March 20 we had our annual Holy Rollers Tournament. It was fun as we all converged on the local bowling alley, rented out 14 lanes all to win a trophy declaring one the Holy Roller 2010.
Our models posing for a picture.
A few members of The Back Pew Crew (yes that’s our youth group!) pose for a picture.
Let the fun begin!
And the Holy Roller award goes to:
Angie who represented God’s Squad
Art representing Kisses (X) No Hugs (0)
Steve “My trophy case is full” representing Faith 2 Spare!
John representing the over 40 crowd Aches and Pains
I was so busy during the Baby Food Giveaway that I didn’t get pictures with my camera so the pictures shown are of the volunteers posing. We had lots of volunteers and that made the giveaway go smoothly. It really was a privilege to be able to give food away to families who could really use it! I’m sure more pics are to come. We have video as well. Here’s a tiny glimpse at the crew.
Pastor Dave Morse is the most amazing Sunday School teacher on the planet. Last week our Kingdom Kidz began learning about Noah building the ark. This week they were they were learning about being secure in the flood.
Pastor Dave brought them a modern day Noah’s ark. A Land Yacht. They loaded up on the ark to be secure from the flood. Ana Valencia came along during the lesson and began to knock, “Please, please let me in!” “No”, was the answer as she had missed her opportunity. I believe this was a lesson our children will never forget.
The kingdom moves forward when teachers like Pastor Dave take such a love for the children and their spiritual foundation. When I spoke to the children they told stories about how Noah was safe and secure in the ark when the flood came because he listened to God! Praise God for Pastor Dave!
Special thanks to Toscano RV for the use of the Airstream Land Yacht! We appreciate you!
Today, March 13, 2010, over 19,000 pounds of baby food will be given away by our church. Thanks to the help of donors across the United States and abroad, Moms Against Hunger and Role Models Of America, organizations that we are proud to be involved with, we have received a truckload of baby and toddler food.
With the increasing unemployment and recession that has hit California’s Central Valley so hard, we want to be a little light that comes and eases the burden of families with infants. The response has been tremendous so far and we look forward to being a blessing! This is what ministry is. I’ll post some pictures of the results tomorrow! In the meantime, pray for us that we are able to touch the lives of many.
Worship Leader Steve Valencia and Pastor Doug Young
One year ago today we received a call on Sunday morning to let us know the church was on fire. Today a year later, although we aren’t back in our building yet, we should be back in another month or two. We are looking forward to the possibilities. We are happy, we are healthy and we are moving forward.
If you would have asked us what our struggles were last year, it was finding a place to have service, it was a feeling of displacement, it was a feeling of despondency. This year, there is hope, there is excitement and there is the anticipation of a move-in date.
Never throw in the towel. So much more awaits you on the other side of your biggest challenge. Today our troubles are completely different than they were last year. Today we know that in adversity we are people of velocity.
I want to wish every a Happy Thanksgiving! Today I am grateful for the these people:
Jesus- The God man made flesh who walked the earth setting the example. Go back and read about his compassion and his tireless work, it will really touch your heart. Jesus was a teacher who loved the synagogue and loved people. What an example for me to follow. He never saw appearance he only saw condition. I aspire to be that for my generation.
My Mom- If anyone ever believed in her children she does. My mom tends to be negative about most things and pretty opinionated, but one thing is for sure, she believes we are the greatest gift to this generation. Even when she’s disappointed in us, she will find something worth hanging onto. She thinks this blog is the smartest thing on the Internet, she thinks I am her best gift ever and she is my biggest cheerleader. Even when we are on total opposite sides of a issue she puts up with me. She is someone I can count on and I more often than not, take her SO for granted.
Anthony- My kids are my blessing from God. Anthony is pure love. He is such a good man. I see him now with his girlfriend and he speaks so well of her and how he looks after his sister and how he checks in with me, his mom! What a gift God gave me when he allowed me to be Ant’s mom.
Cassandra Allyse- Sassy, smart and outgoing she is so independent. I love who she is becoming. She is her mother’s daughter in a lot of ways. She works too much, she loves deep, she has her own opinions. We are at a place where there are things I can say and things that she doesn’t want to hear from me but nevertheless, we love each other, we frustrate each other, we misunderstand each other and then we need each other. She is a great daughter and she has been fun to raise.
