Awesome Belpre Church

June 29, 2017

Oh, what a beautiful morning!  A wonderful light breeze coming in my window (that was open all night), 71 degrees and low humidity , going up to 84 today and sunshine, wow!  I have had a wonderful, up-lifting visit and fellowship with God's family.  My hosts have been awesome, they have made me feel a part of their family.  We have been talking and talking, Sis. Wentzel and I went to the pool yesterday, so refreshing!  It was a salt water pool, I had never been in one before, very nice.  Pastor was studying all day for the Bible Study. They are from South Africa and are amazing!  It is so interesting to hear their stories, their culture and about their former Country.  I will share a little: 

They were operating their thriving graduation cap and gown business (renting and selling) in South Africa.  They were saved, and a part of another Church. One day, were delivering graduation supplies to the FTHCM church in Johannesburg, South Africa for an event where Episcopal Pastor was teaching.  They listened, were struck by the teaching. They eventually joined the FTHCM Church, and as years went by, became a Pastor of a branch FTHCM Church in Pretoria.  Then, God called them to Pastor a Church in America!  After much resistance from the adversary, they suffered through and came to the USA with their suitcases and zeal to follow the Lord's instructions.

After receiving their training at the Parent Church for two years, they were assigned as the Pastor, to the FTHCM Church in Belpre, Ohio, right across the river from West Virginia. A Caucasian Pastor and wife, who experienced apartheid in South Africa, with a heart for God's people, Pastor of a predominantly African-American membership in the America!  Wow! What a God we serve!  This could change the world and the Church!

The FTHCM of Belpre, is such a loving Church and it is also being perfected for the next move of God.  I attended Bible Study last night where Pastor Wentzel taught on "Returning to our First Love." Rev.2

When I have returned to my first love: I have confidence in Jesus!

First, love God FIRST! Before anything or anyone!

Remember how we used to love God, when we were first saved and filled with God's spirit.

Repent when our heart condition is not what it ought to be.

Do the First works:

          1.  Return to our first love of God.

          2.  Return to our first love of Righteousness.

          3. Return to our first love of seeking and saving the lost.

          4. Return to our first love of togetherness.

          5. Return to our first love of spreading the gospel.

When those 5 things are in us, we will have JOY!

1.  Have we allowed neglect to get in because our purpose was elsewhere?

          Example, when we purchase a new car, we wash & clean it every day/week, then, after awhile we settle for once a month and then after years , it is no longer our first love and it goes to neglect.

2.  Are we excellent in our service to the Lord, but neglecting giving ourself to the Lord?

3.  Are we outstanding in our work, but have lost our intimate fellowship with God?

          Not just devotional, but is our aim to hear from God? Do we do what          He has told us to do?

WE CAN BE RIGHTEOUS BECAUSE WE HAE TO,  BUT WE DON'T HAVE PEACE UNTIL WE WANT TO!

When was the last time that we did on Monday what we heard to do on Sunday?

4.  What is the state of our intimate fellowship with God?

5.  Are we just satisfied with having a righteous doctrine and satisfied with our service?

Rom 6:17

WE ARE FROM THE HEART!

What makes us who we are,  is not our Worship experience on Sunday and mid week, IT IS OUR LOVE FOR GOD THAT CAUSES US TO SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST!

After Bible Study and a tour of the Church building, we went to the back of the church, walked across the parking lot and a grassy area to a garden plot.  They had a small box garden with lettuce, carrots, beets, tomatoes and onions.  We picked some to take home, then drove back across the river to West Virginia, where they live, and talked and fellowshipped some more.

I heard from my Grandson Tyrone in Maryland, HE IS FLYING TO CHICAGO AND DRIVING WITH ME TO OREGON!  YEAAAA!!!!

He doesn't have a lot of leave so it will be a quick turn-a-round, then he will fly back from either Oregon or Chicago.  I am not able to see my Grandson, (with the wife and baby) that's in Muncie, Indiana on my way, but maybe on the way back.  God is working things out, and I will let you know.

Lush green hills of West Virginia

June 26, 2017

Arrived in Parkersburg, WV, next to Belpre, Ohio. yesterday about 5 PM.  I asked GPS to send me the toll-free way, to save money and I was taken via Maryland to WV.  It was a beautiful drive, lush green hills, and blue sky, with puffy clouds.  The temperature was perfect; I didn't need the air conditioner and when the sun would have been a problem, there was the perfect cloud cover. 

