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Pam Keller Greets Barak Obama

"God's Favor!

Sometimes we forget how special we are to God? Recently I received an email from Pam Keller who is the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Fullerton, and friend of Nation Ministry. Who had the opportunity to attend President Obama's Town hall meeting in Costa Mesa California, the event was held at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

Pam's story touch my heart recognizing that the Lord had found favor on this servant of the people who has devoted her life by serving the community of Fullerton, California. She has served in many areas of this community.

Pam Keller, who was born Jan. 8, 1963 is a life-long California resident, she graduated from Fullerton Union High School, and went on to obtain a bachelor degree in child development from California State University at Fullerton. She quickly went to work for the Fullerton School District as an elementary school teacher. She now represents the district as Executive Director of the Fullerton Collaborative, which is a joint effort of the California State University, along with the Fullerton School District, and the Fullerton Union High School District, also working with the Fullerton Police and Parks and Recreation departments, and numerous community-based non-profit organizations, such as the YMCA, to provide service programs for the community. The List goes on in her role as a servant.

Now, how comforting it is to know that wherever we go God is there with us. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations and we wonder if God is paying attention. Then it happens, we realize that some how we found favor?

God knows our heart the desire to make a difference in this world. God is with us, leading us, guiding us, loving us, providing for us, all with His unlimited resources. He has it all. He is longing to pour out His favor and blessing upon us. We need to be open to Him and trust Him. By faith, to receive what He has for us. It is essential that we realize how much He loves us and that He has a good purpose and plan for us.

My hope, is that Pamela C. Keller's story blesses your heart to believe that favor is just around the corner. You can trust God. No matter what is going on in your life, He is there! God goes where ever you go.

Pastor Mando
"Keep the faith"
"faith working through love"...Galatians 5:6;

Obama, in the OC
By Pamela C. Keller

My eleven year old son Dakota, my girlfriend Sunbie and I were very lucky to
have tickets to Obama's Town hall meeting in Costa Mesa. The event was held
at the OC Fairgrounds. We arrived at 1:30 to find a VERY long line. We knew
many people in the line so it was fun making our way to the back! The
atmosphere was festive and everyone was well mannered. The entrepreneurial
spirit was in the air. Vendors were selling t-shirts, buttons, hats and
scarves. We only had enough cash to buy a few t-shirts so my Dakota now has
a new one with Obama's Face that says "HOPE".

As we got closer to the security gates I noticed other elected officials
that were being escorted in. I stayed in line with my friends until I was
swept up in a contingency that included Senator Lou Correa and Assemblyman
Jose Solorio. Dakota and I joined them and were able to get inside a bit
quicker. Once in however, we were told that we needed to go to general
seating. Tustin Council Woman Deborah Gavello and Laguna Beach Council Woman
Verna Rollinger joined us and we secured seating for all of our friends
outside...but we were wayyyyyy in the back of the crowd! There was a view of
the podium but it was far. Little by little we found seats one by one to
move closer. A huge thank you to my friend Monika Broome- she was working
the event and spotted a seat on the rail next to the podium. We sent Dakota
up to the seat so that he could have a ringside view of history. I gave him
my camera and went back to our original seats.

Just as the event was about to begin, a representative from the White House
approached Verna and asked if we were together- she said yes-everyone else
had scattered-He gave us a little card with a blue dot and said- go up to
the front and find the blue seats--it was a very random moment--we had no
idea where we were going but we knew it was better than where we were! When
we got to the front we found out that be would be sitting on the podium
behind the President! What an amazing feeling when we were standing on the
platform and listening to the National Anthem--the lights were bright and
hot and we were just feet away from where the president would be speaking!

It all happened so fast. Dakota was very close as well so he looked up and
was very surprised to see me! When President Obama walked in Dakota did his
photographer job but as the President came down the line he was able to
shake his hand. For me, that was an amazing moment- to see my child have the
experience of shaking his hand brought tears to my eyes and made the whole
trek worth it!

We realized our random seating put us in view of the cameras--My phone was
on my lap and I got a text from my dad that said, "I see you!" I mouthed "Hi
Daddy" and he saw me!--My husband is working in Texas so I sent him a quick
text to tell him to watch. Pretty soon my phone was going crazy--so many
people were telling me to ask him a question etc...I knew I was on the
cameras so wanted to have good manners--but since my camera was with my son,
I had to use the phone to capture some moments- then I had to send them-I
was trying to be discreet but of course I was reprimanded for my bad phone
manners by text--My favorite was "eyes on the prez keller"!

The crowd broke out in a chant-"OBAMA-OBAMA-OBAMA". It was like being in a
rock concert! Our president turned it into a serious moment- for a serious
time. I will need to go back and watch the taped version to remember all the
details of his speech but the part that stood out for me was the fact that
he says we need to stop blaming each other for problems. He said if we want
to blame someone-blame him. He will take responsibility and take action to
move us forward. How refreshing!

He talked about AIG- Bail outs- Banks-Immigration-Auto Industry -Education
and more.

Our President is an extremely charismatic speaker- the crowd bonded with him
instantly- he played off comments that were shouted out--"I love you
Obama"--"I love you guys too", he quickly replied.

Dakota's class had prepared a question together. I caught his eye and
encouraged him to raise his hand. He shook his head no-it was a huge,
intimidating crowd for an eleven year old who doesn't like a lot of
attention drawn to him- so I understood! Luckily, a teacher from Santa Ana
asked his question. She had received a pink slip- so had their teacher of
the year (just like ours in Fullerton). She wanted to know if there was any
hope and if there was going to be any money coming to the urban schools from
the recovery funds. His answer was that the majority of the money will be
for teacher retention- that was the good news- but he did not know exactly
how the formula for dispersment worked for California- I say we need to find
out quickly!

Obama turned to my section- we had been told that we would not be able to
participate- he joked that we should be able to be more than good scenery-
the two questions I had prepared had been asked--so unlike me--I did not
jump in (although my niece says he looked right at me and I should have
raised my hand!)

The last question was from a gentleman who had just lost his job after 13
years. He worked for Toyota. He is having trouble finding another job
because 20 years ago he committed a felony. He turned his life around, has
been steadily employed and has a family to support. He wanted advice. I told
his wife afterwards that I think her husband will have a new job by
tomorrow!

After his speech we positioned ourselves along the edge of the platform.
President Obama worked through the crowd and finally got to us. I reached
for him over many heads. I handed him my business card which he tucked into
his pocket! Then I leaned in, grabbed him by the hand and said that I had a
question from the children in the Fullerton School District. I had been
reading in a classroom that morning and a little girl wanted to know if he
reads to his daughters. He said, "Of course I do- reading is very
important"--WOW! I had a conversation (however brief) with the President of
the United States--on a most important subject- our children and literacy!

He went back along the rail and gave my Dakota a hug! Our friend Art was
there too (he was working the event as a team captain)-Art received a huge
bear hug from our president as well! I was so excited for them!

Dakota does not like to express his feelings but when I asked about his
experience he gave me his Dakota smile so I know he was impressed:) He
laughed when I told him he would be telling this story to his grandchildren!

Could this have really happened? Pinch me and wake me up!