Shirley Lowery

Hello  to all my Spiritual Brothers and Sisters, it's been awhile since I was on here, I have so much to tell you! I attended all three days of my 2019 " LOVE NEVER FAILS" REGIONAL CONVENTION on July 19-21, also on August 25th, Sunday, at Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas! We have 35 new spiritual brothers and sisters, including The Swahili Group! One young black brother from my former congregation was baptized! One young black Swahili Sister had to be baptized three times! Her hair piece was keeping her from being completely submerged under water, even the last time to baptize her, the Brother had to hold her hairpiece! No one laughed at her horrible experience,  but they turned off the monitor. I wish I could have met her in person, the expression on her face was priceless, she had the look of happiness,of becoming one of Jehovah's Witnesses! We had over 3,000 everyday, and on Sunday, we had over 4,000, which also included the Swahili Group! This was the first time for the Swahili Group to attend our Convention!  They didn't announce the exact count on Sunday, so I went directly to the Brothers, and I asked several Brothers, why didn't they announce how many were baptized on Sunday! One of the Brothers who helped baptize everyone, told me that they miscounted, and thought they were 39 that were baptized, but they counted them again, and 35 was the actual count including The Swahili Group!   We also tied into the Toronto, Canada International Convention! A very sweet sister from my Congregation who is an anesthesiologist gave me a prescription for my handicapped placard! So I had to use it all three days, and that Sunday too! I love it so much, it's a blessing from Jehovah, now I can legally  park in handicapped spaces at the stores! This year I had to use my roller walker, We were able to go in first at 8:00 a. m. if you had a walker, or in a wheelchair! I just love that provision from Jehovah!   I sat in the Elderly and Infirmed Section, all three days of my Convention! But On August 25th, I had to sit in another section, but the Brothers were so loving and helpful to me!  My right hip is getting worse, and soon I 'll need to get a right hip replacement, after my car is paid off, which will be soon! On July 29, 2019, it's been 47 years since I was baptized! I just retired from working, and now at 62 years of age, I'm getting my early retirement benefits now, since June 12, 2019! Everyday,  I took a photo in front of each day's theme for that day! On Sunday,  I was going to take a photo after the program was over, but they turned off the Monitor! So, on August 25, 2019, I attended that Sunday, and so happy I did! I was able to take my photo in front of Sunday's theme! Also, I  saw my niece, and my great-niece, whom I haven't seen in three years, since her great-grandfather's Memorial Service on December 10, 2016! After I ate my lunch, I went to see my Spiritual  Sister's from my former Congregation! I was so happy to see them, and especially happy to see the Elderly Spiritual Sister who pioneered with my Mother in the 1940's! She and her husband are in their 90's and still faithfully serving Jehovah! We tied into the Phoenix International Convention, and we listened to Br. Samuel Herd, who I met in person and took a photo with, in 2006! I've been attending University Hills Congregation in Irving, Texas,  now for one year! August 2018, I started attending there!  My name was added to the Congregation Field Service Groups, 4 months later! I love everyone there, and they love me, especially  the young children, I usually give them candy or gummy bears, in return for a hug! They always see me at every meeting, out in Field Service, every Saturday, and I even comment at the meetings! I  gave my first talk there in  January of 2019! Everyone complimented me on my talk, and when I make comments! I always give my best to Jehovah!   Two of the young black sisters, who are real sisters, are getting baptized at our Circuit Assembly on October 5, 2109!   I filed for my disability benefits again! I'm leaving everything up to Jehovah, if it is according to his will!  I'm still living with my niece, until my disability benefits are approved, or if my housing comes through! I even received a $3 raise on my Food Stamps!  Yes, I'm not ashamed to admit, I'm getting welfare assistance from the government! I think Jehovah would approve! We pay taxes, so we are entitled to Government Assistance, only if we need it! Some of our Spiritual Brothers, and Spiritual Sisters, have not attended their Conventions, yet, so I can't reveal anything else about our Convention, just wait and see! You'll love every minute your there! My prayers are with everyone who has been affected by the recent Tropical Storm, Imelda in Houston, Texas! May Jehovah watch over them and their families! I love all my Spiritual Family!! I forgot to tell you that my youngest daughter, just received her Associates Degree in the mail yesterday! As her Mother, I'm so proud of her!  I'm getting ready to upload my 2019 " LOVE NEVER Fails" Regional  Convention photos now!! Agape Love, Shirley