Our 4 generations were together for the holidays... My Mother, Daughter and Gkids are the fun parts of Christmas for me.
Jake did the Christmas reading from the Bible.... He brought meaning to our Christmas....
At the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach for special meetings..... my husband is the Grand Prelate in a very important OSJ Investature. The meaning of Jesus in us all over again.... awesome!
Gracie did a reading for Family Chapel... she is the beauty of our Christmas....
Gracie AND Jake played roles in the Christmas Drama.... they were my stars of the show....
A special hide-a-way place for the two of us... A STAR of a place in our Christmas ....
It's been a very special season for us, with soooo many more wonderful activities too many to mention here. And I'm forever grateful for the reason for all of the blessings.... Jesus. He is the STAR of my day to day walk and will forever be the SHOW in my life!! Our Christmas has been filled with Holidays.... Holy Days.. and Holleydays!!!
I planned to go to Dickens on the Strand and take my daughter and Gkids for the beginning of the Christmas season this year.
We planned outfits and all the exciting things we would do and see there. The weather was nice and dry and we headed out for a day long trip back into the 19th century. We really looked forward to this day.
Things were going well... they loved seeing all the costumed elegant ladies and handsome gentlemen strolling around. The english 'Bobbies' and the historical army in place, the horses and all details in place.
Then little by little strange 'people' began to trickle out onto the streets. They didn't look 'victorian', nor did they fit in with the average person attending the festivities. They were called 'Steampunks'. These people dress in a type of science fiction that focuses on steam powered machinery items. They dress in a fantasy type of the alternate history of the 19th century, but also represents the post-apocalyptic future where steam power is back in use. They also add in elements of horror, fantasy as well as historical fictional behaviors. This term steampunk got started in the 1980's apparently. Leather clothing, bondage behaviors chains and masks AND all sorts of weaponry seemed to be the norm with these people.
It added a different dimension to the entire Dickens experience.. many were bold, clothing was scanty on the women, and lots of knives, swords, face masks, gas masks, whips and gears, clocks and metal pieces' hanging all over them. I was uneasy... they promoted a certain amount of lawlessness and sexual perversion around them. They didn't seem to be playing dress up here. They strutted around as if they were demanding attention. All the weapons in such a big crowd wasn't wise either. I saw knives in boots, strapped on forearms, swords across their backs, and daggers at waistbands. I overheard someone say, 'are these some kind of cartoon characters?" It didn't have anything to do with Dickens or the historical representation of the purpose of the event. We walked around a while trying to focus on the parts that I remembered Dickens on the Strand being about.
Eventually I find us a good place to see the parade and we set down on the curb to watch the parade.. kids had their turkey legs and corn on the cob and mugs of orange sodas. All the regular victorian parts came past us.... bands, costumed ladies and gentlemen....the 'Queen' in her carrage... the choirs singing christmas carols. Then the steampunks come past us - in droves in the parade,
Then one of 'them' decides to come straight at us. He is naked from the waist up, his pants about to fall off as low as he could get them. He has strips of fur around him (who he was supposed to be must be some character out of a video game I guess?) Anyway he stops right in front of us - my grandchildren are looking right at him. He pulls a lady out of the crowd standing behind us and she has to step over us to get to the street. (She is just in street clothes .. not part of their group) He twirls her around then he pulls out a whip with it looked like 9 strips of leather on it and starts to whip her behind!!
I was shocked...it made my blood run cold. When he hit her the second time, without thinking... I stood up!! I stepped out onto the street in front of the hundreds watching and i stopped him. I said, "have you no decency? There are children right in front of you... and you are at a family event. Stop this ... right now!!"
He looked at me.... stopped whipping her.. said "uh"... She ran back into the crowd terribly embarressed I am sure. He turned around and marched on with the group in the parade.
