Scary Tomatoes

Ministry Update

The Lord has been so good to us over many miles and many opportunities of ministry this summer. We are so grateful to be able to serve Him.

This summer seems to be the summer of hearing personal testimonies of how the Lord has used our ministry. One man in Indiana confided in me that the Lord had used my ministry to teach him that preaching must be Bible based in order to be preaching. Another family heard me preach four years ago at a family camp in MN. They were baby Christians at the time and made some life changing decisions during that week of camp. This time around, they were unable to attend family camp, but they found out that I was going to be preaching nearby on Sunday and attended the evening service at the church where I was preaching. Man took time to relate to me some of the things that the Lord had done in their lives at family camp four years ago and how that God was still working in their lives now.

When I was in college, I was told that longevity is the key to the blessings of God. I didn't understand what was meant by that at the time, but I believe I am beginning to see. It is still required in stewards that a man be found faithful.

Family Update

Once again, it is time for the update. Time seems to fly by so quickly. This summer has gone especially fast - perhaps because we have been so busy. That is a blessing in itself. Most evangelists have a "down-time" during the summer, but the Lord has given us a full schedule. We have been in Minnesota for the last few weeks, and will be here for a few more. The weather is really nice and cool (compared to North Carolina, that is). Our week of camp was fun and we were able to spend some time swimming, boating, and a lot of hiking, since our trailer was "over the river and through the woods" - well, over the bog, anyway. We had two services a day, as well as workshops done by several pastors. It was a blessing to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Josiah celebrated his eighth birthday last week. Oddly enough, one of the pastor's daughters turned eight the same day. That was neat. So, the last day of camp we had a breakfast "party" for them.

School begins very soon. The kids are all clamoring to start, but I am not quite ready. I think we will start later this week, or the beginning of next week. Josiah will be in third grade, and Abigail starts K-5. Esther insists on doing school as well, so I think we will color a lot of pictures this year!

Daniel is just about ready to crawl. He can move around enough to get into all kinds of things. The kids are in awe of all the naughty things he can do now! He will be nine months old this Sunday, and is as cute as can be. He has several teeth and will soon be eating us out of house and home with the rest - I mean, the best - of them.

Saturday evening we arrived in Brooklyn Park, MN, where we were to be the next day for services. The girls hadn't been feeling well, and I sent Paul to the store for a few items while I bathed the kids and prepared them for bed. Daniel was asleep and the girls had just gotten out of the shower when a big storm moved in. The rain was pouring down, and then I heard through the thunder, the sound of the tornado siren! Thankfully, Paul had left the church door open, but I had to run through the rain to check it first. Then back to the trailer I went. I grabbed the kids and told them to run into the church, and then grabbed Daniel out of his bed. It was dark in the church, and since I had not yet been inside the building, I didn't know where anything was - even the light switches! I used my cell phone as a flashlight, and found the ladies restroom. I herded everyone in and we sat on the floor waiting for the storm to pass. I told the kids what was happening - they were a bit confused about why we ran through the rain and were sitting in the church restroom. The power flickered, but remained on, so at least we had lights. Esther told me, "Mama, I am scared of the tomato!" Paul, in the meanwhile, was still at the store, where they lost power. The siren stopped, and just as we were about to emerge from our hiding place, it started up again, so back in we went. After it stopped the second time, I waited just a bit, until I could tell that the rain had eased. Just as we came out of the church, Paul pulled into the parking lot. I was quite glad to see him safe and sound! I was standing on the steps of the trailer talking to him when Daniel threw up all over my feet and the floor! So - adventures never cease! I had to stay home from church with Esther and Daniel the next day, but everyone seems to have recovered from whatever bug they picked up. I am so thankful for a washer and dryer in the trailer! We have used it a lot this last week due to sickness and camp activities.

The Lord has kept Josiah in good health this summer, although we have had a few minor incidents every once in a while. He has been a little more wheezy the last week or so, and thus required a couple of breathing treatments, but nothing serious. I appreciate your prayers for him. Daniel has already had an allergic reaction to something he ate a few weeks ago, so I guess the proverbial lightning has struck out family again! At least I have a background in diagnosing the problems now! The Lord is so good! He never gives us more than we can handle, and always gives us the grace we need for each day.