My family and I joined our home church last night. I had so much joy and excitement coming home to our family and friends. God always knows what I need and he always provides for me. We are having revival this week at Crystal Hill Baptist Church and it has been an amazing experience! God is moving in the church and mending hearts like crazy. I'll say Yes, Lord ,Yes...to your will and to your way! If you need a church home I think you would be blessed by checking our Crystal Hill Baptist Church. If you can't make it to church, you can watch the service from you computer at home. Come on by and see us or sit back on your couch and better ready to have your socks blessed off! God bless you.

PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER

I have a dear friend that is facing some struggles today and needs prayer. Please pray for comfort for him. He does not understand why he is going through the struggles, but we don't need to understand...we just need to pray.

As Christians God instructs us to pray for one another. Please pray for my friend. Look at this beautiful picuture below. It says it all! God bless you!

IF YOU HAVE A PRAYER REQUEST PLEASE LET US KNOW. WE WILL PRAY FOR YOU!

GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!

Can you believe it's time for the kids to go back to school? This summer has flown by! Ethan is going into the 3rd grade, Jackie is going into the 11th grade and Lyndsie is going into her sophomore year of college. The kids are excited about going back and I know that we are going to have a great year! I can't believe that when I take them to school, the house will be quiet all day....WoW! :) Jackie is excited about getting to meet new friends and witnessing to people. We found Jackie some religious folders for school and he is so excited about that!! I hope God uses him this year in mighty ways and Jackie is able to help bring lots of kids to Christ. Please pray for all the kids going to school and for God's protection over them. God bless you!

BACK TO SCHOOL

Today we went and got Jackie and Ethan registered for school. I can't believe it's time for the kids to go back to school already. It seems like they just got out! I am excited for Jackie. Jackie will be going to Bryant High School. He seems to be thrilled to be able to go to such a large school. He is excited about witnessing to all the kids. Jackie handed out flyer's to mow yards. He has gotten 5 clients in our neighborhood. He loves making money! LOL. Lyndsie is enrolled in Pulaski Tech and is starting her semester. She got a job at Petco and she really seems to like it. She has worked 40 hours a week the last two weeks. She said the manager told her she was doing a great job! Ethan is glad to be back home as well. He has expressed how hard the ministry was on him and how much he missed his mom and dad while we lived there. He needs mommy and daddy time so we have really been focusing on spending time with him. He will start school at Salem this year and he is very excited about seeing his old friends. I know God is just getting started in this new phase of our lives and we are very excited about what he is going to do in our future. Gary is still with the concrete company. He is really enjoying the group he is working with and has had the chance to witness to someone, which thrills him. We know God has good things in store for our family. We will keep the faith....and God will take care of our needs. May God bless you always!

NORMAL??

Normal defined in the Webster dictionary as; having a straight-line structure.

My husband told me today that we are going back to living a "Normal" life. I said; What's normal?
He said; a regular job and a regular home. We have been living with so many teenage boys for so long, that I have forgotten what "Normal" is really like. The process of getting there seems a little scary. We have only been doing full-time ministry for a couple of years but I find it hard to focus on something besides a ministry for God. I'm not sure what normal is, but I am sure that God is going to take care of us and plant us exactly where he wants us to grow. Please pray for us as we seek God's will for our lives. Maybe "Normal" won't be so bad after all. I love you Lord and I know you have great plans in store for our family. God bless you!

BLESSED BY GOD

I have been so blessed by God. He takes care of my every need. I love to sit at the computer and worship with music. I heard a song on the radio the other day and I play it all the time now. I would love for you to listen to it. Go to U-Tube and look up; "Someone worth dying for" by Mikeschair. 
I know that you will love it and you will be blessed by the words in the song. Have a great day.....and God Bless You!

YOU JUST POISONED YOUR FRIEND!

             THE TONGUE.....HARD TO CONTROL AND POISON TO THE SOUL!

But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
                                James 3:8                     

Have you heard the old saying; Your tongue reveals what your heart feels? Well, it's true. The quickest way to ruin a ministry for God is to start rumor's and gossip. You say you would never do that? Here goes;
Hey, did you hear about Michael and Kelley? I heard they were having a rough time in their marriage.
Hey, I heard the preacher didn't like the songs Bro. Brown picked out?
Boy, Claude and Jennifer sure are hanging out a lot together.
Cynthia really dislikes our deacon...I'm going to pray for her.
Yes, as innocent as some of them seem....they are vicious and deadly to a ministry or even to a friendship. Something started out so simple can turn out so bad. I admit that sometimes I'm bad about speaking before I think. I'm working on that in my life. Some people are not happy unless they are causing problems for others. Pray for them. Don't tell your best friend Sarah about them.....PRAY FOR THEM! 

