The Importance of a Captured Israelite Girl OR How to act when things don't go my way!

What a blessing to find newness in the Word of God! Last Sunday our minister mentioned 2 KI 5 about the healing of Naaman the leper. I had read it before, but I had never seen that the young girl in the story had been captured from Israel. She was in Aram, as a slave to Naaman's wife. Could we be right in thinking that things weren't going her way? Yet, she apparently heard that Naaman had leprosy. She believed the prophet Elisha could help the man who held her captive and shared that with her mistress! What does that say about her heart - about her forgiveness of him? Naaman was healed and we hear nothing of that little girl. It struck me deeply, because there is unfairness in life - even for believers, who are trying to hear from God and wanting to obey Him.

Then on Thursday, the Lord suggested I read Luke 4 during my quiet time. I thought "temptation chapter - I've read it before,but OK". Well, it does talk about the temptation of Jesus, but it also includes Jesus' words in the synagogue. Verse 27 = And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed - only Naaman the Syrian.

Ok - Jesus could have spoken about so many situations in the Bible to get His point across, but He chose the Naaman story. It was an important point in history and of great significance to those to whom He was speaking. What if that little girl had not mentioned Elisha? How do I react in unfair situations? Can I always be faithful and forgiving to honor Him? This I do pray.

Serene - quiet - secluded - beautiful get-away

What a blessing we received from the Lord! We made plans to take time away to celebrate Jim's birthday. I bid the price of a Motel 6 room on Priceline and we were TREATED to a $199 a night room at a wonderful resort. There were 5 pools and miles of beautiful walkways and gardens and lots of opportunities to relax. They even gave us terry cloth robes to wear! We did have slow mornings and didn't rush. We both like to work, but rushing off to work 5 mornings a week does get old at our ages! While there, I passed out 297 Sweet Evangelism packages and that was a thrill. Wonder how the Lord has already used each one? Enjoy pictures of our special treat time!

Although Phoenix is only 2 hrs away,it is lower in elevation and supports different plants. Here are some examples of 3 varieties that do not grow in Green Valley.

This tree is really cool. Unfortunately, our pic didn't come out too well. Guess we'll have to return for a better shot someday - good plan!

We took a nice trolley ride in downtown Scottsdale and saw these sites from the trolley. We plan to return one day to check out the many art shops and see the beautiful work they offer. For today, it was just nice to have someone else do the driving. The streets were a thrill, because they reminded us of New Zealand. There were flower pots on nearly every corner - so much charm!

So - see the little canal of water in front of this huge condo? Would you then call this waterfront property? Well, apparently, they can justify this. We laughed.

Missy

Since I have learned how to publish videos, I will show you two from our little Missy. She is no longer with us, but is on 5 acres with a grandma and her family. We received a complaint and were in trouble with animal control. So, her barking little self is on 5 acres and there's noone to care if she barks her head off. Anyway, here is some footage on her. She did love her ball! By the way, we do now have flooring and walls installed!

Rex Allen Days October 10/3 to 10/5/2008

Welcome to Willcox, Az! For whatever reason, Arizonans seem to want to letter their mountains. So - check out "W" Mountain! Yes, it ia hard to see, because we are miles away, but there is a very large W in white rocks. The bridge pic from the west shows whooping cranes, which migrate here each winter. The special event is called Wings over Willcox. The pic from the east shows the train, which helped establish this town.

These pics are from the Willcox Depot, which has been restored. Geronimo is in the pic with many other Apaches. They had been arrested. It is a sad, but true, part of our history.

After a wonderful day of concerts in the courtyard between the Rex Allen Museum and Theater, we headed to our hotel in Benson. Look at how the Lord blessed us! We weren't sure that any of the pics would come out, because we were driving at the time, but check these out!!!

Willcox is a rural small town. Rex Allen was born there and this weekend is a MAJOR money making event. There is a museum there and they do get some tourism from that. Marty Robbins' Museum has also moved there. The pic of these 2 sheriff -pretend ones - is typical of many of thr residents. They choose to wear such outfits around town and they wear real guns - legal in AZ. I tried to joke with the lady pictured and she was much too serious to chuckle with me. That is her identity.

Scotty Fitch and the Silver Screen Ranch Hands - excellent band

Johnny Bencomo with his 18 string guitar

This is from a Q and A session. We have REx, Charlie Rich Jr, Pedro Jr, Bix ? (high school friend who is now a lawyer in LA - excellent guitar player), son Logan Allen.

Here are Rex and his twin sons Logan and Cody, 20 yr olds with A avg in college.

Here are Pedro and Rex - their dads worked together and they are close friends.

I just added 2 video snips from the weekend. The blog has decided to place them at the end of this for whatever reason. One is from the concert. Pedro is actually playing frying pans. The roping guy used to work as a cowboy and then was in the circus for years. He comes down to the parade to perform each year. In this clip, he is using a rope with coke cans strung up. 10/5/8 morning sunrise in Benson

The road up to Coronado National Monument. This National Park is south of Sierra Vista and on the border of Mexico. Poor Coronado ended up falling off a horse, having a concussion and dying in obscurity 10 years later. The National Park speaks of his courage. He came from Spain to conquer the land for the King of Spain AND to spread the message of Jesus Christ. In the end, he did both - but not during his lifetime. He explored and others came later to settle in and share Jesus with others.

This tree shows fire damage.

Ok, imagine standing on the (almost) top of the world and looking around in a circle. These pics show what we saw at the top of this mountain. I think it was 6800 ft high - a nice hike and so worth it!

Here we are at the end of a blessed journey. We are looking toward home toward our Santa Rita Mountains. What a wonderful place to live! Actually, we had an even bigger thrill after we left this site. When we asked our waitress for a prayer request, her eyes welled up with tears. She had a cousin who susvived a suicide attempt and was facing face reconstruction, her girl friend has just died and her finances were in a mess and she was already working 2 jobs. We prayed right awya and gave her a Bible and a tract. She returned and asked for another tract. We talked more and she accepted 2 New Testaments and tracts for other friends. She is a believer and her name is Coco.