Parenting

When I first started writing this blog more than 5 years ago, I just wanted to write, I didn't worry about offending anyone, because no one really read it!  I might have 300 hits a month.  Now I have thousands a day and I think a little more about what I share.  Before it was mainly for friends & family to read, the girls' adoption and the accident changed all of that.  So sometimes its hard to know what to share and what not to share.  Now I blog for various reasons, sometimes just to write something and encourage myself like an on-line journal and other times to specifically share about God and how He has helped us.  Sometimes it is to just catch people up and sometimes it's to share advice/things I've learned.  Sometimes it is just to share my heart.

Shad signed up for piano lessons today.  He has been struggling with some behaviors lately that we'd like to see change.  He finds it very hard to be truthful when asked about something that he thinks will get him in trouble.  Shad has had some problems in this area for years but we've seen it increase the older he has gotten.  He had asked for a kitten for about a year.  I was concerned about having to have anymore responsibility so we talked to him about how he would have to feed/water and clean the litter box daily.  Around Christmas we got him two kittens.  He did great for awhile, everything was new, the kittens are really great little fellows and easy to care for.   A few mornings ago I asked if he'd cleaned out the litter box before school.  He said yes, but since I hadn't seen him go out to the laundry room, I asked him again and again he said yes.  THEN he told me to go and look (obviously thinking I was too busy and that by telling me to do it, I'd think he had really done it)  WELL......I know a little bit about what I call "criminal thinking"  I didn't spend all that time working as a probation officer and working on a MA in criminal justice for nothing!  I went and looked and it was beyond obvious that he had not cleaned it.   When he was confronted, at first he still insisted that he had cleaned it (there was hardly any litter left in it and plenty of poop so unless the kittens ate the litter he had not cleaned nor added litter)   Then he said he lied because he just didn't want to do it.  I almost laughed, at least he was being honest:) 

For punishment there was an area of the yard that needed to be weeded and he got to do it all by himself. (it's a joke around here if something needs to be weeded...which boy is going to get in trouble first and have to do it LOL)   Because this is a behavior that happens repeatedly, we feel it is more than just disobedience, it points to a need in him.  Sure there is a part of it that is disobedience but there has to be more. 

After he had gotten most of the little area weeded, I went out and talked to him.  We had a good talk first about the disobedience and lying.  But then we talked about something he could focus on and he said he wanted to take piano lessons.  He had mentioned it before, so today we went to the music store in town and signed him up. 

Parenting a child that has been adopted, requires a lot of finesse and wisdom.  The child is usually emotionally scarred in some way by the rejection and abandonment of his birth family, even if they don't  quite understand it. Then if the child had been in an orphanage or foster care....they've got all of that to deal with also.   Adopted kids tend to statically have more issues with mental health and criminal involvement.  That doesn't mean that every adopted kid has some huge problem at all!  But it does mean there is more emotional baggage for a child that has gone through such a deep hurt.  So in dealing with Shad, we really try to parent creatively and outside the box.  I am sure we don't' always get things right!   But we try our best. 

I'm sharing this NOT to shame him at all.  (All kids lie and so do most adults  LOL)  But to encourage other parents to deal with your child's behavior, don't push it under a rug BUT also try and understand the child.  Shad is so bright (in 4th grade but almost in  6th grade work) we do have to work to keep him occupied and interested.  I'm really excited about him signing up for piano lessons and love that he has the desire to do something like that.  I'm glad we could deal with the situation and still give him something to help him feel good about himself and something he can focus on. 

Every child is so very different.  Steve has always been so easy going....but if you take that to the extreme, that is not good either.  Sam and Sarah are so different from each other although they have the same medical/mental diagnosis.  And Selah was very different before the accident and after the accident, I've had to remind all those who work with her, of WHO she was/is so the expectation for her to be a certain way, may have to be challenged due to who she was before the accident.   Parenting is complicated!  Sometimes when I get together with friends who share about their crazy family and then I share and....then I think.....WHAT the heck will my kids say about me when they are grown???   

