Choices: A Journey Through Life With God As The Pilot 705m41

CHOICES

A Journey Through Life with God as The Pilot

LINDA BLANKENSHIP OUSLEY

Copyright © 2012 by Linda Blankenship Ousley.

ISBN:

Softcover Ebook

978-1-4797-2054-5 978-1-4797-2055-2

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Contents

1. A Still Small Voice

Every Hour

2. Saved By the Voice

God is Here—God is Near

3. Have Faith in God

LIFE

4. A Little Child Shall Lead Them

WHY?

5. Walking By Faith

A New Beginning

6. Waiting In The Wings

One for All

7. The Mashed Potato Miracle

The Bread of Life

8. Raining Desks

Jesus Watches Over Me

9. Just Do It

Repent

10. Intruder in the Building

In the Arms of Jesus

11. Wake Up and Smell the Roses

Thank You God

12. A Tragic But Glorious Week

The Choice

13. Angel In The Car

One More Day

14. I Can’t Get By With a Thing

Don’t Let Satan

15. In A Hurry

G O D

16. A Matter of Faith

The Mission

A Still Small Voice

I guess the first time I heard that “still, small voice of God” was when I was about six years old. We were at a revival service and the guest pastor asked for a child to come up and answer a question. The piano player had just played the song “Jesus Loves Me” a few minutes before. As shy as I was back then, I don’t know why I went up there but I did. I approached the guest pastor and he pulled a dime out of his pocket. He said, “If you can tell me the name of the song that was just played, I will give you this dime.” I replied “It was Jesus Loves Me.” He handed me the dime and I went back to my seat.

As soon as I sat down and before I could think of what I was going to spend that dime on, the “still, small voice” said to me, “You should put that dime in the offering plate when it comes by.” I thought about wanting to buy some candy with it. I heard the voice say, “If you really want to please me then put it in the offering.” I didn’t know what to do. By that time the offering plate was coming down our row. When it got in front of me, I dropped the dime in as fast as I could before I changed my mind.

I guess this was my first test and I ed. Although this was the first time I heard that “still, small voice of God,” there would be many more times to follow.

Every Hour

I need Thee every hour, I need your mighty power. I need for You to say, “I love you” every day. I need to know You’re there. When I come to you in prayer. I need to hear your still, small voice, Telling me I have a choice. I need to read my Bible everyday, So I’ll know for me what You have to say. All of this I need to do, So I can stay real close to You.

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

Saved By the Voice

One day when I was in the sixth grade, I was walking home from school when two men in a car spotted me on the side walk. They turned around in the road and stopped. One of the men stuck his head out of the window and said; “Hey little girl, would you like some candy.” My Mom had always told me never to take candy from a stranger because they would take me away and hurt me. I was so scared.

That “still, small voice of God” said to me “Turn the other way and run as fast as you can all the way home and don’t look back.” That is exactly what I did—I ran all the way home as fast as I could and never even looked back to see if they were coming after me.

When I got home I ran into the house. My Grandmother was there but my Mom was at work.

For some reason I never told anyone what had happened. If it had not been for my mother telling me not to take candy from a stranger and that “still, small voice of God,” I might not be here today.

God is Here—God is Near

God is here. God is near. He’s always ready with a listening ear. When things get rough, And no one is there, Take it to the Lord in prayer. Then watch and see how things work out. Be patient and not full of doubt. God knows and meets our every need, And on His word we need to feed. This will help us our whole life through, Especially at times when we don’t know what to do. Isn’t it great that God loves us so? It sure is a great and wonderful thing to know.

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

Have Faith in God

In 1972 when my first son was a baby, we were renting a duplex on the north side of town. Because we had not been married very long, we were still renting. We wanted to own a home, but we really didn’t have the money yet.

I prayed several times and asked God for a home of our own—not a fancy one, but just a small house with a nice yard.

One day, we saw a rock house that was for sale. We went to look at it, and it was nice. We tried to get a loan, but were unable to get approved. I was still praying by faith that we would get a home of our own.

Later, we saw another rock house on the south side of town. The man and his wife who were selling it told us they would hold the note if we had a thousand dollars to put down. We explained to them we didn’t have a thousand dollars. They came back and told us if we could put five hundred dollars down, they would let us have the house. We again told them we didn’t have that amount of extra money—back then that was a lot of money. We went on with our lives and set aside our dream to own a house.

