Katie Said "Yes!"

Marshall has a saying when any thing good happens to one of us, "It's a good day to be _________" (whatever the person's name is".)  Marshall had a presentation to give in NYC to a group of Vascular Scientists and Katie joined him there.  Unbeknownst to her, he created a surprise for her in Central Park, hiring a carriage and then popped the question!

 Shortly afterwards, text messages were flying to all of us with pics of the two of them.-- (thanks, I'm sure to the carriage driver.)

Yes, Friday, April 27 was a good day to be Marshall and Katie!!!  We couldn't be happier -- we love her to pieces!!!

It All Started in a Garden

Kids' University has been busy creating their garden with the help of  our 8 TCC interns --
It's amazing the life lessons that come to mind when we begin to explain to them the wonder of growing things.

The transformation of the seed --


The nurture of the soil


The importance of deep roots --


The need for water and sun --


The productive outcome of all their hard work ---


The fruit that comes from this transformation process --

It's all about the miracle of life . . .

Mid March we planted our seeds

Mid April our Mohammed Ali Peace Garden Grant Supplies Arrived

We got three above ground garden frames

We protect our plants from the weeds and the deer

With the help of Ronny McGlothlin we were able to build some more

These two gals LOOOOOOVE their veggies!

We've made so many new friends digging in the dirt together!

We love to watch the wonder in their eyes when they see how much their plants have grown from week to week.

All hands on deck!!! We're using our kid-size tools that came with our Mohammad Ali Garden Grant

Thanks, Mr. Tom for these awesome plants!!!

These three turned out to be expert "squirters" with the hose!

We made fruit ka-bobs to celebrate our hard work and talk about what we expected to grow!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETHANY!!!

          Wasn't it just yesterday Bethany was carrying her Cabbage Patch doll everywhere?
                      Weren't we  planning little girl parties and sleepovers just a few months ago?
                                Didn't she play school and dance to Amy Grant and create all sorts of obstacle courses with her brother only last week?


She's always been the one who could light up the room with her smile, make me laugh in a nanosecond, and take charge to make things happen--

Her Daddy called her "Smooch Pot" when she was a toddler -- 

  
As a preschooler, Bethany was the Big Sis who would watch over her brother with a protective eye and could be heard correcting him with "Marshall Bell you know better dan dat!"

AND NOW. . . .


Bethany's a wife,  a mommy, (of two)   a woman of God, an excellent photographer 
and watching her guide Campbell's development -- I would say she's still the teacher even though she's "retired".

She a strong woman who's faced tough times courageously.  I respect her tenacity --

She has a quick mind and her writing touches our hearts.


             MOST IMPORTANTLY, SHE'S OUR PRECIOUS DAUGHTER
                             We love you so,
                                            Mom & Dad

Buddies

O

O K -- I know this is a little blurry -- but it was really early --dark-thirty!

Yesterday morning Campbell woke up at 5:00 and couldn't understand why Nana and Papa weren't up too.
Once I came down with coffee for Bethany and me -- she sneaked past the kiddie gate and headed upstairs to see her Papa -- he was sound asleep and the room was dark -- NO PROBLEM -- surely he was ready to play -- she was!!!! She bounced down the hall calling his name.

They have their routine -- she wants to sit BESIDE her Papa- not on his lap or on the arm of the chair-- they  --feed the doggies snacks and eat soda crackers - and looks for all her favorite animals on the computer.  Pappa tells her lots of stories and they play make believe.

This is certainly Papa's favorite video text:

Don't know who loves it more --one thing for sure they're Best Buds!!!

Whenever I come across something I want to remember - I put it on my blog -- This was in yesterday's e-devo and I want to keep it close. 

I can relate to this,


"Deprive your soul of spiritual water, and it will tell you. Dehydrated hearts send desperate messages. Snarling tempers. Waves of worry. Growing guilt and fear. Hopelessness. Resentment. Loneliness. Insecurity.