Sam had really gotten back on his schedule and was doing really good with the anxiety.  The last few days he has seemed stressed again.  We go back to the neurologist this month, so we'll see if he will keep him on the medication he tried him on for a few weeks.  I think it seemed to help, it was so light but he ran out before the appointment came and the doctor wants to see us first before he decides what to do.  Again, if we can keep him occupied and busy, he seems to handle stress much better.  He has began doing NEW things and it has always seemed like he gets upset/stressed when he is progressing mentally.  He has become so much more independent of us in just the last week.  He now runs all over the yard without us holding his hand.  This is something he didn't do a month ago....now we are very focused on making sure our gates are all securely fastened and our gaze is on him the whole time he is outside! 

Like I said, parenting is not the easiest thing in the world but the most rewarding!!!!!!

Selah is back to normal, so thankful she made it through that infection without having to go to the hospital.  She has just done great with all of that.  In PT this morning, she was able to get full range of motion.  Selah doesn't really like it when it gets hard and will grimace but she could do it with the PT working her!  I'm not sure she had full range of motion BEFORE the accident!   The weather is so nice she is out every morning in her chair.  She seems to really enjoy going outside. 


So another day of trying to be the best parent possible for each of my kids....some days are easier than others but it is so worthwhile.  I love my kids just the way they are mentally/emotionally/spiritually/physically.... I just want to help them get to the best place possible in their lives.  Each of them will have very different futures based on their abilities but our focus is to equip them in all the areas mentioned above so they can have the best life possible. 

We as parents can always use prayer to help us, so feel free to pray for us!

Most of the time I'd rather just deal with things in a tough straight forward way, it is much easier but I'm not sure it is the best way.  BUT as we deal with problems we do keep our standard up, we just try to encourage the child to come up to that standard using every means possible!  Sometimes the encouragement may come in a more punitive way and sometimes in a more encouraging way.   And there is ALWAYS plenty of weeds in yard/garden/flowerbeds LOL

Happy 10th Birthday Sam

Happy 10th birthday Sam....just a little late!  Now the blog is allowing me to upload pictures again.

Here is Sam with his favorite soup at Olive Garden, his favorite restaurant!

 

 

He was being sung to by the staff and us and he was so excited, can't you tell?

 

 

 

Present time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a Ipod and nice headphones...you can tell he was quite happy.  Sam loves music, any type, southern gospel, Christian hip hop...  He LOVE LeCrae and Toby Mac:)

 

 

 

 

Shad and Jon

 

Sarah

 

 

Go Sarah go!!!!

 

 

 

 

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Here are pictures from his real Birthday!

 

On our way to the hospital for a scheduled C-section.  I wanted a picture of my boys "together" Justin case...

 

 

 

Just moments after his birth!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve just an hour later in the NICU with Sam

 

the next morning our first family picture

My brother in law took this picture...

 

then he took this picture below....

 

the MOMENT Sam opened his eyes and I knew something was very very wrong....

 

 

 

Look how little they both were ....Steve was so thoughtful in this picture. 

Well it's almost a month late, but I'm glad I finally got these pictures on here.  I love Sam and am thankful every day for his life.  He has blessed us with more than anyone would ever know!

Pictures from today!

 

You know I'm always trying to get a good family picture.....

YES Selah is standing.  She stand daily in her stander so I thought I'd try it.  It was great to feel her standing.  No she can't do something like that without support, the braces keep her legs straight.  I could feel her little back against me and she relaxed into me.  It's hard to explain it but she felt very natural, not stiff.  It did seem to make her tired but I loved having her up for about 5 minutes and holding her against me.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

we were laughing at our music pastor and our drummer who were making silly noises!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is some garden pictures.  The new SFG are not done yet.

 

 

 

 

we did this bit of landscaping yesterday

 

 

 

 

I am shocked that the pictures actually worked!  YEAH!

Ukraine- the situation worsens!

My heart is so heavy for Ukraine tonight....our church prayed for them fervently today.  Jon asked the men at the prison to pray and they did also.  People in prison, who have had everything taken from them, understand and support the underdog....they understand wanting to be free....

Can I ask a favor?
Can you go and like & share this page?
https://www.facebook.com/events/290079534474776/290585564424173/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity
the group name is...
URGENT Euromaidan Support: Storm White House Phone Lines!

And can you call the White House tomorrow and ask them to support Ukraine?
This is what the group is asking!

UPDATE: YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED AS RUSSIA BEGINS MILITARY INTERVENTION IN UKRAINE, VIOLATING THE BUDAPEST MEMORANDUM! PLEASE CALL THE WHITE HOUSE AND ASK THEM TO RESPECT AND ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUDAPEST MEMORANDUM!