IF ANYONE CONSIDERS HIMSELF RELIGIOUS AND YET DOES NOT KEEP A TIGHT REIN ON HIS TONGUE, HE DECEIVES HIMSELF AND HIS RELIGION IS WORTHLESS.
                              JAMES 1:26         

It is so easy to get drawn into gossiping. We need to learn to bridle our tongues and not get polluted by the world. Easier said than done I know. But with God's help....it is possible. ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD! I have had to ask God for a lot of forgiveness lately. I don't want to be the one to bring his ministry down. I want to be the one to lift it up. I am praying hard and steady for control of my tongue.

LORD, WHO MAY DWELL IN YOUR SANCTUARY? WHO MAY LIVE ON YOUR HOLY HILL?
HE WHO WALKS BLAMELESS AND WHO DOES WHAT IS RIGHTEOUS, WHO SPEAKS THE TRUTH FROM HIS HEART AND HAS NO SLANDER ON HIS TONGUE, WHO DOES HIS NEIGHBOR NO WRONG AND CASTS NO SLUR ON HIS FELLOWMAN.
                                               PSALM 15: 1-3

Now I'm just going to give you a fact right now. There was a rumor started recently about me and a friend. It became poison to both of our ministries. Our first reaction was to get them back, I know...not very Christ like of us. After giving it a couple of days and praying to God about it, I came to the point of forgiveness. Two wrongs were not going to make a right, and I knew that. While my friend and I were discussing this rumor and forgiveness and what God could do, we discussed how we should forgive and let God have control of the situation. Because God had shown us how to forgive once we became a child of his. My friend has been in the ministry a long time, as I have too,  but realized that he was not able to forgive. He stuggled with anger and vengence. After talking to him, this is what I did. I looked him in the eye and said; If you die tonight, are you going to Heaven. He sat there for a minute and then said; well, yea. I'm a preachers son, I'm in the ministry and my mom told me I was saved when I was 8 years old. I said; Do you remember asking God into your heart or what you said or are you just relying on what your mom told you? Then I asked him again. If you die tonight, are you going to Heaven. He said; No. He realized he was not a child of God's. I had the opportunity to lead my friend to Christ that night. Gossip that led to forgiveness led to Salvation. But had we let the devil destroy, and I could have very easily fallen victim to that, the devil would have won and my friend would still not know Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. The devil will use your best friend, even the preachers wife to spread his poison if you let him.

KEEP YOU TONGUE FROM EVIL AND YOUR LIPS FROM SPEAKING LIES.
TURN FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
                                         PSALM 34:13-14

We can tame our tongue. We just need to ask God to help us do that. Don't speak ill of others. Don't be the one to put the flame out on a ministry. Be the one to set the ministry on fire with God's help. My friend is on fire for God and the ministry now. He knows that God has great things instore for him. He is no longer full of anger and no longer running from the devil. He is looking him straight in the face and telling him to get behind him! Don't give in to the devil. He laughs at you every time you do.

I SAID, 'I WILL WATCH MY WAYS AND KEEP MY TONGUE FROM SIN; I WILL PUT A MUZZLE ON MY MOUTH AS LONG AS THE WICKED ARE IN MY PRESENCE.'
                                       PSALM 39:1

FOR, 'WHOEVER WOULD LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM DECEITFUL SPEECH. HE MUST TURN FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
                                      1 PETER 3:10-11

I don't know about you, but I think I would rather keep my eyes on Jesus than to focus on destroying others lives with my tongue. Simple gossip could cause someone not to come to Christ. If they see a proclaimed Christian spreading lies, what desire do they have to be a part of God's family? Don't be the reason someone ends up in hell. How disgraceful that would be when you face your father in Heaven and have to answer to him why. If your spreading gossip and starting rumors and not feeling guilty about it, maybe you should check your heart. Maybe you are not a child of God's.

AS LONG AS I HAVE LIFE WITHIN ME, THE BREATH OF GOD IN MY NOSTRILS, MY LIPS WILL NOT SPEAK WICKEDNESS, AND MY TONGUE WILL UTTER NO DECEIT.
                                            JOB 27:3-4

God gave us our first breath and every breath we have taken since then. He gives us life. Let's go out and serve him in a mighty way. Think before you speak and hit your knees in prayer right where you are if you need to. Let's praise God in all things and be a witness for him so that others will come to know Christ. Hate the sin....love the sinner. Forgive so you can have peace. God bless you!

YOU DIED SO I MAY LIVE...SO I WILL LIVE FOR YOU!

