More Ramblings

Well, I must admit, my merry heart has been anyhting but idle lately. Really I have just been too busy to ramble. Let's see...what to blog? Well Christmas is coming early at our house. The furniture has been placed in an optimal position for the Christmas forrest to return toour home again. I think we are well beyong a tree for every room now. The neighbors have to wear sunglasses at night. Our electric meter will soon be spiraling out of control and we will be so content surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. It is such a wonderful season. At Church, we will be practicing our Christmas program week after next (assuming I finish writing it). Augh!!! The weather here has turned cold and it is just so time to deck the halls. Yes, we start early. I have nearly always been started before Halloween. I have done the traditional day after Thanksgiving thing. I don't really like that. Besides I have to work. Tomorrow, I may just pull some of the near 30 boxes down and see what they contain.

We have collected an ornament from almost every place we have been, with the exception of Canada. They don't have many shops that carry that merchandise year round. It is hard to get that in April. Go figure. Is everyone not as crazy for Christmas? I know the Horne house is.

Well, I must be getting off here. I have rambled long enough. I may go pull out some boxes on this rainy day.

Okay, Here's Another One...

Here are som of the zoo pics. The meerkat was certainly in the spotlight. It is soo hard to get the right lighting. By the time you have gone everywhere, some light is good some is bad. If I lived there I would have to go pretty often to get all of the pics I wanted. The elephants were amazing. The elephant on the left took its trunk and gave the other one a drink. It was very cool. The giraffe looked at me as though I were inposing. Then I wrestled the hippo into submission for a photo opportunity. It was a really cool zoo. 100 acres of zoo to be exact. Makes my feet tired all over again. Tabithia was complaining of her knee. She is getting soooo old! *snickers*

Past Time For Another Post

I know it has been forever since my last post. Soooooo, here are some more pics of San Diego and Anaheim. The first pic is San Diego Bay at sunset. The rollercoaster is in the Discover California theme park in Disneyland. That is not me with Tabithia, that is another Goofy. And the last pic is our hotel. Yes, we felt like rich folk. It was enormous.

Finally...

Alright! I have finally stolen some time to get a few of these on here. So here they are. There is the San Siego Skyline from the ferry to Coronado Island. At the zoo we happened upon this submerged hippo. He third pic is a few blocks from our hotel. Lastly, Tabithia is studying some bargains in Tijuana. I have many, many more. That is all time permits now.

I have to be in Broken Arrow tomorrow then back home Sun. for Children's Church in the am and Sun pm service.

I gotta go for now. God bless you.

My Return to Chaos

No, not the international criminal group, just my crazy life. I have finally got the pictures on my computer and most of them flipped the way they go. Some crazy person thinks they have to turn the camera all sorts of angles and directions. Then you have to spen hours going through 642 pictures deciding how they should be turned. I think his name starts with a "J." He gets on my nerves sometimes. He is a really great guy though.

The strangest thing happened at Disneyland. There was a...ma...woma... a "person" in the line in front of us. The voice was very masculine but it was a gray haired woman. I looked and thought that is a wig. Well, my beautician was with me and she said she did not think that it was a wig. Well, we got on the ride and the "person" sat in front of us a few seat. Once we began there were sharp turns and sudden drops. That one held on to the top of its head ever so tightly to secure the hairpiece. I have heard of a wolf in sheeps clothing but never seen a man in womens clothing until now. Call me sheltered. I would just assume be sheltered from that. People are so messed up today. Sometimes you just want to slap them. I know that sounds real Christlike, but it is true. You want to do the same. Don't act all holy like you don't have those thoughts. Just a good slap would do some people some good unless they are bigger than you and might retalliate with more than a loving, chastening slap. I am really not sure what shim was. I know that is a terrible blog subject.

On a different note...hmmm...hmmm...Oh I know. We finally rode the Tower of Terror. It was so awesome. I have been to Disney World twice and now Disneyland and finally was bale to ride the accaimed adventure. It was really fun. There was a ride there that I enjyed more, "Soaring Over California." that was so cool. It was a flight simulator that had you soaring over a river one moment then raising your dangling feet to miss a tree the next. It was complete with smells. You could smell the oranges as you went over the orange trees. It was so cool.

Well that is it for now. I have spent more time here than intended. God bless you all today.

Where to begin...

