The Note to Jesus

The tree is especially beautiful this year, and front and center is the note that shows up each year... The note was written on fine paper tucked into a pale blue and white envelope with Jesus written in gold on the front. Each year the note gets wedged into our Christmas tree from our hearts to His and goes this way...

Happy Birthday Jesus_
Lord, the little we have and the little we are, we give to You.
We give our love because we know it makes You happy when we love You. We give You our trust because it pleases You when we believe what You say.
Happy Birthday Jesus and thank You for all the wonderful gifts You have given to us. Thank You for being You, thank You for giving us new life, thank You for loving us even when we are unlovable.
How can we ever thank You enough? We love You, and Happy Birthday_
From all of us

I Will Make You A Fisher Of Men

"I will make you a fisher of men"… that was what I heard one early morning as I was leaving the boat launch on the way to my favorite fishing spot. The words penetrated my soul and I’ve never forgotten them… but at the time I didn’t know Jesus, I didn’t know He was alive. All I knew was what was going on in my own little world, my own selfish, self-centered life that I led; doing what I wanted, when I wanted.
But looking back now, I see that God had a plan for my life, and even though at the time of Him speaking those words to me, I didn’t fully understand it, I know now that His plan was in place just the same.
And the same is true for you… no matter where you are, and no matter what you are doing; God has a plan for you. You may not be aware of it, you may not want it, but opening up to Him and what He wants, will be the best thing that you may ever do for your life and for the life of your family.
When you come to the end of yourself and ask Him for His plan and purpose for your life, He’ll pick you up, cleanse you, set you free, and put you on the narrow road of happiness, blessings, and fulfillment. He has plans for your future.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Fancy Stitching's Give-Away

Please check out my friends blog give-away. Very beautiful quilting fabric!
http://fancystitchingnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/fall-give-away-future-longarm-quilter.html

"Thank You For Giving Me God"

"Thank you for giving me God".
That was the reply of a nine year old boy this past Saturday after I spent some time with him telling him the good news about Jesus. He was so enthralled with the Holy Spirit touching him, he followed me around for a couple of hours at the food pantry. As I walked the hallway of the school building where we distribute the food, he introduced me to his two older brothers and asked me to tell them about God too.
I spent some time with the young men and when they were ready to accept Jesus, they young boy put both hands on his chest, chimed in and said to them, "He came inside of me today"! This little kid really got a dose, didn't he? His older brothers talked to the Lord and they started their new life in Christ also.
Well, you can imagine the excitement of the youngest boy as his older brothers asked for forgiveness of their sins and asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. He was so excited, he took me by the hand and introduced me to his mother. With the whole family together, I had the joy of talking to mom about how her life with Jesus could be, if she would make him Lord over every area of her life. We all prayed together and the youngest was ecstatic that he got to pray three times!

It was a good time, and it makes me grateful for the man who told me about Jesus. Thank you mister, whoever you are, who told me about Jesus, and gave me God.
Thank you for giving me God!

Thank you, to all of you, who give God to other people. And God, thank You for allowing me to serve You in that capacity! It fills me and fulfills me in every way.
Thank you Lord.

Ephesians 1:11-14
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predistined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Evening Visitor

We had a sweet little old lady visit us recently. She came by way of the back porch looking for some dinner. She didn't find anything in the bird feeders so she scratched around in the planters looking for any nuts the squirrels may have planted. Though the vigorous scratching took its toll on her, she just stopped and took a little nap in the ivy planter for about 5 minutes. She awoke when we opened the back door to greet her and made her way around the house stopping to eat under one of the bird feeders on the side yard. John followed her for about a half hour and then she was on her way to her next stop, probably to the neighbors house. We did warn her however that our neighbor isn't as friendly with wild life as we are around here.

God be with you little lady, be careful.

What a pleasant end to a good day...

