It seems almost impossible that the first half of 2019 is almost totally gone! It has been a very busy first half, but everyone who watches sports knows that the second half is when they bring out the “big guns” to finish in the winners column.
Pastor Joane did an excellent job challenging the ladies on Mother’s Day. The Chapel had surprised me with “Pie with the Pastor” on Wednesday before our men went to Hallettsville for a Men’s Breakfast on Saturday before this special event. Each mother was presented a rose (thank you, John) and a handmade gift (thank you, Pastor Joane).
Our Warrior’s Weekend was an over-the-top success with Carol’s Egg Cracking Party, where we cracked and mixed 350 dozen eggs, and the early morning when we served 2,000 breakfast tacos. This year, Bubba came back just to fix our sausage from venison meat that had been donated. We had three woks cooking and more than 50 volunteers helping serve our soldiers, who have served us gallantly!
Pastor Joane and Ariel, our granddaughter who lives here, made a fast trip to Pennsylvania to celebrate another’s granddaughter’s graduation. It was good to be with Crystal, our older daughter, even if for a short time.
Captain Robert had another successful class taught here at the Chapel and eight students who successfully completed the course. He told me that it was a great class of very intelligent students who worked well and made his job much easier. We have not scheduled the next Captain’s Class yet, but will let all know as soon as it is booked.
What a sad time we had as we helped bury “Baby Mason,” Logan and Hannah’s young son, who was not yet six months old. The cause was called “SIDS,” but whatever the title, the event is extremely traumatizing to all concerned. We continue praying for this family and their families.
Father’s Day was a huge special weekend. Our older son, Monty, came to take his dad fishing and we almost limited out! Our ladies had their own version of “Chopped Kitchen” and enjoyed eating their creations (thanks Evelyn for hosting it and all your helpers). All our dads received a special gift (thank you, Marty) on Father’s Day and we enjoyed preaching on the topic of “Expending Ourselves”. Our new friends, C.T. and Jennifer Brummett brought their family to Port O’Connor from Arkansas for a retreat. AND, we hosted a Senior Pastor’s Fishing Retreat for about 20 ministers from around the area. Special thanks to all the boat captains who volunteered their time and equipment to make this an extra unique experience for our ministers who have given their lives in service to the church.
We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our Executive Retreat Center. Our men (thanks guys for your hard, hot work), went to Colunbus and removed the porches to ready it for moving to our property right next to the Chapel. It will allow us to provide a Retreat experience to some of our handicapped guests. We have it ready for moving, but once it is moved, we have to get it all ready for use. We have several Retreats already scheduled and get several calls each week asking about our facilities and their availability. Who would have ever thought that a small church in Port O’Connor could do so much!
Special thanks to the children who attended the Vacation Bible School held at First Baptist. They not only had a money offering each day, but a canned good offering as well. The pantry is much fuller thanks to the great leadership at First Baptist and interim Pastor Robert Penley, and the generosity of the VBS!
Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation who work hard at providing the finest opportunity possible for those seeking a closer walk with the Lord. We have those who meet Jesus in our activities and those who are growing in grace from the fellowship and teachings. One will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel and all are urged to, “Come grow with us.”
