Tuesday, May 29, 2007

A big Hug

One fun thing about graduations has to be going through all the old pictures. This picture is of my twins Jimmy and John, (they were about 5 months old) with there grandfather about 4 months before he died. He sure loved our boys! It brought back so many happy memories when my Mother-in-law showed me this picture today.

Sorry for over reacting today, I have been so good all this time! My emotions just all of a sudden came on me as I was getting ready for Church on Sunday; it just got worse, until this morning I thought I was going to crumble. I was going through all the details of the party in my mind and all of a sudden it all hit me like a big brick falling on my head. The tears started falling and they wouldn't stop. Just this morning my A.J. over slept and I had to run him to school. I have to say it was the best feeling in the world. I was rushed and overwhelmed because I had my Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law over to plan the food and wrap silverware for the graduation party. I just couldn't even be upset because I know, one day soon, I will long to be able to run him to school or just give my boy a hug.

Before we go to bed at night our children come in and give us hugs and kisses. (The Waltons is what we sound like at night, "Good night JimBob", "Good night JohnBob" o.k. I'm being silly) Boaz likes to sneak in our bed once in a while still. (Our baby is way to old but he tries anyway) A.J. came in to give us hugs last night and said, "o.k. as a reward, it is my turn to sleep in your bed tonight". (all six foot 175 pounds of him, "I don't think so") (He thinks he is so funny) I will sure miss his funny personality. He is a good young man! I think he is going to do just fine. We raised him to love the Lord and follow his teachings so I have to trust in the Lord to watch over him. (How hard it is to let go)

Falling Apart!

It is now 5:30 p.m. Sorry for over reacting today.



I am now starting to really freak out! I'm trying to stay calm but it's not working very well for me. As you all know from reading my blog that I am a very hyper person. I have done everything I can think of to get my nervous energy out. With the graduation so close and then knowing my boy will be leaving soon, I have been very weepy. I'm really trying to hold it together but it is really becoming a struggle.

I trust fully in the Lord and I really try to lean on Him in my life.

I wanted to spare all of you these emotions of mine but I'm sure you are all wondering why I'm not posting. It is hard for me to humble myself and let people in, but the hurt in my heart that I am going through is real and just a part of life. I know I am going to live through all this but I am really starting to feel like I am going to fall apart.

Please pray for me this week and the next few months!

Monday, May 28, 2007

Memorial Day (Let Freedom Ring)

I want to say thank you to all the men and women who have and are now sacrificing there lives so we can have a free County. My Grandfather and my son both served in the Military. My 17 year old son will be leaving for the Navy in 3 months.

Thank you for serving our Country!

Dear Lord,

Please bless our men and women serving in the Military today. Please watch over them and keep them safe.

"My country tis of thee.... From every mountain side, Let freedom ring." The Liberty Bell is a prized American symbol of freedom. The Lord often speaks about freedom and love; freedom and faith that leads to the great hope of everlasting friendship with God and each other. Our Savior died on the cross and rose from the grave of our sins that He took upon Himself. We too, rise with Him from the darkness of our graves of sin to the light of life in Christ. So we could be set FREE!



This is my Son B.C. he served in the Navy for 4 years.

Living for the simple things in life: My Son's days in the Navy

Living for the simple things in life
This is my Grandfather; what a handsome man I think he was.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Sacrifice

I have really been trying to lay aside my selfish behavior and sacrifice the things that I really hold dear for what is right. It is not easy! In order to do what I believe is right in God's eyes, I have sacrificed friendships. I believe the sacrifices that I have had to make are righteous and Godly or I wouldn't have given up some dear people.

I also let go of my daughter so she could move to Texas because I believe that this is what the Lord has for her life. It is still a great sacrifice on my part. I miss my girl! I talk to her now after just two months away and she is back to being my Becca again. She sounds so happy and upbeat when I talk to her. She is serving in my Dad's church! I feel the sacrifice I made by letting her go, saved her life. We had such a wonderful, spiritual talk yesterday. God has answered my prayers and is working in my daughter's life.

