Jewells of Thought

Sometimes God sets us on a new course in a different setting. The first time we came to a service at Fellowship was on a Wednesday Night. Preacher Dean that particular evening hadn’t felt inspired with a message. It was short and sweet. I think we did more talking than anything that evening.

A pianist from Terre Haute was coming down to play for the Church; she was able to go back to her own Church once we showed up. Having a family full of pianists was a blessing for Preacher Dean and Marilyn who played but liked the organ better. Marilyn complemented with my Mom and Uncle on the piano really well over the years. It was meant to be.

Mother and Daughter Banquets were Marilyn’s time to shine off the hard work of her Ladies that attended the monthly Ladies Meetings. I was still in school, but I heard a lot about those from Mom and Grandma. Mom even had the ladies at our house at least once while I was in college. Marilyn would ask me to play a solo as an introduction to her making her way to the podium to speak. A few different times over the years.

On the cusp of being a teenager when we arrived I really grew from a teenager into a young woman during these years at this Church. Some big things happened while in this congregation. Grandpa Leo died which sent me into a new season of finding myself in history. Papaw Freddy made me his personal chauffeur on Sunday mornings once I got my learner’s permit.

Memories that still catch… at my heart.

Up to this point I had been more of the shy girl only doing piano solos not singing solos. This is where I began performing more solos in cantatas and doing general specials. It was really nice having Mom and Uncle Tony to be accompaniment at any time. Yet I was also exploring the idea of playing for myself doing well at home. Nervous though, about doing so in front of other people like a congregation.

Going to college only to come back for a semester before restarting college was a little embarrassing. However, mistakes happen and lessons are learned a Catholic College was not for this Baptist girl even though I had a Music Scholarship. Then I changed my major to Social Studies the Lord had worked in me while at this Church… or maybe it was just Grandpa. Okay both of them.

When I was old enough to be at the Ladies Meetings, a new chapter had opened up to me seeing Godly women serving the Lord with their various talents… it was amazing. It was also soul-nourishing. There were so many ladies to learn from a lot of wisdom in that circle. Then one year after I found the historian in me I had pitched an idea; a World War 2 Mothers Day Banquet. Of course I couldn’t do this without going all out. I had my hair-stylist do my hair, Grandma’s and Mom’s and get this I wore one of Grandma’s authentic 1940’s outfits.

Once I got this idea another idea solidified in my mind Lady Missionaries during World War 2. Marilyn our Preachers wife was one of those very ladies. As you can see I really had fun with this Banquet. It was very special.

Not being there at Church the morning Grandpa Freddy died… hurt for a long time. It took me two years and I needed to have Dad’s blessing to finally find some healing.

There is a more to come on this essential congregation in my life…