December at Victory Tabernacle

It has been a whirlwind month at church and I have very few pictures to show for it!  We kicked it off with our end of the year banquet on December 9th:

Our Sunday school department had their program on Sunday, December 10th and I didn't take a single picture.  We had our Toys for Tots service on Sunday, December 17th and I again didn't take any pictures.   Our music department had our recital that night.  Our youngest musician, at only two years old, was Zach Martinez.  He drummed along to "The Little Drummer Boy" and it was adorable!

 

Les and Jeremiah played a beautiful trumpet duet of "Down from His Glory:"

The flu has been making the rounds, so on Thursday I was asked to join the Youth Choir.  One of these days I'm going to be too old, but as long as I'm able I can't say no to singing!

We're winding down now, with only one service on Sunday, followed by "Family Week," a much needed time to rest and relax with our loved ones.

Celebrating Forty Years

This weekend Victory Tabernacle celebrated the Fortieth Pastoral Anniversary of Pastor and Sister White.  It was an incredible weekend!  It started with service Friday night, a banquet on Saturday afternoon, and a final service Sunday afternoon.  So many friends and church family members past and present were in attendance.  Our building was packed!

I didn't take a single picture on Friday night.  I got one picture on Saturday with a lifelong friend, Sis. Ruby Wilson.  I was in their wedding 40 years ago and she and her husband are responsible for us meeting!  (You can read all about it here.)

After Sunday's service, our church presented the Whites with their gifts.  Sis. White received a very large check and we were able to buy Pastor White a new car!  This took months of planning and sacrificial giving from our entire church family.  I am so thankful that we were able to do this for them.

Everyone made their way outside, then the Whites were brought out with blindfolds on...

Stunned does not even begin to describe their reaction!

It was such a privilege to honor these two great people!  They are more than deserving of double honor!  We are also thankful that Pastor White got a clean bill of health this past week - that was the icing on the cake for our church!

After the gift presentation, all the ministers and their families were provided with a delicious meal.  My final picture of the day has some amazing women in it:

 

I have known these ladies for many, many years.  Sis. Luke (first one of the left) is who I have known the longest.  She and her husband helped start a church in Clovis way back in the 70s and I attended some of the services there when I was about 12.  Many of the others I have known since I was a teenager - their husbands have preached messages at camps and conventions that remain with me still.  I'm so thankful that our pastor and first lady have such a fine group of friends that bless our church on a regular basis.

 

I have been privileged to call Pastor and Sis. White my pastor and first lady for 30 years.  I really don't have enough words to say just how much they mean to me.  I am completely blessed and so very grateful.

2020 Review

Warning: Pollyanna post ahead!  That's right, I'm recapping 2020, but I'm only writing about the good.  None of us are going to forget what COVID did to 2020, but there was definitely some good thrown in.  Please don't judge me as insensitive.  I know it's been tough.  The losses have been tremendous.  In the past month four people I know passed away - two from cancer, two from COVID.  BUT GOD... GOD is still good!

January:

I started the year thinking I was going to study visions in the Bible, but turned to studying "fear not" after reading those words in four different passages in my Bible reading for the first two days of the year.

Les' nephew, Reece, spent a month with us.  He was in his senior year of high school and got a job working on the filming of a TV show in our town.  His hours were crazy, sometimes he'd go in at 3:00 p.m. and get off at 3:00 a.m. but we enjoyed having him and getting to know him a little better.

February:

We took a quick trip to Fresno to celebrate Elder Morton's 80 birthday.

 

I didn't blog about it, but we celebrated Valentine's Day in Hawaii.  Les had received a gift card from his trumpet student to Morton's Steakhouse and we really enjoyed ourselves!

 

March:

Sis. White asked me to speak at ladies prayer on March 10th.  I spoke about worry and the peace that comes from God.  Little did I know that God was preparing our hearts and minds!

April:

I read (and blogged about) Lessons from Pollyanna.  I guess you could say this post is about playing the "Glad Game."

We celebrated by 56th birthday and rode my age in kilometers!

