Spring Picnic

After participating in one of my Youth Chaplaincy events, Shelby’s mom, Debbie said, “I think we all ought to have a picnic. You name the date and I will do everything I can to help make it happen.”

This idea was so wonderful, I didn’t want to limit it among just a few people. So, with a few phone calls and Emails, Dixie Land Guide Dog Users, the Association for the Blind and the folks at Grace United Methodist Church were invited and excited about getting involved!

On May 15, we gathered for what I hope to be the first of many spring picnics. Our group consisted of blind and sighted folks of all ages, along with some of the best guide dogs (both working and retired) in the whole wide world! Although Hampton Park was closed to the general public, the kind folks at the City of Charleston Parks & Recreation Department issued Dixie Land GDU a special permit to exclusively host this event.

Northbridge Piggly Wiggly delivered the lip-smacking southern fried chicken, yummy 'tater wedges, baked beans and other fixin's, which, by the way, were all sponsored by Dr. Virgil Alfaro and his Charleston Neuroscience Institute. We had lots of guests, including Cornelia Pelzer and Nicole Harvey, from the Association for the Blind; Carolyn & Jack Baker, from Grace UMC's Disabilities' Ministries; and Peter Smith and his friends from the Charleston Flyers. (Most folks also brought a favorite picnic dish to share!) After eating all the great food and goodies everyone brought, all “outa sight” guests, including “yours truly” each enjoyed a bike ride around the park, with tandem bikes and sighted pilots courtesy of The Association for the Blind, Peter Smith, his Charleston Fliers and other members of the Charleston Cyclists.

I’m especially proud of “my” kids. Shelby faced her apprehensions and climbed onto a bike behind a pilot whom she had never met before.

 

Taylor took a spin around the park and even paused to triumphantly sound the bicycle horn as he returned from his ride.

I would like to thank Bill and Debbie Craig; Dixie Land Guide Dog Users; Betty and Jerry Stebbins; Kim and Tim Taylor (with retired guide dog Rufus); Dorace Lackey (and retired guide dog Smokey); The Association for the Blind; Northbridge Piggly Wiggly; the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department; Grace UMC; Dr. Alfaro and Charleston Neuroscience and of course, the Charleston Fliers for your part in making this time of food, fun, fellowship and furries such a success!

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 for more of God's kids

 

By May 7, I was back in South Carolina, in time to bring God’s Message in Music to the students of Grace Weekday School during this Friday Morning Chapel Service. These precious children range in age from one to five years. I think that Pastor Don, who also attended the service, was the “biggest kid” of all as he joined in the fun of singing along in Worship!

I will always believe that, when we unite to learn more about each other, in spite of those things which make us different, then we can work together sharing God’s Good News in a more powerful way. A big thanks to Grace Weekday School Director Joyce Gresch, for continuing to make Music By Laurel Jean part of this inspiring program of early childhood development and education.

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

Music and Ministry in Illinois

On April 22nd, I flew out of Charleston, SC to trade sea breezes for prairie winds during a time of Music and Ministry in my home state of Illinois.

Here I am, doing a sound check before my Sunday April 25 service at the First Free Methodist Church of Peoria. The heart of this congregation is as beautiful as their church, and I am so grateful for their ongoing support over many years!

Here I am with Pastor Tim Ward of First Free Methodist. We had just come in to Peoria from an even earlier Morning service at New Life Fellowship Church in Wataga. The Wataga Church family was new to me, and I was so excited to meet more of my family in Christ!

Here I am with Carolyn, a good friend who also serves as one of my drivers. As usual, it wasn’t foggy enough for me to drive that weekend, though we did get lots of rain!

 

This picture shows me in the studio of Christian Radio WLLM, Lincoln, IL, where I joined station manager Bill Dolan as guest host of the Monday, April 26 Live Record Request Show! We had lots to talk about, including the Community Sing, which took place on Saturday, April 24. I was so blessed to participate in the Community Sing Event, along with Christian artists Arlie Neaville, Josh and Christina Long, and Bill Dolan himself. We sang praises to God, heard lots of amazing testimony, and helped to raise funds for WLLM! If you haven’t met the WLLM family yet, you’re really missing a blessing. You can connect with these nice folks on their Web site, where you can even join their Facebook Community!

A big thanks also to the First Christian Church of Brownstown, the Lakewood United Methodist Church and the Edwardsville General Baptist Church, for making Music By Laurel Jean part of this year’s Mother-Daughter Banquet, Sunday morning Worship and a special 57th Anniversary Celebration, respectively. I’m looking forward to meeting more friends old and new in Illinois again, very soon!

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

2010 Spring Break Miniature Golf Outing

 

Here, sixteen-year-old Taylor takes his first shot at miniature golf with a little coaching from his great-grandfather, Jerry, on the greens at Frankie's Fun Park!

During this year’s Spring Break, several of us planned an outing for God’s “outa sight” kids of all ages here in the Lowcountry. Everyone laughed and had lots of fun as we taught ourselves and others that one doesn't have to be able to see to tee.

It took us half the day to play half the course; but, at the end of the ninth hole, Taylor was our winner! Taylor, an active teen in my Chaplaincy for Blind Youth, was accompanied by his great-grandparents, Betty & Jerry Stebbins, who have been extremely helpful in most of our community events.

Thanks to all who were such good sports on this day as we really put the “crazy” in “crazy golf”!

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