And a Little More Progress!

Yesterday, we saw the completed porch! We are probably going to stain the floor and the railings....giving it a country look. Inside, things are exciting too! The platform is now built and the "shells" of the two closets and the place for the a/c unit are also up. This week, the wiring should be put in. Next on the list, I am told, will be the insulation and the duct work for the air conditioning and heat. We have enough money for the wiring and for the electrician....then we have to gather some more for the insulation and the men will put that in. We have a yardsale this weekend and also we are serving spaghetti plates after the Sunday morning service.....working toward buying the insulation and stuff for the ducts.

We had a wonderful testimony too. One of our young ladies had a tumor and was going to most likely have a hysterectomy......but God healed her. When she went to the doctor appointment last week, he told her that the tumor is gone. Praise the Lord for this healing. And we had 6 visitors and 5 visiting family members so we had a full house. God is so good to us.

Up and Down Week

Well, this week can be best described as an up and down week. Here's the list:

We have the windows in and the porch up on our church addition.
The engine light is ON in my van again...now what is wrong?
I had a good visit with a neighboring pastor's wife.
My new yardman surprised me by waking me up early on Monday morning so he could mow.
One of my special friends became very ill....and then is recovering well.
A very special friend passed away, was promoted to Heaven.
The workman I was waiting for never showed up.
Two special people in my life got not-so-good reports in their fight with cancer.
We had a good fundraiser (selling meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans as plate lunches.)
Home Depot would not let us use our new credit account. Why?
A young lady in our church received a wonderful healing.
We had enough money to buy the material for wiring the new addition to our church.
Some great news....my friends are going to be grandparents (and greatgrandmother, and aunts,etc.)

Yes, that is life.....sometimes up and sometimes down! But God is always in control. And we can count on that!

A Tribute to MawBrock

Today, there is a sad and triumphant service marking the passing of MawBrock from this life to Heaven. How I wish that I could be in Lufkin with all the family and friends. Since I can't, I have decided to dedicate a blog to her today...and it is impossible to leave out PapaBrock so he is included too.

I met Sis Brock in the cafeteria of the school in Pasadena where I was teaching 4th grade. She was the cafeteria manager. We talked a bit now and then. I saw her husband and her daughter in law and the kids come to school at times. Finally, I asked where she went to church and found out that it was Apostolic Temple. That began a friendship that led me to Apostolic Temple and lots of wonderful times with the Brock family.

Papa and MawBrock invited me out to eat after church....we would go to Casa Ole, Taco Bueno, Denny's and Wendy's often with Martin and Debra and LeeRoy and Elaine. We also went to Luby's on week days. I went shopping with her at Marshall's and Target! Papa and MawBrock invited me to go up to Lufkin with them and I learned how to ride a three wheeler. Glenda and I would ride and sometimes MawBrock and I would ride out in the country around their fields and house. They "carried" me with them to Louisiana Campmeeting and I was introducted to UPC summer campmeetings and all the excitement that means! I made all the bulletin boards outside the cafeteria for MawBrock and had such fun doing it. They invited me to have Thanksgiving with them....and the rest of the family. What wonderful food! and what wonderful fellowship! I remember the day we were shopping at the Mall and entered a baby shop.....that's where Debra told me that she was expecting Kristi and I felt so honored to share that special time with the family. Once I cut my finger tip almost off and could not stop the bleeding....it is hard to believe, but Papa Brock held my hand (put pressure on the cut), MawBrock fixed my hair (incredible!), and then she bandaged my finger! We laughed together, visited, prayed, worshipped at church, Papa "preached" to us, and we ate a lot. Italian Cream Cake! Hers was always the very best! I remember lots of trips in the car or truck from South Houston to Lufkin and then fun times there, especially when Glenda went with us!!! She will remember our times buying "watches" in Woolworth!!!!

Time went by and they retired and I moved down to the Valley. Over the years, we talked on the phone and visited whenever I had a chance to go to Houston or even through Lufkin. I always felt the same warm friendship whenever we would talk or be together.

Papa and MawBrock were great examples in their spiritual life, their hospitality, and their love for life and people. They made a very deep impression on my life and even my ministry. They leave us some very difficult footsteps to follow.

And, they leave me very special friends:Debra and Martin, Kristi, Kraig, Glenda, Wesley, Glenn and the rest of the family.

I thank God for bringing Papa and MawBrock into my life! The memory of them will always be precious!

Note: Thank you, Kristi, for letting me post the picture of MawBrock and the grandchildren, Glenda, Wesley, Kristi and Kraig. I love this picture of MawMaw--the way she will remain in my memory.

Porch and Windows!

Yesterday, we all were excited to see the new porch and the windows in our church addition. The porch is not quite finished and then will need to be painted. However, each little addition makes the building look a lot better. Everyone is so happy to see the progress! Next we will be getting enough money to pay for the wiring and the electrician.....so we have to work some more!! We are believing that God will help us finish what we have started.

A Fun Summer Day

Summer is supposed to be for vacationing and doing things one does not usually do....so I spent the day in Reynosa yesterday. I took Opie to be groomed and had a good visit with Silvia, the wife of our vet. Then I visited my "old" neighbors, Lupita and her girls, Mariela and Melissa. We shared pictures of Mariela's graduation from secundaria (kind of like middle school) and Melissa's ballet recital, and my trip to Illinois and Wisconsin. Then we had a wonderful lunch at my favorite fast food in Reynosa, Pollo Loco!!!! Finally, I went to get Opie and we visited with Sis Sara and Sis Domi at their restaurant. It was fun to catch up on the past month....and not be in any special hurry!

