“Prayer is not only asking, it is an attitude of the heart that produces an atmosphere in which
asking is perfectly natural, and Jesus says, “every one that asketh receiveth.”
O. Chambers
Two great events this past weekend have given us reason to praise Father for His goodness. On Saturday night Care Fresno Kids Klub went to watch the Falcon’s play ice hockey. What a night we had! 35 kids, parents and volunteers went to the game - the largest number that we have ever taken! Best of all - When we got back to the church we still had all the kids and nobody had gotten hurt.
On Sonday night the second annual Trunk-or-Treat exceeded by leaps and bounds all of our expectations. Congratulations to Chris Aycock and Marva Ward for putting together what may truly be the biggest event we have ever sponsored. We were able to get information about our church ministries into the hands of many of the families who attended through a video put together by Chris Aycock. The low figure that I have heard is 700 in attendance - the high figure is 1,000. I tend to lean towards the higher figure based on the fact that Mitzi had to go out twice to replenish the candy supplies - and still many of the trunks ran out of candy. The trunks were spectacular! I did not realized how our family is blessed with so many creative people. The Hitch van - disguised as Noah’s Ark - took first place in the decorated trunk contest, spawning a rivalry between two of our pastor’s wives as Joy Nolte was heard to declare “Just wait until next year! That prize is mine!” And Terri Hitch responded with “You ain’t seen nothing yet!” The Singles small group entry of “Camping Out on Planet Earth” took second place - and we are looking at improving next year as well. If you missed this event this year - start planning for next year. (I think we had better start collecting candy in August)
The election is finally over! I am not sure how I am going to live without the five pounds of campaign literature crammed daily into my mailbox, personal (yeah, right) phone calls from the Governator, Rudy G and others filling up my answering machine and endless crass TV commercials assaulting my sensibilities - but somehow I will muddle through. All joking aside - regardless of how your candidates and issues fared in the election - now is the time for us to pray for our nation, that the divisions that exist within her can be healed, that we will once again turn to God, and that our elected leaders will lead us on the path of freedom and justice for all. God bless America!
Another GREAT praise! Our little Marisela has gone home! I can only imagine the joy as this family is now together again! Please continue to pray for Connie and her family.
Patrick is not doing so well. He continues to be in the hospital. He is allergic to the chemo treatments that he had been given and those treatments have been suspended as they try to determine a different course of treatment for Patrick. He is unable to eat regular food and they are having to feed him through a tube.
Ray Rahn Jr is continuing to do well with his kidney dialysis - although he is bored by it. Please continue to keep Ray in your prayers.
Anna’s mom continues to do well after surgery.
We continue to pray for the following: the twin babies Dakota & Brandon, Jim Hildman, Char Cole & her headache, my friend who is drifting away from Father, Johnnie Sowell & her chemo, Cheryl Balestra & her chemo, Delaine Zody & the problems over at Fresno High, Evelyn Hayhurst & her recovery from cancer, Carola Poythress and her continued recovery fro the stroke, Billie Cagle and her recovery from a recent illness and surgery, Gabriel who was wounded in Bagdad and is hospitalized in Germany, Chuck Johnson and his continuing health problems, Julie & her mom with their broken bones; 2 yr old Brandon with his leukemia, Lois Winters and her cancer, Bill Clem and his shoulder, Lillian Seward’s continued recovery, Ray Rahn, Jr with his kidney dialysis, Peggy Molander as she undergoes physical therapy, Lois & Dan Hansen and new job for Dan, and Robert Kammer with his sleep apnea. If you have any updates - please send them on.
Please continue to pray for our missionaries - Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Dr. George Pe Myat and the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Laurie Bethall & Simon in Prague, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please keep our two church plants in prayer - the Flipside Church of Rio Mesa with Karl & Shelly Roth and the Life House with Horacio and Cheryl Aleman.
Please pray for our Pastors, leadership, ministries and that God will provide for His church.
Pray for our military around the world.
Bright Morning Star,
We are dancing with joy at how You have blessed us and blessed us and blessed us. You are our God Almighty and You reign supreme over all the heavens and the earth.
Great Shepherd, we thank You for the Kids Club hockey game and the Trunk-or-Treat. Thank You for the lives we were able to reach out and touch. Holy Spirit, whisper to them and urge them to come and check us out. And when they come - help us to be as welcoming and loving as You are.
Just and Holy God, we lift up our country before You and ask that You use the results of this past election to bring our country back to You. Bless our leaders with Your wisdom as they make decisions that not only impact our country but impact our world. Father, help our nation to heal.
We ask that You continue to bless Marisela and her family. Continue to prosper them.
Abba, we lift up before You Patrick and ask that You help this little child who is facing such tremendous health issues. Be with his family as they also deal with these issues.
We thank You that Ray Rahn, Jr and Anna’s mom continue to do well and ask that Your blessings continue to pour on them.
LORD Jesus, we have many who we continue to pray for. We take comfort in knowing that You are in control of what has happened and will continue to happen. We ask that You be with each situation and that each situation can be used to glorify You.
We ask, Spirit, that You be with all of the missionaries that serve You with faithfulness and courage around the world. In this time of religious extremism that all to often is expressed through violence towards those called by Your name, we pray Your protection around Your servants.
LORD of all, we are so excited and happy to see all that is being accomplished through the work of the pastors of these two church plants, the Flipside Church and the Life House. Bless and prosper these new congregations and provide for their needs.
God of Wonders, with our deepest gratitude we thank You for the pastors that You have placed in our congregations. We ask, Abba, that You fill them with Your Spirit, guide them as they lead us, and bring them peace. Guard them and their families from the attacks of satan. Prosper them in all that they do. We thank You for the leadership and for the ministries of our congregations. Help us never to forget that You are the focus of all that we do. Provide for the needs of our congregations in such a way that we can expand our outreach.
Warrior God, protect our military as they serve freedom’s call around the world. Protect their families. Bring them home safely.
Father, I ask that You intervene in Iraq and help our country find a way to stop the senseless killing of the innocent and bring Your freedom to these people.
It’s all about You, Jesus, it’s all about You. Help our lives to reflect that.
In Your name we pray - amen.
Posted by Valerie at November 3, 2004 05:32 PM