Last month, I had a chance to teach a cookie-baking class in Centinella at Pastor Alejandro's home. It was a fun time with friends and the everyone loved it!
Pastor Alejandro and more than a dozen other pastors and Christian leaders were honored in Piedras Negras recently, and I was privileged to attend the event. The praise and worship was wonderful, and it glorified God in every way. The event has been held annually for many years, and is called Clamor por Piedras Negras.
I was invited to spend Thanksgiving with my family in California this year. On my way, I stopped in Aspermont to paint Christmas windows for some of the businesses there. It was a great time to meet new friends and reconnect with sweet old ones I've longed to see.
| My little helper helped me paint the gingerbread house. |
I left Aspermont on Sunday, and stayed the night in Gallup, New Mexico. On Monday morning, I started out early and stopped in Flagstaff for coffee. Getting back on the road, about an hour west of Flagstaff on I-40 the weather started getting really bad, the roads icy and sleet was falling. I had trouble staying on the road and hydroplaned, spinning out of control.
The van rolled, ultimately landing upside down on the side of the highway. When it finally stopped, I was upside down, hanging from my seat belt, praising God! I was so grateful for God's protection and mercy. None of the widows were broken, amazingly enough. AAA towed the van to Flagstaff after waiting nearly 7 hours, parking the van at the church a friend pastors there. Mel Brewster and his wife gave me hospitality and took me to their doctor. I am so blessed to not have any injuries. There were 15 other accidents during that same time period on that stretch of highway, and the tow trucks were very busy that day.
Tuesday night, I got on a bus in Flagstaff, and arrived in Sacramento about 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Spending Thanksgiving with my family in Clarksburg was especially sweet, knowing it could have been so different. We serve an awesome God, and I am grateful to be here to share that with you.
| Thanksgiving with family & friends |
I am enjoying my family here for a few more days, and so grateful for another day to serve the King of kings.
May God be glorified in our lives as we share the gospel message this Christmas season.
Clinging to the Savior,
Toni
