Truly Blessed WV Style

For the past 2 years Eric has gone to Montana with a group of men and ladies to help frame a church through CACB. The group is put together by Johnye Horton and another guy name Glenn and Scott Payne at our church has gather the men and women for the last 3 years to join these Alabama people. I have always wanted to go but have not been able to in the pass. So last year they said this year they were going to West Virginia and Eric invited us to go with him. I said yes from the get go but I have to admit as time got closer and rather or not he had a job or not I started thinking about not going. I could while he was gone redo our bedroom and surprise him when he got back but with my luck as it has happen in the last 2 years our AC would have gone out and I would be in a sauna (by the way I kidded him and told him that is why I wanted to go so I could have AC). Also, I question rather to go cause Scott & Allison were not going and there kids would not be there to hang out with my boys and there are such veterans of this I needed some kind of leadership of what to do from somebody I knew. But Shannan & Johnn were going so I had a friend with me and the boys could hang out with there kids even though they are opposite sex or not the same age they will adjust so I was like ok I will go... Then the big surprise was that Steve and Vickie West were coming too and spending until Thursday with us and I was excited to spend a half a week with them so I was game and we will let God work out the job thing. So last Saturday June 13th we take off to church to meet 4 other families to caravan. With a busy week of VBS and work I was totally surprise we were able to meet them at 8am. So with a stop for gas and then almost 1hr 1/2 stop at McDonald's (we had 10 kids under the age of 8 and they needed to play) through the 3 toll booths and the fancy tunnells we finally made it to our hotel about 4. Now remember I work for a company I get good discounts with Marriott and Hilton hotels so when we walk into Stone Lodge I was a little in awe for moment. It was clean but just old and out dated and at first they put us down on the first floor (the lobby and the main part of the hotel was on the 2nd). When we walked down the steps I felt like I was in a dungeon and our room was all the way down the hall with them remodeling, not the greatest smell and dark I just told Eric I can't stay down there for a week so requested to be moved up to the 2nd level and whatever old smell it had in it they cover up with some kind of orange air freshener and a lot of it. We met up with everybody else that had came and that night we went to Susannah Baptist Church in Ona West Virginia to hear DJ preach. It was an old church I think built back in 1893 and was different than our new church.. Julie & Frank sang for us that night and these people did not clap their hands like we do I don't think I even saw a head bobbing it was nothing like our worship service. DJ did a great job preaching as usual and we got to meet their preacher Tracy and he did a call to the altar to pray and almost all the people from their church went up and then preacher Tracy ask another guy to start off in prayer and another to end it well I thought just the 2 of them were going to pray boy was I wrong. I think they did what you called corporate prayer well that one starts and then everybody prays OUT LOUD and it goes on for like 10 mins and then the guy that ends it closes it all up. I have to admit I had a hard time praying cause it was new to me and I was distracted. I honestly thought at one moment maybe staying home and redoing our bedroom sounded good this is not Anderson Mill Road and this is not even Sunday service what is going to go on tomorrow. Afterwards we had a informational meeting and then my family along with the West and the Manely took off to Steak & Shake to eat supper along with half of the AL folks... We got back to the hotel and said our good nights and plan to meet in the lobby at 10:30 to go to church.

Sunday service was a HUGE turning point for me... There choir loft was full and as much as I love our choir those people had passion durning singing they just didn't raise a hand they said out loud Amen, not just grown women shedding tears but also grown men. The songs they were singing with passion was bringing to life the grace we have that our Jesus died on the cross for everyone of us, He died for our sins they brought to life the grace that we have. These were not like what we sing these were the old hymnals songs with just a piano and guitar. There was even a couple of them that gave testimony in between the songs. I don't know these people just meet them but let me tell ya I was crying and thanking God the whole time for who He is and what He did for a sinner like me. There time to shake hands they called it fellowship and the choir sang and there were several people that walked around and shook EVERYONE including the kids hands, there were smiles on there faces. I felt the presence of the Lord all in that church. It was truly amazing. DJ did a wonderful job as usual and he even told us that we would hear the same sermon the next Sunday but he brought to life the scripture for what fitted their church and he brought to what fit our church. I love our church but I got to experience a small faith, family church and it was amazing. I knew then why God brought me here... Sunday after church we went to Sonic to have lunch and catch up with Vickie and enjoy fellow shipping. We didn' have much time afterwards cause the church was hosting a picnic for us at park at 5... If you are ever in Barbarasville, West Virginia you have to go to the park. I think I would move just so I could go everyday.. It is down this road and off the beaten path there were ball fields, playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts picnic shelters and the one we had had the most beautiful view of a lake w/ a fountain in the middle and the it surrounded by beautiful green mtns there was a walking trail around it, benches, swings it was soooooooo peaceful. On the other side was woods with trails for bike riding or walking we even saw a deer up in there (we saw alot on the side of the roads or up on train tracks). The park was just BEAUTIFUL and to see God creation in that beauty was amazing. The folks at the church pulled together and brought in all kind of side dishes and desserts, made hamburger and hotdogs they even had tubs of homemade ice cream and I have to say the banana was WONDERFUL! They all put it together, serve and clean it up and socialize with all of us. I just smile thinking of that day. We had a good time fellowship, the kids played, The Stribling, Nicholason and Lancaster families fish, Reed caught a turtle. I hate that it started raining cause I could have literally stayed there all day and night. We left and went back to the hotel and the kids swam in the rain and me, Shannan,Vickie went and hung out for a little bit in Julie and Peggy room as Asheton called it we were having a hen party but we were really deciding our day out for Monday and how we were getting to the church since Eric was taking my van and taking a load of men... We got it all settle and went to bed and ready for a busy work week...

