Move along . . . nothing to see here.

Happy New Year ~ 2012

In 2011, I got an IPhone and my IPhone is hooked to my Facebook.  It will tell me the weather, show me where I am and show me where I want to be.  It takes pictures and videos.  It will talk to me or take notes from me.  It will play games and hopefully, very soon, it will let me talk around the World to my grandchildren! 

I have been pushed and pulled (mostly against my will) into this century. How LONG I explained to Gwendolyn that I didn't want a Facebook account.  I didn't want to talk to other people and I didn't want them looking at my information!  How patient she was to explain I could keep it private and other people would not see it... then she put pictures of my grand babies... easy pickings!  So, in October of 2008, I joined the world of social networking.  I now have 260 friends from around the world. Yes, I know that is not very many in comparison to others, but for me, it is somewhat of a miracle. 

I'm up to writing on my blog, once again.  I have traveled to Thailand three times!  I've stayed a month in Guatemala!  I've been back to Mexico, I've even stayed in Oklahoma! 

 I am now ready for 2012!  Facebook, IPhone, Skype, why, I may move into the world of Twits!  A world of  "new things" await us in 2012.  Some; we will willingly embrace, some we will hesitate to embrace and a few, we will simply say; "No".    May whatever new thing that comes our way, be a conduit to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Instead of fearing the new, may we see the potential.  At one time, clay tablets or papyrus was used for recording.  Once upon a time a feather was used for writing!  Sooner or later, these "new" inventions were embraced and used to further the Gospel.  I have a book that shows some of the progress of the written word.  Near the end, it has a picture of a cassette tape - it says something like: One day all the books in the world may be recorded on these.  Since then, How many new inventions have carried the Word? 

May my new IPhone be used to carry the Word in 2012.  May my Facebook page be used to witness to and comfort those in need.  May I not lose sight of the old ways, nor ignore the new ways.  

Los Angeles

Three new friends from Randy's class!

Hello, Kingdom of Thailand!

It seems impossible, but since my last post, I am on my third trip to Bangkok!  Isn't God good!  I never dreamed I would be able to visit this beautiful nation.  Meet so many wonderful people.  How I have enjoyed these trips! 

Rebecca, Madison and I left DFW last evening just over 2 hours late to catch our Thai Airways connection from LAX at 11:20 p.m.  I want to thank an un-named American Airline worker who was able to book our luggage all the way to Bangkok.  We are carrying 6 suitcases, 3 backpaks, purses, camera cases, jackets; I am so thankful we were not faced with picking up those suitcases last night! 

We are at Holiday Express, they sent Manuel in the Hotel van to pick us up, they are taking us to a Denny's for lunch in a few minutes, they let us have a "hardship" check-in, allowing us to stay later than normal and they will return us to the airport for our flight tonight.  The night manager even offered a security guard to walk across to 7-11 with us, if we needed snacks!  

The lady Rebecca talked with from Thai Airways this morning was as kind and helpful as anyone could possibly be. 

Thank you, Lord, for those you have put in our path!

Southeast Asia

I have given you my prayers for a year.  I have read your stories, looked at your photos, tried your foods.  I have studied your maps, looked at your history.    My thoughts are in Southeast Asia when I wake and when I fall asleep.  I have given you my best. 

You have my son, you have my daughter in law; my grandchildren.  You have my heart.  My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will move among the precious souls in your borders.  My desire is to meet your children one day. 

I have fallen in love with a people I do not know.  My heart breaks as I think of the multitude who do not believe in God.  Souls, Holy Father, I pray for souls to be saved.  I pray that this beautiful nation of Thailand come to know You.

An Ouchie

Rebecca, Lauren and I were in an accident, the 5th of April. We were meeting a semi-truck when a women who was following the semi turned left right in front of us. We never saw her little truck behind the semi until she just turned into our lane. We hit her broadside. We were going maybe 45 miles an hour. We had just completed a full stop at a stop sign and had not reached the speed limit of 65 miles an hour yet. We barely had time to hit the brakes before we hit her, no place to go, nothing to do but hit her. She was not wearing seatbelt, hit her head on windshield and had a pretty bad cut, but the medics said they thought she would be ok. She was thrown to the passenger side and hit that glass hard, too.


