so many wonderfull friends who deserve to be blessed and are such a blessing in my life!!!

I had prayed about it off and on all day Wednesday and Wednesday night we had gone to church and were sitting in the pew waiting for services to start and Carrie came in and hugged us and sat in front of us, which she usually sets in another section of the church!, I knew it was her. I leaned over to Mickey & whispered it to him and he knew that was right.

Carrie is a wonderful single mom of two little boys, Ethen & Aiden. Aiden suffers from epileptic seizures.

Here is the filled basket.

These are the items I included: A china angel from my collection of angels. This is only the 2nd time the Lord has ever impressed me to give one of my angels to someone. A tall blue mug with a flower on each side, a handknit dishcloth, a counted cross-stitch cross bookmark, a little book "Peace" from The Fruit of the Spirit, a Rain Home & Garden candle, a 1/4 pint jar of Mickey's newly harvested fall honey flow, and some monogrammed notes with "M" (her last name).

My little notecard to her showed two girls on the front steps and read: "A sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9 The Message and my personal note read: To Carrie - I immediately thought of you as the one I wanted to pass this to. Your infectious, sweet smile and your friendliness are such a joy to both Mickey & me. Your faithfulness and faith for Aiden are a real inspiration. I love you & ((hugs)), Susan.

Carrie, with Mickey looking on, as I presented her with the basket.

A SURPRISE BLESSING

I had worked the Primary election on July 27th as a Clerk for the very first time and enjoyed it very much. After that election the County Election Office called me and ask if I would be willing to work at that polling place as the Clerk on a regular basis. I was delighted to be offered the position and naturally accepted.

Last Tuesday, August 24th, we had a Run-off election for the State Insurance Commissioner. So I worked my 12 1/2 hours, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mickey picked me up and we went to a fast food place and had a bite to eat and naturally I was plenty tired and worn out.

When we walked in the house this basket was sitting on my dining room table! I said, "What is this?", and Mickey said, "Cathy K. dropped it by for you." Cathy is a wonderful young mother in her 30's who attends church with us and is in my Small Group class. They used to be our back door neighbors!

The tag in front reads:

"A blessing basket

filled just for you,

with cheerful thoughts

and prayers too!

Enjoy your gift

but when your done

please fill it up

and pass it to

another one :o) "

The back side of the tag reads: " If you are unable to fill it up that's OK! Enjoy your gift and return the basket to Coweta Assembly of God 486-3110 Have a blessed day!"

Tucked inside my basket were: A book: When God Winks At You by Squire Rushnell, a cute little photo album, a small spiral note pad, a carmel cream candle, a lovely green pottery mug filled with dove chocolates!!

And, a personal note which read: "I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you. You are such an inspiration to me and I am so blessed to have you in my life. Love, Cathy"

Can you say - TOUCHED and bawling like a baby!!!!!

I LOVE our Church and our Church Body which so demonstrates the Love of Christ on so many fronts and levels. Yes, truly a SURPRISE and truly a BLESSING.

I'm busy filling up my basket now and I'll show it to you when I'm ready to "pass it on". I already know who will get it and selecting what I hope will be the fight items for her.

****************

I have been scarce here in blogland because we have had sooooo much going on at CAG. I hope to share it all with you in the next few posts. Also a lot of hard work around our house that is wearing us out and leaving little free time. This too shall pass!!!!

Have a wonderful, blessed day!!!!!

CELEBRATING on Two Fronts!!!

The 4th of July and the celebration of our great countries 234th Birthday was EXTRA special this year for us for many reasons and was a great day.

It was special to spend the morning excercising one of the most important freedoms we have in this country.......freedom of religion. Freedom to believe....or not believe. Freedom to walk out our front door, without fear, and attend the church of our choice. That is exactly what we did. Our Pastor's sermon was "True Freedom....Only in God". YES....we are truly free when we know Him who sets us free!!!!

Next was celebrating this freedom with our wonderful new blended family at a cook-out at their current home in Owasso.

Our grandchildren grew from 3 to 6 and we are loving that.

(left to right) Cody (9) Aaron (11) Mason (13) Aric (11) & Oksana (15)

(missing this time) Jessica.

The Hostess Deann....our wonderful new daughter-in-love

Who prepared delicious ribs AND grilled chicken breast AND hot-dogs plus all the fixings and the trimmings.

The Host - our son Marc. He might look relaxed and leisurely here but he'd been busy setting up, helping and serving.

Daughter Jacque (who brought the fresh garden salad and fixing) and granddaughter Oksana (who had prepared dozens & dozens of deviled eggs for all of us.)

We were also celebrating belated Father's Day (since we were out of town and had to cancel on Father's Day due to the funeral in Tennessee).

Mickey putting on the new Sperry Top-sider shoes he had just opened from his kids. Dave is showing off his which Mickey had seen at our last gathering and commented on. Daughter Suzette, by her husband, and Benny, barely visible on the couch by Mickey. Suzette had brought her delicious potato salad.

