"We are doers of the Word of God and are blessed in our deeds. We are happy in those things which we do because we are doers of the Word of God." James 1:22
About Me
- Susan and Monty Scales
- We've spent years helping families rebuild their lives and homes after natural disasters. Those adventures have taken us to Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana and Texas. God is now teaching me there are numerous definitions of "disaster." This new adventure of driving a school bus is taking me into a whole new world of "rebuilding." Stay tuned and see the hand of God in action! Jesus really does "love the little children; red, yellow, black and white . . ."
Monday, January 31, 2011
Crash . . .
Either way -- we are fine right here at home and if we have to cancel tomorrow nights mission class we will just do so and schedule a make up date.
But for now . . . we wait!
I, on the other hand, have just returned from an unscheduled doctor visit! Since November I have had 3 bouts with some sort of sinus "something" and when it hit again last evening - this time like never before - I caved in and made the visit to the local walk in clinic. I'm not one to go the doctor let alone take prescriptions -- but there comes a time! If I didn't do something I was convinced my entire head just might explode! Really!
The doctors conclusion? My sinuses have been affected by all the "stuff" we breathe in while in the field of disaster work! Okay, so we are around mold of a thousand kinds, dust of unknown origins, lead paint, fungus "stuff" from water and waste and muck --- but --- I guess coming home brought about some new "seasonal" things that have my sinus area raging!!!! So a couple of prescriptions -- one donated sample since we have no medical insurance -- and some heavy prayers will hopefully bring me back to somewhere near normal! I don't do sick very well - just ask Monty! :) I guess there really is a reason to wear those masks when checking houses!!!!
Speaking of Monty -- his grandmother is doing well and might have been released from the hospital today? If not, any day now. She was starting some rehab therapy and for 86 years old she's one tough lady!
Please continue to pray for Pastor Martie as she might be facing surgery on her broken shoulder and arm breaks! I was hoping to get an update at Bible Study in the morning but . . .
Until next time . . . blessings to all!!! Be safe!!! Susan and Monty
Friday, January 28, 2011
Air travel and weather don't mix sometimes
The next group flying out was to arrive at the same Indy airport around 2:30 and they did just that and all was worked out. Amazing how things can change in a flash!
Last night Monty and I started our Spanish classes. I sure hope you can teach an old dog new tricks -- or atleast a new language! The class was great -- supposed to have a capacity of 8 people enrolled but there were 18 there! Yes, there is a great need for all of us to know how to communicate with each other!!
This morning, before my feet hit the floor, I got word that my youngest daughter was on her way to the emergency room with severe stomach pains. She was diagnosed with the flu yesterday and sent home on bedrest. I hurried there and after doing alot of blood work and filling her with fluids they decided to send her home for today and have her come back in tomorrow morning for an ultrasound to hopefully rule out gall bladder problems. Please keep her in your prayers. She has been training for a fitness competion for months and is only 4 weeks away from the actual competion! Satan -- BACK OFF!!!
And now we are at the edge of the weekend. We hope you all have some time to enjoy each other and get a bit of rest.
Until next time . . . be blessed. Susan and Monty
Thursday, January 27, 2011
And today they leave . . .
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Granny
Just as Monty and I were preparing to leave for the dinner for the Ecuadorians last evening he received a phone call that the ambulance was on the way to his Granny's house. Her monitor had been set off and they could get no response from her.
The next call said they were taking her to the hospital by ambulance and doing chest compressions along the way.
He headed to the hospital and through text messages back and forth let me know that she was indeed having a heart attack and the cardiologist was on the way.
Late into the evening they did a catheretization and found 4 blocked arteries. They were able to place stents into 3 of them and clear (mostly) the 4th. They decided enough was enough as she is 86 years old and want to carefully monitor that 4th artery before proceeding further.
When Monty left late last night she was resting much more comfortably and we did not receive any phone calls during the night -- praise God!
He will be returning this morning to visit with her and hopefully give her encouragement as he went through this same procedure at the young age of 39!!!! He has 2 stents in his heart and his doctor told him he should live to see 90!!!
