Happy Anniversary Don & Rita

Since this blog is for family and friends I thought I would take advantage and wish my brother and sister a happy anniversary tomorrow. This comes from all of us here in Missouri wishing you a very happy anniversary day and a wonderful cruise. For those of you who don't know, they are headed out for a fun cruise and Don says after Rita putting up with him for all those years (40),, she deserves it! I think it's love!!

Well, once again, happy anniversary, love...

Mom, Peggy and Ken, & Perkitty

The Husband!

I just wanted all of you to see the type of pictures Ken posts on his blogspot while I am out of town. He also calls himself a "Convoy of Hope widower." I would feel sorry for him but when he uses ploys like this I just figure you should know to feel sorry for me!! Let's just give him a round of applause for effort and the bravery for putting out a picture of himself looking like this!

Love ya' honey, be home soon, maybe...

Concord, California, Convoy of Hope

The people came out and we had a fun and exciting day. Nearly 4,000 guests attended the Convoy of Hope and with 500+ volunteers we were able to treat each one as a "guest of honor" from the moment they entered the site until they were helped to their vehicle with their groceries. God really blessed us with great weather and people were blessed in many ways as they were shown His love. One hundred and forty children gave their hearts to Jesus and over 100 adults accepted Him. Seeds were planted and the work is only just begun. God did a mighty work and I believe everyone was excited and happy at how the day went. Free haircuts were given, medical and dental exams, community services and job information was given out, tri-tip sandwiches and a fantastic kids area with bounce houses and climbing thingies!! It was fun, fun, fun!

Joyce St. John, is that you in there???
Joyce Pryor my long time friend handed out over 5700 lunches! Okay, she did have help. There I am with the truck. And Ken's sister Ellene and her girls, Beverly and Pamela, came to see what I do. It was great to see them and great to see many people I know from Calvary Temple.

Mom & I Head to California

Mom and I are headed to California for the Convoy of Hope and to visit friends and family. Looking forward to a great trip together.

Mom's New Home, Part 7

The last of the tour.

Mom's Address & Birthday

Just in case you missed it, I am readying some address changes for California and thought I'd include mom's address here once again along with a picture. Today is her birthday, the first one without a card from daddy. We will be taking her to Lambert's the home of the throwed rolls! She still can't catch one but Ken will do that for her! Call her if you can.

New Address for Virginia:

Virginia L. Paul
3195 N. Circle Lane #315C
Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 833-3310
cell: (925) 212-1065

Mom's New Home, Part 6

Tired, but Excited

What a weekend. I am sitting in the airport and I am tired but I am excited over what God did this past weekend at the women's retreat at Glorieta, New Mexico. I ministered with some beautiful women and God moved in His mighty way. We had an awesome time. Greater Vision from Louisiana did praise and worship and Barbara Naranjo also shared in worship. We had a beautiful banquet Saturday night followed by Jewish Seder and then a service where God definitely had His way and we just followed His direction. I believe the women attending the retreat went home having been met by God and filled with His presence and needs met and hearts filled.

I enjoyed spending time with my niece Debbie and being used to minister to the women at the retreat, thank you Jesus for your move.

Pictures show some of the ladies from the retreat, the fun flip flop craft and Debbie and I.

Speaking in Glorieta, New Mexico

I am sitting in the Springfield airport waiting for my flight to Albuquerque. I will be speaking at a women's retreat this weekend at Glorieta. I am really looking forward to this and excited to see what God has for each of us as He uses me and touches each of the ladies in attendance. I will be rooming with Debbie Burns my niece and look forward to spending time with her. Well, praying for an exciting time and looking forward to what is ahead for this weekend. Will let you know.

The picture is a hint of one of the sessions and what I will be sharing on!

Mom's New Home, Part 5

Mom's New Home, Part 4

Mom's New Home, Part 3

Mom's New Home, Part 2

My Nephew

This is Andrew my nephew. Wow! That about sums it up. Of course, the great photography kudos go to his mom, Heidi. Yep, I'm a little proud of all of them, even Mike who was probably right there with them keeping them sane!