Today Russian leader Vladimir Putin asked the Kremlin for permission to use force "to restore normal order" on ALL OF UKRAINE. THIS IS A RUSSIAN TAKEOVER OF A SOVEREIGN NATION AND AN OPEN VIOLATION OF THE BUDAPEST MEMORANDUM! As signatories of this memorandum, the United States ...has a responsibility to uphold it worldwide!

Greatest thanks to everyone who called during the previous event and asked the White House to impose sanctions against the government responsible for violence on Euromaidan - your efforts WERE SUCCESSFUL! But now Ukraine needs us even more.

Calls can be made at any time, from any place, and takes only minutes (even when out in a crowded play area with two kids under three!). For those of you who live in the US, simply call this number: 1-202-456-1111 to be connected to the White House comment line. Wait through the prompts to be connected to an operator, and ASK THEM TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUDAPEST MEMORANDUM AND IMPOSE SANCTIONS AND/OR TAKE OTHER ACTION AGAINST RUSSIA IN RESPONSE FOR MILITARY ACTION IN UKRAINE.

Your comment will be registered, and my hope is that if we get enough comments coming into the White House, they will realize that this issue is important to the people!

Again the number is 1-202-456-1111. It seems they only take comments during business hours, but otherwise it can be done at any time on any day - but let's do it as soon as possible because Ukraine needs us!

Spread the word! Invite your friends! Let's storm those phone lines! Let's get them so busy answering phones that they HAVE TO respond to the people and can't NOT act!


Pray that God will protect Ukraine.  This is a serious situation, WWI was started over less than this....
We think of our dear friends in Ukraine and of all the orphans.  Reports are coming out now that orphanages are already having shortages of food.  I'm going to look into some things to see if I can share a way to help out in that area.   This is a very serious situation. 


This is a great article on the last decade of politics in Ukraine
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregsatell/2014/02/25/ukraines-decade-of-political-awakening/


this article tells of what the Soviets did to the people of Ukraine....
http://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/history/item/4656-holodomor-the-secret-holocaust-in-Ukraine

Thank you for your prayers.....

Work day......and more thougths on Contentment

 

 

See all those pallets and the buggy too, all five together....that's what I bought this morning at Lowe's!

Steve titled this picture "what is today? WORK day"

 

 

 

You can't really tell but the old van was filled behind us.  It was a bit scary

 

 

 

yes I bought some plants for landscaping.  We got it all in despite the skepticism of the guy helping us.  He just dont' know me:)

 

Steve, Shad and I worked all day long except for lunch and lots of water breaks.  We landscaped and almost finished the garden but the drill lost its' charge and we couldn't' finish the last Square foot Garden.  We will tomorrow and take pictures. 

 

I'm sunburned and have sore muscles already.  When I took my shower, I took some advil in the hopes that I'll be able to walk in the morning....

 

But I LOVE working outside.  Steve & Shad, not so much.  In fact, they will be getting a night out to the movies next week as payment:)  They had great attitudes and got things done for me.  Some times they are not cooperative to work with LOL  I was glad Jon was home, he got the little ones today so I could get out there and work, it's so much better if I work with them!  I can help everyone stay focused because I'm quite the type A person when it comes to a job.  Gardening & yard work is something I LOVE to do! 

 

Last night we went to the mall shopping...pull my toe nails out!  UGH!  I was looking for a pair of white leather high tops for Sarah.  I went in everywhere looking for a pair for her and getting annoyed!  But I did somehow manage to buy her five new outfits LOL!  She has grown so much and she just wears clothes out unlike any of my kids have ever done.  I guess it is the crawling around or what ever but she manages to destroy clothes!  Tough girl!  So I have to buy her more stuff!

 

 

 

Everyone is doing great here.  Selah seems to have recovered thankfully! She has had some great days lately and has pooped on her own:)  That always makes me happy.  The weather is so perfect that she can be out for quite awhile, today I think the nurse had her outside for about 2 hours in the shade, walking her around.  I think kids should be outside if they can be.  Thankfully none of my kids have any type of allergies or problems being outside. 

 

Thank you all for your prayers for her!

 

I did want to clarify something after my last post.....

