Gayla's Magazine

The Role Models

The Role Models are hard at work preparing for the soon coming Ladies Tea.  It's the first weekend of May and this year is our 10th Anniversary so it's an extra special year.  Each of these Role Models are busy preparing such special touches and all of the anointed parts of the entire event.  While I am traveling they are making sure every detail is done and their efficient work is to be commended. 

Have you seen the www.rolemodelsofamerica.org site? It's starting to fill in - these wise women are adding portions everyday.  We plan to unveil it fully at the Tea.  If you are a woman you will relate or know someone who could use an experienced comforting arm around the shoulders. Their open, honest and frank articles will touch every heart that comes to visit.  We plan to write about every area of a woman's life.

May the Father tell these women 'well done thou good and faithful servant'  one day......

 

Budapest Hungary

It's now 9 o'clock at night and we are very hungry in Hungary! Our driver had been waiting on us for several hours - but he graciously took us to our Hotel.  So we just dropped off our suitcases in our hotel room and went to  look for some food, before they roll up the sidewalks here.  We walked 3-4 blocks down and around the corner and found a quaint little restaurant to eat at. It's called Kulacs Etterew - Vera Jazz Cafe.  Does anyone speak English here?  One guy. 

So we look over the menu and see a few foods we can make out.  The little place had a Gypsy band playing.  They were good musicians, a violin, bass fiddle and a unusual piano instrument  of some sort.  It was nice to be still and just listen for a little while. Then we see the brochure about them, this group is famous!  It's Sandor Kallas.. Tekeoli! Who knew we would walk into one of Budapest's special spots!  God is good! This 'Babos' Group staged an unforgettable folklore performance. 

This restaurant is proud of Rezso Seres the famous Hungarian composer and singer who entertained the guests here between 1934 and 1950.  Here he composed the well-known song, 'Szomoru vasarnap' (Gloomy Sunday) starting it off on the way to world fame.  And now for dinner,  they fixed us a good supper.  Starting with a plate of fresh tomato's and cabbage for a salad, the meal arrived steaming. 

Mine was spicy paprika chicken with gnocchi - (which are a sort of homemade little dumplings) It was tasty, fresh and hot. 

The Bishop's was a chicken ragout dish with homemade buttery mashed potatoes. 

It really tasted good.  We ate every bite.  The  musicians sang and sang, and when we left we could still hear them down the street.  Didn't understand one word, but the melodies were nice.  I hope I can go to sleep now - it's 8 hours ahead of our normal time.  Tomorrow is a big day.   

 

Landing at Heathrow Airport London, we wheeled into the largest freestanding building in the U.K.  Terminal 5!  Then began the Walk.  We walked on and on, down hallways as far as you could see in both directions!

And when one gets tired, the hallway turns into a walking sidewalk, where one can stand against the side and the sidewalk moves beneath you.  Nice to catch your breath.

Then get on a tram and ride for a while.  Then get off and walk some more!  We certainly have enjoyed the ex cerise today.  It's waking us up!

Finally we arrive at our gate.  Set down and eat a cup of hot soup.  Oops- on the departure signs - they have changed where our gate is!  It's been moved to Terminal A!  And on the way we see signs that say if you have to come back here, expect it to take you 40 minutes!  I hope they don't do this to us again.  We might miss our connecting flight!

So let's head off again.  Onto another tram..... down more hallways..... walk walk walk. 

Then we head down an escalator and I realize this is unusually long ride so I grab my camera to show you before we get to the bottom.

We counted 4 stories passing us while traveling downwards! Unreal!

This is the largest esc. I have ever been on.

Ok so we get on the plane in time.  This flight is completely full to the brim with alot of seniors going to a Cruise in the Danube River in Budapest.  The guy in front of us, suddenly gets up and rips his pants very badly across the seat.  He is a large man, and furious that this has happened to him.  So he proceeds to be upset the whole trip.  He has to wear his wife's sweater stretched around his middle.  I felt sorry for him,  and for those he was traveling with. 

There are 181 people on the flight. All of us with a problem.  NO wait more than one problem before it's over - this gets good!  We sat on the plane on the tarmac for 2 solid hours clicked into our seats.  Finally they tell us, the crew is being switched out for a fresh one.  So for a little while there was no one there but all of us strapped in to our seat belts.  We were all naive so sat quietly like sheep.  Then later they come back on the intercom, saying they had had to change out our original plane due to tec's, so we were on this plane instead.  We sat again all of us quiet and obedient except the man with the pants issue.  He is starting to get louder about how useless this Airlines is.  Oh My! 

