A Country Church Experience

Today we traveled to Caddo First Baptist Church at Fort Cobb, Oklahoma. A country church. Simple. No PowerPoint’s. No four point sermons. No choir. No orchestra. No parking lot security. Sweet and simple. A past co-worker and friend of mine got saved in December and was getting baptized. I am so thankful she remembered me and knew that I would be rejoicing along side the angels in this good news! For me that called for a road trip for a front row seat!

On the way there we made a pit stop at the Gathering of Nations,…the one place that all nations converge on despite the day or time of week…Wal-Mart. When you start the day with coffee and vitamin water you probably should not be taking a road trip, but I did. When we got out of the vehicle and walked up to the store Jayden observed the goodness of small town America, “It’s peaceful here.” Indeed it was, it was quiet. In the parking lot. In the store. Everywhere.

We took the turnpike out, as we slowed down and pulled up to the toll booth to pay our fees, Jayden says, “we’re crossing the border?”

Once we arrived at the little country church the first thing I noticed were the three crosses off to the right, then I noticed all the children running and playing on the grass/dirt parking lot. Boys to be specific. I counted 16 total boys, children to youth.

Amon Harjo is the preacher. He kind of reminds me of my grandpa; but he is a cute, little older man who has the light of the gospel shinning through him. Most people outside of the American Indian culture think all Harjos are related. Everyone within the American Indian culture knows the name Harjo is like Smith or Jones. Being guests in a small country church calls attention to you; well, actually being a guest in a small town calls attention to you. Jayden didn’t like this. When the song leader asked for someone to give a testimony, Jayden looked at me and said, “Don’t say anything. Don’t embarrass me.” So I stood up ..…just teasing, I granted his wish and remained quiet, until my friend pointed us out as she was introducing her family that came to join in her day of baptism. Then the pastor asked if I would introduce the rest of my family. So I did and it embarrassed him, hand in face and red face hanging down. I love being a parent!

The song service begin with Holy, Holy, Holy; then the Sweetest Hour of Prayer (which Jayden said, "for dad it is two hours of prayer" and it is) and then on to Blessed Assurance.

Just so you know, you can’t go to an American Indian church and not here at least one hymn being sung in a native language. This song was in the native language of Caddo. Often times you can tell what hymn is being sung by the melody, but this one I wasn’t sure and I forgot to ask, but it was beautiful. The worship leader said, “no song book needed, the song is carried in the heart”.

The message came out of Matthew 8:5-13 about the faith of the centurion.  In case you didn’t know a centurion in the Roman Empire is a high ranking officer who commands 100 soldiers (equal to present day sergeants, I read in my footnotes). Simply by the centurion seeking and calling out to Jesus as Lord instead of Caesar he was putting his life on the line. However, this centurion knew Jesus, his faith was strong, he believed in the Word of God but I noticed something else. He had a compassionate heart.

In verses 5 and 6 it said the centurion came to Him (Jesus), pleading with Him saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." See the centurion could have not cared, he probably had many servants at his disposal, but he did not. He sought out the One with by a word could bring healing. And Jesus did.

The centurion knew the power of God's Word, he knew that if Jesus only spoke it then it would happen. Just as in the centurion's position of authority, he could say to the soliders "go", "come" or "do this" and they would do it. He knew that Jesus's authority and God's Word was much more powerful than his earthly authority over soliders.  In verse 10 it says that when Jesus heard this, "He marveled".

I want to have that kind of faith! A faith that causes my Father in heaven to be filled with wonder, admiration, and astonishment. I want to live a faith filled extraordinary life.

In my footnotes it says there is only one other time that scriptures record that Jesus marveled and it is when His own people rejected Him (Mark 6:6). Rejection of Holiness. That causes me to marvel to, but one day. Yes, one day every knee will bow (Romans 14:11).

There is no baptistry in this small church so they baptize at Ft. Cobb lake in a natural setting. After capturing a picture of Toni and her husband and receiving some direction including a map from Pastor Harjo, the caravan began. It kind of reminds me of a funeral processional but instead of mourning a death, this funeral processional was celebrating a death and welcoming a new life. When one repents and turns from their sins and trust in Christ, the old has passed away and all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Even nature showed up for a front row seat of new life.



Toni's family all came out to support her.

After the baptism we headed back to Oklahoma City to watch the Thunder roll over the Grizzlies, but first we had to stop by Nowhere, OK. When map questing how to get to Ft. Cobb, I spotted Nowhere and guess what? They had a sign! Which meant photo op! Population 3, which is kind of worn off. I felt like I was at Green Acres or something....farm livin' is the life for me, land spreadin' out so far and wide, keep Oklahoma City, just give me that country side! 

