ORDINATION - GARY AND DEBBIE PRATT

The 98^th Oklahoma District Council convened in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on April 25. The Ordination Service which took place on April 26, without a doubt has been indelibly etched into our hearts and minds!

In the Assemblies of God, attaining Ordination is the highest level of credentials available in the Fellowship.

Gary and I have been in ministry for 27 years. In the beginning of our ministry, we knew that holding credentials with our beloved Assemblies of God, would not be an option. Because of a previous marriage, the standards prescribed by The General Council of the Assemblies of God prohibited our pursuit of credentials. Nevertheless, we were called to the ministry and continued to function in the call God had placed on our lives within the Fellowship of the Assemblies of God.

In recent years the General Council standards on remarriage/credentialing were revised. We were contacted officially to apply for our credentials, which we did.

On April 26, 2011, we realized a miracle/dream come true. We never thought we would see this day.

We are so grateful for our wonderful family and friends that celebrated with us, either in person, texts, phone calls or cards. The journey has been a very rewarding one. Thank you for sharing this monumental event with us.

When our application process began, neither Gary or me were having any health issues. However, in August of 2009 Gary was diagnosed with prostate cancer. That was a difficult year as we walked through the uncertainties of his diagnosis and treatment. In October 2010, Gary’s 1 year test results came back cancer free. We took a trip of a lifetime to Israel with our dear friends Ron and Christie Woodson. We celebrated Gary’s good reports and rejoiced in God’s faithfulness.

Upon our return from Israel in November 2010, I was diagnosed with cancer. In spite of the challenges we have faced over the past 2 years, we continue to experience God’s Faithfulness!

We look forward to what God has on the horizon, as we continue to walk in the calling He has placed on our lives. We BELIEVE our BEST days are ahead.

SISTERS

A sister's smile warms your heart
A sister's hug reminds you she understands and cares

A sister's love is a lifelong gift.

I love my sisters, Deatra and Fara!

We always have so much fun when we are together!

And although I don't get to see my brother, Ricky too often, I love him dearly.
(he is the quiet one of the bunch:)
Of course with three girls around, how can he get a word in?

So blessed!

EASTER WEEKEND

On Saturday morning, my baby sister, Fara, from Colorado came to spend a few days with us. I had not seen her since my TRUSTING journey began. It was an emotional reunion. So grateful that she could come and spend Easter weekend with us.

On Saturday night, she turned my recliner into a spa. She gave me a much needed massage and then gave me a manicure and pedicure. We had such a precious, priceless, sister moment. As we sat together letting our toes dry, we got so tickled at the differences in our toes. Fara said "you sure can't tell we are sisters by our toes!" We needed that laugh!
Even though I have limited voice, we found ways to communicate as only "sisters" can.
I LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH MY SISTERS!

Easter Sunday morning was awesome. We chose to attend the 3rd Service! Matt and Lisa made it in from Colorado in time to join us for worship. Following service, we had our family lunch at Mama Pratt's home.

and then we got silly...............

On Monday Shanda, Adolfo and Cinco arrived, as we were all preparing to take a family vacation following our Ordination Service.

It was a beautiful day, so we took a stroll to the bench.

Fara did so much to help prepare me for my Ordination on Tuesday. She took care of all the cooking, cleaning, laundry and packed my suitcase for our vacation. I don't know what I would have done without her help. Getting me packed was worse than packing for a baby:) I needed my vaporizer, I needed my pillows, I needed my blankets, I needed my medications, oh my the list of stuff................but they got me packed and we left on Tuesday afternoon headed to OKC for our Ordination.

Thank you Fara for attending to my every need and all the details!! I love you!

WILL YOU CUT MY EGG UP?

Growing up in a home with 2 sisters and 1 brother, my daddy performed an endearing act for us. As long as I can remember, my daddy has cut my egg up. There was an art to it! He did it to perfection. I LOVED eating my eggs that daddy cut up for me.

So when I got married, the first morning that we had eggs, I sat down, slid my plate over to Gary and ask if he would cut my eggs up for me. He looked at me, a little surprised, and said "No. Why would I do that?" and I said, "my daddy always cuts my eggs up for me", and he said "I'm not your daddy"......................UH-OH! That was our first "tiff" (slang for verbal argument).

34 years later, as I sat in the recliner without the strength to prepare my own breakfast, my wonderful husband walked in with a plate of soft cooked eggs, cut up to perfection. He sat down beside me and offered me a bite, which I took and was able to eat a few bites. In that moment, a flood of memories came over me and we sat in the quiet of the morning and laughed and then cried about our first "tiff".

In that tender moment, it wasn't about cutting my egg up anymore.
I LOVE THIS MAN!