About two months had gone by when there was a knock at the door. I opened the door and to my surprise it was the man who owned the house I had wanted and prayed for. He and his wife had talked about the situation and decided to let us have the house with no down payment—just start making the payments. I couldn’t wait to tell my husband we had our first house thanks to God! The owner made out the contract and the amortization schedule and we moved into our first home.

God is so good and meets our needs if we only have faith and believe.

LIFE

To live is to need. To need is to dream. To dream is to wish. To wish is to want. To want is to pray. To pray is to ask. To ask is to hope. To hope is to believe. To believe is to have faith. To have faith is to have patience. To have patience is to wait on the Lord. To wait on the Lord is to have. To have means it’s yours. By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

Therefore, I say unto you, whatsoever things ye desire, when you pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24

A Little Child Shall Lead Them

When my oldest son was about three, I took him to a little drive-in we had in town for some ice cream. I parked in front of the order window and ordered. When I looked back I didn’t see my son anywhere.

At first I panicked as I searched the parking lot. Then I saw a large truck and my son standing at the driver side door looking up. I immediately went over to him and scolded him. The driver of the truck smiled and explained that my son was over there inviting him to church. It really caught me by surprise because I didn’t think a three year old would know to do that even though I took him to church and tried to be a good example at home.

This really impressed on me the importance of teaching your children the right things and also let me know that Jesus was already working in my son’s life. The Bible teaches that God knows us and has a plan for us even before we are born. I didn’t know what the plan was yet for my son, but I knew God had one if it was only to tell a truck driver that he needed to be in church.

WHY?

We wonder why the world is so bad, Why crime is so rampant and people are sad. Why so many babies are born everyday, And thrown in the trash because they’re just in the way. We sit in our pews so smug every week, But when we’re out in the world, We forget how to speak. Christians bearing fruit is what God needs, And He’s depending on us to plant the seeds. So pray and ask God to show you the way, And next time you see someone You’ll know what to say By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders. Psalms 107:31-32

Walking By Faith

When my first two children were small, I stopped going to church because my husband would not go. I don’t know why I thought that would help, but that’s what I did.

After almost a year, God spoke to me in my spirit one day. He told me my children and I needed to be in church even if my husband would not go. I really felt convicted about not taking my children to church. The next Sunday I got up and got my children ready. We started walking because we did not have a car that was running. The distance to church was about three miles, but I was so determined to go I didn’t even think about that—but God did! About one block from our house, a couple going to another church stopped and asked us if we needed a ride. We got in and they took us to our church. We were given a ride home also. That just goes to show that if you obey God, he will make a way where there is no way.

I never stopped going to church again.

A New Beginning

Are you lonesome today? Did you miss me today? Are you sorry you drifted away? Is your heart full of sin? Do you want me again To forgive you and come in to stay? Can you hear me today? Can you feel me today? For days I have been tugging at your heart. I’m so glad you asked me in And I forgive you of all your sin. And now you can begin again.

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

For whom the Lord loveth, he correcteth; even as a father, the son in whom he delighteth. Proverbs 3:12

Waiting In The Wings

Some time ago, I was on my way home from visiting my mother in another town where she lived. About three miles from home my tire blew out and went flat. At first I didn’t know what to do. Then I ed there was a convenience store just up the road. If I could get there I could call for help. I hobbled down the road to the store. When I arrived and pulled into the parking lot, there were two men just standing there. They came right over to me as if they were expecting me and asked if I had a spare. I thought I did. We opened the trunk and there was a tire.

They took the flat tire off and put the spare on. When the jack was let down, the spare was flat also. The men aired the tire up and told me they would follow me into town to make sure it didn’t go flat until I got home. I pulled out with them behind me. When I got to my street, I turned and looked—they were gone!

I wondered where they came from and where they had gone. It was as if God had sent them to see that I would make it home O.K. I thanked God for taking such good care of me!

One for All

All for one and one for all Jesus is the one to call.

He will help you every day To keep the devil far away.

Jesus is my joy, my all. He picks me up whenever I fall.

I pray to Him each and every day. He’s in my heart and there He’ll stay.

He watches everything I do. He’s always there to see me through.

When I stray, He’s close behind So I can make it back just fine.

