Gayla's Magazine

African Autumn Tea

My darling mother sent me a card that is so special. Just the perfect thing... as my spirit has been a little tired with so much happening recently.

 

She and I are special tea lovers and she found 'African Autumn Tea' and sent me some to share with her.  Africa will forever be in our lives....

 

Two little bags of fragrant tea in silk bags! I will call her and we will have a cup of tea together over the phone!  I love my mom!!  It's nice after all these years to have her in the USA, so I can talk to her often. 

6 years old in life

Our Grand daughter's recent birthday makes life seem to be passing so swiftly.  Turning 6 is a big deal..... when one becomes an adult the memories of this age remain permanent in the mind.  

What do I remember at her age?

We arrived in Liberia West Africa.... I still remember the first impressions of standing on African soil. The sights and sounds and smells.  The memory of people.... and buildings.... and clothing.... and food.  The types of emotions.... and my own feelings. The way the land looked.... the sea.... and the jungle places we lived in.  Being 6 is an important age.

 

The presents received at 6 can be remembered life long.  My birthday present at 6 years old was a doll my mother made for me.  A doll named 'Sunbonnet Penny Sue'.  Funny how precious that little doll made out of socks was to me. 

I intend for my own grand children to remember special pieces of life we share together in life.... long after I am gone. So for this birthday, her gifts are placed inside a animal print case that she can open one by one.  She loved it - I knew she would. 

It's been a special birthday for all of us in our family.  Birthday party with all her friends.... a girls slumber party... shopping trip.... lunch with mommy and me..... fun afternoon doing 'girl things'.  Her mommy knows how to celebrate special days! 

It's one part of life I know she will never regret making special for her kids!  They will remember for life how special we made life for them. From one generation to another, passing on simple joys of living makes for bulding blocks of secure love in a child's heart and mind.   

Sir Winston Churchill

In my yearly personal inspection it's important to see what's been read and what area I should be studying next. A variety of books  is interesting, educating and so good for  mental training.  I have 4 books going this summer..... and enjoy reading each of them.
Sharing books is one way to encourage reading in those around me.  Pastor's wives often need the impute of other lives to strengthen or educate in important areas of which they are responsible for.  Also I find that reading important works is the way to truly grow mentally. 
Wait, before I show you maybe I should tell you that I am married to one of God's Generals in this generation.  Pastors everywhere recognize the extreme spiritual warfare that the church at large is involved in.  The intense battles of financial burdens, complicated legal systems, social and political pressures of increasing city and township inspections, rulings and  ever encroaching building codes and regulations weighs heavily on Ministers today.  They face pressures unlike any other generation before has experienced in ministry.  It's complicated, full of pitfalls with sensitive hurting people, and must provide for costly programs of provision in every church and ministry family.

Bishop Gregory L Holley and I  stand together working in these minefields, daily carrying out spiritual warfare on behalf of the church both locally and nationally.  I hear many conversations  my husband has daily with ministers across America who all are under the gun battling for their churches.

We made a decision some years ago to raise up the next generation of  Ministry here carefully and well equipped.  My husband works hard to raise up and imprint, impress, educate, support and train well ahead of the curve of the full weight of ministry for the young Pastor here.  We want his shoulders to be strong, and to see that he is well equipped for the challenges he will face in the coming years. 

So how do I handle all of this as a wife?  I read. And here is the current book I am studying personally that is fascinating.  It's about another great 'war hero' in the earth.  Sir Winston Churchill.  His battles, pressures and the forces against him are all insights for me as my General also in in a war.....

 

Winston Churchill CEO - 25 lessons for bold business leaders. For every Bishop and Pastor  who provide  leadership for the lives of others, this book is a wonderful resource! And for Pastor's wives?  Essential reading material!

This is my current study book.... it's a good thing.

 

The Birthing of a Midwife in Malawi

My niece - Summer Joy is a real Role Model  and I thought you would like to read one excerpt in her journal about her life. I am very proud of all she does in the earth.  Meet Summer....

A brief Bio...
Just a little about me…I come from an international family.  My father and his family were missionaries to Liberia in the 1960's and served as resident missionaries in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in the 1970's.  My father married a native Zimbabwean and I was conceived in the Summer in Zimbabwe and born in the Summer in Texas, hence the name…Summer. My family continues to have a vested interest in the continent of Africa and I have had the opportunity to serve in a variety of ways on different occasions in Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Malawi and Mozambique.  I am currently in the first Nurse-Midwife/Doctorate in Nursing Practice program at Baylor University and I will graduate in May 2010.  This past Spring I had the opportunity to travel with my Graduate Colleagues and Faculty to Ethiopia and Malawi to serve the indigenous people groups in these developing nations.  My life was forever changed....My primary purpose for choosing to become a Nurse-Midwife, is to help decrease maternal and infant mortality rates in developing countries. 

