Monday already????Malawi recap

How can it be Monday again so soon?? What happened to the weekend?

David, Jacob and I spent Friday on a bus ride that would never end

to Toccoa to the Bible Drill Retreat. What an awesome place---it is a little like

heaven is going to be I think---the kids were GREAT and they had fun playing

games learning God's word. I had the greatest chaperones---except we

were all missing Tim, Trin and Noah----good attitudes, lots of fun and we survived

without movies!!

The rest of the blog I am going to copy David's summary of his

trip to Malawi. God is working over there is a mighty way.

Malawi Mission Trip – Recap

Sunday Sept 7 – Leave for Jacksonville at 6:30 am flight leaves at 11:30 for Detroit. Met a lady from Nahunta who was going to visit her daughter in mich. She had a Jesus button on her shirt. She asked us our names so she could pray for us and we told her. She said her husband and son was named Jack and David. Left there and flew to Detroit caught plane to Amsterdam. Then flew to Johannesburg over night. Arrived there at around 11:00 pm on Monday night.

Tuesday Sept 9th flew from Johannesburg to Blayntre Malawi. Arrived there around 6:30 and waited 3 hours for ride to come. Got checked in to motel around 11:30 pm.

Wednesday Sept 10th woke up and went to first pastor’s conference. It was great. 50 or so pastors and wives and maybe 75-100 other visitors. Jack, Ron and I all shared with them.
Started the crusade that afternoon and Jack delivered a great message about 150-200 decisions. Ron and I shared with the children and teenagers. Ron had 91 decisions and I had about 200 or so. Jerry arrived later that night and we met up with him at the motel.

Thursday Sept 11th went to the pastor’s conference and Jerry fired up the pastors with a great sermon and Ron did as well. Second night of crusade went well. Jerry preached and several hundred were saved. I talked to the youth again and made sure they understood the salvation message. Jerry told us about praying for a lady after the crusade that her milk had dried up and as he prayed you could see the milk start coming from the child’s lips … that was cool. He said he had never seen that before. God is awesome!

Friday Sept 12th last day of crusade and pastor’s conference in Blantrye. Went well and another 100 or so decisions at the crusade. I am amazed that God is always faithful to show up and convict people to come to him .. No matter where you are.

Saturday Sept 13th – Travel day – we flew from Blayntre to Lilongwe Malawi. This was a short 1-hour flight. We got there and checked into a nice motel. This is a much bigger city that Blayntre. We rested up and got ready for the week ahead.

Sunday Sept 14th – Church Dedication at Charles Chincku’s church. Jerry had helped them get the money to build this church and Charles and his wife are very proud of the way it turned out. Dedication service was really nice.

Monday Sept 15th – New pastors conference started – went well and Jack & Jerry spoke to the pastors. Crusade started that night beside the church. Jerry preached a great sermon and maybe 150 – 200 decisions. I had a chance from the stage to share the evangelism ball with the kids and almost everyone raised their hands and said that they gave their heart to Jesus. I am overwhelmed at the decisions maybe 250+. Back to get some sleep.

Tuesday Sept 16th – Pastors conference again and Jack, Ron and I shared with the men and it went well. We went to the market shopping that day. Really cool all the things they can make with their hands. Crusade went well another powerful Jerry Spencer sermon and 30-40 decisions made. I again shared with the kids and made sure they understood what we had talked about and through the translator confirmed what the decision was. I also had the chance to go and play, hangout with them in the afternoon. That was awesome !.

Wednesday Sept 17th – My sweet wife’s birthday. Pastor’s conference was a big hit. The men asked about maybe next time it lasting all day and not do a crusade maybe but one day. Jack, Ron and I gave a bible in the native language to three pastors that Charles said did not have one. The look on their faces were priceless .. Jumped up and down and ran around like they won the lottery. I will never forget that look. I take so much for granted. Crusade was good .. A lot of decisions again …. We went to town before the crusade and found a bible store and bought 50 new bibles to give to the other pastor’s that did not have one. We could not leave without doing that. Went back to motel for a short night.