I GROW WEARY SOMETIMES IN MY TRIALS,
AND HAVEN'T BEEN ON BENT KNEES IN A WHILE.
MY FAITH IS GROWING A LITTLE WEAK.
I PRAY FOR MERCY AND YOUR FACE I SEEK.
TIME GOES BY SO VERY FAST.
BUT I KNOW YOUR LOVE WILL FOREVER LAST.
SO I NEED YOUR GUIDANCE TO BE STRONG,
AND I NEED YOU TO REMIND ME WHERE I BELONG.
I KNOW YOU FORGIVE MY SINS WHEN I PRAY.
FOR YOU HUNG ON THAT CROSS AND SAID; PRICE PAID!
YOU DIED SO I COULD LIVE FOR YOU.
JUST SHOW ME LORD, WHAT I NEED TO DO.
THE UNFAILING, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE YOU GIVE TO ME,
THE KIND OF LOVE I WANT ALL OTHERS TO SEE.
THE KIND OF LOVE LORD, THAT NO ONE ELSE CAN GIVE,
AND BY YOUR MERCY, YOU TEACH ME HOW TO FORGIVE.
I'M NOT PERFECT AND DON'T PROCLAIM TO BE,
SO LORD PLEASE CONTINUE TO WORK ON ME.
YOU DIED FOR ME SO I COULD LIVE FOR YOU,
JUST SHOW ME WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO.
I'LL BE THE ONE TO STAND UP WHEN YOU CALL,
ALTHOUGH YOU ALREADY KNOW SOMETIMES I WILL STUMBLE AND FALL,
BUT YOU STILL HAVE FAITH IN ME AFTER ALL.
SO I WILL WITH YOU LORD, STAND STRONG AND TALL.
PLEASE GOD, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BRIGHTLY THROUGH ME,
HIDE ALL OF ME SO THAT IT'S ONLY YOU THEY WILL SEE.
ALL THE SAVING GRACE AND LOVE YOU HAVE TO GIVE,
AND THE CROSS YOU HUNG AND DIED ON....SO THAT I MAY LIVE.

Denise Rochester
08-01-2011

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO....

We have been gone from ABC Homes for about 3 weeks now. We did get custody of a young man from the home. He is the guy on the right. His name is Jackie. He is 17 yrs old. He came to the home about 2 weeks before we did in October last year. When we came to the home we became his relief house parents. He was not saved and was set on serving his 6 months in the home and then going back to his lifestyle. He loved what he was doing in his life and he just wanted to go back to where he was comfortable. One day Jackie asked me if when he died, could he go to Heaven and ask God to be one of the devils demons. I was floored. I told him no. It did not work like that. I told him that he would go to hell and burn with the others that did not know Christ. Over the months Jackie began to ask more and more questions about God. We told him that God was much stronger than the devil and has so much more power than the devil. That seemed to interest him. Over the months each Sunday I would watch him during the invitational song. He was holding onto the pew so hard that you could not have torn him away if you had to. But one day, the Holy Spirit did. Jackie released his hold on that pew and took off like a rocket down that isle. Jackie got saved and became a soldier for Christ. Jackie stayed in his Bible learning everything he could about Jesus. He got in trouble a few times for staying up so late reading his Bible. LOL. He would not go to sleep until 3 or 4 in the morning and he was getting really tired in school. Jackie has since preached in a couple of churches and has joined our family in seeking God's will for our lives. Since the day he moved in with us, every morning he gets up and hugs me and tells me how much he loves us and is so happy with his new family. I know Jackie is going to do great things for God and I am honored that God has allowed my family to be part of that. Gary and I have gone back to our jobs that we had before we went to the children's ministry. Gary is going to a church in Tiller in view of a call tomorrow so please be in prayer for that. We want to be in God's will always. Please continue to pray for our family as we seek God's will and we will keep you updated. Thank you and God bless you! 

THE FINAL POST AT ABC HOMES

Yesterday we got moved back to Benton. We love the house and love the quiet time right now. We do miss all the kiddos at the home though. We still have a lot of boxes to sort through so I guess that's how I will spend my day today. I got up this morning, at 10:30, Gary and Jackie were on the back porch doing their Bible study. I thought that was sweet. Watching them two together study about God. I believe God has worked all of this out for a great reason. I know he has big plans for our family and we are excited about our next ministry. We are even more excited that God has given us another son to teach about his love. We got custody of Jackie last week and he is very excited about getting opportunities to preach. We are very excited we could give him a family to grow with. I'm trying to learn to forgive today. We were told a lot of things before we moved that really caused anger and pain in our hearts. We are praying for love and for God to give us the peace we need to forgive. We are praying for God to open hearts and to soften them for his ministry. We are trying to remember that it was all for God's glory.... God loves us so much and we know that he is marking the path ahead of us. This post is going to be the close of this blog. We loved our time at ABC Homes but felt that God was moving us on. Sometimes his will even hurts but we must follow and obey. We love the kids there so much and will always pray for them...and we will always have a very special place in our hearts for them. They are great kids and care so much about people. I know that God is going to do great things in their lives.  I hope you have a great day today. Thank you for being so faithful to pray for the ministry and for these awesome kids. May God richly bless you! We love you. 
Love, The Rochester's


JOHN 3:16 God loves the world!!!

