Life According To Sallie

I didn’t too well on this here quiz. Maybe I should have gotten Hunter’s help…

How’d you do?

This article brought back memories of our neighbors we had growing up. They were of Asian decent and had a dog, well to be honest they had lots of dogs. As we noticed the pattern of the frequent changes, we began to name the dog(s) “Church’s” as in the chicken place, as in “everything taste like chicken”.

Sorry, I said I hated to go there - but I did. As I read the article - it just brought back some funny memories. Our neighbor was a wonderful cook. She really was. I especially liked the noodles she would bring over and the sugar doughnuts. All other items were un-identifiable - so we strayed away from those. (ok - I just re-read the last sentence - and is that ever a pun - stray as in stray dog). I am full of funnies today.

Oh yeah - there’s a squirrel in the cage on our back porch. They fell for it! Now what will Ed do with it?

For those that know me….. you know I don’t do mornings. I don’t like them, don’t want to talk about them and most of all don’t like to be a part of them. The day should not officially start until somewhere after the time of 7:30 or better yet 8:00. My hubby on the other hand is all over mornings. He loves them, loves to be a part of them and wonders why people lay in bed and don’t participate in them.

But all that is changing for me during the month of July - once again. I have to do mornings. I am leaving my house each day and heading to work at the time I typically get up and start moving. The last two days have been hard. VERY HARD! I have 16 more of these early mornings to go. And did I mention that I am not leaving work until 5:30 everyday. It is the making of very long days. Here’s the short version….a workday that starts at 7:00AM and ends at 5:30PM. The reward - Friday’s off. Is it really worth it?

Part of the reason we have gone to a four day work week is to save money for the employees. One less day of driving into work. Here’s the problem: Ed and I were carpooling to work to save on fuel. Does my four day work week with us driving 2 vehicles into town save us money. Or would we be better off for me to work a five day week and drive one vehicle. I think the second option is more cost effective - but that is this person’s opinion - the person who doesn’t do mornings and who most certainly does not do math - especially early in the morning.

What about you - are you taking any measures to save on gas this summer?

It’s easy to do a good job at work and enjoy your job when you have a boss like this.

Congratulations Mr. B for your excellence in your field and your committment to our students. You make coming to work a pleasure.

Because my hubby has taken up the art of photography and I might add - he got some great pictures. The following is a sampling of the 1700+ pictures he took during Surrender 2008!
(note to you - there are 60 pictures in most albums - except the last one.)

Go here first
then here,
then here,
you’ll love this one,
these are great,
we had a blast here,
eating time is always a good time,
we like to eat a lot,
words don’t even begin to describe this event,
these guys and gal have a blast,
the rain came and went here,
more good times,,
and a few more laughs and giggles,
God was faithful here,
and here,
the rain tried to get us - but it didn’t,
our students are amazing,
and we are but a small part of the Master’s Plan,
Our God is Mighty to Save,
Taking the Shackle off our feet so we can Praise Him
Ok - that’s it - have fun browsing! Pictures are worth a thousand words - which one is your favorite? I have mine!

Each year I am blessed to be a part of God’s master plan. Every year, I think, there is no way it can get better. But, every year - God uses this one week out of the year to amaze me and remind me he is Sovereign over everything.

It’s going to be hard to put it all into words. I don’t want you to think I am getting all “churchy” with this statement, but this past week, I saw spiritual warfare happening all around. But more amazingly I saw God reign over every situation and prevail. Not always the way we planned it - but always the way he planned it!

Part of our leadership team flew down early. That in itself was a blessing. We were able to get our feet on the ground and get alot of little details worked out. Seems as though the devil thought he would start medaling early. Our rental vehicle had some issues - major issues - but we had a whole day to work those out. No big deal. We got to the hotel and the reservations had been messed up. This threw us a curve ball. Mel and I spent quite a bit of time Friday night working through the details. We were able to fix the mess up without 100 teenagers staring at us and getting angry. Going down early was a blessing. God knew we need this extra time.

Sunday night, it rained (we were in Florida - home of the liquid sunshine). It poured. The concert that was once planned for outside quickly was moved inside. The students adapted, the cook team adapted and we did what we had to do. It was a great start to the week. The kids are united and their energy is radiating.

