The Hendersons ~ On a Journey 4 Him Weblog...

SUNDAY FUN!

Sat. night, we spent the evening with family for Dad's birthday. It was great family time. Yesterday was very busy, but it was another day to add to good memories.

B. and Sk. picked up E.R. and headed to  First Baptist Leakesville EARLY. B. spoke at a men's breakfast. He & Sky said the food and fellowship were fantastic.  Sy. and I got ready and picked up Cec. & Hal. around 9:50, heading to Antioch Baptist in Leakesville. B. & I spoke to the congregation about our testimonies.

These past couple of years have been amazing. Giving God ourselves has been a journey in itself. Often we say we give our lives to Him, but when it comes down to it, He has to sand and carve out parts to FULLY get our whole selves. His calling us, and our saying, "Here I am LORD, send me" has taken a lot of work on His part to get us ready for the next season in our lives for Him. I thank Him for working on me. He is so very good. I know He has much, much more to get us where He wants us. It's one day at a time. People sometimes think that WE have chosen this journey, but in actuality, He has chosen us, and we are only obeying Him. There have been lots of up and down times, laughter and tears during this journey. During the past year and especially during the past weeks, we have seen things take place that are what we call a "God thing." He has worked miracles right before our eyes. He is testing our full trust. He is ABLE and will work if we will only have FAITH and believe!

Afterward, the Hodges invited us to have lunch with them. It was so very nice. They welcomed us into their home and fed us a DELICIOUS meal.

We arrived back home around 2, and one of my students called asking if she could go with me to KidStuf. I make open invites to my students in class, but it is usually the same ones that want to attend with me. I had a carload to pick up--6 total!  That's not including me, B., or our kids.  I had 2 go this time that have not been before. It's such a joy to have them want to go to church with me. Never before have I developed such a personal relationship with my students before. I regret that I have not. This is the best year of my life with teaching my kids. I have really grown attached to all of them. After KidStuf, B. gathered 2 more kids in aadition to my 6 and our own 2, and we ordered pizza. We had a blast at our house. They practiced their hand on the piano, rode on the Gator with me, and ran around the yard dodging my silly string. It's great to break down and have fun with the kids.

Two of the kids are friends and church family with our kids, so they slept over at our house. It's really the first tiime that our kids have had anyone spend the night besides their cousin (who, sadly, was sick and couldn't attend). Sk. and Syd. had such fun! 

MEMORIES...............Good memories!

Ooooh...It's Been a While!

I knew I haven't posted in a couple of days,but now I realize it's been QUITE a few days! Life is a whirl. 

Granny kept Sy. last Sunday morning while we went to Sun. School and church. Sy. has had the crud!

Wed., Sk. started feeling bad at school, so B. picked him up a little early. B. took off most of the week because he has been cleaning out his sheds. He took Sk. to the Dr. Wed. evening while Sy., D.J., and I went to church. I spoke to the G.A.'s about our past journeys.

Today is Dad's birthday--Happy Birthday, Dad!  We are having a celebration over at their house this afternoon. Today, he is 59 years old.

Tomorrow, we are speaking at Antioch Baptist in Leakesville for the morning service. B. is speaking beforehand at First Baptist Leakesville at a men's breakfast. Tomorrow afternoon is KidStuf at ABC!  I can't wait!  I've invited several of my students and their siblings from school again.

God answered two big prayers for me this week!  He is so great.  He IS in control.  Let us have faith in Him always.  One of my friends called me last night. She had read a church sign, and she thought of us when she read it. She says it should be our theme--

WHEN HE GUIDES, HE PROVIDES!

 

Happy Valentine's Day

Today has been a slow day. Sy. still has the crud. Now, her cough doesn't sound so good.  Is it REALLY viral?? 

Last night, I went to Ed's Shed with some friends from school to celebrate their passing of their principal's certification test. The rain and traffic were bad. B. took care of the kids.

We picked up the house this morning. We took a few things over to the storage container, but we haven't really done any REAL packing yet. 

B. got me an English/Spanish talking dictionary/translator for Valentine's Day.  It is very cool.

Home on the Range

I'm having to stay home from school today to care for Sy. B. took her to the Dr. yesterday because she was running a 102 degree fever. She has a viral infection. Mom is taking my grandma for eye surgery today. B.'s mom is going for her urinary test results. Please pray for health and speedy recoveries for all of this sickness. The devil likes to strike in weak areas, but we all know who is in control--God!!

Monday night at CFP church was great. There were a lot of wonderful ladies there who welcomed, encouraged, and prayed for my family and me. God took care of my nervousness of speaking in front of the crowd. I've been asked to speak to our GA's on the 18th, and we've both been asked to speak at Antioch on Feb. 22. 

On Tuesday night, we had Who's Who at school.  Wow--I don't know if I've ever seen that many people there before!!!  We got there early in hopes of getting a seat, but there weren't any left!!!  We had to park in the teacher's parking lot near the Chevron. The event turned out very nice, and each student was recognized individually as he/she walked in. Shannon Staton and Sid Taylor each sang individually; they both did a fabulous job!

Last night, I took Sk. to Spanish lessons, and it is so great to see him picking up on the language! Ms. Monica is a blessing to us all!