The very definition of "sacrifice" shows us that it entails giving up something. In most cases, the something is very important to us.

1 : an act of offering to a deity something precious; especially : the killing of a victim on an altar
2 : something offered in sacrifice
3 a : destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else b : something given up or lost

Friday, May 18, 2007

Hi All!

Hopefully, I'll be blogging again soon!

I'm a little busy trying to get my sons graduation/going away party in order.

I want to thank all of my blogging friends for your comments and your visits to my blog. I love to journal; it is a hobby to me. I also love to visit blogs! Many of your blogs inspire me to be a better follower of Christ. (I am taking very small baby steps forward but my family is noticing the difference) Many make me smile and LOL! I love all the poems, pictures and just plain family journals. Some of you inform me of what is going on in the News, here in the U.S. and also Overseas. (I don't have outside T.V. so this is very helpful) I enjoy all of them. While I take a short break from blogging, I wanted to take a minute and thank all of you for how much you have touched my life.
A.J.'s baby picture.

This is A.J. all grown up.

The only person that can hold me accountable is ME! I told myself until I get A.J.'s announcements sent out and things in order for his party; my hobby just has to be put on hold. I have everyone at church invited but I really need to get family and my close friends invitations sent out. A.J. graduates in two weeks; were does the time go? It seems like just yesterday I was trying to figure out if it would be better to continue to home school my children or send them to public school. (I Home schooled my children for 5 years) I am so very proud of A.J. for his accomplishments. I won't say it has been a bed of roses and we haven't had our trials throughout his schooling but we only have two weeks left. It's time to let the past go and move on to bigger and better things. Before I know it, my boy (Or should I say man)will be leaving for the Navy. (He leaves August 22, 07) It is hard to believe my baby is all grown up.

Blessings to you all,

Lori

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Sweet letter's from my Boy's

These are the wonderful items I received for Mother's Day.

These are the wonderful items I received for Mother's Day.

I was very busy this past weekend and was very nervous as to how I was going to keep my house clean, in order to have my Mother-in-law over for a picnic on Sunday for Mother's day. My husband had my kids, mow the lawn, (He trimmed), I got home at 9:30 p.m. from my very busy day, my house was spotless, plus my living room floor had been waxed. I feel so much loved by my family. My kids got me some very nice things for Mother's Day. My older son and daughter-in-law got me some items from Victoria Secret's that I don't think I will show. My silly daughter-in-law, she is a funny one. That's o.k. I got her a gift card to the same store. Hee, Hee.

I had to take my truck into the shop at 5:00 a.m. this morning. I got the boy's all up and ready to take them to school. I cleaned my house, took out the garbage and the water bottles, I've done two loads of laundry. I just got done running on the treadmill and doing my Fat-burning Dance Mix with Denise Austin. I only have a minute to post because I need to take a shower and leave for work.

I don't have a lot of time today but I wanted to post my special letters that I receive for Mother's Day from my boy's.

The first one is from one of my twins, Jimmy:

I know that my husband had the boy's sit down and write me special notes but that even made it even more special to me.

BTW-Kristy, I think we are married to the same man. Hee, Hee
Kristy's was tagged my e-mom for "Seven Things About Myself" She added a number 8.

(I get to have a #8....my blog.) I LOVE my handsomesexyfunnycrazyhardworkin'hunk'o'man. (Kristy, How can we both have the hunkiest husband in the world? : )

Let's get back to Jimmy's letter:
Jimmy and John are 12.

Dear Mom,

I love you with all of my heart. You are the best mom a kid could every ask for! You are the sunshine that brightens my day. Here is a little riddle, song thing, I wrote for you.

Roses are red, Violets are blue, I love you so much and you know that it must be true. In big letters, to close this letter he wrote. I LOVE YOU MOM!!!!!!!!
At the bottom of the letter is a picture of the sun that he made with a happy face on it with words coming out of its mouth saying. "You so totally rock MOM".

