Ma Space

Summer in South Texas

2011-05-24T13:09:00.000-05:00

As most of you know, I love Winter time. Snow, bare trees, shivery winds, beef/vegetable soup simmering on the stove....but....it's summertime. So, let's ponder for a moment, the pluses of this wonderful time of the year. If you're older, your bones don't hurt as much. All kinds of vegetables are beginning to harvest; onions, carrots, cabbages, and watermelons. You can wear sandals and flip flops; short sleeves and finally get a little sun on those white legs. VBS and revivals spring up in almost every church and then the best of all.....Vacation Time.

We're home folks so at times we'd just as soon be here, but every now and then we take off for parts unknown and relax a little from all the cares and bumps we experience in life. This year, in July, I hope we go to North Carolina for a couple of weeks. My mother is 85 years old and getting feeble according to my sister; Dales parents are 83 & 84 years old, so the situation is pretty much the same there. Not to mention the grand babies living there that need to be hugged by Gramma and Paw Paw.

But this summer I have something old but new that I want to share with you on here. I've become reacquainted with prayer. Had I lost this old friend over the years? No, but I seemed to not have placed as much importance there as I should have and for that I have suffered. In prayer, we have power. So many situations have arrived in my life and I tried so hard to do things the Biblical way, had to readjust my attitude several times, had to eat some crow...but at my age, you've had to do that so many times that you usually don't fight against it...you just do it and get it over with because you know it will linger...you know the guilt will eat you up...the prayers will be hindered and your fellowship with God will stop. Having said that, let me share something else with you.

Conflict will arise in our lives, even if we're not people that goes looking for problems. Christian friends will attack you until you begin to doubt yourself and begin to turn into someone you don't even recognize. Our reaction to this is where we mess up. First we get defensive or retaliate. Then we get vindictive, or our thought process is continually on how to get back at them or tell them a thing or two. Next we get bitter. This is HOT stuff. Makes you sweat. Remember? Summertime?

Finally, we remember a little tool we have in our arsenal of armor, prayer, and we fall to our knees. The Bible says, "When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." Proverbs 16:7 So what do you do? You pray for winter. Lol, you be cool. You turn your focus off the conflict and concentrate on what pleases the Master. This is how you survive the heat.

I'm loving this power in prayer. We've had two professed lost men in our congregation for two weeks now. I'm praying several times a day that our church will become a warm birthing station for souls. We cannot let them slip out of our midsts, lost and without accepting the Lord as their Savior. In praying for the "conflict" in my life right now, God has "grown" me and he has pruned the rough edges. I've been in the hot seat, but he has strengthened me. I praise His name. I am His. He will teach me how to act, what to say, and in Him I am somebody...I am made worthy through Him.

Prayer: "Lord, how I do love you. You are sweeter than honey to me."

Happy Summer.

Jean

Valley Excitement

2010-03-19T23:47:00.000-05:00

For almost twenty years now, my husband and I have seen the need for churches in the Rio Grande Valley; strong churches with strong doctrine and with the power of God on the pastor and members. The few churches we do have struggle to keep members, cannot pay the pastor full time, and most often sit full of senior citizens with not one member under the age of fifty. Many of the churches that Dale preached in when we were in language school, have been boarded up and out of operation for years. For twenty years we have encouraged young men and old alike to come to the Valley and start churches, to work here amongst one million people with only six to eight IBC's (Independent Baptist Churches)and a smattering of SBC's (Southern Baptist Churches.) We saw the need, and we had a burden for the Rio Grande Valley, gateway to the United States from Mexico. We saw the need, and had an unusual burden, but God had us in Mexico, on the Island of Novillero in the state of Nayarit. And we loved it, still do. And there's no doubt we were in the perfect will of God.

Now God has allowed us to work here in the Valley. We had no idea just two short years ago that Mexico would be in such turmoil and be so dangerous a place to work. When Dale began to help some of the struggling works here, we stayed on our knees. No one has to preach to us to follow the Lord. We have a healthy fear of missing God's will. Two churches here in the Valley were closing their doors. One building was already up for sale. Years earlier, Dale built the altar in that same church and a group from our home church came down and ripped out walls to make the auditorium bigger. They got down to two families. Our hearts were grieved that a church would have to shut its doors in the United States of America. One thing I can say about my husband is that he is an encourager. He began to love on the people, to rally their faith, he stayed on his knees in tears and prayer, and when the contract ran out, that 'for sale' sign came down. It has not gone back up and the church is running 90 to 110 on Sunday mornings. All the glory goes to the Lord, for my husband is a man with faults and failures and had the Lord chosen not to do so, nothing would have been accomplished. But thank you, Lord, for allowing us to be part of this miracle you have done.

The three works we started in Mexico have pastors and are flourishing. Our plans were to start a work in Acoponeta, but the Lord never opened the doors. Now Hermano Everardo Andrade has a wonderful church started right in the heart of Acoponeta. What a blessing. Just forty-five minutes from Novillero, Hermano Osvaldo Ruiz began a church and has now built a Bible College. So, God has taken care of the area we labored in and prayed over so many years.

But women have so many fearful issues, and I think I am chief of them. Does God change his mind? If he called us to Novillero, total population of entire Island, 4600, would he move us? To be truthful, I was terrified. I could not see down the road or fast forward to two years later. But God could and he started working on what needed to take place to help us and keep us safe.

You see, to get to the Island, we must travel through the mountains of Durango. Durango is home of the Zeta's or the Guzman's. I have no idea the correct name of the drug cartel or the men that oppose it. I do know that they have beheaded men on that road, set road blocks and killed 15 innocent people at a time, buried men, leaving their shoulders exposed and set the top part of their bodies on fire and just recently entered the VIPS restaurant where we eat breakfast, and killed two men and an innocent waiter standing nearby. Missionary friends have received death threats, had their wives drug into cars and kidnapped, their children kidnapped and one man and his son stoned. These are things I know about that happen between the United States and Novillero, Mexico.

Not to mention the border at Reynosa and Matamorus. Two more killed yesterday. Three last week. How about Mexico City where they cut a mans face off and sewed it to a soccer ball and put it in the stadium for all to see. Store owners in Progreso that have been our friends for years tell us that men came to their stores and told them they would protect them from the bad guys but would need payment. If they don't pay, these same men will turn them over to the bad guys. A missionary told us today that he and a friend went this week to a city just south of the border and it was like a ghost town. The native pastor there, begged them to leave. He was afraid the wrong people would see them and think the pastor had rich connections then kidnap his children, demanding a ransom. We weep over the situation in Mexico. Only God can help.

But God knew all this and he worked it out. Much the same way he did several years ago when he impressed on us to become debt free. It was like we were driven and I kept thinking why are we making double payments on everything. We don't need to. But God knew times would get hard for Dale and I as missionaries. He took care of us. Are you seeing a pattern here? If you walk by faith and you give everything you have to the Lord, completely, he WILL take care of you. What sweet peace and rest this brings.

And now, those visions that keep us from perishing, dreams of revivals, and campmeetings; dreams of growing churches...they're coming true. God has heard our prayers. He saw the tears of the few pastors we have, saw the prayers of mother's that wondered if their kids were going to see the power of God move in their lives...and he has had compassion and rain is on the way. Remember Elija? That spiritual rain of revival.

