"Is the end of the world near?"
"What happens when I die?"
"What is the meaning of life?"
"Who let the dogs out ?"

"Find answers at the Harvest Crusade"
Greg Laurie, 7/12/02

 

“Lets follow them…maybe they are going to the Harvest Crusade ? “

After experiencing numerous inspirational harvest Mondays at the grove in Anaheim, ca for the past few months, when I first heard about the confirmed dates of July 12-14 for this years harvest crusade, I was determined to attend, even though at the time I was still relying on the bus for transportation because my miracle Menageriemobile #3 isn't repaired yet

I knew my prayers for ride arrangements for myself and four out of my six children would be answered, but I never imagined it would be in the form of the gift of miracle mobile #4 from a generous neighbor that I received just a couple of weeks before

1980 VW Scirocco (aka Miracle Mobile #4)	This "Menagerie" Mobile Substitute even has ”leopard spots” &;-)

Although it needs a few minor replacements, repairs and adjustments etc. it had been working fine.... until the Friday, of the first harvest night when it died on my way to work on a Disney production where I was scheduled to work until 7pm

Friday July 12
1:30pm as I waited two hours in the sun for a tow truck, I prayed that I wouldn't get anxious no matter what,
Isaiah 54:10
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord , who has compassion on you."
so peacefully resolved that if I had to, since I was planning on attending immediately after work so there would definitely be no time to wait for my usual three buses, I would rent a car for the weekend in order to make it to work and afterwards when I was off at 7 pick up the kids and rush to the harvest that started at 7:15

however, a friend who lived close by saw me before the tow arrived and suggested that maybe it died because something could have gotten wet when I washed it and that by now it may have dried...so I tried to start it again and it was fine

After that, I was leery to drive it all the way to Anaheim from newport beach, so I missed work and took it to my x sisterinlaw's new husband's auto parts store where they assured me it would be OK to drive and also offered to provide a minor tune up and any needed parts in the future, which was another unexpected blessing and evidence of God turning around, for good, something meant for my harm and discouragement

although our family has extensive experience with production and assisting at major secular entertainment events, this was the first high profile multimedia Christian Music Event that we have ever attended, other than harvest Mondays, since becoming familiar with the featured artists from the awesome Fish Radio Station Ministry
www.TheFish959.com, whose representatives Denny and Lisa were present in a patio booth promoting the upcoming FishFestwww.transparentproductions.com this Sunday July 28 at the world famous Irvine Meadows ( unfortunately now " verizon wireless amphitheatre" .. which I think is so lame of a name change I can barely type it out &;-(

At first, my 13 yr. old son, wasn't too thrilled with most of the performers scheduled for harvest 02 except for www.skillet.org which wouldn't be there until Saturday, so he wasn't as enthusiastic as the rest of us about coming tonight with the entertainment featuring the harvest crusade band www.harvest.org, www.CrystalLewis.com and www.DennisAgajanian.com

however, by the end of the night, as pastor Greg in his endearing, unique, casual and humorous style, focused on the story of Jesus and Nicodemus and John 3 description of the opportunity for everlasting life and reminded that God doesn't send anyone to hell..they send themselves by rejecting this provision....

that jaded son of mine who was determined to be bored and uninterested, was so inspired , that he wanted to rush down to the field, along with his three sisters for the alter call

Friday 7/12 Alter Call

I’m not sure if it was proper or not, but I suggested that they not just go on an emotional whim this first night, as I felt I needed to spend time later in the evening and next day to explain what it really meant and then they could still have the other two nights to do so if they still wished to after understanding the sacredness of this public commitment

btw I praise God every day for www.JoyceMeyer.org ministries, which also sponsors rage against destruction and firefest youth ministries where the home page of the web site provides an explanation of what responding to the alter call involves, which I printed out to share with my interested children and others that I know I will meet that have and/or will be considering this same life changing decision

"I raised my hand, walked down front and repeated what that guy said...

What did I just do ?"

www.Firefest.org

the next morning on Saturday, by 8 am my son was already getting dressed even though we weren't leaving until the evening

he and the girls mentioned that next year we should get a bus so they can bring all of their friends that would have loved to join us if we would have had means of transportation for them

Saturday July 13

this Saturday night was particularly focusing on the youth, featuring the message regarding the Prodigal son parable found at Luke 15, for the example of what God is like...Loving us with undeserved provisions regardless of our imperfect decisions... sad when we want him out of our lives...and happy when we come to our senses and change our minds

the bands featured tonight were...

By The Tree ..I wasn’t familiar with them or any web sites to visit, but they were enjoyable and I think they are from orange county, but I'm not sure

www.Skillet.org from Memphis Tennessee

I especially love their pop alternative music and colorful hair/fashion style, beautiful purple and turquoise custom bass and as a fellow female musician, also the fact that they have two amazing energetic & talented girls playing keyboard and drums...lol !!!

www.Switchfoot.com from san diego, sounded great as usual also performing their popular song "learning to breath" as featured in the warner brothers movie www.AWalkToRemember.com starring Mandy Moore that my 14 yr old entertainment lover daughter highly recommends

and

Delirious? www.delirious.co.uk from guess where ?..lol
www.paulfp.co.uk/delirious/index.html
also with colorful unique fashion sense ? and who reminds me so much of MY FAVORITE band, www.u2.com  

