A New Year

Hello, My Friends,

What a glorious watchnight service we had. 2009 was a banner year with approximately 105 people receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and over 60 baptized. But...2010 is here and good things are on the horizon. The church website at www.gpupc.org is up and we are working on completing it. You will see the yearly events posted shortly.

I would like to continue the ladies blog site this year. It proved to be overwhelming to have several guest bloggers each month. I would like to ask one person to guest blog at least once a week for the time frame of a month. Any volunteers for January?

I wanted to post some of my favorite pictures from 2009 which were included in the end of year slide show last evening.

Love to all and I'll see you on Sunday, if not before!

Sis. D.

More 2009

More 2009

More 2009

More 2009

2009 Continued

More Pics of 2009

More Pictures of 2009

No Regrets

Why is it, that when death comes to someone we love, some of us tend to have regrets of things we "didn't" take the time to do or say, with our loved one while they were alive?

We tend to start playing the "if" game.

"If" only "I" had come to see, visit, or shown this person that they really were worth my time instead of being busy doing ??????.

I, for one am guilty of that, sure I may think of them often, I'm always saying "oh,let me call so and so, ehh I'll call them after I finish this".
But do I ever make the time to call them, visit or even to reach out to them.

MAKE the time to "cherish, enjoy and value" whatever time you have on God's earth with those you Love, your husband, wife, mom, dad, son or daughter.

Tell them daily and show them that you love them and that you appreciate them.

God is awesome, God is good, very good - God is Love... take the time to let God know how much you love and appreciate Him as well.


"tomorrow is not promised"


I love you JESUS!!!!!!!

Acts 14:17

Nevertheless he did not leave himself without witness, in that he did Good and gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Life is good; sometimes we have to remind ourselves of that simple truth.
When the work of earning a living, raising a family, maintaining health and fitness, and managing relationships starts to overwhelm us, its good to think about how small our part in the universe really is. While we worry about our families and we preoccupy ourselves over our work, God quietly does His.

He keeps the earth rotating, the planets revolving, and the seasons changing. Without any help from us, He makes the sun rise every morning and set every evening. Everynight He tucks us in and changes the patterns of lights in the sky. He turns out the light so we can sleep, and turns it on again so we can see, work and play. Without lifting a finger we get to enjoy sunrises and sunsets. Our lawns get watered from heaven. Every year the season's change on schedule.

We don't need to pray about it or tell God that its time to send spring. All that He does should remind that "Life is Good" because "God is good", and He will always be there for us; all we have to do is call or reach out for Him. I'am so sure that He loves to hear from us, when we talk to Him be it through prayers or just carrying on a conversations as we do with our loved one's and friends.

Life will sometimes be difficult,painful and for now imperfect. Still it is good, for in all these things nothing can seperate me from God's lavish expressions of Love!
I Love my Lord with all my being and HE is my all. He will never deceive me. I walk with Him, I talk with Him and I know that if I'am an obedient servant, He will give me my heart's desire.

Sis Amy

Holiday Baking

Hello, All,

As we get close to the holidays, I thought it might be fun to post favorite recipes. These are great for family, friends, and fundraising! :) I hear tonight the menu is meatloaf. Yum. Looking forward to the youth revival.

Peanut Butter Fudge

4 cups sugar
2 cups milk
1/4 stick oleo
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 large jar marshmallow cream.
Boil sugar, milk and oleo to soft ball stage, full rolling boil, stirring constantly, at least 10 minutes on medium heat. Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients, and beat till blended. Pour into buttered 9 X 13" pan.

Love to all,
Sis. D.

God's blessing in disguise...

1 Peter 1:3-9
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
4 whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakes of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
6 and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness;
7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins


I really want to take this moment to thank God for allowing circumstances that at the time I didn't understand, to happen in my life. I was feeling so tired, tired and tired all the time. My mornings consisted of ironing and getting my husband out the door then getting my kids ready along with myself and running out the door! My mind was constantly saying along with my mouth...gotta hurry, gotta hurry!I was constantly rushing from the moment I woke up til it was time to go to sleep. And was I cranky all the time, sometimes more than usual. I also felt like I wasn't giving as much as I could of myself to my husband, my children, my church, church choir and most of all my job as a Sunday school teacher.

About the middle of August I was told that our place of employment was shutting down. I was happy but sad and eventually realized regardless of how I was feeling this was going to happen. It took about a month for us to shut it down completely and at first I was lost, I didn't know what I was to do with myself. Now a month after being laid off I can see some of what God had and has in store for me. I'm learning to trust and listen not with me flesh ears but my spiritual ears.

