Tennessee Friends

(Laura and me)

My dear friend Laura Harris Smith from Tennessee. I came across her devotional pincodes on you tube. On July 12, 2011 we became fb friends. I was fortunate to travel down to Nashville and meet her, her husband and family on August 7, 2011 at the Eastgate church where they pastor.

                                     (Chris, Laura, and their youngest Jenesis...Plus my family)

(Jeorgi Smith-The one who got me started with this blog)

Since our first time meeting, we've been able to see each other a few times when we've gone to TN. I'm thankful for all the new friends I've met every time I'm at Eastgate church. I consider Eastgate to be "My home away from home church." :)
Tomorrow I get to see Laura and her family. They are in Illinois because her husband's family lives up here. Then on Tuesday I get to see Emily Dunn who goes to Eastgate Church in TN. She is up here visiting her grandparents and every year stops by our house to visit. I'm excited to see everyone again.

(Me, Emily, my sister Allyson----Emily is getting ready to make another trip to Ghana)

Laura has a new book coming out entitled "Seeing the Voice of God" (about dreams). It comes out officially in bookstores January 7th and it can be pre-ordered. So far it has sold out. Yay!
( https://www.facebook.com/LauraHarrisSmithPage  Here is the link to her facebook author page)

About two weekends ago I was talking to Laura. She was having problems with her facebook author page uploading videos. Her publisher for her new book "Seeing the Voice of God: What God is telling you through dreams and visions," said to her that all the videos needed uploaded by Saturday, but for some reason it was not working. By midnight of Friday we decided to call it a night and continue praying about it. The next day I was supposed to teach piano in the morning and go ice skating in Champaign later. My students were not able to make it and then the ice skating plans fell through because of my friend's schedule. (We ended up going out to eat that night instead). God knew that He would have to clear my schedule in order for being able to talk with Laura. Friday at midnight we decided it would be best to get some rest and try working on it again the next day. Saturday we kept trying to figure out the reason why her videos were not uploading properly. We researched lots of information online, tried deleting cache and cookies, amongst several other attempts. Nothing seemed to be working! Well, then Laura asked me if I would be interested in helping her out with her speaking events by being her interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing. We would also have time to pray for people afterwards. I was so excited and said yes. :) As soon as I agreed everything miraculously started working again. Her cousin, who also works with the deaf said she would help too after I agreed to helping. It is quite interesting that I was praying about my future. I had been asking God if it would be His will for me to perhaps get my certification as a sign language interpreter after nursing school because I really want to continue working with the deaf. They are such great people. The Lord definitely answered my prayers in a unique way. We never figured out what the problem was, but we do know that God's will was accomplished by this happening. I can not wait to see the blessings, and healings that will take place along with the places the Lord will take us. God is Awesome!

Deck the Halls: Christmas Piano Duet with sister

Another video: My sister and I playing a duet called "Deck The Halls." We performed it a long time ago at a recital.

When we all get to Heaven: Piano

Me playing the song "When we all get to Heaven" on the piano. Hope you like it. :)

 

What happens when you stop going to church?

One of my friends on facebook posted this and I thought it would be great to share with you all.

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited.

The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

 

The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember’s flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and “dead as a doornail.” Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.”

Keep on glowing in your life. So go to church daily or as often as you can.

Funny Story: At Starbucks

Funny story: When I was at Starbucks there were some people that came in. I first just saw the man in a suit and tie, then later his wife and 2 other youth kids. They were very nice and asked how I was doing. I said I was doing good and I asked them how they were. The man says, “Oh, I don’t think you’ve met my wife.” After being introduced he then asks me, “So are you going to church tonight?” At this point I’m confused and wondering who these people were, but thought, they must have seen me at this huge church or knew me from somewhere. I said, “Yes I’m planning on going. I think there is a special speaker. If I remember right his name is Josh….” Then I go on to ask him about other special upcoming events, but he wasn’t sure what I was really talking about. He then said, “Well, I will see you at church tonight.” Later…I get to church, have worship service, and they introduce the guest speaker. To my surprise it was Josh (from Indiana) who I had apparently spoken to at Starbucks. He never said that the speaker I was referring to was him! Apparently my mom knew him and after the service he approached her saying, “Hi Kendra.” I couldn’t believe they knew each other from when he went to church in this area and he knew me when I was growing up before he moved. I was so shocked.

National Friendship Day

It is National Friendship Day. I am so thankful for all the friends I have. Thank you to all my friends for always being there for me and for all the great times we have had. I am most thankful for the friendship I have with the Jesus! It is the most important relationship anyone can have. He is always there for me and I love Him very much! God bless each and everyone of you.