Falling In Love With Huntsville, UT

At the beginning of our school year, we took the teens to Huntsville Park for a cookout & then to Snowbasin for Frisbee Golf. This was the first day that I absolutely fell in love with Huntsville, Utah. The downtown area is so peaceful, small, and cute.

A few weeks later, the mayor of Huntsville came to our 9/11 memorial service. What a treat to meet Mayor Jim Truett & his wife. They were so kind, and they compared their town to “our own little Mayberry.” I was hooked.

Shortly after that time, some friends sampled “Huntsville Bar-be-cue” and declared it taste-worthy.

Of course, this came up on the radar as the next, most-eligible eating place for us foodies.

We were pleasantly impressed with the casual but beautiful setting.

The grounds around the place were very inviting. And the food…well, the food was just great! I’d give it 4½ stars out of 5.

9.11.2011 - Never Forget

(Flag @ half-mast)

On September 11^th of this year, our church remembered the 10^th anniversary of the attacks on America in 2001. It was very moving to view pictures of the event, recall the memories and thoughts that passed through our minds at that time, and also to pass that on to the children who were very young or not even born then.

(Color Guard from Hill Air Force Base)

In addition to our personal remembrances, the memorial was an excellent opportunity to share this time with many of our local and state elected officials. It was a pleasure to have Mayor Godfrey of Ogden, Mayor Truett of Huntsville, several mayoral candidates, city council members, an attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, and many others at our church.

(Decorated for the event)

John Stormer, famed author of None Dare Call It Treason, was our speaker for the day. As an esteemed conservative in Utah, Mr. Stormer’s address was well-received.

(Pastor Mallinak & Mayor Godfrey)

The greatest privilege of all was to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with these guests. We continue to pray for the salvation of the Mormon community around us, in particular. It is difficult to watch a culture of guilt and good works carry so many like a rushing river into the Devil’s Hell. Yet, we are confident in the power of God to overcome even in this stronghold of the Devil.

(God BLESS America!)

Candy Sale, Sweet Candy Sale

The sweetness comes because we sell chocolate…which is sweet. Otherwise, this is a difficult week-and-a-half. This year was made much easier, however, by near-perfect weather. And, of course, I love the opportunity to revisit Park City and Heber City – a study in contradictions.

Park City is upper-upper class, a bit snooty, very rich, and terribly inviting. Heber City is small town, a bit redneck, and dusty. Gotta love them both!

Pig Roast & Dinner On the Grounds

This past week was a “big” day for our church. We had the tail end of our evangelistic meetings coinciding with the middle of a bus push.

After a reviving week of nightly preaching services, we were all encouraged to invite friends, family, and neighbors to hear a Gospel message on Sunday morning. As a bonus, we had a pig roast & dinner on the grounds. (Sadly, I did not get any pictures.)

Though many visitors were not able to attend, many did come and listen to the preaching. It was a thrill to hear of several trusting Christ as their Savior afterwards. Isn’t that what it’s all about? God is still on the Throne & He still draws men to Himself. What an encouragement & answer to prayer! Praise the Lord!

Filling It Up!

By the way, we had 25 on our “new” bus. It’s painted & shiny now. We’ve even added a teen worker to help. Please continue to pray that we’ll “Fill It Up!”

More than a large number of attendees, though, please pray for the salvation of several teen girls and their family. They are “close,” it seems, but we are just begging the Lord to do a great work in their hearts. If you think of it, they will be attending an overnight teen rally this Friday to Saturday. Please pray that the Lord will “bring them into the fold.”

Also, we have several slightly younger girls who are growing in the Lord. One girl would not have her birthday party on Saturday night because she would not be able to attend church the next day. Another girl came to two nights of the special meetings. It’s such a privilege to work with them and pray for them…”the Lord working with us.”

Where Are Last Year's Raindrops?

Where are the rain drops that fell last year?

They were persistent and often in the Spring.

We could not escape their fall.

Now, they seem only a distant memory,

Were they in vain or did they bring

Anything at all?

Where are the rays of sunshine from the summer

Those we loved and sought for

And pleaded with to stay.

These too, seem to have gone far away.

Their passing we almost forget

Forgotten in winter’s gray.

Last year’s raindrops are in the growth all around us

Giving a beauty and health to every living thing

That lasts through Fall.

They flow through the trees and grass

To every flower and seed they cling

Winter’s dread to forestall.

And the sunshine, coming down from the sky

Is reflected in the orchard floor,

Harvest's bounty tray.

Red, orange, and yellow trees echo months

Of summer’s light, reminiscing

Even if it cannot stay.

Fall Wishes