John's letter:

Dear Mom,
I was going to buy a card with bright hearts and flowers but I thought, to you, a special card from me would be better instead.

A great day today will be for you and Mother's to come, but for now, it is, a card from me to you with much great love.

So, until next special day of yours, a loving heart of mine, with a great big hug, will give you and me a great day divine.

From your loving son,

John

Boaz gave me a CD with his voice telling me how much I meant to him. It had 19 great songs on it. I have listened to it many times but I would have to sit down with paper and pencil to write it out. He didn't want me to know what he was doing at school for me so he threw that paper away.

Jimmy and Bo came up with a dance for one of the songs. I wish you all could have seen them. It was so very cute.
Have a very relaxing, blessed day.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Getting back the Joy, that I seemed to have Lost


More beauty from my route!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day with my family. I spent sometime with each of my children but of course not the one that moved to Texas. Rebecca did call me twice yesterday! Oh how I miss my girl. She sounds like she is doing great. She has sung on my Dad and Step-mom's worship team for the last two weeks. God is sure working in her life right now, I love what I am hearing. They are all in South Carolina right now; they made it at around 2:30 p.m. yesterday. They are going to be visiting with my Step-mom's family for a few months.

I'll post all about my fabulous Mother's Day and much more soon. Today, I wanted to post about what the Lord is doing in my life. I have made one more very small baby step towards growing in Christ. I sure pray I don't take two giant steps backwards.
: )

Galatians 5:22-23, The Fruit of the Spirit: love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. We learn from scripture that these are not individual "fruits" from which we pick and choose. Rather, the fruit of the Spirit is one ninefold "fruit" that characterizes all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit. Collectively, these are the fruits that all Christians should be producing in their new lives with Jesus Christ.


I had let the things of this world, rob me of having the joy that comes from Christ Jesus. Over the last few years, I seemed to have lost my joy. "I have been trying" (That was my first mistake) to get back what I once had. Joy, has to come from the only One I can draw strength from. Yes, the "Joy of the Lord is my strength". My journey back has been slow but with the Lord's help, I'm convinced that there is no better combination to getting it back then, prayer, faith and diligence. I am getting up in the morning with new hope, new strength, and a new reason to live. I am looking at the people and things in my life with open eyes. Eyes that see what the Lord has really given me. I see the people that are in my life and people that are no longing in my life, as true blessings.

The Joy of the Lord is my strength -- I can get through whatever may face me on the road ahead, if I stay in the Word and draw strength, from my Lord and Savior. It is the Lord who will carry me if I trust in Him. Know that the joy of the Lord is my strength. God will never leave me, nor forsake me. If I have full faith in God, then I will have fullness of joy. How can I be anxious or worried when the God whom I serve holds me in the palm of His hand.... can anything but fullness of joy be present?

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Trials will come my way. Problems might, for a little while, stay. But I know, the Lord will see me through every trial. My hope, my trust, my joy is in Him. I must cast my cares upon Him for He cares for me. The Bible says in Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

When our life on earth is through, we shall enter into the joy of the Lord and shall reign with Christ Jesus forever! That alone is worth singing about! Amen!

Matt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Joy-- one of the fruits of the Spirit. Joy is given to us by God. It is a Heavenly gift that cannot be taken away. It is not dependent on external conditions but rather upon internal possessions. We have grace, peace, blessed assurance, and fellowship with God Almighty through our Great Mediator-- the Lord Jesus Christ.

They "rejoiced, for God had made them to rejoice with great joy."

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."—Nehemiah 8:10.


Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Faith in Christ implants that joy-- the joy that can see in the midst of a trial and say, "I have hope! My sins are forgiven! Weeping may endure for the night but joy cometh in the morning! All things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are called according to His purpose...Hallelujah!"

Peter said, concerning Jesus, in Acts 2:28 "Thou hast made known to me
the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance."

Hebrews 12:2 : Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.


The Lord Jesus had joy in knowing that He would redeem us, by His sacrificial death upon the cross. The blessed Savior-- praise His name forever! He has given us the joy that world cannot take away.

