The 10^{th Annual Rocky Mountain Saratoga Family Weekend held at the beautiful Riviera Lodge, in Saratoga, Wyoming July 4th – 6th, was a great success.}

Folks came from all over the country to participate in what has become an annual event for the central Rocky Mountain Living Churches of God. Carolyn Paul and Marjean Gregory from the greater Chicago area represented the mid-west. While our special guest Regional Pastor Dr. Jeffrey Fall and his wife Barbara traveled all the way from Sacramento, California. Mr. And Mrs. Eugene and Phyllis Api had traveled all the way from Tallahassee, Florida.

Thirty brethren started off the weekend activities with an evening July 4th Bible Study with area Pastor Mr. Ben Whitfield covering the topic of Lessons from Smyrna and Philadelphia.

On July 5th a Sabbath 10:00 am Brunch was held along the banks of the North Platte River which was richly flowing with abundant waters from the high country snow melts of the winter. The church ladies had prepared a delicious brunch complete with wholesome meats, egg casseroles of various kinds, different pastries, fresh fruit and the aromatic morning coffee that greeted everyone as they entered the meeting hall.

Afternoon 2:30 pm Services with Song Leading by Mr. Eugene Api and a father-son speaking line up with Sermonette by Mr. Brandon Fall and the Sermon by his father Dr. Jeffrey Fall. The themes carried over with the 4th of July US Anniversary with Mr. Brandon Fall talking about our freedoms truly come from being obedient to God’s law. Our founding fathers of this nation built their governmental framework around the law of God, which is clearly seen throughout their writings and inscribed upon many national monuments and buildings right in the heart of Washington, DC.

Dr. Jeffrey Fall talked about how God’s government works with us in our cooperative spirits, loving each other, working together for the common good and purpose of completing God’s work and helping to build His church…not being uncooperative like those who would be “Independent” of God’s way of life. Establishing one’s own little following apart from God’s work and His Church is definitely reflective of a spirit of Satan’s spirit of independence. Imagine if you were “Independent” from God, His work and His church…sort of being “non-aligned” with others who were “Independent” what kind of work would you be able to accomplish? Would you even be a part of what God is building…by being “Independent?” Not that we’re unappreciative of what our early forefathers sacrificed for by declaring their separation from tyranny through national independence and establishing what God was developing in a separate nation. The United States of America relies on a cooperative government that is interdependent in order to function. However, what we’re seeing in today’s world and especially in the current political arena here at home in the US is a “Spirit of Independence” that is destructive and non-unifying and it’s spread into God’s church.

Dr. Fall also went on to say that God is allowing us as people to “sort ourselves” according to “our own” agendas, priorities, likes and dislikes. He is not doing the sorting, we are! What is taking place is this: “Who is willing to put God first and His work?” This sorting process is being worked out below by our own hands. It’s sobering to realize that our decisions of today will affect the outcomes of our future tomorrow.

Spiritual food, fellowship and the pleasure of walking to services was especially delightful for everyone…a taste of what the millennium may be like. Imagine getting to walk to services instead of driving hundred’s of miles each Sabbath…what a treat! One of those simple pleasures of life we can look forward to in the kingdom. Saratoga, Wyoming offered a taste of the world tomorrow with it’s spectacular mountain vistas and flowing fresh waters down the upper North Platte river.

After services a 5:30 pm Steak Cookout and Covered Dish Meal took place. The smell of freshly grilled meats and chicken along with other delicious vegetables, salads and deserts filled our physical hunger. As the evening sun began to set we all continued with fellowship, eating and getting ready for a fun filled evening.

A 7:30 pm – Bible Bowl. Mrs. Jennifer Maskell from Saratoga, Wyoming and Ms Carolyn Paul from Chicago, Illinois led the evening Bible Bowl game with everyone participating. Two teams were selected: Team Judah and Team Israel held a friendly game of old fashion Bible Bowl questions. Questions like: How many books of the Old Testament are there? What are the basic doctrines of Heb 6:1-2? What is the 13th book of the Old Testament in the King James order? (counting 1st & 2nd Samuel, Kings and Chronicles each as three books)? Just to name a few

Can you name the Hebrew names of Daniel’s 3 special friends?…was a suggested question; however, it didn’t make it into the line-up. We went long into the evening with fun, fellowship and more bible trivia questions. (With everyone living at such great distances, social evenings like this for the western – mountain regions really are special times. This was one of them.)

Sunday morning wasted no time as 8:00 am Breakfast greeted everyone. The smell of fresh brew coffee, delicious pastries, bagels, egg dishes and seasonal fresh fruit greeted us. What followed the breakfast was a special presentation by Chef Api. Mr. Eugene Api had worked at Ambassador College for 19 years and had a full life of adventure he shared with us in his new book: “Celebrity Chef – Api’s …A Collection of Recipes and Cooking History.” We were in for a real treat. Chef Api walked us through a bit of his personal life story, his experiences at Ambassador, UCLA and elsewhere his special gifts took him. (Pr 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.)

Chef Api talked about his experiences that brought him before kings and notable people throughout his life. Such men as Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, King Leopold of Belgium, Dr. Otto von Hapsburg of Germany and many others. Eugene said that you just don’t thrown down a hamburger on the grill, but you take your time, plan your meal and carry through with that plan in order to make it a successful culinary experience. Whether you’re serving the Queen of Thailand and her staff or cooking for 100’s it all takes special planning and forethought.

Then Chef Api had a special book signing of the first 50 copies of his new book, “Celebrity Chef Api.” Of course he had reserved the very first one for Mrs. Sheril Meredith. He will have a special presentation for her when he returns back home to Florida and church headquarters.

A Noon Luncheon followed at Mr. & Mrs. Alan and Sarah Williams and everyone journey home richly filled looking forward to next year’s Rocky Mountain Family Weekend in Saratoga.

By: Ben Whitfield