 

I AM contented with the place God has me in.....but my heart still aches for Selah.  This morning I woke up and just laid there and remembered Selah before the accident, all her cute little ways and how she was responding to us.  It is gut retching to think back, I want that little girl back with us......

 

Someone posted a video about miscarriage/early infant death and I watched a few minutes of it and suddenly it hit me!   THAT was exactly what it seems happened to us.  Oh we still LOVE Selah and we have and will do everything in our power to see that she has the absolute best life ever....but I feel like our time was cut off....we were still saying "hello" and then it was a "goodbye".    We were still getting to know her when the accident happened.   We still have her physically and I do think she is so much more alert than anyone would have ever thought she'd be....but....oh I miss her, deep in my gut I miss her.  I miss how she would have changed as she understood our love for her, I miss how she would have learned from her teachers and therapists.  I miss how she would have played outside with the other kids....Oh my heart just aches and aches with missing ALL of that! 

 

But yet I can say I'm content and not bitter.  My heart breaks, but I'm not blaming anyone.....I'm trusting God, not hating God.....   NOT because I think, if I have a perfect outlook, THEN God will heal Selah....NO I don't think like that.....

 

I do know that if I trust in God, rest in Him and look towards Him that I'll be healed!  My heart will be healed....not that I'll ever quit missing what we had and what we would have had with Selah but I'm thankful for what we DO have with Selah!

 

 

 

 

Bitterness vs Contentment

Today I was talking with a friend of mine.  In the conversation we started talking about being content with whatever situation we are in.  And that led, to discussing bitterness which is the opposite of being content...  made me think I should write about this!

Right now in my life my heart is content.  I'm content.  I'm content in my circumstances, I'm not anxious about trying to change things.  In the world's eyes we don't have much.  We live in a small parsonage, have a rather crazy life...the ONLY thing I'd change would be Selah's situation!  If Selah was well I wouldn't have a care in the world.  BUT even in this situation, my heart is still & at peace. 

There was a time when I was NOT like this.  I've written before how very bitter my heart had gotten after the death of the twins.  Bitterness just ate me up.  I was bitter over my childhood, over my present situation, over the ministry, over some hurts, over the loss of the twins....you name it and I was BITTER about it.  I was mad at God.  I think I thought He owed me something...here I had served God since my childhood, which was pretty bad and I was serving God by working in the middle of the inner city of New York...so God owed me.  But my babies died and I was quite pissed off.  Boy I'd bring up all kinds of thoughts and memories to remind myself how awful and unjust God was.....

During that time, we were making the MOST money we'd ever made, lived in the nicest and biggest house, drove new cars BUT I was not content, I was bitter in my heart.

This valley went on for several years.  But God still reached out in various ways towards me during that time.  He brought me out of that valley in spite of the bitterness.  God melted that away.....

Then in a few years, God gave us Sam.

One day in the hospital corridor, while Sam was still in the NICU, I saw a family on their way out with their healthy newborn.  I don't mean to judge but this family looked rough....like all they wanted to do was to get home to their trailer, crack up a 6 pack and watch some soap operas (ok that's mean but.....)   Right there, I turned to God in my heart and told him to look at that family....then I named all the reasons WHY I shouldn't have a sick baby and those folks who did not act like they cared at all had a perfect healthy baby.....

BUT I stopped myself!  In that moment, it became crystal clear to me that I had a choice.  I could go back to bitterness or I could trust God and with that gain contentment.

I CHOSE GOD  over bitterness!

I chose His Peace, His everlasting arms and the contentment that comes with trusting the God who created this Universe!

And that changed everything.

That choice I made that day, set a new pattern for me.

No more bitterness over the past or what should have been or could have been.....
All the way back to my own birth and all the heartaches and pains.

That choice brought me freedom!

And that choice prepared me for future choices that I'd have to make.

Dealing with the accident, has been the hardest thing for me but I've never once blamed or questioned God.  I don't think that is because I am so spiritual (ok friends you can quit rolling on the floor and laughing now!) but because I determined to not let bitterness grow a root in my heart ever again.  I'd "been there, done that and had the tshirt"   Didn't want to go there again! 

I chose to be content and actually I really am content in the circumstances of my life.

There are lots of things in life that come down to making a choice.... whether it is a choice not to commit a sin or whether it is a choice to turn to God rather than away from God...it's our choice.

