NORTHWEST REGIONAL CONVENTION

Wow, what can I say. We struggled with a good place to have convention this year. The Lord opened the door for us at a local church here in Yakima. The facilities were perfect in size and quality.

Our convention theme--LET THE CHURCH BE THE CHURCH--'EVANGELISING OUR REGION'

Our convention began on Thursday evening at our local church in Yakima with a sort of camp meeting. Bro. Michael Grant preached a power packed message that inspired us to reach out to souls. We were blessed to have some of our Montana people in attendance with us on Thursday night.

On Friday morning, the convention convened at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. It was quite a different atmosphere. But, we soon adjusted to the formal feeling in the sanctuary and made it a Church of God convention. Sister Diana Barker boosted our Sunday School with a dramatization on how to teach to different age groups the same message using the story of Noah and the Ark... very thought provoking. She encouraged us to use our Literature as a guide, but, to research and expand the idea/thought of the lesson.

Sister Brenda Bell preached a wonderful message on Friday morning-'Doing things God's way--He is the Head of the Church.' The Holy Ghost was present with her and blessed the entire convention with words from on high.

We had a wonderful luncheon. The facilities were perfect to promote an atmosphere of fellowship and communion. The church members and friends at Yakima did an outstanding job with the lunches on Fri and Sat.

Sat afternoon we had some camp boost, retreat boost and our WMB program. Over $200 was received for our Assembly mission offering.

The pastors and regional finance committee and the camp committee met during the evening break. Much was accomplished during these meetings. There was a spirit of unity among all that participated in the meetings.

Friday evening was an evangelism program directed by Bro Ron Barker. The Holy Ghost fell among us and shared a message with us that He would teach us to Love one another. Bro. McMahon preached the evening service message and the Lord blessed his with a great anointing.

Saturday was our BTI, VLB, ABM and Camp Boost. We were blessed during one portion of the service with an overdue Church of God march. It has been some time since most of our folks have been in an ole-time march.

We had another time of fellowship for lunch. We are ever thankful for the facilities which made this possible.

Bro McMahon boosted a Regional Evangelism Fund to help get evangelist to come to our region, or even support one of our own regional ministers to be able to go and Evangelize our Region. The Lord blessed us with offerings and pledges of over $2200 to help start this work. We are thankful. Our churches are small in number, but, we are mighty in the power of God. He is helping us in the work.

We had a total attendance of 68. Every church was represented well. We are believing and initiating the 'Go Ye' commission the Lord has given us.

ANTICIPATING

I am anticipating my trip to Colorado Springs this weekend. I am so excited.

I will be meeting my 3 sisters and 2 of my brothers for a family gathering. I am so happy that our family is still trying to come together since my dad's death in 2005. We have been close--though far apart--most of our lives. My sister is COS is hosting this year. She has lived there now for about 10-12 years. All the brothers and sisters will be together except for 2 of the guys. We will certainly miss them and their families.

Last year we met in Rocklin, California. All my brothers were together for the first time in at least 25 years.

As I grow older, I really desire to be that light for Christ for my lost loved ones. Time is near, we will sit at the feet of Jesus soon. My desire is to have my loved ones at my side when I sit at Jesus feet.

On the church front, NW Regional Convention is next weekend. Family camp will be the middle of July. I am so looking forward to fellowship with the other saints in our region. It has been a difficult year to travel throughout the region. Organizing the local body here, remodeling our home, finding a building, remodeling that building to be suitable for worship...God knows our hearts and abiities...He has been faithful to us in everything. We desire to be faithful to Him.

