The Shining Star Fellowship Church is a Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) affiliated church whose focus is on equipping believers and leading community members to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Shining Star Fellowship Church 301 Palm Street Abilene, Texas
This church is located a few short blocks from my maternal aunt’s home where I visited in the Spring of 2020. This is one of many churches I saw as I walked about my aunt’s neighbourhood.
Coleman and I have been visiting various churches in our area. According to Google the church at 2700 Crescent Lane in Gastonia, North Carolina is named Second Baptist Church. Google AI describes the church as “a community cornerstone that blends traditional and modern architecture to provide a welcoming atmosphere for its congregation.”
Welcome Pentecostal Church “The Great I Am”
We decided since it was in walking distance that we would visit and see if it would possibly be a church we would like to attend. Lo and behold, when we approached the church it did not seem to be as advertised or as stated by Google.
Iglesia Pentecostés “El Gran Yo Soy,”
The building no longer served as a place for worship by Second Baptist Church. The church is now called Iglesia Pentecostés “El Gran Yo Soy,” a Spanish Pentecostal Church.
Pentecostal Church “The Great I AM.”
Discovering that it was a Spanish speaking church I asked Coleman if he wanted to go back home. He said, “No, he wanted to go inside and attend the service.” So, we went inside. We arrived at 11am, the time when most of the churches in the area begin their services. Turns out Iglesia Pentecostés “El Gran Yo Soy,” doesn’t begin their services until 12 pm. The church is open before then for anyone to come inside and pray.
Iglesia Pentecostés “El Gran Yo Soy,”
Guess what. Coleman and I approached the front door and were graciously welcomed to go inside and worship with them. So we did, we went inside and took a seat near the back (not sure if we’d manage to stay for the whole service.) We were greeted (in English) by several people making us feel welcome.
Turns out waiting an hour for a service to begin isn’t that easy especially for an energetic six year old (let alone his grandma). Not everyone who went up from to front to pray prayed quietly as this gentleman was doing. After a while Coleman decided he had to use the restroom so we walked out to the foyer to locate one. He then informed me he didn’t understand the words they were singing or speaking. He understands a little Spanish but a a slower pace than what was being used. Because of that he decided he’d rather go back home than stay for the rest of the time.
We recently moved into a different house (on 2027.03.01) and already had to inform our landlady of a plumbing leak with the kitchen sink. It was leaking from the spray hose, the pipe joints under the sink, & the sink basket on the right side was rusted so terribly bad that it was leaking from it as well.
Our Landlady called a guy she knew of that lived done the street, however, that particular guy didn’t show up the next day after the initial meeting with landlady. We informed her that he didn’t show up to repair the leak. She calls back a couple days later informing us a different person would be coming out to “repair” the leak.
Rear Doors of a Brothers Plumbing Vehicle
Lo and behold, what we thought was going to be a simple “repair” of a kitchen faucet/sink leak turned out to become a huge problem with more issues than we ever expected or imagined. (Don’t worry, I’m getting to the Brothers Plumber in just a little bit.)
Turned out the piping was cracked, the previous sealant wasn’t applied or was improperly applied to the joints for the pipes. The “sink basket, basket strainer, strainer, etc. were all rusted, corroded, and the “plumber” (2nd person called) couldn’t get the sink basket strainer assembly off without removing the entire sink and pipes.
Are you understanding my meaning by saying it turned out not to be a simple “repair?) When this person tried to turn off the water valve under the kitchen sink it broke, so therefore, he called a “plumber” from BrothersAir (Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing). Guess what? The man fromBrothers didn’t do any better than the 2nd person. Oh, he replaced the water shut off valve alright, but he wasn’t much assistance when the entire sink was replaced. Now, let me back up a minute. The 2nd man went to Lowe’s and purchased a whole new sink, faucet and kitchen drain assembly with basket strainer and returned and installed it before the 3rd man (the Brothers Plumber) arrived. He stopped working on the repair after he broke the water shut off valve until the Brothers Plumber replaced the valve.
Side view of Brothers Van & doors.