I will never be lost again Since Jesus forgave me of all my sin.

So ask for Jesus when you call, Because He’s all for one and the one for all.

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his comions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22 & 23

The Mashed Potato Miracle

When my children were little, I was cooking supper one night. At that time we didn’t have much money, and it was hard to come up with something for supper to feed all of us. I had a husband and three children to feed.

I looked in the cupboard to see what I could find and pulled out a small box of instant mashed potatoes. The box contained about one half cup, enough to make one helping. I decided to make them up for my husband and find something else for the children and me. I put a little water in a pan and heated it up with a little salt and pepper. When the water was hot I added a little butter and milk along with the half cup of instant mashed potatoes. To my surprise, the mixture became thick. I added a little more milk and stirred some more. Again, the mixture became thick and I added some more milk. This went on until I had a full pan of mashed potatoes—enough to feed the entire family.

This reminded me of when Jesus fed the five thousand with only a few fish and barley loaves. Who says that miracles don’t happen anymore! My children call this “the mashed potato miracle.” God is so good!

The Bread of Life

Jesus is the bread of life, the truth and the light. We walk with him day by day by faith and not by sight.

He feeds us with his holy word as we live our lives each day. And when we want to talk to him, we bow our heads and pray.

His body was broken for our sins. His blood was spilled for us. So all we have to do to live is to believe in him and trust.

So take the bread he so freely gave For when you die you shall be saved.

The world is filled up with evil and strife, But you can be filled with the bread of life!

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

God will supply all your needs according to his riches in Glory.

Philippians 4:19

Raining Desks

When working at a middle school as a janitor, we worked long hours in the summer time to get the school ready for the next school year. An example of one of the things we did was to clean all of the desks. We put them all out in the hall and stacked them about three or four high to save room until they could be cleaned. While cleaning them one day so they could be put back in the rooms, I pulled one down to clean it. The rest of the desks fell down around me. I put my arms around my head to protect it while the desks came crashing down. After the last one fell, I looked up to see my supervisor. He had helped stack them up. His eyes were as big as saucers. To my surprise not one desk had touched me anywhere.

I couldn’t believe it. It could have only been God or his angels who covered me and kept the desks from hurting me. It still gives me goose bumps when I think about it.

Jesus Watches Over Me

Jesus watches over me. He doesn’t even charge a fee. Everything he does is free. There’s nothing that he cannot see. He wants us all to talk to him, And do our best not to sin. Life without him would be grim. All you have to do is say, “I love you Jesus,” everyday. “I want you in my heart to stay,” And he will never go away!

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

He keepeth all of his bones; not one of them is broken. Psalms 34:20

Just Do It

I was sitting in a café eating when some kids came in to buy some candy at the counter. When they picked out what they wanted, they needed a few pennies to buy the candy. There was that voice again in my spirit—“Go up there and give them the money they need to buy the candy. It’s only a few pennies.” I just sat there. I don’t know why, but I did! The kids had to put some of the candy back. After they left, I felt really bad. I asked God to forgive me and told him that the next time I would not disappoint him.

A few weeks later, I was standing in line at the grocery store. A boy about ten was buying some bread and things for his mother. When he paid for the items, he was a quarter short. I thought, “God is giving me another chance.” I grabbed my purse and pulled out a quarter as fast as I could. I said “here—here I have a quarter you can have.” The boy smiled and said “Thank you.” I felt so good when I left the store

I learned that when God says to do something to just do it or you will miss a real blessing.

Repent

What does it mean when we say “we repent?” “Re” is for the reason our Savior was sent. “Pent” is for the pain that we are sorry for

“Re” is for the relationship that we wish to restore. “Pent” is for penance to show we are sincere.

“Re” is for reverence to again be made pure. “Pent” is for parting with sins we have done.

“Re” is for ing why God sent his son. “Pent” means we are pardoned and life starts anew.

My sins were forgiven when I repented And your sins can be forgiven too!