Please cover Granny in prayer -- along with the doctors and nurses caring for her. She was quite frightened and although it's "over" for now -- she needs plenty of prayer and we know just how powerful all of you are in prayer!
Bless you and thank you and I will do my best to keep you updated.
Until next time . . . in His love and healing power. . . Susan and Monty
Sunday, January 23, 2011
God - Ordered Time
A church service like none other -- a good way to describe this morning and into the afternoon!
Pastor Ramira (don't hold me to these spellings), Pastor Angel and his wife Cathleena, Pastor Hosea and his wife Isabella, Pastor Caesar and his wife Blankeeta, Pastor Ortorro and his wife Sandra, Pastor Henry and his wife Heidi and son Hanienell and Pastor Edison and his wife Teresa were all at Stonegate Faith Center this morning. It was a God - ordered time!
Ecuador and Indiana are now in a Forever Covenant! Pastor Jan (Stonegate) was even awarded a special military pin honoring he and Pastor Martie as "spiritual parents" for Ecuador!
After introductions and a short message from each Ecuadorian Pastor and their wives Pastor Angel had a Word for all of us. He had been sitting on the side lines waiting to give his message and was nearly ready to burst at the seams as God was pouring forth "big time." Pastor Angel proclaimed to all of us that this is a time where God wants to open the skies on our lives. He asked us each to receive this revelation and not let the enemy rob us of this blessing.
He took us back to the Bible where God spoke of the land of Canaan as the "land of plenty, of fruit and honey" -- and told us we were to take the promised land for ourselves. As a symbol and promise of that land he and the rest of the Ecuadorian pastors brought out grapes and a bowl of honey. We all took our turn of taking a grape and dipping it in the honey. He asked us to be brave, work hard and persevere!
Pastor Angel blessed Pastor Jan and Pastor Martie with a plaque in thanks for their coming to Ecuador and pledging to continue to help them, pray for them and that this was just the beginning of God's Divine Plan.
All the Ecuadorian Pastors lined up in front of the church and asked that we all come up for prayer. Pastor Edison prayed over Monty and I and even though his prayers were in Spanish it made no difference. I could feel his hands shaking as the Holy Spirit poured out through him into both of us. He prayed for "refilling" -- little did he know . . .
They continued their praying for all of us and closed with focusing in on one gentleman who is in a wheelchair, Michael. God poured through all 7 of those men from Ecuador and as they helped support Michael he got out of his wheelchair and took enough steps to get him to the other side of the church! The cheers roared through the walls, the praises rang out as though the ground was shaking. Michael was in tears -- tears of sheer joy!!!
Pastor Angel proceeded to give his wrist watch to another gentleman in the congregation who had a special prophecy over this day -- long ago!!!
It was an amazing day! It was a blessed day! It was a day ordained by God, scheduled by Him! It was a day I am so blessed to be a part of!
Pastors Jan and Martie and just getting started! They are so humbled that God chose them - a small church in a small town -- but He chose them!
Today we stood in God's Plan! I plan on taking today and keeping it in my heart forever! I don't know what God has in mind for the next step --- but one thing I do know --- it's going to be beyond anything we could dream or imagine and I will do (go) whatever (wherever) He calls!
Thank you Pastor Martie (and Sus) for being obedient and taking that first step of going to Ecuador. You had no idea -- God had THE idea -- and He still does. He's just getting started and we should all buckle up --- it's going to be the ride of our lives!!!!
Until next time . . . I look forward to tomorrow nights dinner where each Pastor from Ecuador will be sharing their testimony around a meal fit for kings!!!! Thank you Lord! Thank you!
Susan and Monty
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Ecuador sees snow!!??