Doug – When he smiles at me it’s all over. Doug is kind beyond anyone I’ve ever known. Doug sees everything that is right with people, an ability I will never have, ever no matter how long I live. Doug has the ability to forgive and forget and leave the past behind him on most things. He’s not perfect by any means but he’s pretty darn close.
Lauren- Technically Lauren is my stepdaughter but I don’t see her that way. She’s my kid. We didn’t always see eye to eye and sometimes we still don’t but I have great hope for her. With a year and a half of high school to go, she is having to step things up. I know she will do great things with her life. Behind the tough sarcastic exterior that she pretends to show, she’s pretty caring. Just don’t tell anyone.
Charles Anthony- the cactus of the bunch, he is my stepson. He is the one whom the Lord uses to refine me. ‘Nuff said.
Lulu- the wonder dog. Lu has a story that touches my heart. She came to me at a time when I really needed someone to take care of and love. She sleeps right next to me as I type this. She is with me when I speak to God, so she knows all of my cares and secrets and she doesn’t judge me for it. She just sighs, puts her chin on my knee and looks into my eyes. She is my lovey honey precious girl.
Oasis- my church. Not the building the people in it. We are a family and I’m so glad!
My friends- Some are old, some are new and all are loved. I especially love the ones with whom I can trust to tell me the truth. Everyone needs those people in their life and I am grateful for them.
My Country-I’m really glad to be American. If you’ve ever traveled, even a bit, you will find that you were born hitting a home run to be born and raised in this country.
Most days I feel like God’s favorite kid. I love how he loves me and blesses me daily. I am grateful for health, for love, for family. Life is good and I am thankful. Let’s live Thanks Living lives! Happy Thanksgiving!
TLC4Women are women with a heart for service. They help paint over graffiti. They lead children in Sunday School classes. They mentor young Christian women, and non-Christian women alike. They get calls from others in the community for help, prayer and advice. I am so very proud to serve these women. Recently, I was asked to lead a prayer vigil at a church 30 minutes away. A dozen of them went to support me and to help the women at this church. I know of many women’s groups and ours is unique. I love these women more than anyone knows.
For Pastor’s appreciation they got me a gift that was extravagant! I have to show it to you!
It is beautiful but more than the gift was this poem that was beautifully written by a woman who I am mentoring as a leader in TLC. It blessed me and I wish I had words to express what it meant to me. Some things are beyond words! The poem reads:
TRANSFORMING LIFE CENTER
Pastor Susan, Pastor Susan where do I begin?
I am going to tell the story how ladies hearts began to mend.
In 2006 God put a women’s bible study in your heart
Which is how TLC got its start.
We came together on Moday nights to learn about Him
We came hiding our wounded heart and tried to look proper and prim.
As we began to open up and trust each other more,
God dealt with some past hurts He got right down to the core.
Captivating was our first bible study that helped us climb out of our cocoon
We started the healing process and mighty women of God we would be soon
Other bible studies such as: Kiss The Girls And Made Them Cry, Deal With It, King David
The Patriarchs just to name a few, Bad Girls of The Bible were very important who had a clue?
Soon our open wounds were healing nothing left but a scar,
With lots of prayer, encouragement and the Lord you helped get us this far.
So thany you from a bunch of butterflies who just wanted to say:
We love and appreciate you on this special day.
Love The Women Of TLC
My smudgy fingerprint messed this picture up! Sorry!
Man! Can you see why I am blessed? I have a great group of women around me who wanted so desperately to be used by God! All they needed was a nudge, well in some cases, I had to tie their ankles to a bungee cord and push them off the cliff but they soared!! Yes, Lord I give you glory because they soared! I am overwhelmed with joy and appreciation to the Lord for these women. They are the new generation of women who love and follow Jesus. I share this with you today not to brag about us and how far we’ve come but I share this with you to say Look At God!
Look At God! He loves you no matter where you are in life. He loves you even the deepest part of you, the part that shames you, the part that makes you feel guilty because you think if someone found out, you’d be thought of in a bad way. He formed you before the foundation of the earth. He counted the hair on your head. He determines your future not based on your past but based on your destiny in Him! His mercy knows no bounds. When God forgives he forgets. He says your sins are as far as the East is to the West. So what have you got to lose? Trust him! Love Him! Believe in Him! Watch Him transform your life! I’ve seen His work first hand and I praise Him for it!
Pastor Susan 