Nana’s Testimony
Dear Shannon,
When I was growing up, my parents went to a Fundamental Baptist Church in Big Spring which was 18 miles from Stanton where I grew up. We hardly ever missed a time to go though it was a long drive in my daddy's black Ford in the forties. I was riding in the back seat of that Ford going to church with them and my boyfriend when we heard on the radio that Pearl Harbor had been bombed by the Japanese. That was Dec.7, 1941.
I was 14 years old when I was saved and I was baptized in a dirt tank out in the country. We didn't have baptisteries in churches then.
We later started going to the Baptist church in Stanton and I used to sing solos and duets at services and also played the piano sometimes when the regular pianist was absent. I usually played by ear and just had to tell the song leader what key to sing it in. What a shame I can hardly play chop sticks on the piano now, but I had my day and used to enjoy playing very much...that used to be one of our teenage pastimes in Stanton . . . play and sing together . . . at one time we even had one that played the drums, the guitar and my friend played a saxophone . . . we had quite the band going . . . wish I had a recording of it!!!!
We all also played in the High School Band . . . I played a French horn when we were not marching . . . I was a majorette . . . wore satin tights, big frilly hat and twirled that baton!!!! White cowboy boots!! (My friend became my husband and died with cancer at 22. I was 20. Barb 2. After Jay and I married we sort of quit going to church for awhile and I am sorry to say, we did not have the Christian home atmosphere we should have...we went to church often, but that was about all the time we gave unfortunately . . . or money . . .
One day in Ruidoso, God spoke to me sharply and told me to straighten up and do right!! I put our big house on the market in Ruidoso, came home, went to church the next Sunday, rededicated my life, went on a walk to Emmaus and have ever since tried to have a close walk with Him and I have . . . I started tithing and have been a happier person ever since.
I am sorry I was not a better mother, grandmother etc. when you were all little, but I can't go back. God has forgiven me and I hope everyone has for my shortcomings.
I could have done so much better and if I had it to do again . . . I would.
I am so happy that all my family and offspring are Christians in spite of whatever I might have done and I am so proud of everyone in so many ways . . . We have a Special Family. . .you all made Granddaddy's last days special and showed him your love and I appreciate that so much. . .Thank God he was saved and I know he is in Heaven and I will see him again . . . Now, as they become of age, I am seeing my sweet grandkids getting baptized . . . Elissa not too long ago; just the other night Josh and hopefully Michael will follow soon as he is probably the next in line for the age.
Thanks for being interested in my testimony Shannon and guess it is good to write things like this for future generations that might like to know something about their past . . . sometimes we wait too long to hear or get stories and it is too late and there is nobody around that knows them .
I love you,
Nana
Shannon Cochran & Nana
