DON'T GO NEAR THE RIVER, YOU'LL DROWN

    Learning to swim was not an easy thing to do if you lived in our mountain village.  New River, claimed by some to be the second oldest river in the world, flowed along the eastern edge of the little settlement with the railroad tracks creating a barrier between the houses and the river.  Our parents warned us to stay away from both dangers.  They claimed that children could not outrun trains.  and if we went near the river we might fall in and drown.  The boys, being more adventuresome and disobedient paid little attention to the warnings and they usually learned to swim. No matter how much we talked to our mothers, they would not consent to our going near the water.
     Since we could not go near the river, we missed out on a lot of fun.  How could we even go fishing if we could not go near the river?  We knew it was dangerous to get into a boat if we could not swim. But as young people we thought we were invincible and so we did go near the water.  We went to Claytor Lake whenever there was an opportunity.  Again, our parents said, "don't go near the water, just stay on shore and watch others swimming and boating." Now that wasn't any fun. "
    I remember one time when my boyfriend and I, with  another couple, decided to go fishing on the lake.  The boys rented a boat with an outboard motor.  I don't remember if we had life jackets in the boat--maybe we did but I don't  recall wearing one.  The man made lake was very deep in places.  The water covered a community of houses and groves of trees. Sometimes the top of a tree appeared above the waterline and presented danger to boaters.
     The boys maneuvered the boat into one of the shady coves out of sight of the boating traffic.  The water was dark and still.  We wondered out loud about how deep the water was in that spot.  The boys seeing how stressed out we non swimmers were becoming, began ro tell stories of fishermen falling in the lake and disappearing, never to be seen again.  When they saw that we were thoroughly frightened they began to laugh.  It was hard for us to find any humor in their scary tales. 
     We did make it back  to shore safely but we could have drown.
     I never learned to swim--I stayed away from the river

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A CHRISTMAS LOVE STORY

Recently something happened to a couple in our church which I consider one of those events clearly in the miracle category. I have changed a few names to protect privacy rights.
 
                                 " A LOVE STORY"
 
Once upon a time there lived in the Kingdom of Horry two beautiful, dark skinned princesses. Not only were they sisters, but they were twins. When they were born, much too early, they would fit into the palm of your hand and weighed no more than a large mug of hot chocolate. The doctors, nurses and family were afraid the tiny babies wouldn't make it....many people who heard this started to pray. Soon the two little girls began to grow and thrive. It seemed that God had planned for something very special to come into their lives in His own time.
     Sometimes things happen in life which keep others from doing what they would like to do no matter  how hard they try.  The princesses found themselves living in different homes.  That wasn't all bad because they got to know a variety of  people.  Perhaps this is why they are good natured and usually have a smile.  But the two beautiful girls wanted to live in one place for a long time with parents who would love and care for them in special ways.
     It was the summer of  2011 in the Kingdom of Horry.  School was out for the season.  Children were looking for cool things to do.  Quite a number of the children had enrolled im a special summer program.  The two princesses were in the group.  They went early in the morning because two men(Mr. John and Mr. Pat) from a church in the town of North Myrtle Beach brought the most delicious breakfast. They had no idea the name, John, meant  God is gracious and Patrick means nobleman.  The girls saw how they could help the two kind men and soon a special bond developed.
     All the twists and turns which came next in the story will be left for the two princesses to write about in their memoirs some day.  But for now we will speak of the miraculous thing that happened the tenth day of November in the Kingdom of Horry  in the town of North Myrtle Beach. The two beautiful girls joined the family of M. John  (now "Dad") and Miss Carry(now Mom) to become one family.  And that is not all the family they gained...Mr. Pat and Miss Sarah have become their official grandparents!
     Now isn't this the most beautiful story, not a fairy tale, but a real miracle story you have ever heard?  This is a shortened version and many of you know other miracles in the story.  Only God our Heavenly Father knows ever  little detail of this love story for He is the Creator, the Granter of Miracles. We give Him thanks for these two special daughters.
     Welcome to our Church family, Ava and Dana.