When all the “new” pipes, sink, faucet, and entire drain assembly were attached, do you think that was the end of our problems? Yeah, you’re right it was not. Part of the pipes and connecting joint connectors were put on crooked and not fastened properly together which then meant we STILL had a leakage problem. Not only that, but then the 2nd person & the Brothers Plumber discovered a leak with the water meter (of course it was on the side for the property & not the city to fix.
Now you’re probably wondering what else could go wrong. With all these problems, the 2nd person was in communication with our landlady and her being frustrated (remind you a “simple” repair turned in a major repair) gave my daughter and ear full as if we were the source and cause for the leak the major issues with the repair after.
Now onto the next day. The 2nd man returned with yet another Plumber (4th man). You keeping all this straight? Kinda like the old saying “How many electricians does it take to change a light bulb?” except it’s “How many Plumbers does it take to repair a leak?” Well, with the addition of the 4th Plumber the pipes have been straightened, the joints (hopefully) properly sealed, and (hopefully) no more leak. [Note: the 3rd Plumber (the Brothers Plumber) charged the 2nd man $500 to replace the water supply (shutoff) valve & that’s about all he did other than help discover the leak at the water meter.
The 4th Plumber corrected the mistakes made by the other “Plumbers”, flushed out the drain/sewage system informing us the “Flushable” wipes are NOT really flushable or biodegradable as some brands claim. Turns out that Flushable wipes do not have consistent standards or regulations of the products. This 4th Plumber will return tomorrow (aka today, Thursday). He said he will double check that the sealant has properly sealed the pipes and no additional sealant needed (but if needed he’ll add additional). He said also that he will repair the leak at the water meter.
By my count it has taken Four Plumbers to repair a a leak with the kitchen sink. It has also cost a tremendous amount more dollars than it should have cost. The 2nd Plumber says he’ll take care of our first water bill (the water is still leaking at the meter (hopefully not after tomorrow.)
How could we be source of this problem when we’ve barely been in the house? Beyond our comprehension currently.
Do you think we would recommend this particular BrothersAirto anyone for any kind of service or repair? I absolutely think not.
Location: Our Residence; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care. Stay Warm (We’re back to freezing low temperatures). Be Grateful. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coming out of the U.S. Postal Service building what caught my eye was not the building itself, but what was displayed in the corner of the landscaping in front of the building.
U. S. Flag (not in image) and a POW * MIA Flag
From my sidewalk view … left of the flagpole stood a military cannon. [I didn’t expect to see the cannon on display at the post office.]
Military style cannon U.S. Postal Service property Gastonia, NC
Good Day my friends! This week we are taking you on a Dino adventure at Dino Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Some images you might need to look carefully to see a door/doorway and others will be clearly discernible. Enjoy the adventure.
Entering Dino Park …
Dino Park Myrtle Beach, SC
Dino Park is a family-friendly attraction at Broadway at the Beach which features over twenty (20) life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs in a Jurassic-themed setting. It offers an interactive and educational experience with such activities as fossil dig pit, a large ball pit, and dinosaur rides for younger children.
Notice the dinosaurs on the building, that’s the indication that you’re fixing to enter Dino Park. The first thing you see when you enter the building is a couple of “Dinosaurs” children can ride. Don’t worry about pulling out coins for the children to ride, they are free.
Coleman riding the Dinosaurs
I know you’re not seeing doors while Coleman is riding the dinosaurs. We’ll get to them. But first, let’s look at a different type of “door” or rather an opening …
Coleman popping out of “Dinosaur Eggs
Now let’s walk through the Dino Park to check out the fascinating Dinosaurs on display …
Coleman had fun checking out all the Dinosaurs.
There is a fee to enter Dino Park, however, our entry fees were covered in our resort package. Some hotels and/or resorts in Myrtle Beach offer entertainment/attraction packages to add on to your stay.