Then the voice from 'somewhere over the rainbow' speaks to us again and says we are delayed because of the weather that passed over London this morning.  Not sure if all these announcements were coming from the same person, or if the crew was having fun playing games with the herd strapped in. The man in front...... you fill in the blank in your mind about how he is feeling about the weather, the plane, the crew, and his pants!

Finally we get started and as soon as the seat belt sign is switched off in the air, I think a third of the plane got out of their seats and headed down the skinny isle to the bathrooms.  Only to discover there was only ONE WORKING RESTROOM ON BOARD!  This is hysterical!  The isle was jammed with old people about to hop up and down they had to go so bad!

Now the flight attendants are trying to get down the skinny isle to serve drinks to everyone.  There were people on top of people trying to either get to the line to stand and wait to use the loo, or trying to get back to their seats, or trying to get past the trolley.  People all became very friendly with each other, except for the large pants man!  He was becoming enraged which made it even funnier.  We laughed and howled and enjoyed this scene so much!  It was better than watching a comedy!  And halfway through the flight we decided to get up and join the fray! At least we could stand up right? 

So we edge our way back ( we are setting half way up the plane) when we reach the back, a little old lady thought we would get in front of her so she squeezes past my husband. It was so funny we both burst out laughing, it was so tight she couldn't fit!!!  I had tears in my eyes it was hilarious!  When we finally get back to our seats, we get set down and the old lady setting next to me, loses control of her coffee and spills it down my leg.  More laughter!  But the man in the pants in front of me was in a black mood.  He decides he is going to the bathroom!!!  Can you believe what he was going to find just trying to get in line to go?!  More laughter from us!  They both get up and stand in line.

Anyway once we finally land and pulled up to the gate in Budapest,  the voice comes back on the intercom and tells us that they need our help.  The pants man is telling them already about needing help!  Although they can't see him, I am sure they could hear him.  More laughing for us.  They tell us not to get out of our seats until they tell us to.  That the baggage door will not open, so they have to manually unload from the rear of the plane!  And they need us to stay in our seats so the plane will remain balanced!  Which is what happened!   

Oh this is too funny.  My sides are hurting. What a great trip we have had.  This two hour flight turned into a 5 hour comedy film.  The last we saw of the man in the pants, he was trying to get his luggage off the baggage area fighting with the long sleeves of the sweater! 

It's not funny what happened to him, but when life hands you a situation you can't control, why let it control you, just go with the flow and make lemonade out of your lemons. 

How to Pack a Suitcase

How To Pack a Suitcase... And Have What You Really Need When You get There!

After traveling many years - 32 plus with my husband, and my youth and childhood years with my parents- packing has become a natural habit.  I remember one trip that I had to pack clothing for severe icy winter conditions, and hot steamy weather clothing for the extreme opposite end of the world together for the same trip! I think I remember our sinus's didn't adjust so well that trip!  Too much, too fast, too different for our noses! 

Anyway it's time to pack again.  This time it's to Eastern Europe - Budapest Hungary to be exact.  Sure hope the Internet is easy to get to where we are going.  If not....... this post will have to remain online until I can get on-line to update you for sure! Thought you might enjoy a few tips for the next tine you pack for a trip somewhere. 

 

This is from About.com website.

How many times have you packed for a trip only to find that either your clothes were in a mess or you packed all the wrong things?

Here's How:

1.   The trick is to pack lots of layers. If it's too hot, you can remove layers. If it's chillier than you expected, you can add layers.

2.   Spread everything out onto your bed, in piles, before you begin to pack them into a suitcase.

3.   I find that neatly folded blouses do well at the bottom of the suitcase. Pants and skirts are stacked on top of each other.

4.   Shoes are carried in a separate case if I am short on room. But, if you have room to spare, place in plastic bags and fit them around the corners of your suitcase.

5.   All toiletries should be travel size if at all possible. These can then be easily stored in a zip up cosmetic bag. Look for one with several storage sections that will hang from a bathroom door.

