A new congregation

at 06/04/09 1:24AM
It has been a hard, heart-wrenching time for us at the Virginia Beach congregation, but we finally decided that the time had come for us to disband and go separate ways. Looking back over the past 18 years we know God has been able to use us in so many ways. I counted 15 people who were baptized because of Bible studies conducted by various members, but have been told that there were more. It really does not matter, except to know that we were trying to reach the lost. As a group we supported several men in preaching the gospel overseas -- some on a monthly basis and some as needed. We have all grown spiritually, and have been able to encourage each other's children as they grew from teenagers, to young adults. They have all now married and moved to other states. There were young military who we were able to encourage and enjoy their zeal during their brief years here.
Dave and I have always believed that we should worship with the congregation closest to us, if at all possible. With the Bible studies he is holding right now, all with men who live on this side of the James River, one of whom is a new Christian now, and with the Murchisons moving back to this area, it seems like the time has come to start a new work in the York County area of the Peninsula. We have prayed and continue praying about this. Please pray for us as we begin this endeavor that the Lord will be able to use us to further His Kingdom. We will miss the VB friends, who will now worship with the Tidewater congregations. But hopefully what we have gained from their encouragement and love will be put to good use in this new work.
My piano students had their end-of-year recital on Friday. They all did their best, which was wonderful. I am truly blessed to have some of the best families. The parents are wonderful people, the children are all precious. Four of my students graduate from High School this month. One of these 4 students I have known since she was a baby and have been teaching since she was 8. I will miss all of them, but especially Sam. I know I have learned more about playing the piano and teaching every year that I teach! And I find that teaching is kinda like being a parents. By the time you really understand parenting, the children are grown; and you learn a lot on the first child. By the time I retire from teaching, I will be a much better teacher than I am today! Always more to learn!!
  • greatestislove
    Wow, Sam is graduating highschool?
    Love you guys....Hugs
    by greatestislove at 06/04/09 1:30AM
  • granny
    Elen, I tried to get on Facebook, but let it slide...
    I finally got pictures posted of our Mozambique trip. Come see me :)
    I know you have a sad heart leaving those behind, but new growth on the horizon. Always there is work in His kingdom.
    Say, do you recon you and I could start over being parents with what we know now?
    by granny at 07/24/09 6:16AM
  • musicnell
    Sometimes I'd like to start over being a parent, but then I realize that I'd probably make a whole lot of new mistakes! LOL!
    by musicnell at 07/27/09 11:39AM
  • granny
    Smiling - you made me laaafff!
    by granny at 07/27/09 4:25PM
  • granny
    Where are you at, whatcha doin' now??
    Yes, I oh so know how our hearts are pulled. Always I'm glad we don't know the future of our choices, else would we have the strength to make them?
    by granny at 10/10/09 1:26AM

What's important in life?

at 03/13/09 10:25PM
We watched the first 45 mins of the Glen Beck special, "You aren't alone". I had seen promos all week but not paid much attention. Really liked what I saw and would love to have seen the rest, but we had made dinner plans with friends. (Gathering around the breakfast -- well dinner -- table at Applebees.) What I loved most was the emphasis on the important things in life -- belief in God, putting family first, connecting with family and friends. Anyone see the last 15 mins?.
Coincidence? I saw the end of program on public TV (money-raising week so lots of "specials") -- not sure who the speaker was or what his topic was, except it had to do with retirement money. Just heard his last 2 stories about people who he'd told to use their money for something special. Maybe some extra money they had? One man took his whole family (children/grandchildren) on a special vacation and was so glad that he'd used his money to create these special memories with his family. The other man bought a membership in a golf/country club because he loved playing golf but because of the membership was able to enjoy the game and other benefits with his children and grandchildren and it turned out to be something special because of all the enjoyment the whole family received, which brought more real value to his life. It sounded like his message was not to hoard your money, but do meaningful things with it. Reminded me of Jesus' story about the rich man and Lazarus. And since the stock market plummeting I have thought about that story a lot. We had carefully built up our 401K for retirement and now it is a 201k. Yep, we do need to plan for the future, but there is no real security in anything but God. What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world but lose his own soul? What if I am busy saving for retirement but neglect those in need?

We had the fireplace inspected today. If the company does the work, we are looking at over $1000 to make the needed repairs. Dave can do the work for ?

My next project, inside, is updating the family room. Clean and spruce up the fireplace (plus get the repairs made, though most are external repairs); paint the paneling or replace the paneling with dry wall and then paint. Which way to go? I thought I had picked out the color I wanted, but now I'm not sure. Think I'll go back and look at taupe colors rather than gold.