Me - cutting the two cakes I baked and brought. German Chocolate with home made icing and a Dark Devils f ood with white creamy icing and of course chocolate/vanilla swirl ice-cream.

After the sun went down it was to the patio and back yard for the kids to shoot off their fireworks. Each of the 5 had been given money to select the items he or she wanted.

Aaron going through his things and demonstrating one.

Oksana & Cody getting theirs ready.

Aric, who already had his items by him, and was waiting patiently on the swing for his turn. They shot them off taking turns from the oldest to the youngest, which made him next to the last.

Cody & Mason getting ready for their next round and turn.

Last, but not least, was the joy of knowing that in Coweta at our Coweta Assembly of God Church the church body (who could be there) were having a great cook-out and fireworks display and time.

BUT THE GREATEST FIREWORKS OF THIS 4TH OF JULY WAS

Our Pastor and the other 2 men who also signed the original note

burning the mortgage on our church property!!!

FINANCIAL FREEDOM

The 1.1 Million $ mortage paid off in 7 years!!!!

This quote from our Pastor: This past Sunday evening July 4th we celebrated freedom from debt and burned the mortgage on our church. In September of 2003 we entered a contract with First National Bank for $1,100,000.00. We made our last payment Thursday July 1st. Our church is now completely out of debt. The two buildings we currently have total approximately 45,000 square feet on 8 acres. God has been faithful and blessed our church even in the financial difficult time we are currently experiencing. This is not us bragging, but giving thanksgiving to the Lord. We want others to know that God is faithful and if He can do it for us, He can do it for others.

Oh yes, lots for us to celebrate & to rejoice over!!!!!!

A KLOTHES KLOSET UPDATE

Even though I don't actively work in the Klothes Kloset ministry any more, since Mickey started The King's Kitchen in February, we still have a real heart for this ministry. Another wonderful ministry in our church is called Bridge Builders. It is headed up by a husband & wife team, Dianna & Danny, and began a year & a half ago for people with special needs.

About a 6 weeks ago the Bridge Builders ministry expanded to operating the Snack Bar which serves beverages & snacks before our services. They are open Saturday nights from 4 to 9 pm, Sunday mornings from 8 to 9:45 am and on Wednesdays from 2 to 7 pm. This 11 3/4 hours per week is an expansion of this ministry to oversee, train & teach skills that will help Bridge Builders participants obtain jobs in the public sector.

This article, which ran on June 11th in our Coweta American newspaper, is announcing an important step of expanding the clothing ministry hours to a 3rd day per week by being open on Saturdays from 3 to 7 pm. It is also announcing the news that the Bridge Builders are providing this service, giving them an additional 4 hours of job training skills per week.

We are totally amazed, and oh so thankful , with the way the Lord is expanding the unity and growth in so many areas within our congregation as we reach out to serve the needs of our community.

A BLESSED & A BLESSING CHURCH

With all my excitement and joy over the King's Kitchen I want to assure you this is just one work that is going on at Coweta Assembly. I am so very proud to be part of this church and this group of Jesus lovers and followers. So I want to give you a bigger view of my wonderful church.

First, and foremost, and the reason for this strong body of believers is our wonderful Pastor Gary Rogers and his lovely wife of 35 years, Paula.

Although Pastor Gary has only been Mickey & my Pastor for 3 years and 2 months, he has been serving as Pastor at Coweta Assembly for going on 17 years. The church has grown greatly under his leadership. He shares that his first service there were just a few people present, and 4 of them had come in his car!!!

Pastor Gary first and foremost loves the Lord and his mission for our church is "To decrease the population of hell and increase the population of heaven." Every sermon, every teaching, every activity of the church is geared to that one purpose.

Sister Paula is a retired school teacher who brings her love of children and her love of learning and teaching into full swing in various ways in the church. Gary & Paula have been happily married 35 years.

Coweta Assembly has a full time staff of 9. These 7:

And not pictured - Melody, Office Manager - Misty, Pastor's Secretary.

We, also, have an elected Deacon Board of 7.

What I am most proud of is, we do not have just a large Church that is used only on Sundays and Wednesdays, and occasionally another time. NO - there is something going on ALL the time at Coweta Assembly and our Church is opened up to the use of our community.

Just as an example last week: February 14-20.

SUNDAY: 8 am, 10:45 am & 6 pm services. 9:45 am Small Group Meetings. At the 8 & 10:45 services this week Bridge Builders Ministry leaders were highlighted during the sermon. Missions was having an entree sale after both am services to raise money for the 2 upcoming Spring Missions trips. Fine Arts met at 4:30. Also during the 6 pm services Sister Paula is conducting G.E.D. classes. I am one of about 10 mentors and am privileged to be working with a young woman. There are 2 young women and 1 young man currently in the class. This is a new program begun 3 weeks ago called CA Academy.