Thankful for Health Care

Health care in our country is so wonderful and I personally am grateful for it. My mother-in-law has been in and out of the hospital for a couple of months now, and in looking at the care she has been receiving, I say, "we are a blessed people and nation!"
I went to Sri Lanka a few years ago with a medical team in the aftermath of the Tsunami that killed thousands and left more wounded and homeless. And comparing our health care with that of other nations, it is like looking at opposite ends of a spectrum. What we have here in the United States is totally awesome! I appreciate all the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff that work tirelessly to provide excellent care.
John's mom, Helen has pneumonia this go-round, and is receiving antibiotics and breathing treatments while in the hospital. John and I have been taking turns staying with her so she won't be alone. Today is my turn again, so I'm off to the hospital...
Blessings to you all today,
Paula

When you feel distressed, grieved, tired or hopeless, God is there to bring peace, calm, and hope, or anything you need. All we have to do is call on Him and He not only promised He'd be there for us, but He promised He'd give us revelation on how to pray for each circumstance.

Jeremiah 33:3
"Call on Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you know not."

The Kingdom is the Lord's and He rules over the nations.

This article was published in The Natchitoches Times July 21, 2009...

Ministry continues mission of feeding the hungry
More than 42 volunteers from six area churches assembled and distributed food to 300 families in July.

In random order are Patty Doughty, Ryan Palmer, Elizabeth Lirette, Renee Lirette, Thomas Lirette, Stevie Lirette, Christopher Lirette, Anthony Lirette, Nicholas Lirette, Kate Bergeron, Kayla Bergeron, Ashley Bergeron, Justin Bergeron, Kim Hennigan, Missy Hennigan, Leneigh Hennigan, Olivia Steinke, Maria Steinke, Emmalynne Steinke, Johannah Steinke, Akeem Hall, Stephen Bonner, Sedejah Hall, Dana Holmes, Shundale Holmes, Emanda Hollingsworth, Quanisha Holmes, Alma Grigsby, James Carter, Quilla Anthony, Margaret Brooks, Helen Walters, Jo Ann Knighton, Jasmine Ayatey, Pat O'Con, John Jarvis, Betty Milner, Sherry Shaunessey and Paula Jarvis. Not shown are Sherrill Milner and Tricia Steinke.
Published: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 7:56 PM CDT

The flocks are fed in Robeline. Triune Ministries founders John and Paula Jarvis of Robeline and more than 40 volunteers from area churches work together to feed approximately 300 families per month. Volunteers from Redeeming Love Fellowship in Shreveport, United Methodist Church and River Community Churches in Natchitoches, Marthaville First Baptist Church, United Pentecost Church and Rivers Of Water Churches in Robeline join forces to assemble and distribute boxes of food for families meeting low-income guidelines. The Robeline Food Pantry, housed in the former Robeline Elementary School building, began in 2001 when they distributed food to 40 families.Paula Jarvis said, "We are outgrowing (that building) and hope to move the operation into the gymnasium in the near future. We need donations of about $350,000 to get the gym operational.

"The food bank is open to families within a 25-mile radius of the facility. "Although we would never send anyone away that needed food," said Jarvis. "There is a group from Coushatta that comes to pick up food for several households in that area because last year two pantries closed, one in Natchitoches and one in Winnfield. "The program relies on monetary donations from the public to make the grocery purchases. A one person household will receive about 25 pounds of food and two or more living in a household will receive 50 pounds. "Each month there are different food items, but I will say that we try to give the best food possible. This month, in addition to the bulk boxed food, we gave everyone a 9 pound turkey," she said. The program has reached many over the years, from both the giving and receiving sides of the grocery counter. It was founded on a desire to help others. "God called us to this area to help those in need, and to help those who want to help those in need. It has been a blessing," said Jarvis.

Distribution is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. the second Saturday of each month.

Call 472-8610 for qualification details or to donate to the food bank or gym fund.

Thank you Natchitoches Times for your article.

His is the power and ours is the privilege!

Governor's Reception

FAVOR AND BLESSINGS!

This weekend we had some very special and honored guests at the Keegan-Cook House. Governor Bobby Jindal was among the dignitaries... He flew in by helicopter and landed at a small field a few blocks from here. What a wonderful blessing to have him at our home and to connect with him and with the other elected officials. We thank God for the opportunity and thank the city officials for bringing the business to our town.


Pictured above is my mom, Betty Milner, me, Bobby Jindal, my hubby John, and Mayor of Robeline Tommy O'Con.

This is the front entrance of the Keegan-Cook House and pictured are Missy and Leneigh Hennigan.

