Kid's Video

You can see the short video we used in service Tuesday night on the Pastor's Page.  Some of our kid's shared what they are thankful for...

My Gratitude

Keith, Carla and girls,

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope today finds you happy and fulfilled. I am writing to share my gratitude for you. I issued a challenge to our church to send a note to someone(s) who have made a significant investment in their life. You are the ones that I want to thank.

I am so impressed and inspired by your labor in Quitman. When the time came and I knew we had to leave Wichita Falls, I DID NOT want to go into Home Missions. It was the last thing on my mind, yet in the back of my mind, I knew the Lord was challenging me to go for it. You were a great inspiration in my life at that time. Your decision to treat your church like a big church with big dreams served to give me a dream. I realize that it also had to be a call of God, but your excitement, pain and vision were powerful to me.

The experiences that I had trying to do what you have already done masterfully, changed my life. I draw from those times every day. Keith, your constant drive to do church better, is incredible and challenging to me. Carla, your support of your husband (even when you didn't want to go) and faithfulness to the cause, is matchless. I so admire you pushing through your shyness to become what God wanted you to be. Mallory and Taylor, you are beautiful examples of what young ladies are to be.

Thank you for showing me how it can be done. Thank you for remaining close. Your coming to our installation service means more to ME than you will ever know. Karla had her family, but YOU are MINE! :-)

Don't ever let the enemy tell you that you are not accomplishing anything. You are an inspiration to me and a shining example of God's people. 

We love you,

Gene

Thanksgiving 2008

We want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Karla has been cooking much of the day, trying out new things for her!  The pictures here are of her first pumpkin pie, and her fudge.  Now, we will all be eating much of Thanksgiving Day!  I think I can do that well.

Our service on Tuesday evening was a reminder to always have an attitude of gratitude - we can always find something to be thankful for.  As the words of the chorale's song said, "I thank You for all You've done and all that You will do.  You're faithful, I'm grateful!  Lord, I thank You."

Some of our children were videotaped saying what they are thankful for and it was so cute to see.  I will try to get it uploaded and allow you to see it.  I issued a challenge to each of us, so don't forget!

We enjoyed a great visit with the Kenny Prince family Wednesday night, Jeff and Jeannie Harris (with the Frazier's, Jeremy and Rebecca) Tuesday night and we are looking forward to a great meal at Mom and Dad's for Thanksgiving!  Friends, family and food...what more can you ask for?

The House

I thought I'd post a few pictures of our new house.  PLEASE... keep in mind that we are remodeling/redecorating!!  The many colors of the walls will be completely different.  We are moving some walls and doors to make it the house we want.  

I'm sure some would question, "why didn't you just buy a house you didn't have to work on?!"  Well... I'm married to GENE HOLLEY!!  LOL!!  

Seriously, this house just "felt" right.  There is no other way to describe it.  We weren't looking for something to work on.  In fact, we looked at this house when we first got back to Wichita Falls and said, "NO!"  After looking at a few other homes, we decided to go back and look at this one again.  When we walked back in, there was just a feeling.  All I can say is this is the house God had for us.  The price was right, we LOVE the neighborhood and location to the church, AND I got a POOL!!!  We've known the previous owners since Chad and their daughter started Kindergarten.  The lady told me, "I've prayed for the right people to get this house.  We have been so happy and blessed here, and I didn't want just anybody living in our home."  I believe God heard that prayer, and our prayer is that many people will be blessed in our home.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures.  We'll try to keep you updated on the progress.

OH!  YES... 3 OR 4 DAYS AFTER THE INSTALLATION SERVICES, 

THE WORK BEGAN!!

Listening to ....

.... the Cowboys! Doing a "happy dance!" LOL!!

Saturday - fun with family!!

I know, I hate these slideshows, too!  All those crazy circles flying around.  My wife made these so that we could get more pictures into the post.  There are some cute pictures here though!  

This was our family get-together at noon on Saturday.  All of our immediate family was there except for Danelle & Matt, and Ryan.  That is all of Karla's family (plus Sharon - the fourth sister) and all of mine.  Of course, mine is just Dad, Mom and me!  (My cousin-sister, Carla Clark, and her family had to leave after the reception on Friday night to go preach in Dallas on Saturday.)  The rest of this mess is hers!!  LOL!

We had a lot of fun being together, laughing, crying, missing "Mother, Daddy and Keith" and driving our waitress insane!  It's funny how you can be away from each other for so long, but then pick right up where you left off.

We were so blessed to have our family here with us for this highlight of our life.  It was almost like our wedding all over again.

Friday Night

These are a few of the 500 or so pictures that were taken over the weekend!  Looking back over it all, it was so much fun.  We had most of those that are closest to us there to enjoy it all with us.  The preaching over the weekend was excellent and right for the moment.  We felt the blessings of God in every service and His stamp of approval on it all.  David Bernard spoke about us knowing God and that if we know Him, we will do great exploits. Nathan Hurst spoke about "A Worthy Successor."  The whole weekend ended with the former pastor, Wendell Elms, telling the story about Grandpa Holley passing his blessing on to him.  He then passed his blessing on to me... it was an emotional moment for me.  Well, the whole weekend was that!  I do not feel worthy for any of the honor that has been given me, but my God is.  He does all things well and He has orchestrated all of this in His way.

The church was sparkling (although not finished!) and the hospitality was awesome.  The committee and church members outdid themselves.  The reception was incredible.  The live jazz band, the catered food and professional decorator made the evening less stressful, allowing the church to relax and enjoy it all!  There are so many to thank.  I will do that individually.

I was so surprised to receive a gift on Friday night from the church— a HUGE street clock that fits perfect in my new office!  I will post pictures of just the finished office later.  I have thoroughly enjoyed actually sitting in my study and working this week!  I even had my first meeting around the conference table tonight.  I find myself walking to the front of the building to use the restroom, because I forget I have one in my office!  (Well, I worked in this church for 18 years or so... without one!)

Thanks to all of you who went out of your way to make this a special weekend.  Now, we are ready to get on with the work.

Installed!

We have been so blessed of the Lord.  This weekend was quite a highlight of our life!   We will post more info and pictures in the next few days.  Right now, we are worn out.  Have a great week!

P.S. What you don't see in this picture is Kassie laying on the ground to take it!  It was a cool angle.

And so it begins...

Sometime this afternoon the first of our family and guests will begin to arrive. The house is clean.  The updating at the church is coming together with final touches today.  I'm headed out to buy groceries.  The "formal" installation service is tomorrow night. We are having a impromptu "reunion" with the family that will be here on Saturday. Sunday will be church. (And Monday will be tacos if Linda is still here. **HINT**)

We are looking forward to the weekend. Can't wait to see everyone!!

Waves

I stand amazed at the presence of God and what He can do.  Yesterday's services were divinely ordered.  God moved in a miraculous way and I believe we will be hearing more in the coming days about what transpired.  Ken and Julie Cook were with us in service and it was awesome!  We are already looking forward to them being back with us for an extended time of training and harvest.  In our morning service, we had two baptized and one of them received the Holy Ghost as she came up from the water!

The night service turned out to be 3 hours long, but seemed like just a moment in time.  We shouted and then were on our faces and then shouting again. In the middle of it all, I had Bro. Cook talk to the church and then it happened again. We were on our face before God.  Then the Lord talked to us directly - followed by shouting!  I saw people refilled with joy and their fear washed away.  It was what we call "waves."

You know how those services make you "happy-tired?"  Well, we are "happy-wore-out!!" and loving every minute of it.  Have a blessed week.  Hopefully, we will see many of you at the Installation weekend coming up.