Gayla's Magazine

You WILL!

We finally are here and viewing all the work that is going on at Oasis.  Most people have no idea how much work it takes to rebuild a church after a fire.  We are so proud of Pastors Doug and Susan Young.  Your many untold hours of hard work WILL  be completed in this long long project.

 

It's going to be so beautiful and completely different inside!  To those of you in Los Banos reading this post..... keep going.  Never mind how long the hours are, never mind the sacrifice it's taking, never mind those that simply stand and watch you work, never mind those with negative statements.  Jealousy often is hiding behind words of those who are not a part of the blessing! Just keep building.... it's soon going to be done and oh my..... how we WILL all rejoice with you!!!  You WILL stand in this sanctuary and worship the Lord again.

 

You WILL  baptize many people in this  new baptismal pool.

 

Children WILL  be taught in wonderful new classes in the children's area!

 

The doors WILL open and people will have a friendly welcome! You WILL smile and enjoy coming to Oasis!

 

The Oasis family WILL come into His courts with praise.... bringing their offerings to support this significant work of the Lord.  We can't wait to dedicate it to the service of the Lord and HIs Glory! 

It won't be long now.... You WILL!

Friends we see at last.....

Ok..... it's time to move on.  Down from the peaks of natural  beauty to the joys of seeing real friends again, we are looking forward to our California assignments and ministry.

 

Stop along the way and call a precious couple...Jim and Betty Davis.  They both are looking well and have so much to talk about... it's good to see them. They climb aboard and we spent some quality time together.

 

Then it's on to Los Banos for the weekend services.  The Bishop preaches a message that is timely and important to this church family at this moment in it's history. They are poised for change and a new level when they move back inside their newly restored church building. The fire was a very hard experience for all of them,  but it's almost over and the page is about to turn here.  The Bishop has been beside to Pastor Doug during this entire experience and hardship, and we rejoice together at what's about to happen.

Can't wait to see everything that is here.  With the church getting completed, to the RMA store to the Warehouse - we are excited to finally get to see it all in person. We are so proud of Pastors Doug and Susan - they have both worked so very hard and the results are going to be life changing for this town.

 

A meal with them and the kids at a place they know we like to eat here.  The Sole Fish dish here is divine!

The lady in the background was not with us - not sure who she was ... funny how pictures can look sometimes :)

We look forward to a great week together.  

Sequoia National Park2

Yes there really are bears....

 

Three Rivers area is a place that's quiet and peaceful.

 

The Lodge... they served the best sweet potato soup I have ever had.  A little sweet and spicy m-m-good!

 

Look at this chair. It unique shape includes stones in the design. Love it's rustic look.

 

When we stopped for lunch here there was almost no one here.  Wow what a quiet restful place - I can't believe we have this to ourselves.  Talk about a private lunch.

 

The view from our table...

We actually walked through this Sequoia tree.

This was another one of those  special times that makes our 34+ years together wonderful.....

The Sequoia National Park

The Sequoia National Park is incredibly beautiful!  The late spring snow storm gave us the most wonderful scenes to enjoy. I am so glad we came through here on our way.... thought you might enjoy seeing it too.  If you ever go to California please go see our national treasures..... the Sequoia trees. Look at this snow drift!

 

 

 

The clouds up here are so enchanting. We are 7,000 ft up and I can't get enough of this pure clean air!

 

Things are a little misty and ethereal here.  Look at the mist on the road ahead of us. There are wisps of clouds slipping around everywhere.

Each Sequoia stands out in majestic height and power. I wonder if Heaven will have trees like this. They are completely unlike any other tree!

 

Regretfully it's time to go back down the mountain... we certainly have enjoyed our day here.  There is no picture that can do justice to the beauty here, you just have to see it in person!

 

One last long look.......

Hot Springs Freezes Over!

I wanted to spend a couple days on the road up in The California Hot Springs - just to take a little down time after a long trip.  So we drive and drive.... and start getting into the general area climbing up the mountain.  And lo and behold... snow is covering everything.

 

It's strange to see bright green grass with snow topped mountains all together.

 

It's truly here.... but a freak snowstorm this morning has completely shut the place down! No electricity so none of the businesses are open.

 

It's freezing cold!  There are power lines down everywhere.  Trees are blocking roads and we are wishing we had tire chains on!!!

The Sheriff comes to check on this business, and while he is inside - a massive tree fell on his truck!  It's bashed in and a wreck - the road gets shut down so a wrecker can load it up.  The Sheriff is NOT TOO HAPPY about this event.