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him and cleave unto him. Deuteronomy 13:4

Let us not be weary in well doing: For in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Intruder in the Building

At one point in my life, I worked in a small nursing home for the mentally handicapped. I was in charge of the night shift. There was only one nurse aide working with me. There were about forty-six clients who were all in bed at that time. About 12:30 AM, I went down the hall to check on the clients. On my way back, I glanced into the lobby and there stood two men. The first thing that went through my mind was we probably are going to be hurt or worse. Just then God’s voice said to me, “Just calm down. Everything is going to be all right. Don’t panic. I called out to the girl working with me and she came out from behind the nursing station. She started talking to them because she knew one of the men. He had been fired from the nursing home several months before. Both men were drunk and we weren’t sure what they wanted. While she talked to them, I slipped into the nursing station, closed the door and took the phone under the desk where they could not see me. I called the police, misdialing the first time but getting through the second time. I told the lady on the phone there were two men in the nursing home and to please send the police. She said, “I can’t hear you.” I was afraid to speak very loud but I repeated the words a little louder. When I hung up, I went back out. One of the men said, “You called the police didn’t you?” “What did you expect,” my co-worker said.

Just then there was a knock at the laundry room door. It was the police. I ran to let them in. The officer put handcuffs on one of the men, and started to put them on the second one. The fight was on! I heard a big pop. The policeman had hit the second man on the head with his night stick. Another officer came running in, and they handcuffed the second intruder. They took them both away.

If it had not been for the still small voice telling me to stay calm, I don’t know how this would have turned out. God takes care of us even when things get real bad.

In the Arms of Jesus

In the arms of Jesus I lay Resting, trusting every day. The world so cruel in every way.

But His arms are strong And they hold me tight As he whispers in my heart, And he tells me what’s right.

Even though sometimes I stray, I even forget sometimes to pray. But Jesus still loves me anyway.

He picks me up each time I fall And he blesses me when I give my all.

He loves me if I’m good or bad, When I’m happy or when I’m sad.

So give your heart to Jesus today. Then in his arms you too can lay.

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Wake Up and Smell the Roses

In 1986, I worked in a nursing home for the elderly. Working there made me realize just how much we take for granted. We go about our busy lives every day, not thinking about how or what it would be like if we could not walk, talk, use the bathroom by ourselves, make someone understand what we wanted or scratch an itch.

I was confronted with this reality one day when I was tending to a lady in the nursing home. While I was feeding her, I was sitting there complaining to her about having to go home and fix supper. As I looked down at her crippled body, lying there with one leg gone and the other drawn up, sweating and shaking in pain, I said “I bet you would give anything if you could go home and cook a meal right now.” She replied, “Oh yes, I would give anything if I could go home and cook.”

I was so ashamed of myself. Instead of being in this bed, she would love to get out of bed, go home and cook, walk, or even have a few moments without pain. No matter how bad life gets, there are always people who have it a lot worse than we do.

I never complained about having to go home and cook again. I thank God that I can do for myself. I also tried harder to be kind and helpful to my patients because we never know when we may need help. The Bible says that we will reap what we sow, and I believe that.

Thank You God

Did you ever take the time To Thank God for sending his son, For all the things He’s given you And all the things He’s done? We live our lives from day to day, And don’t each day to say, “Thank you God” Do we really mean it when we pray, Or are we just repeating the same old words Day after day? It’s something to think about, Wouldn’t you say?

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7

A Tragic But Glorious Week

My oldest son had married his sweetheart in December of their last year of High School. They had met at church camp. He was nineteen and she was eighteen. In May they both graduated and were looking forward to the rest of their lives together. Unfortunately in July of that same year my son had a very bad accident resulting in a very bad closed head (brain) injury. At first the doctors said he would be OK in a few days; but as time went on, he got worse. (His younger brother was with him and was also hurt, but recovered.)

As we sat in the waiting room, people came and went. We used this opportunity to witness to them about God as we waited for our turn to see Mike in ICU. We told everyone who came in that Jesus cares for them. One instance was a lady who came in the waiting room and sat down. As we talked, she told us her son had been stabbed in a bar. She explained she was a gospel singer, but her son had turned away from God and was not living as a Christian.

By this time the doctors told us that my son was not going to make it. For a week we had been praying so hard for him to recover as were many friends, family and churches. It seemed as if we and God were playing tug of war with him, trying to keep him with us. I went to the chapel one last time and told God that I would try to understand whatever his will was. When I went to see my son, I knew he was not going to stay with us.