What a mighty God we serve. The Valley needs a radio station, one that will play good southern gospel, preach old time preaching, we need an orphanage, a conservative christian school and Bible college. We need at least fifty IBC's here in the valley to meet the need. People flood this valley everyday and our job seems overwhelming at times. But God has heard our cry and is sending men to do the work.

I'm reminded of that song, 'Who will go to America, Land of the Red, White and Blue, Who will go to America, Tell me brother, why not you?' I want to give it my all. I so desire to see God work in this area. He has given us Donna, Texas. Dale looked for a city map today so we could mark off the streets and make sure we cover every inch of Donna, inviting people to Christ. Then there's Weslaco, La Feria, Mercedes. We got the tag for the bus wednesday, and thanks to the Winter Texans at church, we have insurance for a year on both vans and the bus. We plan to load that bus to the hilt tomorrow and take the kids to Rally in the Valley, a day at Camp Loma de Vida, to promote the summer camps. We plan for more in VBS and love what God's doing in junior church with Luke, Skyla, Hector and Nadia. Next friday night is youth night again. Harvest Bapt. and Grace Bapt. youth will join Cornerstone Baptist youth for a night of preaching, praying and singing. Isn't it wonderful? Aren't you getting excited?

And now the finale. Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, Evangelist David Harrison, will preach a valley wide revival for us in May. It is the first where our churches will together have the revival. Where we'll have a Valley Choir and different pastors open the services, not just the Pastor of one church. Brother David will not bring revival with him, it's already here. But he can bring us Word from the Lord. And because of his testimony and faithful service to the Lord, we can feast on messages that uplift, convict, move and stir because he has the same desire as us. To see America have revival.

I am excited, are you?

Jean Kincaid,
Saved by his wonderful grace.

Spring

2010-03-11T14:36:00.000-06:00

I love the weather right now. It's not too hot, not too cold. Just right. The Lord has been blessing and we've seen lots of change in our lives. Dale and I, that is. I love him more and more and I am so proud of him. We have had so many obstacles to overcome in the last two years of ministry and he has leaped over them with a maturity and wisdom that amazes me. He is my hero.

Speaking of hero's, I have submitted two new proposals. Well, new to the editor. Lets pray she likes it and I get a contract. Writing is such a part of my life, yet submitting proposals is like cutting eyeteeth. Hard to do and painful. You know why? Because you could be rejected.

That leads me to my next thought. None of us like to feel rejected. it undermines our confidence and our self worth plummets to the ground like a watermellon dropped off David Letterman's building. Does he still do that? I quit watching him when he kept attacking Sarah Palin. Not that I watched him that often...he's so silly he's hard to stomach. Not funny at all. Anyway, guess I just rejected him, huh? Lol, but he will never know and trust me, my opinion of him would be like that of a feather barely brushing his arm. But, I have learned that you can crush a person's spirit in a moment of unguarded speech, and if they never mention it to you, they may suffer in silence until God heals the hurt or you finally realize what you've done and apologize. So the best thing to do is be slow to speak, slow to wrath and quick to love. Put out a helping hand to the ones struggling. Say a kind word to someone who seems bitter and unsatisfied. You will reap the benefits.

That brings me to my third thought. It is planting time right now. Time to put in vegetables,flowers and trees. If you plant plentifully, you will reap plentifully. I love canning and hope my son, Daren, and son-in-law, Bryan, plant plenty of vegetables this year and I hope Dale and I benefit from it. Here it is March and I still have 3 sweet potatoes left that Kelly brought me and I have 4 quarts of green beans that mom canned. So our harvest from last year was plentiful. Praise the Lord. But know this too, if you sow briars and weeds in with the vegetables you will reap them too. So think carefully about the choices and decisions you make. Reaping will come. The Bible says, If you sow to the whirlwind, you will reap the whirlwind. The McBrides sing a song, There's gonna be a payday someday.

I am doing some reaping right now. Overeating when younger has now taken its toil on my body and I am hindered from doing some of the things I love to do. There are 'ends' that I never tied up that are still looking me square in the face...waiting. The one good thing I have in my favor is, I was always too afraid of the Lord to go against him so I don't have a life scared up with sin. I thank Him for that, but I still will do some sorrowful reaping.

But, there is joyful reaping, too. I have been praying for the youth in our church. I asked God to set them on fire for Him. I asked for the whole group, but God has given us one. One, that just said God was changing her way of thinking 180 degrees. What a blessing. I love to see Him work.

Well, I have now updated my blog. Once again, I will try and do better but don't count on it. There are other things so much more important that I need to get done. So, read your Bible every day and pray. It is good for your health.

Love you, mucho.

Starting Out Right

2010-01-06T16:09:00.002-06:00

On this the 6th day of January, 2010, you have either high-fived yourself on sticking with your New Year resolutions or you've cast them aside with nary a thought. I, on the other hand, have advanced in leaps and bounds. I refreshed myself in the things of the Lord and realized that I like doing all the things He likes me to do so piece of cake, right? Wrong. Because I am still in this fleshly body there is a warfare against me. Oh yeah, it's against me, too, cause "it" tries to destroy me. If I can't function properly because diabetes has the upper hand, then devotional time suffers, the church doesn't get cleaned, writing doesn't get done, house...well theres no hope there, and hubby doesn't get fed properly. Not good. So, how you ask, do I plan to fix this HUGE problem? By doing the above mentioned thing every day. Refresh myself in the Lord. Ahhh, huge sigh of relief. Did I mention that I love HIM? He told me just today...Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. So, be encouraged. This is your life. How are you going to live it?

Happy New Year

2009-12-30T13:48:00.002-06:00

I thought it might be about time I updated everyone on what has happened in the book world. The winners of the contest were notified, prises were given and that added to the busyness of the holidays. Talk about excitement. Words just can't describe the feeling when you walk into a Sam's Club or Wal-mart and see a book with your name on it. What a high. However, there is something even better. It's to see that continually. Ha ha, I bet you thought I'd be real spiritual and say something about the Lord, huh? Well, that's a given!!! Anything about the Lord is better than ALL I will ever accomplish or ever become but how thankful I am that he blesses us sometimes with the desires of our hearts.

I desire your prayers as I look for an agent. I have sent a proposal for Fruit Inspector to an agent Rhonda reccommended and am anxiously awaiting her reply. If you haven't picked up a copy of "Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe," then please do so, so that extra copies will not be sent back to the publisher. I'm sure, since it was a Christmas Book that it will not be on the shelves much longer, so please get your copy now.

And, the New Year is a time for making resolutions. Mine is to spend more time doing the things I enjoy rather than the things I feel pressured to do. I am the Lord's and He is mine and together we make a good team. As long as he is happy with me then I will be happy with me, too. If you know me then you know what a large statement that is because I've spent the first 52 years of my life trying to please everyone else to the detriment of my health.

So, my wish is for each of you to have happiness, health, love, and be smack dab in the center of God's will. What a great place to be.

Happy New Year

Jean

Singing Hi yi yippee yi yay yay yay!

2009-08-31T18:44:00.006-05:00

It's not even September the first and we have winners. From the contest, those that pre-ordered my book and sent receipts or proof of purchase are as follows.

1. Gus Chapa
2. Barbara Davis
3. Monica Silva
4. Maritza Cantu
5. Rhonda Gibson
6. Alma Chapa
7. Yvette Cantu
8. Sharon Canamore

Only two more needed to meet the required first 10. Isn't that great!!!! Would you believe that not one of those people are family? I just knew my family would bolt out the door, buy my book and be proudly showing that baby off. Especially my two loving, caring sisters. I believe they are step-sisters. Would anyone like to trade? Hardy, har, har.

