It's a Miracle

Some of you may have read a recent post where I made a reference to a boy on my newspaper staff who lost a $600 camera at a football game weekend before last. It was pretty traumatic because, well, it was a $600 camera. I prayed really hard, but by this time was convinced that it was probably a lost cause. I was actually getting ready to start calling area pawn shops with the serial numbers, assuming it'd been stolen.

Well, this morning the secretaries showed up at my classroom door with huge smiles on their faces. Springfield Central High, where the camera was lost, called and said they'd found the camera and the principal was holding it for safekeeping. It just so happened that our principal was in Springfield today (almost two hours away) and was able to swing by and pick it up.

God is so good. I was beginning to feel responsible for the incident and ready to tell the principal that I'd pay for half of the reimbursement cost--in several payments, anyway. I am so grateful for this answered prayer. Our God is awesome!!!! :-)

Prospects Galore!!!

In southern Missouri, there is a highway (Hwy. 60) that has often been called "COGOP Alley". Seriously, there is a Church of God of Prophecy in just about every town on this highway for approximately 300 miles. And I used to preach to, visit, and fellowship with many of those churches and know that, unless people have changed, they would not go along with the new "changes" that have taken place in the church.

Because of a recent incident, I am becoming more and more convinced as to the one of the reasons God has placed us in this area. The other day, I had an incident with one of my staff members (for the school newspaper) losing one of our very expensive cameras at a football game last week. After questioning some of the kids, I found out that a boy who wasn't on my staff was taking pictures for the irresponsible staff member who'd been allowed to check the camera out from me. I checked with the office and found out that this kid was working at his internship in a local body shop/auto mechanic place. I went out there to question him and no one was in the office. I stepped inside the garage and yelled out a hello and heard one of the men who was under the dashboard of a car yell out, "We don't wanna' talk to you" (jokingly, of course.)

He stepped out of the car and said, "You do remember me, don't you?" It took me a minute to realize that it was Stacey Prewett, one of the local pastors in COGOP. He'd had me preach at his church back when I was in high school on a few different occasions.

We sat down and chatted for several minutes and he told me he'd moved into Willow Springs (where I teach) and was getting ready to take over a church in Summersville (another town really close). I feel I may have a shot at getting him to come over. I remember he believed very much in the old-time way. Ya'll pray that God will help me do and say the right things to him and some of the others out here that I know because, for the most part, they do believe the way we do and I KNOW that some of the people out here aren't going to go along with the junk COGOP's preaching now.

Autumn is Here

The one turned out really good, but in the other one, he sort of has his eyes half-closed. I didn't buy any of that one. We got our big 10X13 of the first one.

Oh, by the way ....

Sears has a really cool thing where you can buy the CD for $20 and they actually sell you the copyright to the pics. So I am not doing this illegally.


We tried the mirror thing. I wanted him to lay down on it and look into the mirror so she could get a shot from above, but ... um ... well, no, it was not an option! He wasn't buying into that.

Beep! Beep!

Easy Does It

I figure just a couple at a time is best so that the computer doesn't get overloaded and something blows up on me.

The rocky horse was cute. The lady tried to get him to lay his head on it for a sweet picture. NO WAY was he going that route!!!!

As you can probably tell, my husband and I love fall. Here he's in a cartoony-looking fall scene. We thought it was just adorable.

Here he is ...

We tried so hard to get him to wear a little yellow raincoat, but he wouldn't have anything to do with it.

Oh, well. It's cute anyway.

He got really tickeled about something when he was in the big red car.

Baby Pictures To Be Posted Soon

Well, we're off in a couple of hours to get Jackson's pictures made. I love getting his pictures made. It is lots o' fun ... that is, if he cooperates with the photographer. We've not had many problems with him doing that yet, so I'm hoping he behaves himself today.

Megan, do you think you could "show" me how to change my blog template. I've tried soooo many times and I'm still doing SOMETHING wrong. AHHHHHHH!!!!! IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!! I've got this really pretty one I want to use and it just won't work.