GOING HOME

It's been a while but we are headed on. I don't even remember the last time we got to go see my mom. It seems like forever! All the kids are offering to help us so it should go fast. I'm going to miss these kids. They are such awesome kids and deserve great things to happen for them. They have the sweetest spirits and would do anything in the world for you. We love you guys and will miss you so much! God bless you all.

SAYING GOOD-BYE

THE DAY IS HERE. IT'S TIME FOR US TO SAY GOOD BYE. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE HARDEST PART OF THIS MINISTRY. WE ARE GOING TO MISS EVERYONE SO MUCH! WE HAVE SEEN KIDS HERE GROW IN THEIR CHRISTIAN WALK AND SPREAD THEIR WINGS AND FLY. WE HAVE SEEN CHANGES IN KIDS THAT WOULD AMAZE YOU, CHANGES ONLY GOD CAN DO IN YOUR LIFE. I PRAY THAT THIS MINISTRY BLOSSOMS AND KIDS HEARTS GET SET ON FIRE FOR SERVING OUR LORD. I PRAY FOR ALL THE CHILDREN HERE, THE ONES THAT HAVE LEFT AND THE ONES YET TO COME. I PRAY THAT THE HOUSE PARENTS REALIZE HOW BLESSED THEY ARE TO BE A PART OF SUCH AN AWESOME MINISTRY. I PRAY FOR THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT ABC HOMES AND AM SO VERY THANKFUL FOR THEM. THIS MINISTRY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND YOUR PRAYERS. GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD. I KNOW THAT HE IS PROUD OF THE WORK BEING DONE FOR HIS CHILDREN. I WILL MISS BEING A PART OF IT. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND WE LOVE YOU GUYS VERY MUCH!

            Numbers 6:25-26
²⁵ the LORD make his face shine on you
   and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the LORD turn his face toward you
   and give you peace.”’

 

The Lord will always be with us, even if you feel alone. Remeber God is always there holding your hand. He loves us more than any human on earth will ever love us. Always look for comfort in God's arms.

PACKING TO HEAD HOME

Yes we are doing it. It has been a very slow process for us but we are packing to go home. We are hoping to have everything packed and ready to pull out by noon tomorrow. The boys and girls at the home decided to surprise us with a surprise party tonight. The only thing is that they had to tell us so we could help them. LOL. We will miss them so much and will be praying for them everyday! This picture above caught my eye. It reminded me how God gives us choices in our lives. We pray we always make the right one but sometimes we may take the wrong path. Even when the wrong path is taken, you can learn from it and start back on the right path with God. Even when you venture off the well beaten path, if it's not where God wants you, he will lead you back where you need to be. My prayer today is for the kids of ABC Homes. I pray they find peace and our successful in their lives and their Christian walk. We love you all so much and we will be back to see you very soon.

                                       WE LOVE YOU!

LEAVING KANSAS

The guys are on their way home today. They had an awesome time in Kansas! They got to go on a tour at the Kansas basketball stadium. They toured the locker rooms, the room they hold media conferences and the court. That was the highlight of their trip I think. I'm surprised they were able to be torn away from there. LOL. It will be nice to have them home again. I hope they got to speak to many about Christ and planted lots of seeds. I hope they continue to plant them when they get home. :) God is so good. Pray for a safe trip home for them. God bless you!

PRAYER

Tomorrow our guys will be coming home from their Kansas mission trip. Gary said they have had a wonderful time. It will be an experience they always will remember. We go on duty for IB boys tomorrow and will be finished on Tuesday. I am going to miss the kids here so much. I wished things could have been different. I know that God is not finished with ABC Homes though. There are still a lot of kids who need help, so please continue supporting them in any way you can. You can always support them by praying for the kids, house parents and all the staff here at the home. I believe in the power of prayer! God bless you.

AWESOME DAY!

