Africa-Crusade

Charles was suppose to leave this afternoon for his 3rd annual trip to Malawi, Africa. He is apart of what they call the "A" team. A group of men who go to this particular village and minister for 9 days. Many months of prep time goes into getting such an event organized.

Much Prayer, Fasting and Finances go into such an event to be effective.

Tragically we received a call yesterday afternoon saying that the Assistant leader of the crusade had passed away with a sudden heart attack and that the Head leader had just suffered from a stroke the night before. Such attacks!

Sad to say the crusade has been canceled and Charles will not be leaving today to be apart of an event he prepares and looks forward to every year. He is most happy when he is able to be apart of a life being changed forever.

As Charles was preaching yesterday, it was the best I believe I've ever heard him preach, he was ministering to the whole body on " A season of sacrifice". As he was preaching I had this overwhelming urge to pray for him, I felt that it would be the last time I would see him. Would this be my season of sacrifice, as tears of the unknowing begin to swell in my eyes, not wanting to give my husband up yet, but willing if that is what the Lord wanted, I began to pray and ask God what ever was done that he keep His protecting hand upon my husband in everything he did in Malawi and bring him home safely.

After service we got the call the crusade was canceled, I told my husband what I felt in service and he said he felt that it would be the last time he'd preach in the pulpit also.

I do know that all things are in the Lords control, I thank Him for His loving hand of protection and keeping our men and team safe from harm.

Please remember Malawi, the village of people who this has affected and the men on the "A" team. Let this not be a set back for the word and truth to be spread into this village of desperate people.

MHR's Friday

Last Sunday marked a very special day for me, I turned 33. I told myself like I do every year, it's just another day, don't get all crazy emotional, homesick and sentimental. That mind set has been working for me for the last few years.

My Mom would make such a big deal out of every special day, we would come home on St. Patrick's day and have a basket full of goodies, Valentines Day, Easter, Christmas and of course our Birthdays. She continued to feel that she had to over do the giving for the lack of us having a Father in the home. She raised my sister and I the best she knew how and in doing so she made us feel so special on each Holiday which causes our expectations to be pretty high:-) I always tell Charles "it's my Mothers fault" but really I wouldn't trade the memories for the world and I plan to do the same for our girls (lol)

This particular Birthday Charles was in America for a dear friend and mentors funeral. My immidiate family are facing a lot of obstacles and are all scattered in different states. I knew I wouldn't see Charles, I wouldn't hear from my Mom, most likely my Dad would call while I was in church because of the time change, and Brandy my sister doesn't have a means of calling me. I woke up and prayed that God would not let me be petty, that I would be content in what I had and consider it a wonderful day because I had breath in my lungs, food on my table, a beautiful home to live in, a loving husband, healthy beautiful girls, and a loving church family, I'd say that should be enough:-)

That is just what I did and the day was going so great. As church begin that morning, there was nothing out of the ordinary which I was thankful for. The worship service was over and Sis. Suppan our Assistant Pastors wife got up and called me to the front, she said a few nice things and then presented me with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and a nice card with a gift certificate in it to a very nice store here in Vienna called Mango. I was so thankful for the nice presentation.....but she said there was more after church. At that time my mind began to run crazy, was Charles here to surprise me, were we going to do a conference call with him, was Heather coming here, after church were they taking me to the airport to fly to an unknown island full of fresh fruit and exotic flowers.....what was it, what could be more, what did they plan? My stomach was in knots and my mind was in full expectation of what lie ahead.

After service I entered into the Board room to find an elegant display of cakes, coffee, tea and red rosses everywhere, it smelled like a botanical garden when I entered. I was overwhelmed with joy and my heart was full of appreciation to everyone for making this day such a special day for me.