So we had to carefully turn this big rig around and creep back down the mountain... I never dreamed Hot Springs could freeze over..... but I'm a witness!! We will have to come back another time waaa waaa!

Today and Tomorrow...

The wedding was beautiful, my husband does a great job marrying the couple....

 

Dinner was elegant and special.... but we really must go.... too much to still do before morning!

 

I am the guest speaker at The Breakfast of Champions in the Galleria area the next morning. I am thankful for the Wade"s and the Mann's who went with me (and Brian) I could not have done everything without their help today!

 

Moms Against Hunger is my passion and it's so easy for me to share about the needs of hurting moms and kids... Hurry I must fly back to the warehouse before we leave for California for a giveaway that is to happen shortly today.

 

 

We arrive just in time to oversee the giveaway that is being loaded for a special project of feeding in San Antonio.  Moms Against Hunger is thrilled to provide the food for the hundreds of people that will receive these goods. God bless you Robert!

 

Rush across town to a grand opening and blessing of a new business that opened today.  We were so rushed I forgot to get a picture!

Finally..... we get on the road headed for California late in the day.  Take a deep breath.... whatever I forgot I will have to pick up on the road!  

Many different worlds all taken care of .... now it's time for a nice long trip.

What are we doing now?

We are on the road at last! But emails and texts are still charging back and forth across the gigantic invisible pathways in the skies.  We  are in constant contact with the offices and ministries!  Life goes on as if we are still at home base running our  'world'. 

Get this..... we are in Arizona flying down the freeway... and talking to people in California, Georgia, Texas, Minnesota, and Texas this afternoon! 

Amazing isn't it.... this modern world we live in! 

I get a phone picture of my grand daughter, and her 'office, while going through a truck stop. 

Eat lunch looking at phone pictures of various other things people send me while we are in a tunnel.

Got 10 new Facebook friends while going through the Camel back Mountains! 

No time to even think the words... 'are we there yet?'  Too busy!!!

Last Day.... Last Minutes.... No Way to Stay..

Lists are getting checked off.... loading the Coach is about halfway done.... today will be the last day I have to prepare to leave.  As soon as I am done with my presentation tomorrow at The Breakfast of Champions downtown Houston, I will meet up with my husband.  Time to climb aboard the rolling condo and head out on the 'western trek' for California. 

Thank God I am not in a covered wagon.  Oh don't get me wrong it would be an adventure I would probably love, but it's just nicer traveling nowadays!!  

Oh how times have changed, our courageous forefathers had scouts, we have GPS.  They had wagons, we have coaches.  They had 4 rugged wooden wheels that shook every bone loose, we have 10 air powered huge wheels that float us down smooth freeways.  They had to eat what they could hunt or scrounge up, or dry out.  I will simply feed us our favorite home cooked meals on board while he drives ahead. They slept on the hard ground, I will sleep on the very same soft mattress that we have at home. They were 'entertained' by savages and threats of all sorts along their travels out west, we have satellite radio, tv, dvds, internet and cell phones to occupy us on the road - 24/7.  They went for weeks without baths.  We can have a steaming hot shower every day!  They wore the same dusty, dirty clothes and shoes for the entire trip, I will change everyday into fresh comfortable clean clothes and shoes.  Their pets were watchdogs who were scrappy, tough and lean, my  Yorkie Missy has her own bed, food, clothes and snacks packed on board for her Cali trip too!

Oh how times have changed..... There is absolutely nothing worth complaining about in this modern world we live in!  We are blessed beyond belief above any other timeframe in history!!!

The 2010 Ladies Tea

I wanted the Ladies Tea this year to be completely different from every other focus we have had.  Last year it was 'Hat's Off to Women'  the year before was 'Heavenly  Dreams'.  So this year my plan was for each leader to create her own table and atmosphere around a woman's life in the Bible.  Do you know how many women are listed in scripture?  It's interesting for sure....

So the buzz right now in Role Models of America is exciting.  Each leader has chosen 3 women to focus on. Each table will be unique and incredibly special I know.  Pastor Angela is in charge of the entire event this year. We are planning on our biggest turnout yet. It will be both very inspirational and entertaining as we have 'Tea with Mary and Martha'!!

More about this later.

Maisy Mooney

Meet the newest little member of our family... this is Maisy and the cutest puppy you have ever seen.  She's the entertainment when she comes over with her family to visit us.  Missy and Maisy have finally learned to love each other!  All of us love her and hope THIS dog stays around!!