WE HAD A GREAT DAY TODAY. WE LEFT OUT EARLY TO GO TO COURT IN HOPE, AR. WE WALKED IN TO THE COURT ROOM AND THERE WAS SO MANY PEOPLE THERE. WE THOUGHT, OH BOY, WE ARE GOING TO BE HERE A WHILE. THE LAWYER SEEN US WALK IN AND CAME STRAIGHT TO US. HE WALKED UP TO THE JUDGE AND WHISPERED SOMETHING IN HIS EAR. THE NEXT THING WE KNEW, HE WAS CALLING OUR CASE FIRST. IT WAS GREAT! THE JUDGE ASKED JACKIE IF HE WAS SURE HE WANTED TO DO THIS, AND HE SAID; NO DOUBT! THE JUDGE ASKED ME IF WE WERE READY TO TAKE HIM, AND I SAID; ABSOLUTELY! A FEW MINUTES LATER, IT WAS DONE AND WE WERE HEADED HOME. A PLACE FOR JACKIE TO CALL HOME. A HOME WHERE WE CAN ALL BE A FAMILY. IT WAS DEFIANTLY A GOD THING TO GO THE WAY IT DID. JACKIE WAS SO EXCITED ON THE WAY HOME. HE WOULD GET QUIET AND THEN JUST SMILE AND SAY; I'M SO EXCITED! LYNDSIE AND ETHAN WERE SO EXCITED WHEN I CALLED THEM AND TOLD THEM THEY HAD ANOTHER BROTHER. THEY HAVE BECOME SO CLOSE HERE AT THE HOME AND ETHAN SAID HE WASN'T LEAVING WITHOUT JACKIE. WE GOT HIM A CELL PHONE TODAY SO WHEN WE TURN HIM LOOSE AT HOME, I CAN CALL AND CHECK ON HIM. LOL. I'M ALREADY AN OVER PROTECTIVE MOTHER. IT IS A TRUE BLESSING THAT WE COULD ADD THIS YOUNG MAN TO OUR FAMILY. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING A PART OF HIS SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND SO GLAD THAT GOD ALLOWED US TO BE A PART OF HIS LIFE. PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL TO SETTLE WELL. I KNOW IT WILL BE AN ADJUSTMENT FOR JACKIE AND FOR US BUT WE ARE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. PRAISE THE LORD AND GOD BLESS YOU!

GOD IS SO GOOD!

MOST ALL OF OUR GUYS ARE IN KANSAS THIS WEEK ON A MISSION TRIP. THEY ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME. TONIGHT THEY ARE WATCHING AN INDIAN DANCE AND THEY ARE EATING INDIAN TACO'S. PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO JESUS BY THEIR WORDS AND THEIR ACTIONS. ALSO PRAY FOR ME. I AM GOING TO TAKE ONE OF OUR BOYS TO COURT TOMORROW SO THAT HE CAN COME LIVE WITH US. I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW ADDITION TO OUR FAMILY. ALSO PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR FAMILY. OUR LAST DAY AT THE HOME WILL BE TUESDAY, JULY 12TH. WE ARE SAD TO LEAVE THE KIDS BUT ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR US.  WE SERVE A MIGHTY AND AWESOME GOD! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS....AND GOD BLESS YOU!

GOD SPEAKS TO YOU...YOU JUST HAVE TO LISTEN

WELCOME HOME MAGGIE!

A group came and did a firework show for us Friday night. Our dog, Maggie, is deathly afraid of thunderstorms. She was outside when the fireworks started and she took off running without us knowing. Lyndsie got Maggie for Christmas when she was young. Maggie was only a few weeks old and she will be 11 years old this October. She has never ran away before. We spent about 3 hours Friday night looking for her but did not find her. Saturday morning I got the boys out and we drove the streets and then walked for a while....but still no Maggie. A very good friend of mine had also been spending several hours looking for her. Lyndsie made Reward posters for Maggie on Saturday and she went Saturday afternoon to hang them up. It was around 7:00 PM last night and Lyndsie and I decided to call the search off for the night. We were very upset because Maggie was not an outside dog. She did not like the heat and she slept on a comfy bed. We were worried about where she was sleeping and how she was making it through the hot days. Lyndsie and I could not sleep without her....we were worried sick! Our friend, Jonathan, decided he was going to take Ethan and go and hang more posters and look for Maggie a little longer. When he left with Ethan, I had this horrible thought. Gary and I resigned from ABC Homes the previous Tuesday and Gary was wanting to go to another children's ministry. I told him that I could not go because they don't allow pets there and I wasn't leaving Maggie with any one. I was texting my mom and telling her what if God took her from me because I said no to his will. A couple of years back  I told God I was going to be a "Yes God" disciple, and now I was saying No?? I text my mom and said; Whether God gives me Maggie back or not, I'm going to be a "Yes God" disciple! Whatever or where ever he wants me to go....I will go. Less than 5 minutes after I sent that text my friend called and said; WE FOUND MAGGIE! He said he was fixing to turn around because Ethan said she would not have walked that far when he seen a dog walking in the middle of the road. Ethan called her name and she ran to the car. She was covered in hitch hikers and exhausted but she was fine. She came home and we gave her a bath, she drank a ton of water and ate what seemed to be forever. I realized that when God had reminded me of my promise to be a "Yes God" disciple, and I told him I was sorry...he gave me Maggie back. Sometimes when we think we have it all figured out, that's when God reminds us he is in control. God will speak to us. Sometimes he will use the closet things or people to our hearts to get to us. Whatever if takes....God had the final word. I'm a "YES GOD" DISCIPLE. Send me....I will go!