We had plenty of food as you will see in the next few pictures...

Summer fruit, vegetables, cheese, crackers, dips and relishes.

Cascading vegetables. And over 100 beautiful home grown tomatoes. Thank you Kathy, they were delicious!

Cheesecake squares.

Dessert table with chocolate covered strawberries, and cheesecake squares.
Mini meat-pies, melt in your mouth cheese pinwheels, and little smokies wrapped in bacon and brushed with sweet b.b.q. sauce.

B.B.Q. Brisket, rolls, specialty breads, and pasta salad.

Pictured here are Missy and Leneigh Hennigan. Their mom Kim and the two of them are responsible for these luscious chocolate covered strawberries. They were as delicious as they were beautiful! Thank you!

Here is John welcoming our first guest... Mayor Tommy O'Con.

Pictured here is Mayor Wayne McCullen, me and my mom, Betty Milner. Where's dad? He's missing out on all the pictures.

Pictured above are Police Juror Jesse Hoffpauer, Mayor Tommy O'Con, Sherriff Victor Jones, Mayor Wayne McCullen, Senator Gerald Long, Governor Bobby Jindal, Representative Rick Nowlin, and Mimi Stoker.

Rudy Hennigan with Bobby Jindal. Rudy is responsible for the photography. Thanks Rudy!

Behind the scenes where all the real action takes place! Mom and Kathy Ellzey preparing the delicious food for 100 people. John's mom is not pictured here because she had some blood pressure problems and John took her to the hospital Saturday. She's doing much better and should be home soon.

City Clerk Betsy Jordan, Kim Hennigan, and look, there's dad!

Pictured above are Kathy Ellzey and Missy Hennigan... two of the most important honored guests and two of those that made it all happen. Without them no one would have had anything to eat! Not pictured are the other honored guests, Betty and Sherrill Milner, James Carter, Dana O'Con, City Clerk Betsy Jordan, Kim and Leneigh Hennigan.

Pictured above from left to right: John Jarvis, Natchitoches Mayor Wayne McCullen, Representative Rick Nowlin, Betty Milner, Sherrill Milner (he finally made it to the photos!), Paula Jarvis, Sherriff Victor Jones, Senator Gerald Long.

And they're off! The secret service, the state troopers and Governor Bobby Jindal are headed off to the helicopter and to their next destination.

Here's my wonderful husband John on the back porch.

It was a really nice weekend and we are thankful that God was mindful of us and we are thankful for the favor God has shown us.

Psalm 115:12-13The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great.

Prayer Request

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

May I please ask you to pray with John and I as we seek God for direction regarding a need at the Robeline Food Pantry?

In 2008 two local food pantries closed their doors. One in Natchitoches which is 15 miles from us and one in Winnfield which is about 40 miles from us. There is a couple coming from south of Winnfield with a list of people who need supplemental food in that area. They come each month in their small pick-up truck to pick up the boxed food and deliver it to the needy. There are many more in that area who would benefit from food but are having issues traveling the distance to pick up the food each month.

We have a few options:
1. We can continue to load the couple’s small truck with boxes and only serve a limited number of families.
2. We can find a location, load our own trailer and make a trip up there once a month at a specific time to distribute.
3. Or we can open another pantry in that area and appoint someone there to oversee the pantry and duplicate what we do in Robeline.

At the pantry each month there are hundreds of families who receive not only physical food, but we have been blessed to see many salvations, people filled with the Spirit, and healings through what our wonderful Lord does through this avenue of ministry.

Please pray with us as we seek the mind of Christ and get His direction.

Thank you... God bless you...

The Quilt That Keeps On Giving

This quilt has taken our church through three fund raisers (you may read the testimony of the bus in my previous blog "A Small Miracle?") and now it is giving joy to Linda... (This quilt was donated by Kathy Ellzey, an award winning quilter)

Linda is a well deserving woman... Kathy says she does have quilts (one on every bed!), but what she makes now is given away to children, grandchildren, etc. She now finds very little time to complete quilts because she is so busy working and being wife, mom, and Grammy to her family.

