Sean and Nancy's Wedding


Yesterday I had the honor of attending Nancy and Sean's wedding. It was short and sweet.  She looked absolutely gorgeous in her dress, and Elder Morton is hilarious! Here is a few of the pictures I took at the wedding. They aren't in order...since i didn't feel like taking the time to do it. lol

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Miranda! Aka Taco Bell and Spaghetti! lol

 They had these decorations made out of coffee filters! I made it my goal to touch one before I left.. apparently everyone did too. ahaha
 Jen being a snooty sister, she demanded her brother to escort her to the table... after the wedding was over.. lol

 "Throw the bouquet over here!" ... we were at the end of the reception area. lol
 Duet!











There ya go folks! Just a snippet of yesterday :)

Repost: "An Alter and a Cane" by Jacqueline

Here is a post writen by my Ariozonian friend Jacqueline (I know that isn't a real word), you can see the original post and her blog HERE.
Please read this! It is a great post!

An Alter and a Cane
"They gathered in by the hundreds, they were in their prime of life. Energy almost seemed to ripple through the crowd, as apostolic young people from several states joined together for a great youth convention. Yet in the mist of all this strength, and power, youth that had more energy then anyone can attempt to put in some energy drink, was something that looked oddly out of place. With guys that stood tall and girls that could walk with grace and easy in heels, was a wheelchair, walker, crutches and other such stuff.

It can bad enough to come to a youth meeting with a pimple on your nose, or maybe not the most fashionable outfit but to be weak in the body, that another story by itself. You can’t keep up with the other youth because your strength is gone. People aren’t sure what to say or do around you it not normal to be that sick. People talking about you and what wrong and you receiving glances of pity is not fun thing either

It broke the heart of many adults at that convention to see young people hurting physically. So it was no surprised at the last night of the convention when a minister at the front of the church began talking about the need in that service. Asking everyone to bind together in prayer for a youth that was in pain, but which youth was he particular talking about? Was it the young man who was is in a horrible car accident this year and was now in a wheelchair? Or surely for the young girl who had a life treating disease and was forced to use a walker due to being so weak? Or the girl in the walking cast who broke her foot that was not healing correctly? Surely it had to be the girl who was having horrible back pains that caused her to be in constant pain. Young people who came miles to be at the convention, kids that didn’t want to miss being at a convention where they knew God would move. But I was honestly shocked when I heard my name called to come to the front. That when I reached down and grabbed my cane and headed for the alter.

All the prior year I had been sick with what I thought was just the stomach flu again or a bad cough, I never seem to fully get over being sick. Then the news hit me like a freight train, I had cancer. I tried to be normal and keep up with life working full time, hanging out like a normal youth, church, school and the whole nine yards but I only made myself worst. Instead of resting up the surgery I pushed myself to the limit almost up to the day of my surgery. The surgery went well but the cancer was much worst then expected. I then spent much longer in the hospital. Finally I went home and began the road to recovery. I was finally feeling well again, had the urge to eat. I had almost gained all my weight that I had lost. Then I was put on a strict diet in preparation for radiation, then radiation itself, I began to get weak again. By the time of convention started I had almost like carpool tunnel syndrome symptoms in all my joints and was so weak that I was forced to use a cane.

I felt unworthy to be asked to come to the alter, with so many sicker than myself, why was I chosen. I wanted to cry, I knew I need it prayer but other did too. "God why can’t they come forward too?" As the ministry laid their hands on my head and the church in one accord began to pray, I felt a power I have never felt before. As if oil began to run from the top of my head, pouring over my painful joints and giving strength in my body. When they finished praying, I wanted to leave my cane on the alter as a sign of what He had done for me, but I was checked in the Spirit. What I didn't know was God had only given me strength for the rest of my trip but not complete healing. I walked back to my seat with almost a bounce in my step.

When I got back to me I set I began to weep, why had God only choose me to called to the front when so many where sick? Why couldn’t other youth get the chance to feel that same healing power I felt? That when God spoke to me. “Look at the crowd what do you see?” I lifted my face and looked. Instead of seeing strong, powerful young people I saw young people who were wounded and weak. Young people with wheelchairs and walkers, kids who were very sick, I was getting a glimpse into the spiritual world. That when I noticed my own spiritual cane. During my sickness instead staying near God I was trying to do it on my own with my own strength and became spiritual weak. I was forced to use a cane because of my spiritual weakness.

As the alter call was called, I stood to walk with two canes now. One for my physical weakness and another for my spiritual weakness, others were heading up with their spiritual wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and canes. Young people who had been straying from God that had cancers much like myself, spiritual cancers. Diseases and sickness that left them weak and hurting. That when God began to touch young people just as he had earlier touched me in the physical sense. Power of God moved so much in that service that unbelievable spiritual healing were taking place, and the alter became littered with spiritual walkers, canes, crutches and wheelchairs. Strength began pour into spirits, like oil over them. That night when I left that alter, I still was holding a cane, I was still weak in the body though much stronger now. This time I got my chance to leave something at the alter to show of God's healing, my spiritual can"

Words of [Dating] Wisdom Pt 2.