THANK YOU JONATHAN FOR NOT STOPPING UNTIL YOU FOUND OUR PRECIOUS PET. WE LOVE YOU!

GOING HOME

I know it's been a few days since I have written. Gary and me have been under a little stress and I have had a lot on our mind. For those of you that don't know, Gary and I have resigned from ABC Homes and will be going home to our family in two weeks. We are just spending the precious time we have left with our wonderful boys and not taking advantage of any of it! We are taking one of the boys with us and are very excited about that. He is part of our family and he has made the decision to join us when we leave. We are so grateful God has allowed us to share our family with him. I know this seems sudden, and I must say that it was unexpected for us to. We just feel that God is moving us on to a different ministry. We are leaving precious friends behind that we love and will miss dearly. I will continue to post on the blog and feel lead to continue doing daily devotions. Please pray for the ministry and the kids. We did get a new boy in the cottage on Tuesday and he needs prayer. Adjusting is the hardest part. Please pray for our family and where God will be taking us. We love you and may God bless you all!

GOD ALMIGHTY

I KNOW WHO I AM...I KNOW WHO I SERVE....I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING!

GOD IS STILL IN THE MIRACLE BUSINESS!

We left out on Tuesday morning with the senior boys and girls headed for Super Summer Camp at OBU in Arkadelphia. We got there to a flood of kids. Turns out that there was over 1,100 kids at just at the Senior high camp this year. Amazing! The first day I got there our activities director told me that one of our girls in junior camp had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. I was excited before camp even started! We got checked in and went to our dorms to unpack. After unpacking we headed for dinner and then to church service. John Randal's was our speaker. I don't know if you have heard of him but he is an awesome messenger for God. He talked to the kids in language they could understand. "Yo-Dog", dude, etc. LOL He talked about being dangerous disciples for God. He said; The rain is coming. If you don't want to get in, tread water cause it ain't my problem! He preached a great sermon. The kids went by tens to the alter. They had so many people go to the front of the church that they had to pull all the adults out of the crowd to go and pray with the kids. It was beautiful work God was doing. I'm not sure how many decisions were made that night but it was a bunch! We had a concert outside afterwards called; "The After party." All the kids hung out together, ate snacks and worshiped with the praise band. We had to be in our dorms and lights out by 11:30. We never made it on time due to us always running behind schedule, but we didn't mind. The next day the kids went to their group meeting and the adults went to theirs. They asked for Volunteers to help run the concession stands, the recreational activities and the nurses station. I volunteered for the nurses station. I'm not sure what I was thinking. LOL. I got called all the time. But I guess with 1,100 students I should have known that. I would like to say Thank You to my new friend, Ben Ford. I was at church camp for 2 days before I found out that there was a place to buy unsweet tea. If you know me, you know that I have to have my tea. I was standing in line waiting to pay for me tea. It was lunch time and the line was so long. While I was waiting I got a call on the radio that I needed to go for a student that passed out. The man in front of me heard the radio and grabbed my tea and said; Go, I will get this for you. I was talking to the girl that passed out when he came in with my tea....and a straw. I tried to pay him for it but he said; No, this ones on me. Nice guy and a living example of why we were at camp.

We had a good day Wednesday. All the kids were doing great and showing up to their groups when they were supposed to. We were so proud of them. We went to church services that night. Again he talked about being a dangerous disciple. (Romans 8:29) I KNOW WHO I AM....I KNOW WHO I SERVE....AND I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING! There is a price to be paid, and I'm ready to pay it. He said that Jesus did not use the word "Christian." He said, Jesus used the word "disciple." The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John do not have the word "Christian" in them at all. The word "Christian" is not mentioned until the book of Acts 11:26. Again at invitation, the kids flocked to the Alter in by tens. I was sitting there watching them all go up and I started thinking to myself, Wow, if my daddy had not raised me in a Christian home, where would I be today? I began thanking my daddy while sitting there watching these children. Thanking him for being a dangerous disciple and telling him I would see him again one day when I get to Heaven. We had taken a girl with us that was starting to question this "Jesus" guy, but she said she was not quite sure he would die for her. She didn't think anyone could die for someone they didn't even know. She went to the front but when it came time to pray, she wasn't ready. But it wasn't over....there was still 2 days to go. I heard nurse duty pretty much the whole time we were there. I stayed busy. During recreational activities the young ladies were getting too hot and passing out. People were getting hurt on tug-a-war. We had so many people in the nurses room that we had to lay them on the sidewalk and put fans on them. It was so hot! I stayed pretty busy nursing while I was there but it was a good way to minister. One of the girls I went to take care of turned out to be someone I knew. During worship service they came in the chapel and got me to go take care of a girl in the lobby. I went out there and started helping her. I asked her what her last name was and she told me. I recognized the name but it's not a common name and I asked her if she knew my primary care doctor. She said yes, that's my mom. Turns out that the primary care doctor who has taken care of me for over 20 years, roles reversed. I was now taking care of her daughter. Talk about Karma. LOL The next day was another great worship day. The band was, "Two Empty Chairs." I don't know if you are familiar with them, but you should look them up and listen to their songs also. They put on a great worship service. Larry, the lead singer, started crying one night and said; I will never forget Super Summer. He said; I finally get what true worship is all about and you kids at Super Summer have changed me. He said; I will never forget you guys. In the picture below you will see how much the kids enjoyed their band and how they worshiped while they played. It was awesome to be a part of this.

