Remembering Good Friday

 

God’s love for us was revealed when God sent into the world His only Son so that we could have life through him; (1 John 4:9)

The Crucifixion reenactment pictured here took place this past Good Friday, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, along Sam Rittenberg Blvd., a very busy road in Charleston. Every year on Good Friday, the people of Grace United Methodist Church, Charleston, SC share their Christian witness with the community in this unique and wonderful way.

I spoke with a man named Glenn, who played the role of “the good thief” last year. He told me that whenever he grew weary of standing for two hours, it gave him a chance to reflect on what Jesus did. “My minor discomfort paled in comparison to what He did for all of us,” Glenn said.

In dramatic presentations such as this, or in the welcoming of “my” kids in Worship, this church’s heart for Ministry is unwavering, and truly inspired by God. I am so blessed to know and have the support of the folks at Grace Church as part of my extended family in Christ!

Stay tuned for more posts like this. Until next time, God bless you, and keep His Song in your heart!

© 2010 by Laurel Jean Walden

Total Christian Television Debut

How about another note from Yesteryear! I’m pictured here on the “TCT Alive” set with host Crystal Thornton, where I was blessed to make my international television debut on the Total Christian Television” network. This episode of “TCT Alive” was recorded December 17, 2009 in the studio of TCT Affiliate WLXI, Greensboro, NC. The episode also first aired on this affiliate station, December 25.

A big thanks again, to Rev. and Mrs. Larry Patton and the rest of the WLXI staff and volunteers, who made me feel so welcome while I was in Greensboro, and to my good friend, Susan, who assisted me with makeup choices that were very easy for me to apply independently.

It is always a joy for me to meet more of my family in Christ! Stay tuned for more posts like this!



Until next time, God bless you, and keep His Song in your heart!



© 2010 by Laurel Jean Walden

2010 Cooper River Bridge Run/Walk

 

Here I am on the Cooper River Bridge in Charleston, SC, in this picture taken March 27. I’m pictured with Jerry Stebbins (the great-grandfather of Taylor, one of the kids in my Youth Chaplaincy) who has graciously served as my shadow during my participation in both the 2009 and 2010 Cooper River Bridge Run.

When I first walked the Cooper River Bridge in 2006 and was told about the annual 10K Cooper River Bridge Run/Walk, I knew that I wanted to enter this fantastic event. I love to walk, enjoy being outdoors, and really like being around other people. (There were lots of other people, to say the least! My bib number this year was 39577, and a lot more folks entered the race after I did.) My time from start to finish during this 10K event was two hours, thirteen minutes, and six seconds.

Jerry is a terrific shadow. He respects my independence as I travel with my long, white cane, but makes sure that I stay on the route. With so many people walking and running along with me, even “Miss Independence” needs a shadow!

In 2009, I walked the bridge on behalf of the Charleston Miracle League. This year, I walked to raise awareness for Dixie Land Guide Dog Users, carrying a banner across the starting and finish lines for this organization. The long, white cane has always been my mobility tool of choice, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Still, I really appreciate the work of Dixie Land GDU, both for all of us in the blindness community, and for the community at large. It is an honor to work together with such a dynamic group of people and the pooches who guide them!

On a personal note, I believe that it is important for all of us in the blindness community to make a strong presence of participation within our surrounding communities, as we are able to do so. Music is a big part of my life and ministry. Just like anyone else, I have other hobbies and interests, too. Over the past couple of years, the Bridge Run has allowed me to minister in a unique way, and I’m already looking forward to 2011! Several of the area blind youth have even expressed an interest in joining me! It’s just another way of seeing and being God’s Light. Read Matthew 5:16 and think about joining us next year!

Stay tuned for more posts like this one!

Until next time, God bless you, and keep His Song in your heart!

© 2010 by Laurel Jean Walden

Music and Ministry Update

A big thanks to the folks who take pictures for me, to those who send me pics, and to Arleigh, who does my image editing! Here I am at my piano in the sanctuary of Goose Creek United Methodist Church in Goose Creek, SC.

I can’t believe it’s been a month since I brought The Message In Music during that Fifth Sunday Service in January! I have so many fond memories of time spent with this congregation: greeting folks and singing to them as I walked from the back of the church to my piano; sharing my music and testimony; reading God’s Word from my Braille Bible; inviting the children to come forward for an impromptu jam session; listening to God’s kids of all ages as they sang along with me throughout the service and, oh yes, that delicious potluck lunch! During this special day, God blessed me with an opportunity to meet another of His “outa sight” kids”, eight-year-old Christian, who came to church with his mom and dad. Christian is already learning to play the guitar, and is looking forward to trying out “The Coaster” my Blind Youth Chaplaincy’s tandem bike!

With February came the Second Annual South Carolina Regional Braille Challenge. Once again, my love for Braille literacy and God’s calling to help blind youth led me to volunteer to serve on this event’s judging panel. I was delighted to see that the number of students participating had tripled since last year!

Mentoring and tutoring continued through February, in spite of some unusual weather for this area. Taylor is doing great with his Pac Mate computer, reading and taking notes on a library book and learning to apply the scientific calculator to his algebra. Brianna and Shelby, both of whom placed in their age categories of the Braille Challenge, have also expressed an interest in joining me in this year’s Cooper River Bridge Walk. This has launched a personal initiative of mine to encourage exercise among the kids. I found a nifty little talking pedometer at The Braille Super Store that will get us all thinking more about how many steps we take during the day, or during a workout. What would we do without our gadgets!

All of this, and so much more, is made possible by folks like the people of Goose Creek Church, and folks like you! Thank God, and thank you, for your support!
Stay tuned for more highlights. Until next time, God bless you, and keep His Song in your heart!

© 2010 by Laurel Jean Walden