 

So here we are, back at the Baptist clinic (Senga Bay, Malawi) at night, I sprinted into the Labor Ward and found a laboring woman! WOOHOO! She was 19years old, first pregnancy (Gravida 1 Para 0) and Grace (the midwife) and Chelles (the patient attendant) were with her.  Grace said to me, "Yes, we have been managing her labor until you arrived, she is yours now." Oh my heart was full of excitement, FINALLY a woman in labor J!!  I ran to the midwife cottage and told the others (Dr. Mary Ann Faucher, Stephanie and Delaine).  They came over and we discovered a multiparous woman in early latent phase of labor in the maternity ward.  She was resting on a bed under a blue mosquito net with a family member at her side (it will be a while before she delivers).  The Labor room was hot and humid with various bugs and creatures clinging to the ceiling fan, fluorescent lights and blinds AHHH!! The stark reality of the situation….here I am in Africa with my first labor patient, sweating, bugs falling on me and I'm trying to keep my cool.  Mary Ann said jokingly, "Well, Summer you should be use to this by now!"hahaha

My patient's name is Aina and she was lying on a labor bed with a bright-colored cloth wrapped around her waist…she is so tiny.  She was dilated to 7-8cm/100%effaced/+1 station upon my initial exam @ 2150.  Contractions were coming 3 in 10minutes, lasting 40-50 seconds and palpating moderate.  Her body is beautiful as she moves with each contraction.  I am learning important phrases in Chichewa (native language in Malawi) i.e. Dulusomepwayah which means "breathe out" and Ubaysabueno which means "good job."  At first, I could tell Aina was anxious and scared especially with all of the "Mazungus" aka White People in the room.  Nevertheless, as her labor progressed I continued to remain a constant labor support at the bedside.  Her pelvis was small and she began to writhe in pain while lying on top of a trash bag.  Her body was drenched in sweat and the trash bag clung to her every move.  I fanned her during contractions and she turned onto her tummy. I was shocked, I had never seen someone labor in a prone position. 

While she was lying in this position, I was able to massage her lower back and promote counter pressure to her iliac crests in efforts to increase the AP (anterior-posterior) diameter so the baby would descend easier. As I laid my hands on her, they swallowed her hips and I was praying for safe passage and delivery.  It was at this moment during the arduous labor, sweat soaking through my scrubs, beads of perspiration running down my face and flies swarming around us, that something significant happened…. The patient was lying on her tummy and she reached around with her left arm and put it around my waist.  This was the most powerful and beautiful experience I have ever encountered during labor.  This was a huge breakthrough, not just for the labor management process, but this was when the trust-bond was established between Aina and I.  I got chills when this occurred, and despite the language barrier, cultural differences and the hot insect-infested environment, I felt the presence of God so strongly….for it was at this moment a midwife was birthed!

I realized that God had totally orchestrated this moment, for nothing comes without a price. True joy…for it was the joy that was set before Him that He endured the cross.  I felt that I was in a labor process….as I had anticipated, longed for and desired birthing new life....I was born.  The birthing of a midwife took place on the very continent where I was created.  Oh Father, You saw my unformed body, all of my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began. Now was the time!  I held back the tears as Aina clung to me.  I could feel the pleasure of God as I stepped into my true identity as a midwife. WOW!! There are no words to adequately portray the emotions that I felt or the birthing process that took place inside of me.  For it was at this very moment, I knew…this is what I was created to do!  Here in Malawi (which means Flames of Fire) I was birthed. 

As Mary Ann and Stephanie looked on, they witnessed this significant event.  Later Mary Ann told me she was glad that I insisted we spend the night again (although she was exhausted) she was glad I pushed her J She said, "Summer, tonight I witnessed the birth of a midwife." WOW! I was overwhelmed for this is exactly what happened….