The preacher preached his sermon on being a Shark and not a feeder fish. Be the dangerous disciple and don't let the predators invade your home. He said; "Friends come and go but enemies accumulate." He also said it takes 25 touches (estimated) to lead someone to Christ. He said you can be the first touch, the 15th or the 25th and have the privilege to lead that person to Christ. But you have to create relationships to lead them to Christ. You have to gain their trust and start witnessing. Most importantly you must become a good listener. You have to stop and listen to what they are saying. Tune your ears to listen...stop talking and just listen to what they need and what they have to say. Target people and build relationships. Build good character, earn trust and witness to people.  Be a dangerous disciple! Be the Shark not the feeder fish. I KNOW WHO I AM, I KNOW WHO I SERVE AND I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING. There is a price to be paid...I'm ready to pay it! That night we had several more make commitments to God. We also had one of our seniors give her life to Christ. It was the one who thought that a guy named "Jesus" could not have died for her. This Jesus guy that didn't know her.....she fell in love with. It's hard to believe if you don't know Jesus, but we know Jesus and we know how Awesome and Forgiving our Savior is...Amen! She was saved from a Devils Hell that night. Praise the Lord. Coffey Anderson came and performed a concert for us on Friday. It was really great. His wife went in to labor and he had to boogie out of their. Look him up on You-Tube. He is doing a video of us at Super Summer. He was so funny and sung so well. I love to worship with music. I had great bonding time with the kids and enjoyed just stopping in the middle of the day, going to the chapel and praying for them. Such a Hugh impact can be made with prayer. Prayer is powerful. God is going to answer but it is going to be in his time and the answer he wants, not the answer we necessarily want. It was such a great week and I grew in the Lord so much. I learned things about myself that I am going to work on changing. I want to be a dangerous disciple. In the end we heard that over a 300 were saved and over 600 kids made personal commitment's to Christ.

These are my friends The Luchador's!

They put on skits for us. They were so funny! We had such a great time watching them.

You can look them up on You-Tube and watch some of their stuff.

PRAISE THE LORD! GOD IS STILL IN THE MIRACLE BUSINESS. I was so blessed to be a part of God's ministry this week. I am so privileged that he used me to help him with these kids. God is so Awesome!! We got home Saturday afternoon and we were all dog tired. I think I could probably sleep for two days straight. It's wonderful to go to camp....but it's also wonderful to come back home. I challenge you to go out and be a dangerous disciple for God today! I KNOW WHO I AM....I KNOW WHO I SERVE...AND I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING!


GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS!

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF GOD??

I can not wait to share my week of Super Summer with you'll. I have so much to share and I am so excited about it! I think you will be excited too when you hear what God did this week. I will post real soon. God bless you!

GOING TO CAMP

We are packing today and leaving for Super Summer Camp! I am excited. I love this time of the year.  We get a lot of praising God and visiting with each other. By the end of the week your heart is so on fire because you have come closer to God. I enjoy watching the kids come closer to God and the ones that get saved. It's a precious time of the year. We are leaving today and will be back Saturday. I will let you know what went on and how many were saved when I get back. Please pray for a week of kids getting to know our Lord and Savior. Gary is going to try and post some things while I am gone. I hope you have a great week. God bless you!          GOING TO CAMP!!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE DADS!!!!

Thank you Lord for giving us our dads. Thank you for giving me the time that you gave me with my daddy.

I know there are lot's of dads celebrating in Heaven with you this year.

Thank you for dying......so we could live. 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO MY LORD AND SAVIOR!

GOD KNEW

I got down on my knees, and told God I didn't have a clue.
That's when he whispered, Oh but child I do.

I placed the stars in the sky one by one,
I hung the moon and I painted the Sun.
I named each bird and taught them how to fly,
and I gave them wings to soar into the sky.

And then there was you,
.........I knew what to do.

I gave you the power to love and be loved,
And I give you daily blessings, sprinkled from above.
When you are weak and feeling led astray,
I give you the strength to make it through the day.
And when you feel alone and don't know what to do,
I place the people in your life to help you make it through.