NW REGION LADIES RETREAT

Heaven came down and glory filled our soul. The ladies that attended were really blessed by the Spirit of God. We met on Friday evening at the Lazy F Ranch outside of Ellensburg, WA. Everyone was so excited to be able to come, most were there early and pitched in to help with the first night preparations.
The Lord just came in and dwelt among us for the entire weekend. We had two classes. One by Sister Brenda Bell and one by Sister Diana Barker. They truly prayed in preparation, because you could feel the Lord ministering during each of these classes.
Sister Betty Bishop was our special guest speaker. She gave us the Word of God without hesitation. The Holy Ghost visited us and talked about our faithfulness to the Lord. He promised to be with us and encouraged us to remain faithful.
The age ranges were from 16 to 82. We were pleased to have a visitor from Mississippi. Sis Janie Robinson, the state WMB coordinator. She was truly a blessing. We are thankful that she was able to come with Sis. Bishop.
In preparation for our retreat, we were concerned as to how we would be able to meet the expenses of our guest. With little time for a fund raiser, we put our heads together and decided to have an auction. We had some interesting items donated: A gingerbread house from The Gingerbread Factory in Portland; a couple of sets of blue floral pitchers; a picture taken by Sis Adams and framed; mutiple products including lotions, soaps and candles; a beautiful picture frame (for about 20 pictures); a small lighthouse figurine; chocolate covered pretzels; a red apron and oven mitt; a couple of hosiery bags for the washing machine; etc. Do you know God blessed our effort and we raised over $600.00.
For the 18 of us, God really moved. He shared His love with us; we shared our love to Him.
We had one time for small groups for talking and prayer. And we also had a wonderful Friendhip Cup exchange- and will have a prayer partner for the year.
All in all--the best Ladies Retreat I have ever attended.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY.......

It is a beautiful day, but, the wind is very strong today. We had some rain this morning, but the temperature is nice and the sun is shining beautifully right now. Just windy, well, this is March.

Bro. Mc says the mens retreat was wonderful, and I have listened to parts of two of the messages and was blessed. Ladies Retreat this weekend. I spoke with Sister Bishop yesterday. She is looking forward to the reatreat. Sister Barker has chosen the title-'From the Inside Out.'
I am praying and expecting God to bless.

In your prayers, please remember our sister, Donnietta Roberts. She is battling lung cancer and is on chemo and radiation now. She is very weak and has been very ill this week. Please pray for God's will with her healing and some strength for the present.

Wilson is doing pretty well with his temp job. He is thankful to have a paying job, although it is not where and what he really wants to do. Please pray also for him. I will say-- and yes, he is my son, he is good guy and he is seeking the Lord. I know God has something special for him. Sometimes it is hard to grab hold of what God wants us to do. Thanks for your prayers.

I have been pretty busy for the last 2 weeks. My boss went to Hawaii and I filled her slot for 2 weeks. That's okay, but I am glad she will be at work tomorrow. I have done her job before and at this point in my life, I just am not interested in that much responsibility again. I tend to take responsibility very seriously, perhaps more than I should. I am just happy doing my assignment, taking care of residents.

So, if you want to know about our ladies retreat or want to come--call us or email us.

Working

We have been working. We have finally settled into our place. The Lord has blessed us. He opened the door and has provided the funds to buy and to remodel. There is still much work to do, but, God has provided and will continue to provide. The only draw back is that we have to live in a mobile home park...real close neighbors, but so far, no problems.

We have 3 bedrooms and two baths...enough for us. Bro Earl Collins has worked tirelessly on the remodling. He is such a blessing and he loves God. He and his wife, Wanda, opened their home to us for two months. Wonderful folks.

Above is a picture of the chapel area during our service Sunday night. The church at Salem, OR gave us a piano. We are thankful for all God is doing.

I called our daughter, Allene today. She homeschools the boys. She tells me they are doing great this year. I am so very blessed to have such wonderful children, children who love and honor God. He is Faithful...I want to be faithful to Him.

I am sorry it has been a while since I have posted. Moving, New Job, Church work, you name it...seems like the days aren't long enough.

Well, you guys from the south, just come north for a while...God is here, He is blessing.

Love you all.

Update on Yakima

We visited the Yakima Valley church again this month, the 3rd-13th. During that time, we were priviliged to have 4 services with them. FOUR more members added by covenant. That gives the local church 7 members.
Please pray for this church. We are currently worshipping in homes. God is blessing. As we are all painfully aware, it is so difficult (in our humaness-sp) to walk away from what we work so hard to pay for, to start all over. But, I can see the Lord moving with our people here. He has given them a special grace.
We have several non-members attending. God is able to move in their hearts. He knows all and He sees all. Two of the ladies are biological sisters (from Mexico), and have lived in the US for many years. Both have a great command of the english language. Both are hardworking women.
We have found and secured living quarters. Like everyplace you live, it does need some work.
Much work to do , physically, mentally and physically. God is Able.

Learning about changing my image

Well, I guess I really messed up this blogpage. So, if you don't hear from me for a while, I will try to reopen it with another name. We will see.