May:

We celebrated our 29th anniversary by building a planter wall!  It was hard, back breaking work, but we also had a lot of fun.  We've lived in this house for almost 20 years and met more of our neighbors during that time than ever before.  We did what we always do - worked together and laughed a ton!

 

June:

For a few weeks we were able to have church inside again!  We still had to wear masks and social distance, but after months of online church it felt SO good to be together.

 

July:

We had unexpected visitors - our nephew, Reece, along with two of his friends were on a summer road trip and stopped at our place for a couple nights.  

Our church had "Quarantined Revival."  We were back to online church, but that couldn't stop revival.  Only heaven will tell the story of what God did this year through online church services!

August:

We celebrated Les' 57th birthday with another bike ride!  My first 100 kilometer ride.  And a Bodacious Cinnamon Roll!!

 

 

September:

We began having church services in our parking lot.  Victory Without Borders brought our church back together again. 

 

 

One of our nieces got engaged!

We also took a trip to Tennessee that I never blogged about!  We got to see Les' Mom and Pops, along with his sister and her family.  I flew home after a few days and Les joined Lance in Georgia for their delayed annual cycling trip.

October:

We did a few practice hikes in preparation for our November trip to the Grand Canyon.

 

November:

I got new hiking boots - purple, of course!

 

Our wall was finally completed!  We hired a contractor to do the finish work - stucco, caps, and stone work.  The first crew he sent made a mess of the stone so we had to wait a while.  The second guy was a master at his craft and it now looks awesome!  We're looking forward to Spring when we can do some planting.

 

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Arizona and I still haven't blogged about the Grand Canyon!

 

December:

After the Supreme Court sided with a Southern California church, Los Angeles county reversed its ban on indoor services.  We were back inside again for our final services of 2020!

Another one of our nieces got engaged!  Yes, that's right, TWO of our nieces got engaged in 2020!

Les and I had a wonderful Christmas at home - all our gifts were cycling, running or coffee related!

Les' new mug that says, "Fuelin' Up for Cycling"

 

I went for a nice walk this morning, under the light of a huge full moon!

 

 

Tell me something good about 2020!

30 Days of Thanks (Today's 2 for 1)

I'm pulling a little inspiration from November 2010 this month.  In a year that has had its share of trouble, I want to be more thankful.  I KNOW I am blessed and I want to show that everyday of the year.  I'm going to use these prompts from The Idea Room.  Feel free to join me on your own blog!

November 1st:  Enjoy

I am so thankful that I got to enjoy another church service yesterday!  With the coming colder weather, we moved our outdoor service to 12:00 noon.  Of course, So Cal weather decided to go back to summer and it was 85 degrees out.  We had canopies set up, but the sun still heated us up.  Still, I enjoyed hearing Pastor White continue his series on "Delivered, Translated, Forgiven" from Colossians 1:13-16.

November 2nd: Falling

Jude 1:24-25 says, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

 

I can be a bit klutzy, but that's not what this verse is talking about. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible says, "It is God only who, amidst the temptations of the world, can keep us from falling; but, blessed be his name, he can do it, and if we trust in him he will."  I am thankful for a God Who is able to keep us from falling!  

Victory Without Borders

 

In our ever changing COVID world, churches have been greatly impacted.  Online only.  Limited in-building services.  No singing.   Back to online only.  I have missed my church family!  Last night Victory Tabernacle kicked off our outdoor services.  We will be meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Sundays and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.

 

It was so good to gather together once again!  I know God is everywhere and He has used this time to reach souls through online services - we have a brand new brother who heard the gospel online and was baptized a few weeks ago!  Still, it felt wonderful to be together.  Socially distanced by families and wearing masks, we sang and worshiped.

We had another baptism last night at the end of service!  God is still working!

What have your church services been like lately?

Quarantined Revival

After about a month of limited services at church we are back to online only.  Before the restrictions hit again, Pastor White had scheduled a two week revival.  COVID-19 can't stop revival!  With about 10 of us in the building Tuesday night, we broadcast our first revival service with our evangelist Bro. Davis.

