Happy New Year!

Well, we have remained silent long enough. The 'Holley-days' have been quite exciting, but we haven't taken the time to blog about it. I will not go into all of it in this post - we'll post pictures and all later. We had an awesome service today with 25 (our biggest number yet) in attendance! We were so excited to have three first time guests today and Barbara, Joseph, David and Brandon Ouellette from Wichita Falls. The Spirit of God was so strong and moving in a special way.

We have named 2007, "The Great Adventure." The Lord brought an old song to mind in the past few weeks and it seems to fit where we are heading this year. Next Sunday will be our saddlin' up service!

"Saddle up your horses we've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace
Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure

Come on get ready for the ride of your life
Gonna leave long faced religion in a cloud of dust behind
And discover all the new horizons just waiting to be explored
This is what we were created for

We'll travel over, over mountains so high
We'll go through valleys below
Still through it all we'll find that
This is the greatest journey that the human heart will ever see
The love of God will take us far beyond our wildest dreams"

Our church is excited and looking for great things!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" I Cor. 2:9 NIV

May God richly bless you and yours in the new year!

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. We are now in Wichita Falls celebrating with family after a good service this morning in Pflugerville. Have a great holiday!

Happy Birthday to Dad

Can you believe that my dad was born on Christmas Eve? I wanted to just take a moment and say a great big Happy 67th Birthday to him today! We always try to make sure and celebrate his birthday separate from Christmas. We were able to give him his very first birthday party for his 60th!

He is a wonderful dad who has always given himself to help others. What a blessing he has been to all of us. I watched him volunteer his time, talents and efforts to see a new church built in Wichita Falls years ago. He has given all of this and more to my family on many occasions. We have built three houses together and have had ample opportunity to see him lose his cool and have yet to see that happen. There have been times when he clears his throat real good and his voice gets a little shaky - it was then that I knew that we needed to take a break! The worst thing he has ever called me is a "blasted kid." I thought that was cussing! (That was in my teen years.)

I have been blessed. He is a man who avoids strife, who plows in season, who is of deep understanding, who is faithful and blameless…

3 It is to a man's honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel
4 A sluggard does not plow in season;
so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
5 The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters,
but a man of understanding draws them out.
6 Many a man claims to have unfailing love,
but a faithful man who can find?
7 The righteous man leads a blameless life;
blessed are his children after him.

Proverbs 20:3-7

Happy Birthday Dad (Grandpa)! You are the best.

Jingle Bells is not as it seems...

I discovered today that the wonderful Christmas song, Jingle Bells, has a subliminal message in it! We hear it every year, but I now have the equipment to uncover it. You can go here to find out what I uncovered. My sons cannot believe the message!

Move that Bus!!

Well, we were there!! After our Sunday service and lunch at Panda Express, I convinced the rest of the family that we just HAD to go see if we could "see" anything. They had said the family would probably arrive home around 1:00 p.m. We arrived about 1:45, and they weren't there yet. It was quite warm out that day - I even watched as the medics were called over for a woman who was overcome by the heat. We were probably a spectacle to the others that were there since we were the only ones in "Sunday dress." I told the boys just to walk with confidence - they would probably think we were someone important. LOL! According to the newpaper there were about 3,000 people on the streets that day to watch - some people were even on their rooftops to get above the crowd.

Sometime around 2:30 p.m. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - Austin" came to an end. You could feel the excitement building as the crew began to take their places. They were shouting to each other and to the crowd - giving directions to those who needed to be in certain spots. When the "stars" came out of the house the crowd went crazy (whether or not you agree with their lifestyle, you do have to agree that they are accomplishing great things through this program).
(The picture above is Ty Pennington w/the spiky hair - the guru of the show. Below with his back to the camera in the striped shirt is Eduardo - one of the design team members. And below that picture is Paul, gray hair w/dark framed glasses - also a design team member.)

During the excitement several things were taking place: they rolled a brand new, stainless steel grill down the street and into the backyard, they started lining up the volunteers around the yard to be in place when the family arrived, the "stars" came out of the house and gave last minute instructions, AND they moved the bus in. They placed the bus right in front of the house to block the view from the family as they got out of the limosine. Not long after everything was in place, a beautiful black limo came quickly down the street and parked behind the bus (if you look behind the bus in the picture, you can see the front windshield of the limo).

The crowd was cheering and waving. Once the family was out, the crowd was again given instructions and began to chant, "MOVE THAT BUS! MOVE THAT BUS!" It was awesome.

We weren't close enough to see the family to get any pictures of them, but Gene and Cameron were able to see the father. He was wiping the tears away. We could only imagine the feelings they must have felt. They left their home on Monday, spent a week at a special camp for autistic children, and came home on Sunday to a completely different house.