Well, we are home. It was a beautiful city! I have over 700 picures of the skyline, the buildings, palm trees, tropical plants, Mexico, Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo, San Diego harbor...Yes, wonderful pictures that I cannot retrieve from my camera at this point. I have spent 2 hours trying to get them and nothing has worked yet. I have another way to accomplish this. It will just take some time. Oh...time. There is a pile of luggage that needs unpacked in our spare room, most of the clothes there need washed. The dogs need to see me and I go to work at 3. Hmmm. Sounds like I need a vacation. *snickers*

Enough whining. It really was a great vacation. I found myself amused at some the people on multiple occaisions. Mexico was hilarious. All you have to do is turn around and take a few steps in disinterest and the prices begin o fall. This was Tabithia's paradise. She is such a "Jew." One lady dropped the price, not by much and said, "I'll even throw in a free bag." The plactic bag seemed to be her only lure. For that matter we had our hands full of them from other purchases.

One note...I never made it to the beach. We were so busy with everything else. We were attemptimg it on Thursday when it got very dark, very fast. So we turned around. The temperature was very cool there so it may have been a safe time to visit without seeing more than I bargained for. We did stop at a harbor-side beach, very small. Nonethe less it was a beach.

I will have more to post. There will be pics if I can get them off the camera. If not then you all will have to come to Arkansas and look through my LCD. I must be going. I just did not want you all to think the plane went down or anything. Gotta go unpack, etc. God bless.

San Diego Here We Come!!!

Well, it has come time to take a restful vacation for us. Ministers Convention went very well yesterday. My 15 min evangelism boost even went well. While I was working on it I had to get and go through the house rejoicing. Everything worked so well together yesterday. It was all inspired and anointed. At the time of this post, I should be finishing my children's church lesson. So I will keep this one brief. Maybe this afternoon I will get teh time to post again or at least reply. As for next week. We will be in sunny San Diego with camera in hand. I have never really seen the ocean up close. So this will be a new adventure for me.

My Last Day As A 29 Year Old!

Yes, you heard that right. Tomorrow, October 5 at 10:32 am, I officially become 30 years old. *shudder* Where has all of the time gone? I must admit, 30 seems a bit oldish (no offense to those who have surpassed their 3rd decade). I have come to terms with it though. I told them Sunday night that it just showed 30 years of the goodness of the Lord. I mean just look at me. Could I have turned out any better? I barely even look 25. *laughs at his own jokes*

I have already had a surprise party. Most of our local Church showed up at my house on Saturday. I was beginning to catch on when Tabithia yelled at me as if I had done something horrible. I am headed outside to see what her problem is when I look up (as well as I could, I was in the process of getting my contacts in when she proceeded to yell). It was just a good thing I did not go out there and holler back. There were nearly 30 people there before it was all over. I still have two cakes to eat. We had my seasonal favorite that night...bon fire food. When it turns cool at night I could roast a hot dog every day and a few marshmallows. I love it! See there, I don't even act 30. My wife can attest to that.

Children's Church if going well. We had 9 Sunday. We have not been having that many. I was preparing for seven every week. Looks like I will double that now. We had 3 regulars out. We marched those kids out front to show how Buggy for Jesus they really are. They had the dear in the head lights look. They sang the Butterfly Song in practice with all of the motions. They were much more reserved out front. The congregation loved it anyway. I learned a long time ago that anything those kids do out front is cute whether it goes according to the script or not. It was fun. Everyone thought that it looked really good. Before they most often had 1 in children's church. Our local Church is growing. Before we transferred they were having on average 20 in attendance. Last week we had about 47. We absolutely love it there. I have never worked with such a cooperative group of people. We just love them all.

Well, I gotta go. I need to do a little research for Ministers' Convention which is Saturday. God bless you all. See you in my 30's (Lord Willing).

Lopped Locks!

Tabithia got a wild hair Friday and decided to chop off her hair. Well, I suppose mine is the only wild hair around here. Anyway, she had been planning this for some time. She wanted to donate to Locks of Love to make hairpieces for children with allopecia. I must say she does look younger now. I would comment on her age but most of my blogger friends are slightly beyond that age and besides I am 2 months older.

This short style was done just after she wrestled with a snake that threatened to eat our cat. That was how she depicted the scenario. The snake was not as big around as my fifth digit. I even think her pinky has more girth than the deadly viper. The cat was in no real danger. But I think we may have located Steve Irwin's replacement. Tabithia Mullins: Crocodile Huntress.

I Am Just Floored!