Monday started off great. We sent our 16 groups into the streets of Orlando on Mission and on FIRE! I was so excited to see their energy and desire. Then Monday took a turn that I was not prepared for. The chairs that were supposed to be delivered on Sunday never showed up. I called the rental place. They acted as though they had no idea what I was talking about. They had no record of our order. I begged them to come through with the delivery and the gentleman on the other end of the phone would not help. I was very frustrated. You see - A LOT OF WORK AND PLANNING GOES INTO THIS WEEK! ALOT! I try to cover every detail, making calls, emails, lists, crossing off lists, ordering, getting purchase orders, did I say LOTS OF DETAILS???? So when something doesn’t go as planned - I get a little tense. When the groups arrived back at the church, seems as though their was confusion at one of our sites. The lady they were to work with didn’t seem to remember this group being scheduled and really had no idea who they were. Here’s where I stressed out. I had emailed her the Monday of this week to double check everything and make sure we were on scheduled. She emailed a confirmation back to me. Then for this group of 11 students to show up and have no work to do - stressed me out a little. And then there was the whole transportation issue and some demands needing to be met that couldn’t be met and some misunderstandings and so forth and so on….. Then the size of the crowd at the Monday concert. The people forgot to show up. Seemed as though the devil was working overtime this day. I was falling victim to his scheme. I was growing weary of my work. Then that night - it hit me as the students began to sing. Our theme for the tour is SURRENDER. That is exactly what God was wanting me to do - surrender to Him. His desire is for me to trust Him in the little details and the big ones. I was being taught to trust Him in all things and surrender my work to Him. To allow Him to work through me and for me not to try and fix it all. Here’s how it all worked out…..We really only needed the chairs for one concert. I found a wonderful company who worked very quickly with me and over the phone accepted my order. I spoke with the lady at the site where the confusion happened and she remember everything and apologized over and over for the oversite. It turned out to be a great week for the students at this site. Teresa ended up coming to everyone of our concerts the rest of the week. And yes, the crowd was very small - but the only One who mattered was always there. He is an audience of One and that is the only one we should sing to. Pray for the little church we were worshipping with. They are facing difficult decisions and they need our prayers.

Tuesday…..I was praising God for making it through Monday. Whatever was thrown at me was not going to bother me. We spent the afternoon at the Edgewood Children’s Ranch. What a neat place. It is a home for boys and girls who are facing different circumstances in their lives. We had inflatables, sno cones and grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Seems as though this was the first time they had ever had inflatables at the ranch. Their children loved it! Our children had a blast. During the concert - the devil was at work. Just as one of the songs got started up. The power went out. God was at work. We had a generator that we had not plugged up to sitting on the back of the truck. The dads grabbed it, cranked it up, and plugged us up into it. The concert went on. It was very warm this day. No AC in the gym the kids were performing in. God knew they needed a break and to hydrate. So that is what they did. We got water in them. Bro. Ric spoke and three boys made professions of faith! It was amazing. Our students energy level went through the roof. What the devil meant for harm, God turned to GREAT THINGS!

Tuesday night was dinner and a concert at the Salvation Army church. This was an absolutely amazing night. One woman who came for dinner looked like she had been in an abusive relationship. As she came through the dinner line, I smiled at her and told her we were glad she was here. She had no smile to return to me, just the words, “I’m not sure I am glad I am still here”. I prayed for her that moment. I don’t know her circumstances, but she had bandages all over her body. As I watched her during the concert, I saw her smile, I saw her clapping, I saw her singing the words to the song “Mighty to Save”, I saw her lift her hands towards heaven. I prayed that God would bless her and I believe he did. As she left the church, she had a smile on her face. A beautiful smile.

As the crowd emptied out of the church, a sweet mom and her five children came up to me. I hugged the mom’s neck and told her how blessed we had been to worship with them. She asked me if I would pray over she and her family. What an honor and priviledge to intercede to God on their behalf. I have no idea what hardships they are facing, but I prayed and will continue to pray that God would manifest Himself in their lives and give this mom of five wisdom to make Godly decisions for she and her children. Will you also pray this for this family and for the sweet lady I also mentioned?

This day couldn’t have ended on any sweeter of a note! What a priviledge to serve our God. I know this is a long post - but I want to write while it is fresh on my mind.

