A Wonderful Visit

My brother lives in Kansas City, MO.  He recently came to Mississippi for a visit.  He drove his motorcycle.  That is a long 12 hours on a motorcycle or it would be for me anyway.   

My nephew and his wife also came to visit.  They are really still newly weds.  They were married a year this past May.  Trae, my mother and I drove to Kansas City for the weddings last year.  It was a beautiful wedding. 

Brad and Stacie - May 2009

Trae, my mother, me, Leslie (Anthony's Friend) and Anthony (my brother) at the wedding.

We had a family gathering at my house on Sunday while they were here.  I did not get many picture's but here are a couple of the visitors......Brad, Stacy and Anthony......

We were so glad they came to visit and that we had the time together.  So thankful for my brother and his family.

 My brother has come along way in his walk with God and it is a answered prayer!  Sometimes it seems our prayers are not being heard because we can not see the answer to our prayers.  One thing I struggle with is waiting on God's timing,  I like my timing better.  But my timing is not God's plan. 

Isaiah 40:31  but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Until next time...Have a Blessed Day

Youth Retreat

Each year our church sponsors a 'Youth Retreat'  for the youth in our church, Mantachie United Methodist Church,  and for the youth from Shiloh United Methodist Church.  We usually have about 35 to 40 youth and adults to attend.  We have the retreat at a local State park for the weekend.  This year our theme for the retreat was 'Spirtiual Boot Camp'.  The entire weekend was based on Ephesians 6:10-18...Putting on the 'Armor of God'. 

On Friday night we had Bro. Jason Martin as our guest speaker.  He talked about each of the pieces of armor mentioned in scripture .  We had a visual for each of the pieces of armor to represent what the scripture was talking about. Sometimes a visual will help you remember things better, or at least that is the way it is for me!!!!!  Here is Bro. Jason taking about the 'Breastplate of Righteouness'.

Also on Friday night we had a youth drama team from Ozark Baptist Church.  They did some very impressive drama.  Some of it was for fun but with a meaning and some of it was so very serious and touching.  These are scenes of some of the drama. 

It is hard to get youth in the bed at a descent hour so they can get enough rest to be prepared and attentive the next day.  But this time we watched a movie on Friday night and by the time the movie was over there was no problem getting them in the bed and asleep.  Maybe after 10 years we have figured it out...lol. 

On Saturday morning we started with our devotions and music.  We have music time then a devotion and we have 3 or 4  before lunch then 1 after lunch. 

THEN...it is game time!!!!  We play kick ball, volley ball, balloon stomp and this water balloon game was very interesting..... The balloons had water in them and you pass it back and forth to each other and take a step backward with each pass.  The point it to not burst the balloon. But of course it was so hot that when the balloon did burst...it felt very good!!!!

On Saturday night Bethel Baptist Church Praise and Worship Band performed.  They have been coming to our retreat for the past 6 or so years!   It is always a great praise and worship time!

On Sunday Morning before breakfast we have a group picture made. Each year we have t-shirts made for everyone at the retreat with the theme of the retreat on the back of the t-shirt.

After breakfast we have 2 more devotions with music.  We then give the campers time to go back to the cabins and pack-up.  After lunch the last thing we do before leaving is have Communion and a balloon release.  The balloons represent something that we have talked to God about over the weekend that we need to let go of in our life and turn it over to Him.  So as the balloons are released so have we release 'whatever it may be'  to God and then we headed out with our Full Armor of God on to be Soldiers for Christ.

So do you put on your full Armor of God each day?

Ephesians 6:13-18

13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

So until next time....have a blessed day!