She is also very involved in community activities. She is a very giving person, and does a wonderful job as director of the COA in Many. She really goes the extra mile to provide needed services and activities that are relevant and fun for people, but sadly she gets very few “thank-yous” for the job she does. She allows Kathy's quilt group (and other organizations and individuals) to use their facility at no-charge. She goes out of her way to be friendly to everyone, and has a wonderful sense of humor.

Way to go Linda!

Offer Yourselves Willingly

God is speaking these days... to those who will sit in His presence and wait on Him. He has prophetic direction for us and for those who will offer themselves willingly to be part of what He is doing...
Here in this place it is an enemy of poverty, but God has His people, those who offer themselves willingly. Bless the Lord!

(Pictured are some of us at the food box assembly in May)

Judges 5:2,9

When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the LORD!...My heart is with the rulers of Israel who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the LORD!

Trust In God

My husband John recently went to Mexico with four pastors and three others to preach the good news of God's word and bring hope to the hopeless. The day after the team left, plastered all over the news was talk of swine flu. You can imagine my concern and if I may be quite honest, a little anxious! I called him and asked him if he should turn around and come home (now that's faith!), but he calmly reassured me that the best course of action would be to pray and leave everything up to God.

My husband reaffirmed in me two things. One, if God has asked you to do something and you have stepped out in faith to do it, don't turn back, but trust Him to take care of every circumstance. Two, make sure you hear Him clearly. If you know you have heard, nothing can deter your mission. No storm, no persecution, NO SWINE FLU!

I am thankful for a good, solid, wise husband to bring God's Word, clarity and calm to my emotions when I need it most. Thank You Lord for the gift he is to me!!!

Mark 16:15-18
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

12 People Making A Difference

12 young disciples making a difference in lives... Imitating Jesus.
Today, some of the young people in our church made great strides towards acts of kindness to others.
In recent weeks the young people in our church have practiced singing and worshipping Jesus. They sang beautiful specials for the church Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, and all of us in the church loved it so much, we asked them to continue and take their music outside the church walls.
After church was over today, we piled into the van and headed to one of the three convalescent hospitals in town. As they sang praises to our King, it made such a difference in the lives of the elderly people who watched and listened. After singing five of the songs they knew, they teamed up into teams of two and prayed for the needs of the people.
Those kids will never be the same! And some of those that received prayer will never be the same... thanks to our Great God!

Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Easter Dishes

As promised, here are the pictures of my new dishes I purchased from a friend for Easter dinner. The dishes belonged to a Great Aunt of hers and I have been admiring them for several years. I am not sure why she finally agreed to sell them to me, but I am very thankful because they are BEAUTIFUL! I tried to get a good close-up so you can see the incredible detail, and the gold leaf trim along the scalloped edges.

I picked them up the week of Easter and searched for just the right shade of blue for the napkins, but nobody in the area carried the napkin variety I needed and I didn't have time to shop in Shreveport, so I did the tablescape as creative as I could and tried to pull everything together. I found the right shade of blue ribbon and ran a piece down the middle of the table and sat the serving pieces on it. For the napkins, I found some really pretty, blue sheer, wire-edged ribbon and tied pieces around each ivory colored napkin, and put the napkins in the water goblets. To finish it off I tied a bit of it around the candlesticks.

Our Easter dinner was lovely as we spent it with family and friends...

The Next Generation Of Leaders

The next generation of leaders in the Kingdom of God...

The kids choir was excellent as they worshipped their King on Palm Sunday!

These kids are the next pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets, and apostles. God is already speaking to them in dreams and visions. What an awesome privilege to be a part of what God is doing in their lives!

Ephesians 4:11-12

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ...

A Small Miracle?

Here we are... an unlikely group of black, white and brown in a small southern town, known for its hatred and bigotry. But GOD in His infinite grace and mercy knew we all needed love, forgiveness and acceptance.

And we do...

This is our first bus! We are so proud to have it and thanking God for the gift to our congregation! It really is a miracle how He provided all the funds, plus some!

We initially were doing a fund raiser for a sound system and when we were close to our goal we had a visitor one Sunday morning. The visitor said that his church has just built a new bigger building and purchased a new sound system and he wanted to donate the old one. Wow! It was stored away in a storage bin just waiting for us. He delivered it the following week and all we had to do was purchase 2 new microphones. Is that amazing?

