Thank You, Teachers and Counselors!

Last Sunday was our team's turn to teach the Sunday school lesson during service.  A few weeks ago Sis. Wendy asked me if I had any ideas.  After chatting for a few minutes, I remembered a lesson from my first year at Junior Youth Camp.  I was NINE, but I still remember that lesson.  The lesson was simple, but done in a way that I never forgot.

After a little tweaking, Sis. Wendy and I recreated that long ago lesson.  Our patient required surgery - her heart was dirty!  We pulled out eyes, lips, and a rotten potato to represent a bad attitude.  It wasn't enough to just close her up.  Our patient needed clean things to fill her heart.  We put in the Holy Ghost, the Bible, and another set of lips.

I only have pictures that were taken of us, but I wish you could have seen the kids.  They were so into the lesson - wondering what we were going to pull out or put in next.

I'm not posting this to brag on Sis. Wendy or myself.  I want to thank all the Sunday school teachers and camp counselors who influenced me through the years.  Most of them are retired from full time service, but I still appreciate all they did.  My teacher who took our class on outreach for the first time, finally convincing a shy girl to ask a stranger to church.  Camp counselors who prayed me through to the Holy Ghost.  Those who taught me every Sunday, putting the Word of God deep in my heart.

If you have ever taught and walked away feeling like you didn't make a difference - don't give up, you did make a difference.  It may not show up for a few weeks, months, or even years.  But none of the time spent investing in children and young people is in vain.

Monday Musings

My Monday started off with a bang.  Or maybe I should say a hiss.  I headed out for a bike ride and at some point ran over something.  No matter how hard I pedaled I kept getting slower and slower.  Going slow on Monday is not unusual, but this was slower than slow!  I stopped at one point and saw that my rear tire was losing air.  I limped along, hoping to make it home.  Unfortunately, about a quarter of a mile from home I had to get off and walk the bike. 

Before my Monday got Mondayed, I was enjoying myself and remembering a conversation from yesterday.  I chatted with a young man who went to camp last week.  When I asked if he had a good time, I got more than I expected.  This 15 year old told me all about the preaching by the day time speaker, Pastor Ron Garrett.  He talked about each message and I could tell he had been greatly impacted.  It did my heart so much good.  I know this young man is hitting an age where he will start choosing the things of God or the things of the world.  His parents have influenced him, but with each passing year he will be making more choices of his own.  Once again, I'm so thankful for youth camp!

While driving home from the grocery store I was listening to Dennis Prager.   He said something that I did not want to forget:

The vast majority of those who are famous are not significant and the vast majority of those who are significant are not famous.

I thought that was so good!  The people who have had a significant impact on my life are not, and probably never will be, famous.  I may not be famous, but I pray that my life will be significant.  It was on that positive note that my Monday turned back around.  Because hating Monday every week is a horrible way to spend one seventh of a lifetime!

Summer Time

Happy first day of Summer!  Summer for me as a kid meant two things:  swimming and youth camp.  We couldn't have survived the heat of Fresno without our pool and when it was time to get away, youth camp was a great place to go.  I've written dozens of posts about camp through the years and they usually contain these two pictures:

Junior camp, 1974, the year I received the Holy Ghost and Senior camp, 1989, the year Les and I met.  There were a lot of camps in between those two monumental occasions.  Growing in God, meeting new friends, being a camper and being a counselor.  There's just something about youth camp!

I made my way to the Ventura County Fairgrounds last night for Pacific Coast Camp.  It was my only chance to be there this year, but it was wonderful!  It was great to see so many friends, but the highlight was watching children and young people sing, worship, and pray.

Repost: I Believe in Youth Camp

It's summer time and that means a lot of things to a lot of people, but to me it will always mean Youth Camp time!  I'm combining parts of two posts that I wrote in 2008.  "I Believe in Youth Camp" and "Our Anniversary, kinda, in a way..."

In June of 1974, a little blond haired, blue eyed girl attended Youth Camp at Bethel in the Hills in California. On the first night, June 18th, after hearing camp evangelist Bro. Randy Keyes preach, she received the gift of the Holy Ghost for the first time. I am so thankful for that initial outpouring and so glad that God keeps filling me with His Spirit time and time again.

