Jessie's Carnival was Incredible !!

OK, sorry that I haven't written about Jessie's Carnival yet. Every time that I sit down to write, I hear "Dad?", and there goes the opportunity. You all know what I'm talking about. But I'm definitely going to get it done this time.

Anyway, the carnival.....hold on... someone just called my name....

OK, I'm back. Jessie's Carnival was AWESOME !! Michelle Bartee did such an amazing job of planning and getting sponsors and volunteers to help. They had cake walks and carnival games and bounce houses, and yes, a pink castle bounce house. There was a clown, and face painting and car washing. I even got to help wash a few cars. There was a "Lemonade Stand" and a silent auction with lots of cool stuff to bid on. It was just amazing.

All of the volunteers were incredible too. Caren Jennings was there, and Michelle's daughters Stephanie and Niki, and lots of Cracker Barrel staff. The mayor of Weatherford was there, along with channel 11 and Heather McClelland of Wood Bend Photography was there taking pictures. We saw so many of our friends from Aledo. It was just a wonderful time and an amazing effort.

Oh yeah, and Joey from the Aledo lemonade stand was there along with his helpers Avery and Jane Ann. These kids are celebrities as far as I'm concerned and I was more honored to see them than the mayor. No offense Mayor.

Also, a neat story about the DJ that I need to share with you before I end for the night.

Michelle didn't have a DJ for the event, but planned on keeping things going with her own voice and enthusiasm....which would have been great. However, the DJ that ended up doing the carnival was eating breakfast on Saturday morning at Cracker Barrel and just asked if they needed a DJ for the carnival. He ended up doing it all day Saturday and most of Sunday, and he was a bright, professional touch to an already amazing event.

Also, if some of you remember, he was using this huge ancient dictionary to keep something in place near his speakers, etc... and some woman approached him and wanted to buy it. For some reason he said he was saving money for a mission trip he was going on this summer, and she gave him $100.00 for it. She had to have it for her husband. So, he was blessed too. He was in the right place, in the right time. Coincidence? He was directed to go to the Cracker Barrel for breakfast, and he asked- and he served all day Saturday - 12 hours!- and then Sunday for about 5 hours. So selfless and giving . And he was taken care of too - Cracker Barrel provided him with meals and he was given $100.00 out of nowhere. WOW - it was neat to see the blessings that came to him this weekend for giving of his talents for Jessie's carnival. (These are Caren's words, thanks Caren, well written.)

God is working in amazing ways in Parker County. We are so blessed to have people like Michelle in our world. Michelle, if you are reading this, there is no way to thank you with words for what you have done for our family. You are a blessing to us and a blessing to Parker County. Thank You for your love.

Watch for carnival pictures and a list of carnival sponsors coming soon. God Bless all of you who are reading Jessie's story.