More from the GES Conference

As promised, today I will upload some pictures from the Grace Conference.

Here is our group (minus Kathy Crow who took the picture). We were wearing our spiffy "logo" shirts that we bought specifically for the conference (except for Graham, who felt he needed to dress up since he was one of the workshop speakers that day).

In the picture: Jo Schweizer, Viva & George Garza, Lois & Doug White, LaRue & Graham.

Lois & Doug busily put together our display so that we were ready as soon as the conference began. They are the "marketing elves" of the ministry, taking care of every imaginable detail.

Bob Wilkin (the President of GES) started the conference on Monday afternoon looking at 1 Corinthians 2:2, "What Was Paul's Message of Christ and Him Crucified?" It was a re-consideration of the question, "What must we believe about Jesus to be saved vs. What must Jesus do to be the Savior." In order to separate our belief from belief plus works, we must leave all the doing to Him.

Steve Lewis (from Rocky Mountain Bible College and Seminary in Denver) and Jody Dillow (founder of BEE Ministries) followed with sessions 2 and 3. Steve explained that much of our Church Theology is formed by "consensus" - "if all believe it, does that make it right?" This leads one to claim, "All agree, so the issue is settled." I was thinking that this is true inside and outside of church. How often have we heard that the Global Warming debate is settled?

Jody spoke on the Parable of the Ten Virgins from Matt. 25:1-13. This one cut into my exhaustion and I slipped out to take a little snooze.

After a short break, our group met with plans to venture out into Ft. Worth to eat dinner at Mimi's Cafe. Lois & Doug went back to their hotel and Jefferson, and the rest of us crashed in our rooms at the Riley Center, exhausted from an early morning (5 a.m.) start of a long day.

More on Tuesday's sessions in the next post.

Greater Works at GES

I'm trying unsuccessfully to upload pictures from the conference. It will probably have to wait til I return home on Thursday, though I will try again tomorrow.

Our contingent from San Antonio includes George and Viva Garza, Jo Schweizer and Kathy Crow, and Doug and Lois White. We are having a great time networking with other ministries and showing off our HGW shirt logos!

Yesterday we heard several good messages from Bob Wilkin, Steve Lewis and Jody Dillow. And this morning, another round of talks included memories of Zane Hodges, a paper by Lon Gregg and a wonderful message by Tony Evans. Graham gave his paper in a workshop this afternoon. So now we are more relaxed and ready to take in the rest of the conference.

The banquet tonight was top notch. A group from Communion Chapel were seated at the table next to us. Mike Pratt brought his elders, Pat Wilson, Ruben Gomez and Jim Voss. They have been enjoying all the teaching as well.

Hopefully I'll be able to get some pictures up soon. Time now to rest both body and brain.

Lessons from Esther

My ladies' Bible study group is studying the Book of Esther Beth Moore Bible study. (Ach! I used the word "study" three times in one sentence!) This is the ninth or tenth Bible study I have done in the Beth Moore series. I really love the methodology she uses and I particularly love the way God uses each subject to work into my certain set of circumstances.

Right now there are several events surrounding me that are seemingly too big to handle. I can bring forth all that I know about God, all that I know to pray, and yet, the circumstances are still beyond my control. Digging into the book of Esther has shown me some wonderful insights into God and His providence that speak profoundly to me in simple terms that I can understand.

Quoting from Beth, as we get to the end of chapter 3 in Esther: "I don't know exactly how God perfects plans that seem so bleak to us in process, but these two things I know: He never takes His eyes off of us or off the clock ticking over us." To say this caught my attention is an understatement!

A little further on, in examining Haman and his motives for destroying the Jews, Beth explains: "Satan's agenda is to kill and destroy anything dear to God... The beautifully frustrating part of Satan's insatiable bloodlust is that ultimately he cannot have what he wants... When all is said and done, Satan can't win and you can't lose." Friend, once we belong to Christ, our inner self is untouchable.

Looking at situations that happen to me, things not of my own doing, remind me of Proverbs 16:33: "The lot is cast into the lap but its every decision is from the Lord." Beth said something in the video this week that helped put things into perspective for me: "It is often crisis that God uses to pivot us in another direction. We have been left on this earth for a purpose."

And finally, as we came to verse 14 in chapter 4, this very familiar verse suddenly had more meaning: "Yet who knows whether you have come to this kingdom for such a time as this?" That kingdom, for me or for you, is anywhere that God has placed you, whether it be in your home, in your school or workplace, your community. God has ordained my circumstances for a purpose. "Who knows?" God knows! How comforting is that?

My response, then, is to pray - for my circumstance or situation, for my purpose to be revealed, for His will to be accomplished. That's a lot of good stuff coming from the little book of Esther!

A Dog Story

I may have mentioned this before, that I enjoy an ebay online community of dog-lovers. They are mostly women from all over the United States (and even Scandinavia). This "thread" started out as the home of a darling rescued Westie named Tess. Over the years Tess collected many friends with dogs of various breeds, and the core of the group has maintained the site even after our dear little Tess passed away over a year ago.

