Several pictures….

George Thomas Havens 17 Sept 1920 – 26 Oct 1988

Little George Havens’ Cowboy Camp Meeting – Schedule

The only thing that disturbs my sleep is the biting insects. I have a citronella candle burning day and night to hopefully keep mosquitoes, flies and “no-see-ums” out of the T@B. I am covered with bites!! Because of the heat, I leave the door and one window wide open day and night; I have two fans moving the air in the trailer.

As I started for breakfast, I felt a drop or two of rain. I took a previously unused umbrella from the KIA. Before I got to the screened dining area, it was pouring rain. I didn’t stay long; I headed back to the trailer to close the door and window. I got soaked; I changed pants. It got so cool, I took out a sweater. But the sweater was quickly abandoned when it stopped raining and the sun came out. A pleasant 73 degrees inside the trailer as I type this at 10:25 AM.

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The contents of these blog messages were typed into the Open Office (free) word processing program prior to “copy and paste” to this location. I had no Internet access; my Verizon “hot spot” did not work. Sunday (yesterday) morning I attempted to access my email messages and prepare a brief blog message saying I arrived safely. At first the message: “No Internet access.” I explored… looking for an answer. My computer indicated I was connected and had a strong signal. Finally, after several attempts, after about ten minutes, I got Google but could not load my email messages. Frustrated, I abandoned the project. Later in the day I learned the nearest Verizon tower is in Austin (one-hundred-sixty miles away). I’m in AT&T country.

Horse Back Trail Riding was on the schedule for 8:00-10:00 AM. Obviously, due to rain, that was canceled. I skipped Morning Bible Study because I want to prepare a message while details are fresh in my mind.

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Just as I was typing the previous paragraph a neighbor lady arrived to tell me the group (at the Bible Study) missed me and hoped I’d join them. I waded through the standing water and joined the fellowship. Later, coffee, conversation, and homemade banana tea bread. Because no noon meals… it was decided that four of us would run into Coleman “for a bite to eat.” Miss Lucy shared that she and Owl Pharmacy are the same age. She wanted me to see the picture of her on a parade float (hanging on the back wall). She is well-known so lots of people stopping by to talk to her; three of us wondered if she would be able to eat her lunch because so much conversation. One guest was glad to take our picture.

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Amusing detail; you can laugh: I went into Coleman to buy toothpaste. Originally, I planned to stop at Kroger’s in Brownwood to buy some groceries and toothpaste. I was weary from the long drive—and miles from my destination so did not stop. The past two days I have rationed the amount of toothpaste on my brush. Guess what: Miss Lucy bought toothpaste and Nell bought denture cream. We all had the same “need” but only learned of one another’s purchases after-the-fact. (Are we vain to want sweet-smelling breath when we talk to one another?)

Impulse purchase: See the adorable lioness?! At first I thought I’d be content with a picture (because she was so expensive). But her entire body is a continuous display of Smiley Faces. I’ve collected Smiley Faces for decades!! The tag identifies her as “Lizzy”–and “Lizzy” has a new home. Because there was a full-length mirror near the cashier I took the self-portrait (LOL!!!!).

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It’s 3 o’clock and we just returned to camp. It is 92 degrees inside the trailer—a very hot, humid, 92 degrees!! (Hard to reconcile in my mind that a few hours earlier I was wearing a sweater.) There is still a lake between our trailers and the screened dining area and open-air food preparation area. I’m told we can expect three days of rain. Local people are glad because (they say) a drought in this area. Curious that we (in East Texas) had so much rain the last eight months and Central Texas experienced a drought.

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Back again; 8:25 PM; 98 degrees inside my little trailer (with two fans going). I’m weary of sitting but rejoicing in a wonderful evening of singing and preaching. ~~ In the course of the afternoon—or evening—I learned we had more than three inches of rain. With “a drought” I would think the soil would soak up the water like a sponge. Not so; look at the standing water between our trailers and the screened dining area and chuck wagon.

Remember the familiar old poster “Uncle Sam Wants You”?

Let me say “We want you to join us next year.”

For additional information, visit American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches.

The campground has upwards to one-hundred sites. Water and electric is available; no sewage hookups.

Miss Lucy’s vintage Airstream trailer.

There are restrooms and showers.

Enjoy the view.

Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, and Benadryl

 Little George Havens’ Cowboy Camp Meeting – Schedule

Somewhat reluctantly, I was out of bed, “bathed,” dressed and ready for breakfast when the bell rang. I took a picture of the sausage and egg burrito, ate one bite and threw the rest away. Not my kind of food. (I’m not critical; just “not my kind of food.”)

“Miss Lucy” is the star attraction at Camp Meeting and she quickly made me the prime focus in every meeting, every event. She is just thrilled that someone is in attendance saved under the ministry of evangelist Little George Havens. I’m “the lady from ‘Ore-ee-gone’ who knew George.” I tell the audience that I am now a Texas resident but saved sixty-four years ago in a meeting in Crescent, Oregon. I didn’t “know” the man, just influenced by his ministry. I’ve learned (listening to Miss Lucy) that George was saved during the 1950 Crusade with Billy Graham, in Los Angeles. So the former movie actor and stunt man must have quickly started his own preaching ministry?!

“Miss Lucy” and I have another bond (besides our advancing age, she is 90, I’m almost 80): Wycliffe Bible Translators. Miss Lucy was a missionary in Mexico. So I said: “You probably know the name Cameron Townsend.”  Of course!! She was trained in one of his Summer Institute of Linguistics and is still a member of Wycliffe. I shared that I volunteered for almost three years (in Orlando, and Waxhaw).

After breakfast, I walked around the campgrounds taking pictures.