Thursday morning our Wednesday night at 11:00 pm we left for the airport to catch a flight to Johannesburg. Waited almost all day then got on flight to Amsterdam at 11:00 that night to fly all night. Arrived there at 9:45 Friday morning and caught next flight to Memphis and arrived there at 7:00 local time. Got sick on this flight not a fun trip. Memphis to Jacksonville flight was short thank goodness and arrived at 10:50 pm. It was good to get home.

Summary of trip – We have a big world and a bigger God. I saw some amazing scenery from the tea fields in Malawi to the red dirt clay county side. The beautiful children in both places and friendly faces of the pastors and there wives. It was all a great big blessing and reminds me again just how blessed we are. I hope we never take for granted the nice building and luxuries that we have here BUT these people may have been poor in worldly things were rich in worship and closeness to the creator. God is so good and I am glad that I had a chance to visit with the people of Malawi. has started a children's ministry there as a result

Thank you so much for praying for our future. I know God has a plan for us.

After the ups and downs of last week--even though the people

made an offer on the other house--- I pray that

God will continue to show us that plan. Disappointment is not

going to steal my joy---I serve a mighty God.

Jeff Slaughter sang one of his VBS songs this weekend---I will follow

you Jesus because I believe in God's plan for me........

Rambling on Thursday

Thursday already--what a quick week!

Last night at choir was awesome. I help very little actually in Kathy Allen's

young musicians choir. We had 72 kids there---awesome!!

I have helped long enough to know what a blessing that

is. Some really big churches have tiny choirs or no choirs

at all. I am so thankful for our church that believes and

supports the choir programs.

Please keep the Blackwells and the Barwicks in your prayers.

Also Dan and the young at heart group travels home from

Pigeon Forge today--I pray for traveling mercies for them.

Also our house remains on the market......I am not the most patient

person and it is so hard knowing waiting!!! Please pray that

God will continue to show us HIS plan for our lives.

Also pray for the large group of college students that we have.

There are soo many liberal professors ...............

Finally pray for the Louderbacks----we love them and I so miss

there energy. They will do mighty things for God on the

mission field. This week they have been on the mission field in

Washington, D.C.------I think that might be a harder

one than Panama!!

Fall Break 2008

Wow It is 12:22 am---I haven't stayed up this late

since I worked night shift. That is what happens when

I sleep in till 1030...........Tuesday is gonna be rough--Fall break is over

and 5:45 am will be here shortly.

So much for a quiet break---Thomas, Jacob and I rode

to Hiawassee and stayed at Neil & Penny's house Tuesday and

picked a rather smelly, wet Ben up from the AT on Wednesday.

Following a trip to Goats on a Roof in Clayton we got our

pumpkin from Burt's and then picked apples at Reece's

Apple House. We have been doing this for about 15 or so

years. David and I love to tent camp but that didn't work

out this year. and when it was pouring at 6am

Wednesday I was really thanking God I was not in a

tent....I do have to confess that as much as I love the apple

picking and the pumpkin farm the best part are the fried

apple pies and the pumpkin roll---yummy!!

Then we drove home-----we left the outlet mall around 4--bad idea

rain and lots of it....traffic and lots of it.......

285 was stalled so we went through ATL----we still made it home

from Dawsonville in about 6 hours with a couple of stops--not bad!

Thursday we headed to the beach---thanks Pam& Phil for

sharing your place. Fall is the best time for the beach.

It was heavenly!!I read two books and the boys played in the

pool, and ocean---it is never too cool for them.

David & Josh came down on Friday pm. They played

football on the sandbar!

Saturday pm we went to Buffalo's and ate wings and

watched the GA-tenn game and about every other game

that was on television!!

We returned to the real world Sunday. Home by twelve-thirty

David, Thomas and Benj had a COH for scouts, followed by

Bible Drill, Youth Choir, Life groups and church.

