Now I'm Really Afraid AND Excited

I don't know if anyone had time to read my previous post, but in I mentioned that Brother and Sister Smith are coming to our convention and our camp. I was excited about that and wondering what all camp would hold for us both spiritually and fun wise. Well, I emailed Sis. Smith with her class title and responsibilities and it didn't take her long at all to start shirking her duties ~ great big grin~ she emailed me right back and said Sister Bishop wants to tag along with them and could she relinquish her class to her. I tell what that lady will do to get out of things ~ tee hee! We are thrilled to have Sister Bishop. AND SCARED!!! I do not know her except through the blogs...put those two women in camp and oh my, I can feel my side splitting already.

Anyone else that would like to come Alaska convention and camp its starts June 1st and goes through the 6th. The cost for camp is $100.

I've been so concerned with how late I am in getting everything together, but this weekend it is like God has just taken over and I am soooo thankful to Him.

Up Date

Well ladies retreat is past, our two night revival is past, and Sister Connie has gone home. I hope she made it back safely and without incident as I dropped her off at the airport last night at 11:30 pm for her flight to leave out at 1:30 am. She gave so much of herself. At ladies retreat she taught a class on "The 'Spirit' of a Godly Woman" and it was awesome. Then her messages held so much for us to let go of. There were a lot of tears. She shared a scripture in Daniel about how satan desires to wear you down. That's the way I felt the ladies came to retreat, worn down, physically, emotionally and some spiritually. We took in a lot, but I'm not confident that there was complete victory in the place. The enemy fought her with exhaustion the first night and then by last night with coughing spasms while preaching. She preached some real heavy messages. Full of warnings, especially last night. Their was a spiritual battle going on in that place. I felt the enemy coming against my mind but my heart was responding to the Spirit (if that makes any sense). The warnings were soooo strong but we watched the faces as some fought the conviction and left the same. Lord help the souls.

On the lighter side...Sister Connie is hilarious. We roomed together and Friday night she was soooo exhausted and she says when she's really tired she snores. Yeah and he means she snores. It was hilarious...I slept rotten as I had been on my feet so much that day that my hips hurt so I kept waking up and she was snoring really loud, but the woman never changed position in her bed. About 3 am she must have gotten into a deep sleep as all of a sudden the snoring stopped.

Then her preaching. Between her bib and apron message and her literally STANDING on all the way up on Jenna's lap, her helping me with my rock collecting during my class on "God, Can I Go Home Now?", and her pulling Brother Nowling up to the altar by his tie... She really leaves visual impressions with everything she does.

This woman doesn't only help you take care of the inward man; but she does the outward man. Perms are so expensive here, I cut my hair real short and was trying to go straight, but I really wasn't liking it, so she volunteered to give me a perm. It didn't take long at all and she did a wonderful job. We did it after church Sunday night and we had invited whoever wanted to come for pizza ahd ice cream, so the guys were experiencing the lovely fragrance. After she got it done, Joleesa gave her a facial and did her eyebrows. This was total relaxation for her with her green mask and cucumbers on her eyes.

God blessed us by having this Godly woman come to Alaska. God used her to give us much meat to chew on. I hope we all apply the Truth that she spoke to our lives. Pray for Alaska.

Retreat

Well ladies retreat is now a thing of the past. We had 13 ladies in attendance. With 3 visitors. It wasn't a retreat of alot of laughter, or shouting and rejoicing. But it was retreat of revelations, and tears. Sister Connie Wilson has been a great blessing. I will share my highlights at another time. She is here through tomorrow.

I've had a great time laughing and crying with her. Tonight she permed my hair and in turn Joleesa is giving her a facial and doing her eyebrows (what vanity, I know). I'll share more later and of course if you go to Jenna's blog you'll find out even more, along with pictures.

Sister Wilson Missed Her Flight-Late Arrival

We are going to have a great retreat because the enemy is already at work. Due to bad weather in Charlotte NC Sister Connie missed her connecting flight and the airlines had to put up in Phoenix. They couldn't get her out on through Seattle until late tonight so she had them reroute her through LA and she had to be on the shuttle at 5 am for her 7 am flight. She'll have a long lay over in LA and will arrive in Anchorge at 7 pm. She was very exhausted and fighting frustration as was I but you know what, it just proves to me oh what a retreat we're going to have. We'll just start our service at 8 pm. Please pray she doesn't experience any more delays.

