What a joy it is for me to invite you to share in the birthday celebration of Melvine, my wife of more than 57 years.
Melvine and I were married in 1960. I was 27 and Melvine was 25. Melvine was an elementary school teacher in her hometown of Draper, NC, now renamed Eden, NC. In the section of town where her parents home is located as well as their church, Draper Pentecostal Holiness Church, it is called Draper Village.
God had called me to be a military chaplain when I was a Marine at Quantico, VA. I was informed by my Navy chaplain what the educational requirements were and that included graduation from a fully accredited college or university, and a three-year resident seminary education with a Master of Divinity degree.
Melvine and I were married in 1960. I was 27 and Melvine was 25. Melvine was an elementary school teacher in her hometown of Draper, NC, now renamed Eden, NC. In the section of town where her parents home is located as well as their church, Draper Pentecostal Holiness Church, it is called Draper Village.
God had called me to be a military chaplain when I was a Marine at Quantico, VA. I was informed by my Navy chaplain what the educational requirements were and that included graduation from a fully accredited college or university, and a three-year resident seminary education with a Master of Divinity degree.
Following our honeymoon to the beautiful mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee we drove to Wilmore, KY where I had been accepted as a student. We went to Wilmore without any money, any place to live, and no jobs. God had called me to prepare for the military chaplaincy. Melvine was called too to help me obey God's calling. We went to Wilmore trusting God to provide for us, and He did and so much more.
To make a long story short, God provided a place for us to spend the first night in Wilmore at the Guest House of Asbury Theological Seminary. The next day, God gave Melvine a teaching position at the Versailles Elementary School, about 17 miles from Wilmore. We got a furnished apartment, and moved into it without any down payment. God provided the money I needed to register, $200, and I learned that a Methodist lady from Sebring, FL, wanted to invest in a Pentecostal Preacher boy and I happened to be that boy. She paid one-half of my tuition every quarter for three years. With the money Melvine made as a teacher, we were able to pay the other half of my tuition. Therefore, I never had to take a student loan. The second year in Wilmore, Melvine got a teaching position in the Wilmore Elementary School.
God provided for us. Melvine taught school, and I worked part-time at the IGA grocery store only one block from our basement apartment in Joe and Joann Fletcher's home.
Today, I honor Melvine for her love for me, her trust in God that He had called me to serve as a chaplain in the military. I am still in love with Melvine after all these years. We are older and have some health issues, but God is so good to us. He continues to provide for our every need.
Melvine is the leader of the Tuesday morning ladies Bible study and prayer group that meets at our church, Christian Life Worship Center, a Pentecostal Holiness Church in Athens, GA. She sings solos when called upon to sing. From time to time she will sing in the choir. Occasionally, Lavon and Arlette Revells ask her to teach our Sunday school class.
Today will be celebrate Melvine's birthday by driving to Social Circle, GA, and dining at the Blue Willow Inn. It is in a Greek Revival mansion with antebellum decor. It hosts classic Southern meals served buffet style. It is truly one of the South's top restaurants and possibly the best restaurant in the country.
Joyce Hawkins will join us for our afternoon meal. She is a close friend of our family. She served for a period of time as my secretary, book keeper, and office manager when I was the pastor of Tarkenton Memorial. She and our Stephanie were very close friends. She is a teacher in Jackson Country and is active in our church.
Melvine and I want to thank so many of you who have sent birthday cards, called our home, or sent emails. We are grateful for a host of friends who love us. We are so blessed to have many friends and to be a part of a wonderful church where we are loved and we love the people.
There are others who wanted to go with us today to the Blue Willow Inn, but they had previous appointments.
Happy Birthday, Melvine.
God provided for us. Melvine taught school, and I worked part-time at the IGA grocery store only one block from our basement apartment in Joe and Joann Fletcher's home.
Today, I honor Melvine for her love for me, her trust in God that He had called me to serve as a chaplain in the military. I am still in love with Melvine after all these years. We are older and have some health issues, but God is so good to us. He continues to provide for our every need.
Melvine is the leader of the Tuesday morning ladies Bible study and prayer group that meets at our church, Christian Life Worship Center, a Pentecostal Holiness Church in Athens, GA. She sings solos when called upon to sing. From time to time she will sing in the choir. Occasionally, Lavon and Arlette Revells ask her to teach our Sunday school class.
Today will be celebrate Melvine's birthday by driving to Social Circle, GA, and dining at the Blue Willow Inn. It is in a Greek Revival mansion with antebellum decor. It hosts classic Southern meals served buffet style. It is truly one of the South's top restaurants and possibly the best restaurant in the country.
Joyce Hawkins will join us for our afternoon meal. She is a close friend of our family. She served for a period of time as my secretary, book keeper, and office manager when I was the pastor of Tarkenton Memorial. She and our Stephanie were very close friends. She is a teacher in Jackson Country and is active in our church.
Melvine and I want to thank so many of you who have sent birthday cards, called our home, or sent emails. We are grateful for a host of friends who love us. We are so blessed to have many friends and to be a part of a wonderful church where we are loved and we love the people.
There are others who wanted to go with us today to the Blue Willow Inn, but they had previous appointments.
Happy Birthday, Melvine.