This was my second year to attend Youth Camp and I became a regular. I never missed a camp (Junior or Senior) and some years went to Junior Camp as a counselor and Senior Camp as a camper. I am always to touched when I see children praying - I know that God is a keeping God, and seeing them get touched at a young age is beautiful to me.

Meanwhile, at a Youth Camp in Tennessee, a brown haired, blue eyed boy received the Holy Ghost on a Thursday night in June 1974...

August 18, 1989 was the final night of Camp Meeting in Santa Maria. I had gone for the week and was planning on staying for Senior Camp which started the next day. This was my final year of eligibility as a camper, having turned 25 the previous April.

After service, my friend Yvonne and I were talking to Ruby Wilson when we spotted "him". His name was Les McElhaney and I had been introduced (briefly) to him at Youth Convention the previous March. At Youth Convention I was already going out with someone else, so I wasn't extremely friendly to Les - much to Yvonne and Ruby's dismay! This time, I was "free" and decided to thank God for second chances! When Les didn't even remember meeting me, I was happy to start over! This night was the beginning of something very special that eventually led to our marriage on May 25, 1991.

We spent all week of Senior Camp getting acquainted and finding out our common likes and dislikes. Because I had been a Senior Camp fixture for so many years, and Les was actually on the staff, the rest of the staff was very kind to let us stay out later than usual getting to know each other. I remember Bro. Harvey Cantrell coming by, shining his giant flashlight on us, smiling and letting us continue sitting there!! And the Hoppers helped me out when a certain pest from Fresno wanted to sit in on all our conversations!

So now you know what happened to those two 10 year olds from those long ago camps in California and Tennessee. I could go on and on about this wonderful man I married, but for now I'll just say "I Believe in Youth Camp!" 

About 30 young people and children from Victory Tabernacle are currently in Ventura for Pacific Coast Camp.  Les and I are on our way to Hawaii tomorrow so we won't get to be there, but I'm praying that God will do great things in the hearts and lives of all in attendance!

Campus Ministry International

Bridnie is a young lady who attends New Life Pentecostal church here in Hawaii. She is also a student at the University of Hawaii.  Last year she got a Bible study going with several of the students.  Les and I were invited to one of the final studies of the semester last May and really enjoyed it.

Fast forward to about a month ago when the students returned from summer break.  The first Sunday that Bridnie was back in town she was back at church with two of the girls (Anna and Lexi) who were in last year's study.  With our crazy travel schedule we missed the first Bible study, but we were able to go last night.  It was awesome!  Along with Bridnie, Lexi and Anna, were C.J. and Adam.  Brycen (who came last year) made a brief appearance but didn't stay.  Part way through the study, Dakota wandered in and asked C.J. what was going on.  He stayed for the rest.  Also in attendance was a large part of our Hyphen (college and career age) ministry from NLP.

We had one other guest that many of my readers will know from Pacific Coast Camp - Bernard Puller!  He has been in Hawaii for work and met Bridnie at our concert with Mark Yandris last week.  It was great to see him come right in and connect with these students.

God blessed us in another way, too.  Les and I had ordered pizzas to take with us.  It was suppose to take about 20 minutes but it took quite a bit longer.  While we were waiting the manager came out to us and handed me a receipt. She said, "I'm sorry this took so long.  I'm giving you your money back."   You can't out give God!

Les and I are enjoying getting to know these students.  They are so sweet and smart.  We are excited to see what God has in store for their lives!  At the end of last night's study Les asked them to submit questions for future Bible studies. Please help us pray that seeds will be planted that will bring forth much fruit!

Where It All Began

Twenty six years ago today, in Santa Maria, California, the last night of Camp Meeting.  I don't have a picture from that night, but I do have these from the next few days - Senior Camp in Santa Maria.

I met my true love the night before he turned 26.

He's now spent half his life as part of mine.

And I am so privileged!