None of us had to go to the hospital. Rebecca's neck is a little sore. Jeff made an appointment at the Wellness Center here in town for her to have the stiffness worked out. They said a 'salt bath' or something, too. It is for this afternoon. I hit my knees on the dash, a little bruised, but not even stiff this morning. The seatbelts did a real number on me and Rebecca, the seatbelt knocked all the air out of my lungs and it took a few seconds to get my air back, but I would rather that than what the woman suffered for not having her seatbelt on! Lauren was in the back seat of the truck and got a scratch on her back and jammed three of her fingers, looks like that is all.  It has been a couple of weeks and everyone seems to be getting along fine, except for myself.  I guess old people take longer or something!  I am still hoping my injuries are minor and will heal by themselves.  Most days I feel like I am improving... some days I not so much! :)

Rebecca was able to get the truck stopped, by the grace of God, before we went over a 20 foot embankment. We were both looking at that embankment as the truck carrened toward it, Rebecca was turning the wheels to the left and she said, "I can't get it stopped", and then "I can't stop" and then, it just came to the softest stop you have ever seen in your life! I cannot explain it, we were going really fast straight towards it, then we were just stopped. Last night, at the house, we were talking about that moment and I said, "I wonder why the airbags didn't deploy?" If they had, Rebecca would not have been able to see the embankment or even reach the steering wheel to steer the truck.

We may be a little stiff, a little bruised, but we are whole and I know as well as I know that I am writing this letter; that God cared for us. He allowed no more than what was His Will. Truly, His grace is sufficient. I pray that His will, His plans are done. The man that ran across the street and prayed with Lauren and the woman, the man who came up to Rebecca and said I know your son, the police officer, the woman we hit, each life God reached, even the people this afternoon at the Wellness Center, may God's will be done, souls saved, lives affected, changed.

If I could choose, I would choose not to have a wreck, but God's ways are not my ways. I only see my life, my family. God's sees and loves all of us. I praise Him that no life was lost and I pray that a soul may be saved! To God be the glory.

Getting Up

A friend asked me today, "What is success?"  My response was "getting up".  Debbie will think I mean "getting out of bed in the morning", but my answer is so much more than the simple act of will it takes to get oneself out of bed.  Life has a way of knocking us down.  Have you ever watched a baby learning to walk?  They fall, they get up, sometimes they are scared to get up, but sooner or later, they will try again.  The bad bumps and bruises don't come until later, after they have learned to walk.  When they head for the stairs or try to exit a door.  Of course later, there is the bicycle, the skateboard, the motorcycle, the hang gliding and on and on the list goes.  The point is: they get up, they continue to grow, they reach for new experiences.  Do they fall?  Yes.  Do they get hurt? Yes.  Do they get up? Yes! Success is getting up when you fall.  Success is trying again. 

Coy Gnade made the statement that everyone is getting a divorce.  This teenager cries out for security in the home.  The sad truth is the home is the very place we get knocked down the most.  It is the place where we feel the pain most.  It is the place where we have the most trouble getting back up.  It is the place the devil attacks most.  Sometimes it feels as if he can suck the energy right out of our bodies.  The desire to get up is gone.  The strength is gone.  The willingness to face the problem head on is gone.  We fall flat on our face.  We blame the failure on our spouse, our children, our spouse, our finances, our spouse, our church, our spouse, our government, our spouse, our parents and usually...on our spouse!  I always think of Job here, he didn't blame God exactly, but he did say; "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away."  I remember years ago, writing in my journal that life could not be sweeter, brighter... just a few days before I received some of the most devastating news of my life!  I fell from the mountian peak into the abyss.  And I put the blame on every doorstep... except the devils and on sin, right where it belongs. 

