Hi Everyone!

We are riding down the road on the way to Myrtle Beach, SC for Singing in the Sun.  We left Claremore, OK last night and we should get to MB by about nine tonight. It’s a looooong way from OK to SC.

We had a great day yesterday in Claremore.  We were in concert at the Claremore Church of the Nazarene in the evening. Guy Penrod and Austin’s Bridge were there for the morning service.  Ms. Shirley Nickles hosted both groups for lunch at The Pink House Restaurant.  We had a great time with those guys, Pastor J. J. and others from the church.  The food was great and the fellowship even better.  Thanks to all the folks from the church for such a great day.

We go to many churches and meet many wonderful people, but some places just stand out. Places that just feel like you’re home. Claremore Church of the Nazarene is one of those. We were there for a Christmas concert about a year and a half ago and we just loved the people there. I met a wonderful lady there at that time, Cora Merkle. Ms. Cora was there last night and it was so great to see her.

You might ask what’s so special about Ms. Cora.  Well, it’s hard to explain, but there are just some people you have a bond with the moment you meet them and she is one of those people. Ms Cora is 81, sharp as a tack, full of God’s spirit and just an absolute joy to talk to. I talked with her a while last night and then I had to go to the product table for a while.  Roger and Lauren were both there so I said to Roger, “I’m going to talk to Ms Cora.”

He didn’t know whom I was talking about.  I explained I had met her last time and I wanted to visit with her a little before the concert.  He asked me why I wanted to talk to her.  I told him that I wanted to talk to her because she knew things that I needed to know.  Things that only saints that have been on this journey a long time have learned.

This precious lady is a wealth of knowledge and I was so encouraged just by spending a little time with her.  Oh, did I mention, she’s a hoot, too! She told me she was the only Cora Merkle in the United States. I asked how she knew that and she said, “Well, I Googled it.” She’s 81 and she Googles!!!!

She asked me if I was on Facebook and I had to admit that Lauren was but I wasn’t.  I asked her if she was and she said, “of course!” OK, I was a little embarrassed.  That’s the way I want to be when I’m her age!

Of course, I’m already a little behind. She has to use a walker now, but her mind and spirit are amazing. Looking into her eyes as she talked about the Lord and her life spoke volumes. I wanted to sit and talk longer with her, but time would not permit.

As we parted last night, she hugged me and said, “I love you, Debra and remember we have a appointment.” She had told me that when we get to heaven, she would look for me and we would sit and talk for a long time.  That’s a date, Ms Cora.  If you haven’t talked to a “Ms Cora” lately, I would encourage you to find a mature Christian in your church, community or your own family and spend some time with them.  They have much to say that you and I need to hear.  If you have someone like that and have spent some time with them, tell us some of the words of wisdom that they have spoken into your life.

Have a blessed week!

Debra

Ordinary days can sometimes turn into extraordinary days if we listen to the still small voice that God uses to prompt us to action. Today I was doing errands in town and decided to go to the bank before an appointment rather than after, as I had planned. I finished my business at the teller’s window and turned to walk out when I noticed one of the bank officers in her office. We often say hello and chat for a minute. I could see she was in her office alone so I walked over to say hello. She stopped what she was doing and said, “ I saw you walk in and I wanted to talk to you, but I didn’t want to bother you with my problems. I know God sent you over here.” I sat down and asked her what she wanted to talk about. Tears filled her eyes and she told me her family was going through some very difficult times. She asked if I would remember them in prayer. Without asking the details, I assured her that I would. Read More »