The first thing that we learned when we entered our church the first Sunday we were here, was what (who) was the glue that holds everything together, and creates such a loving atmosphere no matter what time of day OR NIGHT he is called on to serve.
!!!!******************************PASTOR BEN***************************!!!!
This is a man of God who cares for his flock in every sense of the word! He has a heart as big as all out doors, and is not afraid of showing it. It was instant love between us and him, the very first day we were welcomed into his house of prayer.
Pastor Ben's Dad used to be the pastor of Christian Life Center of Riverdale, Maryland for many years. As his Dad got older, one day Pastor Ben knew the Lord was telling him to relieve his Dad of so much work, and so he went to his Dad and told him that, and his father said, " I wondered when you would get around to it!" He has been the pastor ever since.
Ben Slye is a very handsome man in his forties, full of life and love for Jesus Christ and his sheep. No matter what is required of him, he tends to it with love and passion. You can tell he is just as effervescent on the inside as he is on the outside, because of the twinkle in both of his baby blue eyes. He has a very capable staff to assist in any matter that comes up, but he always oversees whatever the matter is by assigning tasks to just the right person on staff.
We have never known anyone like Pastor Ben, and it is evident that no one else has either. It is such a pleasure to be around him because Jesus Christ is imbedded in him so deep that you cannot help but feel safe, loved, informed, and just plain fuzzy all of the time.
There are so many projects going on at church with ministries for the poor, children's ministry run by Pastor Ben's wife Debbie, and all of the conferences attended by him and his staff. He is a very busy guy, but no matter how busy he gets, he ALWAYS has time to spend with someone who needs an ear to talk to, or needs help in any way. Sometimes we think the Lord made him His "Super Pastor", but really he is very down to earth, and just takes care of the Lord's business in any way he can, expecting nothing in return. His reward is the smiles on the people's faces that have been helped in one way or another.
As I have stated before, we came from a very conservative church up North, and it was a shock to our nervous system when we first walked into this little church with the volume turned up so high, you would think it was the second coming! But once we heard this humble preacher with the most beautiful singing voice and the great smile just praising the Lord with all of his heart and soul, we were hooked.
We love you, Pastor Ben....... Thank you for being you, and God Bless you REAL GOOD!!!!
Do I hear an amen????
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
PASTOR LAWSON, INC.
A few weeks ago I mentioned our assistant pastor, Lawson, and the fact that he is like a second son to us. Well, we are happy to say that we have now ALSO inherited a new daughter-in-law, and grandaughter! Yes! They finally got through all of the red tape and anxiety, with the help of the Lord, and arrived here on Tuesday night at midnight from Nigeria. All went well with their flights and they are now residing with Lawson in his bachelor pad, hopefully being able to find larger quarters in the future.
Katrina is a beautiful, intelligent, and Godly woman. She is a perfect fit for Lawson, and must have the patience of Job, like he does, waiting on the Lord for several years, to provide a way for her and Zoe to come to America for good to live with Daddy.
Zoe is only a few days younger than Seamus, and is bright and full of energy, just like him, so we are all looking forward to their first play date to see how they get along. My guess is they will be competitors, but maybe not. Once we get all moved and settled into our permanent home, we will have them over alot. I know that Seamus will gladly share his toys, being the little gentleman that he is....
Sunday was their introduction to the whole church, and everyone was so excited to meet them! They had alot of prayers going up for them, and now that they are here, we are thanking the Lord for His favor in getting them here safely.
Praise Jesus for answered prayer!
***********************************************************************************
Sunday, May 4, 2008
TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL!!
As most of you know, we had a home health aide when we lived in Walworth, New York. Actually we had two. One was Stacey for one year, and then she moved on, and we had Lynda for about 9 months before we left to move to Maryland. Both of them were EXCELLENT!! and helped us out SSSOOO much! Lynda especially was so instrumental in helping me to pack up and move. I really do believe that the Lord knew just who we needed, and Lynda was it! I know for sure that I could not have accomplished that move without Lynda along side of me and I will be forever grateful!
Well, guess what? The Lord has sent us another angel! Her name is Denise, and she is unbelieveable! Boy, when the Lord sends someone, HE really knows how to do it!
We were introduced to Denise one week ago today. (Sunday). We were shocked to answer the door and find the owner of the Home Health agency there with his employee to meet us! They came completely unnanounced, and luckily we had just arrived home from church.
All of our aides have been supplied by the Veteran's Administration, and we are so grateful for the services that they provide. We get all of our meds for Terry through them for a minimal cost, and we go to the V.A. for his primary doctor appointments and blood work. It sure helps that they are located less than 1/4 mile away from our apartment.
Denise is originally from Jamaica, and she is a lovely, soft spoken, sweet girl (woman..). We loved her at first sight. She will come twice a week, on Wed. and Fri., and stays with us for 5 hours each time. This allows me to get out and about to do my grocery shopping, banking, and a little bit of socializing. I plan on making any appoinments I may have, on those two days also. Denise has already gone with us to grocery shop and to another store, and to two different doctors, and she has only worked for us twice so far. She is ready, willing and able to do anything for us that we need help with. Next I am going to teach her how to use our washer/dryer (all-in-one) machine. It is quite complex.
About Denise: She is a loving, caring, intelligent person, who loves her job. That was self evident after 10 minutes of talking with her. She is a certified Nurse's Assistant, and she loves the Lord!
