Jewells of Thought

Yesterday was a beautiful and yet bittersweet day. It wasn’t long after Grandpa Leo died that the Pleasantville Preacher moved on. I don’t remember all of the specifics I was 13 nearly a month away from my 14th birthday.

This year after listening to some of the ladies who actually know the details and specifics of that time when Dwight became the preacher; I heard it was circa 2005. I was in college at that time, but I was also dealing with my Mom’s Dad’s loss that year so it was a year of cloudiness of sorts for my recollection. Losing these men when I was 13 and 20 was still difficult even with a 7 years difference to deal with the first loss.

Dwight as of this year has been at this church for 20 years. He has tried to retire at least a couple of times in between, but he always came back. This time is different though and he deserves to enjoy some retirement. Although we do expect to see him in the pews in the over the weeks, months and years. Even his Farewell cake said, “See You Next Week.” The day was absolutely beautiful, a cool start, but a perfect day for a flannel shirt instead of a big honking coat.

One of the best moments for me besides the ladies adding to the church service with gifts and a favorite song was the company at dinnertime. I love the fact that we have had a table filled with family a few times this year due to a cousin and his children joining me and Grandma. Abram the son of my Dad’s first cousin has been making not only his parents proud but his grandparents. Aunt Dorothy would have loved to see her grandsons and what they have all accomplished in their lives, but Abram has especially taken heart to become a lay-speaker and will be filling in at least for the short term if not longer. Eating dinner with his kids a little less than a handful of times this year has been so much fun. I forgot how much I loved teaching Sunday School and being around little kids. Talking at their level has been fun. The smiles on Grandma’s face just buoy mine; it’s contagious and so special to have a little clan of us to take up a table again. I know this has been good for Grandma.

When I finally stopped avoiding God’s call late last year I didn’t expect all of this to happen. I didn’t really think of Abram needing to be a fill in or that I would get some time with my little cousins. Grandma was the only Bishop from our Bishop, Harbin and Lester families that have spent decades in this church. Now with me and Abram the Bishop and Harbin legacy is still lingering on 205 years later. Plus, the Becks, Abram’s Grandpa’s surname, were part of the founding families just like some of the Bishop’s, Harbin’s and Lester’s were. I need to read the history again but they were among the early settlers to this area and to this church. It’s an amazing, long, history that is so crucial and marvelous to think about about our Country is almost 250 years old. Think about that!

Lately for church dinners I have tried to make Grandma’s plate before mine. Yesterday though, she actually suggested I do both plates at the same time. I was a bit hesitant at that thought. Then I saw Anjuli doing the same thing for her daughter. So I thought yeah I could do that. Boy oh boy it was not an easy task and I ended up mixing up the plates. I gave Grandma the bigger piece of chicken instead of the chicken leg. She did eat it, but I meant to give her the little and easier piece to eat. Thankfully my neighbor helped me and took one of the plates for me. I have to say I did sweat a little bit over that, I may second guess that again for the next dinner.

Oh my goodness then dessert is another discussion. Grandma said she was full. I ended up getting two to-go boxes for our desserts. I did get an answer that she didn’t want cake she wanted pie. Still there were more than one pie. These ladies know how to cook and I knew my parents had eaten at Wendy’s for dinnertime so I have been bringing them home some of the extra desserts. I mean my Dad totally has a sweet tooth and after this past weekend it’s the least I can do for my parents especially when they know these ladies and their talents with desserts. I did get enough for Grandma to have a choice but I also asked Dad which Grandma would like most. So she got two little pieces of two of her favorites. However, I promised I would bring them to her so she wouldn’t have to worry about taking them with her. All of our desserts we had were eaten and gone before we all went to bed last night. Grandma may still be eating on her selections this week.

After all of that I did have choir practice at 5 pm. I knew I had to be there because I wouldn’t be there next Sunday due to the Advent festivities at Pleasantville. However, after practice was supposed to be “Pie and Praises” I also missed this last year I didn’t like missing it a second time but after everything I was exhausted. I needed to relax my foot after driving and catch up on some writing. Although Saturday I got an article done, the first one in several days. Unfortunately, too many irons in the fire this past week and needing to digest the past few days was necessary.

The Lord has given me such a family, and Church community that I cannot thank enough. Yesterday was exactly what I needed after the last few days for certain. Having a couple of kids to talk to and give me hugs was a balm for my soul. The little boy even moved his plate to sit next to me, talking about such sweetness. Even having a life with church in the center it’s nice to be reminded that God is in charge and He gives us what we need when He knows we need it. I am grateful that on the day we said goodbye to a beloved preacher I got to spend time with my family and our speaker who will fill the pulpit as long as God guides Him here to Pleasantville. It was quite an amazing last day of November 2024.

November has been a powerful month for not only this country but the Pleasantville Community Church. I remember the week before the Tuesday of Election Day Ms. Debbie asked if we could add another song to get the congregation into the mood to vote. She believed The Battle Hymn would speak to our hearts that day. I think just maybe it did. We as Christians have so much to be Thankful for this Thanksgiving. This new year will bring challenges, but God is in control and He put Trump back into the White House again. Christian values care what’s wanted the landslide says that in a clear message to those who thought otherwise.

God is still very much at work in this world and in this Country. I have said this before I can’t wait to see how Trump celebrates our 250th Birthday in 2026.