I tried to use my phone to call my grandson on the road, using the speaker.  His number was listed as "main" and when I said it, GPS started to take me to Maine (the State).  GPS had me take an exit that didn't make sense and I stopped at a small gas station/grocery store that, thank God, had a restroom.  They also had celery and baby carrots for snaking, which was refreshing.

When I came out, a lady came over to the car.  She had seen the magnetic Shaklee sign on the car and asked me if she could order Pro-Lecithin Nibblers, a product she loved, that we had back in the 90's.  We no longer carry that because we have better products now, so I gave her a catalogue and my card so she could call me.

After arriving at the Pastor and wife's beautiful home, they showed me to my room with my own bath!  The Lord truly takes good care of me, all of the time!  We talked until 10:30 PM catching up and fellowshipping together.  She had fixed a WONDERFUL salad with fresh stuff from her garden, WOW, it was delicious!

Wonderful Church

June 25, 2017

          What a wonderful FTHCM church in Harrisburg!  This church reflects the heart of the Pastor and his wife.  Before service, Pastor prayed for each of the age groups of children from College age to elementary, having them come to the Altar. 

I met so many members of the Church and they were so loving and friendly.  It was like being at my home Church.  After church they had scheduled a New Members Orientation class which included a meal.  They invite me to join them and I got to meet the new Members and the wonderful volunteers who served the food and cleaned up.

One of the visitors, a young man that I adopted, I found out later that he lived in Maryland and his Mother works right across the street from the parent FTHCM church.  Should be interesting what God does with him.

After that, the Pastor & his wife took me out to dinner, then we came back and visited a while them we all took a nap.  I plan to leave tomorrow morning for Belpre, Ohio to another FTCM Church.

On to Philly

June 22-23, 2017

I left for Philly.  I planned to visit my friend Ronnie who had moved to a John's Hopkins Rehabilitation Center above Baltimore.  On my way, I discovered that she was having a colonoscopy that day, so I couldn't see her.  Bummer!  I made it to Philadelphia to my long time Shaklee friend, Dell.  It has been 29 years since we have seen each other, wow!  We had a great visit.  She is a Minister and so was her late husband. She had not been reading my blog and was not aware of my enjoyment of the pool, but she, out of the blue, asked me if I wanted to go to the pool.  OF COURSE, I DID! 

We zig-zagged through town to Yeadon, PA to a wonderful large "L" shaped pool.  I learned a little of it's history on the way over: The land became available and The Nile Swim Club of Yeadon, PA.,was established as a nonprofit on Sept. 30, 1958, after two black families were turned away from the now-defunct Yeadon Swim Club. Ground was broken in May 1959, and the non-exclusive Nile pool and clubhouse opened in July at a cost of about $150,000.  Finding financial support for the black-owned and -operated club was quite an accomplishment at a time when there weren't many concentrations of middle-class African-Americans.  My friend used to be on the board of Directors and she and her husband were very active in the organization. She said she was encouraged, by my coming and re-joined.  We had a great time!  It was good to be back in a pool!

She has an adopted daughter who is living with her, (Renee) and I adopted her too.  She is sweet.  The next day, I took her downtown and then after I returned to pick up my Shaklee shaker I left at Dell's, I headed for Harrisburg, PA.

Well, on my to Harrisburg, I put in my GPS that I didn't want to pay any tolls, sooooo, it took me on an interesting, wonderful travel through Lancaster County where the Amish are.  It was so beautiful, miles of deep green fields with an occasional horse-drawn buggy, horse-drawn farm equipment and several road-side signs for fresh vegetables, home-made bread, jams, jellies and fruit.  Later I saw traffic backing up and I took and exit that said Welcome center.  I stopped and two ladies were at the door that said closed.  I asked them if they were closed and they said. "After you".  I was so happy because I had to go to the bathroom.  I also told them that one of my ancestors was Hans Herr and I understood that the oldest homestead in Lancaster County was built by him and was an attraction.  They gave me the information and I stopped by.  It was after closing hours, but three men were standing by the Blacksmith shop talking.  I walked over to them and asked if any of them were related to Hans Herr.  Two of them were distant cousins!  In fact, one of them was also an 11th generation grandchild of Hans Herr, like I was. 