So, the vote in the church was to use the initial money raised for the sound system and continue with a fund raiser for a bus. It may be a time of economic hardship, but you would never know it in our church. Money continued to come in and with the help of churches and ministries in the community we had the funds to purchase the bus. Is God good, or what???

But wait, it gets better!

When John and I were sitting down to write the check for the bus we received a call from south Louisiana... he was sending a check for the entire amount of the bus!!! Unbelievable!

So now we have paid cash for the bus, had the money for the registration and insurance with some left over!

And oh, did I mention that all this took place with the sound system and the bus in the last three weeks?

It may seem like a small miracle to some, but God will provide all YOUR needs, be it the size of the miracle we needed, or someone who needs 30 million dollars for a building project. We serve a huge God!

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself also in the LORD,

and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

"The Lord's Delight"

God has His hand on many of the young people in our church these days. He is saving, healing, and baptising them with His Spirit. They are going out to their families, friends, and neighbors and telling of all His wonderful ways and His power to transform lives.

Oh, how the Lord delights in those that come to Him.

This precious child not only was baptised in water Wednesday night, but baptised in the Spirit. Full of the power of God and full of praise to her King!

Psalm 147 :1

Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it its pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

Pray for Christian Attorney

Sometimes being a Christian isn't easy...


DAY 50: Gao Zhisheng Held Hostage
Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng, has now been missing 50 days, and there is increasing concern for his life. He was last seen being hauled away from his home by more than a dozen police officers on February 4. Reports from inside China indicate he is undergoing brutal torture.
The situation is critical, and with each day that passes, Gao Zhisheng's life hangs in the balance.
Because of Gao's work defending house church Christians and others persecuted in China, the Chinese government wants to silence his voice. ChinaAid president, Bob Fu calls Gao's torture "the most severe persecution in China's modern history." Gao's wife and two children, who have also been abused and tormented by the police, escaped to the U.S. less than two weeks ago. His family is afraid that authorities, furious at their escape, are taking revenge on Gao.
ChinaAid and The Voice of the Martyrs, together with Gao Zhisheng's wife and children, call on all Christians and those who value human dignity and justice to speak out on Gao Zhisheng's behalf by signing a petition to free Gao.
» Sign the petition at www.FreeGao.com

Take a minute to pray now and whenever you think of him. Even in the midst of terrible persecution there can be peace...

Thank you,
Paula

John 16: 33

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Spring Is In The Air

"You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created all things, and they exist because You created what You pleased." Revelation 4:11 NLT

Spring is in the air...

If you look closely you can get a glimpse of the first leaves of the season appearing on the deciduous trees across the pond.

These are the first blooms of the season on our double azalea.

All the azaleas should be blooming by next week.

The little garden angel has the best seat in the house, or should I say outside the house.

We are rejoicing and praising God for His beautiful creation here at our home in Central Louisiana.

Bless the Lord, O my soul

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits;

Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies...

Psalm 103:1-4

Have a blessed and wonderful week.

Love,

Paula

Take Us To The River

The ground was hard and dry… In some areas it was so hard and rocky that you could hardly pound a stake into the ground. The hearts seemed to be as hard and dry as the soil. There was hatred, prejudice, selfishness, and the only time people came together was in death. On Sunday mornings the parking lots of the churches were bare, but when there was a funeral you couldn’t find a place to park.
What happened? What went wrong in that place and in so many hearts? I wish I could answer that, but I honestly don’t know. The thing I do know is that Jesus can heal, transform and bring life into anyplace the enemy of our soul would seek to bring harm, hatred, wrong attitudes, or anything impure. That place and every place needs the river of God that flows from the throne.

Ezekiel 47: 1 In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side…
6 He asked me, “Have you been watching, son of man?” Then he led me back along the riverbank. 7 When I returned, I was surprised by the sight of many trees growing on both sides of the river. 8 Then he said to me, “This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea.[b] The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. 9 There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows. 10 Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean.[c] 11 But the marshes and swamps will not be purified; they will still be salty. 12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”

Do you need the river of God to flow through your life, home, church or city? Do you need the life giving Spirit of God to flow in and through you and bring some good fruit in your life?

