Gayla's Magazine

We're moving!

The day to move has finally arrived.... we are moving into our home that's been in remodeling stages for a year and 8 months!

Funny how life is.... I can remember 2 other Thanksgivings that we moved on!

What is it about this time of year that major events seem to center around?  I have no idea, just very thankful that this is now over and we are going to be settled. It's been challenging and tough at times, but as usual one just has to persevere and keep pressing on. It does 'come to pass'.

We are happy with our smaller home, it feels quite big after living in tiny temporary quarters for such a long time!

On to the boxes! What to keep and what to give away.  If it has no special meaning... it's gone!  No more posts till I get some things in order....

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

To all my family and my friends.... we all have so much to be thankful for.

I love each of you and wish you a happy, relaxing day of enjoyment. 

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.  Melody Beattie

How to make a straight board curve

Have you ever wondered how do straight boards become curved and usable for forming concrete?  Ok maybe no... but it's still interesting to find out. I'm watching  workers create something nice from bare dirt, a tiny yard and boards.....

I watched them take a straight board lay it on the ground and pick up a saw...

They cut little cuts across each board about every inch...

And when the boards were 'cut' they simply formed up a curved line with them and poured concrete inside their formed design.  All within an hour!

Nice job guys... I learned something today. 

Being a Servant

Greater levels of servant-hood are in my path daily.  Through the years my responsibilities have grown rather than lessened.  It was refreshing to see my devotion this morning from Rick Warren.  It was so good I want to share it with you, if you are a busy ministers wife.. this one is for you!

"You will never arrive at the state in life where you're too important to help with menial tasks. God will never exempt you from the mundane. It's a vital part of your character curriculum. The Bible says, "If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody." (Galatians 6:3 NLT)

It is in these small services that we grow like Christ.

Jesus specialized in menial tasks that everyone else tried to avoid: washing feet, helping children, fixing breakfast, and serving lepers. Nothing was beneath him, because he came to serve. It wasn't in spite of his greatness that he did these things, but because of it, and he expects us to follow his example. John 13:15  'For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.'

 There will always be more people willing to do "great" things for God than there are people willing to do the little things. The race to be a leader is crowded, but the field is wide open for those willing to be servants."

Thanks Pastor Warren.......Frankly oftentimes I have seen others who have title's of leadership but rarely portray it.  Help me Lord to become more like You.... 

I'm Thankful for....

Yesterday Pastor Sean spoke on the annual Thanksgiving sermon... it was good and I am reminded of many things I am thankful for.  But out of ALL THE MANY BLESSINGS in my life.. these are the most important ones I am thankful for. Lining them up by the letter - here's my precious list of gratitude!

T- Truth .....I know Who Jesus truly is!

H-Holy Spirit ...the Spirit of God that fills my life!

A-Almighty God .... my Creator who loves me!

N-Never ending ....forever eternal life in Heaven!

K-Knowledge .....  the thousands of years of history of God, written in the Holy Bible!

S-Sinless ...sin no longer has a hold on my life!

G- Grace ....the precious grace of God in my daily life!

I-Inner Voice ....the awesome voice of God in my inner soul.

V-victory .... I have victory over satan because of Jesus!

I-Insight..... Insight to know the right way to live!

N-Newness ... everyday is new in God, living day by day!

G-Gifts of the Spirit .... given for my use and development!

 

A Supernatural Day

This has been a extraordinary day on several fronts in our ministry.  The multi-faceted work has had a big day!

Role Models of America ladies were decorating New Life for Christmas

Another set of RMA leaders were decorating the Community Center

Staffers worked on getting the Coffee Cafe dressed for Christmas

RMA Store was hopping with shoppers, and serving family with vouchers.

The Food Pantry was busy with family clients.

The RMA Furniture Store was  taking care of families.

The Warehouse Team had a FULL day of work at several different locations.

There is a crew working on replacing the entire roof on one of the warehouses.

The RMA Donation Trailer staffs worked all day receiving donations across Houston.

Good Book Now was busy with on-line work all day long.

The Community Service workers provided arms and legs in practical help in different locations.

And.....

  We had 2 crews working at our nearly completed home.  Painting projects being completed and concrete crews working outside front and back.  Several cement trucks rumbling through the neighborhood bringing loads of 'change' to us. 

Lots and lots of action today! I'm thankful for a great staff who work beside us daily..

Little tired now.... who said ministry was boring? Thank you Lord for a supernatural day.

 

Julie Aftab

Meet Julie... one of God's very precious women from Pakistan.  I met her today in one of my treks to get supplies.  She and I spoke a little about her life and how she was persecuted for believing in Jesus.  Her tormentors in Pakistan burned her severely, yet she is steady and still strong in her faith. 

 

She's on Facebook - www.renewthehope.net.  Go 'like' her and be an encouragement to her!

Here's her testimony... go see! God bless you Julie!

  

Pastors Sean and Angela Mooney

It is the greatest of all joys when God ordains one's children to carry on the torch of ministry.  From the older generation to the younger, it's been amazing to watch the growth and calling of our own develop into wonderful Pastors.

We are proud of them and pray often for their success at New Life. 

Pastors Sean and Angela Mooney of New Life Christian Fellowship   - 2104 Underwood LaPorte Tx.  May you reach the next generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Hurry little house.... get done!

Today marks a turning point in our home remodeling project (I think)  We are both tired of this and trying to juggle all of the responsibilities in different locations that we have daily as well. It needs to get done.  Hurry little house get done!

Late yesterday the faucet in the kitchen was installed and I heard the sweet sound of water running in the sink. Ahhhhh..... what a luxury!  While I certainly am so glad about this progress I was also instantly reminded of the millions of people WHO STILL HAVE NO RUNNING WATER IN THEIR ABODES. My prayer of thankfulness turned to their needs as my mind saw again the sights of the suffering...it hurts my heart and I blink back tears seeing the water run from the faucet freely, I am between the vast extremes mentally for a moment.

I can see the little hovels made of rough crude pallets leaned together that I have been in in Mexico. Or the groups of woman I have been with setting on the ground in Africa who still live in mud huts.
And the ongoing horror in Haiti I have witnessed.

The terrible living conditions of  people in China. 

Or the awful shed in Guatamale that had a dying woman laying inside..

May I never forget God's graciousness to me and all that I must do with my life to help others...  So hurry little house.... get done.  My work awaits..

Sleep Tight!

Last night was a strange evening for us!  Police cars arrive on our road and start shining lights into the woods right across from where we are staying.  So my husband goes out to check what's going on. 

Someone has been pursued for crimes and he is in the woods right here somewhere.  We are told police dogs are coming .... and a  helicopter with bright searchlights is soon are  circling right over the house!  I am told don't look outside and keep the doors locked.

This feels creepy.  Soon I'm brought an 'arm' to help if need be...

It lasted for over an hour.  

They didn't catch him.

We are told to stay alert, inside and watch out.  

A great way to end the busy day....and with the Lord standing guard we went to sleep. The words  'Sleep Tight' has a whole new meaning for me!