Looking Better!!

Today, the workmen painted our new church addition. We are still waiting on a delivery of the windows. The little space where we could see inside has been closed and the lock for the front door is supposed to have gone on later this afternoon. I think the building is looking really good!!!!!

And Here It Is!!!!

Here it is! The new addition to our church! This will be the sanctuary and the current sanctuary will be a fellowship hall and room for additional Sunday School classes. The front door was a real blessing. It was specially ordered by someone who never came to buy it and so we got it for less than the original price. Tomorrow the painting of the outside will begin....unless it rains again as it did today after the morning service. I am so excited to see our dream come to reality. Now there is a lot of work to finish the inside...but this is a big step forward.

What's Better Than Getting Home after a Long Trip and Having a New Addition to the Church?

Well, getting home after two long days of driving and then seeing our beautiful new addition to the church was AWESOME!!! But, the excitement continues!! This morning in church, our musicians announced that the CD they have been working on is DONE and they showed us the first copies. How absolutely wonderful!!!! And to make it even more special, it is dedicated to "Jesus Christ, our church, and our pastor, Susan Roen." I have NEVER had a CD dedicated to me before. It is really special!! Okay, and the CD is more wonderful than I can explain!!!! (They can be purchased for $10, by the way!). What exciting, thrilling, marvelous days!!! And, God gets all the GLORY!!!

What's Better Than Getting Home after a Long Trip?

Thank God, I arrived safely home after being away since June 23rd. It is so good to sleep in my own bed again.....be with my pets--Huracán, Florecita, Charlie Anderson, Chiquita and of course, Opie. It is even good to have my own bathroom and kitchen! And, how great it is to see and hear from my friends and those in my church!!!

BUT THERE IS SOMETHING EVEN BETTER THAN GETTING HOME FROM A LONG TRIP, ESPECIALLY THIS TIME. I knew as a pastor I should be agreeable....and really I had no reason except being tired, not to go to church to pray for a man who had requested prayer. However, I wasn't all that excited. And, then when our music ministers, Bro Ventura and Sis Diana wanted to pick me up (since I have been doing so much driving lately), it did seem a little strange. We drove to the church....and as we were arriving, they were commenting on the progress of the addition to the Catholic church. ALL OF THE SUDDEN, WE DROVE RIGHT UP TO THE ALMOST COMPLETED SHELL OF OUR NEW ADDITION! I had NO idea that it was being built as I traveled. They even VOTED NOT TO TELL ME...and just surprise me!!!! It is awesome. Of course, the inside is not finished and so it is not useable at this point. But it is all paid for with the money we have been saving.....and we even have a little left over to help as we start saving for the inside. I think we will get more offerings and donations because people will see the building and know that we really need to get it ready for use!

I will try to post some pictures later.....for now, I am still in shock over seeing it almost completed.....NOW THAT IS EVEN BETTER THAN GETTING HOME AFTER A LONG TRIP!

I have the best congregation in the whole world!!!! I just cannot say how much I appreciate all their work and dedication......and even the surprises!!!! To the congregation of Asamblea Pentecostés Nueva Vida of Lasara, Texas: YOU ALL ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!! WHAT A JOY IT IS TO BE YOUR PASTOR!!!

Jailed poodle, hospitalized van, grounded owner!

Well, for excitement this trip to Illinois, Opie, the poodle was in jail. That is what he thinks of boarding at the vet in Rockford. He is definitely not a happy camper! But, I paid the fine and he is out.

Then, my van had problems and got taken to the dealership "hospital" for major repairs which will cost $1350. Now that is MAJOR! And, to top it off, the parts have to travel all the way from Lithuania and are delaying our return to Texas. Now that is not good either! We are hoping the parts will arrive and the van will be fixed on Wednesday (July 8th). More than that, we are PRAYING those parts get here.

So, now I am grounded with no vehicle for getting around and we will not even think about the finances for the van repair!

I am trying to be positive and realize that I am safe here, not stranded on an interstate somewhere, can still enjoy being with my family, and everything will be ready to go before long. It just kind of put a dent in some of my plans...make that a very big dent.

So this trip will be remembered for the jailed poodle, the hospitalized van and me, being grounded as well as a lot of positive, fun things.

The Roen Family Reunion

Saturday, June 27th, 2009 was the big day we had waited for....our Roen family reunion. Dad's two sisters were able to attend and there were lots of cousins there. Since many of us don´t get together hardly at all, it was great to see so many from far and near. My Dad reminisced a bit with us all....and we had a lot of time to visit with each other. My cousin Mark MCd the giving away of door prizes and that was fun. It was just a great time.

Family seems to get more and more important with each passing year. This time, we had several family members who had passed away in the last few weeks. While we rejoice in our memories of their Christ-like lives, we just plain miss their presence with us. It is so exciting to see the children growing and the young adults becoming mature adults.

Yes, God created families and He is in our midst as we celebrate together our family heritage and our current news. I felt His Presence and I am sure others of our family did as well. I am so thankful for my family....my aunts and uncles, my cousins, and all the little ones joining our family....and of course, I'm thankful for my Dad and Mother, David, Jon & Gwen, their children, Allen & Anne and Allison, and Rick & Jan and their children, Ben, Eric, and Melissa. Thank God, too, for families!