The Centinela Pages Online

The Autumn Edition Vol. 3 Issue 10

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AWANA Has Been Transformed Into CBC Kids by Peggy Brazeal

     On Friday, September 12th, the first “CBC Kids” club was held.  There were eight kids that came that night. Three kids were from our former AWANA clubs, three kids that came are neighbors of Myrtle Cole, and two of the kids are from the   Spanish church that has been renting our facilities.

     The evening started out with singing.  Pastor Merrill played the guitar while Myrtle led the kids.  Then it was on to Bible time which was given by Joyce Linsday.  Joyce is starting out with the first book of the Bible – Genesis – which is a wonderful place to begin.  When that was over, Myrtle then led the kids in some games and then we had snack time.

     On Friday, September 19th, the second CBC Kids club meeting was held.  This time we had seven kids in attendance. We started out with Myrtle and Janice leading us in singing, and then Joyce led us in the Bible time.  She has chosen a series that is having the club start at the very beginning of the Bible.  I never get tired of hearing how God created the world in six days. After that, Myrtle played games with the kids and then we had a craft time where the kids colored pictures of animals. 

     I can’t wait until the next time to find out what Joyce is going to have the kids do with the animals.  We  finished the evening up by having snacks provided by Dave and Joyce.

     As I write this article on Friday morning – September 26th, we will be having our third club tonight.  I guess I will just have to wait and see who the Lord brings out tonight in the way of kids.  A big thank you goes out to all of the adults that are making this club happen.

Snake and Snails and Puppy-Dog Tails? by Abigail Slemp Part I

  That may well be what little boys are made of, but you couldn't tell from the gifts presented to the latest addition to the Centinela family last Saturday.  No less than nine of our church's finest ladies gathered to shower Mr. Gabriel Gregory Scot Slemp, D.M., M.D., Ph.D., etc. with all manner of blessings, none of which had anything to do with the more unpleasant things boys are supposedly comprised of.  Our Champion, as his Daddy and I fondly refer to him, was perfectly polite and on his best behavior for his very first party.  This promises not to be the last time the boy will find himself surrounded by doting females, judging by those good looks, and they made sure to let Gabriel know just how much he's welcomed here.  As elegant hostess, Mrs. Jenny Merrill presided over a fine spread of appetizers and fruit, topped off with an impressively sweet cake bearing a stork's joyful announcement of Gabriel's birth on August 10th.  There was no shortage of either food or fun, in fact, as Mrs. Merrill led several games, one of which tested our knowledge of nursery rhymes, and another which required each party guest to reject all reason and take healthy sniffs of diapers filled with melted chocolate candies in order to correctly identify whether it was Milky Way or Reese's Cup [among eight others] making such a realistic mess in each one.

   The gift table was loaded with delights ranging from a super-soft Winnie-The-Pooh blanket (that happened to perfectly match a Winnie figurine from another guest) from Mrs. Joyce Linsday, to a beautifully embroidered "keepsake cap" [which I'm told Gabriel is to one day offer his bride as a handkerchief on their wedding day] from Mrs. Carletta Stark, and a so-called "boo-boo bunny" [handmade by Mrs. Annitta Mueller, which forms a padded cocoon of sorts in the shape of a    rabbit for an ice cube in case of injury].  Mrs. Marge Howe allowed me to select Gabriel's gift myself, and there was no shortage of toys and stuffed animals [namely the beautifully plush teddy bears from Mrs. Myrtle Cole and Mrs. Joanie Ashelford] offered to put a smile on this baby's sweet face.  (Continued as next article)

Snakes and Snails and Puppy-Dog Tails? by Abigail Slemp Part II

    And oh! the wardrobe our boy will sport thanks to the incredibly stylish women of this congregation!  Why, thanks to Mrs. Cole, he's ready to play baseball at any moment [no matter that he can't even hold a ball at this point].  Mrs. Peggy Brazeal has him ready for his daddy's construction jobsites with a rugged set of camouflage cargo pants and matching bulldozer-print shirt [and you can imagine how Gregory smiled to see that outfit!], and Mrs. Diane Bailey couldn't decide whether Gabriel should play baseball, basketball, or simply be an "MVP" on any team at all one day, so she bought him miniature sweat suits to prepare him for all three possibilities.  I'm thankful to Mrs. Mueller and Mrs. Ashelford for the good-looking everyday "onesies" for Gabriel to toddle around in, and, quite thoughtfully, several women ensured that these beautiful new clothes would remain drool- and dribble-free by providing brightly colored bibs for our son to sport.