During the labor, it was as if I was one with my patient and I could feel exactly what she needed this was the Holy Spirit guiding my hands, as I truly embraced the heart of midwifery by being "with women."  When Aina became complete (10cm dilated) @ 0205 we were all a little concerned if she would be able to deliver vaginally.  There was fetal caput/molding felt on my exam.  She began to push with all of her might!  No meds, all natural, the veins in her face and chest were popping out!  I've never seen someone push like she did.  Grace was still skeptical and went to get Aina's family.  All of the sudden we heard loud shouting outside of the labor room and Aina, stopped pushing in order to listen.  I was alarmed by this yelling and asked Grace what was going on.  She replied, "Oh, Summer, you see Aina's family is telling her to push this baby out or the baby will be born dead."  I was shocked! Shortly after the berating screams, Aina delivered a beautiful baby girl at 0305 weighing 3000grams with lots of caput/molding. I was able to catch this beautiful Malawian baby and I was so ECSTATIC!! This was my first "catch" in Africa, what a life-changing monumental experience and Aina didn't tear, Praise the Lord!!

As I held this gorgeous African daughter in my hands, I spoke blessings over her life.  Shortly thereafter, the other patient delivered and I was able to catch her baby at 0355, the birth of another precious baby girl J  Delaine and Stephanie did a wonderful job tending to the babies, while Mary Ann and I finished caring for the mothers.

Once we got the mothers settled under their blue mosquito nets and the babies nestled at their breasts, we called it a night.  I expressed my deep gratitude to Grace for being such an amazing midwife and for allowing me to have this opportunity.  We all went to bed at 0500… God you are so faithful!

25 Reasons I Owe My Mother

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
She took pride in how her home looked, how every meal was served and to complete every project she started with her whole heart.

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
I saw her pray at home not just at church.

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
To wait on God’s Timing not mine.

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.

To love others as I loved myself – that simple truth would cause others to love me back.

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
To love God first above everything in this world and to put Him as the absolute wisdom to follow in life.

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
Think before you speak, what do you want others to remember about you.

7. My mother taught me IRONY

‘See….. I told you God would work this out’.

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
You can’t love others until you love yourself.

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.

I watched her manage a home( a literal hut in the jungles of Africa, home school 4 kids alone, keep her sanity when Dad crashed and survived 2 plane crashes, keep smiling while going through countless building programs all over the world, live in terrible conditions and keep a sense of humor, and most of all keep her family together no matter what!


10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
‘I’m going to pray until this situation changes’. She did, and life did!

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
To smile no matter what was happening in life, because it all changes constantly. Life’s happenings are not permanent, don’t worry.  Enjoy the little things in life in spite of others, stuff and circumstances. 

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
Be who you are, never try to be someone else.

13 My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
She loves everyone and everyone loves her!

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.

It does not matter what others do, it’s only important that we live out our own personal life in love.  If she gets upset -she expresses it then moves on quickly.  She NEVER has held a grudge against anyone in her life.


15. My mother   taught me about ENVY.

Her life is so full of her own enjoyment that she has never considered what others have or do important in comparison to her own life. 


16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
She looks forward to EVERYTHING in life, sights, tastes, smells, ordinary days become special because she plans extra little things in her world to enjoy daily.

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.

To be gracious and accepting, never tried to take revenge or hurt someone.  ‘Put yourself in their shoes’ she would tell me about others.  She receives the love of people from all over the world, everyone who knows her loves her. 18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. 'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to stick that way.' 19. My mother taught me ESP. She  lives each day fully trusting God to handle the details of life, she does not worry.  Her ESP would be called, ‘Extra Special Presence’  God’s Eyes watching over you.  20. My mother taught me HUMOR. She would laugh and say, ‘what a coincidence’ and kept things light.  Nothing was worth getting down in the dumps over.  She refuses to look at the dark side of life, only God’s side of joy and peace. Period.  21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. “Some things you will understand when you have a daughter” – she would tell me as a teenager.  Watching her act like an responsible adult shaped me to also act like one.  She taught by her actions, not  just words. 22. My mother taught me GENETICS. She keeps pictures of our ancestors around the house and mentions things that they did in life.  Always the positive never the negative. Imprinting me with the good in my bloodline – not the pessimistic.  23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS. She valued our past history and has pictures of  our family’s story all over the house  to remind about the wonderful things that have happened in my family’s life.  Mementos, and treasures from 50+ years fill her home.   24. My mother taught me WISDOM. She has a deep personal faith, a genuine love for people, an heart that enjoys living, and a real sense of herself.  She is willing to leave things in God’s hands, has always been a homemaker and has a steady, loyal character that is known by everyone who knows her.  She cannot be quoted by negative statements, or found being involved in the personal lives of others.  These are the wisdom points she has taught me.  Not by what she has said, but by how I have watched her live her personal life.   25 My mother taught me about JUSTICE She always said,  “God says, vengeance is Mine sayeth the Lord. Leave it with God, He will make it work out for your good.”      My Mother …. My Friend I talk with and share life with every week ! I love you Mom! Thank you for all of your training so I would be prepared to stand beside this man of God and travel the world and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to hurting people.     And now I am the responsible one with a adult daughter myself ...... I can only pray that I imprint her with truth, character, a personal walk with God and the abilities of becoming a Godly wife and mother and to handle life well. And the circle of life continues........... Happy Mother's Day my daughter. And to all my spiritual daughters - I love you too and want God's best for you in your life as a woman, wife and mother! Happy Mother's Day to you all!