They had a slide presentation of different things I had been involved in this last year along with a few gifts for me to open. As I began to open Charles gift everyone was so excited. It was a photo album with a typed letter in it from him......I will post it in my next MHR's Post. At the end he said I hope this day meets up to all your expectations....and I said well I really thought Heather was going to jump out of a closet or a cake. At the moment I opened the photo album and there was a picture of Heather by a airplane and it said at 8 p.m she will arrive. (WHEN) today? Tomorrow? next week? Charles had this album made, it told the story leading up to the day of our Anniversary surprise...... Charles leaves on August 17th for Africa, Heather arrives on the 21st, to spend a few days with us, the 22nd we go to the orchestra, August 25th I meet Charles at the airport for our 15 year anniversary get away to Greece while Heather watches our girls.

Did it meet up to the best Birthday ever.......EVEN BETTER! My husband rocks, he always makes up for the difference, he might have to be gone a lot, travel here and there but he always makes it up, he is so thoughtful and romantic and really does care about the small things that please me and make me happy. I will cherish the story book he had made, it was a very special Birthday. Honey you rock!

Wordless Wednesday

Bedtime Rhymes

Since Charles has been gone I've been working with Aleia on memorizing her first bedtime rhyme, well she knows Twinkle Twinkle little star and Rock-a-bye,baby.

We are learning Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

She almost has it totally memorized and I'm so impressed, she can't wait until her daddy is home so she can say it with no help.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Bless the bed that I lie on.
Four corners to my bed.
Four angels round my head.
One to watch and one to pray.
And two to guide me through the day.

MHR-Friday

As our 15 year anniversary is approaching I can't help and look back to see how far Charles and I have come. I am so thankful that as I look back, I can say I'd do it all over again.

It has been a wonderful journey and after 15 years I am so proud to have such a loving, consistent, thoughtful, faithful, romantic, godly man by my side.

My husband rocks! He is my best friend, and my partner for life....I couldn't imagine life without him. Love you babe and miss ya too.

Eating Right

My Birthday is Sunday the 2nd and my 15 year Anniversary is the 27th so I figure it's time to get the cucumbers, tomatoes, fat free cheese and 8 glasses of water out in order to shed the 10 pounds I'm still carrying from the birth of T-REX.

I ate right yesterday and I'm doing pretty good today, just gotta fit in the exercise thing and I'll be doing just fine.

Random thoughts of the day:
1. Love my husband and kids
2. Hope my Sister is happy today
3. Think Brie-Brie will walk in a few days
4. Craving sweet tea
5. Loved Prayer last night

Going Home....Paw Paw Cole

Passing of Reverend Billy Cole

The arrangements for Brother Cole are as follows:

Monday, August 3rd 6-9pm Viewing
Tuesday, August 4th 4-6pm Viewing
Tuesday, August 4th 6pm Home Going Service

The viewing and funeral service will be held at North Charleston Apostolic Church, 2400 6th Avenue Charleston, West Virginia. 304.344.1466

Please pray for the entire Cole family as they mourn the loss of this incredible man of God.

We received the news that Bro. Cole Passed away yesterday around 4 p.m our time. Charles immediately got online and found a ticket out of Vienna into Detroit the same night and will head to WV with Bro. and Sis. Stark on Monday.

It was a long night of packing and organizing for his departure.

Aleia understands that Paw Paw Cole passed away. Charles kissed her good bye before he left at 4 a.m and she said she didn't want him to go but that she understood that Paw Paw Cole was Daddy's special Grandpa......and many of you know that he was more then that in so many ways to many people.

Bro. Cole was a man of passion, vision and consistency.... one you could depend on to Pray no matter what time of the day. He will be missed but what he leaves behind will go forward....I personally am so thankful for the time he spent in mentoring my husband and I, words can not begin to express how much we respected and honored Bro. Cole's opinion and advice.

We are so thankful our lives were touched by such an amazing man of God. He could have you laughing so hard you would cry and in a snap of a finger he could have you on your knees traveling under the anointing of God. He was unique in every way, his laugh was contagious and his eyes were soft and full of love and yet full of fire.

I will always hold close to my heart every word of encouragement he's given to us as a couple, and every prayer of anointing and blessing he has prayed over us as a family.

I am so grateful that Bro. Cole took the time for us and believe in us but most of all loved us and trusted us. We love you (Paw-Paw Cole) and will miss you so much.