And the beloved son...you know...the one I dedicated the book to? Does he have a copy, yet? I think NOT. So, he's not the favorite any more. Can you tell I'm having fun? Hee hee, I am. My dream has come true. I am published. Know what? I want to be published mucho tiempos, so move over Karen Kingsbury; I'm coming to sit beside you again!

Flying High, here.

2009-08-28T08:26:00.003-05:00

WOW! I can't believe it. Three people ordered my book last night. I haven't even sent out a newsletter to my email contacts; just posted it to my blog and website. Isn't that wonderful. I began to read the stories last night and they're fantastic. No, I had never read the stories in their entirety, just snippets here and there to get a jist of what it was about. All I can say is GOOD JOB co-authors. So, if you're just reading this, look at the post below this one for contest requirements and let's give away some free books. Also, my co-authors are doing contests on their websites, too, so visit their sites and increase your chances of winning. I love it and thanks everyone.

Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe

2009-08-27T14:52:00.006-05:00

My new book is here and I want to celebrate with you. I will put the book blurb below for you to read and I am opening a contest for those that love free things. The first part of the contest is for the first ten people that respond. The book arrives on shelves the 1st day of September but you can pre-order it at www.barbourbooks.com or www.christian books.com. If you pre-order it, or even buy it at Wal-mart and email me a copy of your receipt, I will give you my first book, Shelter in Seattle, free of charge if you send me your mailing address. This is my first attempt at contest, so bear with me. Always before if I hosted a contest, I just gave the winners name and address to the Author or Publisher and they took care of awarding prises. This time it's up to me, so I'd like to get it right.

Now the second part to the contest is a bit easier but your chances to win are a bit less than the above attempt. If you sign the guest book on my website, or leave a comment here on my blog, you will be entered into a drawing for a free Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe. And I will be choosing two winners. So there you have it.

I cannot begin to tell you how it felt to hold this book in my hand. What a blessing to be able to share my beliefs in a love story; a romance with clean and pure characters. I so hope you enjoy. May the Lord bless each one that reads Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe.

Here's the blurb on back of book. Enjoy.

Four young women, fresh out of college, pursue their careers at a new ski lodge at Lake Tahoe's Incline Village during the winter season.

Bethany Stillman's resolve to focus on her RN career falters when she meets paramedic Cole Beckman. Cole wonders how long it will be before Beth realizes he's to blame for crippling her grandfather. Can a Christmas miracle forge a path to love and forgiveness?

Social director Scarlett McKaye loves planning things down to the last detail. But what she didn't count on was having to spurn the bold advances of a reckless suitor. How far will daredevil Derrick Greene go to cancel Scarlett's reservations?

Stephanie St. John is determined to make a go of the time-share program at Snowbird Lodge. But Darrin Hart seems to be undermining her efforts, her confidence, and her reputation. Will misunderstanding be resolved, or will Stephanie succeed in business only to lose at love?

A wounded-at-the-heart Michaela Christianssen has chosen a male-free existence. But her friends and an eleven-year-old girl have other ideas. Widower Jonas Bradley is content with his life as father and forest ranger, until he finds himself pining for Michaela. What will it take to fell her oppositions to romance?

Counting Blessings.

2009-05-05T15:25:00.002-05:00

I woke up in the middle of the night with something heavy on my mind. It brought me to my knees. You know, we sometimes think that baby Christians are the only ones that can fall, but what a misconception. We should stay prayed up and right with God. The scripture says we cannot tempt God because he cannot be tempted with evil. It says 'we' are tempted after 'we' are drawn away by our own lust, then lust when it is conceived causes us to sin and sin death. But it doesn't say we are automatically tempted all the time and all day; it says when we are drawn away. So, its simply best not to be drawn to anything that might cause us to sin. I like that very much. Having been a chicken most of my life, I now have permission to stay that way. I don't want to live my life for the Lord then have my testimony ruined by carelessness. What a waste, and what a shame. So today...I am counting my blessings and the many wondrous things that have dropped into my life because I serve the King. With fear, honor and love. Have a gander at one of my blessings.

The Bell Choir.

2009-05-02T17:46:00.005-05:00

This is our bell choir from Cornerstone Baptist Church. I am so proud of them. Isaiah, the fellow in the front row is only five. We actually have 9 students but were on a skeleton crew that night of revival. Still, they did good.

I'm so proud, yet humbled.

2008-12-14T14:28:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, we had our ladies Christmas party at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Mrs. Sheila Velez, wife of Pastor Roy Velez of Iglesia Bautista Colonia in Mission, Tx., was the guest speaker and she did a devotion on the words of Christmas. It was unique and quite wonderful. She choked up several times and it may have embarrassed her a bit, but it did our hearts good to hear such passion being expressed over words that we take for granted. Like Peace, Joy, Hope and Love. We had such good fellowship and I hope we never become a church where emotions are hidden or considered out of place. I praise the Lord for every tear, every hand raised in praise, and every trip someone takes to the altar.

Now you know if you're a regular reader of this blog, that ladies meetings are my "thing." I love them and see the meetings as a way for us to grow and prepare our younger ladies to lead their own classes and ladies meetings one day. So of course I must show off our photos for you. I hope you enjoy. And remember, BUY MY BOOK. www.thewildrosepress.com, then click on the left side, "Inspirational," and Shelter in Seattle is the 6th or 7th one down. Thanks and I'm done plugging; at least till next post.

Love you guys, Merry Christmas.

BUY MY BOOK, pretty please.

2008-12-09T22:47:00.006-06:00

Here's where you can purchase a copy of Shelter in Seattle. I am posting a link to a review site that said fantastic things about Rhonda and my book. Then I will post a link to two places you can buy Shelter. http://manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=reviews&bookid=2199.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com. Once the web site appears, look on the left side and click on Inspirational. Our book is about the 6th one down.

Finalmente

2008-12-01T20:18:00.002-06:00

I totally forgot how to blog. I couldn't remember anything. So, now that I'm back I will work on changing the scenery and get some good stuff going. How's that. Sorry for the long hiatus but I was kidnapped by the CSI team and then shipped to Paris where I got a degree in agriculture; then I woke up and here I am in Weslaco behind the sewer plant. Just lovely. JJJJUUUUST LOVELY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

2008-08-23T08:49:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday to you, la la la, Happy Birthday to Kimberly, Happy birthday to you.

33 years ago today at 2:45 my second child came into the world. Her daddy wanted her named Kim and her paw paw (my daddy) wanted her called Ann. So we named her Kimberly Ann. She weighed in at 9lbs and 10oz, and was just 18 inches long. She looked like a Japanese baby. She had slits for eyes. But since then she has grown into a lovely young lady, is a good mother and wife and an excellent daughter.

Won't you join me in wishing her a blessed birthday and share your recipes for having many more of them. Birthdays that is.

We love you, Sissy.

Master The Tempest Is Raging

2008-07-27T14:03:00.004-05:00

Mark 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come,, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 37. And there arose a great storm of wind. and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39. And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 5:1 And they came over unto the other side.

So you see my friend, they did get to the other side. During the long, LOUD, hours of Wednesday night, my heart was troubled and I admit, I was afraid. Not just for Dale and me, but for everyone else, too. But praise His name, He brought us to the other side.