Twenty Five Years

 

Twenty five years ago today I met the love of my life.  I don't believe in love at first sight (I've got a post brewing about that subject), but it was definitely attraction.  It was the last night of Camp Meeting in Santa Maria and Senior Camp started the next day.  I was 25 and this was my last year of eligibility as a camper.  I planned to enjoy my last year, whether I met anyone or not.

After service that night, Sis. Ruby Wilson re-introduced Les and I (you can read about our first meeting here.)   Unlike the first time, I was interested in meeting this guy from Burbank.  We hit it off immediately and I was glad to know he was going to be on staff at camp and would hang around the entire week.

I really can't believe I have know him half my life now!  I never dreamed the adventures we'd go on.  I never imagined what a life we'd have together.  I'm so glad God doesn't let us plan our own way - He always has so much better!

Correction - The Final Count = NINE!!

Last night at church we celebrated the fact that NINE of our young people and children received the Holy Ghost at Youth Camp!!  Pastor White asked all of us who were at camp and helped pray with any of the campers to join them in a victory march around the church.  The crowd was huge!  Revival has come to Victory Tabernacle and we are all rejoicing together!

Jonathan, Fattima's brother, was not a camper but came to camp a couple of nights.  He joined in on the outpouring!

Omar receiving the Holy Ghost during pre-service prayer on Friday night!  Both of his parents were in the altar last night and we're expecting great things for their family!

Last night Pastor White said it looked like a Burbank beehive each night as we gathered around those who were seeking the Holy Ghost.  The excitement is contagious!

The Final Count = SEVEN!!

Cynthia (in the purple) received the Holy Ghost on Wednesday night:

Sergio received it last night...

And so did Desoray!

The final count for Victory Tabernacle children and young people receiving the Holy Ghost this year at camp is SEVEN!  To God be the Glory!

Two More!!!

Kevin (in the middle) received the Holy Ghost on Wednesday night.

And Enrique received the Holy Ghost last night!

Another One!!

I am so excited that Mary received the Holy Ghost last night!  She's now my "Holy Ghost Twin" - it was 40 years ago last night that I received the Holy Ghost for the first time.

We have several more young people and children who are earnestly seeking for the Holy Ghost at camp.  Please help us pray for them!

Hawaii District Family Camp

Friday night we were privileged to attend the last night of camp at the Pu'u Kahea Conference Center.  Getting through Friday night traffic on Oahu is a lot like Los Angeles, but it was worth it!  Service was held in the Meeting Tent, with a wonderful breeze blowing in.

The children had service in the Upper Room, but sang a song at the beginning of service.  If I remember correctly, at least five received the Holy Ghost for the first time during camp!

The ocean breeze felt great, but "suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind" and God's Spirit was in that place!  We were singing "Whose Report Will You Believe?"  The song leader told everyone to hold up their Bibles - that is the report to believe!  God's Spirit moved in an incredible way!

Bro. Jeff Morgan preached an amazing message entitled "The Power of God's Word in Your Mouth."  When WE speak His Word, powerful things happen.  Great things are going to happen when we speak His word with confidence, knowing that whatsoever we bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatsoever we loose on earth is loosed in heaven!  Mountains will move when we speak.  They were created by the spoken word of God, so when we speak His Word, even the mountains recognize it!

Bro. Morgan told the Hawaii district, "You are no longer immature Christians, but Sons of God!  It's time for great things to happen in the Hawaiian Islands."

Coming Soon!

We have had a busy few days!  I want to blog about it all, but laundry and housework are calling this morning.  Coming soon...

Hawaii District Family Camp:

Birthday Dinner for Pastor McGriffin's 60th Birthday:

Church Celebration for Pastor McGriffin:

And I still need to blog about last week's Bible Study, because Friday night's service at camp was along the same lines!

Youth Camp Time

I knew when we started our Hawaiian Adventure that we probably wouldn't be home for Pacific Coast Camp this year.  Camp started yesterday and we are on an entirely different Pacific Coast!

I met my true love at Senior Camp 1989

I spent some time re-reading all my camp posts.  It's always been a huge part of my life.  The greatest happened 39 years ago today when I received the gift of the Holy Ghost on the very first night of Youth Camp 1974!  I'm so thankful for that.