Friday, May 11, 2007

A Mother's Love


Happy Mother's day to all of you wonderful Mother's out in blog land. I'll be really busy for the next copy of days, but I didn't want the day to pass without telling you all how much you all have blessed my heart each and every day through your blog post and your comments to me. You have helped me grow in Christ and become a better wife and mother this past year. May God bless all of you on this special day, set aside to honor Mother's. Once again, "I thank you".

We are having a barbecue on Sunday after church to honor my Mother-in-law and my Mom.
I can't share what I got them because my mom read's my blog.

A Mother's Love

A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

A happy Ending!

This house on my route always reminds me of a beautiful doll house.

God blessed my efforts in a mighty way yesterday.

To make a long story short, A.J. got suspended from school yesterday for fighting. He has just a few weeks left of his Senior year, to be honest, I just couldn't imagine him fighting. He always gets along with everyone he is around. (That thought came much later)

I picked A.J. up from school and instead of over reacting, and saying something that I would regret later, I didn't say a word.

After setting down and posting my thoughts yesterday, his school called and
said that he hadn't really gotten into a fight, he and another Wrestler were goofing around in the Cafeteria before school. What the Principle thought was a fight, was nothing more then horse play. They said they couldn't have goofing around like that in school.

Instead of being suspended for three days they were going to just suspend him for one day.

I thank the Lord for blogging friends that are disciplining me into being the Godly woman I am suppose to be.

Thank you E-mom for your Proverbs 31 post.

My son was so shocked that I didn't yell at him, he thanked me for not over reacting and for believing in him. (I am ashamed to say, I normally over-react first)

I love happy endings, don't you?

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Wisdom from Above!

I took this picture yesterday on my route.

I'm trying to handle a situation that has come up in my life today with grace and dignity. I want to be Godly in how I handle this and loving as a Mom. God is working through me to keep my month closed and think about this issue before I handle it badly. This is not a life or death situation so I just want to handle it with wisdom.
I thought before I deal with it, I would remember all the wonderful blessings that the Lord has done for me. This poem and song sums it up better then I could say it myself.

Proverbs 31

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.


I was going to give everyone a tour of my route today, but instead, I'm just going to deal with my little situation, and try not to blow it out of proportion. As Mother's Day is approaching, I am once again, thankful for my mom and how she put up with me as I was growing up. I really believe with all my heart, even the smallest of thing that we do, oome back around through our children. Oh my goodness, while I am sitting here posting, I am reminded of a situation I was in at school. It just so happens to be very close to what I am dealing with this morning with my son. This brought a smile to my face, as I remember back to when I was in school and did the exact same thing, (well mine was a little worse) as I am dealing with right now with my son. The Lord sure has a way of bringing humor into our lives.

Mom, when you read this; I just want to Thank you for being the wonderful mom that you are. I love you with all of my heart. Happy Mother's Day! BTW-Did you want your favorite grandson? I'm letting him go for very cheap!

Lord, I hope You hear
This prayer I have today
Please listen now real closely
To the words I need to say.

I thank You for Your blessings
That You've always given me
You've given me a love of life
And eyes that I might see.

I look to see the beauty
Of everywhere You touch
I'm deeply filled with gratitude
And I thank You Lord, so much.

The gifts You give go on and on
Each day brings something new
Peace and joy and happiness
I can always count on You!
~ Charlotte Anselmo ~

Some thank the Lord for friends and home,
For mercies sure and sweet;
But I would praise Him for His grace
In prayer I would repeat:

Chorus
Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul,
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole;
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.

Some thank Him for the flow'rs that grow,
Some for the stars that shine;
My heart is filled with joy and praise,
Because I know He's mine.

Chorus
Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul,
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole;
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.

I trust in Him from day to day,
I prove His saving grace;
I'll sing this song of praise to Him
Until I see His face.

Chorus
Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul,
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole;
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.

Monday, May 07, 2007

The trip to the ER and so much More!