Below are some photos of the damage Dolly wrought. Please pray for the Rio Grande Valley. Many are without electricity; water still stands in homes, fields and roads and has become hazardous. Stagnant water, mosquitos and fallen power lines are the norm right now. Our churches leaked and have water damage, at least Cornerstone does and boards and roofing have to be replaced; Grace has no electricity and trees block the front entrance and a side of the church was torn off; Ms Pat at Epaphroditis lost the roof on the mission and has water damage to most everything inside. She has trees down in her front yard.

Our lives were spared, though, and how we praise the Lord for that. In junior church this morning, the kids told how they hid under the covers and prayed for God to keep them safe. Their eyes were big and the stories got even bigger, so Josue prayed and thanked God for keeping us safe. It was a sweet time.

Remember, keep us in prayer.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Birthday to Andy

2008-07-14T18:07:00.008-05:00

Happy Birthday to Andy,
Happy Birthday to Andy,
Happy Birthday to Andy,
Happy Birthday to you!!!

Let me introduce you to the 6th Kincaid grandchild, Andy Ray Kincaid, son of Daren and Stephanie Kincaid, brother to Katelyn and Eli. As a grandmother, I want to try and describe what Andy means to me. First of all I didn't get to meet him until he was 8 or 9 months old and when I did see him the first time, it was love at first sight. He was a bit chubby and he smiled at everybody. He was very seldom in a bad mood. I would sit in a chair and set him on my feet, lay him back on my legs, hold his hands and swing my feet untill he fell asleep. We got to see him again when he was about 3 years old. We stayed in Lenoir that time about 3 months and when we left he climbed in the truck and laid on Grampa's chest and begged, "Please don't go Grampa." Talk about tearing your heart out.

The next time we saw him he was five and Stephanie left him and Katelyn with me while she went somewhere. She said they needed a nap cause they were up the night before and we were going somewhere that evening, and if he was tired he was ornery. So, I took him up to the bed in the camper; Katelyn laid right down to take her nap. Andy kicked me and frowned and almost growled at me, so I finally swatted him three times on the rear; all the while biting back tears cause I knew it wouldn't be long till we had to leave and go back to Mexico. I felt so bad and it didn't even do any good but the funny thing that I still laugh about to this day is, Katelyn looked up at me and said, "Gramma, you're gonna have to do better than that." Hee hee, I said, "But I swatted him three time." She said, "Well, Nana beats him and he listens to her."

I think that was my only time of ever having to get after Andy. He loves to sit on the floor and have you read him a book. He is always respectful and courteous to us. He will talk to me on the phone and tell me all about an event that happened in his life. He is a loner and that surprises me because his mother is a people person. But you find Andy outside playing by himself, hours on end, happy as can be.

My prayer is that the Lord uses Andy in a mighty way.

We love you very much, Andy Ray. Happy Birthday from Gramma and Grampa Kincaid

Marriage 101

2008-07-01T08:07:00.002-05:00

Someone once said, "marriage is an unending assignment." I agree. You never get to quit, wad it up and throw it in the trash, or set it on a shelf with plans to finish it later. And since divorce is not an option, our best plan of action is to make it the best thing we ever put out hands to. Marriage is God designed and ordained.

The thing that has amazed me over the years is that God also has a plan for every facet of our marriage. Cathy Corle wrote something in her book, The Mrs. Ministry, that has just knocked my socks off, but the more I study on it, the more I am assured that she is right on the mark. She said that marriage is vital and important to a man, but it is not his lifes work. God called him to do a work, especially if he is a pastor, evangelist, etc., so therefore his marriage cannot consume the majority of his time and energy. I wish I had known this 35 years ago. Most of my sentences began with, "you're not helping," or "if you really loved me." What a great help it would have been to fully realize my place and the importance of my role in our marriage. Instead it's almost 36 years later and I am just beginning to grasp the meaning of "helpmeet."

Here's the clincher. Being Dale's wife IS my life's work. Ladies, we have a vital and valuable place in the plan of God and if we don't seek and find that place a specific thing that God wants done will go undone and needs will be unmet. Back in the 1970's, there was an outcry and demand for women to be liberated, free and independent. Thirty years later and those same women are not crying out so loudly. I know in my own life, better late than never I guess, I have learned what a relief it is to look at someone and say, "My husband won't allow me to do that." Gets me off the hook every time. His shoulders are big enough to carry any backlash from that answer and it builds a stonger bond between the two of us.

Example: I am a victim of guilt. If a woman begs me to host a Tupperware Party and I know she needs the money, I feel guilty if I don't help her. Yet Dale hates it when I do that. I have no idea why, he just does. In the early days, I would defy him and have the party; the whole time griping and grumbling at the money I had to spend for the refreshments, the extra time it took to clean and the time it took away from doing what I really wanted-to spend time with my family. Now, I just look at the person and give them the facts. "Dale won't let me." He is happy, I'm happy and the sale's lady either likes it or not. I pray she has success with someone else. I have guarded my marriage, strengthened my love for Dale and his for me, and avoided the stress, both financial and mental that having the party would have caused.

My most important obligation in life is to minister to and meet the needs of my husband. Period. I like something else Cathy said and I quote; "You're not responsible to your husband for your submission, you're responsible to God." Now, if we really feel like our husbands are lacking on their input into the marriage, we have a right to pray and ask God to change things and when it does, it will bring about a sweetness and add to the bond already between us. Sorry, Phil, just had to add that in there. lol.

Husbands and wives occupy different but equal positions in a marriage. It's just important that we keep things in the correct sequence. If you're driving down the road pulling a camper, the camper can never lead. It must always follow the truck. It has just as important a job, mind you, but if it ever leads it will wreck and ruin anything in its path. Even if the truck is a bomb; rusted and 20 years old, the camper must still follow.

Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Merry Medicine

2008-06-26T21:30:00.003-05:00

A wife invited people to dinner. At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter & said,
"Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,

"Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"

********

Back in the Saddle again.

2008-06-25T10:39:00.002-05:00

Let me first apologize for the lack of posting on Ma Space. Life interrupted with a minor surgery for hubby. I say minor, he says major. What we both thought would be an in and out little hitch in our busy lives, ended up being, so far, four weeks of healing. The doctor is supposed to release Dale the 10th of July, so actually it is six weeks of healing. However, Dale was preaching again the third week, but the first 8 or 9 days were very taxing. He still has trouble getting up and down, and has nights where he has to take advil for the pain. To someone that has never been sick or taken medicine, this was just the end of the world as he knew it. Hee hee.

Heather Calahan is the winner of Sherri's book showcased in the previous post. Unless something major has changed, Heather reads only non-fiction, but maybe she will share her win with friend Kerri. I have no idea whether Kerri reads or not, but maybe this book will be the one that creates a thirst in Heather for fiction. Cora Belk won the same book from Sherri's web-site. I, of course am thrilled, because Cora found Sherri's site from my blog.

My adopted son, Phill, has requested that I do several posts on marriage and that will be my next post. Phil should beware though; my idea of a perfect wife and his do not mesh. I know him well and he is thinking, subservient, quiet and always doing what is best for hubby. Ummm hmmm. He should thank the Lord that he married Lori who fits that bill almost to a T. Last time I saw them, "she" was opening the car door for him! Anyway, I love being married, well pert nigh most of the time, and I love searching God's word for ways to make it better.