At this time, the young man who had been stabbed was waiting for surgery. I told my daughter-in-law and her family that I felt I should say something to the young man. They encouraged me to talk to him if that was how I felt led. I went up to his room. His mother was sitting with him. I didn’t know what I was going to say so I just introduced myself and told him my son was down in ICU, not expected to live. I continued, “God has given you a second chance so please take

that second chance and do what is right with your life.” I turned around and walked out. After a bit, his mother came down to the waiting room and thanked me for what I said. She said her son didn’t know what to say. I don’t know what happened to that young man. Mike died a couple of days later and I never saw him or his mother again. I pray what I said that day made an impact in his life. I know I will see my son again in Heaven. Then I will also find out what happened to the young man that was stabbed.

God, as he always does, got me through this very hard time in my life!

The Choice

Jesus died for us alone So in Heaven we could have a home.

Our life on earth is shortly gone. Our body will die but the soul lives on. The choices you make while here on earth Will determine if you parish or be given a new birth.

God loves us each and everyone That’s why he sent his only son To take our place and pay for our sin So we can be forgiven and start again.

You must choose whom you will serve. The right to choose is in God’s word. You can’t go wrong with God at your side. That’s the reason Jesus died.

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Angel In The Car

I was on my way to work, traveling about 45 miles per hour, when I came around a curve. At a cross road after the curve a large county truck was sitting at the stop sign. As I came to the cross road, I glanced over at the truck. To my surprise, the truck was crossing the road I was on. I don’t know if he didn’t see me, but we were going to crash. Immediately I heard a loud voice say to me “Gun It!” I pressed the gas pedal down until it hit the floor of the car. Still looking at the man in the truck, my car jumped forward and it seemed as if the truck went through the back of my car. My heart was pounding as I drove down the road.

“Thank you Jesus for saving my life,” I whispered, “and thank you guardian angel.

One More Day

Thank you Lord for one more day. Thank you for the days you give. Give me Lord the words to say So others may hear your word and live. Thank you Lord for one more day. The days go by too fast. Before you know, they fade away And everything is in the past. So help me Lord to do the things That I should do today, And this I’ll say that everyday I will thank you for it When I pray.

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalms 91:11

I Can’t Get By With a Thing

We had a revival in our church. The guest pastor started every night with the same question, “How do you know you are a Christian?” Then everyone would say, “I can’t get away with a thing.” I know exactly what he was talking about!

My first husband would come home from the store and brag about getting something for less money because he switched the price tag. Money was very tight but I knew as a Christian that was not honest.

One day I was at a store and I wanted a pair of shoes that cost more than what I had. I saw another pair for less money. I knew it was wrong, but I changed the price sticker and took the shoes to the checkout. The clerk said, “This is not the right price.” I was so embarrassed. I don’t know if she knew but I knew that God knew. When I got back in my car, I felt so guilty. I prayed, “I am so sorry god! I will never do that again. Please forgive me.” And I never did anything like that again!

Christians aren’t always perfect, but as children of God, we have the Holy Spirit that convicts us when we do something we know goes against God’s word and plan for our life.

Don’t Let Satan

Don’t let Satan pull you down. Don’t let Satan make you frown. Don’t let Satan take your song, And make you do what you know is wrong. God can help you every day To not let Satan get in the way. All you have to do is pray, “Get thee behind me Satan” And God will never let him stay. But if you pray for God to stay, He will never go away.

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and depart from evil. Proverbs 3: 7

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His

correction. Proverbs 3: 11

In A Hurry

Whenever I am going somewhere in the car, I always drive like I’m on a mission. Sometimes I drive a little too fast. It’s called “Speeding!”

I noticed that when I am in a really big hurry, a car or truck will get in front of me and go real slow. On one occasion when I was in a hurry, a car got in front of me and I had to slow way down. I was yelling “Get out of my way, I’m in a hurry!” Then I heard a voice say to me, “Have you ever stopped to think that I put these cars in front of you to slow you down and keep you from getting a speeding ticket?” Then I looked over to the side of the road and there sat a police car with (you guessed it) a policeman watching the traffic. I said “OK Lord I get it!” Now when I get in a hurry and a car gets in front of me and slows me down, I look up and say “I know I’m going too fast!” Then I slow down and thank the Lord for the reminder.

G O D

God is good, God is great! With his love, He’ll set you straight.

Trust in Him, the whole day long, And in your heart He’ll put a song.

Happy are we who love the Lord, Someday we’ll have a great reward. Doing his will the best we can, And in the end we’ll understand.