All of the Ecuadorian Pastors, their wives and even a 9 year old son arrived at the Indianapolis airport yesterday. When we arrived they had their bags and were ready to go --- they thought! When we opened the doors to the outside they all shrieked --even the men -- at the single digit temps!!! We had brought along extra coats as we knew some only had a light jacket on. They were doubling up with coats and even then were freezing! We all learned the Spanish word for freezing first thing! :)
We had a 15 passenger van packed to the seams and an additional truck pulling a tool trailer that had all their luggage inside. The trip back to Bedford was close to 2 hours and they kept thinking that when we got to Bedford they would then be in Indiana! I'm not sure they ever truly understood that they were already in Indiana!
Pastors Martie and Jan were standing in the doorway of their home ready to welcome everyone! The screams, the smiles, the tears -- all of it God annointed! Ms Jerri had been there most of the day preparing a variety of delicious soups, meats, cheeses, breads and desserts! Everyone eagerly dug in and had such fun trying to talk to each other with interpreters here and there -- on overload! But as we have seen so many times -- God steps in and all barriers are broken and conversation comes easy!
They brought along DVDs of their experiences in Texas at Kenneth Copeland's annual conference -- all were so touched by the Holy Spirit and Kenneth even came and individually met and blessed each one! Tears of joy were endless!
We also got to see videos of their homeland, their churches and their congregations! The beauty of Ecuador was breath-taking. It is the goal of Stonegate Faith Center -- a small church in a small town in Indiana -- to build a church -- in the mountains -- for these people!! The excitement -- the committment -- the blessing -- the joy -- is uncontainable and without a doubt is a command from God. You can feel His annointing, His blessing and His will all around! Monty and I are so excited, so thankful and so blessed to be a part of this Divine Plan!
By the time we left they were all being divided among the 3 households caring for them over the next few days. The little boy was just awaiting another play time in the snow!! Somehow I imagine him knee deep in it first thing this morning -- learning what sledding is and covered in snow from head to toe! God has to be smiling from ear to ear!
Tomorrow we will be heading to this little church in Bedford to hear what God has for all of us. The Pastors are going to speak along with messages from Pastors Jan and Martie so I think I may need to pack an energy bar in my purse as who knows how long we will be there worshiping and praising and thanking God for this "God-guided adventure."
Please keep everyone in your prayers -- the nations are here -- and "with God, NOTHING is impossible." Be blessed. Susan and Monty
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Snow to Zero -- God's Timing
Anyway, the snow caused our first Spanish class to be cancelled! The Parks and Rec department is offering beginning Spanish and we both have wanted and needed to know this language for a very long time. But now we'll have to wait until next Thursday to get started!
No school today and in some areas still no school tomorrow. The temps are to drop to zero tonight and the high tomorrow only in the low teens! Brrrr!
But God . . . tomorrow I will be riding to Indy to help pick up the 6 Ecuadorian Pastors and their wives and bringing them to the area. Thank the Lord that wasn't scheduled for today! Not only did the snow cause problems but the road we would take to the airport was closed due to a large accident! So . . . in all the snow and freezing temps and closings . . . God has it all under control and all we need do is trust in Him and leave all those details to Him!!!
I'm very excited about tomorrow and will let you know how it all goes!
The nations are coming to us!!!!! The mission field is right here!!!!!! All we need to do is step out our door!!!! Thank you Lord!!! We're ready!!!!
Until next time . . . be blessed. Susan and Monty
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
And we're off . . .
We have 6 students, 6 students who want to be there, who want to learn more about missions and who are committed to reading the lessons, doing the homework and listening to God's call for their lives.
Pastor Dave and Pastor Bruce and his wife, Karen, Chad and Del from our home church and Mary from my Tuesday morning Bible Study. A great group of people!
Our orientation is complete and their books are being shipped this week and should be here in time for our first official class next Tuesday. It's exciting for Monty and I to see their excitement and we are actually looking forward to going through the classes ourselves since it's been 4 years! God always has something more to teach us and just because we did it once doesn't mean we learned it all -- a far cry from it!
Please remember to keep us all in your prayers. God has something special for each class member and He always has something far better and more special than we can even imagine!
Also --- another winter storm is on the way and we are expected to be pounded with quite a bit tonight through tomorrow!!! Good ole' Indiana winter at it's best!