My friend Betty, asked me to put some of my travelling experiences on here, so that will be interspersed with marriage comments. I ask for prayer for my writing. The devotional is so beautiful and I long for it to be in print. I am still collecting devotions from those that like to write, so feel free to send them in. They may or may not get included, but if at all possible I will use them.

The laundry is calling, Bible School material needs to be ordered and lunch needs to be prepared. I have a praise today I want to share with you. Yesterday I went to the doctor for a six month check-up (they make you come or they won't fill your prescriptions again) and he said, "Any problems with the tummy?" I replied, "Not for the last three months." He said, "Wow. Remarkable." I responded, "Yes it is. Let's explore why that is." He said, "Nah, let's lose 50 pounds." I said, "So, how are "you" going to do that?" He said, "I'm not! You are! And you're going to start by walking a mile a day." My praise is this. I only take a low miligram blood pressure pill. That's it. My cholesterol is fair, 230, and my intestines no longer need the high powered 400 mg, 3 tablets 3 times a day. 3600 miligrams of asacol a day. According to the Doc. I need to lose weight so I think that is achievable. I'll probably be in a car crash later on today and die instantly, but my health is much improved. At least more so than the last 6 years. So thank-you, Lord, for this great blessing.

Now where did I put that 'get out of jury duty' free card?

Presenting Author Sherri Sand

2008-05-20T11:01:00.005-05:00

Hola, mi maties. I invite you to a good read..and to meet a lovely young lady with a brand new novel. I will be giving away one of these novels in a contest to be posted later on this week. So, pay close attention, post lots of comments, and you just may be the winner of a fantastic story about faith in God and overcoming fear and distrust. Isn't that what we all need? Encouragement to move us forward in our walk with the Lord. And it's published by David Cook Publications and we all know...they're the best! http://sherrisand.blogspot.com

Leave It To Chance

Chance Brought Them Together…Will He Tear Them Apart? Newcomer Sherri Sand delivers a delightful novel in the style of Karen Kingsbury
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. ( January 2008 ) – Novelist Sherri Sand offers a humorous tale of a romance between two stubborn people and the antics of a horse named Chance in her first novel, Leave It to Chance.

Single mom of three, Sierra Montgomery is desperate to find a new job to keep from having to move back home and be smothered to death by her mother’s good intentions and overbearing love. So when Sierra inherits Chance, a quirky old gelding she doesn’t have a clue what to do with, she thinks her best bet may be to sell the horse to cover another month’s rent—a decision that devastates her children.

Enter Ross Morgan, a handsome landscaper who just happens to have an empty barn and fenced pasture…perfect for an old horse to live out his days as the pet of three wounded kids. Ross develops a soft spot for eldest child Braden…and he just might have one for Braden’s mother. But what he doesn’t have is time for distractions—he’s got a landscaping business to run.
But Sierra has a secret. She’s terrified of horses and—thanks to her past—wary of attractive men. Yet seeing the way her angry son idolizes Ross and adores that old horse forces Sierra to confront her fears. Will she remain distrustful and self-reliant, or will she seek help from God and those who love her?

About the Author: Sherri Sand is a wife and mother of four young children. She lives in Eugene, Oregon and holds a degree in psychology from the University of Oregon.

Praise for Sherri Sand and Leave It to Chance: “Leave it to Chance is a delightful read, full of enough ups and downs to keep readers cheering for the characters and hoping for a happy ending. Watch for more great novels from Sherri Sand.—Lauraine Snelling, author of Breaking Free and The Red River of the North series including Sophie’s Dilemma

“A delightful new voice in Christian fiction. Sherri Sand creates an artful balance of inner struggle and tenderness, warmth and whimsy.”—Sharon Hinck, author of Renovating Becky Miller and Symphony of Secrets

This book can be purchased at
http://www.amazon.com/Leave-Chance-Sherri-Sand/dp/1434799883/.

Leave It To Chance: A NovelRelease: May 2008Paperback, 364 pages, $13.99, 5.5 x 8.25Fiction/Christian/GeneralISBN: 978-1-4347-9988-3

David C. Cook is a nonprofit Christian communications organization providing remarkable and relevant discipleship resources for all ages and stages through churches and families in the US and other English speaking countries. Cook Communications Ministries International (CCMI) is currently working in more than 80 countries and in 150 languages to build the church and families by providing training for developing Christian publishers and products to support discipleship. For more information about our ministry please visit our website at http://www.davidccook.com/.

Birthday Girl In The House.

2008-05-05T22:32:00.003-05:00

Let's give a big birthday shout out to our good friend,

DEE DEE. Happy Birthday!!!!!

Giving Thanks

2008-05-03T08:00:00.002-05:00

The past month has been very un-healthy for several of my friends, but the report this morning from two of them is pretty good. Brother Bob Hawke called and though he didn't have time to elaborate on his condition, he did say he was "fine," so we know several things from that. He has travelled; he can talk on the phone; and he was driving cause I heard the sound the vehicle makes when you insert keys and the door is still open. Hee hee, good detective work, huh?

My good friend, Lucille Dowdy, had surgery yesterday on her neck. According to reports from her daughter, Lucille came through the surgery fine altho she had a minor upset with her lungs. She is going home today altho she needs to stay in the hospital, but can't due to her severe allergies to different chemicals.

My fourth buddy I haven't heard from yet. Brother Jeff Shue was to have an angioplasty (at least I think thats what he had by the description Betina gave) and he was to be at the hospital all day yesterday and then released if things went well. Prayerfully he will be back to his dandy self in a flash.

Now why, you might ask, would anyone blog on something like this. Because it has become quite apparent to me that our health is not something to take lightly. We skip so lightly over the scriptures stating our body is the temple of the Lord, choosing to think it means "don't sin." Which it does, but it also means to take care of that temple. To nourish it with proper foods, liquids, exercise, to feed it emotionally and spiritually. It's a full time job. I get the Blaylock Report and was reading in it the other day, the importance of spiritually in our lifestyles. I feel like that is prayer. Praying is an actual release of things bothering us; we give those things to the Lord and if we have the proper "blocking" technique, meaning after we give them to the Lord we refuse to pick those worries back up thereby "blocking" them from your mind, we will find ourselves stronger in the Lord, stress free and loads more healthy.

Now before you think I am talking about my friends above, let me tell you, I am preaching to the choir. This has been my personal journey for the last year and I still haven't conquered it; but I'm getting there. I am always terrified that they will find cancer in me like they did with Brother Bob. There is no way to prevent things like that; at least not that I know of. Brother Bob is not overweight, doesn't drink, and has lived a good life. There goes all the things you would think cause cancer. I stand more of a chance than he. I'm overweight, drink way too many cokes; (you thought I was going to say drink too much, didn't you) and though I try to live a good life I fall short way major too often.

And the angioplasty thing, oh merciful heaven, my dad died from heart complications. He wasn't overweight and he excercised daily so what chance does that leave me? I AM overweight, exercise every now and then and yo-yo diet. My mother takes every heart medicine they make and has a pacemaker. She too, is not overweight, nor has ever been. So, maybe being overweight will save me. Hardy har har. I think NOT.

Then the back surgery Lucille had. How was she to know her rubbery stuff would leak out between her spinal column and leave her bones sitting on bones? There was no way. And Lucille turned her health around a few years back. She lost a lot of weight, found the foods she was allergic to and dropped them from her diet. She has helped me a lot onthis journey to find the food culprits crippling my intestines.