Now I remember why I slept till 1030 am today------

I was tired!!

To God Be the Glory

Sunday was an awesome day.......

Dan preached on Steeple People about John the Baptist

and how bold John was in sharing Jesus. How it is all

about Jesus and not about us. Dan challenged us

to mention the name of Jesus in conversation with everyone

we meet or talk with this week. What a great idea!

I can't wait to see how God uses this ......

It was great to see the Barwicks at church.

Know you continue to be in our prayers.....

Our 2nd grade SS group is so BIG--

about 20 strong every week so far.

The story of Abram---Abraham and

his faithfulness is such a wonderful story

for each of us.

We took the afternoon off from

Bible Drill. i had a much needed rest

while David took Matt and Josh out to

play golf. I am so thankful that

my boys and David enjoy golf and hunting.

It keeps them so close and connected.

Dan and David each did a great job on

Sunday night. Dan read about Paul and

the passage where he says he is not ashamed

of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Lord help us to be

BOLD for you each day!!

David shared his Africa video and about the

experiences there. The most awesome

story is that a mother trying to breastfeed did

not have any milk, after asking for prayer and Jerry

praying for her-----HER MILK CAME IN!!!!

God is so awesome......

Today(Monday) has been full of blessings as well

I got to sleep a little late....

I went to Jamie Blackwell's dad's funeral--

My heart hurts for Jamie but the service was

so beautiful. The music was so peaceful...

It is well with my soul.....I'll fly away....amazing grace..

with the guitar.

Please keep their family in your prayers.......

Reading from Tina and Trin on their blogs is

a sweet blessing. David and I told

Dan last night that we would love to be going

with Tim and Tina on our journey too...

But God has a plan and we are waiting on him..........

Staying home and not having a schedule is just

an unbelievable blessing....

Thank you God for these blessings.

You are my Abba Father

FALL BREAK

God is so good to give us times of rest after periods of

being so busy. The Cones have been soo busy

the last month with David's trip, Thomas is doing cross

country, Ben and Jacob are playing soccer

and I am working a lot!

This is in addition to Church, Sunday school,

Bible drill, youth choir, young musicians ensemble,

y m choir, youth on Wednesday night and RAs.....

BUSY!!!!

So when i was asked this week what we are doing

for fall break ---nothing is the answer!!

This has been such an emotional week, too.

Marcus Barwick went home to be with Jesus

on Monday.

He leaves behind such a legacy of faith.

The Barwicks are a sweet family---Ben is one of my

prayer warriors. I know if I have a request I can

count on Ben to pray.............

Jamie Blackwell's Dad is in heaven, too. He passed

away on Thursday. Jamie has lost both her parents in the

last year. That is so tough but knowing they are

in a better place with new bodies is an awesome

thought.......

Barwicks and Blackwells please know that you are in our

thoughts and prayers. We are always only a

phone call away.

AND THEN...............

The Louderbacks said goodbye yesterday as

they begin their journey as missionaries.

We are all excited for them but we will miss

them. They all have so much energy for the

Lord. I cannot wait to hear all the awesome

stories from the mission field and to hear the kids

speaking Spanish---Eden speaking Spanish makes

me laugh!!

Ben left with the scouts for the AT. They will hike till Tuesday

and we will pick him up in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Thomas is at a Cross Country meet today.

Jacob is helping at HOTC with his scout group.

Josh is home today. He is spending time with his daddy.

David and Josh are planting food plots---getting ready for

hunting season.... Matt will be home tonight for

catfish---yummy!!

Did I say Fall Break was going to be quiet???

For me not having left the house before now--11am

it is pretty quiet!

Thank you God that life does slow down so we can

hear you and be still and know you........

If you do not read Beth Moore's blog you need to....

Her daughter Amanda wrote one day this week

and compared the hurricane to the coming storm

and how we had better be prepared and not wait.

So many in Galveston waited to late on leaving

in front of the hurricane and lost

their lives. People who are waiting to accept

Jesus need to know time is running out for

them also........