If you haven't read part 1, click HERE.  
So as you probably figured out, this is part 2 of "Words of [Dating] Wistdom". This time my lovely guest is Kendra! 

Here are the questions I asked, and her answers :).

1. Kendra, I understand that you didn't grow up in the church. So from your experience and observation, what would you say is the most negative thing about the way the world dates?

Physical touching. There is no doubt that hugging someone, kissing someone, caressing someone speeds up the physical response. It never stops with those things. For men, it will increase their desire for more, and more. For women, it clouds your emotions into thinking he "cares" based on how much he touches you. 

Dating is not supposed to be an extremely complex, and emotional relationship from the start. Physical touch will cause this. Think about how hard it is for a girl to sever a relationship with someone who is a horrible choice for her once she has given away her purity to him. It creates a situation never intended by the God. With the help of the Lord, Brendan and I waited until marriage. BUT because of physical touch, it made it WAY harder to wait than it needed to be. 

2. What would you say to somebody who is considering dating like the world? Or somebody in the world?

Don't do it! It doesn't give you a chance to form a solid relationship like you can. In most cases, once you are intimately involved, it becomes hard to distinguish between genuine love, lust and obsession. That's a scary situation to be in. Do your boyfriend a favor, don't cloud his mind with sexual thoughts. And do yourself a favor, have enough respect for yourself to refrain. 

To someone who is in the church and is considering dating someone in the world... You need to do some serious praying that this is even a consideration. God never intended for us to be unequally yoked. Meaning you need to date someone with like faith, like mind and like goals. Otherwise you will run into major issues. If marriage follows think about how difficult it is to live for God with a spouse who doesn't? How will your raise your kids in a divided home? God forbid. 

It's not just about dating someone in the church either. He needs to know how to pray, seek God and prove that he is strong in the faith. Your future husband needs to be able to get ahold of God on behalf of your family, your marriage and future children. He needs to be a faithful giver. He needs to be a worshiper. He needs to love God above all else. 

3. What is something you admire about the way that Apostolics date? I ask this since you are able to compare and contrast dating in the world vs. dating in the church. 

I admire the simplicity of it. No strings attached (physically). If it doesn't work out, you aren't devastated that your first kiss was wasted. You are able to think clearly and make sound decisions. I admire that your Pastor, 
and parents are involved in the process. This is so awesome! Whether you understand it now or not, listen to your pastor!! My pastors wife dated a man for 4 years, and they were planning to be married. Her pastor called her in the office one day and said he didn't have a good feeling about it. No specific reason. They hadn't messed up. Well, she was obedient. And very soon after, my Pastor asked her to marry him (they knew each other since they were kids so its not a "knight in shining armor story" lol). She has the confidence even now that she chose the perfect will of God by listening to the man of God in her life. 

4. What is some advice that you could tell a single Apostolic? Male and female?

Males- if you are more attracted to her body than the fact that she is spiritual and loves God, keep it pushing! And when you find the right girl, after its been cleared with your pastor and hers, respect her enough to follow the rules. Generally girls will take your lead. Don't pressure her to do what's wrong. 


Females- Sis Johnson from TN said, "don't look for someone to 'complete' you, you should be completed in God already." Before you consider dating you need to examine yourself and make sure your relationship with God is strong. We are emotional so you need a solid foundation to stand on to weather the emotional storms that plague us women :) Respect yourself enough to dress modesty. Not seductive and sexy. Men are visual. Don't entice them, it's not fair.

To all, listen to your Pastor. Pray and seek God for His perfect will. Maybe who you would like to date/marry is the will of God for your life but not right now. Wait. Listen. Pray. And love God.

Words of [Dating] Wisdom Pt. 1

Bet you thought this was going to be from me huh? Well nope, it's from dearest Sister Kathy McElhaney! Who can give better advice than somebody who is happily married and loves God?
Here are some questions I asked her and her answers.





1. What was something you learned while courting/dating that you didn't know before you were doing so?
Before Les and I met, I dated a few other guys.  One thing I learned during that time was there were things that just weren't acceptable to me.  I wanted to be treated with respect and as a person with a brain!  Not all guys did that ;) Submission does not equal doormat.  God created Eve as a helpmeet, not as a slave.

When Les and I started dating, one of our first outings was to Six Flags Magic Mountain.  That day I learned that being myself was the best thing I could be.  Sure, I wanted to look nice, but it was a very hot day and we ended up riding Tidal Wave and looked like drowned rats! (Click HERE to read that blog post)  At the end of the day Les told me, "You scored big points riding the Tidal Wave. Not every girl would do that!"  Considering the many adventures we have gone on in the past 22 years, I'm glad I learned that it's not just about how I look all the time!


2. What is one of the most common, but not obvious, mistakes you see young people do while dating?
A common mistake with Apostolic young people is not checking with their pastor before pursuing a relationship with someone.  Even the ones that come from approved "fishing holes" may not be approved by their pastors.  Just because a guy/girl shows up at camp, sings in the choir, and dances in the aisles, doesn't mean they are living right.  Appearances are deceiving and emotions can really get messed up if you jump the gun.  Friends from that person's church may not know what the pastor knows.