So, with all these things happening to my friends and then my current health crisis, it makes me even more aware of how I have abused my body over the last thirty years. Our health is not something we can afford to take lightly, but the devil would like us to be crippled up so we can't do anything for the Lord. Not acceptable any more.

Won't you join with me and determine to get healthy this year. With a proper diet, plenty of excercise, daily Bible study and prayer we can lick this thing. And if we support each other and care for each other we are enriching our lives with something better than wealth. I have worried and prayed over all three of these my friends. I love Brother Bob and his way of serving the Lord. He is a great example. I love Brother Jeff and his sense of humor and the way he makes everyone feel at home when they're around him and I love Lucille. She helps everyone; buying clothes for her pastors wife and me; finding articles and stores where I can buy the herbs and natural things I need. I need all three of these people in my life. But Ineed them healthy.

What are you waiting for. Let's get started. Let me hear from you about how you are approaching this. And don't forget to pray for my three buddies. Start commenting.

Grandchild, grand piano & grand night!

2008-05-02T22:49:00.005-05:00

Tonight was just sooooo special. I have missed out on quite a bit of my grandkids lives. I have 10 and number 11 is on the way. I have never been to one of their kindergarten graduations; never attended a PTA program; not once been to an awards banquet; but Praise the Lord, tonight I watched my 13 year-old grand daughter, Laura, perform her recital piece on a big grand piano. What a treat. I bit my lip to keep from sobbing like a big baby.

Then the icing on the cake was, my daughter, Kim, sang. Can you believe that? The teacher found out that Laura also plays by ear, and plays mighty fine I might add, and so she asked Kim to sing. Kim sang, "In My Father's Eyes." When she finished, her dad said, "Amen." As if he was in church. Hee hee, you can take the boy out of the country, but ya can't take the country out of the boy. I was so proud of Kim and Laura. They both looked pretty.

Juan & Dee Dee's son, Mikey, also played, "I Surrender All," and did a fantastic job. I felt like he was my grandkid, too. He looked so handsome and I wanted to go ruh! ruh! ruh! when he finished. It wasn't a religious gathering, but Kim sang a religious song, Mikey played, "I surrender all," Grandpa said, "Amen," ...........so we had church.

Most of my pictures turned out dark till Juan fixed my camera, so I have doctored them a bit and they're not clear. Maybe Dee 2 has better ones. I hope you enjoy them. One of these days I'm going to figure out how to record on my camera and then I'll put little clips on here like Dee Dee and Juan do on their blog. I hope you enjoy!

The Finished Product

2008-04-29T10:44:00.003-05:00

Well, I finished the relish and am now ready to venture on to something more with all the produce I have left. If you have any great recipes for cabbage, green peppers or tomatoes
please send them my way. Like I told Kelly the other day though, I don't want recipes that
calls for a long cook time. I am trying to save all the vitamins and minerals and cooking for
hours on end destroys all the good stuff.

And speaking of finished projects, the edits on Shelter In Seattle are now finished. What a
thrill it was to see what the editor had done with our book. I liked every single one of her
corrections. It made the book flow so much better. What an experience! Rhonda let me do
them all; of course it couldn't be because I begged her. Lol. But this is old hat to her and all
brand new to me and I loved every moment of it. When I got the signed contract back I
almost cried. I intend to frame it and hang it in the office.

If you get a chance, check out my website. I am featuring a new author and you will find her very interesting. I love her dearly. She helped me on Fruit Inspector. I introduced her in one
of the writer's conferences I attended back in 2004 and I am amazed at her willingness to help unpublished writers. And her books are phenominal. She presents the plan of salvation so
clearly and she addresses so many topics that christian people face at different times in their lives. However, she does it in such a way that you don't even realize thats what she's doing and
of course that's the sign of a great author.

I am preparing for a ladies meeting in Rio Bravo and am getting so excited. My daughter, Kim, has promised to help me and I am overjoyed at that. She helped me with one in Progresso and I was so proud of her. It always has a different smell to the food and the lighting is different and of course there is a language barrier, but she was a trooper and sat right down with the ladies and did a craft. Most "white" people always hold themselves apart and would have stood back and watched, and of course tried to be helpful in handing things to the ladies that might have been needed, but Kim, she got right in the middle of things and painted her craft. Not speaking a word of Spanish, but she'd burst into speach from time to time, always laughing at herself and the Mexican ladies nodded as if they understood. It was great fun. She never did tell me though, what she thought of her mom teaching about the Lord in Spanish. Hmmm, I guess I'll just have to ask her. Of course, that was the time I kept saying we should build our house upon the leg. Yep, I kept using the word "pierna" meaning "leg," instead of "piedra," meaning "rock." I finally caught on to what I was doing and corrected it, but had Kim spoken Spanish she would have corrected me. Hee hee.

Dale and I knew a missionary once that was preaching about David choosing five smooth stones and he kept saying "cinco perros," instead of "cinco piedras." Perros meaning "puppies" and piedras meaning "stones." So with five smooth puppies, David killed a giant. I bet they had fleas.
Oh to be able to speak "perfecto Espanol."

Well, I have lots to do today. Thank you so much for listening to my ramblings. I am just a sinner saved by grace and so happy to be saved. I have been troubled over the way the world is going right now and all the political mess and I finally realized, no matter how it turns out I am safe. My grandson, Logan, has had a battle about his salvation experience so Mark talked to him one night, explaining fully the plan of salvation. They prayed and Logan walked into the kitchen where his mother was at and she ask him how it went, to which he answered, "I'm fine. I got insurance." Lol, he meant assurance. Well, I have insurance and a reservation. That's called security. Isn't it wonderful!!!!

Have a great day and may the Lord's grace rest upon you.

Jean

2008-04-24T08:50:00.003-05:00

In honor of Earth week, we are going green. Not that we worship the earth or anything; we'll leave that to Al Gore and his cronies. But, I do like the idea of recycling, using less harsh cleaners, less paper plates and paper towels, things like that. And after living in Mexico and Texas where nothing stays green longer than two weeks after a rain, then trust me...we are FOR green. And I have a son-in-law, daughter and 4 & 1/2 grandkids that are green. Greene, that is. Hee hee, okay, I'll get on with it.

Speaking of green, I was talking to a girlfriend in China, Mexico, about needing organic grown vegetables to can. She couldn't help me cause she didn't know anyone that gardened, either. Then as Dale and I got ready to leave, she mentioned an old man that attended one of our churches and asked if he was still alive. So, Dale and I went by to visit him before going home and he was still alive and had a beautiful garden. He is a diabetic and has almost lost his sight. He walks with a cane, yet he has an absolutely beautiful garden and he loaded me up. Thank you, Eliseos. The pictures below are my bounty.

Eliseos gardens like my Dad used to. He keeps egg shells, peelings, tea bags, coffee grinds, etc., as compost and uses that as fertilizer. Isn't that neat? His vegetables might not be as big as those raised by the growth hormone fertilizers, but they are more tasty and colorful and so much better for you.

Anyway, today I am making chow chow. I am so excited. I have already taught Adele how to make strawberry jelly and if the chow chow turns out ok, I am going to try my hand at canning salsa. My daughter, Kelly, makes it every year and says it's delicious. If I can teach Adele and the other women in the church how to can salsa and soup, it will help with the food problem they have.

They live from day to day and only have what is growing at the moment to eat and at times there is nothing growing. So they kill their chickens, boil them in about 3 gallons of water so that they have greasy, chicken tasting broth; then they drop tortillas pieces in and wah lah, they have chicken and dumplins for a couple of weeks. Since this is the only lifestyle they've ever known, they are happily ignorant that it is a super poor lifestyle. They also aren't aware that their many sicknesses stem from the lack of vitamins from green vegetables.

