We were up and at it early this morning... had planned to get back to First Baptist and Jonathan was off today. We have been gone from Hendersonville for 5.5 years and have been back to First Baptist one time. It's like Lula Mae told us Sunday morning... "You'all have just been doing what you're SUPPOSED to be doing (in working at your new church and being in your places on Sunday and not running back and forth to H'ville)." She (at soon to be 84 years old) couldn't be more correct.
Last time we were there it was like old home week. Jonathan warned us Sunday morning that we'd be bombarded .... I told him that we probably wouldn't be and certainly would have no expectations of such as that. Jonathan was right. We DIDN'T have any expectations and we were overwhelmed. It was so GOOD to see everyone! It was even more like a family reunion this time. The lady who sat in front of us began crying in the middle of the service. Charles and Jonathan used to sit behind her and her hubby every Sunday morning... and Frank died. His wife remembered those times and it tore her up on Sunday. We were sorry that happened... but it's like a family, and Frank was missing. I remember when Carmen and Dean came in one Sunday several years ago. Frank had died the Spring before, but they didn't know it... Dean asked where Frank was and Sylvia said he had died. Dean cried. Just unbelievable... but that's how God's family IS....
Anyway... the new preacher was AWESOME. He came by to speak to us, knows Jonathan by name and I told him (Dr. Ryan Pack) that Charles and I were at First Baptist Spartanburg when he was a toddler there. He said, "REALLY??? Do you remember me??" He's about 35 years old now... married with kids. I told him no, but he is in our church directory from Spartanburg. He thought that was pretty cool.
After the service we went to Appleby((s and ran into more people there.... another reunion.
Went straight to Greenville. Time is so limited with us and we HAVE to have a door for Ted. Didn't buy one but bought more shrubbery and two pear trees.... all at 75% off. Jonathan is going to have a pretty yard when we get finished. He has the building up. We now have to buy several sections of board fence and landscape around it.
Last time we were there it was like old home week. Jonathan warned us Sunday morning that we'd be bombarded .... I told him that we probably wouldn't be and certainly would have no expectations of such as that. Jonathan was right. We DIDN'T have any expectations and we were overwhelmed. It was so GOOD to see everyone! It was even more like a family reunion this time. The lady who sat in front of us began crying in the middle of the service. Charles and Jonathan used to sit behind her and her hubby every Sunday morning... and Frank died. His wife remembered those times and it tore her up on Sunday. We were sorry that happened... but it's like a family, and Frank was missing. I remember when Carmen and Dean came in one Sunday several years ago. Frank had died the Spring before, but they didn't know it... Dean asked where Frank was and Sylvia said he had died. Dean cried. Just unbelievable... but that's how God's family IS....
Anyway... the new preacher was AWESOME. He came by to speak to us, knows Jonathan by name and I told him (Dr. Ryan Pack) that Charles and I were at First Baptist Spartanburg when he was a toddler there. He said, "REALLY??? Do you remember me??" He's about 35 years old now... married with kids. I told him no, but he is in our church directory from Spartanburg. He thought that was pretty cool.
After the service we went to Appleby((s and ran into more people there.... another reunion.
Went straight to Greenville. Time is so limited with us and we HAVE to have a door for Ted. Didn't buy one but bought more shrubbery and two pear trees.... all at 75% off. Jonathan is going to have a pretty yard when we get finished. He has the building up. We now have to buy several sections of board fence and landscape around it.
