Happy Birthday to Bobby. Wednesday, October 28th, marked Bobby's 46th birthday. I love to remind him that he'll always be older than me and he loves to remind me that I'll always be his age in just 4 1/2 years. How interesting was the fact that on February 28th of this year we sang in Warren, Arkansas. That was my birthday. And then, on October 28th, Bobby's birthday, we sang in Warren, Arkansas again! It was a different church, however, it was a combination of congregations and the house was full. Pastor Bruce Culp and his talented wife, Beverly attended the concert back in February and asked Bobby to come to Warren again but this time to their church, Faith Free-Will Baptist. We had a good time visiting before and after the service with the Culps and I loved singing the congregational songs during the service as Beverly knows how to make the piano sing. She used to play for the Martins when the trio was just starting out and she, with her husband leading the singing and her sons on bass and drums make a great team.
After the service, I dressed the children in pajamas and let them go to sleep as we had a 3 hour drive to Texarkana to spend the night at Bobby's parents' house. We are there a lot lately but we enjoy staying there and I'm so glad the kids can have these memories with their grandparents in spite of the fact that we live so far away from them.
On Thursday afternoon we drove to Hope, Arkansas and looked up some old friends from nearly 20 years ago, Don and Melba Hall. Then it was on to Hope Family Church with Pastors Jeff and Pam Smith. We were just there in early September and after the service then, Pastor Jeff asked Bobby to come back for their Halloween alternative where we'd sing outdoors and the kids could enjoy hay rides. However, Arkansas received their 157th downpour for the month of October and the outdoor event was canceled. Not only were the plans changed and we had to move indoors, but people were calling the Smiths all day saying they weren't going to be able to make it that night after all. We still had a good time with the few that braved the weather and after music and a little preaching, we enjoyed barbaqued venison and other goodies like chili and hot dogs. The rain had slowed to a drizzle when we drove back to Texarkana and God kept us safe on the highways yet again.
The following day the kids did their schooling but we stayed in all day. But on Saturday morning when we arose, Bob and Tena were already gone as they drove to Lake Village, Arkansas for an annual reunion of the Lakeside Melody Boys. Bob and his younger brother, Troy, used to sing and play in a country band with 3 other boys and they still get together to reminisce and play every October. Well, 4 of the 5 boys gather. Bobby's Uncle Troy, passed away in July of last year of a massive heart attack.
In photo below, Bobby's dad is centered in second row and his Uncle Troy is front left.That morning it was so strange to be in Bob and Tena's house and them not be there. I had forgotten a pair of shoes I needed for my Sunday attire so Faith and I set out to look for a pair of black pumps. We found other treasures too, like, a 4-foot table to display Bobby's CD's for sale, and just the right clock for my bathroom. Shortly after we got back, we set out for Pine Bluff to sing at South Pinewood Baptist Church pastored by Mark Wheeler. His wife, Candy, who had been reading in the car, stepped out of the car and visited with me after we pulled up. Candy shared with me how she never expected to be a pastor's wife but we agreed that God has her where she is for a purpose. We had a good visit.
Pastor Mark and Candy pastor a church with the majority of the congregates being in the latter half of their lives. So, fortunately, they didn't face the dilemna of whether to trick-or-treat, or attend a Gospel concert. Most of them, perhaps, were glad to turn the lights off at home so as to avoid the little candy hunters. Some lady gave my kids each a paper sack filled with candy. I told them, "See? You put the Lord first and gave up your Fall Fest at Cornerstone in order to go and sing and look! You still received a bag full of candy!" They were pretty happy.
After the concert we drove back up toward Little Rock and then landed at the Hampton in Bryant. When we entered our room we were greeted with some goody bags that someone from Shannon Hills First Baptist Church had placed on a table with one of our children's names on each bag. They even included a Wal Mart gift card for Bobby and I. What a wonderful and unexpected surprise! We had not even been to the church yet, and already we felt more than welcome.
From the moment we drove onto the church property the following morning until we left after the church service, the believers at Shannon Hills First Baptist welcomed us with smiles, hugs, and warm conversation. This church of about 100 is growing a thriving children's ministry and in the last few minutes before Sunday School it seemed there were children everywhere. One of the first people I met was Becky. I can't remember her last name but I do know her maiden name was Bowman. Ain't that funny? What was really cool was that Becky has a passion and experience in working with children with special needs. She was told about Grace before we arrived so when she saw Grace she greeted her with joy and the anticipation of getting her "fix" by spending time with her. Becky was such a blessing to Grace as well as to us and her comfortableness with Grace was refreshing.
We enjoyed a great service with several people responding to the altar call. So many times after meeting folks like these, we feel like we were the ones who received the greater blessing rather than the ones bringing blessing. Actually, I think it works both ways, thank goodness.
A two-hour drive after lunch found us in Bobby's home town of Fouke, Arkansas, which is about 18 miles south of Texarkana. We made a return visit to Pisgah Baptist Church just south of town. It was great to see music leader, Brother Jimmy Templeton, and Pastor Kevin Holt again. We didn't see anyone come to the altar that night but we did hear report of someone speaking to Pastor Kevin after the service confirming that God, had indeed, touched someone's heart. We enjoyed a great meal in their fellowship hall before driving up to Bob and Tena's to spend the night and the next couple of days.