Rhonda and James have an interesting way of gardening, too. They have stacks. Yeppers, that's right although I am sure there is another name for it. James built wooden boxes in their back yard, put in dirt, and they have grown beautiful tomatoes, cucumbers and such and yet it doesn't take up their entire back yard. I will post photo's of that as soon as she gets them to me. I think that is very interesting.

My mom is 83 years old and still raises an award winning garden as does my father-in-law. I think he is 79. Isn't that fantastic. My mom calls it therapy. I benefit from it cause she cans green beans for me. She used to do tomatoes, but the acid now burns her arthritic hands, so I hope the Lord allows me to make a trip to North Carolina during tomato harvest. I will can everything I get my hands on. You see, it is not costly to them because they have their jars, rings, funnels, and the canner from years past, so all they buy are the lids and salt. I love it.

And don't get me started on making apple butter. I could go on and on and on. And Novillero people think it is manna from heaven. I made over 100 pint jars in 2004 and took it to the Island and I'm sure that went down in history as Mexico's year of the most bought litebread. Apple butter just doesn't go with tortilla's. Hee hee.

From the high gas prices, causing the food prices to explode, we all may need to garden this year. However, as one famous President said, (Eisenhour maybe?) there is nothing to fear but fear itself, so I have adopted the verse in the Bible, "what time I am afraid I will trust in thee." Because when I look at our Presidential choices, the war in Iraq, housing market, and food prices, I tend to want to horde food, buy a bicycle and hide out in Mexico. I'm a BIG chicken, but I prepared for Y2-K and look how well that turned out. This time, I am riding it out with prayer.

Have a splenderific day and let me know if you have good canning recipes for any type of vegetable. Lord bless. Oh how I love HIM. He is so good to me.

Lots of News

2008-04-11T10:05:00.011-05:00

My friend and fellow author, Rhonda Gibson, was hospitalized night before last and released late yesterday. The Doctors ruled out an ulcer; did many blood tests and then scheduled her for all the horrors to come. Drinking chalk, ultrasounds, etc. She would appreciate your prayers.

I am walking on the ground again. Been in the air for two days now. I read every single word of the contract I received from Wild Rose Press and have filled out most of the papers concerning hero and heroine traits. All that stuff has to match up so the story will be consistant. I find all the steps of this process very exciting, thus far.

Along with every high comes a low and I guess this keeps us grounded. The Pastor we have in Iglesia Bautista Calvario has been offered a better position in Tepic. He hasn't said he would take it yet, but my gut tells me he will. His baby girl has been sick since she was born, has had several surgeries and several scares when she would be rushed to the hospital. We only have a one room hospital in Tecuala that holds six beds and that is for surgery patients, too, so the benefits of living in Tepic for Pastor Angel and his family are so much better. More modern facilities as well as better living conditions. Add to that, the church is a bigger one, pay is better, and this is almost a sign of the Lord rewarding him for his faithfulness. But it will be a great loss to us and the two churches we started.

Then Alfredo kept hinting to us that he wanted to move to the border so he could get a job. Work is non-existent right now as no one can afford to build anything and progress in that area has come to a screeching halt on the Island of Novillero. Finally he just informed us he was moving. So, in one week we have lost a Pastor in one church, a main leader in Iglesia Embajador and a caretaker of our property.

But one problem has been solved, although it was a good problem to have. We had begun to feel as if they didn't need us anymore in that section of our mission work. Pastor Angel did such a good job managing the two churches and the mission, that we felt like intruders when we showed up. We have to be very careful right now because the news has leaked out and two preacher boys have already asked for the job as Pastor. Help us pray that we will find another Pastor Angel as well as a Pastor for Embajador. Now that the Brother from Guadelajara has started a church in Acaponeta, we would love to see more of the surrounding area with Independent Baptist churches, so we are praying about that as well.

Well, I promised all kind of things would show up on this blog, but so far its been all about me or the ministry, but I am studying on my next post already. I would just like to say a few words to certain people. Ms. Connie Cimino forwarded my request concerning the web site to all her contacts and many of them have visited the web site and blog and have either sent me emails or posted on the blog. Thank you Ms. Connie. You are a precious lady.

Another lovely lady that did the same thing was Ms. Lucille Dowdy. Hopefully we will hear more from Lucille as I intend to bug her for information to put on here about natural healing, vitamins, and places to buy meat and veggies that have not been contaminated. To me, this is so important right now, so I find this very interesting. I keep picturing Brother John walking into their house yelling, "Lucy, you got some s'plaining to do." Thank you, Ms. Lucille.

Then there's Juan, who always calls me Gramma. He secretly forwarded this to his address book but forgot to take me out of it so I got the post, too. When I thanked him, he very sheepishly said, "You weren't suppose to get it." Hee hee, I loved that. Thanks Juan.

Then if you read my post in the guest book, you will notice a post from a guy named Demetrius. For all of you that know us well, this is Salvador. Roy Dale has loved this young man from the day we drove into Tecuala the first time. He wasn't married then and his Dad would yell for him to come talk English with Dale. We loved spending Sunday evenings with Salvador and his family. We miss him so much. He now lives and works in San Diego, California. I borrowed his wife's name, Karina, for the heroines name in my book, Fruit Inspector. He has three lovely little daughters that live in Tecuala with their mother. I hate that they are separated because of his need to make a living for his family but as I said earlier, work is non-existent and Salvador's family owned a builders supply. Since no one is building, he makes no money, hence his need to work in California. Thanks, Salvador for signing the guest book.

Then there are several other missionaries in Mexico that visited the site, Brother Bishop and Gloria Rolison, Elaine Shuefelt, Brother Fred Denner; all of these are precious jewels and I count it a pleasure to be missionarying with them. Thank you all for your dedication and desire to take the gospel to the Spanish speaking people. Lord bless each one of you.

So, have a great day in the Lord. If you have something you'd like to submit or would like to showcase your ministry here, then send me an email and I will put it on. There seems to be lots of traffic on here so let's take advantage of it while we can.

God Bless,

Jean

http://www.jeankincaid.com/

http://grammaspace.blogspot.com/

I am SOOOO EXCITED!!!

2008-04-09T15:33:00.003-05:00

Just got the news from Rhonda. A book she and I co-authored, Shelter in Seattle, will be published by WILD ROSE PRESS. I am holding the contract in my hands as I write this and wondering if it's really real. I've screamed, cried, laughed and all but jumped up and down. I must thank Rhonda for inviting me to work with her and for giving me this opportunity. What a thrill. And I thank the Lord, too, because just a little under two weeks ago I finally gave everything in my writing world over to him and began to say daily, "It's all in His timing." I felt a little nudge to begin preparing as if it would be any day and that's why I did the web page and blog. And now I am in awe. "He" knew when the time was right, didn't he! Why did I ever doubt?

So, please rejoice with me because each of you have helped build a beautiful site of interest for this lowly missionary/author. I am truly humbled.

Now before I begin blubbering like a baby and thanking my Daddy for encouraging me to read at an early age, then all my brothers and sisters for sharing their books from the book mobile, and then of course there's my third grade teacher Mrs Pennell........Well you get the picture, so I will close.

There is a little girl inside me doing the happy dance. (Snoopy)

Praise be to His name.