When it stops raining I need to start on my yard projects, starting with pruning and mulching and putting out the birdhouses that I painted this winter. Birdhouses are going to be the main decorations for the back yard, I think. I also want to get the backyard pond restored this year. Always lots of projects!
  • greatestislove
    Replace the paneling!!! ;-) More work and expense, but will look much better! ;-)

    Yeah...maybe you do watch too much HGTV. lol ;-)

    Love ya
    by greatestislove at 03/14/09 1:02AM
  • musicnell
    Your dad and I talked about that this morning. He is ready to sheet rock. If I get everything out of the den before I come west in April, then maybe he can get the panel down and the sheet rock up while I gone? And, of course, he plans to install a bunch more electrical outlets around the room, especially by the TV
    by musicnell at 03/14/09 4:33PM
  • baizal
    Sounds like time to hard wire in a surround system and A/V outlets.
    by baizal at 03/15/09 12:58PM
  • cbaird
    Thanks for the congratulations! :o)

    They're in the process of searching for a new superintendent right now. They have been gathering public opinion on what qualities to look for but to my knowledge haven't interviewed anyone yet. They named Dr. Johnson as the acting superintendent for now.
    by cbaird at 05/05/09 9:00AM

Never say never

at 01/13/09 10:13AM
Now that I'm on Facebook and actually posting, I might as well post here! We are back from our 6 week trip to Zimbabwe. Actually, by the time we fly there and back, drive up to Zimbabwe and back, we only had 4 weeks in the country.
As always, I am awed by the saving power of God. The same gospel produces the same results in every place where it is taught. The seed that falls on fertile soil produces hearts that love God no matter the circumstances of life. How can people show such joy in life amid such chaos and hunger? Very few complained to us about their situation. Many walked many miles to study God's word. At Bhobokile, Christians from 11 congregations in that area met together, some walking as far as 17kms. Would I be willing to walk just 1 or 2 kms in the middle of the week to study God's word, especially during summer and the "building" does not have air conditioning or even fans?

Now how do I add pictures?
  • baizal
    Get a Flickr account and they will list the html code needed to post pictures, or you can use the gallery that comes with Pleonast gold. But for the Pleonast gallery you will need to resize the pictures which isn't hard.

    Give me a call on my route tonight and I'll walk you through it. After 8pm EST.
    by baizal at 01/13/09 11:25AM
  • ncreaves
    Thanks for what you wrote about my Mother. She was always ready to do good works or share. Now could you put a name to "musicnell". Have we ever met? And are the Baises the ones I know. We hope to do missionary work again. My husband loves personal work and studues more than anything. Have a good day!
    by ncreaves at 01/13/09 1:09PM
  • granny
    Ellen write "ncreaves" - you two must have met in the past. And great to see your name turn up!! I look forward to this contact together.
    by granny at 01/13/09 2:28PM
  • granny
    Ha! I just notice who wrote, just above my name :)
    by granny at 01/13/09 2:29PM
  • musicnell
    Jon, how do I add friends?
    by musicnell at 01/14/09 7:55PM
  • ncreaves
    Ellen!! Hello. Just wondering if you will be at the lectures. It's my classes 40 year reunion and I will be in Dicus selling my new book Choosing a Mate--Letters to Singles. Hope to see you.
    by ncreaves at 01/14/09 10:11PM
  • granny
    Ellen, what is your facebook address??? Would love to see the picures. Posting us is fine.
    by granny at 01/20/09 9:57AM

the wonders of blogs!

at 01/13/09 9:55AM
I think I have figured out how to properly enter my comments on my own page! If this appears in the right place, then I'll know that I have succeeded.
God has granted us another wonderful day. It is cold and overcast, but even in bare trees and grey skies there is beauty.

Hi

at 01/23/08 1:19PM
Respond here: ;-)

(that better?)
  • karenbaize
    Finally! Who is this again? ;)

    Looking forward to seeing you all this weekend. When will you be getting in?
    by karenbaize at 01/23/08 1:27PM
  • all_gods_children
    I still remember songs that you taught us way back. Two in particular:
    Zulu Warrior
    Ging Gang Gooli

    Did these derive from Africa?

    My 3 year old is studying Africa this month in school and I wanted to share these songs with the class, but I didn't really know if the origin was from Africa.
    by all_gods_children at 01/23/08 4:46PM
  • musicnell
    as you have probably guessed, I don't get on pleonast too often. What I remember being told, is that those 2 songs were American boy scout songs, that American missionaries taught us -- don't know where who, though. I can send you words to Jesus Loves Me in Ndebele if you want
    by musicnell at 02/04/08 1:53AM
  • all_gods_children
    That would be nice to have! Thanks! No worries on not getting on Pleo often. ;o) Hope all is well!
    by all_gods_children at 02/21/08 10:43PM
  • jendukes
    Thanks for your comments. Hope you all are doing well.
    by jendukes at 03/06/08 7:17AM
  • granny
    Did a little more research. What a laugh!
    by granny at 03/09/08 7:01AM
  • greatestislove
    Love you...just wanted to say that!
    HUGS
    by greatestislove at 03/12/08 8:04PM
  • greatestislove
    hey...Love you! ;-)
    by greatestislove at 07/02/08 3:37PM
  • matermagistra
    Hi, Mrs. Baize!!
    by matermagistra at 01/09/09 2:24AM