What did we do for the week... The men frame the church, hung drywall built a porch, help with electrical all kind of things. Some were out of their element but they were on top of that hill serving the Lord and not complaining at all. Us women we cooked and clean the kitchen the whole week. We had to have lunch done by 12 and dinner by 5:30 every night and we took turns doing it. I learn how to make meatloaf and pinto beans and how to work a grill. We all pitch in even when it was not our turn. The ladies from AL they did our breakfast every morning so if you sign up for lunch you had lunch and dinner. These were not meals that were frozen, they are good homemade meals. I have to admit on my day of lunch they got feed at 12:30 instead of 12 cause of the great onion rings we made and the gas going out of the gas grill and had to wait for more.. Which leads me to Mr. BIlly FLoyd if you don't know him you need to get to know him. He is truly a wonderful man. He loves to tell strangers about God and he is the biggest help. He went walking and flag us down somebody with a gas grill so we could grill the hamburger. He was a great big help. Kitchen duty was great felt humble to be in there crying over onions, eyes burning cause of gas ovens, my feet hurting or should I say my dogs barking, I was way out of my element cooking for that many and cooking meals the way they wanted them but when those men and ladies came in there from being on top of that hill I was honor to serve them..

The kids everyday looked for roly polys, went on hikes, played outside, played DS and watch movies and then everyday April, Amber & Tammy took all the little kids and Stephen and whoever else wanted to swimming at the house that DJ parents were staying at. It was so nice of them also including Tyler and taking him with them even when they just want back to where DJ and Laurel were staying to just watch a movie and chill out. While the kids were off us ladies had a Bible study time with Julie leading it and it was great and she did a wonderful job of allowing God to speak through her. After that we went up the job site and saw the progress and past out Popsicles to the men and took pictures so that is why it looks like they are not working cause I took them at break time..

For night time fun we took the kids to the cold pool at the hotel while we sat around and caught up on the day, Us, the Manley's, the West and Richard went to Billybob's Wonderland one night to play arcade games, laser tag and ride go carts,the church invited the kids to come bowling one night (there youth is kids of all ages). We had a great time that night getting to know the people from the church and the kids. Of course we had another Steak and Shake night for shakes. The older kids met every night in the breakfast room and played Uno and cards. They were together from 8am until 11pm everyday different ages and sex but had fun together.

Thursday night the ladies of the church cook for us again and gave all of us ladies a night off. Of course it was wonderful food again (I would gain so much weight if I lived there). Then afterwards we went to the closing service with DJ dad Johnye preaching and he is good as DJ and the lady that DJ parents stayed with she is in a gospel bluegrass band and they came and played for us it was really good even though that is not the music I listen to alot they were great. After the service we had a moment to share and as much as I wanted to say something I couldn't cause I was crying and I couldn't stop so I knew that I wouldn't be able to say 2 words so I just shook my head yes alot. The guys work Friday until 12 and they got done what they wanted too and after we ate leftovers for the week us ladies stayed and help pack and clean up and getting our home away from home back in order.

So why did I called this truly blessed???

1. God made the way for me to go
2. I got to spend time w/ 2 of my boys and watch my husband do what he loves
3. The people there were so thankful that we were there but I was truly honor that they allow us to come into their world for a week. These people would give you the shirt off their back for you. So, I was the one that was blessed
4. I got to see what it means to say God, family come before everything else. This community loves the Lord ad they loved each other.
5. Julie bible study time
6. Really getting to know Tammy, April, Amber and Laurel feel like they are new friends.
7. Spending the week with Vickie & Steve and the rest of the ladies
8. Spending time and watching the kids play and seeing them laugh and getting to know them was great
9. Have I said that I was truly blessed to meet the folks in West Virgina and from AL
10. To see who God is and serving His people and the beautiful things that he created. Gods grace it amazing.
11. And lastly, what started out about me and turn into about Him and His people.

I will have to say me and Tyler would move to Huntington in a heartbeat and call Susannah Baptist church our church home but since we can't do that I think I have the itch in me move to the country (a little area called Goucher that is between Pacolet and Gaffney). I miss that small close knit group and helping out each other. Even if cell phones were non existence out there in Ona it was well worth not having service to all week except at night.

Continue to pray for the building process of Susannah Baptist and that it will be a building that will bring in lost people and come to know who Jesus is, that lost souls would be saved, for CACB and all the ladies and men that are associated with them. Pray that you will pray about rather to go next year and to be a part of this group, it doesn't matter if you can't build anyting or cook there is something we can find for you. Bring your kids with you and let them help out with building or cleaning up at the site or even in the kitchen. Let them see what it is to serve God. It was a great and awesome experience I can't wait to go next year...