Well, I thought I would include a pic of the floor situation, since I pretty well take a picture of everything else. Our floor is typically level but the plate techtonics of our home have formed a mountain range in the middle of our kitchen. Not cool. This is the second time this has happened. It is unbelievable. There were all kinds of loud pops. In the rest of the house my new friend was busy cleaning the floor. Yes, it is our very own robot. He does a very nice job. The best part is we only paid $15 for it. A friend of ours bought a stack of them at an auction. We just need a robot to load the washer and dryer and fold the clothes, clean the toilets, dust, deal with the dishwasher. I really don't mind to load the dishwasher, it is the unloading part I am not fond of. Didn't the Jetsons have it good. That is what we need, a Rosie. Today a Roomba, tomorrow a Rosie. I guess we better quit dreaming and get busy. The Roomba only does so much. We better get busy!

Blah!

That is kind of how I feel. Yesterday was really like that. I am not sick, but I sure don't feel good. I guess it is just another case of Monday blues. After the weekend I had though, Monday is a good thing. Friday night was a stormy night. It did not storm very close to us though. Most of it was an hour away. Well, Saturday I went out with the dogs, it was still very muggy and hot. While we are outside, the wind picks up (one of the dogs...No, but you though that would be an interesting story). Suddenly there is such a drop in temperature. It felt like going from 85 to 60 very suddenly. Then the rain started and I got myself in the house. As I am inside I started hearing a terrible popping noise, nearly as loud as gunshots. I investigate only to find that our tile in the kitchen is separating from the floor...AGAIN!!!! There were places that had popped loose before and once before it raised to form a ridge. It raised to form a mountain range this time. I liked our tile floors, but we are not fixing it again for it to pop loose later. We are looking at hard wood floors this time. It was almost time to start getting the Christmas stuff out, too. There is such a ridge under the small table that the chairs are sitting crooked. I took a picture I will have to post it some time. That was Saturday.

Sunday morning the kids were rowdy. We were trying to practice for our program next Sunday. It was very tough. Practice for the Christmas program is going to be very interesting. Oh well, you can't have all sunshine. So a bad weekend every now and then makes you appreciate the good ones. I guess.

I Know What I Know

What a mixed up world this is sometimes, most of the time. I cannot believe how blinded some have become. There are those that strike out against the Church with such vehement outrage all out of vengence from a hurt they suffered years ago. I have watched as they have become consumed with this quest to bring down the Bride. The gates of hell shall not prevail. She will walk right through this and be presented to her groom. Hold your head up high, Church or perhaps it is best hung low in prayer. Do not be ashamed of who you are. God will show His favor. I still believe in the Church of God. I am not discouraged. I am not ashamed.

I know what I know. I was not tricked into believing it. God revealed it to me. I was not brainwashed. I still have a devine revalation. It is true that the people perish in the absence of vision. Without vision there is no driving force. Just as the blind man that sat begging. He sat just existing, no quality of life. he held out his cup waiting on someone to give him what they received, what they had worked for. It helped him but it could not save him. Then there was a different type of passerby. Jesus was on the scene. Sight was restored. Jesus gave him life, abundant life as he had never experienced. He gave him vision. The man who was blind could not merely rely on others. That just got him by. He had to go to Jesus to obtain his vision. There are too many today relying on the vision of others. There are too many today trusting the vision of others. I want to see for myself. Praise the Lord!!!!

I don't need to follow the the drama on a site. I need to follow the leading of God. There are those that have flip flopped on their stands from such influences. One moment they are at peace with things then the nexts it is all out war. There is a spirit involved in this kind of vision. We have heard it said, "Well, I just don't see it that (your) way." I want to make sure that I see it God's way. I don't need someone to tell me how to see it. Thank God I know what I know. It hurts to see those consumed with vengence. I pray Jesus would again open their eyes. God bless you all.

Lost, Stolen, Forgotten

I could not help after reading Becky's last post to take just a moment to make fun of her. No, actually, I am just as senile. This is how I know. Tuesday I just don't think all of my neurons were firing because I was a basketcase. I went to lunch at Backyard Burgers. I decided the drivethru would be fine because I was going to go down to the Church and drop something off. It was taking a long time so I just got myself in the mindset that I was going to have to wait. So I was prepared. When my turn at the window came. My food was ready. She handed it to me, then my soda. I placed them in the passenger seat and gave her my debit card ( I know where mine is). I am waiting for my card back. She comes back right away. I still have it in my mind that I am going to have to wait. So wait I did. I just sat there in that drivethru for another 3-5 minutes. I thought I was waiting on my food. The girl comes back and asks, "Did I forget something?" I look over in the passenger seat and see the food there. I said, "No." and got myself out of there while she laughed her head off.

