Gospel Express Auction

We had planned to leave for home yesterday, but it worked out with Merv's job that we could stay a couple days longer. We hadn't been at the Gospel Express auction in years.

Friday nights they usually have a cattle sale along with pork dinners and different groups singing.
It was a wonderful night of singing.

Saturday was a very pleasant day. All items displayed here were part of the auction.

The children played with corn, taking turns dumping the bucket of kernels on each other.

The auction committee were required to wear the blue jackets. This is my lovely sister and her best friend. Many meetings and hard work take place to raise several hundred thousand dollars. This money is used for prison ministry and Africa.

There was a lovely display of quilts. Half the time I was busy talking that I didn't get to see what was actually being sold.

 

Many baked goods and lattes were sold...

...along with fresh hand squeezed lemonade and fresh donuts made on the premises.

I now regret not buying one, but there were too many good things there to eat. And I just didn't need all the sweets.

There were fresh strawberry pies. Our friends had us over after the singing and they shared the pie they had bought. Thank you, N and M.

 

Fried pies are fairly new for this auction. I guess someone thought it would be nice to sell them here as well as the Haiti auction. These pies are made with pie dough and then fried.

This was not a popular thing in the north until recently. Now in the south, fried pies is a big thing, but the shell is made of a biscuit type dough.

I thought the large bowl of fruit looked delicious.

I thought the large bowl of fruit looked delicious.

 

Sausage sandwiches were also a hit.

And you can't forget the homemade pizzas.

The only dessert I had for the day was this tasty blueberry cream fried pie. It was absolutely delightful, and I savored every bite.

This professional licensed auctioneer was one of my favorites. I loved the baskets made in Africa. Some colors were very nice, others not my style. We lost our bid to a higher bidder on one of the baskets.

 

I met my great uncle along with my aunt.

Many flowers were auctioned off.

The second item I had my eye on was the outdoor clock which sold for over $400. Also being auctioned on this photo was the little pony and cart.

 

Then came the anticipation of the candy drop.

And they went running to find the treasures.

 

It's always great to spend time with my sisters. Somehow the time goes by too fast.

Saturday night was my favorite night for the programs. There was a slide show of the Living Hope International work in Africa, drama by the Miller family, singing by the Duane Mullet family, Garment of Praise, an enthusiastic acapella quartet - they were simply awesome, and then the teams had just done an Easter tour and shared songs they had sung on tour. What a night of WORSHIP! It makes me anxious for heaven. I usually wish I could be up there singing with the groups. I know someday I'll be in that lovely heavenly choir along with all of the saints of God where we will praise the Lord forever. He is worthy!!!!