Emma's Home

Emma got home yesterday! She came in bearing gifts, stories and about 500 pictures. From all indications, her trip was a great success. They held medical clinics and worship services in 3 cities in Uruguay and Argentina. No one got sick, always a blessing on a missions trip! The American team (Patrick, Darien and 4 twenty-year olds) were joined by a team from a church in Argentina which included the pastor, some staff and several other 20-year olds. Emma sang and testified, checked vital signs and assisted Dr. Silvina Gonzalez and, it appears, was the life of the party. God is so good...they even came upon an Argentine folk dancing class and Emma joined in the dance!

This morning I am thankful to God that he kept her safe, that he broadened her experience and worldview and I am thankful for my church, the Church of God, without which this experience couldn't have happened. I need to remember that in this Assembly year when it's easy to remember and meditate on a lot of other things about my denomination!

Emma and the Away Team

Finally, this morning, we had news from Emma. Dr. Silvina Gonzalez sent pictures of her assisting with medical work and with the group. Silvina reports that Emma gave her testimony in the service in Artigas and sang with the team. Darien Fox, another former student, also on the trip, reported this morning that Emma is "the life of the party" and sent pictures of her eating to prove it! He also sent the picture here of the whole team. It was great to wake up to news and to hear how well things are going! Keep praying!

Pray for Emma in South America!

Our second-born, Emma, is flying to Uruguay at this moment. Last night she finished her job at the local elementary school where she had been teaching dance in an after-school program. They presented an end-of-the-year program featuring dances from the decades of the 30s through the 90s, ending with the show-stopper, "Party Like It's 1999"!

Today she joins a team of others, led by Dr. Patrick Jensen on a medical missions trip. They will work with Dr. Silvina Gonzalez in Uruguay and Argentina for approximately 2 weeks. Medical treatment will be given during the day and worship/evangelistic services will be held at night. Both Patrick and Silvina are graduates of the seminary and both are gifted worship leaders. Several of the others going are musicians as well. So, this trip is right up her alley! Nursing, singing and worship!

They will return on May 27! Please keep her in your prayers.

Dottie Rambo 1934-2008

My dad sent me an email with the sad news that Dottie Rambo had been killed in an accident in her tour bus early Sunday morning. Dottie was one of the earliest influences on me as a gospel singer. When I was very young, my dad brought the Rambos to Rock Hill, SC (my hometown) for a concert. I was mesmerized by this tiny woman with the huge voice, who could tear up an electric guitar, and, though I didn't recognize it, sang under an anointing of the Holy Ghost[she was UPC]. I do remember her shouting and dancing all over the stage, and shouting as my Dad's group, The Chordsmen, sang. I saw her a number of times in concert after that.

She was a prolific songwriter, writing over 3500 songs, recorded by numerous artists, even outside of gospel music, including Whitney Houston ("I Go to the Rock"). Some of her best-known songs, most of which I've sang at some time or other, are "He Looked Beyond My Fault", "We Shall Behold Him", "I Will Glory in the Cross", "Sheltered in the Arms of God", "If That Isn't Love", "Too Much to Gain to Lose" and "Remind Me, Dear Lord".

Dottie could be categorized as country-gospel, I suppose (her ex-husband, Buck, certainly could be), but Dottie had soul. I didn't like every phase she went through, and by no means, followed everything she did. Actually, I never owned that many of her albums, but her influence on me is undeniable.

Here's Dottie singing "I Will Glory in the Cross" in the early 1980s. I only regret I couldn't find a video of her playing lightening fast guitar as well!

Leslie's Saturday Barrel Run

Have You Seen My Grandson?

Lex is coming home tonight! He's been at my parents' (his great-grandparents) house since the family reunion. Mom and Dad are bringing him home tonight "on their way" to Pigeon Forge. Dad just sent me these pictures of Lex "riding" the rocking horse I had when I was his age!

More Family Togetherness

This week-end we traveled to my hometown, Rock Hill, SC for the reunion of the Newton side of my family. My mom's brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Lil Newton, have taken the responsibility for the last few years of organizing this early summer event. This year there were four generations present (Lex representing the 4th). Most of my family are in the ministry (pastors, teachers, worship leaders, missionaries) so we have a lot in common beyond just blood. In spite of the holiness background, we did have fun dancing this year: YMCA, Macarina, Hokey-Pokey and Square Dancing. Few of us have any real talent in that area. Maybe, being holiness, we missed the moment in learning because the "young people" present all seem to be able to move! Of course, we dance in church, but that tends to be less-choreographed in our tradition!! Anyway, it was all great fun.

The hi-lite was having my Uncle Wayne officiate at the baby dedication for his young grandson, Christian Taylor Newton. Christian is the son of my first cousin Chip and his wife, Jennifer. This was both a dedication and a celebration of Chip's healing. About 7 years ago, Chip was diagnosed with testicular cancer, undergoing both radical surgery and radiation therapy. A newlywed at the time, he was told unequivocally he would not be able to father children. But the Great Physician saw the prognosis differently! Chip and Jennifer are now the parents of two beautiful children, Anna Grace (appropriately named!) and Christian Taylor! I know Mamaw and Papaw Newton were shoutin' and rejoicing with their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids yesterday!!

Recent Outings

Corky and I just returned from a week in Arizona. It was primarily a research trip for him (Navajo Contextual Theology/Practice and Disabilities Services) and a reconnaissance mission for my Aunt Margaret and Uncle Don Whichard (she will probably do a women's conference on the Navajo Rez next year). The picture was taken as we hiked 275 ft. down into Canyon de Chelly.

The other picture is of our family and Georgia family (Jill, Joel and Katie Libramento) and friends (Pete, Kristen and Katie) in Atlanta when we went to see the The Lion King.