Wednesday afternoon we came back to the Salvation Army to do a concert for their teen camp going on at the center. We went to the senior adult towers and invited them to attend. Many of them that had been their last night came back. We also had a family from the Sports Camp site come to the concert. The Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way. It was an incredible afternoon. After the concert, the students began singing praises and worshipping while a few people in the audience were having the Gospel message shared with them. I wish you could have seen the students getting in little groups all throughout the gym praying. Some were praying for each others and trouble times their families are facing, but the sweetest was watching our students pray for people to come to know the Lord. They were little pods all over the room praying. One situation involved an older gentleman that we came to find out is terminally ill with cancer. His niece is the one I had worked with to coordinate our work their. She shared his story. He was a believer, but through trials in his life decided that God must not be real. She was so surprised to see him at the concert for a second time. She said she had not seen him look so alive as he looked at that moment. One of our students spent quite a bit of time with him. Seeds were planted that day. God was pleased with the work that was done. I believe that God placed that gentleman in our paths and that his heart is soften towards God and His power and plan.

Thursday - oh the Glorious work that God allowed to happen. There are so many details - I am just gonna list them in a list format.
- HEAT!!!!!!!
- HEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- The crowd began to form
- LOTS of children eager to enjoy the fun
- Two men dressed in white shirts and black pants were working the apartment complex near where we were setting up.
- Jonathan praying for a cloud to cover the students from the heat
- The students interacted and played with the community - it was a sight to behold
- The concert started - the crowd continued to grow
- The above mentioned two men disappeared when the concert started.
- The cloud we got contained A LOT OF RAIN!
- The concert stopped because of the rain - did I mention lots of rain?
- The students went to the bus and began to read scripture, pray and sing out to God.
- The people didn’t leave - they hung out in the breezeways.
- The rain cleared. The concert started right back up.
- The crowd continued to grow.
- The gospel presentation was made. Over 50 children and teenagers made professions of faith. Including one of our very own! Way to go Callie!
- The biggest rainbow I have ever seen was drawn across the sky over the choir.
- Our team fed over 300 community folks!
- The rain came back - just a drizzle - but the students continued on.
- An amazing night - where God’s glory was seen so clearly - in the colors of the rainbow.

Every year, I am blessed to be a part of such an amazing work of God. Over 700 meals were served in the communities, over 200 children attended Kid’s Clubs and Sports Camp, over 60 professions of faith were made. And I know 138 people will never be the same. Those that chose to SURRENDER to Christ this week and allow Him to use us to his glory. All praise, honor and glory are his forever.

So Friday, I load up on a jet and fly south. Yes, a jet. It’s a first. I am on the pre-trip crew that will arrive ahead of the other 136 persons who will be joining me in sunny Orlando for Surrender 2008!

It’s gonna be an incredible week. I can’t wait. The prep this year has been unbelieveable. It’s so exciting to see the kids and the adults come to life. You ought to see some of the ideas they have come up with. They sound great and look incredible.

So if you think about it this week, we would covet your prayers! I will try and keep a mental record of everything. It always goes by so fast.

Here’s how you can keep up with us!

It might be a while before I get back on so I just wanted to let you know where I will be. I’m off to get some rest.

oh yeah! I had a wisdom tooth pulled Monday. Very unexpected, but it had to come out. I am good. No pain today (well, not too much). Now Monday was another story. I had some major issues. Ed said it was a good time to have me sign some “very important” papers - you know me on painkillers and all.

See ya soon…..Orlando here I come!

Ok - this is pretty cool!

Welcome home solider!

It’s Summer Quest Week - HSBC’s version of VBS.

Turtle Beach Blast Summer Quest

Click on the link….

In the Daily Video - Day 4 look for a certain little blond in a green shirt who answers 20 inches. That’s my Miss B.

In the Daily pictures - look at picture 25 recognize anyone?

They are having a blast at Turtle Beach!

Does it get any better than this????

Lunch with Tommy and then comparing fish tales!!! What an incredible memory Hunter will always have. I have always like Coach Tuberville. I really liked him when he took time out of his schedule to visit our troops overseas. Now I REALLY REALLY LIKE him, he took time out of his busy schedule to talk with my son!

War Eagle!