But you don’t have to live with a dehydrated heart. God invites you to treat your thirsty soul as you would treat your physical thirst. Just visit the WELL and drink deeply."

Max Lucado, Come Thirsty

"When we are spiritually hungry, the same truth applies. We have a tendency to compromise our judgment and set aside our convictions. We grumble and complain about our lives. We look to other people and other stuff to meet our needs." 

Gwen Smith



“Come, all who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!”  55:1

Isaiah, the Prophet




Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:14, NIV).   


David
 

Weekly Favs

Marshall's hard work in research has reaped great results -- as of this past week -- he is a published author in the International Journal of Vascular Medicine.Marshall's article on his present research was accepted!!!  -- 

The Day After

This phrase of the verse grabbed me this week

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NKJV   

Roy Lessin calls Crucifixion Day -- Jesus' best day

He was looking forward to Friday -- because of what He would be able to do for me!!!

 

But what was going on that Saturday FOLLOWING Christ's crucifixion?
Where was His Spirit?
He said to the thief that on that very day he'd be with Him in Paradise. . . Who did He connect with there? --
Did He have a big reunion Abraham, Moses, Elijah and all those people who went before?  Did they finally begin to see the big picture about what it was really all about?

  Lazarus had just been to Paradise before that Saturday in the tomb -- Did the folks he met there ask Jesus about the guy who didn't stay very long? 

I am thinking that Sabbath was the blackest, bleakest, saddest day of the disciples lives -- the Bible said they went back to fishing -- they must have been overwhelmed with disappointment

YET -- I believe there was so much going on in the realm of Heaven --and in Paradise where Jesus was.


THERE still is--- as Jesus sits there, just to the right of GOD the Father speaking to Him  for us -- about us.

Just wondering

Before Passover – the Israelites had to ready themselves.  Last week I revisited several Old Testament passages remembering verses we had lived off of the 12 years in preparation for our move. 

One thing caught my attention-- so many times, before a special celebration or God-encounter, He would tell them to wash their clothes in preparation -– What is it about dealing with our dirty laundry that is important to God?

They had been walking around that dusty desert and were a grimy bunch – they had spent so much time in the wilderness – the Bible says their clothes and shoes did not wear out – but doesn’t say their clothes were dazzling white – or that they weren’t a smelly bunch of folks.

When we put on fresh clean clothes – don’t we feel all brand new? – Don't we have more positive energy?

Could this have been symbol of being washed and fully clean through redemption?

Or than in Christ all things become new?

Celebrating Passover with Paislee and Roman

In your heart -- set aside tomorrow to remember that final Passover Jesus shared with his special friends -- remember that as He was breaking the bread and serving up the lamb --He knew HE was the PASSOVER LAMB... 

Dedication

We've been in the building four months and during that time we've put down roots and made ourselves at home -- but it was time to DEDICATE this very special place to GOD and give it up to him for the work HE wants to do on this property.


We packed the place with 230 this am -- people we just met yesterday --all of us --and former members who came back for our special day -- 5 people gave their life to Christ this weekend. 

"We are living a promise fulfilled" -

Mondo gave a rousing communion, Mark Daughtery prayed a prayer of dedication and Terry gave the message of Life and Love from the parable of the Mustard Seed.  It is Palm Sunday and just as Jesus prepared his disciples for ministry during His last week on earth -- Terry called our Church Family to live LOVE as we do ministry from this place.

Marty invited any who had ever sung on a praise team to join the group

Afterwards we circled the Tree of Life for a Dedicatory prayer and commission to service that Ron had so capably prepared.

To complete this special moment -- beautiful white doves were released to circle the property.  It was AWE - inspiring!!!

These teens are the heartbeat of our Church family -!!!!

Father - Son Bonding time -- one tired little cow poke!!!

 We enjoyed a great time of fellowship and fun . . .

From here . . . it's onward and upward!!!!!