The other man was a Kauffman, related by marriage, which I was also related to.  The one that was a Blacksmith and his wife came and met me and she gave me two items that he had made that I could put on my key chain.  She also gave me his business card which had a beautiful bird, she had drawn.  I also saw an old black walnut tree that they thought was planted by my ancestors and I got some so my Sister could try to plant them in Oregon.  They were so nice and took my picture by the House that my 11 generation grandfather had built, cool!

As soon as I arrived at FTHCM of Harrisburg, Sister Young took me to dinner for crab cakes, which were delicious!  We fellowshipped and then I followed her to their beautiful home.  I had a wonderful night's sleep and woke up with the intension of writing this blog.  Instead I ended up watching the wild rabbits and birds in their back yard and fellow-shipping, so I didn't get this done until late.  All in all a glorious day.  I will attend church at FTHCM of Harrisburg tomorrow and plan to leave Monday morning for FTHCM of Belpre.

Swann's go north in the Summer

June6-20, 2017

Wow, am I behind on the blog!  Life happens all the time and it doesn't stop for me to catch up on my blog.  This may not be in sequence because:

I am leaving tomorrow for Oregon in my Honda CRV tow car.  I plan to go north this time. (That is what Swann's do for the Summer.)  I expect to be back in Maryland, at least by August 5th and maybe a lot earlier.  My Grandson, who kept the car while I was gone, may take his vacation, fly to Chicago and drive with me to Oregon and then drive the RVback to Chicago , towing the Honda.  He may fly back to Maryland from there.

I plan to drive to Philadelphia, PA, on the way, I will visit my friend Ronnie who is now in a rehab center above Baltimore.   I plan to spend the night in Philly with a long time Shaklee friend, who's husband went home to be with the Lord two years ago.  I just found out, I haven't seen her for about 20 years..  Then after we visit, I plan to go to Harrisburg, PA and stay the weekend with the FTHCM church in Harrisburg, the Pastor and his wife are long time friends.  Then on to Belpre, Ohio, to another FTHCM Church.  The Pastor and his wife are friends also.  They are from South Africa and were called to the States to Pastor a church in the South.  They are very near West Virginia.

 Then on to Muncie, Indiana to see another adopted Grandson, and meet his new wife and baby.  Then on to Chicago, to see Joseph, my Gradson, that I adopted in California, who is now in Chicago with his family.

I promise I will keep a tighter focus on my blogs.  I got the car cleared by Willie, (my go-to car repair guy).  He said he would send his grandmother to Oregon in it.  It has new cylinders, a tune up, a new radiator and a new battery, new oil change, I am good to go.  Tires and brakes are good.   For those who need to know, it is a 2000 Honda CRV with 140,000 miles.

My friend Sarah and her husband gave me over 100 CD's of the FTHCM (my Church teachings) so I can distribute them, as the Lord leads, along my travels.  I already gave one to the lady at the AAA store that helped me do my "Ttrip-Tics".  She was looking for a Church home.  I can also listen to them along the way, the road and the time just flies by when I listen.

I have the car packed, complete with snaks, Shaklee bars and supplements, Shaklee energy chews and energy tea to help keep me alert.  I also have a sleeping bag, blow-up mattress pad and pillow, in case I need them.  I have a cover over my luggage and tinted windows, so no one can see in the back.  I don't travel more than 2 hours without stopping and sometimes less.  I don't stress or press and I enjoy the scenery and the local culture as I go.  I will be going along some of the routes that my ancestors took as they went West in the 1800's, should be interesting.

Did I tell you I am having my DNA tested to see where I come from?  I already know, I just want to see what they say.  I will let you know when it comes back.

I have a Shaklee magnetic sign on each side of my CRV.  It will be interesting to see if it draws attention.  A lot of people are familiar with Shaklee, they know it works and have a favorable opinion of it. 

I expect to attend the Shaklee Convention, which is in Atlanta, GA. this year in August.  That is why I am coming back this way so soon.

Keeping up is hard to do

May 26-June 5, 2017

Wow, If I don't keep up, I don't keep up, and if I don't keep up, neither do you!  Life is full of such Joy and blessings; we don't always appreciate them because we are either complaining about the past or worried about the future.  Neither one, do we have control over, ONLY TODAY!   Let's make the best day of today, ensuring our future and assuring the past when we get to the future!  Wow, was that profound or what?