Let me encourage you today to don't let bitterness grow in your life, it will poison every relationship, it will cloud every judgment and it will color your whole world.

Instead be content in the place that God has you in.  It may not be the easiest place but it's where you are at and when you practice being  content , it's lovely.  It too will affect every relationship, help you with decisions and make your world brighter.

I know I've chosen to do both at different times and I know the difference!!!!!  Trust me on this one!

Some verses.....

Hebrews 12:15         
See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;

Ephesians 4:31-32

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Isaiah 38:17      
"Lo, for my own welfare I had great bitterness; It is You who has kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.

 Hebrews 13:5            

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"

 
1 Timothy 6:6                         
But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment


Philippines 4:11-13
¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
(ok this is my favorite verse!)

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All is well at the Clanton's.  today is the busiest day, teachers from 9am-2:30 pm with the little ones.  Shad had a good day at school.  Steve  & his friend got some instruction by the man who came to work on our computer/sound system and then a bunch of them went to the drive in tonight.  Selah's heart rate is up just a bit but nothing else seems off and she is on two antibodics so if she is fighting something, then that should take care of it all!

Kids & Angels singing....

 

Sarah at the doctor's appointment

 

 

 

 

Shad and Sarah

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this girl!!!!

 

This was just a yearly check up.  Sarah brought a form of scabies home with her from Ukraine.  There is a term for it, but I don't remember it.  It's not contagious which is a good thing:)  When we got home from Ukraine at midnight, we had a 9 am doctor's appointment...when I walked in with her our doctor said "scabies!  How long have you been holding her?"  I told him for 6 weeks so I was a goner.  Then since she didn't respond to the treatment he gave us and we didn't get it, he sent us right to a dermatologist. and Sarah was diagnosed with a form of it that comes from having it for years.   It's not contagious at this point.  Many of the kids had the same kind of spots she did, but Selah didn't have them at all. 

 

She had to be treated twice with oral meds to get rid of the worst of it.  Now it only comes back a little on her body.  I had her in a sweater dress and she started frantically scratching her tummy and arms, turns out that kind of material irritates it.  She hasn't had an outbreak since November but we keep meds on hand to get rid of it if she gets it.  He doesn't think she'll ever get free of it but it will get less and less as time goes by.

 

 

Since the blog is working I thought I'd share some more pictures!

 

Sam going to take a nap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 the above picture is the kids' inside trampoline do you see Sam under it?  He did that by himself!

 

 

Close ups

 

 

he loves all the little toys we keep in the box under the trampoline.  This just cracked me up.  He figured out how to get out WITH pushing the box ahead of him.  we were laughing!

 

Selah is doing great.  She is back on her normal formula AND her meds came today!  Our friend the UPS guy got here before 10am.  He's not used to having to get a timed package to us.  We see him all the time for all the various supplies we get for her monthly but not one like that!  So now she is started on her Tobi and the other antibodic, we are sure she will handle this ok now.  Everyone is seeing her new little expression.  Our day nurse tried to capture it with a picture but didn't quite get it but we are all excited!  I hope she is trying to smile, today it looked like she was!!!!

 

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A friend of mine shared this video on my Fb wall....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCwmx8CjUnc&feature=youtu.be

it's called "Rodney Howard Browne- Angels sing with People part 1 this was back in the early 90's

Y'all know I'm a bit of a Pentecostal skeptic...

BUT

I was there that night

I heard this with my own ears

a knowledge of something much greater was worshipping with us in that service

About 4 minutes into this you can hear clearly the main sound of worship, the angels and you can tell the difference that sound than from the various people who were worshipping. 

 

I was sitting in the back right side (facing the pulpit) area with some family & friends.  When this started, it was NOTHING like anything I've ever heard in my life.  Sure you can hear people worshipping but if you look at the folk's faces, many were silent. ( I know I was silent- I was in awe!)  There was a sound above our heads, that just listening to this still give me chill bumps.  I was sitting next to my sister in law and I just grabbed her hand.  I was pretty sure Jesus was about to come!  I knew, no one had to tell me that we were hearing angels.  No one made an announcement.....there was absolutely no need to do so.  We knew.....