This was another very busy weekend for me! Friday morning, I had to work, the afternoon brought yet another AA News Motor route.(I'm not complaining, I really love to do the route this time of year. Friday evening, I let my boy's best friends spend the night. (It has been two weeks since I cleaned the boy's room, they have been doing their end of the bargain and keeping it clean) All day Friday I felt like I was coming down with something. I had a headache and stomach ache. I got home around six, I fed the kids and went right to bed. I really needed to get a lot done but instead I went to bed at 7:00 p.m. I guess God will slow us down, if we won't do it ourselves. I woke up Saturday morning with a bad head cold. I just didn't have time to be sick and laying around all day.

Saturday morning started out with work in the early a.m., (2:30 a.m.) a soccer game at 10:30, (Boaz team won again)I did laundry until I had to get ready for the wedding at 2:00 p.m., The wedding (Pictures already posted), I had to do my front brakes after the wedding before, I went to my cleaning job. My brakes were grinding on my route that morning. I went to my janitor's job, A trip to the ER with Bo, (Until 3:30 a.m. in the morning), My Motor Route. I didn't make it to church because I didn't get home until late from my route.

My brother called me at 7:30 a.m. and informed me that I was a great Aunt again. My niece had a beautiful baby girl. I stopped at the store and bought a few outfits for the new baby and my granddaughter, I then went up to the hospital to see my great Niece last night. I forgot my camera so no pictures of my great niece.

Hopefully this week, I'll have time to visit blogs again. It has been a while and I am missing all of you. I finally took the time to link up with all my blogging friends again. If I missed anyone, please forgive me and leave me a comment so I can create a link. I tried to go back through all of my comment so I could link up with everyone again. This will help me to be able to visit everyone again without having to look the comments to do so.

Fresh Laundry!


I have a new thing going this summer. I just put a clothes line on my poles and am hanging my clothes to dry for the first time in my married life. (Yes, I have been married for 21 years but never had a clothes line before)

Front brake job on a 2005 Ford Ranger.

Tools I needed to change my front brakes.
Front Brake pads.

Take off the lug nuts.
Take off the tire.
Take out the bolt that holds the brakes in place. Screw in Calipers.

Put the brakes pads in place.
Put the tire back on, and we have a front Ford Ranger Brakes job. If anyone would really like to try this themselves I will be happy to email you more clear and exact instructions. : )

These pictures are of Boazs' poor eye after the accident on Saturday. (Bo took these pictures of himself. He wanted me to post these to our blog) On Saturday at my Janitor's job, Bo was cleaning the toilet's and got "The Work" in his eye. (Bo likes to go with me to clean, he is saving his money for a laptop computer) We flushed it out at church and then I took him home to flush it out in the shower. After that it was still burning and draining nasty stuff out of it. Our doctor's office said to he really needed to go to the ER. That toilet bowl cleaner has bleach in it and could stay in the eye and slowly eat away the inside of the eye.




This morning, after what seemed like a very long weekend, I walked around my house to view all the beautiful things that the Lord has given me. These are just a few of them.

My first hanging plant of the season.
One of my Lilac bushes.
One of my Rose bushes. I can't wait for them to bloom.
I'm not sure what kind of tree this is but it is pretty and nice to look at.

This is one of my Peony bushes, that I planted last year. I sure pray they bloom this year.

Please come back!

Saturday, May 05, 2007

How can we improve on our Worship

Here is a little lesson on Leading Worship from our Worship Leader at Calvary. I am not on Worship Team one but this is a good lesson for anyone Leading Worship.

Living for the simple things in life: It's the weekend

Living for the simple things in life: "I Give You My Heart"

Living for the simple things in life: Preparing for Awana and Worship Team

I asked Shahan to give me some honest feedback after sitting through our rehearsal the other night. Team 2 people weren’t there, but I believe his feedback applies to both teams.

1) We sound really good. He stressed that. In fact, he said when he first walked in he thought he was listening to Hillsong (we were playing Now That You’re Near).