That is not the end of the craziness. When I went to work, I changed a request. So when that happens I get a new order and a cancellation. I did that and went to the printer and pulled it off. I looked at what I had and said, "Well, I got an order and a cancellation at the same time." I never realized or remembered I did that until someone told me. Then it was like, "Oh, yeah." I don't know what my problem is. All of this is with my natural supplements of Ginko Biloba and Grape Seed Extract.

While we were at the Assembly, our room was in a cove off the road right beside a behavioral health hospital. I am not sure they were not one in the same. I might have stopped in for a free consult had time permitted. Maybe that is why room service always came in wearing white with that little paper cup saying, "Take these." Hmmmm?

It's Raining...

It just seems to be a Monday thing around here. There is actually a tax class going on where I am right now. I had to go use the internet at the tax office as I normally do. I am just way too cheap. Actually it is my wife. Perhaps she needs to read the post by sister Tammi. I guess I can show her when it prints in the Evening Light. Anyway. I feel trapped in here. My hair is a mess (should have grabbed a cap.) I just ran down here really fast. It helps to wake me up. Then the students arrived. I do not want to walk out in front of the. I am hearing all of this standard deduction stuff and low income tax tables...blah...blah...blah... It is scaring me actually. We normally have to pay in so much. It is causing flashbacks.

Let's see. We initiated the Ladybug Club this weekend. The girls went back for a tea party and virtuous woman lesson. I stayed out with the boys. We actually had boys for a change. Three little boys arrived for class. I taught them the the praying mantis lesson and then the ant. It was really nice. I did not tell you what the Ladybug Club is. Lil' Angelic Divas Yearning to Be Upright and Godly Servants. All of the little girls were encouraged to wear their hats and best dress up clothes. They all got a feather boa. They really enjoyed it. Tabithia and her mother worked the back. I really think me and the guys got ripped off. While they were having a party we just had five loaves and two fish. We were all filled though. It was a nice day. Children's church goes so well. In the past there were days that I would leave Church of Sunday absolutely exhausted and aggravated at how terrible the kids were. This time in Children's Church is so much better. It is more of a labor than a sentence. Actually the last reound years ago was not that bad most days. Sometimes it felt like Alcatraz.

There are some that testify at how glad they are that we are there to do children's church. It is kind of odd because the person who last did it is sitting there. She is glad we are there as well. It makes you feel good that the parents like it, the kids like it. Thank the Lord. We are through with the bugs now. We will practice for a program out front then move on to FALLing Blessings and Pauls Missionary Journeys.

I am still praying for God's will in my life. I want to be what He wants me to be. My list of things to pray for daily is growing. I may have to write it all down to be sure not to forget something. God bless you all. Perhaps you could add me to your list.

More General Assembly Pics

I think these are enough for one post as I am already having blogger issues today. Let's see, what do I have here. Of course there is Sis Smith at the piano. I sneeked this pic and she never knew it. She may have assumed the flash was from heaven. There was a point where some brother acted nasty behind me and I was afarid I was going to see a flash in the form of a lightning bolt. You know the army does that sometimes, they zero in on a target and miss. Well, God is so much more accurate than our military might. I also snapped a pic of the Canadians. Someone behind them is offering the right hand of fellowship or talking with her hands. I ususally talk with my feet. It is an Arkansas thing. I also have this adorable pic of this little boy. He was in the lap of the Sister in the other pic with the pom pom during much of the Assembly. They never knew I got that one. There was a little boy in the march that had his head wrapped in a bandage with a little blood on it. I felt so sorry for him and thought we should have prayer. That was until I saw another kid with similar "injuries" and realized that was their march theme. That is why we should not lay hands on someone suddenly. We could wind up looking very silly. It took me a long time to realize it was not real. I felt like such a dummy. I just felt so moved with compassion when I saw him at first. I wondered what had happened. Some of those kids nearly needed something as the Spirit was stirred within me during our worship in the VLB program. When i came back to myself I looked around and people had been ducking for cover all around me. I had a good 6-8 feet all to myself. This sister with several small children was all out int he isle trying to keep from getting stepped on or slapped. The fore-mentioned overseer (of Canada and NW) was too busy laughing to come to the rescue of these poor saints. I better post this to be sure it will post. I would hate to lose this volume of wisdom. *snickers*

Where did the week go?