Also, Jaclyn Cabellas had to change her flight from Bethel due to her job and is flying standby and is suppose to be in at 9:30 pm. Pray for room on that flight for her.

Thanks for the prayers and I'll talk to you all soon.

Crunch time and Nerves

Ladies retreat begins Friday. I have so much to do and timing everythng just right is the challenge. I took Friday off, every now and then I am smart~smile. But feeling overwhelmed, oh yeah. This is my first time directing a ladies retreat (several years of directing camps and going to ladies retreats but never directed one), and it makes it a little more difficult that I've not been to one in AK before AND that I still don't know the AK ladies. But then this causes me to rely more on God then myself. Also, that is why I am sooooooo grateful to have Sister Connie Wilson as our evangelist. She has got to be more seasoned in ladies retreat then even our fair Sister Smith ~ tee hee (I think I'm going to be in trouble for that one ~ oh well ~ grin). Really, someone that has been to so many retreats will be an asset to say the least.

If my nerves will stay calm enough that my stomach doesn't stay upset all week, I'll be happy. I PTL that I'm feeling almost 100%. That was a BIG FEAR for me; but God knew. And He was right on time.

Well I need to work on my class for retreat...taken from the title of Jessa's blog "God, Can I go Home Now?" Lots of ideas but I need them to come together.

Please keep the prayers coming.

Thanks For the Prayers

I want to thank everyone for the prayers. Jody aced his test. There were only 2 that got 100 and he was one of the two. He was shocked. He is definitely saying it had to be the prayers.

Today is the best I've felt in a long time. I'm still not 100% as my sinuses are still draining some but I haven't coughed at all. Yesterday I did pretty good leading song service without coughing too much. I'm beginning to wonder if some of it might be allergies as it's been beautiful here. We were in the 50's today. The snow is melting and everything is so dirty. Remember they don't use salt here they use sand. Mix the dust, with the springtime budding. And maybe...anyway thanks for the prayers on my behalf as I really think this is the longest I've been sick, in a long time any way (I may say that every time because after all that's how it feels when you're going through it).

Jessa started her first day of training at Alaska Airlines so now if you could offer up prayers for her, I know she'd appreciate it. She is ALWAYS tired too. So she really needs the Lord to touch her.

The girls like their new apartment but it's been a real adjustment for everyone. With Jenna not driving (pray for her too, she's willing to drive so we've got find a way to help to make it happen for her and Joleesa)and them not having internet or cable, she doesn't want to be at the apartment all that much. So we need to find a way to make everyone happy (yeah right! Not going to happen in this life time).

Well I've got to try to get some things done here before going to bed. So talk to you soon.

My Baby Comes Home Tomorrow

Jody comes home tomorrow and his out of town training will be done. He's done good so far but his big test is tomorrow so I know he'll appreciate your prayers. I've missed him so much. It'll be good to have him home. I can't wait for things to get back to normal. But wait, what's normal? I sure don't know. To many new things happening. Then next weekend is ladies retreat and I have so much to do to still get ready for that It's going to be a busy weekend. I have to finish ALL of our taxes, study for SS and for my class for ladies retreat. I have shopping for ladies retreat to do, a house to clean and I'm still not feeling tops. I just want to feel normal again. Oh that's right, I don't know what "normal" is ~grin.

Last night I did the Bible study at church. God had been dealing with me on forgiveness for some time so I felt like this should be our study. As I was studying God took me through different individuals in my past and I had to really face the question "Have I REALLY forgiven them?" This is what the study was to do is remind us that forgiveness is not an option spiritually if we want to grow. It was a good study. Everyone really participated but most importantly I hope they really searched themselves and if they found unforgiveness they were obedient to the Word and with God's help will find their way to forgive.

Hey, I do't think I shared that when I was out sick they made the announcement that I took 3rd place in sales for the month of March! Yippee...well it really was YIPPEE AND WOHOO when I got handed $100 check for 3rd place. God is good!

I've got to get some work done and then I'm going to bed. I pray I have a solid nights sleep. It's been a long time.

Beautiful Weather

The weather has been in the 40's. The sun's been out. The snow's quickly melting and we've seen some green grass.

