Last night we went to Brenda's Surprise 30th Birthday Party at their church. She was really surprised when after prayer meeting she was taken to the Parlor where there was cake, punch, gifts and friends to wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We got there just a tiny bit later. When we walked in, we walked up behind her, and when she turned to see who was touching her shoulders she let out a squeal of happiness! :) It was wonderful! She almost cried, but held back the tears. We spent the rest of the night and today with them.
She was so surprised and happy to see us!
Rachel was so happy to surprise "her Sis. Elms"!
Pastor Elms showing the Hughes "special memories"!
Scarlet was asleep and we woke her up! She said, "Hi, Mimi. Where's Papa?" I loved it! As you can see, "Papa" was happy to see her. Messed up hair and all! :)
This evening, when we left Jonathan and Brenda's, we went to Newton to a "Family and Friends Visitation" for Sis. Moorman who had passed away earlier this week. While speaking with her husband, he told us that he was one of the men who served on the committee for choosing the land for our beautiful camp ground here in Lufkin. He was quite an interesting man and very well educated! I'm sure he could tell us a lot of interesting stories from the past.I also spoke with Bro. and Sis. Perdue, retired missionaries to Colombia. We renewed some memories. At the General Conference a few years ago Bro. Haney had a service called, "Passing the Mantle". It was during the prayer time that Bro. Haney had the Elder ministers to find a young man and pray for him, and "pass the mantle" of anointing on to him. When Bro. Perdue turned to "find that young man", Andrew, our son, was standing there, so he prayed for him. The neat thing about this is, Bro. and Sis. Orange and their family have been very good friends with this wonderful man and his wife, and Bro. Perdue was very happy to be praying for one of his friends "sons".
Then, I met a lady who's husband had passed away 3 months ago, and she was telling me about when her and her husband went to Great Falls, Montana and started a church MANY years ago! The challenges they faced and the victories they won were awesome, and as she spoke you could see the excitement of working for God. She said with feeling, "That church is still going today", and I felt her love for the ministry they had put into the work in Montana. Today, I was standing in the midst of "warriors of the cross"! There were more stories she told, and I encouraged her to "tell her story" so it can be preserved for generations to come!
One of the other people I talked with was somewhere around my age, and as we visited I knew I was speaking to someone who loves the truth and loves the heritage he has been given. We spoke of what it means to be a part of a great organization where there are people who love God, love each other, and give comfort and care to those who are "going through their valley". I could feel a loyalty to the things of God, and to those who have given us this Truth, and a group of ministers and wives who are "pulling together" for unity.
When we walked into the room FULL of people we did not know, I wondered who I was going to talk to. I asked myself how I was suppose to "be comfortable" in the midst of all of these people? I had already made up my mind, before getting to our destination, that I was going to be friendly, smile, speak to people, and make myself available to whoever might be looking my way. I was not disappointed in the response I received! In fact, I can say....I've had a very interesting day!
Here is a picture to bring you a smile. I guess this is the new way to "carry" your book when you get tired of holding it! :)
Thank you, Bro. Randy Hughes for a great idea!