We enjoy sharing the exploits of our puppers - both the good and the bad - and I have obtained permission to reprint this vet story from our member from Arizona. This fine fella is named Biscotti and he apparently lists his vet appointments very low on his preferred activity list! He has a brother, a long-haired dachshound named Winslow. (She mentions Vixen, another Scottie who passed away last year.) Here, then, is Biscotti and his story:

Both boys were highly upset last night. Biscotti had a vet's appt.,

just his yearly check-up and distemper booster. It was also the first time Winslow

had to stay home alone...usually he had Vixen for company.

Well..the B Boy was not happy to be going to the vets in the first place.

After we got inside he would not settle down & behave...

I had to go back out to the jeep and get his crate!

We crated him where he continued to voice his displeasure at the whole experience.

It's around 5:30 pm, so the joint is hopping with people and pets (which just makes it worse)...wouldn't you know it? An older couple with a C-A-T in a see through carrier sat down next to us and plunks the carrier on the floor...right next to Biscotti!!

OH.MY.GOD>>>A CAT>>>>The commotion from inside the crate was truly deafening,

and probably frightening for people who do not know the terrier attitude

and determination and Biscotti's complete obsession and distrust of cats.

The crate fairly skipped across the floor closer to the cat...

the old couple were horrified and asked us what was in the crate.

I very calmly replied, "A Tasmanian Devil".

I thought Dale was going to choke, the old couple grabbed their cat

and moved across the room. Funny...no one else sat next to us..ha.

I finally asked the gal to put us in a room..for the love of God, please.

Biscotti was wound up tight enough to play tiddlywinks on, and naturally

the vet was running late. They got us in a room which only helped settle him down a bit,

as he was on high alert for another CAT.

Dr. Sherrill laughed at his antics and mentioned we could get Valium for his next appt....

I asked if I could take it too. Jeez...what an experience.

When we got home little Win was soooo happy we were ALL back...

he yapped and whined and looked pathetic. You would think a simple trip to the vet's office would not be such high drama...wouldn't you??

After we got home Biscotti was his happy calm self again...

we could of strangled him..haha.

The postscript to her story...

When Biscotti gets stressed out he sheds really bad, like a dried up old Christmas tree shedding it's needles...Vixen did too. So, I was covered in Scottie fur to boot, luckily wasn't wearing a white top, but it was a light color..hehe.

I couldn't help but laugh and enjoy her recitation! Makes me realize what a jewel I have in Treasure, although if I'm foolish enough to wear a dark shirt, I will get white Westie hair all over it!

My Funny Treasure

We had Bible study today at Jo's house. Our gathering has become as much about our doggies as it is about us. We enjoy the humor and affection they give as it adds to our bonding as a group of women. Usually it's Treasure and Jefferson. Now we sometimes have Betty Lou, and when Jo is dog-sitting, we'll get Byron or Mollie.


Today, as Treasure ran to Jo's door, Mollie was standing behind the glass. When we walked in they took one sniff of each other and proceeded to totally ignore each other for the next two hours! It really was as if Mollie was invisible! And vice-versa! This was one of the quietest Bible studies we have had all year!




All I can think is that Treasure was disappointed that Jefferson was out of town. Jeffie and Mollie have very similar markings, but Mollie is larger, a Maltese, and Treasure wasn't going to be fooled by her disguise! She knows her boyfriend, and nobody else can take his place! Funny little Treasure.

Reprieve!

We have been blessed today with a good report on Treasure. Our weekend was filled with gloom and fear after Treasure began some serious bleeding Saturday night. My prayers consisted of pleadings that God would let her hold on throughout the weekend so we could get to Dr. Earl Monday morning. With a handful of prayer warriors alerted and ready to intercede, we watched Miss Treasure closely and tried to keep her quiet and comfortable. And with just one trip to the bathroom during the night, she and I both got the best sleep ever last night!

Dr. Earl checked her this afternoon, did another ultrasound, and found that nothing had changed in the two weeks since her last exam. He thinks some of the tumor might have sloughed off and caused the bleeding. And since it had almost stopped by this afternoon, that became a non-issue. I know that if it happens again what to look for before getting panicky.

So now we are down to finding a way to keep her meds down. We'll cut the dosage in half again and give her pepcid daily. And hopefully her little system will handle them. As we got into the car to go home, my mopey little dog had a great big Westie smile and now she's peacefully sleeping away near my feet. Can't ask for more than that!

Thanks to my prayer warriors, and especially to Doug, who met us at the vet's office and kept Graham company. You all are the best!

Now What?

I finished my Amish barn this week!

It was a lot of fun to stitch and see this picture come to life.

Once it was done I logged on to the Cross Country website to order a special frame.

This pattern is one of a series of patterns that Jeremiah Junction is known for.

They can carry a series for years and that's great for collectors who might be doing a

"four seasons" type grouping.

Here is the piece I did a few years ago. I love these because they are small,

easily stitched in a few weeks, and are so cute when hanging over a doorway.

This is the frame I wanted to purchase the other night from the website.

You can see that this pattern was designed specifically for this frame...

Or is the frame designed specifically for this pattern?

Either way, this is the frame I must have for this piece.

Alas, even though the frame was listed in the print catalog,

it was conspicuously missing online.

I emailed my question, "How can I purchase this frame?"

They answered, "We no longer carry this item. Sorry."

So, now what do I do?

Any suggestions? Ruthie????