Billy and Dad Sitting in the Pew Kermit Church of the Nazarene Kermit, Texas – 1977
The Kermit Church of the Nazarene, located in a small town in West Texas, closed several years ago.
My father pastored there between 1976-78. One night during a revival service, the visiting evangelist’s wife sang a special. She sang in a hilarious nasal falsetto and I could not contain my laughter. To keep from bursting out laughing, I ran through one of the doors in this picture, down a hall and to the bathroom. I was 10.
I sat on the toilet and laughed for at least 10 minutes. Then, every time I thought I’d gained my composure,
I’d start laughing again. After 20 minutes, I was laughing not only at the evangelist’s wife, I was laughing at me laughing so hard.
When church was over, my brother Billy, WHO USUALLY MADE ME LAUGH IN CHURCH told me that the woman knew I was laughing at her. I can still see his big brown eyes looking at me in astonishment.
My father must have been aware of the whole thing but he never said a word to me about it. I was spanked for far less than this, which makes me wonder: Was my dad laughing, too?
Let’s go to Luckenbach Texas with Waylon and Willie and the boys.
I really miss you, Dad. You look great in this picture.
Hello again from Kermit, Texas!
I have never posted a comment on a blog before but I had to because this “laughing in church” story made me remember some funny and forgotten events in my childhood at the First Baptist Church in Pottstown, Pennsylvanis. There was no air conditioning and the summer services got pretty hot. The hefty female soloist would stand up with her large bare arms sticking out from her sleeveless top and my brother and I knew we were in for painful minutes of suppressed laughter. My brother and I are now in our 50’s and very close as Christians and friends. I am grateful to you for reminding me of the small joys of life.
Great Story. I have been by that Church many time (I am originally from Eunice NM.
Great Pick of Bill and your Father. He (your Dad) looks like he did when I met him in 1984 when Mark and I picked up Bill at your Dads house in Dallas thanksgiving weekend.
Thanks for sharing and thanks to Chesty (Bill) for sending me this link.
Billy Ray
I have never seen this photo before, and I absolutely love it! Dad has such a warm, genuine smile on his face! I miss him so much, and photos like this help me remember him better… In the photo, he was the age I am now. Wow, life is short. I miss and love you, Dad. I really do.
My dad is a pastor, too. The worst church giggles I ever got was during a baptism; the mother had dressed the 1-year-old up in a 3-piece suit complete with bowtie, and the kid made the funniest expressions the entire time. I couldn’t breathe from trying to hold in the laughter. I didn’t get in trouble, either.
My older brother and I can’t watch a children’s church program without busting a gut. 5-year-olds aren’t singers, but they sure do try.
Both Linda and I were away at Bethany Nazarene College when this happened. I still heard about it though from you and Billy (and Daddy!!!). I crack up every single time I think about you laughing so hard. I haven’t laughed like that in a long time….:(
I wonder how many people have laughed at me singing…I pray none (LOL).
Seriously…
I still think it’s funny to remember. Obviously singing was NOT this woman’s calling…so what was it? Far too many times we are afraid of hurting a person’s feelings by telling them the truth instead of helping them to seek their real gifts and purpose….
I love this REAL Post, Jen. And I’m bawling my head off looking at how young our brother was and how alive our daddy was. Gosh…I miss Daddy, too.
And Bill…I miss him more than he will ever know.
Love you so much!
Beck
PS: It’s OCTOBER, Sister! Did you get your Mammogram yet????
Wow! I REALLY look like Dad….
I miss ALL of you. However, I do NOT miss Kermit, Texas. I remember the way the town smelled – (like rotten eggs)….and the lime green carpet and drapes in the sanctuary. I spent a only a few months there for two miserable summers and worked until 3AM at the that disgusting convenience store with the deli. (The only job available for a college student in that town) I was lost in the twilight – between childhood and adult, broken hearted and trying to get on with the rest of life – I had no friends there – and was so alone.
I’m so glad you found SOMETHING to laugh about! I don’t remember happy…or laughing about anything there…ever.
Lin =O/
I’m so glad you didn’t get in trouble for laughing. To this day I’m not allowed to sit by my sister in church. We’re 44 and 46 and still giggle too much in church. Great post.
Im sure the 100 year celebration will bring amny more memoriues to the fore -much blessing on you all as you celebrate 🙂