Middle School and High School Choir!!!

I am so proud of the hard work that Wendy Compton and her fellow workers have done with our students in the Worland School District. Wendy is a great part of our worship ministries at 1st Baptist, but you also should see and hear what she does with our students. The kids performed in awesome fashion last night at the middle school auditorium. They sang, did choreography, played drums, played xylophones, and much much more! I am so thankful for what these people are doing for our children.

My son Jacob absolutely loves the music program. It is something he talks about all the time. I also observe several of our 1st Baptist kids involved with singing too! The neat thing about it is that these same students are building their confidence up and singing on the youth worship team too. Great job Wendy and the rest of the music team! Great job kids!!!! Also...congratulations to Jared Craft for receiving both the choral and jazz choir awards at last night's event! God bless you guys!!

Thank you Mom!

My mother's name is Elizabeth Rose Westerfeld. She was just remarried last fall to a good man name Larry Westerfeld, after being a widow of my father, Oscar Garza, for many years. I'm really proud of her making good decisions over the last several years, moving to Idaho, purchasing a new home, marrying Larry who is a Christian man.

I just wanted to say that I love my mom. She has been so supportive over the many years, especially with all of my musical endeavors. Of course she was there with all the bumps, bruises, blood, etc. as I was growing up, but I remember most of all, the time of support with my music. Who helped me get music lessons? Mom. Who supported me and drove me everywhere for music concerts? Mom. Who allowed me to travel the country and England with music groups? Mom.

Mom, thank you for life, your love, your support, and care over the many years. The prayers for my family have been felt. Thank you. All of the support and prayers over the years have helped lead me to be able to minister for the Lord Jesus Christ as Worship Minister at First Baptist and in the community of Worland. God bless you and Larry, Mom!

OUCH!

Ouch! My little son Josh, a second grader, broke his arm yesterday on the playground at school. He was very brave at the hospital! While he was there and calming down, he said two humorous things. 1) He said that he was glad it was before the Thermopolis 3-on-3 basketball tourney! 2) He blamed the broken arm on greasy chicken! I asked him what it had to do with greasy chicken. He said that he had greasy chicken for lunch in the cafeteria, didn't wash his hands and went straight for the monkey bars. With greasy hands, he slipped from the playground equipment......so it was the chicken's fault! Oh well......we are grateful to God that he is going to be alright and that the break was not a severe one. I guess we all need to be on the lookout of greasy chicken! It can be dangerous!

Wings as Eagles!

Isaiah 40: 31 "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew [their] strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."

What incredible words to read when you are feeling down......sometimes feeling down for the count. Recently I was feeling miserable in my walk with the Lord....just plain old exhausted. I felt downright attacked! Those of you who know what I mean have experienced it to the point that you just want to throw in the towel. By the grace of God...... and speaking with God, it is truly amazing how he answers with words like these from Isaiah 40:31.

When I think about the eagle.....cutting through the strong winds of Wyoming, and floating gracefully on gusts, what a perfect simile that scripture paints a picture with. The Lord lifts us up like the eagle! I am so glad that the Lord is TOTAL strength!

Thank you Lord for your renewal even when I have to be renewed daily! Lord forgive me when I blow it and forget that you put the wind under my wings. Lord God...help me to wait on you.

Amen

Broken Washing Machine

As I'm sitting here at the computer, I'm singing "Amazed", a new song that we are singing with our congregation on Sunday mornings now. I am truly amazed about God's faithfulness, his promises, and his truth.

Speaking of His promises and truth...... I am reminded that what Christ says in scripture will never pass away. He said in Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, buy My words will by no means pass away."

You know....we get spoiled by inventions around us that we depend on, like cars to get us to work or WASHING MACHINES to clean our clothes! Our washing machine broke down and flooded our laundry room Saturday night. Sandra and I might even have to buy a new one because the old one isn't "cost effective" to get fixed. The old one will probably go to the dump, get smashed, get rusty.........it's dead! It has passed away!

I am so glad that the truth that Jesus spoke will NEVER pass away! It will not get rusty! His truth does not get smashed! His truth will not pass away and go to the dump!

THE ENDURING WORD:

1 Peter 1:22-25 "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart. having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because All flesh is as grass, And all glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever."

1st Baptist Worship Team

I have just got to say that the people that we have on our Sunday Morning Worship Team at 1st Baptist are the best. I have thrown a lot of new songs at them in the last few months, and God has given them the talent to pick them up so quickly. I look forward to continuing with them in our efforts to build our worship song library in the coming months. Their patience with me has been outstanding! Our rotation of musicians has worked out well, and I think that everything has been settling in well with the two new services. Praise the Lord!

I just need to remember the words of Paul from Philippians 4:13, " I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Hey...without the guidance of His Spirit...where would we be in the ministry???

Thank you Ashley, Wendy, Michelle, Lloyd, Caleb, Kaleb, Nic, Ben, Kevin, Sally, Steve, and all the support crew for your willingness to serve our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Also, a big thanks for Pastor Shaun and Jodi for their devotion to our church and support of Worship Ministries! A big thanks to Jess, Heather, and Becci too for all of their help and support! God bless you guys!

We have a lot of work to do....but it's worth it to help build God's Kingdom!

How About Those Cubbies???

I know that they are neck-and-neck in the National League Central with the Cardinals....but how about those Cubbies???!! They have had a great start. Now I know what you are going to say....."They're the Cubs!" Hey the Red Sox finally did it! I think the Cubbies are getting closer! I think with Lou as manager, Soriano, Zambrano, Pie, Wood, Theroit, etc. Could it be that the World Series is getting closer? Time will tell...there is still a lot of baseball! They're getting ready for the Cardinals in the next few days. But how about the 19-5 WIN over the Brewers!!! Awesome! GO CUBS!