Words. I need words. On the way home I asked Darryl an open ended question. How did you like the service? In return I get a four word answer! "It was a service." Wow. I need details. What did you think of the church house, the song service, the sermon? How did God speak to you? Give me words, so the truth of the matter is the reason I blog is I need words.

Week in Pictures - May 7-14, 2011

The high school basketball coaches and players hosted a 3 on 3 fundraiser basketball tournament this past weekend. You make up your own team and your own shirts, Darya got a group of girls together to play. I was thinking 3 on 3 GIRLS basketball tournament, when we arrived we saw nothing but BOYS! Of course, Darya's team had the best looking shirts thanks to Bridgette's mom. They lost both games, but the last one they only lost by 1 point. Check out  Darya's FROG form of shooting below. I guess it worked for her, she scored all the points.

The shot below is of her stealing the ball from the "Thunder Dude" as he was attempting to pass it to the guy in the black jersey. I am pretty sure she said, "Thanks that's my ball!" at least in her mind. I am actually glad they didn't win because I hate to see boys cry.

Darryl worked on the pool this past week and had it open by Friday. Just so you know a freezing ice cold water swim is a must, because by mid-June the water will be like a nice warm bath and by July it will be more like a hot tub than a swimming pool.

These were the yummiest stuffed green bell peppers I have ever had! I reviewed some online recipes and then combined what I like out of about three different ones to come up with these and they were especially yummy!

This is what I call my Pink Pee Wee Herman bike. I love it because it is so pretty and has a nice, big comfy seat, but it is a one speed bike meaning "old-granny" speed. This granny needs some gears because I have a need for speed. Anyone want to buy it? I purchased it at Al's Bicycle. It is super groovy!

Oh, how I wished I had the posture of Bryleigh, she sits up sooo straight! Look at that perfect shaped head, the cute little ears, the...

BIG BROWN eyes...okay I couldn't resist throwing one more picture in.

This is my SUPER smart, very generous, big hearted Sister-in-Law/Sister-in-Christ, who happens to be a NURSE and fellow U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Officer. I am so proud of her, she not only finished her RN program but followed it up with a Masters in Nursing! She is always volunteering and helping any way she can, she has a true servant's heart. Here she is working an immunization booth at the Moore Community Center and she don't even live in Moore! I loved her Thunder scrubs!

Here is another baby that I love much and could spend hours watching her cute, chubby self exploring. She has sooo much energy, it was difficult to catch her in any photos. She wanted Darya to read to her and almost to the second after Darya sat her picked her up and started to show her the book, I snapped this picture than she was gone off to a new adventure.

The funny thing is once she found her cell phone it was glued to her ear. I think she may work for the Secret Service because she was talking in code after she said, "hello". I am sure hoping her momma has unlimited minutes because she talked all night.

A few seconds here, a few seconds there she was every where! In case you were wondering the best way to teeter totter, stick up your feet, stick out your tongue and begin rocking.

Here is Caycie. She loves Darya. We love her. We only had two children in nursery this night. Two. Two girls. That's all. It was a small crowd but we had big fun as evidenced on Caycie's face.

I really liked this picture, because they both were laughing whole heartily.

I went on my own book search while at the library and when I found Jay this is what I found...my worn out Alaskan Explorer with a headache the size of Alaska from reading all those books.

Severe weather on Wednesday, the sky became very dark. We had lots of rain and wind. An apartment complex by our offices had their roof blown off! It was a crazy weather day and I loved it!

Darya finishing up her last few verses to complete her Awana book and achieve her Book Award.

It is the last year of Awanas for her. Sniff...Sniff...Youth group next stop! 

Just 10 girls on this last night. The Awana Store was cancelled due to the Store Manager being out of state to attend her mother's funeral, so the 6th grade girls had to turn their money in. They were sad, but it was pizza night, so that kind of made up for it. So proud to be apart of each of these girls lives. It has been a great year getting to know them and I am really looking forward to welcoming them in to the youth group this summer. 

Jumping rope still a favorite past time.

I think they did fourteen straight jumps together! 

They had everyone watching.

Our friends the Paez Family cruising down 4th Street.

See the gas price behind them? $3.79. Hang on to that.

The ride home from Awanas was LOUD thanks to all that sugar.

You can see the pretty sunset in the back.

Here is Honna (Hannah). Darryl calls her Honna. She is one of Darya's closest friends and like a daughter to us too, we love having her around, she brings us much joy. She was awarded the Club Guard of the Month. We were so proud of her!

Here is the beautiful sunset that my Father painted for me. I wished it was over the ocean or viewed from a mountain top, but since I live on the plains I had to settle for the view over our grocery store, but who cares it is simply beautiful!