Mom's New Home, Part 1

Here's a tour of Mom's new home at Maranatha Village in several installments.

A Quiet Escape

Our adopted kids, Tim and Robin, got us a two-night stay at Big Cedar Lodge near Branson and we are headed that way. A quiet two days? I don't think so! In the middle of it we have press passes to Silver Dollar City, which we love, for the Southern Gospel Picnic and Singing on the Grounds. We couldn't pass that up! We have decided not to take our computers though, so you won't be hearing from us on our blogs, thus this one! You have a couple of great days and we'll talk at ya'll when we return. Notice the southern drawl. I'm gettin' geared up and when ya can, ya'll all come and we'll take ya to Silver Dollar City for your own hog jowl and chittlin's.

Alfred William Paul

(September 17, 1916 - April 20, 2007)

Alfred W. Paul of Springfield was born on September 17, 1916 in Veneta, Oregon, the son of Fredrick D. and Nora V. (Morton) Paul. He passed away on Friday, April 20, 2007 at St. John’s Hospital at the age of 90. He drove for Greyhound Bus Lines for 38 years, retiring in 1981. Previously of Concord, California he attended Calvary Temple Church for 54 years before moving to Springfield to be near family.

Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 65 years, Virginia; son Don Paul and wife Rita of Ashland, Oregon; daughter Peggy Horn and husband Ken of Springfield, MO; granddaughter Heidi Westfall and husband Mike of Yelm, Washington; great grandson Andrew Westfall; brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Celebration of Life services were held on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home, Rivermonte Chapel, 4500 S. Lone Pine, Springfield, MO 65804. A private family interment followed.

We can never be separated from those we love because God leaves us with memories to hold, and love that doesn’t pass away.
And in time, we realize that our loved one lives on—not only in heaven but within our hearts.
“Our days of mourning will come to an end.”
Isaiah 60:20 (NLT)

New Address for Virginia:

Virginia L. Paul
3195 N. Circle Lane #315C
Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 833-3310

Mom's New Home

Mother is really enjoying her new apartment at Maranatha Village. She has moved in and is doing very well. Her things look very nice and she has met many new friends. As a matter of fact the other night when I called she had to hang up because she was "playing dominoes right now" and couldn't talk to me!

Last night while Ken and I were there visiting and this morning while I was there the hummingbirds were going wild on the feeder next door. There must have been a dozen of them darting in and out of the feeder and then back into the tree below Mom's balcony.

Mom also watches the turkeys and deer below her deck and has a beautiful view of the trees below her place.

We all seem to be adjusting well but we do still miss "Daddy."

RAIN!

We finally had some rain last night and are hearing thunder even as I write this blog. Hoping to soon feel the rain! It's hot, hot, hot again today but suppose to be slowly cooling—meaning it may hit low nineties early this next week!

I am slowly getting things caught up after returning from General Council and mother returning from Oregon. It seems there's never a day to just relax and slow down. The cars need their safety inspections, then licensing; we still have garage sale items filling the garage, goodwill items to pack, to get picked up or taken; and on and on and on....

Trips coming up:

I am speaking at a women's retreat in Glorietta, New Mexico next month and also working with Convoy of Hope in Concord, California the next weekend. Mom's going with me on that trip to visit her friends and I hope to see many of mine.

Ken has a trip to Sri Lanka and India on hold, probably some time in September or early October.

Ken and I just booked a cruise in October-November with friends Jim and Sherryl Ford and are looking forward to lots of rest and relaxation, picture taking, and just good old plain having a great time.

Well hope to hear from some of you soon and see some of you on my trips. Will this hot summer never end?!

Blazing Heat Continues

A record heatwave continues to pummel the Midwest. Right now, at 9 o'clock at night, it is still 90 degrees outside with a heat index of 92.

Friday at General Council

Well General Council is coming to a close. This will be our last day in the booth but a busy day. We have five book signings today and a heavy schedule. It's been a fun time and we've seen many friends and aquaintances. We always enjoy our time here and hate to see it come to an end. Of course tomorrow it's the Convoy of Hope and that means work, work, work!