Jesus Was A Fisherman

Thought I would share some shots of one of the things that has kept us busy. You are about to experience Tabernacle Rod and Gun Fellowship. Separate from our Senior Adult class at our church, the Adult Class concentrates on Christian Discipleship and reaching out. Discussion turned into the Rod & Gun Fellowship as a means of outreach.

How do we reach the people who won't come to church because, "...the roof will fall in if I step inside your sanctuary!" among a host of other excuses! In the surrounding areas, hunting and fishing is a widespread and avid interest among the members of our community.

Since Jesus himself was a fisherman and He communicated with his followers by sharing fishing stories, we felt that it would be pleasing to Him for us to reach out to our community through this avenue.

With much help from our church family, we were able to plan and share an amazing event in our fellowship room. We had a trophy wall, picture board, displays from various vendors, archery shoot, fishing derby for the kids, prizes, workshops and speakers. Last, we fed a simple dinner to everyone present. This was a free of charge event. Some people loved the event so much that they asked if they could support us with a donation.

Great and solid contacts were made as we met people from our surrounding community for the first time. On the other hand, this event has created a problem for us. Our fellowship room was maxed out in occupancy and if we opt to carry over this function to another year, we are going to have to look for another building! But, that's a good problem to have, right?!

A lady from a local business embroidered hats, t-shirts and sweatshirts for our staff and some of the prizes. The emblem was designed by Rebecca Faust, a member of our congregation. We all love it and have decided that it's a keeper.

We'll use it again. Thanks, JoAnn from Stitchin' To Go!

Leslie was a great help in our kitchen.

Jeff is our Minister of Outreach here at Evangelistic Tabernacle and his sister Linda is the head of our Fellowship and Care Committee.

Our registration booth

Our registrars Rebecca & Dawn

Photographer for the event, Robert.

Assistant photographer for the event, Anna.

Asking the Greatest Fisherman to bless our meal.

Special event speaker, Darryl Quesenberry.

Shell Display

Archery Shoot

*I would add that our son Daryl, won the archery shoot!

Casting Contest

Successful fisherman Austin & Ashlynn!

Nathaniel & Mommy

Bri & Uncle Joe

And look who caught the whopper!!

Abby Whitmer

Beautiful fish!

Congratulations Abby!

Catching the last elusive few at the end of the day.

I think Daryl and Rob enjoyed this part immensely!

*SIGH* It was a long, tiring BUT profitable day!

Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men!"

We are building!

We have receive permission to build a cabin on our church conference campground in Mendon Ohio. Before winter arrived, we set posts and banded them so that at spring's first opportunity, we could begin building. On the 17th of March(Thursday), Dad and Mark drove a trailer load of supplies and equipment to the site and began to work.

When they arrived, our lumber delivery was waiting. Rev. & Mrs Alley and Dad The Alley's are the campgroud caretakers. One evening, Mrs Alley prepared dinner for my guys and they were able to enjoy a great time of fellowship together.

Boss & Foreman!

This is Autumn and Randalyn Paulus. They brought their Daddy, Randy, to the campground on Friday, the 18th, and he offered his building expertise. We couldn't have gotten so far in so little time without Randy.

Since I opted to stay home this trip, Mark took many photos so that I could "be in" on this phase.

Mark loved having Dad with him!

Randy hard at work.

Mark

Side view

They were able to complete shingling one half of the roof before having to pack up and head home. We are planning to get in another work day either before or after Interchurch Holiness Convention here in April.

We are excited to have a permanent perch for our brood at camp and youth camp times!

I love for Nevaeh's sake that our cabin is right next to the children's chapel and the playground is currently in front of the cabin on the other side of the road!

Cancer, no respector of persons!

Yes. I know this picture is rather.....gross. But this is my reality right now. It was just a mole. I had had it all of my life. But sun exposure took its toll and I am now scheduled for surgery to remove this diseased skin and I get to add my name to the list of "Cancer Victims." That sounds awful! I think I'd rather use the word "survivor." It is on my right lower leg. I will also be having a rather large lesion (another form of diseased tissue) removed at the same time from my left foot. The Dr. has expressed some concern due to existing physical issues with my heart condition but I am optimistic! I've been through some pretty bad "stuff" so this has got to be better than THAT!

I would appreciate your prayers. I am scheduled for surgery March 29.

And please, take time to take care of YOURSELF!

Use this as a friendly reminder to examine yourself.

I will post an update.

PlayDoh

Nevaeh's latest favorite playtime is getting into the PlayDoh.

Grammy spent some time making all kinds of noodles and fun stuff with Nevaeh.

Showing Nevaeh how to properly use the knife.

And letter stamps help spell N-E-V-A-E-H!

You Light Up My Life!

My Mama

Mama and Daddy came to visit again and as always, were very helpful while here. Since we had a break in the weather, Mom said that she would help Rob take down the Christmas lights.

