A few weeks ago I was privileged to speak at a Ladies Tea in Gladewater, TX. I had a lovely time! I looked forward to going, because I had heard about the Warren family all of my life. Daddy and Uncle Bill Barnes preached for them before either one of them was married, and I had heard many stories through the years about this family. I looked forward to being with Sis. Warren, Sis. Sherry 'Warren' Ainsworth (the Pastor's wife) and her ladies.
Bro. Cullen Warren, who is now retired from pastoring was a young man at the time Daddy had been there in the Warren's home. It was his father that Daddy and Uncle Bill preached for. When I arrived at the Tea I felt like I was going back to some of my roots, since I had heard so much about Gladewater and the Warren family during my "growing up" years. I met Johnnie, one of the Warren sisters that knew Daddy "way back then" and got to visit with Velma Warren George.
She told me that she was referred to as "the little Warren girl". I enjoyed a "stroll down Memory Lane".
The theme for the Tea was "Music". Well, those of you who know me, knows that music is definitely a subject I love and can relate to since I was raised in a family that loved to sing and play. The decorations were beautiful...
...and the food delicious!
I loved this cookie! I wonder why???? Whoever made them made a hit with me, for sure!
One of the things I really enjoyed was a "sing-a-long" with all the ladies who were there. The two songs we sang came straight out of the song book and while singing them I stopped and listened to the voices.
There was 'younger' and 'older' ladies harmonizing and many parts were being sung. I felt like I had "died and gone to Heaven" for a minute. The beauty of those songs being sung took me way back to Grandpa Pound leading songs in church, and making sure EVERY PART was represented. I smile at the memory, as I type.
We were also treated to a beautiful rendition of "The Old Rugged Cross". Velma George played it on the violin.
I loved it! I didn't realize she played the violin, but I should have known because the Warren family is blessed with a lot of talent!
The day before the Tea, I received a phone call from Sis. Russo. She asked if I was going by myself to the tea and "if I was she would love for me to ride with her and Sis. Neely"! Oh my! Sis. Russo and Sis. Neely? They're going to be there? Wow! I told her that "now I can be nervous"!! She assured me with a text later that "I was loved very much by her and Sis. Neely and there was no reason to be nervous, because they knew I would do a good job." :) Well...that was easy for HER to say....LOL! Really, I felt very honored to be with these two ladies. I didn't get to ride with them, but I did get to sit with them at the table and they both looked "lovely" in the their hats. I really enjoyed them being there!
I'm so happy I was invited to the Tea. I have some wonderful memories that I will always treasure. It's so great being in the "family of God" and I love being with "old friends" and making "new".