Did you spot the Doorways? If not, look again carefully.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens
Location: Dino Park; Broadway at the Beach; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care. Take an adventure. Capture the wonders around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. Happy 2026! Happy New Year! Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Last week we visited the CLT Airport Overlook in Charlotte, North Carolina. While watching for Airplanes to take off or come in for a landing, Coleman noticed an Excavator and went over to the fence to take a closer look at it working in the construction area just a short distance from the playground area.
CAT 349F
The CAT 349F Excavator is built with a powerful, 49-ton hydraulic excavator known for heavy-duty digging and earthmoving tasks. Its features a CAT C13 ACERT engine with advanced hydraulic systems for efficiency and precision.
Coleman watching the CAT 349 Excavator at Work.
The CAT 349F has a spacious and ergonomic cab which is designed to be quiet and comfortable. It features air suspension seats and intuitive controls to reduce operator fatigue during long shifts.
Early Log House Catawba Indian Village Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, North Carolina
A Look Inside an Early Log House:
Sleeping Area Eating Area
Hand Woven Basket Fireplace Wooden Chair and TableHand Woven Baskets on Floor
Outside an Early Log House:
Coleman Looking Inside the Door Coleman thinking about Shutting the Door
Weakened by diseases. broken treaties , and the loss of tribal lands to European settlers, many Catawba people moved westward into the North Carolina Mountains where they were greatly influenced by their Cherokee neighbors, This cabin known as a Log House (ca. 1860) contains European-style fumiture, crockery, and other items that reflect the time period. It reflects the continued assimilation of the Catawba People into European settler culture and is similar to many 19th century homes found in non-native seftlements of the mountains and piedmont.
These photos of an Early Log House and its contents are examples of how the Catawba Indians lived and how European culture influenced their everyday existence.
North 321 Vol. Fire Dept. Coleman peeping in the Firetruck DoorColeman checking out the inside of Firetruck Equipment DoorA Four year old telling Coleman all about what is kept in this Equipment DoorColeman investigating the Firetruck Generator Door A Look at Coleman through a Firetruck DoorInside a Firetruck Door, Who do we see? Coleman Smiling Ear to Ear
Hummingbirds, Windmill, & Flowers Artistic Door near the picnic tables Flowers & a Butterfly Along the path towards the children’s gardens Who’s that in the Birdbath looking over the Flowers? Purple & Yellow Flowers with Butterfly 🦋 on Light Blue Door
Artistic Door Inside Daniel Stowe Botanical GardensArtwork Seen Along the Path in the Gardens And Down a Different Path one Finds Interesting Artwork within the Gardens
This Artistic Door is located inside Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens building This one is located along the Garden pathway.As we walk along we encounter even more artistic doors A lovely painting. Each Artistic Door is accompanied by a card listing the artist.
Coleman trying to open the door 🚪Now to try from the Other Side Why won’t it Open? I give up … Let’s go hiking 🥾.
These Artistic Doors 🚪 are all painted by local artisans. They are displayed in various locations throughout and around the Gardens at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont, North Carolina. For the next few weeks I’m going to post different Artistic Doors for Thursday Doors.
1 Artistic Door 1 Door to Closed Butterfly Garden Door to Wonder
These Artistic Doors 🚪 are displayed in various locations around the gardens at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. They are painted by local artists. Each door has a tag listing the artist who painted it.
Now on to the North Carolina Transportation Museum for more Truck Doors.
Military Land RoverAntique Ford Wrecker Truck 1930 Ford Model A1953 STUDEBAKER DUALLY STAKE TRUCKVintage Milk Truck Melville Dairy Foods 1954 Ford F150 Pickup Truck
Cross over the stairs to the Door2 Crosses on Green DoorDual crests on dual colored Door Via Dolorosa – the Way of the Cross. Station 6 | Jerusalem, Holy land israel, Dome of the rock
These photos were taken in the Holy Land, Jerusalem by a friend of mine. I enjoyed seeing the Holy Land through his eyes.
Photo Credit: Jim Elder
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
A Trio of Wreaths Hung in Front of Three Rockers Laid Anterior to Three Windows A Family enjoying a runA Trio of Stable DoorsHorses 🐎 X3 Running So Full of Energy
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 