Pray with me… Lord, take us to the River. Let the water that flows from Your throne wash over us and wash away residue, anything unclean, anything of an impure attitude, wash it away with the pure, clean water that flows from the throne of grace. Lord, take us to the river… immerse us in Your Holy Spirit and let the blessings of Your love overflow us and all that concerns us, our families, neighbors, churches, cities, and the nations… let it flow! Let it flow.

The ground is softer… hearts are more tender… churches are growing… the people are coming together in life… there are smiles and laughter, and yes, love.

Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord

Prayer, praise, and God’s Word all prepare us to give the Holy Spirit to the world around us.
Esther 2:12
"Each young women’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned; six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women."
Let our praise be like the oil of myrrh, and our prayers be like perfumes, and studying God’s Word be preparation and purification.

When we come into His presence, we prepare ourselves with “beauty treatments”, making us more like Jesus and glorious. We let the light of the Lord and His gospel shine in and through us to a world in need. Showing our families and friends a loving, gentle and kind God who cares about them.
Ephesians 1:4-5
“Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with Him and to be His holy, and innocent and loving people. God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children.”

WOW! SUNDAY AFTERNOON SOUP

I found this recipe on the lid to our yogurt container; try it for a delicious variation to cooking fresh sweet potatoes.

Creamy Sweet Potato Soup
2 Tbsp. canola oil (I used olive oil)
1 large sweet onion, sliced
2 tsp. ground cumin
3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (I used 5 small to medium)
1 ½ qt. chicken broth
1 ¾ cup Dannon All Natural Plain Yogurt
2 Tbsp. chopped parsley or cilantro
¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds (optional)

1. In soup pot heat oil. Add onions and cumin and sauté 3-4 minutes. Add potatoes and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer soup 20-25 minutes. 2. Puree soup with 1 ½ cups Plain Yogurt and parsley or cilantro (I used cilantro and it was really tasty). Serve each portion of soup with a dollop of remaining yogurt and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds (I skipped this step because I didn’t have pumpkin seeds in the house).

This soup is one of my favorite soups. It was easy to prepare and delicious. The soup had an earthy, herby flavor that was smooth and satisfying. Definitely add this to your recipe box.

Thank you to our sweet friends for the fresh sweet potatoes.

Have a blessed Monday,
Paula

"IT'S TIME"

As I was finishing up my morning prayers yesterday, I said, “Lord, I’ve been doing all the talking, what do You want to say to me today?” The Grandfather Clock in the entry hall was chiming and the Lord spoke two words… “It’s time”. I asked Him, “What is it time for?” “What are You saying?”…
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.

What is it time for in your life? What does God want to say to you today?

I received an email this morning saying my brother is going to have surgery to remove a cyst on his spine. I don't really know what his relationship is with the Lord because last time I tried to talk to him about it, he was very combative. My brother Mark has a good heart, but somewhere along the way something happened to him and he has built walls around his emotions and he has "no entry" posted all over them. Please pray for Mark's walk with the Lord today, and for a miracle in his body so he doesn't have to have surgery on March 3rd.

No matter what happens in your life, in the life of your family or in our country, no matter if it’s a time of trouble, a time of love, an evil time… God is a stabilizing force in the midst of uncertain times.
Isaiah 33:6 Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the LORD is His treasure.

I found comfort and rest in His Word and my faith has grown by hearing the Word… God says that faith comes alive by hearing the Word, so read it out-loud to yourself and let your faith grow. Remember the power of God and the miracles He has done. Remember the things God has done for you personally, and increase your faith. He is good.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand… v13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Feeding The Hungry

Good morning,

I was checking out the Food Bank web site to download some forms and discovered a video with me on it! Check it out, it’s kind of cool. Plus viewing this video will give you a good appreciation of what we do at the Food Panty as we serve God’s people.

The site is http://www.fbcenla.org/ . The video is on the opening page and if you don’t have time to watch the entire 8 minutes, you can view my part at 6:42 seconds and again at 7:45 seconds.

Isaiah 58:10
If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.

"You're not undeserving"

It was the last leg of our vacation and we were driving home from Florida. It was after dark and we’d been traveling all day. We wanted to find a place on the water, but because we are on a fixed budget we prayed, “Lord, help us find the right hotel, at the right price, and please let us see some of Your beauty and wild life.”