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My pictures tell the story, I followed Miss Lucy as she gave a tour of the grounds, and the Pioneer Preachers Museum. She and George started the Camp in 1966, and operated it “by faith.” They have never charged for RV parking and meals. A hat is passed at the evening meeting—for donations. Miraculously, the expenses have always been met. 

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There was a time for stories at the re-dedication of the Little George Havens statue.

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The campground is very primitive; the facilities are “make do.” There are stoves in the screened dining area but—in the spirit of an old-fashioned camp meeting—food is prepared over an open fire near an old-fashioned chuck wagon.

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The music is good; the preaching is excellent!!

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I’m quick to tell the other guests “I’m not a cowgirl, I’m not a cowboy, I don’t ride horses, I’ve never attended a Cowboy Church.”  ~~ Dear reader: This is a unique, new experience for me. Oh, camping comes natural but the people (my brothers and sisters in-Christ) are different (a new experience for me). The preachers are ranchers who have everyday responsibilities. Their pattern of speech makes me smile, good old country boys!!

In bed before nine. This is only “day one” for me and I’ve already received such a blessing!!

A 5:30 departure had been my target. Actually, it was 7:30 before I left CARE—and after 8:00 before I drove out of Livingston. I’ve documented the long drive with pictures. Mid-morning I stopped to nap for a few minutes. When I pulled into the picnic area, my vehicles were in the shade; soon I was in the sun and time to push on down the road. My Garmin had me on narrow secondary roads (and that is OK with me) but travel was slow. I thought I’d never get to my destination: Little George Havens Cowboy Camp Meeting, on state highway 84 between Santa Anna and Coleman, Texas.

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One of the first persons I met: “Miss Lucy,” widow of George Havens. I was looking for an office to “check in” and get a campsite. She insisted on “getting a man” to help me park. “No, no, I can do it just fine.” But I obliged… and was shown a site and assisted backing in—only to discover that a horse (or two) had been there and left their calling cards. So we moved to another site.

I was just in time for supper: Pulled pork BBQ, potato salad, cole slaw, and a variety of home-made cobblers. (I chose blueberry cobbler.) Also available: sweet tea, unsweetened tea and lemonade.

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Saturday evening: Great music, great preaching!! That night: I slept comfortably but when awake (briefly) I marveled at how extremely quiet it was. That old saying “The silence was deafening!!”

Now a little more about my delayed start: I needed to tape down the weather-stripping. I’ve known for months that I needed to use “Shoe Goo” to hold the strip in a groove. But I procrastinated!! When I first attempted a temporary repair, the roof was too wet and the tape would not stick. So I had to haul out a long extension cord, and my hair dryer, to dry the surface.

Because the KIA and T@B had not been connected for many months, the electrical plug needed repeated push-in and pull-out to make good contact. Every little task seemed to take so-o-o much time!! One turn-signal-light has burned out and I should have stopped at an auto supply for a new bulb. (Could-a, should-a, would-a…!! Not only was I behind my target departure time, I was actually one day late for the actual start of the Camp Meeting.) ~~ FYI: Livingston, Texas, to Santa Anna, Texas, map.

My morning was productive!! Weeds were whacked; plants were watered; KIA was washed and Lorraine got a haircut. I’ll do indoor tasks this afternoon, and last-minute cleaning. I plan to leave about 5:30 tomorrow morning. I question the wisdom of driving (this afternoon) in the heat because (IMHO) extra work for the KIA pulling a trailer.

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See the 94 degrees? Very wise of me (IMHO) to wait until tomorrow. When I tried to take the “blue ice” out of the freezer, they were frozen to the bottom!! It required the hair dryer to dislodge them!! Then I continued… and defrosted the entire freezer. To re-freeze the packets, I put them between a towel.

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When I named this message “Good” Friday, I had no idea it would be especially “good.” There is no excuse for the foolish stunt I pulled. Yes, I’m busy; yes, I’m preoccupied with all the last-minute trip preparation. But I foolishly left eggs boiling on the stove when I went to the Center to water the plants. When I returned–almost two hours later–the smoke detector was beeping, the trailer was full of smoke. The lid had been forced off the kettle (laying on the floor); the eggs had exploded all over the kitchen/dining room. The stench was (is) awful!! I have four ceiling/roof fans going, plus oscillating fan and air-conditioner. I have Gardenia oil emitting a strong pleasant scent from the diffuser. The stench is awful!!

I try to be extremely careful. I hold hand rails up and down steps; I watch… so water doesn’t overflow (indoor and outdoor projects). I discipline myself to not leave food cooking on the stove when I exit (even if I’m “just in the yard”). ~~ I am so grateful my home did not catch fire. So a very “good” Friday!!

Look: 101 degrees inside the T@B; 96 degrees outside temperature.

Tentatively, I’ve been planning a trip to a Cowboy Churches Camp Meeting. With this beastly heat, I’ve almost decided not to go. I’m really in a quandary!! I thought I’d check Google Earth to see what the area looks like. Example: Are there any trees or will we be camping under the blazing sun? I haven’t been able to find an image (on Google Earth) because I haven’t found the specific address. More about the event. ~~ Just thought you’d like to know.

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Friends and acquaintances are trying to convince me to take the trip. So-o-o-o I’ve rushed around trying to pull last-minute details together. After lunch, I went to the extremely hot mini-storage unit trying to find my “blue ice” containers. Could not locate!! Went to Walmart and bought four small…. When I started loading things into the T@B, the temperature read 106 degrees. It dropped to 105 when I carried the clock into the BIG trailer to take a picture. And look at the outside temperature!! Gratefully, I do not think it is as humid today as many days. Well (to please everyone, ha), I guess I’ll leave tomorrow (after a haircut in the CARE Center). ~~ I’ll probably spend hours (today) getting ready because I did very little yesterday. C’est la vie!!