From One Pumpkin to Another

A woman was asked by a coworker, What is it like to be a Christian?

The coworker replied, It is like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.
He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.

- Posted from my iPhone

Thank God For Your Shepherd

As I am sure most of us are aware, October is Pastor Appreciation Month! Your Pastor and his family should be included in your daily prayers, but this month, take extra time to lift up the man of God, his wife, and his children, in prayer. As saints, we will never be able to understand the things they face or the burden they carry. Their greatest joy and utmost goal is to see you make it to Heaven.

Take time to show your appreciation this month! They don't need costly gifts, but just someone to let them know they are appreciated! I am so blessed to have Pastor and Sis. Hale as my pastor and pastor's wife. What a difference they have made in my life! They are constant and true. They live what they preach and teach! I want to be a blessing to them!

A poem to think on...

Our Pastor

Have you ever walked in our Pastor's shoes,
And gone where his feet have trod?
Have you ever thought of what he means to us,
And on your knees, given thanks to God?

Have you ever told him thank you,
For being there, when times are tough,
For comforting words and fervent prayers
When trials come and the storms of life are rough?

He answers our calls in the middle of the night
And tells us not to worry, for he will be there.
He gives up his comfort of quiet rest
And comes with prayers of comfort to share.

Have you ever thought to say thank you Pastor,
For preaching God's word to help us understand,
For all the times he has asked for things
That will lend us a helping hand?

When you pray, put him at the top of the list
And ask the Lord to surround him with loving care,
To give him strength and walk with him,
To help him with the burdens that he must bear.

Have you ever walked in our Pastor's shoes,
And gone where his feet have trod?
Have you ever thought of what he means to us,
And on your knees, given thanks to God?

A Pastor Appreciation Poem by Judy Crowe

Quick Get-Away

Ya like three weeks ago! I'm lagging, I know! Sorry! Needless to say, we had a blast! We met up with Andrew and Nellie and their boys in Paso on Thursday. Ate at this awesome taco place. We will definetely be stopping by there again! We went to the Melodrama Friday night, and as always, it was good! If you have ever been to the Melodrama in Oceano I'm sure you are familiar with a Melodrama tradition. Right after the play they ask for any birthdays and the crowd sings to them. Then they ask if there are any couples celebrating an anniversary, the crowd sings happy anniversary to them "Lone Ranger" style. It was interesting, there were two other apostolic couples there that night, both celebrating their anniversaries. Bro. and Sis. Hodge, who pastor in Lake Isabella were celebrating 20 years of marriage! Wow! Congrats to them! And another couple, who I have never formally met, but have seen them around. I caught their names that night, Sergio and Sophia, who were, like us, celebrating their first anniversary! Congrats to them as well! Love is a wonderful thing! Saturday we went to Hearst Castle and then drove the 1 to see what we could find... Just a bunch of otters. Oh and zebras and squirrels. LoL. I thought one squirrel was coming at me after I snapped a picture. I screamed! My parents and the girls came to meet us and we spent some of Sunday on the beach! It was nice. We buried all three girls in the sand. They are so fun. Jon played catch with Dad on the beach. My husband is so.... attractive. He is very pleasant to look at! I'm so in love!