My gracious God taught me through the trying times.  He stayed with me.  He lifted me up and he helt me, until the fear was less and I was ready to try to get up, try to walk again.  Through His strength, I became stronger.  As I look over the trying times in my life, I see that God was always there.  He provided exactly what I needed, when I needed it.  I also see that in times of trial, I ran to HIM.  I prayed, I read my Bible, I reached out for God and He was there.  I learned to depend upon Him in my time of need.  I can get up, by the grace of the Almighty God, I can get up, one more time!

I thank God for His love and care for me.  I thank God for each valley and each mountain top.  I believe I will appreciate and enjoy the mountain tops more than ever I could . . . because of the valleys. 

Feburary 12, 2010

How beautiful the wide expanse of  'white' lawn between my trailer and Rebecca's home!  The smoke from the chimney disappears into the grey skies.  This is our third snow this year!  North Texas received their fair share this time; somewhere around ten inches.  One can only hope this is the last of it for this season!  But, then again, it is early yet.

Lee called me this morning from Lanny's phone. Lanny stopped by with his bus to have breakfast with them, before continuing his trek to Oklahoma. He hopes to be here tomorrow evening. Lee talked excitedly a few moments, then said, "Mama, it is hard to do this (Wii) and talk on the phone."

Today, is Ronny McKnight's birthday. He is 62 years old. How quickly time seems to pass. As we look backward, it is like the chimney smoke that quickly drifts into the grey sky. A scent left for a short moment then, gone.

Beside the fireplace in Rebecca's Dream House is the place to be on this winter wonderland day.  The snow continues to fall, turning the dull browns of winter into beautiful white.  As long as I don't remind myself of having to walk home in a little while, I can enjoy it!

Randy and Gwendolyn left Jimenez Tuesday, after lunch.  Wednesday morning they were at Mary's and today (Friday) they are in Virginia.  An arduous trip under normal circumstances, but racing against the elements, pulling a trailer and wrestling with sinus problems makes it a real hardship for Randy. 

Because of the winter storm, Randy made the decision to drive through the southern states to Tennessee, then across to Virginia.  I missed seeing everyone, but know they will be back this way soon.  Lanny did get to see them for a little while.  He said William was laughing a lot. They grow so quickly, or is it, time marches onward?

Family Ties - Changes

How things change in our lives!  When I started Family Ties seven months ago, Randy, Gwen and their four were busy in Jimenez and Rhyan was working toward Central America.  Lanny and I were living in the trailer behind Jeff and Rebecca's house in Mineral Wells while Rhyan and Lauren were packing the big ol bus with all their belongs from inside Jeff and Rebecca's old house.  Jeff and Rebecca were moving into their dream house in McAlester. It is amazing to just look at where we are today!

Randy, Gwen and their FIVE have left Jimenez and are on their way to Thailand!  Lauren has completed her language classes and they are finishing deputation to return to Central America.  My trailer is now behind the "dream house" in McAlester.

Tommy and Mona have spent much time on the field in Chiapas and are now on deputation!  Randy and Gwen have made a trip to Thailand and Lanny and Randy made a trip to India!

David and Jolene had a beautiful Jewish lady saved while on their anniversary in Jerusalem!  They moved into their new home.  Billie had another of her ladies banquets with souls saved.  Praise God for each testimony shared, each soul saved.  To God be the Glory! 

I spent a month with Lauren and Rhyan in Antigua, Guatemala.  I spent a month in Cd. Jimenez, Mexico with Randy and Gwen.  I've made three other trips back to Jimenez.  I've been to Monterrey and to Missouri. 

About six o'clock, last Saturday evening, Richard Henry Ashcraft; Uncle Bud, closed his eyes on earth and opened them in Heaven.  He was three months short of ninety-five!  God blessed him with a long, fruitful life.  He spoke of Jesus as naturally as one speaks of a brother or neighbor.  He spent much of his time on earth telling others of Jesus Christ.  I am honored to have met him and I joyfully include myself as his niece.

January, 2010, here we come!! 

   

Thanksgiving

It would be best to change this page for something else. It is not working as well as I had hoped.