May 26-May 31

I had a Shaklee cold.  What's that?  Well, it is when you feel OK, but you know you have a cold because you sound like it.  I take all the Shaklee supplements which deals with the symptoms and allows you to function without all of the emissions.  I stayed in, pretty much so as not to infect others, and checked out my trip options.

I did go to church Sunday and Brenda, that I met in Las Vegas (also From the Heart of Las Vegas Church) came.  She had a wedding to attend in the Tidewater area of Virginia and was at the reception until late Saturday and got up early Sunday and drove 3 hours to come to church and beat me there  It was her first time at the Parent church and I introduced her to lots of people.  We took a picture of our "pew" as she knew one of our "pew buddies" who moved to LasVegas.  I wanted to take Brenda out to lunch after Church but I didn't have the money, then I remembered a "Texas Roadhouse" gift card I had, that I had forgotten about in my purse.  So off we went and had a great fellowship.  She will be in the area visiting her son for another week or so.

It was fun seeing her again.

Tuesday, May 30  

I went to Bible study and Episcopal Pastor taught, and it was awesome,

here are my notes:

 IN A MOMENT OF TIME

by

EPISCOPAL PASTOR CHERRY

5/30/17

From notes taken by Lonna Swann at Bible Study

We need to understand that Jesus was 100% human and 100% divine.  It was important that Jesus (the human) be tested.

Luke 4:1-13

vs:5 "And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showd unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time."

In a moment of time: A time of great temptation, when:

                                                                                                    

1.  When your flesh is at it's weakest point.

                                                                                                    

2.  When compromise seems like the best option.

                                                                                                    

3.  When the devil thinks your flesh is at your weakest, he brings out the big guns.

                                                                                                    

4.  When you are tempted to allow anxiety to get to you (a moment of time, doesn't give you time to think).

                                                                                                    

5.  It is designed to extract an immediate response, against the Word of God and your best interest.

                                                                                                    

6. When we are tempted to act without checking with God.

                                                                                                    

7.  Temptation designed for you to submit to the conditions so you might enjoy the pleasure, while ignoring the consequences.

                                                                                                                  

TEMPTATIONS REQUIRE CHOICES; CHOICES ARE LONG- LASTING AND LIFE CHANGING!

YOU CAN MAKE THE CHOICE, BUT YOU CANNOT CHOOSE THE CONSEQUENCES!

The devil puts something before you that can have; designed to take you out!

THE CONSEQUENCES OF CHOICES ARE PRE-DETERMINED.

(When we make a choice to enjoy the pleasure, we have a child forever)

Most mistakes and sin is made "in a moment of time".

You can be filled with the Holy Spirit, which will overcome the "Moment of time", but we can ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

"A moment of time" can occur in our life, several times.

STOP:  WAIT UNTIL YOU NO LONGER WANT IT AND CAN DO WITHOUT IT.

How to overcome the negatives of "A moment of time."

The three temptations Jesus faced:

1.  The temptation of the flesh.

2.  The temptation of Power.

3.  The temptation od Pride.

It can bring a Nation to it's knees!  It is always about one person who can "bamboozal a Nation.

Goal of the message:  To make out Faith our Walk.

This lesson is essential to making our Faith our Walk.

STOP AND THINK!

I.  TEMPTATION OF FLESH.

Jesus responded to the devil with what directly punished the temptation. Luke 4:3-4 (bread)

When tempted:  STOP, go find the Word of God that directly effects the temptation!

Three temptations of the flesh:

                                                                                                    

A.  FLESHLY LUSTS

Beware that you don't get so high and mighty that you forget that you can be tempted.  The devil has to find something that is already in us.  There is something in all of us that can be tempted by "a moment of time."

                                                                                                                  

THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH (of something)

                                                                                                    

B.  FLESHLY DESIRES

Psalms 37:4-5

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust in Him; and He shall bring it to pass."

C.  FLESHLY RELATIONSHIPS.  STOP!

                                                                                                         

II Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together                         

with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness                         

with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with   

darkness?"