Now I'm not at my best, but I thank the good Lord above for giving me the break I was really needing so that I can do my most, my best for Him and what He has planned for me. HIS will not mine! HIS time not mine...I praise you Jesus!!!!!

Sis Jovita

Galatians 2:19-20

For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.

A lot of times we as sinners's run and keep running because we cannot forgive ourselves, and tend to forget the stripes that Jesus Christ took for us and how he suffered on "that wooden cross" for us. Jesus always forgives us because He loves us unconditionally no matter what we do.

I was in the world for quite a while and although I knew I was not living right, I always felt like I was "not" ready; I was too busy living my life, a life without meaning, a life with an on going maze, just a jumble of a mess. I kept running like a hamster on a wheel, getting nowhere fast. I was raised in church and I was a believer, but like the old cliche goes and most seem to think, the "grass is greener" on the other side. It took quite alot of bad choices and hitting rock bottom that I finally realized that a life without God, is No life at all.

I didn't realize that going to church was more than listening to the preaching, reading the bible, worship and praise, until a young man named David crossed my path. He asked me if I had ever had a personal relationship with Jesus. I answered "I guess not, what do you mean?". He went on to tell me how "in love" he was with Jesus and how Jesus was everything to him. At the time I was still out in the world (back sliding) and I did not want to hear anything about going to church, but from the day my friend had talked to me about having a relationship with Jesus a day did not go by that I wasn't thinking about having a relationship with Jesus.
I came back home to church and I finally experienced the relationship with Jesus that my friend had talked to me about. If it had not been for that relationship with my sweet Jesus I would not have been able to overcome all the pain and hurt that came with my 17 year old son's death. A lot of the times it takes a tragedy to bring us back to the Lord as it happened to me. My Lord Jesus was always there for me to run into His loving arms. I thank my sweet Jesus for His undying love, for His patience and for never abandoning me or my family. I love my Jesus so very much because He wakes me up in the morning and He tucks me in at night. He reminds me through the day of His love for me. When I get called home, if I can leave anything for my children it would be a legacy of "living a happy life for God, my Lord and Savior" who is, was and always will be the same.

Sis Amy

Cupcake Wednesday

Hello, All,

On Wednesday's this month, I thought I might share some cupcake recipes. Those of you who know me well know that I LOVE to collect recipes. Hope you enjoy and love to all...Sis. D.

Candy Bar Cupcakes

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

FILLING:
6 ounces fat-free cream cheese
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 egg
2 Snickers candy bars (2.07 ounces each), finely chopped

FROSTING:
1/3 cup butter, cubed
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons fat-free milk
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions
In a large bowl, beat the sugar, buttermilk, oil and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended.
For filling, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg; mix well. Stir in the candy bars.
Fill 18 paper-lined muffin cups one-third full with batter. Drop filling by tablespoonfuls into the center of each (cups will be about half full). Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the filling comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, in a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar. Bring to a boil; cook for two minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; stir in the milk, then confectioners' sugar. Cool until frosting reaches spreading consistency. Frost cupcakes. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen.

Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Ingredients
1 package (14 ounces) banana quick bread and muffin mix
3/4 cup water
1/3 cup sour cream
1 egg
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1 tablespoon shortening

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the muffin mix, water, sour cream and egg; stir just until moistened. Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
Fill greased or paper-lined miniature muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, in a small microwave-safe bowl, melt shortening and remaining chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Frost cupcakes. Yield: 3-1/2 dozen.

"Thanks" for my Church Home and Church Family

Psalm 100: 4 & 5
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting And His truth endures to all generations.

Well, let me first say hello and apologize for blogging so late. I've never been a blogger so please bear with me. It's going to be short and I pray sweet..Monday blogging is for Home and Family.

I'm thankful that I serve a forgiving and merciful God, whose grace is made new every day.

I thank Jesus for finding me "worth" the price.

Thank you Lord for blessing me with a the husband who will soon be in church with us. Thank you Lord for all my Kids.
Thank you Lord for blessing me with a "lay off".
Thank you Lord for the great Church family I get to spend time with. The Church I have the privlege to call my church home.
I'm just really thankful..... love ya'll

Happy October!

Hello, All,

October is here and I'm off to a slow start. First of all, I will be hitting up several of you to blog at tonight's service. It would be awesome if we had some volunteers before then. :) Remember that we begin serving dinner tonight at 6:30. I believe the menu is ENCHILADAS!

Sunday night was just an incredible service. I love it when we wear out two drummers.

