Bethel Day is this Saturday @ 2:00 pm. The theme is Western, and plenty of activities (bounce houses, crafts, fun booths, games, etc.) have been planned, as well as a scrumptious meal. It is always a good time and helps Bethel Apostolic Academy and Bethel Kiddie Korral. See you there!
Congratulations to Danny and Delaina Black. Their wedding was last Saturday, and it was very eventful. Danny and Delaina's approach to matrimony was rather refreshing, mainly because they purposed to build a proper foundation. Marriage is supposed to be a "good" thing, yet if the building of the edifice is short circuited, or corners cut, the results can be devastating. Many times the improper building techniques end up causing harm to others...
...So what are some of the important things? Prayer. I observed them spending time in prayer before services, as well as participating in nightly prayer on off church nights. Connectivity. They were always in the "front" of things instead of withdrawing, pulling away, or isolating themselves in a fog of "love." Reality. They worked to properly control the feeling of "being in love" so that they could focus on the reality of the commitment. Family. The people that know you the best are also the same ones that typically tell you truth when they see it. 
If you don't know what Volksauf (People's Run) is, the following quote from the Bakersfield Californian will help you.
I was one of the three representatives from First Pentecostal Church (Josh Scott and CJ Casey)running in the 10K (six miles) run. I wanted a challenge. It was a blast, I did quite well for the first time, thank you, and the whole experience pushed me to the limit physically, as well as trigger a spiritual meditation that will no doubt last a long time. Let me articulate.
He lost one prosthetic leg in the mud, quickly put it back on, and was off again. Again, I silenced the noise, and cannon bombed "Happy Valley" on the way to a satisfying finish. It was inspirational to see several Iraq vets run the race, despite odds against them. 
The heroes of the faith in Hebrews chapter 11 were tortured, mocked, stoned, cut in two, tempted, tormented, destitute in food and clothing, wandered from cave to cave, and imprisoned. AND in verse 39 of Hebrews chapter 11 "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Furthermore, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth(11:13). They received not the promise! They were without the power of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:9; 2:38-39). Yet, they were overcomers. 
Two Sundays ago, we had a great "Friends and Family" day. Everyone determined to invite someone to this special day in which we determined to give "no less than 100%" in our regular attendance, participation, worship, giving, etc. As you can see, we had a great crowd (167 visitors) and what you cannot see is another full section of Sunday School Kids on the far left of the picture. Hence, the reason for the following pictures of several clowns below. At the end of our worship portion of the service, we all joined in for a rousing version of "This little light of mine." The clowns came to the platform at the CLOSE of the worship service.
It was, to say the least, kind of ironic to look out DURING the worship service and see three worshipping clowns sitting/standing/praisin' in the kid's section. Here is a closer look of them on the platform at the CLOSE of the worship service helping us all sing...
Now, what was interesting is that the worship service was a powerful one. People were singing, leaping, lifting their hands, giving glory to God, shouting praises to a God, who enjoys being right in the midst of the worship. AND people were running as well......................so were the clowns. They tried to stay in the kid's section, but became overwhelmed during the celebration, and they took off around the church. I can't say that I've seen too many clowns runnin' round...at least not people dressed up as clowns. 
I have two waxleaf ornamental trees you see in the above picture. Actually, I HAD two of those trees sitting on my patio. Two, that is, until white grub worms decided to have a party at the expense of the tree's roots. What weird creatures! Check them out...and there was a lot of them.
Apparently, June bugs are attracted to lights AND soft soil. Since the trees were right next to the garage lights...well, what better place to have a grand time. The June bug will burrow down into the soil and lay its eggs. When the eggs maturate they become white grub worms, and white grub worms love the roots of contained ornamental trees.
I lost two plants before figuring out what the problem was and determining a solution. If you notice your plant looking sickly, leaves falling off, soil mushy, and the plant falling over...there is a grub worm party going on...Nasty things killed a great looking tree.
My daughter willingly offered to "take care" of at least one of the grub worms. Spiritually, I suggest we do the same thing. KB
...so there I was, driving back to the church from an errand, when I came to a stoplight and glanced across the street at a business.
Okay, a tax service/notary public business that probably offers some walk in legal services...Light is still red so I look closer at the signs on the side of the building. Taxes, okay. Auto and Home Insurance, sure, why not...and then!??!!!
Divorces starting at $99.99! What a deal...I mean while your getting your taxes and insurance stuff, might as well throw in a divorce since you can get it all done at this place, AND since the starting price is $99.99! Not a $100 price tag, you understand, but a $99.99 sale!
I heard the sirens as we were loading up to head to the school. I told the kids, "from the sounds of the noise, there must have been a pretty big bang up." Two minutes later we arrived at the spot of the above picture. What caught my attention right away, was the color and model of the car, and I realized it was Corinne Newton's car. Obviously, she, along with her brother and sister (Cody and Lacey), had been in some kind of accident on the way to the school/church. I felt a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach and upon scanning my eyes across the whole sorry mess, I saw a crowd of folks (many of them were heading to the school as well) standing around, as the paramedics tended to the hurt, mainly Cody.
Apparently, the driver of the black car hit a parked truck and "bounced" across a turn lane, directly entering the opposite traffic lane, hitting Corine head on. You can see, by the fluid trail, the direct impact slammed Corine's car backward and then spun her around across the street, facing the opposite direction she was travelling. Why or what the other driver was doing is not known.
Thankfully, there were no major injuries, other than the girls getting banged up, and Cody...well, he was in the back seat and his collar bone took the brunt of the impact. I think his collar bone said something like, "Snap! I can handle a lot of pressure, but this is too much and I'll be out of commission for awhile!!"...it could have been much worse.
This past weekend, SMART took a trip to the beach for some dining, shopping, and beach volleyball. 60+ signed up, but then started dropping like flies in a fog of Raid (work, emergencies, etc.). However, 25 of us headed for beautiful weather. You decide who won the 3 hour volleyball marathon (hint: look for the guy in ropers and wranglers).
Some just wanted to read...and how cool it was to be with Tracy (on the left with her husband Quincy), who had never seen the ocean before. Great Times. KB