(here are some side views of the house - we were not able to get to the front to take a picture)


They are not giving out details about the inside of the house to keep it a surprise for the shows airing in February or March. There is a link on our earlier post about this exciting event to the Austin American Statesman website. They have pictures and updates there. You can actually see the family up close when they first saw the house

Since we have built two homes, we can't even imagine how they could accomplish this in just six days. It was really awesome to get to watch this happen.

Christmas for Christ Service

This Sunday we had a wonderful time in the presence of the Lord. God was so near. We watched the video from the UPCI Home Missions Division and I spoke on how that the greatest things of God come in simple wrapping.

God really likes to give us His gifts in brown paper! The virgin birth in a barn, the bloody cross, and the Holy Spirit given with an outward sign of "craziness" - all seem so plain and almost undesirable at first glance. Trials, storms, and wilderness experiences can all seem so repulsive, but we must trust God. Out of these come some of the greatest blessings you will ever have.

1 Peter 4:12-13
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Though our church is not a glitzy, beautiful package with all the ministries to offer-- yet -- the greatest gift in the world can be found inside!
The Savior, Jesus Christ.

We each brought our offering in a Christmas card, including our prayer requests for 2007. As each family or individual came forward, we laid hands on them and anointed them to do the work of the Lord. It was powerful!

We are thankful that our church can help another church somewhere in North America get started.

Also, the church surprised our family with a Christmas gift. Bro. Robertson was supposed to handle prayer requests and the offering. Instead, he asked our family to come. He began to cry as he expressed the appreciation that the people of the church felt toward us. It was so kind. We received a card filled with notes from church members and a $65 giftcard to Johnny Carino's!

2006 Christmas Gathering

Sharon (guest who has come two Wednesday nights) and Karla

Wow! We are so excited about last night's Christmas Gathering.
We had six guests and a total of twenty-five.
Three of them, we had never met before! Our house was full!

Sheree Robertson, Kendra Younkin and Thea
(Robertson's neighbor we have been praying for)

Cameron and Ken (has come two Wednesday nights with Sharon)

Mike Crawford

We had lots of food. There were all kinds of soup:
Chicken Tortilla, Cheese,
15 Bean, Chili, and Potato.
All the trimmings and dessert were more than we could eat!

Karla and Sis. Thomas (Mike Crawford's mother)

Bro. Crawford's mother, Eddie Myrle Thomas (above), joined us!
She is so much fun.
Just after this picture was taken, she said, "Oooh, we got to sing, then I can go!"
So, Karla ended up on the piano and we sang Christmas carols.
I must say —she did awesome! Christmas carols are horrible to play,
but she found a book of lead sheets at conference and we invested in it.
It paid off.
Everyone lined up and began to sing....it was great!


While we were singing Silent Night,
I heard one of our guests singing in another language!
No, unfortunately, it wasn't the unknown kind, but it was German.
So, everyone wanted her to sing it alone. She was so kind and sang a solo for us!
That was really kind of neat, since Pflugerville is a German town.

And while we were singing,
Sis. Ruth's daughter started interpreting it in sign language,
so we had her come up to the piano and interpret as we sang it again.

Vivian

Donna (visited last Wednesday), Rhonda Cloud and Kendra Younkin

Everyone had so much fun!

Jennifer Crawford and DeAnna

We gave away a $25 gift certificate to Cheddar's as a door prize.
DeAnna (on right in picture above), a first-time guest, won it.
She told us that she is going to take a
blind friend of hers out for lunch to share her prize!

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

We discovered something really cool today - a new home is being constructed about 3 blocks behind the Bernard's church - IN ONE WEEK!

We saw a DVD of the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" last year and cried, laughed and were amazed. They pick some well-deserving family and provide them with a complete makeover of their home while they are away for the week. This house, as they have done on some of the others, was completely bull-dozed and rebuilt from the ground up. They tore it down Monday.

The O'Donnell family has six children and five of them are autistic. Their house was falling apart and they needed the help! So Monday they found out they were the chosen ones and they were taken away for a week to a special camp for autistic children in Crested Butte, CO. You can read the story here and see more professional photos here. A worker at the site told us that the new house is close to 5600 square feet. I am not sure exactly what size the original house was, but it couldn't have been much over 2000 square feet. What a change for them! There is not much land left on their lot.

Tonight, after a prayer meeting at the Bernard's home, we visited the jobsite as they were painting the trim and putting stone on the outside and finishing the walls inside and more! We didn't plan to go, so our camera was at home. The above photo was with Karla's phone.