You should know that my mother birthed and raised 4 girls and lived to tell about it, so God rewarded her by giving her mostly grandsons!

Since pictures are worth a thousand words, I thought that I would let the photos do the talking.

Hope you enjoy taking down the Christmas lets with them...or more like decorating each other!

Grammy and Rob Gene (Grandson #3)

She caught a BIG one!!

Pappy helping Nevaeh fish at an indoor fishing derby!
Will she? Will she be lucky enough to catch one?

You bet!! She caught TWO!!

Pappy and....that.....slimy thing!!

ASK, and it shall be given you....

Nevaeh came to me and asked for a scarf. Mommy had scarves and so she wanted one too. I didn't see any reason why she shouldn't have a scarf or two and so I promised her that I would buy her a scarf.

My problem presented itself when I began shopping for a scarf! Oh, I found scarves for little girls, but they were still too big for Nevaeh. They were for older children. In frustration, I told Mark, "Fine! Let's go get some knitting needles and yarn and I will learn how to knit!"

Mark just looked at me, but he's lived with me long enough to know that when I get a bee in my bonnet, I'm gonna' chase it until it's gone--for good!

So, he graciously accompanied me as I selected and purchased a couple types and colors of yarn and various knitting needles.

That night, after putting all my "babies" to bed, in the dark quiet of my cacoon, I hopped on the internet and typed into my search engine, "How to knit a scarf."

It was awesome! Within minutes I found myself knitting. I was so excited! I knitted a lime green scarf in 2 days. I do wish you could have seen Nevaeh's face when she discovered it that next morning after I had completed it!

That was all it took to fuel me on. I knew she needed a set to match her new coat and so equipped with my new-found confidence, another selection of yarn and my newly acquired needles, I began knitting again. Within a few days, I completed another scarf and I attempted to create a flower to add a special touch. I loved it! I purchased a knitting loom and began to create a hat from the same yarn. I made another matching flower and affixed it to the hat brim.

It still needed something to pull it all together. A pompom!! Yes! That would do it! I used my imagination and a small thin box and the pompom came out perfectly! I fastened it to the top of the hat and my set was complete!!!

Nevaeh was ecstatic!! She was so proud of her new hat and scarf set. So she modelled them for me and I'm sharing the photos with you!
Why? Because God used this delight to show me a picture of Himself and how He feels about His children. He showed me how we can be like Him and in turn, do for others.

Matthew 7:7-12

ASK, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

For those who would receive, must ask first, and if he would find, he must first look: For the door to be opened, one must first knock.

What man among you would give his child a stone in place of the bread for which he'd asked? And would he give that which is harmful in place of that which is good?

If he who is human and by nature self thinking knows how to give good gifts to his children, how much more would our Father who is Holy, give good things to HIS children who ask of Him?

And so, to be like Him, those things which we would appreciate others doing for us, do even so for them.

This is as it should be!

Is there someone you may be able to help or encourage today by a gesture of kindness?

I'm certain that there is!

"So shines a good deed in a naughty and weary world." ~Shakespeare

Nevaeh's car ride today:

Nevaeh: Mom, did you say we are going for a ride?

Mom: Yes.

Nevaeh: What town are we going?

Dad: Titusville.

Nevaeh: Do they have food there?

*MUCH LAUGHTER*
Dad: Yes, they have food there.

Mom: We go for a ride in the car and all she's worried about is her stomach!

Nevaeh: Dad, do you have a stomach?

*MORE LAUGHTER*

Dad: Yes, I have a stomach.

Nevaeh: MmmHmm. I have a stomach just like you, Daddy!

*UPROARIOUS LAUGHTER FROM MOMMY*

Package for Pappy!!!

A certain little bug that I know has been bitten by the "Gotta' See Pappy" bug! She's ailing so badly that she considered going Fed Ex!

Got me thinkin'! Sometimes I think I just have to see my Heavenly Father that if Fed Ex could get me there, then I cram into a box too! BUT...I know I'm already scheduled to go. I just don't know the date and time of departure as yet. I guess I'll try to be patient! I DO know that my mode of transportation is specified to be via the Cloud Line from Split the Eastern Sky Express!

Have a marvelous day!!

C'mon, Smile! You Know You Want To!!

This weather got you feeling blue?? This should help!

This sweet dolly joined our home through the blessing of foster care and adoption.

We have felt God leading us in a different direction as far as agencies are concerned and so we began to pursue other options. God directed us to The Bair Foundation and we have been going through the certification process again. This past Saturday, Mark and I were able to complete our final trainings necessary to become a foster parent with TBF. Last evening, I received the call informing us that we are approved for certification and we have completed and passed all the necessary steps! YAY!!!

Now we will wait to see just who God feels needs us AND who WE need!