Easter Fun!

Kisses, candy, coloring eggs, Bible stories about Easter, Easter baskets of goodies, chocolates, stuffed animals, exploding eggs  and new cross necklaces.... MiMi and PawPaw had as much fun as the grandkids!  Kissy kissy kissy and lots of hugs as they go back to their house, another memory is made and set in their minds of how fun it is to come to our house.

Why all the fuss?  I guess I am making up for not having grandparents in my own life when I was little.  (Living in Africa did have it's own lonely sacrifices in our family)   So.... it's going to be a BIG deal -we are the grandparents now - everytime we can turn a  special day into an event.

This has truly been a blessed and wonderful Easter for us all!!     

 

Perfect!

   

A fast overnight visit from my oldest brother was a bright spot in my week.  He jumped over (4-5 hour trip)  for a fast 24 hour trip to pick up some supplies for another pastor from our warehouses. He and I talk all the time so it was fun to be together in person.  He and his wife Yvette pastor a great church called Generations Church in Granbury Texas.

www.generationspeople.org

So we had breakfast together and then went to our Foundation Warehouses to load his truck.  Bishop had to fly out to California so he couldn't join us.  It was an early day for all of us, and a perfect chance for a brother and sister to spend a little time together!

 

We were looking at the 2 pallets of 'stuff' and I am wondering how much of this is supposed to go - when my phone rings and it's my husband calling having just landed in Nevada for a lay over. Perfect timing! He tells us so much of this and so much of that, and we start loading.  This so happens to be the day when our Staff is all off - so it's just the two of us to do this.  When Angela 'happens' to show up - just to check on us. Perfect timing!!

 

So together all three of us load enough wall board, adhesive and floor planters for Pastor Merideth's new community center.

 

 

We get done and he has enough time to run across Houston and meet another brother of ours - Regan for lunch. Perfect timing!

A perfect visit from my perfect big brother!!

The Christmas Mystery Trip

 

Minnie Mouse has been dying to tell the grandchildren about where they are going for their Christmas Mystery Trip!  Finally the time arrives to tell them.... and before we could tell them. They both began smiling and laughing and telling us that they knew exactly where we were going.  DISNEY WORLD!! And so the word is out - they are so excited and we are too!

 

Even Missy is going!! She is dressed up and having spent a day at a Doggy Spa she is ready - the one and only member of the family with no packing to do!

 

Visiting with their Great Grandmother Joyce Latta, they tell her all about what they want to see at Disney World.

 

So it was with whirlwind goodbyes with their Great Grandfather - Samuel Latta and get the suitcases on board the Coach and head off to Florida!!

 

We are off...... with 2 grandkids and a dog!  It will be a trip of a lifetime for all of us.  

A Special Christmas Table Setting

 

Creating a special Christmas table is simple to put together,  but takes pre-planning for full effect. These are snowflake Christmas tree ornaments.  They lay flat and can create interest without adding bulk to the table.

 

These little glasses are used for a single peppermint striped ornament to set in.  (I painted  these glasses a long time ago and use them some way every Christmas) Just set 4 of them down the middle of the table for a special decoration that describes the theme. 

 

These frosted glasses are perfect for a peppermint themed table.  I just tucked an red and white plastic ribbon ornament inside ready to serve as the stirrer for a special frosty type smoothie drink. I left these on the table for decorations only and used others for the actual Brunch.  These are also great for Eggnog later in the holidays.

 

Use a twist of red/white striped wire ribbon for a napkin ring and the entire table put together is great! Make it twist up high off the plate for added effect for your guests.

 

I love how sugarplums are dancing in my families eyes when they set down to eat a special Christmas meal!  I want them to feel special and loved from the sight of the table, to the presentations and tastes of all the foods served.

No holiday meal should be unplanned - it's a wonderful gift you can give to them!!

2008 Christmas

 

One of my christmas table designs this year is called 'A Peppermint Treat' and Christmas Brunch was served on this one. 

 

My Mother and Dad  arrive for a 2 day visit - on their way to visit my other brothers (2 live in Texas) we kept them busy the whole 2 days!