Has come and gone
September 26, 2011 (Monday)
I really enjoyed my 80th birthday, because my children and grandchildren came to help me celebrate. We all (16 of us) went out to eat and then came home for birthday cake, cookies and ice cream. They showered me with gifts! Three of my grandchildren could not be here, but all the rest of the family came. Yesterday morning, they came to church with me at Bethel Baptist Church, Ingleside. Along with them, there also came Dale and Ann Pogue, Nell Reed and Sissy Morish. I appreciate all of them being present in the worship service as an encouragement to me.
We had a great service and at the close a mother and son made public professions of faith and expressed their desire to be baptized. How wonderful for them and for all the rest of us who were present to share their joy.
Last evening I attended the annual meeting of the Blanco Baptist Association at the First Baptist Church of Portland. The church served a wonderful meal to those in attendance, and my pastor, Scott Jones, brought a great message about the maturity of the church. I saw minister friends I had not seen in a long time, along with members of churches in this area where I have served since retirement as interim or pulpit supply. Being part of God’s family is a precious privilege and a source of great joy.
This weekend has made me joyfully aware of the magnificent people who have become part of my life on this eighty-year journey.