 

As I said I'm a skeptic although I'm a Pentecostal preacher's wife.   But this was something else.  The sound came in waves like the sound of rushing waters... 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCwmx8CjUnc&feature=youtu.be

this is part 2

 

Rodney Browne's services were characterized as having "holy laughter"  I had seen that a little when I was growing up but never to that degree.  I'm not saying some folks were not "in the flesh" but it was real in my opinion. 

 

I'll tell you what happened to me.... a few years before this video was taken. 

I'd heard about the services being held at a large Assemblies of God church.  My husband (who is much more open to things than I am) had plans with a friend one night so I decided to go by myself.    We actually were scheduled to speak at that church in a few weeks.  So I slipped in and sat in the back, trying to hide since this church was a little too out there for me!  (we were coming to speak to share about the ministry we were about to start in NYC)  So I watch the service (not this service ) and at one point realize it was 10 pm!  I got up to go to the lobby to call home since that was late! (this was back in the early 90's no cell phones)  When I got up to go, I could not move!  I mean there was a heaviness to my limbs that was NOT from it being 10 pm at night!  I believe it was God touching me, the presence of God was very strong.  BTW the pastor of that church was sitting behind me as I tried to stumble out.  I was so embarrassed!  But I could not control myself.

 

So Jon and I both go back the next night.  We sat a little closer...RIGHT behind another pastor that we were scheduled to speak at his church.in the next few weeks  - and the pastor had probably 15 people with him.  At the close of Rodney's message, he asked everyone to stand and lift their hands if they wanted a refreshing from God.  I did, feeling foolish as I am not a "hand lifter"  He began praying from the pulpit that was far in front of us and he ended the prayer and said something like "Fill them now!"   Well I was "slain in the spirit"  right there with NO one touching me.  "Slain in the Spirit" is a term that Pentecostals use to describe being overcome by God to the point you can not physically stand up!  I fell between the pew in front of me and the pew behind me without hurting myself at all. When I hit the ground I began laughing at the top of my lungs, again uncontrollably.   (BTW I had never been "slain in the spirit " before this and haven't since)

 

Now I was younger back then but I had been raised in Pentecostal churches all my life.  I've been in situations where I felt the need to "perform" to show I was "touched by God" but I always resisted!  By that point in my life, I'd survived my home church, 4 years of Bible college and was married and in full time ministry.   NOTHING like this had ever happened to me before.  By that time in my life I was well into my role as a skeptic.  Believe me, when friends heard what happened to me, they came in DROVES to see what was going on LOL  Cause they knew I "didn't play the radio" translated...I didn't play around about the things of God. 

 

But here I was towards the back of the church, surrounded by a pastor and some folks from his church that we were going to speak at soon and I would have never wanted them to see me like that at all.  My husband just began saying "IT's God, It's God" because he knows me and knows how I am. 

 

So here I am down on my back on the floor, between the pews, screeching with laughter...with tears running down my face.  The tears were not from me laughing so hard but rather from a release in my heart.  I can not explain or defend what happened to me.  All I know is it happened, I don't fake it for no body....and the bible says that God uses the humblest things to confound the wise....

 

There was much discussion in the Pentecostal movement  at the time...was it real or not?  All I know for me it was real. 

 

What I appreciate about the minister Rodney Howard Browne is that he has gone on to pastor a church, a church that focuses on reaching the lost and he has never been in a scandal and has remained faithful to serve God.  He and his wife even went through the pain of losing a child to a horrible illness and yet serve God faithfully.   His fruit has remained for all the naysayers out there.  Some who fought the revival  ( that went on for years) , don't even serve God themselves now....

 

I will be the FIRST to say that Pentecostals can be a bit emotional in their experience with God  (not usually me but some can be)  But when you experience God, your emotions will get involved. 

 

So sharing this is very personal for me.  I'm not a typical Pentecostal and I will admit to being somewhat ashamed and embarrassed by Pentecostals and what they do LOL. I'd make a GREAT Methodist!  But I'm sharing my "real life" as it happened.....and when my friend Joe shared this, it brought this all back to my mind.  Although he and I are arguing what year it took place in LOL!  I say it was in Jan of 1996 and he says in was in 1993 (the revival went on for years with meetings that would go for a straight 6 weeks at times)... but we were all there and together when it happened.  And we've never forgotten the night we heard the angels sing!!!!