Our Holy Shepherd Watches over US!.....Tami Bonhardt-Carr

Our family's year began with many questions and even more prayers. We were uncertain of what lay ahead for us with Dave's cancer. I was struggling with many unanswered questions and I needed to know that I was not in control of the outcome or concerns of our situation.

One of my top concerns was what would happen with Children's Ministry and Holy Mackerel Kidz Summer Camp 2008 in the months that lay ahead. But our God who is SO faithful soon sent in the reinforcements. The wonderful, beautiful and dependable Lois Andree came to my rescue. She decided "to be Tami" for the weeks I would spend in Houston at MD Anderson with my husband. That concern was now laid to rest!

Next I continued to pray for help with HMKSC. Within a month Lucy Gettlefinger, Shara Atkinson, Meredith Tumlin, Cissy Barfield, Megan Hayles, Matthew Taylor and Sally Biedenharn called me saying they felt the Lord leading them to help me with HMKSC. I could hear the Lord telling me HE called us all together for our many talents, gifts and the love we have for one another to share at the camp. The He truly blessed us with an awesome camp for the summer of 2008.

One morning during worship, Cheryl Wright taught us a new camp song "My Holy Shepherd Watches Over Me". As we sang, a smile came to my face and I could feel the love of God! he does watch over us....we just have to let Him! This year has not been easy but He has been faithful. When we left Houston my husband's PSA reading was "000s". The cancer is gone and Our Lord and Savior once again has provided, guided and healed!

There were many times I was blessed during the camp, but the ones that really stand out in my mind happened during our altar call. The Holy Spirit led nine little campers to the alter. As one little boy walked up I asked him if he had a question. He said yes, he wanted to ask Jesus to come and live in his heart. I assured him all he had to do was ask, which he had. I assured him that Jesus heard him and was indeed now living in his heart. He responded, "Ms Tami my heart is beating so fast right now I don't know if there is room in there for Jesus." The Holy Spirit one again at work in a little three foot tall body.

The next blessing came at the end of that day as I told a mother about her child asking for Jesus to be her Lord and Savior. As I looked up at the mother, her eyes were overflowing with tears of joy at this very special moment that we shared together. People continually ask me where I find the energy to do what I do. My answer comes easily. God uses me as a vessel to do His work and these moments I speak of are PRICELESS!!..... "Our Holy Shepherd Watches over US! (Sept. 08)

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God is Love.......Sherry Miller

Sometimes life becomes so hard that we feel there is nothing left and we can't go on. I know - this has happened to me several times but God actually came to me in a very powerful way. So powerful that it changed my life forever.

Twenty years ago I had been through a terrible divorce and I had three children to raise by myself without very much money and no one I could really count on. I belonged to a church and I became closer to God every day because he became my best friend. I had to move around several times and I saw many people going through the same hurt and pain. One night I was in my bed crying to God and asking Him why so many people have to hurt and suffer so much. I told God I really wanted an answer. He touched me that night with a new life with meaning. As I lay in my bed, I felt as if I were in a cocoon of light, a light like I have never seen before; then, a gentle hand came upon my head and it felt like warm honey slowly pouring from the top of my head to my feet and then I felt a love, joy and peace that there is no word in the English language to describe.

The next day I went to church - a Wednesday night - for dinner and prayer and all the time I kept thinking and asking myself if I was crazy and no one would ever believe this (my dream). There appeared a lady who called me over and asked if I would be her prayer partner and I said I would. She said she wanted to share something with me and told me word for word the same experience I just had. Before I could say too much, someone had called me over to help with dinner and I excused myself. When I returned, she was gone completely. I realized God wanted me to know I was not crazy and that He showed a little piece of heaven to me. God wants us to know no matter how hard it gets here on earth or how difficult thing may seem, we are to look at what He has for us in heaven - eternal life of so much love, joy and peace that there is nothing better.

All these years I have always tried to remember what God has for us in the end but human nature somehow begins to work on us. This time, I lost my business of sixteen years and I felt so hurt and could not stop crying. I felt I wanted to die but I kept trying to pick myself up so I could pay my bills and keep my home. I pushed myself trying to make things right to do the best I could. I was getting angry, confused and feeling helpless. I was praying and nothing very good seemed to happen; I was basically hopeless. I went to bed on a Sunday night after praying all day and going to church asking God, "Please, please help me; I need you." I woke up about 3 a.m. and I felt terrible pains in my stomach and my body began to feel like it was on fire. I know I could not drive myself to the hospital so I waited until the next morning and I called my friend, Marcia, and asked her to please take me to the hospital. When we arrived I knew I could not walk so I asked for a wheelchair. I don't remember anything else once I got in the wheelchair. My children and grandchildren and friends have put the pieces together for me. By Monday night my children were told I was in critical condition and that should start to make funeral arrangements. Father Mike Hesse came to the hospital to pray for me and they started to see a little hope, so the doctors began to prepare me for surgery. I had a gall bladder that had rotted away and gangrene was found throughout my entire body. I had no idea I was so sick. I had no idea what a gall bladder was! The next morning with surgery performed there was still very little hope. After being in Intensive Care for ten days and the hospital for several weeks, I went home with a walker.

During my time in the hospital there was only one thing I could remember. I saw a light I had seen before but this time I was floating in the light and I was very very happy. I kept saying "God, where are you? I am ready - please come and get me". Then a voice came to me and said, "Sherry, it is not your time". I felt fine with this and I came back. God keeps telling me no matter how bad things get He is always with us and we must remember what He has for us in the end.....God is Love (May 08).

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Baptism of Riley Allen - To the staff of Immanuel, we would like to thank the entire staff and everyone who had a part in our granddaughters baptism. It was so glorious, we can only imagine all the preparations and people involved, the priest, the warming of the water, the certificate, the beautiful bible, the gorgeous banner and to top it all off an actual video of the event. We were so excited, we could hardly stand it. It was such a wonderful family and church family event. Thank you all so very much - Betty Ann and Capt. Bob Walter.

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The Cannon Family Baptism - Thanks you to the many people who helped with our family baptism. We love all of you. The kids love the bibles and they are truly blessed. Thanks to the staff of Immanuel - The Cannon Family.

The following glass cross was made by Kim Cannon. The Immanuel staff thanks you very much. It is absolutely beautiful!

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