Another event”full” week has passed. Since our last post we were able to spend a few days visiting with Justin’s sister & her husband, who live a couple hours from Stilwell. We had such a good time with them just being able to relax and kick our shoes off. We know you guys will read this, so we wanted to say a big "Thank you" just for loving on us and supporting us. It's a great thing to know that family are among those that believe in you and support what you are doing. The remainder of our week was spent preparing for and attending a meeting at another area church, and replacing a vital member of our family that we lost a couple of weeks back. On Sunday we were able to be with Pastor & Mrs. Kevin Alexander & Washington County Baptist Church in Lincoln, Arkansas. As always we had a great time meeting these folks and sharing our burden. I (Amber) actually knew several of the members of that church from my growing up years here in Stilwell, (Washington Co. is only few miles from Stilwell) so I especially enjoyed being able to see them again. We really enjoyed the opportunity to meet and to get to know Pastor Alexander and his wonderful family. That’s one of the great things that I’m finding out about deputation: you not only become acquainted with some wonderful people, but you also gain some encouraging friends for the ministry. In addition to a great service, we were able to see one soul saved while we were there. Praise the Lord! Thank you, Washington Co. Baptist Church, for welcoming us and being such a blessing to our family. In actuality I should be saying that to all the churches that we have had the privilege of visiting thus far. For all of you reading this, we truly have been blessed to meet you and be in your churches. In regards to the family member that we lost…it really is a sad story… Justin’s tablet was fatally injured (I believe the word Justin used was obliterated) on our trip to Benton, Arkansas a couple weeks back. Long story short, it was left on top of our car & of course fell off as we drove onto the on ramp to the interstate, thus getting destroyed as who knows how many cars drove over it sending it into the black abyss. Yes, it was that dramatic!!! For those of you who know anything about Justin, this was a great loss. We tried to make it through last weekend without it, but by Sunday morning Justin knew already that he would have to get it replaced first thing on Monday. Just the simple act of showing our presentation video took over 7 hours between Saturday night & Sunday morning to try and figure out how to get it to play on one of the 5 different devices that we have. The new tablet is scheduled for delivery sometime tomorrow, and for that we are very thankful. We have another full week ahead of us, including a meeting on Sunday with Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Please be in prayer for this meeting that we can be a blessing and encouragement to these folks. God bless you all! This past weekend we had the opportunity to be in Benton, Arkansas at the Victory Baptist Church pastored by Bro. Ken Graham. We thoroughly enjoyed being able to be at this church and present our ministry. Justin was able to give our presentation during the Sunday evening service as well as sing a special and preach. This was such an exciting church to be in. God has blessed them with a beautiful building, a Christian school, a Bible college, thriving ministries, and wonderful people. We especially enjoyed being able to fellowship with the Assistant Pastor, Brian Graham, and his family after the service. He and Justin found they had a lot of commonality, especially in the fact of growing up as P.K.s. Amber's dad & mom In addition to having a great meeting at VBC we also got to spend some time with family. Amber's uncle and aunt, Terry & Margaret Wishon, are members of that church, so we were able to stay with them and enjoy a long-over-due visit. Because Benton is only 4 hours from Amber's parents home, they were able to join us on our trip also. We really had a great time with all our family. On Saturday we were able to drive to nearby Hot Springs and spend the day together. In beautiful Hot Springs, AR The weather was absolutely beautiful, and we tried to soak in as much of the cooler temps. as possible. We did the typical tourists activities of walking down Bath House lane, taking pictures at all the picturesque spots, and driving up to the lookout tower. What a gorgeous place! Those of you reading this who have been there can agree, and those of you who have not been there need to start planning your trip. I can honestly say that I am loving this opportunity God has given me to travel the country. Most people who know me know that one of my life's dreams has always been to travel. I haven't figured out if that was a desire God gave me, or if He has just provided for my dream to be possible, but whichever the case I am thrilled to have this experience! This coming Sunday we will be in Lincoln, Arkansas at Washington County Baptist Church. We're looking forward to a great time at this sister church of Fellowship Baptist Church (Amber's home church). Please be in prayer for this meeting that we can be a blessing to this church, and for their hearts to be tender toward the work that we will be sharing with them. As always thank you for your continued prayers and support! This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach one last service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Stilwell, Oklahoma before we take off for the East. I will finish the next 3 weeks with meetings in Oklahoma and Arkansas, and then my family and I will be taking off to be in about 15 meetings and 4 Missions Conferences, not to mention helping a new church get started. Needless to say, we have a busy time ahead until Christmas.