The morning sun was shining on the water in the bay… it looked like millions of diamonds sparkling and glistening on the water. Our room overlooked the marina and the bay, with a small strip of white beach below us. We fixed a cup of tea and sat on the balcony enjoying the wild life. There were several ducks swimming, pelicans sailing on top of the water with their wing tips skimming the water as they moved to the right and left. And in the distance a dorsal fin and then another! Dolphins out about 500 yards from our room, blowing the water from their spout, dorsal fin up and showing us their tail as they dove under the water. It was a special treat for us and we were like children in our excitement as we watched them play for 20 to 30 minutes.

My heart became warmed with gratitude towards our Lord and my eyes became moist as I thanked Him. “Thank You Lord for blessing us, for allowing us to see Your beautiful creation. Thank You for being so gracious to us when we’re so undeserving.”

As kind and as gentle as He’s ever been to me, He spoke deep into my soul… “You’re not undeserving”. My emotions swelled as I sat in His presence and enjoyed His goodness.

Jeremiah 31:3 … “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”

Opportunity Quilt

Check out my friends blog,
http://fancystitchingnews.blogspot.com/
and see the beautiful quilt you could own as your own. The quilt is wonderful, and she does such incredible work on her fancy stitching machine! My friend Kathy has made several show quilts and been awarded for her creativity and detail. I have seen her work and you would really own a show piece if you were to be awarded one of her quilts! And it would help our church with our fund raiser for a church bus.


"Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with Him and to be His holy, and innocent and loving people. God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God's own adopted children."
Ephesians 1:4-5

Love you guys,
Paula

Loving My Husband

My husband John and I were married 31 years ago last month. From the first day I saw him I was in love! He was so handsome, and when we spoke he was kind of elusive, which made me want to get to know him all the more. We would occasionally run into each other at social functions, or at the market, or restaurants. We got to know each other and he was as handsome on the inside as the outside. What a heart! Things worked out for us 5 years after we met and we've been happily married ever since.
We are going to escape this week for a vacation... just the two of us. I'm praying we will grow closer together and closer to God in the upcoming days. Can't wait!

God's Purpose For Us

Queen Esther...

Esther is a story of the hand of God's protection and preservation of His people. In the story of Esther, the wicked Haman conspired to destroy the Jews, just as Satan's hateful efforts try to oppose God's purposes for us. The book of Esther shows how God destroys those who try to harm His people and God's sovereign purposes always prevail.

What is your purpose in life? Has there been a Haman in your life trying to take you out or keep you from your divine destiny and purpose?

Esther was a woman of submission, dependence, and obedience to her God given authorities. Because of her humility, she made a way for God's highest purposes in her life and the life of her people.

Speaking of submission, dependence and obedience... I'm learning as the days go on.

I wonder...

I wonder...
What were we created to be? What is your pupose in life? Why would the Creator of the universe select us, choose us to be His companions, His partners?
I ponder this often...
I used to think it was all about me, but I think it is more about you, about your life, your purpose, your desires, your destiny. Learning God's ways, and His plan for you and the gifting He has adorned you with and walking in them so you will have the most fulfillment in your life.
He wants you to be happy and blessed. He wants us to be happy and blessed!

Hi, I'm Paula and a lover of Jesus and people! My husband John and I are busy busy with a Bed and Breakfast business http://www.keegancookhouse/ , a food pantry that serves about 300 families each month (people who are in need of supplemental food), and we pastor a church in our little town of Robeline Louisiana. I often think of the little town of Bethlehem, and how everyone wondered if anything good could come from Bethlehem. Can anything good come from Robeline? Well, if God is in it, we sure can count on it! We are preparing the ground for harvest here in Robeline... hopefully someday soon we will open a community center that will serve people in and around our community. It will be a place where people can gather for functions. A place for children to come together for after school tutoring, kids to come on the weekends to play pool and watch good clean movies. A place for classes (hopefully quilting classes!), and seniors to come for meals on wheels. A community center, food bank, and a place where people can come during hurricanes. A place of ministry to those in need. Sounds good, doesn't it?
Join us, and plant your seeds of prayer for those that will receive from the hand of the Lord.

Be blessed today!
Paula