Sorry everyone!!! Life has been so very hectic with kids, hubby, school, church, etc., that I just have not been able to spend the time blogging!! But I am here now and will attempt to leave something that you will enjoy!!!!!! :)
Higher Ground at Texas Bible College was INCREDIBLE!!! I learned a lot from some really awesome instructors and I LOVED being back in my original stomping grounds for a little while. Tiffany and I stayed with my sweet cousin, Tracey, and she was the hostest with the mostest!!! Her kids were simply adorable and I just love, love, love her son, Josh!! He actually thought I was only 19 or 20!! Can you believe that???!!!! He was in shock that I had children his age!!! He was soooo cute!!! (He told his mom that she looks like she is 25 or so, and she is actually a year younger than I. THAT really went over well!! HAHAHAHA) I told Tracey she needs to watch him because he is already learning how to sweet talk the ladies! LOL
Tiff, Tracey, Mom, Reena, Andy, and I attended the music conference. One of the best things we gleaned was from a class by David Geri. He talked about the music ministry and it's spirituality. Tiffany picked up a book that is revolutionizing my ministry. It is called, "When They Began To Sing" and it covers why God created music and how we can have a deeper communion with HIM!! Dedie Cooley had a HUGE class on Friday. She was presenting new choruses, if you hadn't heard them or don't do them, then they were new to you. I had to sit on the floor the class was SO full!!!!!! She was able to quickly teach 28 choruses in 45 minutes!!!!!
I wish I had written when everything was SOOO fresh in my mind!! I do want to share a quick note about the concert on Friday night at Higher Ground. There was one group who, unfortunately, came to "star" or to "perform". Their spirit and behavior was in such contrast with the rest of the singers and groups that there were only 3 or 4 people who stood and supported them. Personally, I was so aghast at one of the ladies provocativeness that I could not even look up at the platform while they were singing!!! On the other hand, there was a group there from a ranch that sang and testified. The whole choir consisted of already rehabilitated and currently being rehabilated people who live at the ranch. One gentleman had only been off meth for 10 days!!! But they are ALL filled with the Holy Ghost, are in the ACTS program and are recovering and rebuilding their lives!!! It was AWESOME to watch God use them to minister!!!!! They were so humble and thankful for where they are today!!!
So, I hope I have provided ample information re: the conference and how fun it was!
Been nice talking with you!! Be sure to come back in a day or two and I will be sure to have added at least a little something!!!
8 comments:
I'm glad you had such a great time. Isn't Dedie Cooley so fun? I love her. The book sounds really interesting, too.
Sis. Jana,
YES, Dedie Cooley is a blast!! The book is getting deeper and deeper as I go!! WOW!!! I am humbled that God would use such a wretch as I in such a crucial ministry in the church!!
Hi Jana - after reading your posts about Higher Ground, I am so curious as to whether we may actually "know" each other. If you grew up in the Lufkin area then I'm sure we were at camps together!! I am a couple years older than you - just turned 40. My maiden name was Layne. Also, I was a clinician at Higher Ground - it was a great conference - what I was able to attend - I was sick the whole time.
One more thing - your cousin is married to someone I think I went to college with. Jubal Cannon - did he attend CLC or JCM in the late 80's? Sorry this is so long!!
Sister Holly,
I don't think we ever met when we were younger and at Camp Meeting or Junior Camp in Lufkin. It is possible that we did but I don't think so. Yes, you do indeed know my cousin's hubby. Jubal is an awesome man of God and attended JCM in the late 80's. He was a sound guy for the Lanny Wolfe group of students that traveled every year.
This is about to get stranger...I am related to your Uncle Doug. His wife, Judy, is my cousin. My grandfather, W.T. Chance, was a pastor in the Livingston area for many years in the late 60's and 70's and then pastored in Arkansas until his death in 1998.
Jana
Well my word!! Isn't the world a small place?!! If we keep talking we may find out we're related! LOL!
If I remember correctly, you are in Rialto - is that correct? Well, my dad pastored that church before Bro. Buxton. He actually built the building you all are in right now. Bro. Buxton added the "educational" wing, and now I believe y'all are getting ready to build again. My mother's family was part of the founding members there when Sis. Anderson was the pastor. Mother's maiden name was Pound. Getting smaller now? LOL!
Karla,
It is a pretty small world!! LOL I love the Pounds!! Sis. Marie was a wonderful lady and Donnie and Karen are doing a great work in Yucaipa, CA.!
You probably met my great aunt and uncle in Mesquite. They attended your brother's church until just before he passed away. Al and Marie Harrison are their names, Judy's parents.
Another strange connection...I lived in Austin for 5 years in the late 80's. My family attended the church that Rex Johnson now pastors. I was looking at your blog today and the pictures of Austin and the hill country brought back MANY memories!!
Well, I'm sure no one else is enjoying this quite as much as you and me. LOL! But here goes...
My dad actually pastored the church in Mesquite before my brother! I grew up in that church. Bro. Harrison was one of the board members. I absolutely LOVE the Harrisons. They cooked the meal for my rehearsal dinner when I got married.
One more - my family (dad, mom and me) "tried out" for the church in Austin when Bro. Jones resigned but didn't feel it was the will of God at the time. Then my dad and mom actually "took care" of Bro. Johnson's church before he was ever pastor there. I think this was between Bro. Green and Bro. Johnson. That would have been in either '89 or '90 I think.
Sis. Karla,
Perhaps we should make our own blog and see how much more we have in common!?! LOL That is so cool that your family tried out for the church in Austin. We COULD have known each other if that had been God's will for you guys!! God moved us about 6 months or less before Bro. Green left. I have to say it would have been incredible to have been there under Bro. Johnson!!! But God had other things in mind.
I LOVE my uncle Al and aunt Marie too!! LOL He is not doing so well now but they used to fix the best food!!!!!!!!!
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