Mary Huston's 90th Birthday

I'd like to take this opportunity to honor Mary Huston. She and her husband, Don were long time members of Stanley Union Church. When we first came to pastor at Stanley I asked someone how they came to be part of the Stanley family as they live "a far piece away". I learned that through Don's never forgetting that he represented our Lord in his daily life as well as his professional life he had been delivering supplies to this couple's home construction site and had invited them to visit Stanley Union Church. As all of you know once you visit, the church opens it arms to you. I also was told that Mary was always behind Don every step of the way. How wonderful to have pioneers to blaze our paths.

Recently Mary's daughters, Dodie Miller & Lucinda Williams along with their spouses asked Mary's friends and our church members to join in celebration of Mary's 90th birthday. This particular Sunday afternoon was a perfect fall day. Many friends came to help celebrate this occasion. Seeing Mary ensconced on the sofa with friends and family all around her made for a precious sight. Someone remarked to one of the son in laws that Mary seemed to be enjoying herself, his reply was, "yes, she is able to enjoy the moment whether she recalls it tomorrow or not". What a wonderful thought, we should all enjoy the moment as who knows what tomorrow will bring. How many of us miss the blessing of today waiting for tomorrow?

Misson trip to Alamos 09/2011

As most of you know John made a recent trip to Mexico. He left on August 21st after church. He flew to Tucson, spent the night and caught a Mexican bus, Tufesa for the trip on to Guaymas. He needed to renew his yearly visa and is required to do it in Guaymas as that is the nearest migracion office for Alamos residents. Pastor Nestor and wife, Lyly met him there and after visiting the migracion office they made the 3 ½ hour trip south to Alamos.

As you can see from the photo below Alamos is beautifully green as they have been blessed with a healthy monsoon season. This is the view from our casa's front portal. John loved to sit there in the early morning with a cup of tea and talk to God.

Nestor is the pastor of Armaduro de Dios church in Alamos. This is the church that was built with the help of many US christians. The church is slowly growing. It is blessing to see how God is moving there in Alamos.

The church folks there love John and regard him as family. Before John left on his trip we had begun to hear that he was expected to give a message while he was there. Since it had been quite awhile since John had delivered a message in Spanish he found this to be a challenge. He requested that I email him notes of a specific message that was in his files. He later told me the first page came through to him in English however following pages appeared to be in a unrecognizable foreign anguage (who understands this electronic world?) at that he tossed the notes away and winged it. I heard from our Mexican friends that his message was wonderful and that his Spanish was muy bien.

During the service a young couple brought their baby forward to be dedicated to the Lord.

During his time there John visited with our students that are attending high school and college. He purchased shoes and backpacks for some of our needy elementary school children. Getting new shoes is a big deal for these children, some who have never had new shoes or shoes that fit properly. Thanks to everyone who has supported our ministry. It’s such a blessing to share God’s love and gifts with our people there in Alamos. Blessings to all of you, Ginger & Pastor John

Wintery Baptism at Stanley

Acts 8:12 (KJV)  But when they believed

Philip preaching the things concerning

the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ,

they were baptized, both men and women.

There are moments in the life of a fellowship where it seems the outside world stands still in order that all may fully comprehend the magnitude of the event being witnessed. Such was the experience this Sunday at the Stanley Union Church. An overflowing congregation warmed the edge of their pews as the Holy Spirit percolated within the bounds of their hearts. What could possibly be so grand to bring this humble country church to such soaring heights? It was the baptism of eight of their fellow believers!

At the piano’s note, introducing the praise song, the voices rung through the air, “we will enter His gates with thanksgiving in our hearts; we will enter His courts with praise!” The overwhelming joy was uncontainable. This hand-clapping gathering was exhibiting the pure abundance of their spirit filled lives. An old fashioned, Stanley-style baptism was underway. Action taken upon decisions made. Lives change as the old is washed away. The new is afresh in the air!

One by one, Pastor John Nash immersed each candidate into the chilly glistening pool, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The baptism, the public display of their personal conversion, represents the act previously performed by the Holy Spirit when each chose Christ as Lord. A condemned, cursed, and sin-filled body became new ~ washed white as snow and cleansed by the precious blood of their redeemer, Jesus.

Walk through time with me and take the seat from the vantage point of the angelic host this past Sunday. Imagine the rustling of wings and anticipation of wringing of hands as they hovered over this glorious sight on a crisp sunlit day in a quaint stucco chapel nestled on the golden plains of New Mexico. Hear the silver trumpets resounding Heaven’s pleasure. Whispers from The Creator’s messengers tickle the lips of the collective chorus as spiritual breaths fill the natural air declaring, “They are new, they have come, they are His”. Pure delight. Pure approval. Pure, clean, fresh, and yes, new!

A young baptism cadidate watches on

as a member recieves baptism.

Witness the joy on the face of the wife as she

and her daughter are able to be first hand observers

to the baptism of the children's father.

Ginger Nash watches on with delight as the baptisms begin.

Despite the cold temperature of the water,

the joy on the faces could not be chilled.