Talk to ya'll later.

Update on the Trip

It's all planned out. Itinerary, financial analysis, transportation details, etc. It's all done and turned in as of Monday afternoon. My principal was impressed with the details. She said she's already got her bags packed. (jokingly, of course) Here's a condensed version of what's on the schedule:
Monday, Mar. 12--we'll get in DC around 12:30, so we'll check in the hotel and have a group meeting, then hit the National Gallery of Art and a few hours at the Smithsonian (Natual History) , and the Pentagon Mall
Tuesday, Mar. 13--Arlington National Cemetery where we'll see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns *chillbumps just thinking about it*, Holocaust Museum, Library of Congress, and Moonlight Memorial Tour, which includes walking tours of the following memorials: Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, Vietnam, WWII, Roosevelt Park, White House, Capitol Building, Iwo Jima
Wednesday, Mar. 14--Ford Theatre and Petersen House, Supreme Court, National Archives (I told the kids to bring lots of lemon juice and q-tips *tee hee*), several more hours at the Smithsonian (American History & Air and Space), dinner theatre (still not sure which play we'll see because most theatres don't have schedules out yet for March)
Thursday, Mar. 15--a few more hours at the Smithsonian (American History) and fly back home

I can't wait. Anybody wanna' meet us there? :-)

Just got some really sad news ...

My cousin called me today. She told me that a girl I used to go to church with in COGOP was in a car accident yesterday and passed away. Ach! She was only, like, 20 or 21. They said she crossed the middle line and hit a car head-on. I'm not sure if she was sleepy or what, but it just breaks my heart. I was pretty close with her family at one time. I'd go to their house after church and we'd play games until pretty late. I even went on a couple of dates with her older brother. WAY BEFORE I GOT MARRIED, BTW. Anyway, they said Kathy (her mom) is not doing well. She died at 2 in the afternoon and she wouldn't leave the hospital room until around 7 o'clock yesterday. They were a very close-knit family. She home-schooled her girls and all. She has another daughter, Deborah, 17. Sarah (the girl who passed away) had just been married for about two years. No children yet, so that's one thing. But, oh, she'll be missed. She could sing and play the guitar. She was a really pretty girl. It's hard to believe. I need to find out the arrangements because I'll definitely need to go. They live close.

Anyway, I guess I'm rambling a bit, but it seems like people do that when they get news like this. Ya'll take care. Good night.

OOOOOHHHHHH.... I am SO excited

Yes, I know I have probably gone absolutely bazerk, (Is that how you spell that? Is it even a word?) but I have just asked permission at school to take my junior college prep class on a week-long tour of Washington, D.C., for Spring break. WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH ME? I mean, I really want to do it, but it is sooo much work to plan a trip for that many kids for that many days. But I am dedicated to my job, and I believe the kids in this area need more experiences than they get. I mean, most of them haven't been outside of the southern Missouri region. And if my job is to teach them about things that will help in life, then learning about our country's history and polity is such a big part of that. Besides that, I am a writing teacher and if these kids have no experiences then they have nothing about which to write, right?

Anyway, I have my itinerary nearly done. I'm turning it in Monday morning along with a complete financial report and a few fundraising ideas. I am working on transportation costs while in D.C. I need to find out how we're going to do the illuminated tour of the monuments and how we're going to get to Monticello (Jefferson's home) and/or Mount Vernon (Washington's home). Really, I'm trying to decide which one we should do. I also have to decide which dinner theatre we're going to go to. I'm trying to find one that has either a Shakespearean play or some other classic. I'm not much on a lot of the contemporary plays.

The most exciting thing that I found today was my airfare. We can fly from Memphis, TN, to Washington for ... are you ready for this? ... $138. $138!!!!!!! That's just unreal. I called my principal on her cell phone the minute I found that. She said, "Wow! I can tell you're really excited, Amy." She thinks I'm crazy. But she's excited too; she told me so. She wants my trip to be approved because she believes in the whole giving the kids experiences thing, too. Anyway, it'll happen. I really think it will. I'm hoping it will, anyway.