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

The Lord is my rock and my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust. Psalm 18:2

A Matter of Faith

The year was 2011. The month was March. I had been working with two mentally handicapped brothers for 21 years. I was told I was the best thing that happened to them. But the last two years, things had changed. Their Father had died and their Mother remarried. According to their step-father I was the worst thing that happened to them. You see, the step-father did not like me, said I spoiled them and wanted me removed from being their caregiver. He had the power to do that because he had become one of their guardians. In March of 2011, I lost my job of 21 years.

I had been attending a ministry at our church called “Celebrate Recovery” and it helped me cope with life’s challenges. When I lost my job, God gave me faith that he would help me if I would trust Him. At first, trust was hard; but as I trusted him more, he opened the door for me to get my unemployment even though the company I worked for tried to fight it.

During the spring and summer, I had not been able to find a job. God had other plans. He sent me to a children’s camp where I was privileged to help lead five girls to the Lord. When I returned, I worked for a week in Bible School. I kept looking for a job, but nothing was working out. God was in control and helping us get our bills paid with a lot less money.

On the ride back from Children’s camp, I shared with our pastor how I had always wanted to go on a mission trip but never had the money. Brother Steve said, “Well if that’s all that is stopping you, God will provide a way if you ask him.”

Our church had a mission trip planned for Stites, Idaho in a few weeks. My mind was filled with thoughts of, “If God wants me to go, I could go! After all, I’m not working right now.”

The next Sunday Brother Steve preached on how God makes a way for what is His will. He described how God made a way for him to go on several mission trips when he had no money. I knew this sermon was for me. I went up during the invitation and told Brother Steve, “If God wants me to go to Idaho, he will make a way!” And that He did!

My son called me from Florida and asked me to be looking for a tax check he was expecting that would come to my house. A few days later, an envelope came for him. I called him and he told me to open it. When I opened it, we read that the money, $400, was taken by the State for his student loans. We figured they would take the Federal tax money too. My son Toby and I agreed to pray for each other’s needs. A few weeks later another envelope arrived. Again I called Toby and again he told me to open it. It was a check for $5,000. Praise God! I sent it to him and he sent me the money to go on the mission trip. H a l l e l u j a h!—the money to go on the mission trip! I thanked God and ended with, “God, I hope there is a job after all this!”

The day came for us to leave for our mission trip to Idaho on the church bus. It was going to be a great adventure for me! There were 13 of us on the trip, Brother Steve, our pastor, Brother Hobbs, our evangelist, his wife, Traci, our cook Aradella, music leader Lucky and his wife Angela and their son, Antonio, Chris and four teenagers, Sam, Jonathon, Katie and Bethany, our pastor’s daughter.

As we traveled with Pastor Steve driving, we sang, we laughed, and we had devotions and gave our testimonies of when and how we gave our lives to the Lord. Brother Hobbs, our evangelist, instructed us about talking to people about Jesus and leading them to the Lord.

As we stopped to eat, get gas, or take a bathroom break, we witnessed and talked to people about what we were doing and where we were going. We gave out tracts. I gave out poems I had written, all 13 of us on the trip, working as a team.

Traveling through Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, the mountains were so beautiful with their snow-capped tops and waterfalls cascading down into what seemed to be endless rivers that ran along the side of the highway. We took lots of photos. We even saw a moose. We all wanted to see a bear, but we never did see one. When we stopped for the night, we would meet in one room for devotions and prayer.

The weather had been very hot. When we got to Montana, the air conditioner in the bus stopped working. We had to make the rest of the trip without it. God always provides and afforded us some relief from the heat on the rest of the trip. We made it just fine.

We finally arrived in the evening. We discovered we had two lodges next to each other and the church was nearby. Our plan was to have Bible School for the children and a revival in the evenings. After we settled in, we had a meeting about our plans, devotions and prayer.

The next morning was Saturday. We walked around the town exploring and visited a park where there was a celebration called “States Days” with a parade and dinner in the park. We distributed flyers, witnessed and invited people to the Bible School and Revival Services. Again, we all worked as a team. As for me, God was starting a new chapter in my life and giving me a new boldness I had never had before.

At Bible School, I was in charge of the crafts. Every day I planned the crafts not knowing quite what I was doing or how it would turn out. I prayed for guidance and wisdom and each day I was able to witness as the children did the crafts. With God’s help, everything turned out very well.

