Recently Crystal Hill Baptist has been awarded number 18th in the state of Arkansas for giving. Last year we were number 49 for giving. God has been blessings us all so much with the Baptist Home so here is a update from a trip we took. Enjoy!
 
That sweet sweet smell!

We set the date for what was convenient for everyone but it so happened that I had to work that Saturday and I had to work until an hour and a half after the bus was leaving to go to the Baptist Home. I knew that God had a plan for me missing that bus and guess what…… it just so happened that I had lunch with two awesome men and one of those awesome men was going to the Baptist Home that same exact Saturday and it just happened that he was going right at the time that I could meet up and hitch a ride. God is big! Well, we had some of the most awesome conversations on the way up that blessed me to pieces. I am so glad that God let me miss the bus!

"Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about." Psalm 32:10

As we got there the church members were already at work and helping with the needs there. We worked until about one o’clock. The entire time Justin ( a new house parent that was asked to host us) asked us if we needed anything and gave us tools and just went out of his way to help us. Well, lunch came around and every cottage was prepared to feed us. They all cooked, it was so neat! As we separated to go to lunch, I went to Ms. Kim’s cottage first. I walked in and automatically… that smell….. the same exact smell from when I came to the Baptist Home myself as a young girl…… it was that smell that everything is going to be alright. I can’t explain the smell but it is kind of like the smell of lunch with that smell from playing outside and then a mixture of the air…. Have you ever had that smell that floods you with memories? That was the smell. I began to remember so much more from when I was there before.

As they were eating, I went over and met some awesome new houseparents. The girls in the cottage were quick to tell me that Ms. Laurie always did their hair, every morning. As we were talking, I had a young girl come up to me and tell me that I just HAD to see her new outfit. She said it had guitars on it and it is exactly what she had wanted. She brought it out and showed me and said that Ms. Laurie had been shopping for all of them and got them all kinds of pretty new things. Oh but here was the kicker.... she said " I am not bragging at all.. but I have been learning a few things..." I said .. " what have you been learning?" She said " I have been learning about mercy and grace and purity" wow! Jaw dropping! she was a little younger than my middle daughter and wow she was getting it! she said" I am not bragging but I said thank you because that is in what I have been learning". As a parent, I was convicted to do better. As a former resident, I remembered the lessons I was taught and as a child of God I was encouraged. Oh but Ms. Laurie doesn't over shadow Justin, they are a perfect combo of Gods love in a marriage and I, as a married woman, was also very encouraged by their marriage and how well they worked together. As we were leaving Justin was cleaning nail polish off the tile ( too cute!).
each houseparent was interacting with their children and I was also convicted, our communities should be like this. Open, loving and sharing Christ.

After lunch I got the chance to walk by myself down the road toward the stables and God allowed me to remember my many many walks on that road. I then went to the stable and recalled the time that we all painted the fence white, and how Mr. Ripley would help me saddle up my horse ( cracker, a Tennessee walker).

I saw the canoes and was reminded of a canoe trip I went on and then after the canoe trip I got to go to a church camp in Oklahoma and how because I was so stubborn and didn’t wear sun block, I had a bad sun burn.
There are so many memories at the Baptist Home and isn’t neat how God, can with one smell , remind me of the treasures there.
As I got to go and visit the children at the different cottages I met some young ladies that had heard my testimony and were so sweet and were excited that I was there. How awesome is that!
We had a group of 18 come down and can I even put into words how that feels… that my church, the church that God has called me to be at…. How they are there sweating and laboring for God … it is very hard to explain the joy that gives me. I know that I am right were God wants me and that is an amazing feeling!

"And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments."  Exodus 20:6