MONDAY: 6:30 pm, in the ORC Building, the Young-At-Heart Ministry was having their monthly meeting and pot-luck dinner (this month Italian). I was honored to be invited and to give the devotion on "LOVE". At the same 6:30 time, in the Parlor Kitchen in the main Sanctuary building, Mickey & Valerie, Bill, Tammy & Sherry were busy preparing the main course for The King's Kitchen delivery the next morning. At 6 pm there had also been a brief Board Meeting. Pastor also does private Counseling on Monday evenings.

TUESDAY: 9 am the ORC building is abuzz with activity; Bill & his daughter, Nancy, are busy preparing a sit down banquet for 100 that evening! Paula, Cathi, & Dustin are busy setting up long tables pushed together in the shape of a cross. All are covered with white table clothes with broad red ribbons flowing down the center, with small twinkling lights wound through the ribbons. There were also several round tables set up with the red ribbons & lights and with a ceramic cross in the center of each. I wish I had taken some pictures. It was stunning!!!!

9 am in the Parlor Kitchen Mickey & I are cooking the Swiss Chicken, Green Beans, & New Potatoes and browning rolls for the 28 meals that are going out to homes today. We are also loading up the cold containers for the 4 different routs with containers of cottage cheese & peaches, apple or cherry cobbler, individual containers of ice cream, 1% milk, & butter. Janice comes in to assist and help about 10, as well as Cathi comes in from the ORC and decorating to help us. Around 11 our 4 teams of drivers & deliverers begin arriving: Tim & Jenne - Jimmy & Nellie - Andy & Dustin - Joi & Cathi (wearing her 3rd hat of the morning!). Around 11:15 I, Janice, Tim, & Jenne begin to fill the 3 part hot trays and put a hot roll in a sandwich bag while Mickey is packing them into the hot containers. By 11:45 all 4 teams are on the road. Mickey, Janice & I clean up the kitchen.

10 am Judy & Thelma came in to work in and open The Klothes Kloset until 2 pm. This ministry has grown so much since it was started in September last year that it is having to be moved into a bigger room within the ORC. Praise God!

2 pm there was a memorial service for a grandfather of a young man who attends our church.

5 pm 100 Pastors and church leaders from all over the NE part of Oklahoma which make up the Sectional Conference of The Assembly of God Churches meet for the sit-down, lovely, special dinner that had been prepared for them.

7 pm a service of the Sectional Conference, open to the public, was held in our Sanctuary.

WEDNESDAY: 7:30-9 am The Coweta Chamber of Commerce met in the ORC.

7 pm ALL the Wednesday night activities plus Pastor teaching in the Sanctuary. He is currently doing a L-O-N-G study through the entire Bible. We had a VERY SPECIAL time and special move of the Holy Spirit this night that was so powerful that our Pastor set aside the teaching and we just relished in what God was doing.

THURSDAY: The Coweta Ministerial Alliance meet at our Church at noon for their monthly meeting. Klothes Kloset opened from 10 am to 2 pm.

FRIDAY: The Girl Scouts had a "Mom & Me" sleepover beginning at 8 pm. They also brought food items for The Food Pantry and there were so many items brought that The King's Kitchen was also blessed with a supply of canned green beans and canned corn. God gives above and beyond!!

SATURDAY: 2 - 9 pm Special Olympics were held in the ORC.

6 pm was the launch of a new Saturday night service for Young Adults. Associate Pastor Stephen Lee will be preaching every Saturday night. They had 45 adults & 7 children at this first service, Our entire body is excited about this outreach to the Coweta Area and the un-churched young adults. Although the service is open to any age it will be geared to the young adult.

So, that is a sample of some of the multitude of activities and outreach to the Coweta community that our Body is involved in.

Mickey & I are so proud to be a part of this vibrant, active Body of Christ.

My next post will cover ALL the various activities with-in this body. This post was just getting too long :o)

A SNOW DAY

WHAT - no church?

Because of this!

And this

our church services were called off today. Not only ours but most of the churches in the Tulsa area. We first watched Perry Stone & then Jentezen Franklin on TV and our beloved Pastor Gary send out an e-mail devotion so we had "church" of sorts.

So I baked butterscotch drop cookies.
The canister is full

and this is what is left on this plate that was stacked with lots more that got eaten throughout the day!!!

And I did
It is such fun. I can't believe I didn't join before now. Oh well, better late than never :o)

Since I shared some of my birthday cards with you yesterday I wanted to share our Christmas cards today.

We received sooo many beautiful Christmas cards this year. The "world" may not be celebrating CHRISTmas but the people of my world, who love Jesus, are. Who's report will we believe?

There were also quite a few of the family picture cards which are so nice to receive. I have always displayed them on the inside front door but since this door was almost filled up

I had to place these on the hall coat closet door. The card on the left bottom here is a darling hand made card we received from Kahri, Michael and their 4 kids. So cute!!! Really touched our hearts.

It was a fun, relaxed Snow Day and we enjoyed it.

Hope your Sabbath was a blessed as ours.