Life's been different these days. The second week of Jody being gone. He's been doing really good on his his tests. I'm still not totally over being sick. My sinuses are still draining, my voice keeps coming and going, and naps are wonderful (I'm not usually one to take a nap either). Easter kind of come and went and I feel so bad that I didn't do anything special for it. For the church or for home.

Joleesa thinks she did better on her test this time. It was different then last time. She said some things were so simple she couldn't believe they were on there.
Before we know it she'll be graduated and woohoo she's staying in Alaska. God's doing a work in her and I'm am so thankful.

Ladies retreat is coming up April 20th for which I'm really excited. Sister Connie Wilson is our guest. I'm praying for the beginning of revival as only God can give. She'll be staying to preach Sunday and Monday nights which I'm thrilled for.

Well enough rambling. I need to prepare for Wednesday Bible study. Have a good week everyone.

Catching Up

Well I went back to work yesterday. The people were so nice. I really felt missed. But the bummer of my being gone was during our Monday morning meeting they announced the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place top sales person for the month of March and I took 3rd place; and I wasn't even there to hear it!!! I'm not sure if I get anything other then my commissions but it would've been nice to have been there. I get to my desk and it was loaded with things to do and my boss very closely lost a major ad. He forgot to schedule it, misplaced the schedule, couldn't remember what he had done and what he hadn't. Fortunately we got it in and all was well. By the end of day my desk was very close to being caught up (I worked steady all day). I didn't allow myself to slow down so tiredness wouldn't set in. Today other than a hoarse voice and this persistent cough, I'm actually starting to feel better.

Jody is doing good in Seattle. If you've been reading his posts (Sister Smith you'll have to read how he "says" he got any wrinkles out of his clothes ~ shaking head). He had his first major test today, and after studying so hard last night that he wasn't going to even call me...he ACED it. He's got another major one Friday. He comes home Friday night (although they haven't told him when yet).

Please pray for Joleesa tomorrow morning. In Alaska, to graduate you have pass an exit exam. She took it the first time in October and passed the English and writing with flying colors but didn't pass the math. I blew it for her as I some how never scheduled her for geometry so she totally bombed that portion. So this week we've been searching the internet to try to get her (us) help for geometry. At 8:30 am she takes her test. I'm not sure what happens if she doesn't pass. But with God's help I'm confident she will. But please remember to pray for her if you could.

Please stop the Coughing

I feel like my stomach muscles are going to rib apart they are sooo sore. I did get out of my pjs today and went out for breakfast with my husband. I think we were gone for a whole hour and came back and took a nap. I did everyone's taxes with a heater directly on me as my hands and feet were just freezing. I helped the girls a little bit get some stuff together as Tim came over and helped Jody move their furniture (bedroom furniture and a couple of chairs). They still have their desks to move. I so wished I was up to helping them more. Maybe this week I can go with them to get a few things. We then took another nap, as Jessa is still not feeling the best either. This is suppose to be an exciting time for them...their first night in their apartment. Jody then brought stuff home to make homemade chicken noodle soup and the girls helped with that (everything tastes horrible to me but it sounded good). I then ironed and packed all Jody's clothes for next week. Jody does almost anything around the house. He is one awesome husband when it comes to putting clothes together, ironing and packing, he's dangerous. I sure hope his clothes don't get wrinkled in the garment bag. I don't know how you ladies do it, I almost always wind up ironing something of his when we travel. He assured he there's irons at the hotel and if they're wrinkle he'll iron them (last time he ironed, he ironed more wrinkles in then they started out with ~ ugh) that he promised he wouldn't embarrass me~then laughed and said "because no one will know you". Gotta love him ~smile. I then studied my Sunday School lesson, yeah I'm going to try to teach tomorrow, I really need your prayers for that. And then it's midterms for Joleesa and of course we waited until the last minute so I was correcting her papers as to get them in. Unfortunately, they will be late (although last time I was just a couple of days late and they said it was fine)as I just can't handle any mor.

Tomorrow I take Jody to the airport right from church. Then I have to plan the youth service; I know what I'm doing but I just got get it all together. Plus I've got to correct more of Joleesa's school. And I just know I'll need a nap in there. Lunch will be out...anyone know a good soup place in Anchorage.

Why is it when you need a nice restful weekend at home, it's nowhere to be found!

Well I'm going to take a bath in our whirlpool tub and see if I can get some sleep like most of you are already doing. Have a great service.