September 25-27, 2009

We headed out toward the northeast corner of Arkansas on Friday morning, the 25^th of September and approached Pollard looking for “Roadside Gospel” at the home of Mark Cave, Jr. and the Cave Family. After about five miles on dirt roads we saw a couple of balloons hanging from a tree branch on the left. Not sure if the balloons were for a birthday party, baby shower or Roadside Gospel, we slowed down to get a good look. Our questions were answered when we saw the homemade banner with Bobby's name on it and our gracious host waving us in. “Little Mark,” as his family calls him, was standing out under the brush arbor waiting for us and assisted us in getting parked and unloaded. We soon met Sunshine, Mark's older sister as she walked up the lane from the house. We fell in love with Sunshine immediately and a few minutes later, was privileged to meet her parents, Mark, senior, and Mary Ann.

Physically speaking, it was an evening of bugs, bites, and bumps, but our physical bodies with all its bumps and imperfections are only temporary and God in His goodness blessed us in a special way that night. We did not come prepared for the mosquitoes and after asking around for some bug spray I soon remembered I had all of my laundry stuff in the trailer. I tucked a couple of dryer sheets in the kids' pockets, or if they didn't have pockets, I tucked them in their underwear. I think it actually helped. We did get some bites but those happened before I remembered the dryer sheets. Well, all of the bites except for the bites on Hope's hiney. She sat in an upholstered chair during the service and the following week complained of itchy bumps. I took a look and sure enough, she had polka-dotted buns! I dabbed a bit of tea tree oil on each spot and she seemed to be fine after that. No harm done. I just had to write about it because it struck me as kinda funny.

As the service neared the end, people began to share and Mrs. Cave even preached a little bit. It was one of those services where you're not quite sure how to end the evening. We topped it off with some hugs and group photographs. Little Mark had given Faith his hat which she proudly wore as she sang, and Faith loved Sunshine so much she actually asked me if she could just stay with them and not go with us.

We had a bit of a rough night as Bobby decided it would in our best interest to drive all the way back home to sleep. We arrived home around 2:00 a.m. and then rose again at 7:00 to leave for Bon Aqua, Tennessee, near Dickson. Bobby was scheduled to sing at a festival called The Coupe where several other Christian artists were performing. This being the first year for this particular festival, it was not well-attended but we had a good time and was thrilled to see a familiar face...Mr. Pat drove out to see us...well...he came to see Grace...because it was her 11th birthday.

From Bon Aqua we continued westward to Memphis and then south, staying in Tunica for the night. The following morning we had only a short distance to Elaine, Arkansas where we re-visited Elaine Church of God for a lunch and then an afternoon concert. Back in November of 2008, Pastor Dan Wessell invited us to minister, having us come for a 1:00 p.m concert in order for other churches to be available to attend. He liked that schedule so much he decided to do it again. We arrived before the morning service was over and then joined the congregation for a lunch of grilled burgers and hot dogs. After filling our bellies we had a gospel concert and then headed north to Hughes. Hughes, Arkansas was one of the first towns we sang in back in February of last year but it was at the Church of God. This time we sang at First Baptist Church and we really enjoyed fellowship with Pastor and several other precious folks. Both Elaine Church of God and Hughes First Baptist were blessings to us and we pray for blessings in return to both of these churches for their warmth and kindness shown to us.

We endured another long late-night drive home. Wow. That's two in one weekend. Good thing we're so young.