CELEBRATION 18 - PERSONAL TESTIMONY

   by Sandie White  

Shortly after Celebration 18 I found myself thinking about what could be said about the many experiences at Celebration.  Understanding that not everyone has the same experiences, it seemed best logically to write it generically so we might be able to see our own pictures, which in turn would bring back our individual memories.  

This was my first Celebration since 1988 at Graceland, so I wanted to express how the Spirit moved me into telling my story.  Please think about writing your own story to share with others who were not able to attend. ..................

It was another hot day in Oklahoma, summer of 2018, when we pulled into the campgrounds in Glencoe OK.  Immediately two people came over to help get our week's worth of stuff out of the van.  One, an older man with health issues himself immediately started unloading us.  Quickly a young man in his teens stepped up and began to help.  Kay and I were relieved!  Neither of us were physically up to doing this part of our journey and we were blessed to have these two men and others coming to our aid.

As we stepped into the building, I could sense the Spirit!  People were chatting like “old home week”, renewing relationships.  The joy of being together was tangible, touchable, huggable.

As we gathered for the first time in the big sanctuary, the Spirit rose to meet and greet us, welcoming us into His presence in this special place once again!  We sang songs of praise to Him as we settled into what was possibly the best week, ever.

The invitation had been sent out, the scene was set, and because we accepted the invitation, the banquet was laid out before us!

We were fed from the finest table possible and waited upon with the kindest, most loving, gracious host and Father!  Jesus was with us and among us through this glorious week with Holy Spirit moving and Being among us in ways we were not always aware… with our children, with our cooks, with our staff, with each other.  

The music helped build us up higher in the Spirit throughout the week, from singing old faithful love songs to God to singing new songs with new sounds. As the week approached its end, there was a sadness at having to leave new friends, new brothers and sisters.  We parted knowing most of us would meet again at another divine encounter in the future!

We left carrying that Spirit with us, with changes in our hearts, in our spirits and in our minds: that life will never be exactly the same again.  This special time with the Lord has forevermore lifted us to “a higher place than I have found” to Higher Ground, a new step closer into the spiritual realm.

Submitted by Sandie White, Editor (written 7-25-18)

As I went through this experience again just now in my mind's eye, remembering those moments where Holy Spirit reached out and touched us as we worshiped and as we mingled, Holy Spirit touched me once again with His warm blanket covering, with His light rain falling over me confirming His desire to be with His people, confirming His powerful unconditional LOVE for EACH of us.  Allow Him to remind you of the love He has for YOU.           11-14-2018