She is engaged to marry a young man who is wheelchair bound and cannot speak because of a military accident occurring in the recent past. They use tex messaging alot and Denise is learning sign language. I am sure the Lord had a hand in this too.
It is amazing to sit back and just observe all of the things the Lord is doing in this community, especially for our benefit. He has sent us an angel!! Thanks so much for all of your prayers!!
We are looking forward to many enjoyable hours with Denise, and hopefully her fiancee too.
Praise God for prayers answered!!
Well, guess what? The Lord has sent us another angel! Her name is Denise, and she is unbelieveable! Boy, when the Lord sends someone, HE really knows how to do it!
We were introduced to Denise one week ago today. (Sunday). We were shocked to answer the door and find the owner of the Home Health agency there with his employee to meet us! They came completely unnanounced, and luckily we had just arrived home from church.
All of our aides have been supplied by the Veteran's Administration, and we are so grateful for the services that they provide. We get all of our meds for Terry through them for a minimal cost, and we go to the V.A. for his primary doctor appointments and blood work. It sure helps that they are located less than 1/4 mile away from our apartment.
Denise is originally from Jamaica, and she is a lovely, soft spoken, sweet girl (woman..). We loved her at first sight. She will come twice a week, on Wed. and Fri., and stays with us for 5 hours each time. This allows me to get out and about to do my grocery shopping, banking, and a little bit of socializing. I plan on making any appoinments I may have, on those two days also. Denise has already gone with us to grocery shop and to another store, and to two different doctors, and she has only worked for us twice so far. She is ready, willing and able to do anything for us that we need help with. Next I am going to teach her how to use our washer/dryer (all-in-one) machine. It is quite complex.
About Denise: She is a loving, caring, intelligent person, who loves her job. That was self evident after 10 minutes of talking with her. She is a certified Nurse's Assistant, and she loves the Lord!
She is engaged to marry a young man who is wheelchair bound and cannot speak because of a military accident occurring in the recent past. They use tex messaging alot and Denise is learning sign language. I am sure the Lord had a hand in this too.
It is amazing to sit back and just observe all of the things the Lord is doing in this community, especially for our benefit. He has sent us an angel!! Thanks so much for all of your prayers!!
We are looking forward to many enjoyable hours with Denise, and hopefully her fiancee too.
Praise God for prayers answered!!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
LIVING IN GREENBELT!
I just got in from taking my early morning walk today. I try do do it while Ter is still sleeping.
Our apartment complex is so beautiful. It is buzzing with activity early each day, with people starting out, vehicle after vehicle to go to their jobs. The kids can be seen walking up to catch the school bus meeting and sharing secrets as they wait. The maintenance men and ladies are already busy at work, trimming and cleaning everywhere. This complex is the cleanest and most well kept place I have ever seen. Every morning about 7:00 a.m. they are outside our door sweeping the sidewalks and even the parking lots. They are constantly painting the stripes on the sidewalks, or renavating one apartment or another.
We were blessed to find such a nice place to live until we can get into our permanent home.
The office staff are all very nice people to deal with. Any request that is made is attended to promptly, and they are so friendly, and accomodating to our needs.
The pool will be opening soon, and you can see the workers cleaning around it, and getting prepared for opening day.
As I walk along, I see such a contrast in the skyline. The apartments are located in a nice quiet residential area, and when you look about 2 blocks away, there are huge skyscrapers looming in the distance! I like to take pictures of all of it to share with all of you. Coming from Walworth, New York, a country setting, to a major comunity like this has really stretched us. We can go just about anywhere we want to now, having learned a lot of tricks and short cuts. We even went to a park the othere day with Jules and Seamus, and we all rode on an old fashioned merry-go-round, and then on a small train ride. Such a change in our lives is a good thing. Being with our loved ones though, tops the cake, and makes all of the aggravation and stress of moving all worth it!
I am glad the Lord sent us here, but we do miss all of you....
Our apartment complex is so beautiful. It is buzzing with activity early each day, with people starting out, vehicle after vehicle to go to their jobs. The kids can be seen walking up to catch the school bus meeting and sharing secrets as they wait. The maintenance men and ladies are already busy at work, trimming and cleaning everywhere. This complex is the cleanest and most well kept place I have ever seen. Every morning about 7:00 a.m. they are outside our door sweeping the sidewalks and even the parking lots. They are constantly painting the stripes on the sidewalks, or renavating one apartment or another.
We were blessed to find such a nice place to live until we can get into our permanent home.
The office staff are all very nice people to deal with. Any request that is made is attended to promptly, and they are so friendly, and accomodating to our needs.
The pool will be opening soon, and you can see the workers cleaning around it, and getting prepared for opening day.
As I walk along, I see such a contrast in the skyline. The apartments are located in a nice quiet residential area, and when you look about 2 blocks away, there are huge skyscrapers looming in the distance! I like to take pictures of all of it to share with all of you. Coming from Walworth, New York, a country setting, to a major comunity like this has really stretched us. We can go just about anywhere we want to now, having learned a lot of tricks and short cuts. We even went to a park the othere day with Jules and Seamus, and we all rode on an old fashioned merry-go-round, and then on a small train ride. Such a change in our lives is a good thing. Being with our loved ones though, tops the cake, and makes all of the aggravation and stress of moving all worth it!
I am glad the Lord sent us here, but we do miss all of you....
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