Tips

1. Never try to guess how warm or cold it is going to be. You will always be wrong. Take sleeveless dresses and tops with a sweater or jacket that can provide warmth.
2. Having everything spread out on the bed allows me to see that I haven't forgotten an important item. Trust me, forgetting is extremely easy.
3. Take only the makeup you are going to need. If you choose neutral shades, you can get by with a lot less than you own

And Gayla's personal tip added here ...... choose two color palettes that work together well.  So everything can be mixed and matched easily.  This eliminates changing purses, and many shoes for a big trip.  A simple scarf can change a entire look - for almost no space taken up in a suitcase.

  P S trust me .... pearls go with everything!! No other jewelry will be needed.

I Love My Life!

Traveling across America towards the Full Gospel Fellowship Convention earlier this month, my mind surged around the different areas of ministry we are involved in just this month.  We are so blessed to be a part of so many different fields and missions across this world.  Many locations and many details all happening in a matter of 4 weeks!

Earlier we ministered in Decatur Illinois, then  it was to Dallas Texas, then to Las Vegas Nevada, then to Las Banos California. While at home our missions reach local needs across Houston, such as food and clothing and furniture needs. New Life - our home base will receive ministry at the capable hands of our pastors and staff.  The nation of Guatemala will receive a large container shipment of clothing, shoes, and household supplies for the needy. Then Honduras and Philippines will receive 6 million $ worth of medications for their hospitals. And our missions in Mexico continues onward and upward. 

There was an extensive ministry event at home base this month for several Bishops, and Pastors to come together from several States to commission a US Army official into the full time work of the Lord across America.  And before the month ends we will travel to Budapest Hungary for yet another type of ministry function for the Bishop and I.

Our logo at home says, 'Around the Corner Around the World' - it's certainly true. I am so proud of God!  Look at His movements! It's certainly a busy life for this Bishop's Wife!! When you will be reading this we will have completed all assignments for this month except Hungary.  And we are now winging our way across the mighty ocean in the night on a steel bird.

I will write more later as I am able to post from Europe!!

www.newlifeinternet.net check it out to see some of what New Life does.

 

The Changing of the Guard

This has been a huge weekend at New Life.   In my life as a Bishop's wife, there are many memorable events that take place in the Church.  This weekend has been one of those!  We have anticipated the Retirement Ceremonies for Sergeant First Class/Elder Marc L. Stratton from the US Army for a long time. And it finally arrived!  There have been important guests arriving from different States to attend and be a part of the special events planned.

Friday evening was a Commissioning Dinner held in his honor in the Palace.  And there were Bishops and Pastors, Elders and family members who Sergeant Stratton has ministered to many times.  You see, he is also a minister who God has blessed to be a strength and support in two Armies.  God's Army - the spiritual one as a Evangelist, and the US Army - the natural one, as a Sergeant.

We all enjoyed a wonderful time together and we finally left around midnight!! After a time of prayer and prophetic anointing.

These ministers spent time enjoying old times and looking forward to future plans of expectancy for the Stratton family.  He has worn two hats for a long time, and it's time to turn in the one and put his attention fully to being the gifted Evangelist that he is and has been for years. It's the changing of the Guard!   

Then the next day the actual Retirement Ceremony from the Army Officials happened.  It was touching and poignant for both Marc and Joyce his dear wife.  They have spent 20 years giving their lives for others.  20 years of various posts around the world, battles in Desert Storm and finally in a leadership position in the Recruiting Districts of our Area. 

The US Army released him with honors, and upon release, the Ministers received him in yet another Ceremony beginning the next chapter of his ministry.  It was so awesome and moving!  With all the special singers, presentations, prayers and speeches it was truly a very important day in Evangelist Marc and Joyce Stratton's lives. 

And afterwords there was a Luncheon served in the Gym and we were honored to host so many guests and friends.

                                           Evangelist Marc and Joyce Stratton were sent to the Houston area some years ago and when they found New Life Christan Fellowship -we have loved each other from the first day!  They are great ministers of the Gospel and we proudly support them on this their final day and new beginning!  It's a real privilege for us to share this day with them! 

                                     

Tithes and Offerings

One of the highlights in the Bishop's ministry at Oasis Community Center in Los Banos was this.  He called up 10 men and stood them all in a line.  Then another 10 people were called up to stand behind them, and stretch out their hands over the front 10 as if they were threatening them.

They were growling, being menacing and acting funny, but it was to make this point. 