                                                                                                    

II. TEMPTATION OF EARTHLY POWER.

Luke4:7-8 

Jesus responded with the Word of God that punished the temptation I'm faced with

I must have the proper Word of God

                                                                                                    

A. The illusion of the power of money.

                                                                                                    

B.  The power of things.

                                                                                                    

C.  The power of (Personality?) 

                                                                                                      

Our faith should not stand in the power of a man, but in the                      

power of Jesus.

III.  The Temptation of Pride.

                                                                                                    

A.  Thinking more highly of yourself.

                                                                                                    

B.  Thinking more highly of their spiritual gifts.

                                                                                                    

C.  Thinking less of your brother.

Rom 12.  Not to think more highly of yourself than you ought.

The power of your Faith should not be in a man, but in the Power of Jesus.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017 I had the honor of attending my adopted Granddaughter's awards ceremony.  She is one of the teenagers in my family that I stayed with for 8 months while my house was being fixed for selling.  I was so proud of her, she graduates on Saturday from High School and earned over 14 awards/pins/scholarships/medals and honors, including SUMMA CUM LAUDE, THE PRINCIPALS AWARD, NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY, TOP 5% IN THE State of MD, and #4 out of the top ten in the school in academics. WOW!

June 1, 2017

Today my hostess and I went on a dry-land "cruise" in our minds and it was wonderful.  We started out, by meeting our friends that I stayed with in Mississippi.  They were here visiting their daughter in National Harbor.  We met them, they gave us a parking pass and we walked a little way and sat in the "park" in the middle of the street on comfortable, soft-cushioned, outdoor, patio furniture, over looking the water and visited.  A beautiful day with white fluffy clouds and a nice breeze and Hawaii-like weather, just like on a cruise to somewhere!

My friend, that started the Shaklee 180 weight loss plan with me, is still on it and does she look good!  She is 5 years older than I am and LOOKS GREAT!  She is happy with it, and has a new eating lifestyle that is working great for her.  It was very encouraging to see her look so good! 

We went to a restaurant and ate outside overlooking the happenings at National Harbor and enjoyed the visit!  They are on a road trip and headed to Michigan tomorrow.  If they can do it, so can I!

After that, we went to "Port" Cosco and shopped a little and got fuel for the car ($2.13 per gal).  Then we went to an AAA store in Waldorf, MD.  Did you know about that?  If you have a AAA card, they have car repair service, luggage and travel supplies, maps, cruise books and travel agents that do trip-tics and help you with trips.  All the help and books are free.  We decided to check out some cruises and I got some maps for my trip.  It was fun. All in all it was a great "cruise" day!

June2, 2017

I saw Ronnie today!  Because of the cold, I wasn't able to see her in the Hospital.  I had been keeping tabs on her and when I saw her, she was having a much better day than before.  She was sitting up and the Physical therapist came and took her for a walk.  Keep her in your prayers, she is going through.

June 3, 2017

Today I stayed around the house and did some catch up things, I then went to pick up my grandson for graduation.  I drove my car and then he dropped me off at my "family's" so we could go to he school and get a good seat.  My grandson's sister graduates from the same school, she is going into the Airforce.  He took the car because I stayed overnight with my "family" (the ones I stayed with while my house was being worked on.

Graduation was great and not too long, which surprised me.  Afterwards we had dinner and cake and ice cream to celebrate.  The dining room was decorated nicely with balloons etc...  We got to bed late and got up early for church. 

The message at church was awesome and I had texted my Grandson in Chicago, inviting him to live stream the Church broadcast, and he did.  He seemed to get a lot out of it. 

While my grandson here, had my car it ran hot.  He left it to cool over night and after church we put water in it, it was dry.  It has been doing alright since, but I will get it checked out.  E.T., my hostess, came to get me and we went to Texas Roadhouse again because she wanted a steak.  I had a veggie plate again, but what fun.  The waiter was a Christian and awesome, I ended up adopting him.  He was working two jobs and going to school for sports medicine and wants to be a Physical Therapist! WOW!  We have a date to talk about Shaklee. 

After lunch, we went to a friend's house (from my Church).  She had mentioned that she had some clothes that were my size and she wanted to give them to me if they fit.  WOW, is God good or what!  She gave me 5 beautiful suits,(some brand new) that will make over 20 outfits. What a blessing! 

June 5, 2017

I stayed around catching up, making calls and talking to E.T..  We are growing on each other and she doesn't want me to leave.  As it stands now, I really don't have a feel for when or how I will leave.  I will keep you posted.