It just so happens that this week is Hawaii District Family Camp.  We will be going to service on Friday night so I'll get a small dose of camp after all.  Praying that there will be a mighty outpouring of the Holy Ghost in every service at youth camps across the country this summer!

Where It All Started

Twenty three years ago today.  The last night of Camp Meeting in Santa Maria.  I met the love of my life!

We've aged a little, but there's absolutely no one I'd rather spend my days with!

Plan B

While I was training for my first marathon, I read about having a "Plan B."  If the day wasn't going right, if weather was crazy, or if a sudden illness hit, maybe my time goal might not happen, but "Plan B" would mean finishing.  I thought that was a good idea.  When I knew hitting a sub 4 hour wasn't going to happen, I was still determined to finish, no matter how long it took.  Plan A was actually to finish strong and injury free, no time assigned to it.  So Plan B meant stick with Plan A!

Bro. Kerr preached an excellent message on Thursday night about things that tears cannot fix.  Decisions that take us away from God, that lead down paths of destruction instead of righteousness.  He said even if a person makes it back to God, no amount of tears of repentance can restore what was willingly given away.  Sin will leave scars.  He said some of you are already planning on backsliding and then coming back to God, but it will never be the same.  More than once he said, "Backsliding is not cool!"

On Friday night, Bro. Kerr talked about a young lady who walked away from God because she didn't find a husband as quickly as she wanted.  She had a "Plan B" in mind.  If God didn't provide, she would walk away.  She had already decided that backsliding was an option.

I have lived this way my entire life and I don't plan to change now.  I don't have a Plan B when it comes to my salvation.  There is only one way and I'm sticking to it.  It doesn't matter if my day isn't going right, if storms come, or illness strikes, Plan B is to stick with Plan A!

Jeremiah 6:16 "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."

Humility

On Friday night of camp, Bro. Kerr made a comment about humility.  He said, "When you start thinking you are humble, you are NOT humble."  Well let me tell you, if you have trouble keeping your pride in check, I have one suggestion for you:

Become a Musician!!

Being a musician will keep you humble.  Here's my latest "humbling."

I had to rearrange musicians for Friday night's service.  Bro. DeAro was the worship leader, so I had Sis. DeAro play the organ.  Pastor White was the service leader, so I played the piano to be ready just in case he needed a chorus.  Keep in mind, Sis. DeAro and I played together Friday morning, too, without any problems.

We started service and our lead praise singer started with the wrong song.  We were going to sing "We've Come to Magnify the Lord" and they sang, "I Came to Magnify the Lord."  Same theme, no biggie.  Except one song is in E minor and the other is in E flat.  I went to E flat, but we seemed to limp through that song.

The second song was in the key of G.  Doesn't get any more basic than that.  "Look What the Lord has Done."  I hit a G chord and knew immediately that something was wrong.  I looked at Sis. DeAro, "Are you in G?"  "Yes."  Well, one of us was not in G!

I quickly transposed the keyboard down a half step.  It sounded right part of the time, but there were times when it didn't!  If I kept my hands near middle C, it seemed okay.  But when I played lower notes on the keyboard, it seemed off.   Ugh!  It was a tough song service.

I was thrilled to move out of the way when the choir came up.  But poor Les, he had been praise singing and didn't know what was going on.  When he started playing his bass for choir, he was out of tune (the organ and keyboard were close because the keyboard was still on transpose.)

Apparently, due to excess moisture in the air near the ocean, the organ got out of tune some time on Friday.  Unfortunately, it was not a full half step off, but somewhere between a half and a quarter step. There were quite a few humble musicians on the platform that night.  So if pride is something you struggle with, start taking music lessons, the day will come when your pride will be knocked off the platform!

How about it fellow musicians ~ care to share a humbling story of your own?

Pacific Coast Camp 2012

We had an awesome camp this year!  I know I say it every year, but it's true.  It's a great camp.  We have a great group children and young people who come together to have fun and get a touch from God.

Every service was truly anointed.  Bro. John Lambeth was during the day and Bro.Scott Kerr was at night.  I think I got the titles for most of the messages correct.  Bro. Lambeth gives some very unusual ones!  You just had to be there...

