Family

Dora Gay (Harper) Hogland

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Unbreakable Love in Her Eyes

Kindness, Mercy, Forgiveness, Church, Scripture, Prayer, Faith… Elvis Presley Gospel Hymns – words that are an integral part of who Memaw is and the impact that she graced on everyone who had the blessing of standing under her wings.

Throughout her life, Memaw desired to soar, to lift on wings like an Eagle, and go to her Savior, Jesus; and in that brief moment that we knew her in this world, God saw fit to keep her grounded just long enough that we should find shelter in time of need, under those wings of kindness, forgiveness, prayer and faith–Wings that were made to soar. But now, like Christ’s final breath on the cross, her work on earth is finished; she has given up the ghost; she has lifted off to a new, though old, task. And in her migration from this temporary place below to that eternal home above, she has left us with the very task she prepared us for- to serve, trust and love the Lord.

The moment that she alighted on the other side of Eternity’s Gates, she finally has fully soared to the heights of Heaven she longed for all her life. She stands in the fullness of Love Himself – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. In that moment she began to completely do what she had trained for all her life and has trained us to do in return – Love her God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Of all the words we use to describe MeMaw, one word encompasses them all: LOVE.

She has shown us the way. Jesus is the way and His way is Love: a Love that sacrifices self; a Love that sees the depths of our faults and washes them clean: a Love that does not Love to a fault, but Loves past our faults; a Love that pushes us to be better than our faults; a Love that gives us victory in every trial; a Love that hides us under the shelter of its wings. Now it is our turn to Love. 

Unbreakable Love in her eyes.
Have you seen that kind of love?
Love that looks past time.
Love that forgives all fault.
Love that looks through your eyes
And sees your soul.  
Love that sees eternity
And does not blink.
Love that loves ever-gracefully.
Love like a vault.
Love that holds all of you inside.
Love that never dies.
Have you seen that kind of love?
Unbreakable love?
I have.
She is beautiful.

Sermon and Poem by Donald W. Catchings Jr. for his

Grandmother, Dora Hogland (MeMaw).

An Angel has Lived Among Us
When You Think of Dora Hogland?
Family

True Light Church

I was testing a mic set up for audio recording to use for my videos and had asked my daughter in-law to come and be my test reader. I opened a book that was on a shelf in the office and did not read or look at the page, nor was I familiar with the content. I liked the way it sounded so well and her reading of the writing that I thought our Baptism Sunday Service’s in 2018 would fit perfectly.

 Imagine a group of 30 to 40 people setting in a field under temporary cover on a Hot Sunday Afternoon to hear God’s word and to watch their loved ones be baptized in a stock tank. For much of the world I am sure this would be considered insignificant but for our family and for God once again his Grace and Love shine through.

I am so blessed to serve a God who does not favor a person’s title, position of status on earth and individual monetary wealth but rather a person’s faith and a people though not perfect, God  embraces the weak and through faith makes us stronger.

It may seem crazy and peculiar to some people but I see it as a great blessing of life. God does not care about the place of worship,  he cares about the worshiper.  This post is for those who made a decision in their life in June and then in September of 2018  to follow Christ with the evidence of newness by being baptized. 

Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”.
Family

A TRIBUTE TO THE GREEN

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My time at Meyer Speedway as a young boy was some my favorite memories. I was able to have insight on two different race teams that were prominent at Meyer Speedway in the late 60’s. My Dad Pa Pa Sonny (Catchings) was a part of George Nash’s crew, although he started coming to Meyer Speedway because of my Step Dad (Don Ballard) Pa Pa Don and my Uncle Walter (Ballard).

This page and video is for Pa Pa Don as he will still to this day, set down and tell you everything he did on the Green 5 Car.  (Even his secrets, rules are made to be tested and if the rule is gray, you can bet the rule will be bent). 

First, green race cars are supposed to be bad luck and you don’t eat peanuts in the pits. Leave it to the very confident Ballard’s to paint their race car GREEN. If we could go back in time we would probably find peanuts somewhere in their pits.

I was hoping their was video footage of the Green 5 car and thankfully, Uncle Harold had footage and had it put on DVD. Enjoy the photos and video footage in this Tribute to the Green.

Family

Arvel “Sonny” Meredith Catchings Jr

My Dad “Sonny” passed away January 7, 2019. He battled cancer for a short time but in the end some would say he lost, but in all honesty, he won. Dad never let us see him in a down trodden state and always believed he would beat the cancer.

Truth is he has beat it. With death Dad has fully received God’s grace. He has eternal life and a life free from sorrow, pain and despair. I will miss him dearly as I could talk to dad about anything as he did not judge, he only supported in your decisions and let you learn from your mistakes.  I have posted the below videos in his honor. Dad was so gracious a few years ago to share his life in an interview, There are nine segments from the interviews and when I need, I can use the videos to ease my sorrow.

Thanks for Everything  Dad, I Love You,  Donald Wayne

Memorial Video to My Dad Sonny Catchings
Part 1 of Sonny Catchings Interviews
Part 2 of Sonny Catchings Interviews
Part 3 of Sonny Catchings Interviews
Part 4 of Sonny Catchings Interviews
Part 5 of Sonny Catchings Interviews
Part 6 of Sonny Catchings Interviews
Part 7 of Sonny Catchings Interviews
Part 8 of Sonny Catchings Interviews
Part 9 of Sonny Catchings Interviews
Family

Johnie Hogland

My Father-In-Law recently passed and this was an interview I was able to do a few years before.

I am so thankful for the time and information he gave on that day as he was such a quiet man but on this day he really opened up. I am blessed to have known Johnie Hogland.

Part 1
Part 2