This revival seems to be a call to the backslider.  Bro. Davis' messages so far have been:

Tuesday - Instructions for the Last Day Church

Wednesday - God Who Is Married to the Backslider

Thursday - Just Because the Enemy Has It, Doesn't Mean He Gets to Keep It

His messages are messages of hope for those who have gone astray.  His text Wednesday night was from Jeremiah chapter 3, with the key verse being verse 14, "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion."  He then took us to the book of Hosea, the story about a prophet who God told to marry a prostitute.  Not only did Hosea marry her, but he went after her when she returned to her old ways and brought her back again.  God wants to do that to every backslider.

Last night he preached from Amos 3:12, "Thus saith the Lord; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch."  Even when there is almost nothing left, the great Shepherd comes looking for the lost sheep.

Les and I were talking about Wednesday night's message yesterday and I wondered if this was God's way of reaching to backsliders.  People who have been gone for a long time that He still loves.  Maybe they're too ashamed to walk back into a church building, but God wants them back.  God is not constrained to a church building - He can work anywhere.

We may have been viewing the closure of churches as the work of men.  At times it has felt unfair and as a Christian I've wondered if we're being targeted.  Joseph said in Genesis 50:20, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."  I'm believing that God can take any situation and turn it to good for the saving of souls.

If you are a backslider, or maybe you've just grown cold in your spirit, I encourage you to listen to these messages (the links above will take you directly to each message.)  Join us on Sunday as our revival continues.  Victory Tabernacle Church - http://www.victorytabernaclechurch.com/

Thursday This and That

I started my morning off with a trail run.  Seven miles of almost complete solitude.  I saw 8 runners, 1 walker, and 6 mountain bikers while I was out.  If you are not a regular exerciser, now is a great time to go for a walk.  Just keep your distance from others, but enjoy some fresh air.  I have some of my best ideas while I'm out exercising.  It's easy to let your mind work when you don't have any digital distractions.

If you're needing a little extra church, our services are streaming live but they are also being made available after the fact.  You might even hear me praise singing from time to time if you tune in while we are live.  You can find them at Victory Tabernacle's website right HERE.  We will be starting a Children's Power Hour on Saturday morning at 11:00.  I believe there will also be a Youth Hour on Saturdays at 5:00.  I'm thankful that our Pastor, Sunday school and Youth departments are putting this extra effort in.

When I was getting in my car after my trail run this morning, I saw a guy out walking his dog.  Nothing unusual, I see people walking their dogs all the time.  Except this guy was in his robe!  He wasn't standing on the sidewalk in front of his house.  He's was quite a ways from any houses.  I know we're all staying home, but it's probably a good idea to get dressed when you head out away from your house!

On the topic of dressing, I got this from my aunt yesterday!

No worrying about what to wear on Easter Sunday!  And for all the times we ladies have complained about our feet hurting after a long church service, just add some comfy footwear.

I saw this sidewalk chalk art while out running last week.  I don't even know the people who live in that particular house, but it made my day.

Keep hanging in there!  Don't let fear rule your heart.  Reach out to your friends and family.  Then reach out to someone who is not in your close circle.  We need each other.  Send an encouraging text, email, or make a phone call.  If YOU are feeling lonely, don't let loneliness control you.  Reach out!  You don't even have to say you're lonely - just reach out and tell someone you miss seeing them.  You'll make two people feel better.

Finally, we sang an old song last night.  "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand" was written by Jennie Bain Wilson in 1904. She was born on a farm at Cleveland, IN, on November 13, 1856, to Robert and Mary Frances Russell Wilson. Her father died while she was still in her infancy. When she was about four years old, an attack of spinal trouble resulted in her being rendered an invalid, confined to a wheel-chair and bed.  A prolific poet, she produced about 2,200 poems and hymn texts in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Yet, over the course of her life she never interjected sadness from her condition in her works.  She died in 1913 at the age of 57, still holding to that unchanging hand.