Until next time . . . blessings to all. Susan and Monty
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Missions Training School
Please keep us in your prayers as tonight is our first night of our satellite branch of our missions training school.
We have been working on this for the past who knows how many months and it's finally here!
We are excited about this "God-guided adventure" and ask that you keep us in your prayers -- and those who will be our students.
Will let you know how it all goes!!!
Until then . . . missions = outreach! It's that simple! Susan and Monty
Monday, January 17, 2011
Happy Birthday Daddy
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Powerful
They say a picture is worth a thousand words -- if only they could tell you just how cold it is here!!!
Last night was incredible and powerful beyond imagination! We had times of worship and praise with songs, times of intense prayer, more praise and worship, teachings and more teachings, healings and through it all God was "in the house."
We got it all started around 8:00pm and I made it till nearly 3:00 am. I should have stayed for the duration because even though I came home and went to bed there was no sleep. God kept waking me up every hour on the hour until I finally gave up and got up around 9:00am. So many things were going on in my head and in my heart. The entire night was so powerful for me and brought me so much closer to God. I am so thankful to be a part of this small yet mighty church! I know the folks in Ecuador felt God touching them because we felt Ecuador and their prayers touching us. Yes, they also held an all night prayer session last night -- for their Pastors who are now here in Texas and for the miracles they know will come from their visit.
Be sure and stay tuned as those Pastors arrive here next Friday and I am blessed to be able to go along to the airport where I will meet them and have a bite to eat with them on the return trip home.
But now -- my focus shifts to my family -- my dad. Tomorrow we are celebrating his 80th birthday. His actual birthday is Monday but tomorrow is our celebration. I cannot believe he's 80 --- what a blessing to live that long! My brother from Florida is here, flew up so he wouldn't miss the celebration. My dad isn't really the celebrating type -- he just wanted a quiet time with family -- like our family is quiet???? He's lost more hearing than he thinks!! :) We are excited to be able to get together as a family again and my thanks goes out to God for choosing such an amazing family for me to "land" in!! I hope to have a few pictures to share with you later.
Until next time . . . celebrate your own family and thank God for the power of prayer!
Susan and Monty (and Bitty and Samson)
Friday, January 14, 2011
An all nighter?
Night time snowfall is beautiful!
I know I have mentioned attending Bible Study each Tuesday morning and how special that morning is for me. This church is just getting started in the mission field and it's so exciting. The Pastor and one of her friends spent a month in Ecuador and the long range goal is to build a church there, up on one of the mountains.
In the meantime -- God touched that country so greatly that 6 of their Pastors are now in the United States attending Kenneth Copeland's conference in Texas and next week they will be here in Indiana for nearly a week! They have brought their wives with them and one brought their 9 year old son. It's so exciting to see what God has already done and even more exciting to know He has so much in store for all of us!
Tonight I am attending an all night prayer vigil for these Pastors and all involved. It should be awesome and I hope to have a full report over the next couple of days.
Monty and I have made ourselves available to be of any help possible in this new God-adventure! We know from experience that all God asks for is our obedience -- He has all the plans!
Please join us in prayer. The nations are coming to us!!!! We CAN change the world! We WILL change the world --- with God's help!
Until next time . . . be blessed! Susan and Monty
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
One Week
We awoke this morning to I don't know how many inches of snow covering the ground and it hasn't stopped all day long. The beauty is hard to describe! As I stood outside around 7:30 this morning listening to the muffled silence, only the sound of birds could be heard, I thought of God's beauty and how He says we are as white as snow in His eyes. All the "yuck" gone and replaced with pure white beauty! Won't heaven be incredible!
Schools here and all around are closed. But we are one week away from the first day of our missions training school and I am so excited to see who God brings to fill the seats! From day one Monty and I have placed our trust in God to bring those He wants to bring -- those interested in learning more about missions and their calling on their own lives. One week -- 7 days -- and we are ready!
Thank you, Lord, for seeing us as pure white--as clean--as sinless! You are a great God!
Until next time . . . Susan and Monty