2) The vocals were way out in front of the music. He thought we could probably get away with that in a worship leading setting, but it wouldn’t be the best for anything else. He and I both believe the vocals should be out front, but I think we go a little far sometimes. This is especially true with songs that are well known. It’s a fine line, I know.

3) He noticed we all keep our heads buried in our music stands. He pointed out that surely we must know “Shout to the Lord” from memory by now. He believes it is habit more than anything and I think he is right. We had a pretty lengthy discussion about this; there is really a lot to talk about here. What’s funny is I just got off the phone with Nick (he called one sentence ago) and he brought this issue up. Let’s talk more about this on Thursday nights.

4) He said we could use more dynamics. This really is something I’m going to have to direct, but you all can help. For example, certain instruments (like the guitars, flute, and keys) should feel free to really bring it down or not play at all at spots in a song that call for it. Remember, music is all about ups and downs, highs and lows, tension and release.

5) He said I should have a mic in front of me at all times during rehearsal. I think the sound men are going to set me up with a lapel mic from now on.

6) He said he could sense the willingness of everyone to do whatever was asked with a good attitude. Praise the Lord! I have to concur with him; your good hearts are showing! What a joy it is to be part of such a wonderful group of believers!!



In conclusion let me say this: I believe we are doing a very good job; that our ministry is being blessed and empowered by God Almighty; that the Lord uses us to really draw people into worship Sunday mornings. But, I believe we can ALWAYS get better!



For His glory,



Jake

Friday, May 04, 2007

Missionaries killed in Turkey Part 2


I have read this article over 4 times since receiving it on Wednesday evening. God has moved my heart in a way that it has not been moved before. I don't fear for my life, I am free to speak about Christ with people but how often do I do it? I am so grateful for the things that God has given me, things that I take for granted.

God has given me a loving husband,(This man works so hard to take care of me and our children) 7 children (6 very healthy ones and a child that I was able to love for three months) I have 3 of the most adorable Grandchildren in the world (Bias) A Daughter-in-law who is just like a daughter to me. I have Godly parents who love me very much! A church family that I get to worship our Awesome Lord and Savior with each week. What more could a person ask for? Until I read this article I didn't see what I had.

Now on to the rest of the arcticle:

The men that did this horrible act were really just young boy's. 16 year old boy's are being used to carry out these religious murders. The reason for this is because public sympathy for youth is strong and they face lower penalties than an adult convicted of the same crime. Even the parents of these children are in favor of these acts of murder. The mother of the 16 year old boy mother looked at the cameras as her son was going to prison and said, "he will serve thime for Aliah."

I couldn't even imagine my 17 year old boy doing such an act and me thinking it was o.k.

The young men involved in the killings are currently in custody. Today news reported that they would be tried as terrorists, so their age would not affect the strict penalty. Assailant Emre Gunaydin is still in intesive care. The investigation centers around him and his contacts and they say will fall apart if he does no recover.

The Church in Turkey responded in a way that honored God as hundreds of believers and dozens of pastors flew in as fast as they could to stand by the small church of Malatya and encourage the believers, to take care of legal issues, and represent Christians to the media.

Susanne Tilman, this is the wife of the man that was stabbed 156 times. She expressed her wish to bury her husband in Malatya, the Governor tried to stop it, and when he realized he could not stop it, a rumor was spread that "it is a sin to dig a grave for a Christian." In the end, in an undertaking that should be remembered in Christian history forever, the men from the church in Adana (near Tarsus), grabbed shovels and dug a grave for their slain brother in an un-attended hundred year old Armenian graveyard.

Ugur was buried by his family in an Alevi Muslim ceremony in his hometown of Elazig, his believing fiance watching from the shadows as his family and friends refused to accept in death the faith Ugur had so long professed and died for.

Necati's funeral took place in his hometown of Izmir, the city where he came to faith. The darkness does not understand the light. Though the churches expressed their forgiveness for the event, Christians were not to be trusted. Before they would load the coffin onto the plane from Malatya, it went through two separate xray exams to to make sure it was not loaded with explosives. This is not a usual procedure for Muslim coffins.