Well, I gotta' go to bed. My eyes are a little droopy ...

Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

~exuent

Ever Feel Like Ya Wanna' Throw the Computer Out a Window?

Well, I've been trying to change the template (or is it skin?) on my blog and I've gotten really close several times, but I'm still doing something wrong. I found the website where some of you got your templates (or is it skin?) and followed the directions and it even said it had uploaded successfully but when I viewed my blog, everything looked just white and there was a square at the top that said photobucket had removed the image!!!!! Who does photobucket think he is, anyway? I tell ya'. If there are any adept bloggers out there who have a few minutes who could give me an idea of what I might be goofing up, I'd be very grateful for some advice.

Well, I hear we have a new General Overseer. I thank God for that. And I couldn't think of a finer man. I've always held high respect for Bro. Smith and his family. I feel safe knowing he's been chosen because he's definitely an anointed man of God and has a humble heart like Brother Pruitt. My mother-in-law said she felt God's approval very strongly. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to His Church. I also heard of what the Church is going to do for the Pruitts. I think it's wonderful; what a neat way to honor a man whose done so much for the Church.

I also hear there was a new denomination organized this weekend. I don't quite know what to say about that except that I had hoped that situation would have turned out a different way with repentance and reconciliation. Maybe all's not lost with all of them.

On a lighter note, let me tell you what my little angel did Friday when we got home. I set the diaper bag and my purse and my lunch bag and my school bag down in my bedroom, closed the door, put him in his room and ran to use the restroom because I couldn't wait. While I was in there, Jackson walked out of his room, through the living room to my door, opened my door, went into my room, got into his diaper bag, pulled out his Tylenol Cough and Cold medicine which has a childproof lid, opened the lid, and dumped almost the entire bottle on the carpet IN MY BEDROOM. Well, when I was finished I went to get all my bags to put them away, and Jackson was standing there with his arms straight out in front of him and the bottle turned upside down in both of his little bitty hands watching the pretty red stream of medicine ooze out of the bottle. As soon as he saw me, his face went sullen (and quite ashen) and he dropped the bottle and just stood there with his eyes wide. Oh, my, if spankings were rated on a scale of 1 to 10, ... (Note: He did the same thing with shampoo the other day only THAT was in the living room.) WE HAVE GOT TO GET SOME OF THOSE DOORKNOB THINGIES.

Anyway, after I calmed down and got most of it up, I took a look at the lid and, unless the babysitter didn't screw it back on tightly, (which is unlikely; she's a very conscientious person) I don't have a clue how he got the thing open. I sometimes have a little trouble getting it open. Of course, this is the same kid who at 10 months old took a nightlight from the outlet and COMPLETELY UNSCREWED THE LIGHT BULB. AT 10 MONTHS OLD!!!!!

Anyone out there have any magic housekeeping tricks to get a bright pink stain out of our LANDLORD'S cream-colored carpet? (Yeah, we rent.) I've tried carpet cleaner stuff. Didn't work completely. My sister suggested a very diluted mixture of bleach water. I'll do that if I have to but I'd rather not have a white spot right there if I can get by without doing that. So I'll wait and hopefully somebody can give me an idea.

Anticipating great things from you more experienced housekeepers out there,

Amy ; \

A Little Sad Again Today

I really, really, really wish we could've been at the Assembly. I'm praying for everything to go according to God's will. I've not had many update calls, so I'm assuming that means sessions are lasting really long.

Anthony and I went and saw the stone for my Grandpa's grave last night. They'd just finished it. He died just a few months ago. He and I were VERY close. He considered me his kid and I thought of him as a dad. He was only 64 years old when he died--he would have turned 65 this July. Anyway, it hurts for him to be gone; I miss him so much. I found some old pictures of him and me today. That was rough and precious at the same time.