Everybody stared at me... I didn't care. Where were the mothers of all these children watching...and why didn't they join me in stopping this behavior? My daughter had quickly put her hands over the eyes of my grandchildren when it happened. I quietly sat back down.... but my 'Holy Spirit' was jumping inside of me!! It took a while before I calmed down... I could have preached a sermon right there and then, there was so much anointing flooding my spirit!!
I guess you might say it was righteous indignation... didn't matter. enough was enough. If 'steampunks' are supposed to be some sort of entertainment ... it's not the sort that moms and dads with children will want to have around.
Sadly I'm not sure I'll go back... darkness is prevading the land... and no one is saying a word about it. What happened within the Historical Society in Galveston Tx. that allowed this??
Breakthrough was incredible and so full of GLORY!! Being with Brent and Patricia Douglas has been such a wonderful time... Encounter church is like being home! Simply fabulous!
Time for a little rest before the next one begins in Christ Church.....
Kenya Look Christi even brought her Swahili Bible for the Kenya table.
This is just a few of the beauiful table settings at the Tea. 'Let the Nations Rejoice' was all about different nations and touching the lives of women around the world. Fantastic!!
The theme was called 'Let the Nations Rejoice' and oh my what a wonderful event it was!
This was my place setting at the 'England' table.... and Queen Elizabeth was directly in front of my place. It was gorgeous and so fun for all the ladies. So many different nations were represented.
Some African, some Asian, some European, some Middle Eastern countries as well as many others.....
It was a inspirational event to help women find their voice to reach the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I spoke a message called 'The Greatest Love Story in the World'
For more pictures visit www.rolemodelsofamerica.orgit was meaningful and a delight for each lady who attended.
Also did you know Role Models of America is on Facebook? Go see ....lots of pictures there too!
So proud of my daughter and her leadership in RMA!! She did a great job this year!!
Last weekend I was in Colorado at the BEST RETREAT I HAVE EVER ATTENDED... EVER!! Ransomed Heart puts on the highest quality ministry for women I have ever seen.
The surroundings were gorgeous.... it snowed the first couple of days... pure magic! The mountains were buried in the falling snow... breath taking.
The Word was wonderful and so meaningful! Every session was like pure heaven.... rich and deep. It was relaxing.... lots of quiet time....lots of prayer time all day each day....Polly, Amy and I had such a good time together. Love you two!!
Hot chocolate.... roaring fires.... beautiful worship times....and quiet quality conversations with friends. Perfect for me! We even decided to jump in the hot tub late one day..... just to say we had done so. It was freezing outside but amazingly the steaming water was fabulous!!
Look at how much snow was right next to us!! Amazing experience and I am so glad I did it!
I will NEVER forget this special time and I am determined to go back again and again (if I win the lottery again) Ransomed Heart.... you changed my life. Thank you.
Reluctantly I have to leave.... and go back to my world... but with my world changed. Thank you Jesus for the incredible present you gave me!
I flew home and in a matter of 3 hours was back in the real world of care for the hurting world around me. But with a secret smile and a refreshed heart inside.
We are so proud of our Pastors Doug and Susan Young! It's been such a long long journey to complete their facility after the fire. It took teams of people from Los Banos California and LaPorte Texas to work out the arduous process but we can all rejoice for IT'S DONE!! http://www.occlb.com
Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."
The Dedication was on fire! The church family so excited and ready for the special services...
Every night was powerful! Dr Barry Lee, Apostle Reegis Richard and my husband the Bishop ministered to Oasis during the Dedication.
Baptisms, deliverance's, salvation's and renewals happened to confirm what Oasis is all about!!
We are so proud for you Pastors and Oasis!! I am reminded of the famous words.... "Pray as if everything depended upon God, and work as if everything depended upon man". Francis Cardinal Spellman (1889-1967)
You both have done both of these statements.....It's Done.....Well done!!
This year, for the first time, we will be hosting a conference for the whole church family. For many years Encounter Christian Centre has hosted conferences for the youth (Breakthrough), women (Expressions) and pastors (Firefall) of our nation. This weekend is a combination of all of them. 