This may appear like a FEMA Tent City, but it is actually my Alaskan Explorer's creation. See all the cars lined up on the bucket lid? I am pretty sure that is his alarm for any intruders.

Yes, he did sleep under there.

Sparkling blue pool is open and the only one brave enough to brave the frigid waters is our Alaskan Explorer, he is totally ready to explore the deep blue and see what adventures he can discover. 

I should have know he was going to ask me if I see things in the clouds. In these set of clouds he saw a baby with an alien carrying it. Wow. What an imagination.

Around The City I have seen gas range from $3.99 (below) to $3.79. In case you are wondering in the great State of Oklahoma if you say "The City" it means Oklahoma City.

So imagine my happiness when I found gas for $3.59 about 20 to 40 cents cheaper a gallon! I never thought I would say I would be happy to pay $3.59 a gallon for gas, but when you drive by signs like the one above that says $3.99; $3.59 looks pretty good! I found it at Sam's on Memorial & Penn.

Do any of you remember the Selmon brothers who played OU Football? Or do you just remember them from their delicious BBQ sauce? This is a picture of Lee Roy Selmon when he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I took this picture so I can send it to my co-worker who is his niece. I thought she would enjoy seeing it although to her he is just her uncle. I seen it at GFF when I was getting a seedless watermelon for $1.99 (I hope it is sweet) and asparagus for .99 (and it was yummy!)

As Darya and I was out shopping I found a shirt that made me think of a young girl who LOVES ketchup. Seriously loves. She puts ketchup on everything, so ketchup on ketchup fits her perfect! I had to snap a shot and send it to her and let her know they have finally made the perfect shirt for her! I've even seen her put ketchup on her hot roll, which makes me very sad. Don't get me wrong, I love ketchup too, but on bread? That is a true love affair! Ketchup.

I found this shirt for Darya which is going to be perfect for upcoming VBS, it fits the theme perfect and for only $5 it was a great deal! If you are coming to VBS you should run to Kohls and pick one up.

What you will see below has been a several week process. Our closet. Ewwwww. Empty boxes not sure why I am keeping them, too many purses, stacks of old photos that came down off my wall years ago, etc.., etc...., etc..... I can't breathe when I am around clutter. In fact I can't even get it off my mind. I once unpacked a friends trunk while on travel status and repacked it because everything was thrown in there and I couldn't quit thinking about it. So I did. Right it front of the hotel. We actually ended up with three or four bags of stuff that could be tossed. I sure felt better I am not sure she did, but I did. I know I am like Patrick on Spongebob, "I have issues".

But now, my claustrophobic asthma has been relieved. I can breathe. I still have two empty boxes, still not sure why. Relief  has washed over me. I decided to hang up all those old pictures on the wall. Now those Sunday mornings of trying things on and off endlessly looking for something I feel comfortable in will be a bit more enjoyable as I look at the memories.

Finally, today my mom, sis and I went to a neighborhood garage sale and I found a dinning room set complete with a buffet made by the Amish folks. It is a beautiful set. We purchased it from an older couple from Iowa (I think) who told me they paid $2200 for both pieces. They sold it to me for $275. It is heavy and made well. I don't like the knobs but those can be replaced. The only thing is I can't fit the buffet in our kitchen...yet. For now we have it in the entry way.

Plus, I finally found where I wanted to hang my custom made cross sun catcher. My friend's trunk who I repacked mother designed and made it for me. It is simply beautiful.

This new purchase left us with a dining room set to sell. So I put it on Craigslist and had it sold within an hour of posting it. Which makes me real happy! Here are the pictures I posted. I will miss the table, but I think our new table matches our wood so much better. Of course, Darryl tightened everything up and gave it a good cleaning at which time he discovered our home schooler had pencil marks all over the side!

My need for speed and an easier cruise is satisfied. I found a beautiful Schwinn Bike at a garage sale today too! It's not pink, but blue and her name is Madam Blueberry. Looking forward to taking her out for a spin, pray I don't crash and burn.

I also finished putting together Darryl's and my "Partnering to Remember" books. Which is an organized approach to memorizing the entire book of Phillipians. Yes, the entire book. Want to join us? Click on this Partnering to Remember link and you can download it for free and you can read more about putting the book together here. Of course the pretty lime green with zebra stripes is mine and Darryl's is the manly black leather one. May we be able to proclaim with assurance, "Thine Word have I hid in my heart that we may not sin against Thee" (Psalms 119:11)

Looking back over the week one thing I can say is I am so blessed. The Lord has brought a couple of ladies whom I have purposefully invested in over the years, but because of job changes miles have seperated us, but God. Yes, but God! Allowed a reunion, one by phone and one in person. They came back with some good news of new life in Christ. Salvation, baptism and strong walk with the Lord. Glory to God in the Highest!