Hold to God's Unchanging Hand

Time is filled with swift transition
Naught of earth unmoved can stand 

Build your hopes on things eternal
Hold to God's unchanging hand

 

Hold to God's unchanging hand

Hold to God's unchanging hand
Build your hopes on things eternal
Hold to God's unchanging hand

Trust in Him who will not leave you
Whatsoever years may bring
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling

Covet not this world's vain riches
That so rapidly decay
Seek to gain the Heavenly treasures
They will never pass away

When your journey is completed
If to God you have been true
Fair and bright your home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view

Hold to God's unchanging hand
Hold to God's unchanging hand
Build your hopes on things eternal
Hold to God's unchanging hand

Just keep holding to His hand, it's unchanging!

Overwhelming: Sunday Morning in Lucena

When I think back over our time in the Philippines, Sunday morning in Lucena is one of the highlights.  There were many emotions involved with that day, but the greatest was overwhelming.

Barong wearing brothers

Pastor Pabanil picked us up at our hotel at 7:45.  We were at the church by 8:00 and given the grand tour.  The sanctuary, Sunday school teachers and children were already gathering:

Up a flight of stairs and we were in the parsonage.  Pastor Pabanil's father, Elder Pabanil, gave Les this hat that he made.

Inside he wrote, "September 29, 2019. To Bro. and Sis. McElhaney.  Thank you for your visiting us. God bless you and your wife and your family. From Pastor Elder Pabanil."

He also painted this mural on the wall.

The room where summer Bible school takes place...

Up another flight of stairs to the fellowship area.  Pastor Pabanil made all the tables and benches:

Up yet another flight of stairs!  The rooftop and baptistry:

My new friend, Sis. Pabanil!  She is a sweetheart!

The view of Lucena:

And back down the stairs!

Sunday school started at 8:30.  Neighborhood children are brought and taught a lesson, sing songs, and go home with a snack.

Worship service started and I was overwhelmed.  We sang "Because He Lives" and it was just beautiful!  EVERYONE sang.  The entire church was the praise team!  These precious people, who have so little materially, sang, "life is worth the living, just because He lives," more beautifully than I have ever heard it.  Their voices rang out.  They also sang "He Set Me Free" and "Every Praise is to Our God."  It didn't matter if the song was new or old, everyone sang and worshiped.  It was incredible, indescribable, overwhelming...

They had testimony time.  This little boy did not testify in English, so I don't know what he said, but he touched me so much.

The choir sang.  These beautiful young ladies are a shining example of modesty and worship.

Pastor Pabanil then asked Les and me to come to the front.   Every single person in the church came up and greeted us.

We were given handwritten cards, notes, and flowers...

We were overwhelmed by their generosity and love.

I sang and then Les preached.  His title was "The Power of the Spoken Word of Faith."

He shared his testimony of how God healed him of Muscular Dystrophy when he was a small boy.  He had a little helper named Manasseh:

The icing on the cake happened here - in the midst of the circle of young ladies praying is a new soul being born again of the Spirit!

We had a wonderful meal with Pastor and Sister Pabanil in their home and then it was time to head back to the airport.  Our gracious hosts would be traveling to youth camp very early the following morning, but they got back in the van with us to make the three hour one way trip to Manila.  After dropping us off, they got back in the van and headed back home.  We were again overwhelmed that they would take time out of their busy schedule to ride with us.

The traffic was... well... it would have been overwhelming if I had been the driver!  It is certainly entertaining.  We saw a large number of cyclists.  I cannot imagine riding a bicycle on those roads, but we saw a lot of them!  We also saw this guy, who was sleeping in a hammock in the back of a vegetable truck - that's what you call "vegging out!"

We made it safely back to the Manila airport and checked our luggage one final time.  We had a few hours before our flight and we just kept looking at each other and marveling over the amazing time we had.  Our bodies were completely worn out, but our hearts were SO full!

We prepared for takeoff, talking of when we could return, while leaving a big chunk of our hearts in the Philippines!