Last Thurs., a couple signed a contract on our house to get their loan started. We found out Mon. evening that their loan has been approved, and the process has started rolling. Isn't it great to see God at work!?  May His perfect will in our lives be done.

Ladies--You Are Invited!

Please say a prayer for me! I've been invited to speak for the ladies at Crossroads Free Pentecostal Church Monday night at 7 PM. Ladies, if you'd like to come, please do!!  

The kids made it home from the rodeo. They were exhausted, but they had a great time. They went to bed early!

 

Where Did This Week Go!!?

After a season of time seeming to stand still, everything now has been placed into motion. God knows. God knew. God saw it coming. Now, the clock is ticking, and the minutes and seconds are passing by. There's a lot to be accompllished, but with God in control, we know it will happen.

Brian's mom had a series of tests completed and returned home from the hospital on Thursday. She still doesn't feel the best and is very cautious about not wanting her blood pressure to raise the roof, so she is taking it easy, all the while awaiting her final test results. Her heart showed up good from the stress test and ultrasounds. Next week, she will find out other pending tests. Keep her in your prayers.

Brian's dad and brother/family took our kids to the Dixie National Rodeo for the weekend. It had been planned, and they continued on, even though Ms. J. stayed at home. Brian's grandma is staying with Ms. J. to make sure all is well.

Now, let's back up a step or two. On Wed., while teaching complex sentences, I wrote the sentence, "Mrs. H. will not move to Peru unless she sells her house." This statement brought on a series of questions and demands of wanting to know why I am planning on leaving them. I explained to them that we had not chosen to do this, but God had called us to do this for Him. I asked the students what happened when their moms or dads asked them to do something. They all replied that they had to do whatever they were asked, or they would get in trouble and face the consequences. I went on to explain that if our house did not sale, I'd stay, and God would send us in His timing. I also explained that God is my Father, and I had to obey Him.  One of my students stood up and said, "Mrs. H, when God opens doors no one can shut them." At that moment, my class telephone went off and they put B. through to me. He had very important news. The couple who had visited our house twice had made an offer!!!  Tears started flying. Happiness, sadness, a mix of emotions erupted.  Students wanted to know if I was ok.

I had to step out into the hall for a minute to have a good cry on my great friend, Ms. J.'s shoulder. I am so excited to be doing what God wants us to do, but at the same time, I feel so sad to leave my home, my family, my friends, and my precious students. Just recently, she had come to me with a Scripture reminding me that God had already went out ahead of us, making the way. It is SO awesome to see His plans unfold. We say we believe, but when the plans actually unfold, it is such a WOW moment!

Last night, we met with the couple. They are such awesome people. We've made friends fast. They are so excited. They even want to keep our 3 cats, which is a relief too. Everything works out for those who love God and who are called to His purpose!  Before we knew it, we had talked over 4 hours, in addition to signing a contract to sell/apply for a loan for our house. We know God is in control of that too, whatever the outcome is.

Today, we took off work because we had eye appointments. We also bought a storage container for the things we plan to keep. It's been a nice day!

A Crazy Sort of Day

• Went to work
• B. called me at 8 AM at school and said his mom had a spell with her blood pressure and ambulance was on the way!

• Left school on 2 wheels

• Arrived at his mom's as they were taking her away in ambulance

• Headed to ER

• Hung around with family after they released her to go to heart Dr. (her bl. pressure wouldn't even register on the cuff this morn.!) and have an ultrasound done

• She had another spell at Dr.'s office (thank God--so he could see what she's doing)

• Ate at Hokie's

• Took B. to get his truck, so he could go back to work. Mr. Gl. was going to take Ms. J. to Providence; Dr. admitting her for extensive tests to see what's going on!

• Crashed at house for min. Picked up Sk. from school.

• Surprise!!!  Couple come to look at house for a 2nd time.

• Got ready and rushed to District Office to be recognized for my National Board certification

• Take lots of pics and then, finally, head to hospital

• Visit Ms. J. at hospital. They've already given her ultrasounds, etc., but will also do more extensive tests tomorrow, and will let her know Thurs. the results.  PRAY for her! 

• PRAY God's perfect will for house selling and our future journey...it's all in HIS hands!

What a SWEET Day Worshipping!

Today was a sweet day at church. We had 2 individuals that professed their faith in Christ. Do I hear an Amen!?? 

Say a prayer for our pastor, Dr. T., because he hurt his back working at his father's house this weekend. He did a great job during the morning service, although I know he had to be hurting pretty badly. Bro. Mark filled in the evening service and compared the Superbowl to being on God's team and following Him! It was also an awesome service.

I've never cared to watch football, but when we arrived back home, we watched the rest of the game. I really didn't care who won, but, wow, what a tight game!!!  By the end, I was rooting for the Cardinals, just because they seemed to be playing more fairly. I could actually understand a lot of what was going on because of my students' lessons to me about football during our recess at school. Good job, 5th graders!! :)

Remember us in your prayers! Also, remember my friend Carlos in Brasil who is getting ready to take a BIG test for a job next Sunday, the 8th. May God's perfect will be done!