God's Blessings Are Truely Great

Well, this was float and parade weekend. Let me give you the long story. During the week we (meaning Joyce and I and various church people -- we even wrangled my nephew and his wife into helping for a few hours) spent considerable time getting signs ready for the float. Friday morning the trailer was delivered to us. It was a flat equipment trailer owned by a neighbor down the street. Six of us put in about 8 hours Friday putting on signs, flowers, ferns, and skirting. We used plastic table cloths and hula skirts from the dollar store because they said it always rains on the Loyalty Days Parade, i.e. no paper. Saturday morning it was up early and down to the staging area where we finished some last minute things that we weren't sure would make the 2 miles trip down the highway. By 10:00 we were ready for the judging and then it was wait, wait, wait until our turn in the parade. There were 96 entries and we were number 90! The parade started at noon but we started at 1:00.

I need to describe the float. We had two 5 foot by 5 foot pictures; one of the old church (circa 1942) and one of the present church. Friend Richard in Grants Pass ran these thru his computer and put the pieces together to make the large pictures. These were mounted back-to-back on plywood and divided the trailer into "then" and "now." This coincided with the parade theme "Reflections of 125 Years" because Newport was incorporated in 1882. Our theme was "Lighting the Way Since 1923." That's when the Free Methodist Church started in the Newport area. On the old side we had 3 ladies dressed in period costume, old quilts, and some old chairs, etc. On the new side we had a lighthouse plus our guests of honor, Dick and Sherry Kammerzell. Dick was pastor here from 1976 to 1993 and was very involved in the community so lots of people along the parade route recognized him. We used my truck to pull the float and it was a real kick watching the people as they called out to him or his wife.

Everything went so smoothly and we all had loads of fun working together -- even though it was a lot of work!! But here's the blessing part. As we entered the parade procession a lady ran out and handed Dick a trophy. I didn't see it but Joyce called out, "we won a trophy." I couldn't stand it so I stopped the truck and ran back to see what it was. It said -- are you ready for this -- "Judges Trophy - First Place." It stands about 2 feet high! God is good, isn't he? It sort of confirmed that every one's hard work was recognized.

Today in church, Dick and Sherry shared as I interviewed them. We had a reception for them afterward. Some of our regular people were gone but visitors came so we did well and two of the visitors would like more contact with the church.

So, now Joyce and I are worn out. I think we're too old for this!!! But God gives strength. It's fun following where he leads. Wonder what's next?





The now side












Dick and Sherry















The "then" side with Patty, Kathy, and Sally.