Necati's funeral was a beautiful event. Like a glimpse of heaven, thousands of Turkish Christionas and missionaries came to show their love for Christ, and their honor for this man chosen to die for Christ.

Necati's wifes response:

Necati's wife Shemas told the world, "His death was full of meaning, because he died for Christ and he lived for Christ... Necati was a gift from God. I feel honored that he was in my life, I feel crowned with honor. I want to be worthy of that honor."
(This Godly response still brings tears to my eyes, I am so humbled by this woman)

Boldy the believers took their stand at Necati's funeral, facing the risks of being seen publicly and likewise becoming targets. As expected, the anti-terror police attended and videotaped everyone attending the funeral for their future use.

Susanne Tilmans response to her husband's murder:


In an act that hit front pages in the largest newspaper in Turkey, Susanne Tilman said this, "Oh God, forgive them for they know not what they do," She said, wholeheartedly areeing with the words of Christ on Calvary (Luke 23:24)

The missionaries in Malatya will most likely move out, their families and children have become publicly identified as targets to the hostile city. The remaining 10 belevers are in hiding. What will happen to the church, this light in the darkness? most likely it will go underground.

We need to pray for wisdom, that Turkish brothers from other cities will go to lead the leaderless church.

Pastor Fikret Bocek prayed this:

But we pray-and urge you to pray-that someday at least one of those five boys will come to faith because of the testimony in death of Tilman Geske, who gave his life as a missionary to his beloved Turks, and the testimonies in death of Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel, the first martyrs for Christ out of the Turkish Church.

Like I have said many times in these two post; I have been humbled by the lives of these missionaries and their families. I pray your lives has been changed as well.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Missionaries killed in Turkey Part 1

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know I never post News articles. Tonight at our Awana program, one of our Elder's asked me, if I had heard about the recent Missionaries that lost their lives in Turkey. I told him, I hadn't heard about them. He handed me an article about it. I was on my way to the gym to meet up with my Awana group but couldn't help but stop for a moment and read this article.

I was so humbled and taken back by this article. I am so ashamed of myself, I grumble and complain because I am tired and have so much to do. (Most of which I place on myself) I don't fear for my life while I'm serving the Lord. I am free and never worry about losing my life while doing God's work. These three men didn't know what faced them that morning as they left their familes.

Please,please please pass this on to as many praying Christians as you can. We really need to hold up these Missionaries families.

A letter to the Global Church from the Portestant Church of Smyrna

On Wednesday morning, April 18th, 2007. 46 year old German missionary and father of three Tilman Geske prepared to go to his office, kissing his wife goodby taking a moment to hug his son and give him the priceless memory, "Goodbye, son. I love you".

Tilman rented an office space from zirve publishing where he was preparing notes for the new Turkish Study Bible. A ministry of the church, Zirve prints and distributes Christian literature to Malatya and nearby cities in Eastern Turkey. In another area of twon, 35 year old Pastor Necati Aydin, father of two, said goodby to his wife, leaving for the office as well. They had a morning Bible study and prayer meeting that some other believers in town would also be attending. Ugur Yuksel likewise made his way to the Bible study.

None of these three men knew that what awaited them at the Bible study was the ultimate testing and application of their faith, which would conclude with their entrance into glory to receive their crown of righteousness from Christ and honor from all the saints awaiting them in the Lord's presence.

On the other side of town, ten young men all under 20 years old put into place final arrangements for their ultimate act of faith, living out their love for Allah and hatred of infidels who they felt undermined Islam.

On Resurrection Sunday, five of these men had been to a by-invitation-only evangelistic service that Pastor Necati and his men had arranged at a hotel conference room in the city. The man were known to the believers as "seekers." No one knows what happened in the hearts of those men as they listened to the gospel. Were they touched by the Holy Spirit? Were they convicted of sin? Did they hear the gospel in their heart of hearts? Today we only have the beginning of their story.