3. To my understanding you met Les at the age of 25. What were some issues you had to deal with being "old", as you mentioned in one of your comments on my blog before.
From the time I turned 18 and graduated from high school the questions started.  Every time I attended a camp or convention, I came home to "Did you meet anyone?"  There was a lot of pressure to hurry up and get married.  This came from every direction.  I think many were well meaning, if they were happily married they wanted that for me.  But I also heard, "You're too picky" more than once.  NO!!  I was not too picky!  Marrying the wrong person is one of the greatest mistakes you can make.  Even after Les and I started dating, people were impatient.  What was taking so long? I have never regretted marrying Les, and I have also never regretted waiting.
4. What is some advice that you could tell a single Apostolic? Male and female?
Enjoy being a single Apostolic!  It's okay to be single, to travel, to go to school, to have tons of friends, to work and have spending money. I did all those things.  I went on two missions trips and to many, many camps and conventions. 
Trust your pastor.  Elder Morton had to tell me "No" about more than one guy I was interested in.  It was hard, I don't deny that.  But he was right!  Listen to his advice, listen to the advice of your parents and other adults whom you trust.
Don't give your heart away too soon.  You don't need to tell every person you ever go out with that you love them.  (Les is the only one I said that to.)  Don't rush love.
Keep your relationships pure - in words and actions.  Les and I did not kiss until our wedding day.  Many think it's okay to kiss when you're engaged, but engagements can be broken.  Then what?  Five years down the road you  realize you kissed someone else's spouse!  Don't do anything that you will regret.
Be very careful with texting and email.  Les and I wrote letters, that gave us time to think about what we were saying.  That's not always the case with electronic communication.


5. Now getting a little bit more specific,what advice would you give to anybody who is considered "old" and is single?
Hang in there!  Don't rush God's plan for your life.  Yes, there will be times that you get discouraged, but keep trusting.  Do NOT settle!  Keep waiting. 
Realize that most people mean well, but they don't know everything about you.  Even if they make you angry, answer with kindness.  I had to wait for God to move Les from Tennessee.  Maybe your future spouse is across the country or in another land, just keep trusting.
Dr. James Dobson talks about the "critical decade" this is between ages 16 and 26.  This is the time when you are making major life decision.  You will change so much in that decade.  If you hurry up and get married at 18, you are still in the changing time.  Many hit 30 and don't recognize the person they married because they have changed so much.  You may not even recognize yourself from the person you were at 16 - think about the styles and things you thought were cool at that age!

Being married is wonderful - I'm married to my best friend.  He has been with me through some very hard times and I have taken care of him through several surgeries. But we have also had some incredible adventures, fun vacations, and great times together.   When everyone gives their blessing (both pastors and both sets of parents) you can feel very confident that God is also blessing it.
 

Thanks for letting me blab on!  I love young people and pray that each of you will find God's best for your life, wherever and with whomever that might be!




Click HERE for part 2.

Dear Teenagers..

Dear Teenagers,

It's not about getting caught, it's about being saved.

Sincerely,

Me

Miracles Miracles! I Want to See Miracles!

I want to see miracles! Lord knows that I don't want to live a life without seeing a miracle!
I want to get to a level that I have enough faith to believe in whatever/whenever.

This is not the first time I've thought about this, but in the past when I thought about it I thought about miracles elsewhere, with different people - but I didn't stop to think about what God has done in my church.


Here are a few stories from MY home church.

- Some years back a man named Zenel, was found with a cancerous tumor in his head. The doctors at the the hospital sent him home to die. That man is still at my church, and healthy as ever.

- About 15ish years ago a woman named Ildeliza came from Mexico to the U.S to save her daughter and family from a "cult". Ildeliza had cancer spread all over her body, and said that she used to lie on the cold ground to sooth the burning she felt on the inside and out.
When she stepped foot into that Pentecostal church where her daughter went, she felt something she had never before, and was healed! Ildeliza is still a faithful saint at my church and has started several home bible studies in Mexico.

- A sister from my church got healed from a tumor that fell off after she was prayed for! She nobody knew about this until her heeling came!

- A young woman in her late 20's came to our church and asked for prayer because she had ovarian cancer. God healed her! 

- Another lady came to our church with a wound on her foot the size of a baseball that wouldn't heal since she had diabetes. She had been limping for months, until God healed her; it wasn't immediate but it happened.

This has all occurred at my church, and we are still waiting on Him (or is he waiting on us? hmm) to do more miracles. Why? Because he is able!

Please comment and tell me, ( us, the world!) what God has done at YOUR church! If you don't want to put your name it is okay, just put your location. We are not in this alone, and we have each other to encourage one another, so please comment.
I challenge my kindreds to comment, Jedidah, Mary, Jen Lord, Michelle, Sis.Kendrick, and anybody else who read this to post about what God has done. Let's share testimonies :)

yay! I used way too many exclamation marks and I don't care! :) heh heh..


* If you are a blogger and rather do a blog post about miracles do it! I will add you as a link to this blog post


 Read the miracles that happened at: