Baptism and Texas

As we spent our final day in Arkansas last Sunday, we attended our home church where Pastor Vance Eubanks was preaching a series on the life of David. As he and most of the men were away at a men's encounter, our music minister, Keith Bostain gave is the message on cultivating a heart for worship. Five simple steps to follow to worship God: honoring Him, showing Him gratitude, acknowledging deliverance, showing respect, and surrendering.  As I wrote in a previous blog I attended a Prison to Purpose workshop where the theme was - yep - surrendering to God's authority - as I read my daily online devotion prior to Sunday's sermon, the theme was - again - surrendering to God's will. Now on Sunday  one of the points to ponder is surrendering. Guess God was trying to pound that point into my brain and heart. I need practice in surrendering to authority!! But we am so thankful that God uses the most unlikely to serve Him - otherwise we would not be doing so.

We received a surprise as we attended our Sunday night small group study. I mentioned David and Lyndsey Owens, who gave up their teaching positions in Guatemala to  surrender (there is that word again)  to God's will to become full time missionaries in Guatemala. Lyndsey was brought up in the church, always a "good girl" (she always was, too ), being baptised at an early age and taking part in many church activities and programs. She believed that being good, never doing anything wrong was an assurance of eternal life. As she entered college, the Holy Spirit began to work in her heart and she truly gave herself to the Lord. She didn't announce it to anyone and did not proclaim it through re-baptism because she was afraid of the reaction of others - those who knew her as the "good girl" and would criticize and wonder why she needed to be re-baptized After she and David totally tuned their lives over to God she realized that she (as well as all of us) are sinners, fall short of the glory of God, and needed God's grace. She surrendered to God and was re-baptised last Sunday evening in the swimming pool at her parent's home, where our small group class was held. We had a thunderstorm and downpour shortly before that (which Arkansas really needed) but it cleared up , the sun began to shine, and the Holy Spirit was there among all of us who were there. Chapter 4 of Matthew relates the baptism of Jesus Christ just before he began His ministry - is it not fitting that Lyndsey chose to be
 re-baptised to declare Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior as she begins her ministry to through Him???

Lyndsey with her husband, David, giving her testimony

baptism

a new body in Christ

view from the baptism site - the sun is shining as the Holy Spirit smiles down on us

We left Arkansas early Monday morning and traveled to S Texas, arriving there early evening to a cool home and water and ice cubes in the refrigerator with thanks to great friends, Carol and Ron Pease!!!. We drove straight through, as were anxious to return to the Valley and our ministry there. It was a very easy trip. We noticed huge cotton fields, some in full bloom, ready for harvest. There were many areas that desperately need rain, as is the case in most of Midwest America. We also saw quite a few burned out areas, where the dry land was prone to any spark. Arkansas had been under a burn ban all summer - and we noticed it in many other  areas on the way.

 

Now that we have begun to get re-settled, we attended Sunday service at First Baptist Church in McAllen with Chaplain Dennis and Sally Maloney. Dennis is our chaplain here at Alamo Rec Veh Park and is anxious to begin his Sunday services as we wait for the Winter Texans to return.

 

We are planning our Monday night Bible Study , as well as resuming our duties as chaplains  at CHI. Pray that this year becomes a wonderful year for the Lord - that He works through us to bring His word to those in need, and that we serve Him for His glory and none for ourselves. 

 

Bittersweet goodbyes

As we prepare to leave NW Arkansas, our church, family, and friends, we are a bit saddened to be leaving, although we are leaving with a feeling of anticipation for what God has in store for us.

We have been here in Prairie Grove with our daughter and her husband, (they graciously allowed us to be a part of their household for about 6 weeks), We have watched the does grow heavy with fawns, then soon the mothers began to bring their babies onto the yard for us to see. We often felt there were triplets, sometimes we saw shadows but never really had proof. Thursday was the day!!!! As we looked out the front window, two fawns appeared, then another. The third one began to paw at the other two, sort of saying get off my lawn. Pretty soon, as the other two ran for cover in the trees, two more appeared.  Hmmm, that makes three on the lawn. They began to run and play together, assuredly siblings. The other two wandered out of the woods, and over to their mother for protection, who also appeared on the scene. God created all animals for our enjoyment! It is so relaxing to just be able to sit outside and be a part of that enjoyment.

I attended the last work out session at our church Thursday morning. Thank you, Annie, for being a great leader and having patience with "mature" women. Body Gospel is a great spiritual workout and a time to fellowship with Christian women with the same goal in mind, to lose some extra pounds and shape up. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own: you were bought at a price. therefore honor God with your body." I Corinthians 6:19-20. I hope to continue this workout at Alamo Rec Veh Park this winter for all ladies who feel inclined to join.

I also attended a Prison to Purpose workshop in Springdale with other ladies wanting to hear more about God's Word.  It was a soul searching morning listening to Chaplain DeWitt of the Arkansas Department of Corrections telling us how to submit to the authority of God. If you cannot submit to God, you are not free. How many of us do not like authority in our lives.  Stacy Smith and other ladies who had been incarcerated related to us how their lives changed in prison after accepting Jesus as their Savior through the PAL (The Principles and Applications for Life) program offered in an Arkansas prison. An important lesson for all of  us is that compassion is the worst enemy of correction. We enable bad habits of family and friends by always bailing them out of trouble or "fixing it" for them! Is that not the opposite of tough love??? 

We often wonder why we should memorize Scripture. If you want to make statements about your faith, be prepared to document it - back it up with the Biblical truth! I hope I can remember to put into practice a portion of what I heard - and then work on the rest.

Today is our youngest daughter's 23rd  wedding anniversary. Christine and Scott grew up together although they lived miles apart, becoming fast friends before they became husband and wife - and are still friends today. They had two cakes - sorry you cannot see the one on the right as it is camouflaged (Chris and Scott love to hunt)!!!!

two cakes - a paradise for a sweet tooth

My next blog will be coming to you from S Texas, as we leave tomorrow. Please pray for travel safety for us, for God to clearly let us know which path to follow, and for the ability to submit to God's authority.

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Fayetteville is truly the most unconventional city I have ever experienced. Our address is Prairie Grove, which is a small town just a few miles from Fayetteville, but we spend a lot of time in Fayetteville. One of our very favorite things is going to the farmer's market, perhaps not so much to buy, but just to enjoy the ambiance and to talk to everyone. Seems like others feel this way, too, as people are out in crowds, many of them with their kids and pets. Last Saturday we got there fairly early to purchase some Brussels sprouts (they were so yummy), foccachia bread, and  spaghetti squash. We encountered many friends and acquaintances on the square, , as well as the "Reverend Tom Brown" , handing out what to him were religious pamphlets. He is a self-proclaimed minister who believes that marijuana is the answer to everything and based his "church" on that theory, trying to convince people to make anointing oil with marijuana by stating that this method is mentioned in the Bible!!!  Just one of the many characters who inhabit Fayetteville.

climbing rocks and running water at the Farmer's Market for the kids

Seeing all the vendors with their booths (or tents) reminds me of the Feast of the Tabernacles as seen in Leviticus Chapter 23, when the people from the twelve tribes of Israel returned to Jerusalem to celebrate the abundance of God's blessings. It was a memorial to  their years in the desert, when they lived in tents or tabernacles. It is a reminder to us as it was to them of God's protection and promise.
As the vendors in Fayetteville stood proudly before their tents offering the best of their harvest, so did the Israelites.

fresh okra  -  an Arkansas staple

many, many vendors

fresh home grown tomatoes

better yet, Arkansas peaches

all types of fresh bread

Not only were there food vendors, but many entertainers were on the square, singing for the crowd. A young gentleman sat by himself, playing his guitar and singing praises to God. This group also played folk songs for every one's enjoyment. 

a group of friends playing for fun and money





Also present were artisans of many types: basket weavers, pottery makers, spinners, and craft displays of almost every nature.

handmade split oak baskets

one of the pottery displays

there were flowers in abundance - some people bring their vase for an original bouquet

gorgeous cutting boards of every shape

crafts of yarn - many hours were spent on these

this lady was cutting a log with a hand saw as she fashioned wooden utensils!

I spent a lot of time talking to this lady - picking her brain for hints on spinning

Fayetteville is a college town - the University of Arkansas and the Razorbacks (Whooo pig souiee).

Dickson Street is a popular place to be - lots of unusual stores, interesting and exotic places to eat, and home of the Walton Arts Center, where many different types of entertainment are offered. And in the midst of all this, a huge Razorback Hog painted on an intersection!



Razorback Stadium from a distance

closer view of the Stadium

this is the place to go if you want a Razorback t-shirt, flashlight, or plastic pig nose

Fayetteville's claim to fame is that it is the city where President Bill and Hillary Clinton attended college, taught in the law department of the University, were married, and lived in their first house as husband and wife. 

The home in Fayetteville which Bill Clinton bought for Hillary just before they were married. It is now a  very interesting museum.

We spent Wednesday visiting with Chaplains Jim and Vicki Troutman, CRM chaplains who spent  the summer as chaplains serving at the KOA in Branson, MO.  They also serve in the winter at a park in S Texas, Citrus Gardens,  where we do get to see a lot of them! We were able to show off our area as well as introduce them to our home church and pastor, Vance Eubanks.

We are spending this next week preparing to return to S Texas - where we will resume ours duties as chaplains at CHI. We again want to thank all of you for your love, prayers, and support as we continue on our "Preusslesspathways". If  God lays it upon your hearts to contribute to our support, please go to online giving.  You will be truly blessed for it.

I Love Sunday

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. Granted, it is the Lord's day, which makes it special in itself, but it is also a day which I can slow down, and put everything in reverse! Rising early to thunder and a piddling of rain, we prepared for Sunday service at PGCC (our home church, Prairie Grove Christian Church). I feel the presence of the Lord as I enter the Sanctuary and my eyes fall on beautiful stained glass window at the front of the church.. It reminds me of  God's salvation for me - the forgiveness of my sins, and promise the He will always be there for me. Our praise and worship team is amazing - we have so many talented people who use their gifts sing praises to God and prepare us for our minister Vance Eubank's sermon. I never think of it as a sermon, as Vance, who is always inspired by the Holy Ghost, beings God's message to us in an understanding way. We don't want to tell Vance this, but I wish it were longer!!!  I leave with a desire to follow up with the verses he recommends - he makes the Bible alive. After services, we spend a few minutes in His Cafe - enjoying coffee, refreshments, and fellowship with others before heading off to our Sunday School classes. We are in JOY Class (Just Over Youth) and we often kid that there is only one place to go from there - eternal life! There are a multitude of classes provided by our church - something for everyone of all ages. We sometimes have younger folks in class with us who are astounded by the knowledge we pass on to them. We are all still learning, but  we are following the Great Commission if we can help others understand God's Word.

PGCC's stained glass window which promises hope

amazing worship team under the leadership of Keith Bostain

Vance Eubanks delivering the message - a friend as well as minister

part of our JOY Class - we have great discussions and viewpoints

It is extremely hot yet, as it is in so many parts of the country. The short rain we had this morning relieved some of the parching of the earth, but then the humidity came back - a natural sauna. Our daughter decided to see it if was indeed hot enough to fry an egg by cracking an egg on a rock in her front yard. After about two hours, the yolk WAS cooked, hard to the touch, but soft and totally cooked on the inside -  all we needed was a piece of toast!!!

this egg is cooked - sunny side up!

During the week we met with the amazing young couple, David and Lindsey Owens, who have given up their teaching positions in Guatemala to listen to God, as He has put it on their hearts to follow Him in the mission field. They have an astounding love of the Lord, stepping out in faith to follow His will.  We had an awesome two hour breakfast, listening to their vision and ministry, as they listened to our walk following God's lead.  Our ministries are somewhat similar in the fact we want to minister to underprivileged children in a foreign country, but different in the fact that they are just starting out, and we are working  in the golden years of our lives. If you get an opportunity, check out their blog at OwensinGuatemala.com as they serve God and His people there. As of now, they are here in the States, raising support and relaying their testimony of how God interceded in their lives.

David and Lindsey in Guatemala

David and Lindsey tonight at Small Group

David and Lindsey were at our Small group Bible Study this evening (we meet at Lyndsey's parents home), giving us their testimony and sharing their vision with us. We are all so blessed by this young couple, sharing their love of the Lord,and watching as the Holy Spirit works through them. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to answer God's call.