   Knowing that dogs indeed make for a boy's best friend, Mrs. Cole gave a perfectly charming puppy-themed sleeper [with matching blanket], but it wasn't her gift that made the party so much as her card.  Mrs. Merrill shared verses from Psalms with the gathered guests, and it made me cry with joy to hear the promises of God.  What may have made me smile most was the craftiness of Mrs. Ashelford, which was evidenced not only in a very impressive layered cake made of nothing but diapers but further in a multicolored bouquet formed of baby booties... it's so pretty that I'm not sure whether to use them on Gabriel's little feet or leave it intact for decoration, and I'm told this isn't the first time she's employed her creativity to enhance a Centinela get-together.   Just so you know, the party didn't end Saturday.  On Sunday, Gabriel was further presented with a generous gift from Mrs. Roxie Peterson, a handmade teddy bear from Ms. Dorina Merrill, and the first set of overalls for our Tennessee-heritage boy from Mrs. Mary Smalley-Fitzgerald.  These featured a motorcycle design, which absolutely delighted his Daddy [as Gregory raced dirt bikes very successfully for years back home].

   I can't tell you how good this outpouring of kindness has made his parents feel [and you may rest assured that Gabriel will be told with many smiles of your loving gifts and prayers one day].  We never anticipated finding such a warm and welcoming congregation of believers when we left our town some 2,400 miles in the rearview mirror, and we very truly praise our Faithful Father each time we think of our Centinela family.  You have our most sincere thanks, and our happy anticipation of watching this "vigilant watchman, whose God is his strength" grow along with you!!!

Girls' Bible Study Begins by Jenny Merrill

     After just one night of the newly formed Bible study designed just for girls, excitement was in the air. Mrs. Vicki Ingram has volunteered to be my assistant and brought her granddaughter Bethany Moon.  Inna Echual, Valencia Allen, Patricia Echual, and Kodie Kline are also in the class.

     We are learning from Josh McDowell's workbook called "Is The  Bible Personally From God?" This will give them a foundation of how we get our Scriptures and how they can be trusted.  Teaching Truth must be based on facts and this workbook is an excellent starting point. I have also distributed some Student Books from Scripture Press designed for youth.  We will be going over these as well. And then, if that isn't enough....I have included Pastor's workbooks in "Discipleship Training." These three workbooks will be useful in building a strong foundational trust and faith to walk the Christian life as a young person.

    I offer a relaxed and interactive study, lounging at the LOFT in our Educational Building, and enjoying the fellowship of open conversation. Before I knew it....the time we had was gone! We meet at 7 pm on Fridays and are open to all girls ages 11-17.

In Loving Memory: Remembering Carolyn by Joanie Ashelford

     On September 13th, nearly eighty people gathered together to remember our beloved Carolyn Campos.  There was a slide show and, of course, wonderful stories about her.  But what was so compelling was the consistency in everyone’s stories about what a wonderful person Carolyn was and how, even through all her suffering (and we all know that Carolyn suffered a lot), she was joyful, and her love for the Lord and her faith remained strong. She would talk to anybody that came to see her about the Lord and this would often include doctors and nurses, and even though she couldn't move around, she was still a prayer warrior from her nursing home bed.

     It is bitter-sweet that Carolyn has moved to Heaven. She will be missed here on Earth, but I know that everyone is thankful that she is not suffering anymore. Carolyn may have been bedridden here on Earth, but I can imagine that her feet haven't stopped moving in Heaven!

Women of Faith 2008 by Dorina Merrill

     This year I took my future sister-in-law Courtney Hawkes to Women of Faith at the Honda Center in Anaheim.  I have loved going to these conferences each year and I wanted to share the experience with Courtney since she had never gone before.  She really enjoyed it and would go again. 

     The awesome music, the wonderful speakers, everything about Women of Faith is beneficial and impactful.  This year’s theme was “Infinite Grace” and so the speakers and songs focused on the grace of God.  It was fun and it was moving.  The speakers really know how to make things personal and relative.  Between humor and tears they get the message across in a way the listeners will not soon forget.

     Though tickets are a little pricy and sometimes we get seated in the nose bleed section, I love going to Women of Faith every year.  I think it is worth the costs and worth the trips up and down the stairs.  Besides there’s a huge screen so you can see everything.  My point is that I want to get a larger group together to go to the conference next year.  Besides, if we get 10 or more people, tickets are discounted!  This is one of those decisions that should be an instant “Yes! I’m in!”  If you’ve been to Women of Faith before, you already know how awesome an experience it is.  I was truly disappointed that Courtney and I were the only ones representing CBC at the Honda Center this year. 

     Next year’s theme is “A Grand New Day” and you should consider going...yes, YOU!!  Let me know and I’ll make the plans, I’ll get the tickets, I’ll take the hassle out of it but YOU HAVE TO BE COMMITTED.  Tickets sell out fast and may even be sold out already, we have no time to lose.  Yes, it’s a year away but these tickets go fast.  Let me know!  It will be Sept. 11th & 12th, 2009.