Saturday 7/13 Delirious? Look really hard at the TV screen to see vocalist, Martin Smith in his suit before he removed the Jacket to reveal his hot pink long sleeves and multi colored striped tie too bad you can't see Stewart Smith, in his super fly scooba diver mask/helmet/glasses noticeable drummer fashion statement

as Delirious ? played during pastor Greg's prayerful alter call invitation, it was definitely an indescribable experience walking through the crowded stadium down to the fields with four of my children (14, 13, 11, 8 ) and then standing in the middle of a sea of literally thousands of others who were embracing and crying with joy over their loved ones decision to begin a new life in Jesus among hundreds of dedicated volunteers handing out the new believers' Bible gifts in remembrance of this special occasion that none of us will ever forget

 

Sunday July 14

the Harvest Crusade band began the worship on this last night www.harvest.org/crusades/music/index.htm

next was
www.TheKatinas.com
we were searching for seats while they performed so we werent watching them, but they sounded great
however we finally found seats in time for…
www.JaciVelasquez.com
http://planetjaci.com/newsite/index.htm

I had purchased two jaci cds on Friday for my 14 yr. old daughter, but even though they are all gifted with beautiful voices, her and her two younger sisters tortured their 13 yr. old brother by singing LOUDLY with jaci ALL weekend, and had every song memorized and almost cried when she was done performing...me too..she is just a precious ADORABLE little thing and one of my very favorite Christian artists also..
I would love to see her and www.NicoleCMullen.com perform together...

You can see Jaci here on the big screen	You can't see Jaci here on the big stage...and neither could we..lol

it was also a blessing to welcome the always inspirational franklin graham
www.SamaritansPurse.org and to join everyone singing happy birthday to him

as embarassing as it is to admit, I was so exhausted, by this third day, and hungry from being too busy to eat at work, that i didn't take notes and don't remember the message

But nevertheless I remember singing, clapping , laughing a lot, thankfully praying to God for the opportunity to be there with most of my children, and wondering how and when I would possibly find the time to compile this review and photos to share with all of you

the last night of harvest 02 was celebrated with a fireworks display and www.CrystalLewis.com
returning to share her beautiful voice during the final alter call, which was the conclusion of this blessed weekend at this previously- appropriately-named-for-this-event, "ANGELS" Stadium in Anaheim California, ( im sorry, but edison field is yet another $ad example of a ridiculou$ name change of a beloved historic venue for obviou$ $pon$or$hip reason$ ) www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/anaheim.htm
to add to the spectacular emotional conclusion, the fireworks at Disneyland
www.disneyland.disney.go.com/disneylandresort/Disneyland/LiveShows/index
were also in view as everyone walked down the ramps to the patios for further fellowship and souvenirs

I cant remember how many event reviews I have shared in 25+ years, but this is the first time I have ever also been impressed with the merchandising !

we love the skillet, jaci velasquez and delirious ? CDs we purchased and

harvest ministries has their own clothing line which includes roxy and hurly style sportswear at amazingly affordable prices such as $12 for a t shirt $15 for reversible floppy hats, visor caps and silver studded/embroidered t shirts and $25 for soft, thick fleeced front zippered hooded sweater/sweatshirts similar to those I have seen purchased by entertainment companies I work with for $55 - $125 plus

Victoriana Rose 11 Christiana Joy14 Eviana Belle 8 Julienne Alexander 13 Modeling their Harvest Crusade souvenirs in front of the 95.9fm Fish Cruiser

I think it is a blessing and demonstration of the artistic creativity of those who were inspired to share their talents for designing, producing and marketing such great quality merchandise available to promote and financially assist such a great quality ministry obviously benefiting soooooo many !!!

including all who responded to the alter calls at the conclusion of each night, which I think may have totaled close to 10,000 for the weekend

Praise The Lord !

for answering the inspirational opening prayer at the beginning of the crusade on Friday, " that the lives of those in attendance and their families not be the same when they leave "

our family was definitely touched and looking forward to next year's harvest and have intentions to volunteer and invite everyone we know, even if that means arranging a few bus charters

This is my 11yr old performer Victoriana “fellowshipping” with our shy new friends… Richard Lee, of LA’s Young Kak Praise Band and the shiny stiff guy whose name we do not know.. lol

I am writing this a week later, and we have all received several Harvest welcome-to-the-family-of-God letters and correspondence including listings of local churches to visit, which reminded me to re visit one that was also on the list closest to where we live on Sunday July 21 www.RockHarbor.org

and wouldn't you know ?...on my way to an errand, miracle mobile #4 overheated and died again

but wouldnt you also know ?...that after we prayed, walked to get ice cream, giving it time to cool off, (and us..lol), a neighbor that i called gave me instructions on how to add water to the radiator, which i was miraculously able to figure out how to do, ( any of you that know me, realize this description of my lack of even basic mechanical knowledge is no exaggeration ..lol ) anyway, it was fine to get us to rock harbor in costa mesa just in time for the 7:15 service and safely back home to newport beach without overheating

once again...ha ha devil !!!

as I am adding the photos to this page, I am also watching my favorite woman alive on earth Joyce meyer on www.tbn.org and she just blessed me once again with timely reminders….

Psalm 145
⁹ The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

Philippians 1
^being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Now its later, and Kenneth Copeland and Jerry Seville are on www.tbn.org sharing these encouraging scriptures…

Psalm 46
¹   God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
²   Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
³   Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah

Psalm 121
²   My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
³   He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him

" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

Now I can’t wait to see what He will have me do next ???  

til the next time,

God Bless !!!

&;-)

ps

I took this photo a few weeks ago, as I was rushing to a bus stop in front of Albertsons & McDonalds shopping center on Harbor & Wilson In Costa Mesa, CA USA I sure pray that this person, supporting & promoting The Harvest Crusade by displaying a sticker even while living behind bushes, was able to attend and has been blessed with a safe, comfortable home by now

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