Jean

Garden Time

2008-04-08T08:41:00.002-05:00

I have had the most enjoyable morning. I found green beans at the Market yesterday and this morning I strung and broke green beans and they are now slow-cooking in the crock pot. This took me back to childhood when Daddy used to carry in 5 or 6, five gallon buckets full of green beans from the garden. All of us would gather on the front porch and string beans. My first memory is one of trying to coordinate my movements to achieve the best productivity. The newspaper across the lap held the strings and bad spots cut from the beans; the bucket on one side of the chair the pot for the broken beans on the other. I'd get messed up and the strings would go in the good beans, etc,. But what fun we had.

Alfredo's (the man who lives on our property in Mx.) garden right now consists of onions, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons, canteloupes and carrots. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks he will plant cucumbers again. Already had one crop of them this growing season. Several years back, he and I planted just watermelon and canteloupe to see if they'd grow in the sandy soil. We had an abundance of them and he sold them to the Market in Tecuala. How I love to grow things.

I have decided to make me a couple of aprons. I want to spend more time in the kitchen, preparing my own vegetables and meals. And one should have pretty aprons for that, right? I need to collect new recipes, especially vegetable ones so please, send me your favorites. Our church ladies have taken one of my favorite recipes and turned it into a varied smorgasbord of delights. Chille Rellenos. All I ever knew to do was stuff them with hamburger meat and cheese, but they use shrimp, chicken and white cheese and one of the ladies uses potatoes and hot peppers. It is fantastic.

One of the verses in my scripture reading this morning was from I Peter 3:15 ...be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. That is my desire this week. To share one on one this hope that is within me, with a person seeking for something to fill the void in their life. There is no greater thrill and once you've done it, you want to repeat it over and over again. Talk about a high!!!

Until tomorrow, dear friend.

Jean

We Are So Blessed

2008-04-04T08:32:00.003-05:00

It is such a beautiful morning here. I almost have my laundry of five loads done, talked with Rhonda on the phone, caught the headlines of the news, did devotions and listened to the song by the Hayes Family, "We are so blessed," and am now updating my blog. I love to get a jumpstart on the day. I once saw my Pastor with a book cassette tape getting into his automobile and I asked him why he was studying whatever it was on the tape. He already had a cram-packed schedule and I wondered why he would subject himself to that particular torture. Had it been a novel I might have understood the relaxing technique, but this was a tape designed to teach one something they would have to study and learn. His answer impressed me very much. He said and I paraphrase, "I'm trying to account for every minute of my time. To fill every moment with something meaningful." Smart, huh?

So, my goal since being on the mission field has been along those same lines. Redeem the time. Once again, I need to teach someone in Novillero to play the piano since Nayjelle has moved to San Diego. The man that supply pastor's there, plays the guitar, rather poorly I might add, but he cannot play hymns. The people, especially Alfredo, love to sing the hymns. When I taught Nayjelle, I taught her to chord with the left hand, and play notes on the right. This is passable music but not correct. The next person I teach, I hope to teach correctly. I have pledged an hour a day to practice music, so that my next piano student will benefit more.

On that same note, la la la la la, I pledge to spend an hour studying Spanish. I speak passable Spanish and can teach Sunday School and ladies retreats, but I want to excell at it. Now lest ye say, "you oughta spend time with the Lord," I already do. That's my first thing in the morning to do, item. Without that, none of these other things are possible.

Putting this in writing makes it so much clearer somehow, so how about you? What thing have you put off, or procrastinated about, but wish you really could gain victory over? Post it on here and if we can help, we will. I needed to find music books simple enough for me to learn from and had no idea how to go about it since I'd bought several from the Bible Book Store and they were miles above my head. While listening to my grandson, Seth, play his recital piece one day, I thought, that's how I want to play. I asked Kelly where he got his book and she told me. I purchased the same book online from BJU sound forth.

So you see? When you let it be known that you are interested in a certain thing, speak up. God will send someone along to help you accomplish what you're in need of.

What do you desire to do to redeem the time?

Chillin

2008-04-02T09:10:00.002-05:00

On our trips in and out of Mexico the last couple of months, I have faced many obstacles while striving to maintain a semblance of good health. Having been diagnosed some 15 years ago with Chronic Colitis, even the smallest variance in eating habits can be hazardous. So, top of "my" list of things to do are things related to food. It takes 24 hours driving time to get to Novillero, our home, and I must prepare all of our 'traveling' meals. I usually boil several chicken breast, make a potato salad and mix cucumber & onions in Italian Dressing. Then I pack them in a cooler along with a gallon of tea. We eat breakfast before leaving Texas and about 3 or 4 o'clock we eat the meal I've prepared. We try and make it to Mazatlan before stopping for the night, (19 hours) and we have a half peanut butter/jelly sandwich and a drink before going to bed.

Next morning we eat breakfast at a little restaurant that has an outside seating area, covered with a thatched roof. Breakfast consists of scrambled eggs with ham chunks, the real ones without growth hormones, lol, refried beans and toast. I have never experienced any bad effects from eating here, surprising since just a hop and skip down the street is a major, fancy restaurant, and the two times we have eaten there I became very sick.

Then we're off to Sam's Club where we purchase enough meat for a month, white sugar, (if we buy it in the market near home it is brown) flour tortillas, (they use corn) laundry detergent, and cleaning supplies for the church and house. By lunch time we've arrived in Novillero and I fix us a quick taco soup. (Thanks Rhonda, for the recipe.)

Then and only then can I relax a little. I have made it through the temptations presented by my husband, who does not have intestinal complications. You see, he stops on the side of the road and buys corn on the cob with mayonaise and chilli powder slathered on, fruit cups filled with mango, papaya, pineapple and coconut; then of course theres the peanuts or pumpkin seeds sold in each little town; or how about the pan dulce. And he's never bothered. Before, when I didn't prepare our food, we would stop at any little roadside cafe and eat the chicken grilled on the open grills with onion and potato chunks, mmmmm, good. And always upon leaving Mazatlan, we'd buy the dried shrimp and snack on that. Parasites just waiting to infest our stomach lining.

Finally, I found Jourdan Rubin, (The Maker's Diet) and his Primal Defense and have learned quite a bit on how to take care of myself. Still, my first thoughts on this journey to spread the gospel to a third world country are what foods to prepare and how to avoid illness of any kind.

To close this post I would like to say, as a team, Dale and I work very well together. In the beginning, I have to take care of the practical side and he gets excited and prepared for the spiritual. I see to it that his meals while traveling are apetizing, and he talks hour after hour about what he'd like to see happen spiritually with the churches. When we arrive, he begins the practical; repairing lights, air-conditioners, sound systems, painting, wiring and I pray and seek God's face about how to help with the spiritual things Dale spoke of on the trip that he would like to see accomplished. Things like new songs for the youth choirs in each church, (3) I make the copias, he teaches them to the Pastors, who then teaches them to their congregations. I make preparations and invitations for the meal for all three Pastors' and their families, so that Dale can encourage them and hear the things they report. It's a special time of fellowship. Lot's of times, the Pastor's will confide in Dale; things that maybe their wives have faced that was hurtful and dissappointing and after prayerful consideration and with the Lord's leading I may be able to encourage her.

All in all, this is the best life a person could live. I have often thought...If I had a lot of money would I still do this kind of mission work. The answer is, yes, I would probably just do more.

Blessings,
Jean