William Randyle Ashcraft

What a big name for such a little bundle! He gave us a scare, arriving a little too early, however, he is just fine. He can be heard when he is hungry, his lungs work just fine! His Mommy is doing better than anyone expected. Stitches will be removed tomorrow from the cesearean surgery.

All the children love to watch him and take turns holding him.

Thank you for your prayers.

Family

Lauren's family left Guatemala City today returning to the USA. Gwen's leaves Chihuahua City tomorrow returning to the USA. I know both families have enjoyed having parents (and grandparents for Lauren) visit. Family encourages us. Family listens to us, cares for us, shares with us...prays for us.

The gift of family is a precious one. I praise God for the family He chose for me. I loved to have them visit us on the field. My Mom and Dad visited us when we were in El Barrial and when we moved to Cd. Jimenez. Once when they visited us, Bro. Carlos Demarest was there with a group. We had such a good time. At the end of the week, we received a phone call that my niece, Tammy, was very, very ill. I remember asking Bro. Demarest to pray for her to recover. He prayed a very sweet prayer for my family and for Tammy and he prayed that God's will be done. He prayed that God would give us strength in whatever we faced. I remember wishing he would have just prayed that God would heal her. I knew that whatever Bro. Demarest would ask, God would do it. And I was right. God's will was to take Tammy home to Heaven and God gave the strength to bear the loss.

Once, my dad came and went fishing with Lanny. They were gone for days. He had the time of his life! His happiest days were fishing. I don't understand why, but I know his mother was exactly the same way and I know that his baby sister; Aunt Clessie, is over 80 years old and still goes fishing every chance she gets!

My dad came when Rhyan hurt his head, he was there just when I needed him, to care for the family. My mom made clothes for all three of them, she quilted to give them quilts to keep them warm. Beverly was there with open arms (and a tongue lashing) when I felt I could not go on. Mary stepped in as 'Mother' to all three of my children when they came to the USA.

How I love Mom and Pop Ashcraft. I love them as I love my very own parents!

I cannot hope to fill the shoes of those before me. I can only ask that God will provide for those He has put in my path. That He will help me to be just exactly what He would have me be. My prayer is that through my weakness, He can be strong in my life.

I pray, one day, Lauren and Rhyan, Gwen and Randy, Rebecca and Jeff will have the opportunity to teach the next generations the value of family. The love of family, the strength of family, a Christ centered family.

As Dr. Wolfenbarger said tonight in his sermon; "Standing Firm on the Gospel", we stand firm because the Gospel has the power to make sons out of sinners; servants out of sons; students out of servants and saints out of students.

Roxana Garcia

I woke this morning thinking about the death of a tiny saint this morning. Little Roxana was a precious gift from God. I cannot number the people who came to know the Lord Jesus Christ because of Roxana. Never saying a word, never walking, never attending school, she affected the lives of all those around her; in Mexico and in the United States. I pray God will comfort her family. I thank God for allowing her to be part of my life.

Bro. Jose Luis read a letter from Lanny, then preached a salvation message, before asking for a show of hands for those who would like to be saved. Randy said he saw five hands go up in front of him. Bro. Jose Luis told him later that the hands looked like the hands you would see at a village service, there were so many behind Randy! What a glorious memory.

Pray for the family and for the souls saved.

Los Indios - Again

Lanny crossed the border into Mexico, yesterday. He hoped to be with Jason and Sarah today, but I am not sure he will be able to make it. Pray for him, this is a really quick trip!

Madison loves her new puppy! So far, so good.

New Puppy

Heading to Texas to get a new puppy! Madison is so excited! I hope she is still excited in a week!

Lanny is, once again, on his way to Guatemala. Jason, I think he has a package for you. Rhyan, I know he has groceries for you!

Pray for him as he travels.

US Arrival

Yesterday, I began the journey back to the United States, leaving Rhyan and Lauren in their beautiful little home in Guatemala.