We could not have asked for a better final Sunday here in Stilwell. On Thursday, I had the opportunity to witness to a lady named Nelecia Victor. Miss Victor has spent her entire life as a Mormon and had just recently moved to Stilwell (where there is no Mormon church). She had told me that she had been praying over the last few months for peace in her life. She knew she needed something. About 20 minutes later, she found that peace in Jesus Christ. On Sunday morning, Nelecia came to church with her daughter and got baptized. What a blessing that was. It is such an encouragement to see people coming to Christ everywhere we go. My daughter, Jadyn, celebrated her 4th birthday this week and was thoroughly spoiled. She was able to see her Aunt Angie and Uncle Chris as well as her cousin Bella who she got to meet for the first time at her party. They became quick friends and now Jadyn prays for Bella every night. It is so good to feel the love of family, friends, and supporters. (We will post pictures from Jadyn's party soon for those of you who would like to see) We continue to ask for your prayers. This Sunday we will be in Victory Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas. This is the home church of my father-in-law's brother, so we are excited to see what God is going to do with us there. We also are excited to see family. We continue to receive positive feedback from these updates, and we are so glad you take the time to read our posts and pray for us. If there is something specific that you would like to know, please do not hesitate to reply to this newsletter, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Have a terrific week. Where did this past week go? It seems as if I was just writing last week’s post a couple of days ago. Needless to say, we have been busy.
Mid-week Meeting Last Wednesday we had the opportunity to be the Cornerstone Baptist Church of Westville, OK for their mid-week service. As always we enjoyed meeting more of God’s folks and becoming acquainted with another good Baptist church. It never gets old seeing where and how God is working. Isn’t it great to know that God can use whomever and whatever He chooses to accomplish His work! We were thrilled to see God’s blessings at this church. They recently completed work on their new church building, and it is BEAUTIFUL! We had a great service with them. In addition to sharing our presentation, Pastor Craig also allowed us to provide their special music that evening and for Justin to preach the message. Following the service, Pastor Craig mentioned to us that they currently have the funds available to take on a couple of new missionaries, and that they would be in prayer about adding us to their missions program with financial support. Please be in prayer for God’s will in this matter. Birthday girl On Tuesday, July 31st, Jadyn turned 4 years old. She has been so excited for her birthday to get here. As I’ve mentioned before, she spent most of the month of July asking me daily if it was her birthday yet. Finally, it came. Since we aren’t going to have her party until Saturday, I told her we were having a mini party on her birth day, and then have her big party on Saturday. She kept asking throughout the day, “Are we having my Mickey party?” I kept trying to explain that mini meant small, not Minnie & Mickey, but it never seemed to register. We will share a few pictures next week from her party for those of you who I know will want to see them. She was excited to receive her birthday card from Freedom Baptist Church and to hear me read the names of some of the people there. She was especially excited to hear me read her best friend’s name – Emma! Thank you all for thinking of her – it made her day (especially the “old” McDonald’s gift card). Prayer Request The remainder of this month will continue to be busy. Praise the Lord, He allowed us to schedule meetings for 3 of the 4 Sundays in August. We would ask that you be in prayer for traveling safety, for the churches were in to catch the burden for Frisco, and for God to allow them to be financially able to provide the financial support. I do want to share an answer to prayer – I mentioned a month or so back about Jadyn having problems with car sickness. The last several times we have traveled somewhere (which around here is always on a curvy, hilly road) she has fallen asleep not long after we take off and slept most, if not all, of the way to our destination which has kept her from getting sick in the car. I’m praying this continues to be the habit. Thank you for your prayers and support. God bless! |
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December 2014
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