I guess I posted four times in one day and could take a break. The first part of the week we had some very heavy rain. I am such a camera fanatic now that I think I have to take a picture of everything. I rain to the front porch and snapped as many as I could. The bird bath is one of the coolest ones. I call it "Bird Shower." I know that is so artsy smartsy. I think the splashes that I have captured are very neat. Then the next day I got called in early to work, so I was off that night. I went walking with the dogs and captured this beautiful sunset. Now, I know if you live in a more scenic part of the country or a more scenic country, then you have seen better sunsets. But, hey, I live in hillbilly (minus the hills...does that just make you a billy?) flatlands where the closest thing to a mountain is the railroad tracks. My ear pop going over them sometimes. Just kidding. I think that this was manic depressive weather. One moment it is dark and storming the next the sun is shining. That's life I suppose. I had intended to post these several days ago. I have been such a slacker. I have spent much time in my devotion. Normally that is a Wednesday thing...extended devotion. Thursday I was inspired again with something to do some deep studying on. So I guess I have not been slacking. I have had to devote my time elsewhere. This is why I call it the "ramblings." I am surely good at rambling. I will spare you from more of this post. God bless you.

God's Perfect Will

Well, yesterday was an interesting day. For Children's Church, we are still BUGGY, we talked about the praying mantis. Although he is such an ugly critter, creepy too, he always brings his front legs up in the unique pose that resembles prayer. The timing of this in remarkable. It is just before he catches his buggy lunch. We talked about blessing our food each and every time we sit down to eat. I complied a refrigerator list of prayers for them. My favorite was, "For eggs, and bacon and buttered toast, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. It was a very good morning.

I just had a feeling that I would be asked to preach for the pm service. I was. I had no idea what to preach. Usually the Lord kind of helps me along ahead of time. I finally had peace in the decision as I studied on being in God's will, not His permissive will but His perfect will. I desire to be in His perfect will. If it means that I leave behind what I call home, I am willing. It is scary and easier said than done. Jesus was tempted after His 40 day fast. The enemy watched Him all that time and knew when to come in. He offered and challenged Him with different things. Jesus has spent time with the Lord. He was ready. He emerged from every challenge set before Him. The devil's real purpose for confronting Him there was that he knew Christ's ministry was about to take off. Every time it seems that we are about to get going in the ministry we are embattled ourselves. Let's press on. Let's fight on. Don't give up or give in. Ministry is knocking at our door. Matthew 4:16 declares that Christ ministry had begun. His light began to show just after making through the battles. God help us. I don't want to settle for less than God's perfect will.

One More!!!!

Okay, I know I have posted three other posts todya alone. This is a record for me. Blooger acts crazy when you try to post a lot of pics so I did it a little at a time. There are the pics from our Butterfly lesson in Children's Church before the Assembly. Jasmine is demonstrating her caterpillar she made while Destiny and Andrea are all wrapped up in another project. We talked about how we are all kind of like a worm until God comes into our life and changes us into the beautiful creature He wants us to be. I don't know whether they emerged from the TP any different, but at least the idea is there and one day they will realize that God is placing them in a coccoon. I remember God doing this to me one night as I sat in a service unrepentant and could not take it any more. I could hardly wait for the altar call. God began His work in me. There are plenty of times He draws me in for another transformation. As the little song goes, "God's gonna finish just what He started, even though the water's got to be parted. Lift up your heads don't be broken hearted. God's gonna finish what He started in you." He bagan this work in us and is faithful to finish it. I will continue to subject myself to the coccoon of God. I want to emerge beautifully perfect in His sight. God bless!

ELVIS IS ALIVE!!!!

I know I should not do that. It is so hard to resist though. I saw this man at our Assembly and knew that I must snap a picture. Since we live just an hour from Memphis, the home of the King, we hear so much about Elvis. I have news for everyone, he really is alive.

I have heard that the real Elvis has roots in the Church. He grew up so poor that there were those that helped his mother out. I am not certain if he attended during child hood or not. We have had more than one King in the Church. I must confess, I am not much of an Elvis fan. I have never been to Graceland. I am not that enthused at seeing shag carpet on the walls. I wonder do they vacuum the walls? Enough of this silly banter. I was too serious on the first post. I think I have made up for that now. "You ain't nuthin' bout a hound dog, cryin' all the time." Thank ya, thank ya vury much!

Yes!!!!!

Here is one of the highlights from the Assembly. We sat down at IHOP having been released from the fast and I had to take a picture to savor the moment. I think it might have looked better than it tasted. It was the worst IHOP food I have ever had. *BLUK* It was pretty bad, but I cleaned my plate regardless. I knew we were not in Ar-Kansas any more when I had to track through the smoking section to find the restroom. We have a new law in AR that prohibits smoking in or around restaurants or medical facilities. I LOVE MY STATE!!!!! I am just kidding about the whole fasting thing. I count it an honor to suffer for my Lord. In retrospect, that food does look pretty nasty.