Monday night: "Greater than John the Baptist"  (that's us - the Bride!)
Tuesday morning: "Going Deeper"
Tuesday night: "The Response Determines the Result"
Wednesday morning: "Kill the White Man"
Wednesday night: "Can an Ethiopian Change His Skin"  (I don't think Bro. Kerr ever gave a title that night, but this was the essence of his message from Jeremiah 13:23)
Thursday morning: "Hot Dog Distraction"
Thursday night: "Some Things Tears Can't Fix"
Friday morning: Bro. Lambeth followed up on Thursday night's fabulous message (which will get its own post) with some advice.
Friday night: "The Devil Doesn't Give Up, but I Don't Either"

My soul was fed all week!  I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be involved in this great camp.  The Steering Committee does a tremendous job.  We travel from all over California and it comes together in a great way.  We even had a youth group from Conyers, Georgia come this year!

My body was fed all week as well.  Lunch with great friends every day and after service fellowship each night.  I'm a little afraid to step on the scale!!

I'll always believe in Youth Camp!

Load 'Em Up!

It's Youth Camp time!  Today is the first day of Pacific Coast Camp in Ventura.  Les and I will be heading over there later today for a great time.  As I was thinking about it this morning, I realized today is also my spiritual birthday.  On June 18, 1974, on the first night of Youth Camp, I received the gift of the Holy Ghost for the very first time!

I have written many posts about camp since I started blogging.  I just love going!  I loved it as a 10 year old, meeting new friends, eating junk from the snack bar, learning new things in classes, and being touched by God in the altar.

I loved it as a 25 year old, meeting the love of my life, eating junk from the snack bar, learning new things in classes, and being touched by God in the altar.

And I love it as a 48 year old, seeing old friends, eating junk from the snack bar, learning new things in classes, and praying with young people as they are also touched by God in the altar.

Come join us if you can!

Home from Pacific Coast Camp

WOW!! I do not have the words to describe the incredible week we had at camp this year. EVERY sermon flowed together. From Monday night to Friday night, day and night, the messages were on target. The progression went from giving up the love of the world and worldly friends to making new commitments, being willing to work for God and having the faith to wait on His promise.

I wrote what I could remember as the titles for each message because I did not want to forget! Bro. Brad Lambeth, missionary to Brazil, was our night time speaker. Pastor Russell Frazier, from Fontana, was our day time speaker. Here are the titles:

Monday night: "Living on the Fuzzy Edge"
Tuesday morning: "The Promise is to You"
Tuesday night: "Snake Feeders"
Wednesday morning: "The Fearful"
Wednesday night: "The Talking Tree"
Thursday morning: "But Amnon had a Friend"
Thursday night: "Angel Rehab"
Friday morning: "So You Want to be Use of God?"
Friday night: "So Shall Thy Seed Be"

Every service was incredible. I know that lives will forever be changed.

Bro. Lambeth is one of the most anointed preachers I have ever heard. He always apologizes for his "Brazilian way" and lack of eloquence, but he is truly brilliant and used mightily by God. He walked in the Spirit big time this week.

When Bro. Frazier gave his title on Thursday morning, I couldn't believe it! It was the exact same title that I heard years ago. This morning I dug through some old cassette tapes (yes, I still have those) and there it was ~ "Amnon Had a Friend" Youth Convention, 1990, Bro. Jerry Jones. Every generation needs to hear this, so it was time for this message again!

I want to thank everyone who helped me again with the music. It was a little stressful pulling it together this year, but everyone who helped me did a great job. This was our fifth year to have this camp and every year I have come home thankful to have worked with people who just want to be a blessing. No egos getting in the way. No jealousy because someone else played more. Just good spirits all around. So, thank you musicians, praise singers, and special songs! And as always, my wonderful friend, Sis. Pam Gregg, did a great job with the choir!


I forgot to take my camera, these are the only three I took with my phone the entire week! Choir musicians on Tuesday before choir practice.



It was also great seeing more friends than I can name. Friendships that I made at camp years ago, friends from other places, even some from Canada made it down. I guess I'll never stop loving Youth Camp!