Back in the world

I really need to apologize for not updating my blog lately, but Fred and I have had the "Texas crud" (a respiratory infection) that really got a hold of us for about 3-1/2 weeks. We finally went to the doctor last week, and after a shot, 4 prescriptions, and $100.00 later, we eventually got it conquered this week!!! Quite a few people here (Winter Texans) have had it also. The fact that the weather was wet, muggy, and moldy did not help either.

We had so many happenings that I actually was relieved when this part of February was over!!! Although everything blessed by God's grace, we were extremely busy, busy, busy as well as not feeling well.

Our church board sponsored a piano concert early February as a thank you from our musicians. Last year we had a fund drive to purchase a new piano for our church services, The musicians did all the leg work, investigating and presented the congregation with a proposal for a new piano which was figured to take about a year to raise funds for. Needless to say, God intervened, and we acquired the funds in 3 weeks!!!
We have awesome musicians here at the park, so very talented and willing to share their talents.

Our 5 very talented, gifted musicians - do they look nervous?

a thank you for the piano

Vera Welty, our choir director and musician - she also graces us with special vocal music

a full house

two church board members preparing punch for the reception

As a benefit fund raiser for Children's Haven a dinner concert was held, given by Gordy and Debbie Wenzel from Branson, Mo. Debbie and Gordy are wonderful supporters of CHI, and donated their time as well as all the proceeds from CD sales that evening to CHI (CD sales amounted to $700!!).  When God is involved in any situation, wonderful things happen. The event was held at our park (graciously donated for free by Barbara Hamel, manager) and catered by an amazing group. We were served on real china with real glass goblets. The meal was wonderful, and we felt like royalty being served and waited upon. The servers performed like clockwork, almost a choreagraphed production,  serving 299 people and attending to our every need. It was a great success, affording CHI a clear profit of $4800.00. PTL. 


tables set for the special evening - real china!




a very competent catering service



servers working diligently to keep us fed

Gordy and Debbie Wenzel - if you get a chance to see them in Branson, it is well worth you time

Another event this past month (I told you this was a busy month) was the 50th anniversary celebration at our park. All of those couples who have been married 50 years this year were honored with a very special celebration, complete with cake and punch. It seems everything revolves around food here in S. Texas. The service was so very well done thanks to narrator, Dorothy Miller, the musicians, Chaplain Dennis Maloney and Anne (Minnie Pearl) Fleck.

one of our honored couples, Stan and Betty Wilkens (Stan is  our church board treasurer as well as worship leader, and Betty is one of our talented musicians)

a beautiful cake made by one of our park residents

Don and Kay Schmidtknect, another honored couple and our wonderful next door neighbors

Anne Minnie Pearl Fleck entertaining us with "How to Keep a Man". The seven honored couples were featured on stage after entering through a golden arch (not McDonald's).

Even with all of these happenings, there are at least three more events that took place this past month!! The Lord gave us the strength and perserverance to see them through, even in our somewhat weakened condition!!! Someway, we were able to accomplish the things He presented to us, albiet collapsing every night. Perhaps that is why it took us so long to recoup. We give all the priase and glory to Him for the success of everthing we do in His name. When we say,"I'm too tired", God says, "I will give you rest".     Matthew 11:28-30    Amen to that.

Hopefully, I will fill you in on all the accomplishments for this month within the week. God's blessings and grace on you until then.