The Lord truly blessed them with all their needs being met and lots of desires, too. I thank God for His guidenance in their lives, as well as Randy and Gwendolyn's. It is good to know that God is in control.

My flight was a direct flight, (thank you Rhyan!) and was not bad at all. They would not let Rhyan into the airport, which killed Rhyan and made me a nervous wreck, plus I had purse, laptop and two bags!! But it all worked out, I know Rhyan suffered more, wondering if I made it by myself or was sitting in the airport still! They gave me two papers to fill out while in line for my ticket, then sent me to pay for the security for the airport (I wonder if that would be not letting Rhyan in kind of security?), gave me more paperwork, sent me through another door; to security and on to my gate. Plane was delayed 45 minutes. I was very happy to realize I could understand everyone perfectly in both English and Spanish!

The pilot told us to look at the formation of the gulf below, you could see the Texas shoreline as we crossed into the US at Corpus Christi. He said, "Welcome to the United States of America, and a very warm welcome to the great state of Texas".

Arrival in DFW was just as nice. It took a while for my two checked bags to get down, Rebecca thinks they may have to go through X-Ray before you can get them, it did take a while, I was starting to think about joining others sitting on the floor! Through the last door, around a corner, and there sits Madison and Rebecca...and Rebecca had already located the nearest bathroom for me!

Lanny should be here today. Pray for us as we try to decide in what order to do all the many things we have to do!

Long Weekend

I left Jimenez at 4:00 A.M. on Friday morning for El Paso. I picked up Marco in Jimenez and Mayo in Camargo. Made it ti El Paso for lunch. Dropped off my trailer at Omar's house in Juarez. Left Mayo to meet his brother. Met with Tony's group for supper and got to bed after 11:00 P.M. Got up early and met group for breakfast and took them to the airport for their returne flight home. Did my shopping. Took Marco's laptop back to Best Buy ( again !!! ). Went back to Juarez and loaded my van and trailer with all of Omar and Cherish's things and left for Jimenez after lunch. Went through militaty checkpoint then aduana ( paid taxes ). Then almost ran out of diesel because of two stations being closed. Was stopped three more times before making it to Chihuahua. Once by Federales, once soldiers and once by judiciales. Was in a rush to get to Chihuahua because Marco was to sing at a consert to honor one of his teachers at the University of Chihuahua. Made it there 45 min before consert started. Did my shopping at Sam's for Gwen. Left Chihuahua after 7:00 P.M. for Jimenez. Broke down in Delicias. Alternator went out. Made it to an Auto Zone just befor it closed at 10:00 P.M. Bought a charger and disconected my alternator and let it charge until midnight. Made it about 60 miles and no more lights. Stopped at a toll booth after following a bus with my lights off for about half an hour. Charged batteries 'till about 4:30 A.M. then left for Jimenez. Made it home at 6:45 A.M. on Sunday morning. Took a shower and ate and started getting ready for Church. Led the singing and translated twice in the morning. No nap ( visitors). Led singing and translated in the evening. Made it to bed by 10:00 P.M. Up early and had van to shop by 8:00 A.M. Lots to do today.

I wouldn't trade what I do for anything in the world. I was able to take a young man ( Marco ) to cancel his visa at the border. We talked the whole way about how to better serve the Lord. I took a young pastor ( Mayo ) to visit his brother who had been in a car wreck... he is fine. I was able to meet with a group, and buy some clothes for my wife and soon to be newborn baby. Then help move a struggling young married couple to a place where the is a good church. I also witnessed to three mechanics during the night. Made it home to kiss my wife and children and worship on Sunday.

Why all this? Because He is worthy.

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11

Thursday

Everything is going great here in Antigua. House is really looking nice. Bought Stove and refrigerator and got them hooked up and running great. Ate a wonderful supper at home last night!

Tommy and Mona

Good Morning from Antigua, Guatemala! We pray you are fine and your deputation is going well. We think about you often.

Rhyan and Lauren love the area God has them for now! It took us so long to get here, but they found a house right away, hopefully they will sign rent papers today!

We love you guys!

Aunt Pam