The fall has good things in store for our church...Youth Revival, Youth/Young Adult Fall Social, Revival for the church, Block Party, Thanksgiving Feast, Leadership Retreat, and on and on...

We are wrapping up Secret Sisters. Ok, 'fess up...who is my wonderful pal?

Sunday School is a happening place these days. This month we anticipate all of the classes moving to new rooms to have more space. The youth area is finished and looking great. Outreach is really going well. The group last weekend was really, really excited about some of the things that happened.

I want to say that I am so thankful for all of you. What a beautiful family that we have in Grand Prairie and what heart you have for ministry. I hope you have a beautiful day.

Love to all,
Sis. D.

devotion

Jesus wants us to devote ourselves for his purpose.He says be like a child and you will enter the kingdom of heaven. A child listens and wants to learn how to be pleasing to their parents.To take their advice and mature from it. He also says he is no willing to let any of his sheep go astray. He's happier every time one of us make our way back to him.I love that he takes such joy in our well being. He also says give up everything for me and you will have treasure in the kingdom of god.Well Ill say i want all that and i love god and want to please my father who loves me.God deserves a lot from me.So I want to bring his sheep back to him. I'm trying to reach out to my generation.I know how happy he'll be when my tasks of winning souls comes to pass.I want my time to come, but for now I want to grow and advance my skills. I know my family and friends will be there praising one day. I claim it. I'm glad every time I reach someone with my testimony. I know it plants a seed and I want to be there to see that seed start to grow.Amen Amen I know god brought me back because I can still fulfill his purpose and I want to reach my goal!!!

back in time

Sorry I am doing this so late. I was helping the ladies make peanut brittle. That was fun. Sis Lety Galviz was suprised on how crazy it gets when all these pentecostal ladies get together. Tonight I want to say that I am very thankful with what the Lord is doing in the church. I'm excited for the young people and all the kids that are attending on wednesdays.
I was thinking on a question that Vanessa asked me the other day. She asked "mom, don't you wish that we could go back in time before Papi broke his arm and was working?" I answered "yes, but we can't can we". Lots of time we all have wish that could happen, especially when bad situations happen in our lives. Many of us have done that we are not proud of, maybe when we were young and in school or we have said some things we should not have said. Sure I would want to go back in time before my husbands accident or when Victoria totalled my van. But we must keep trusting in the Lord and really believe that God is in control and that everything happens for a reason. Our main goal is to forget about what could of been or what should of happened and just do what God wants us to do now and in the future. We just have keep busy doing God's work and try and win some souls. Don't ever doubt God or His love for you.

Sis Nydia

devotion

I'm devoted to restoring my family.The one thing that means so much mo me in this life. I'm determined to see it come to pass. The things that has happened to me when i was young make me want to fight that much harder. Ive been through things that no one else knows about but god! As a child growing up Ive endured a lot of emotional suffering.Been hurt by people Ive trusted and loved.I believe that god has brought me back to fight and i know he wants to give it back to me. To turn every bad memory around. I cant wait to see my miracle to come to pass. I believe that there's something great instore for my family. Our past has effected us a lot and no one will ever understand for feel the way we do. I believe it will make me a stronger person though! Even though I have a lot of tears i know it will turn to joy!! Gods up to something! I guess i have to wait and see. I promise i wont give up! amen!amen! I'm glad that my past has given me a deeper drive and meaning to devoting myself to god! I'm glad that some have never been the places i have or felt the pain i have. I believe that i can break the cycle.By keeping it from happening to my family i have now. Everything happens for a reason even though it has been bad good has come from it too.I'm glad that god is watching over me and no one will ever hurt me in those ways again. I love how my little sister always says,"Don't you know were protected!"I believe it! thank you lord you are awesome!!

My Heart Today

My heart today is breaking....

As I shared with some of you last week, we have a situation in our school district where two of our students lost their mother. It is an extremely sad situation and we are working with the students to try to meet their needs. In talking this morning, we found out that they are completely out of food. These are good kids who keep getting up everyday and coming to school, doing homework, and trying to maintain a normal life. One is a high school senior and is trying to take care of his little sister, a 9th grader. We are heading to a food bank today to get food but just thinking of these kids and the normal needs of my kids is causing me to stop and wonder how we can minister. I'm sure they are without daily personal items, gas, supplies for school, etc. We are making a long-range plan and helping the young man get a part-time job. However, today there are two kids trying to do the best they can in a big, lonely world. Can you help? If so, see me at church. It doesn't have to be immediate but if you can help, I will make sure these kids get what they need.

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

I love you, my family! Sis. D.