The first evening at the Revival Services, everyone sang and the music was wonderful. Brother Hobbs preached his heart out. The services took place at the park with God’s beautiful mountains in the background. We hoped everyone in the town could hear the message and come to know the Lord as their personal savior. Many people shared with us that they sat on their porches and heard the messages and music.

During the afternoons, some of us went out to witness to the people to try to lead them to the Lord, including Angelia and Traci. Stites is a small town with about 230 people, many who were averse to hearing about God. Angelia and Traci returned and shared their experience with two men. One in particular got up in their faces and told them he did not need God. He screamed “why would a good God let thousands of people die, referring to 9-11. As they tried to explain the love of God, he did not want to hear any part of it. They feared he was going to hit them. The other man who was with him was not as threatening.

Meanwhile at Bible School children were giving their heart to the Lord and learning about the Bible stories. One girl in particular, Alyssa, was really too old for Bible School, but insisted on coming anyway. She was lead to the Lord. She confided in her teachers that her home life was not very good. On one of the afternoons, Angelia, Traci and I walked around town. As we ed by Alyssa’s house, her mother, Robin, was outside. We stopped to talk to her. We all witnessed to her, Angelia gave her testimony, and Robin prayed to accept Jesus into her heart. We invited her to the Revival but she said she didn’t have good clothes to wear. We assured her God doesn’t care if her clothes aren’t fancy. She did come and went up during the invitation.

As we left Robin and walked down the street, Angela and Traci said “it’s that man!” My heart started beating hard, but it wasn’t the mean man—it was the man who had been with him and his name was Bill. He was talking to a lady sitting on a power chair with a dog sitting on her lap. The three of us talked to them about God and accepting Jesus. Unfortunately, the lady did not want to hear the “good news” and she left. We continued talking to Bill. After a while, he was led through a prayer to accept Jesus into his life. As we went on our way, we rejoiced at the new souls that would be in Heaven and will have a new life here on earth.

Needing to go to a Laundromat to wash our clothes, we piled into the bus and traveled to the next town. While washing clothes, I saw Brother Steve talking to a man outside. After a bit the man came inside and put his clothes in a dryer next to mine. I wondered if Brother Steve was able to lead him to the lord, so I started a conversation with him. His actions showed me he didn’t think he needed God in his life. As I witnessed to him, I asked him if he died today, where would he go? He said “probably to Hell!” “Oh no, you don’t want to go there,” I exclaimed. I asked him if I could pray for him. He hesitated, but I just started praying. I asked him if he would it he was a sinner. “Oh yes!” he said, “I know that I sin.” We were half way there! Then I went on, “do you believe Jesus died on the cross to save you from your sins?” Then he said, “Don’t you have to believe all this?” I said, “Yes.” He then backed down and wanted to stop. As I felt I was losing him, I prayed that God would lead him to finish the prayer at a later time. He moved away from me and I had to let him go. So close, so close!

In all, six children and four adults gave their lives to the Lord. Later another person accepted Jesus as a result of the mission trip.

It was time to go home. The air conditioner was fixed and our time was up. As we said goodbye to the families and friends we had made, we were sad to go but excited about the new Christians who would now be going to heaven. God also did something in me. I am bolder and more willing to confront people about becoming a child of God and giving my testimony. I would never be the same

again!

That summer was filled with new experiences and opportunities to serve God. I can see how God planned everything and worked it all out for his purpose.

I did get a job when we returned. In fact, I got two jobs. I will always trust God to take care of my needs more than ever and he is still doing that!

The Mission

We went on a mission trip to Stites, Idaho What we would encounter, we did not know. As we laughed and laughed all the way there We never forgot the mission God called us to bear. We walked and witnessed all over the town. Some accepted the Lord and some are still hell-bound.

But we did our best to turn them around As we sang and preached and had Bible School For the children who came down.

Ten were saved, some surrendered to mission work. Many were inspired to press on. We all thanked God for what He did through us, And for what lies ahead and beyond.

We will never forget what happened on this trip And how we all now have a bond.

THE BOND OF LOVE!

By Linda (Blankenship) Ousley

But my God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22

And Jesus said unto them, “Come after me and I will make you to become fishers of men. Mark 1:17