Brother James, I checked out your blog last night when we got home and heard the beautiful song you have on there sung by Sis. Janet. Thank you; I feel like that was for me last night and tonight. I needed it. I listened to it over and over and over and cried and prayed.

Love ya'll.

It's Official--COGOP has Changed its View of Fornication

taken from cogop.org:

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The Christian church recognizes many variations of marriage throughout the world, with the
exception of polygamy, free (common law) marriages, same-sex marriages, or where other
elements of biblically lawful marriages have been violated. Where unlawful marriages have
taken place, annulments may be required to invalidate these violations of biblical standards.
2. While we recognize that with God all things are possible, we also recognize that some things
are beyond human ability to repair or reconcile. This dilemma can best be approached based on the principle in Acts 15:8–11, which states, “And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare
them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us. And put no difference
between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why tempt ye God, to
put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” Caution must be exercised so as not to require of people something that they are unable to do, lest we put a yoke of bondage around their neck (Matthew 23:4). This means the situation must be left to God’s sovereignty.
3. We accept the biblical principle of forgiveness of all sins by the grace of God through the
shed blood of Christ and that in every nation all those who come to God are acceptable
without respect of persons (Acts 10:34–35). Ongoing discipleship by the pastor and local
church is very important for all members (Acts 2:42–47, Ephesians 4:11–16). This will
require great wisdom and loving care by our leadership and people as we continue in the
harvest. Therefore, we further recommend that the International Offices develop a program
of extensive discipleship to help all our members mature in Christ Jesus.
4. An ordained minister must be held to a higher standard (Titus 1:6–9) than other members of
the body because of the biblical mandate and because of their high profile influence on other
believers who may be struggling with society’s concept for marriage and the family.
Therefore, we recommend that the International Presbytery use discretion in ordaining
ministers to insure that biblical standards are maintained.
The Assembly Committee for Biblical Doctrine and Polity for the Church of God of Prophecy
humbly submit this document with deep prayer for your review and consideration for 94th
General Assembly.

This is the recap from their General Assembly:

Following the worship time, the Assembly entered into a business session to again discuss the BDP Committee's "Biblical Institution of Marriage" document. This session had been called for at the counsel of the International Presbytery and accepted by the General Assembly. Brother Fisher asked for an expression by the State/National Bishops, asking them to stand if in support of the document, particularly items two through five of Section Three, the items not yet passed. After the Bishops expressed their support of the items, Bishop Fisher called for the delegates in support of the items not yet passed to stand. A large majority of delegates stood in support of passage of the items.
Bishop Fisher gave opportunity to those who disagreed to stand, followed by an opportunity for those standing to abstain or submit to the General Assembly. Ninety-seven remained standing. Bishop Fisher turned these over to the supervision/counsel of their State/National Overseer. He then expressed his authority, as given by the General Assembly, to declare the passage of items two through five of Section Three. According to the minutes of the church, when one accord cannot be reached, due to a few who will not submit or abstain, the moderator may remove the dissenting voices from the expression.
Bishop Fisher then gave an admonition to the General Presbyters and Bishops to be patient with those churches that will have difficulty accepting this new document. To the ministry he encouraged them to be patient with the membership, and to the membership he encouraged the same. Finally he reminded us "We are not a one track-minded Church." He encouraged pastors to preach salvation.
Following thee business sessions, Bishop Fisher gave a challenge to the Church to put ministry to children, youth, men, and women at the forefront of ministry. His challenge led to the appointments of ministry leadership, and gave presbyters the opportunity to make their National/State appointments. One change to be noted is the appointment of Bishop David Bryan to serve as new Global Outreach Ministries Director, replacing the office vacated by new General Overseer Randall E. Howard


May the Lord lead the true sheep who are still in this demonination back to His Church, The Church of God ... and may they follow with willing and open hearts.