The family is supposed to be back Sunday to hear, "Driver, move that bus!" and see the magnificent transformation. What a blessing.

18 on a Wednesday Night!

We had a new guest and child from Pflugerville with us tonight! She said she would be at the Christmas Gathering on Friday night and wants to start attending all the time. We also have other promises to be here Friday, including the two guests from last Wednesday. They emailed today wanting to know what they could bring! Also, Bro. Crawford's mom, who was in the hospital several weeks back, is supposed to be with us! We should have a full house.

Check out our church website! We have added a link where you can see our church bulletin each week and also a photo page. You have probably already seen all the photos before on our blog, but you never know!

We now have an official Church Greeter, Sis. Faye Ihlenfeldt (Island-felt)! She does a great job at making people feel welcomed and getting a Guest Card from them. Sis. Jennifer Crawford is now following up on people who miss, are sick or need encouraging. We already send out a first-time guest letter from us. Bro. Brantley Robertson has been helping in service with prayer requests and/or offering. We are trying to put people to work!!

More to come....

Special Weekend Continues....

Our Sunday service was tremendous!

We had 22 in service! The highest number since coming here.
6 were from Wichita Falls, but we had 5 of our regulars out!
We had 3 NEW guests.
The Spirit of the Lord was so close and touched each one in attendance.

We had a small singspiration with Kassie singing two songs,

and Lynn singing one.

We only had room for 8 more people!
Thanks, Bro. Elms, for allowing these saints to be with us.
It really was a blessing.


We also enjoyed the fellowship with Felicia, Jeannie and Kassie
Sunday afternoon and at the Bernard's Christmas program Sunday night.

Special Weekend

We had a great time this weekend. The Elms and Andrew came in on Thursday evening to attend the wedding of Darin and Carla Cash. On Friday, Lynn and Kim Dutton, Priscilla Venegas and Kassie Dutton came in for the wedding, also. The wedding was beautiful and it was great being with everyone.

After the wedding, Felicia and Jeannie Frazier came in for the weekend. The Elms had to go back to Wichita Falls on Saturday morning. We enjoyed our time with them and having Andrew stay with us. Lynn and Kim went to San Marcos to shop on Saturday and we took the ladies on a whirlwind tour of Austin...

touring the Texas State Capitol,

Mt. Bonnell,

Downtown,

eating at County Line BBQ and Mozart's Coffee Roasters.

It was great- laughing and eating a lot! We are so glad all you came.

Happy Birthday, Keith!!

Fifty-six years ago today, December 9, Joel Keith Layne was born. He was the firstborn and only son of Murray and Lila Layne, my parents. I came along 16 years later!

Keith was one of the most loving, fun people you would ever meet. Several years ago, at Christmas time, we were all in Wichita Falls to celebrate together. We were all there, but Keith hadn't made it yet. Chad was about 3 or 4 years old. When Keith pulled up, Chad spotted him coming up the walkway to the house and said, "Here comes Uncle Keith with all the laughs." He couldn't have made a more true statement. When Keith was around, you were laughing. He loved to have fun.

In June of 2000, Keith left this world and went to a better place. We miss him TONS, but know that we have the promise of one day meeting him "in front of the throne". Today, I just wanted to post about him in memory of all that he meant to us.

Thanks for all the laughs, Keith.

We covet your prayers...

Starting a new work involves many crucial decisions and the need to be sensitive to God's leading. We continue to covet your prayers as this journey unfolds.

Pray that we follow Him step by step. We are needing to find the right piece of land that will be a center of ministry for years to come in Pflugerville. And of course, money is always a consideration! Land is outrageously priced. I believe God will lead and provide, but we must be watchful to His steps.

Pray that God will draw just the right people to make the core congregation. I believe we have a great start in this area, but it is so important to build on a strong foundation.

Pray that a door opens in the immediate future for us to start Sunday School. We do not have the room in our one room building, but I have contacted several people about using or renting space in our storefront center for this cause. Families are so interested in what is available for their children and we need young families. Ministry to children is vital.

God has been so good! We can see signs of God's hand working in our services, in our saints lives and behind the scenes. What He orchestrates is so beautiful... "Lead on, Lord."

A Scary Thought!

Need I say more? We are looking into Driver's Ed...for Cameron! We attended the Austin StatesmanCars Auto Show on Friday between school and youth activity. Cameron and Chad really enjoyed trying out the cars! We didn't take our camera, but used a cell phone to at least have something to show.

We saw cars that cost over $100,000 and got to sit in them! Of course, if Cameron is reading this, let me remind you that the $100,000 car and driver's ed really have nothing in common. They do look sweet, though.