Child don't be dismayed, just know that I love you...
and when you feel like you are going to fall, I'll come to your rescue.
The night those tears fell from your face when you were feeling blue,
You thought no one noticed.....but my child I knew.

There is nothing you could do,
to ever make me stop loving you.
Because when it came to creating you, my dear child.....I knew.

Denise Rochester
6/18/2011    

A new addition to our family....

Meet our new family member. We got a horse today from the home. Her name is Nativa. She is a very sweet girl. Lyndsie and me went out this afternoon and gave her a bath and a haircut. Lyndsie braided her tail and trimmed her bangs and Nativa was ready to strut her stuff! We had a good time bathing her and giving her a haircut. I think she enjoyed the attention as well. It's amazing how horses are like people. They come to you begging for you to love them and they walk away when they feel like you are done with them. One thing we can count on....Our Heavenly Father will never walk away from us! God bless you!

Are you talking to me??  LOL

A horse all cleaned up. Just imagine how we must look to God once we have been washed from our sins. I bet we shine like the stars in the sky to our Lord and Savior.

Freedom to run. Just like the freedom of choice God gives us. Will you run from Him....or go to Him?

LOL...I had to throw this one in there. One of our boys stuffed my dog in the couch. LOL

Don't worry. It didn't hurt her. She kind of liked it. She hung out there for a while. :)

            Uummm....can someone get me out of here!       

IT'S GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

Jesus came and died so that we could live with our Father in eternity. God gives us each day to serve him in the most fulfilling way we possibly can. Live each day to serve God and live each day to it's fullest. God is amazing and he has blessed us with another beautiful day. Love you Lord! I hope you all have a great day with the Lord. God bless you all.

OFF TODAY.....

Wow. We are off today and getting some much needed rest. We love the kids and love spending time with them but it has been a busy couple of months. The board met here yesterday. We got to spend some time with them and have lunch. It was nice having them here and getting to know more about them. I am sitting on my couch today, watching TV and thankful that the Lord gave me another day to serve him. I am also thankful that the Lord allows quiet times for us to rest and reflect on him. Please continue to pray for this ministry and all the prayers needs. You are so faithful to pray for us and it is much appreciated. God bless you and I hope you have a great day with the Lord!

GET WELL

Get well wishes going out to my grandmother and cousin. Please continue to pray for them as well as so many others that are in need. A lady from our home church passed out today at work. She still has not woken up and they thinks it's a brain aneurysm. Please continue to pray for all the unspoken prayers and count your many blessings. God allowed you another day to breath. God bless you!

OLD FRIENDS

Yesterday we had Alumni day here at ABC Homes. We met some really nice people that grew up here. One man had lived here between the years of 1958-1970. He said those years were some of the best years of his life. He toured the cottage and told us some stories. Each room held a special memory for him. This was his home....and in some way, still is. There was also a man that came with his wife. The man was carrying a rose. Another car pulled up with a man and woman in it. They got out and walked toward the crowd. The man with the rose went over and handed the lady the long stem rose. He said; This is for you. They had spent some of their teenage years here at ABC Homes and were childhood friends. He just wanted to bring her a rose and let her know he cared. I thought it was sweet that the gentleman had fond memories of a girl while here. They had both grown up and married other people and had gone on with their lives. God knew the ultimate plan. They had a reason for being here and they had a reason for leaving...even if they left friends they loved behind. I bet he has thought of his time here and his friends often. I imagine many of them have. The turn out was great. Some of the stories told and memories recalled were fascinating. I just pray that the kids we have spent time with have those fond memories to hold dear as they grow up, leave and move on with their lives. I know there are kids that I will remember for as long as I live. They have made a Hugh impact on my life. Friends and family for a life time....and a place they called home.  Hold your friends dear.....God bless you!

ON THE ROAD TO WITNESS

I have been helping a good friend of mine prepare for a mission trip this week. He is going with our church to Kansas to witness to people. We came up with the ideal of making cards with Bible verses on them so they could hand them out with their tracks. We have worked all week on them and made almost 200! My daughter, Lyndsie, helped and we all had such a good time. It took us about 4 days to do them and several hours but it was worth every second. Making as many as we did gave us the opportunity to look up many Bible verses for each card. It was an amazing Bible study for me, and it came at a much needed time. I have had a lot going on in my life this week and I really needed God's direction. He showed me several verses in the Bible while doing these cards and let me know in each of them that I could depend on him. It's amazing how our Lord and Savior works. He knew I needed this Bible study and he gave me the time to help out. Thank you Lord for being my Great and Almighty Father. I hope each card made touches a life, all for your glory. Please pray for the people going on this trip. They leave tomorrow for a week. Pray that many people come to know Christ as their personal Savior.....and even so Come Lord Jesus Come! God bless you!