These young men all lived in the same dorm, all preparing for University entrance exams.

The young men got guns, breadknives, ropes and towels ready for their final act of service to Allah. They knew there would be a lot of blood. They arrived in time for the Bible Study, around 10:00 a.m. The boys tied Ugur, Necati, and Tilman's hands and feet to chairs and as they videoed their work on their cellphones, they tortured our brothers for almost three hours. It is so hard to type this information into my computer, without crying for what these men had to have went through for Christ. Again, I am so ashamed of my own service for the Lord.

Details of the torture-This really should not be read by young children.

Tilman was stabbed 156 times, Necati 99 times and Ugur's stabs were too numerous to count. They were disemboweled, and their intestines sliced up in front of their eyes. They were emasculated and watched as those body parts were destroyed. Fingers were chopped off, their noses and mouths and other body parts were sliced open. Possibly the worst part was watching as their brothers were likewise tortured. Finally, their throats were sliced from ear to ear, heads practically decapitated.

Neighbors in workplaces near the printhouse said later they had heard yelling, but assumed the owners were having a domestic argumant so they did not respond.

Pastor Fikret Bocek said this about the slayings, "Don't pray against persecution, pray for perseverence.

Meanwhile, another believer Goichan and his wife had a leisurely morning. He slept in till 10, ate a long breakfast and finally around 12:30 he and his wife arrived at the office. The door was locked from the inside, and his key would not work. He phoned and though it had connection on his end he did not hear the phone ringing inside. He called cell phones of the brothers and finally Ugur answered his phone. "We are not at the office. Go to the hotel meeting. We are there. We will come there," He said cryptically. As Ugur spoke Gokhan heard in teh telephone's background weeping and a stange snarling sound.

He phoned the police, and the nearest officer arrived in about five minutes, He pounded on teh door, "Police, open up!: Initially the officer thought it was a domestic disturbance. At that point they heard another snarl and a gurling moan. The police understood that sound as human suffering; Prepared the clip in his gun and tried over and over again to burst through the door. One of the frightened assailants unlocked the door for the policeman, who entered to find a grisly scene.

Tilman and Necati had been slaughtered, practically decapitated with their necks slit from ear to ear. Ugur's throat was likewise slit and he was barely alove.

Three assailants in front of the policeman dropped their weapons.

Outside Gokhan heard a sound of yelling in the street. Someone had fallen from their third story office. Running down, he found a man on the ground whom he later recognized, named Emre Gunaydin. He had massive head trauma and , strangely, was snarling. He had tried to climb down the drainpipe to escape and losing his balance had plummeted to the ground. It seems that he was the main leader of the attackers. Another assailant was found hiding on a lower balcony.

Such attacks have been going on for the last 6 years in Turkey.

Tomorrow, I'll post the reaction of their family and friends.

"Oh God, forgive them for they know not what they do," Luke 23:34

There is so much more to the article but this is what our missionaries are facing in Turkey. May God be with them as they serve Him.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Super Linerider

I've been a bit busy the last few days!

I've been trying to keep my house clean, my laundry caught up; groceries bought and put away, attend Bo's soccer game and still try to finish my spring cleaning. Keeping busy is a good thing.

Today, I have another busy day planned! I have an appointment in Saline at 9:30 a.m. I really need to try and get the lawn mowed after that. I am going to make the kids homemade chicken noodle soup for dinner; this has to be made before I go to work because I go right to Awana from work. I think that will cover much of my day. (Breath)

I'd better get busy; I still have much to do before I take Bo to school.

Bo asked me last night to help him post Super line flyer on our blog. I was busy at the time and told him I'd help him in the morning before he went to school. I guess he tried to post it himself last night. He somehow downloaded the Detroit Tiger's website?

Don't ask me, I don't know.

Bo loves this game and plays it often.

This game site is great for young boys.

Thank you for the comment Jim! This is what Bo was trying to load.




Below is the website, just incase you can't open the link.

http://www.official-linerider.com/play.html