Our personal provisions are all lined up into categories such as money, marriage, children, families, jobs, health, church work, friendships, emotional wellbeing, future goals.  And we all live our lives watching over these areas.  The enemy  the devil - would like to disturb, steal, kill, destroy, rob, ruin these areas of our lives. And he tries to do so every day that we all live. 

But when we put our lives into the plan of God and obedience follows His instructions - the enemy is blocked. 

Isaiah 54:17 says ..... No weapon forged against you will prevail and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.  This is the heritage of the servant of the Lord and this is their vindication from Me.

How do we put our lives under God's protection?  By obeying His Word. And in this case this instruction is found at the address of Malachi 3:8-11. Which says .....  

Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, How do we rob you?

In tithes and offerings.  You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in My House.  Test me in this says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 

I will prevent pests from devouring your crops and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit say the Lord Almighty.  Then all the nations will call you blessed for yours will be a delightful land says the Lord Almighty.

So when we tithe our provisions to the Lord - which means giving to His House 10 percent of our treasure, time and talents. He puts a protectant over us and prevents the enemy from harming us. So then the Bishop took one man away from the front row and he represented our tithing to the Lord.  10 percent of our provision.  Then all the hands of the 'enemy' went down, they were powerless to affect the areas of  our life. And when we don't,  the enemy has access to our lives.  He spoils our 'crops' and our 'vines' every time!  

Can't afford to tithe?  Seriously can you afford not to????  

Pastors Doug and Susan Young

Last week was so busy from the moment we got off the plane out West.  There was no time to fill you in on the details, now thinking back over the week, I see that SO MUCH happened. We were at two Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada - it's just too much to fill you in here, but here's a taste of the weekend that followed.   

The Bishop and I ministered at Oasis Community Center in Los Banos California - with Pastors Doug and Susan Young.  This cutting edge couple has such a interesting church!  They have blended two cultures seamlessly.  Two languages with two different ethnic backgrounds all worship together in such a special way.  They flow from song to song - using English and Spanish interchangeable all through each song. And there are interpeters that speak fluidly at the same time as the speaker who is speaking in English.  All through the congregation are people with headsets on - all receiving at the same time.   

Their music has a Latino flavor that is wonderful!  I loved it.  It's fast and the beat is decidedly spicy, then it flows into wonderful slow melodies and feeling. There were 3 percussionists playing a variety of instruments and then one of the 3 drummers caught my eye - he looked to be about 12 years old.  This child was really good!  It was amazing to watch his accomplished rhythm! As a worship leader myself, it was so good to experience their praise to the Lord.

And the Bishop was in top form! But this weekend was by far the greatest one we have had there yet!  The congregation was vibrant and alive, it was good to see them again. His words to them are always well received and needed. 

Well done to their precious Pastors who have loved them, and stood faithfully beside their growing church. This church is one of the few that knows how to blend two people into one!   

And Behind the Door is.......

You have got to enlarge this picture and read what the door says.  We saw this while standing in line waiting at a ticket counter at the Fresno California Airport! Ok.... I can see that this is too hard for you to read - so here it is again, I have enlarged it for you to read.

There were employees working right next to this door at their work stations.  Do they not see this....? Or somehow they have ignored the sign.... ?  Or what??  I can't believe they don't care about their health. Should anyone really go through that door? 

Is it a joke?  I think not.   

What could it mean?  And what kind of chemicals are being used around the lives of the workers here?  It's posted clearly in front of the public, so obviously it's serious.

America, we really HAVE to start changing if we want to lower our cancer rate in this country! 

This reminds me of the many posted warnings that are given to us in the Bible.   With clear instructions how to live and stay clear of danger.  And yet we don't read these instructions ....  or just ignore them...??? Or what? I can't believe we don't care about our eternity.

Into which door are you walking toward your eternal destiny?

     

Suitcases

We have lugged our heavy suitcases for the last time!  Dragging them through 4 flights is OK and we deal with that often.  It's the weight of them that gets to us.  So we have decided as soon as we get back home we are going to look for lighter weight ones. Ours are the old kind before the 50 lb limit per bag, so it's definitely time for the newer lightweight ones. 

We got home at 1 am - but it took a couple of hours to calm down, so today has been a recovery day of phone calls, emails, unpacking these old heavy cases and trying to eat a lightly.   

I will fill you in tomorrow on this adventure.