My goodness 2015 is
going by fast. It is time again to update all of you on what the Lord is doing
in our lives. A lot has happened.
Charley continues to heal and be restored to perfect health. In November the Lord sent us on our first
ministry trip of the year. We traveled to the East coast for a 4 week
journey. It was absolutely the most
intense 4 weeks we have ever experienced.
Before leaving, our car needed a new battery due to a faulty voltage
regulator. Our battery was still under
warranty so we received a new battery at no cost. Then we were able to get the
voltage regulator replaced. All this happened just a few days before we left
town. Praise Jesus that these were found, fixed and we left town with a perfectly-running car.
Of course, as always, our
travels took us to many new places where we kept Father’s divine
appointments. We look for them daily and
enjoy the opportunities that He gives.
We ministered in 5 churches with Charley preaching twice and speaking at
two nursing homes. We met several new pastors who we now pray for daily and
spent precious time with pastors, leaders, spiritually adopted children and
grandchildren. We enjoyed Thanksgiving with our daughter in law and
granddaughter in Virginia. Our son was
still in Afghanistan at Thanksgiving but returned in December safely. Thank you
so much for praying for this sweet family while he was gone for 6 months. Our
time with Chelle and Emily was so precious. We had not seen them since
Thanksgiving 2013. We Skype with them
but it was wonderful to play with Emily and love on both of them.
We had an interesting
thing happen on this trip that has never happened before. In one of the motels
where we stayed we met the manager and the desk clerks, visiting with them
about our work and the Lord. We were
there a couple of days and on the second day the manager called our room and
asked us to come to the desk. We did not know what was happening but when we arrived they gave us a sweet card thanking
us for coming to their motel and sharing love and encouragement with them. They
also gave us a vase with a Giant Red Amaryllis Bulb. We were overcome! What a wonderful blessing! It is always our heart to bless and encourage
the people who work in motels, restaurants, stores, anywhere we go but we had
never had anyone give back to us with such love and appreciation. Even now talking about it I am just so full of
thanksgiving to the Lord and to these sweet folks. It was also the cleanest and nicest motel in
which we stayed. We just rejoiced in the
Lord as we went back to our room with the vase and card.
Over the years of
traveling and sharing the love of Jesus through pastoral ministry, prayer,
loving our spiritual family and keeping Father’s appointments, we have been so
blessed. You cannot out give God and on
this trip we received so much as we gave.
We attended a Gospel Singing and saw an 80 year old man walk haltingly
to the platform with a cane, sing for 20 minutes about his Jesus and then walk
off without his cane at a steady gate.
Healing happened before our eyes as he worshipped and praised the Lord! We prayed over many and saw healing of backs
and legs. We saw hearts mended as people
wept and released the burdens they had carried for so long. I could go on and
on but I believe you can see that the Lord did much in people’s lives during
this 4 week trip. He also did a lot in
us as we continue to learn how to surrender our all to Him. The scripture that He continues to burn into
our hearts is Joshua 1:9. “I command
you—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord
your God is with you wherever you go.” NLT
Yes, He was and He is!!
This year has been very busy already with many
appointments and opportunities to speak life, health, healing, encouragement,
love, truth and to walk in the Joy of the Lord each moment of the day. Draw close to the Lord and read His
Word. Walk in His ways and see the Glory
of God daily. BE the church! Share the
Love of Jesus everywhere you go. Not
always preaching but living the life of Christ no matter where you are.
Thank you for your prayers and love!! We
rejoice in all the Lord is doing in your life too!
Love to all,
Charley & Karen
