Happy Birthday Da' Butch

Today my Grandfather, Hubert Baldwin Scrivener, would have been 98 years old. He has passed on to glory. And today I remembered a lot of great memories of my Da' Butch.

I can remember driving lessons at age 11, learning how to shoot marbles on the carpet in the den, learning the importance of a dollar, and photographing weddings together.

But some of the most memorable things I can remember with my Da' Butch were him sharing his passions with not only me, but with the whole family. Da' Butch had a passion for life and genuinely wanted to help people.

His passion for Mississippi State University was one that I haven't seen matched yet. I know that he would have loved watching them play this past baseball season. I can remember countless days of going to the games at MSU and he taking the time to make sure that if we needed to go to the restroom, or go to the concession stand he would miss the next at bat to do so.

I can remember coming to Maben, MS and spending weekends with my grandparents and getting to tinker in the shop or like we called it "Down Below" since it was down the hill from the house. Building birdhouses, or coin banks from old Post Office boxes, even building a windmill when I was 13. We weren't building houses but we were building memories.

Another memory I have is going on trips with he and my granny. Whether it was a Post Master's Convention, Lions club trip, or family reunion we always a great time. Loading up in that Lincoln towncar and heading out to our destination.

Actually 2 of my earliest memories are from traveling with my grandparents:
1) Traveling to Hawaii in 1982, I was 2 years old but I remember swimming in the ocean with my dad. Then he says "look there is Da' Butch and Granny." I look on the beach, and they are walking out on the patio area, dressed in a 3 piece suit there He was waving at me. I can still remember like it was yesterday, taking off as fast as I could and falling face first in the sand. I jump up, jump back in the water to wash off, and head back up the beachfront to the patio. I remember as soon as I got close, my Da' Butch knelt down and picked me up. A wet/sandy little boy didn't know that he was ruining his grandfather's suit, but Da' Butch didn't care.

2) Traveling to San Francisco, from Mississippi in the Lincoln. Six people, 1 car, cross-country trip. I can remember seeing the Grand Canyon on the way out, the Fisherman's Wharf , and being locked in solitary confinement while touring Alcatraz.

These were some great memories, but in the last few years of his life I can remember introducing my first 2 children to Da' Butch. My kids don't remember him, but they keep a picture of him in their rooms, from when they got to meet him.

I could write a book on my Da' Butch just from the stories that he would tell. We all loved him very much, and miss him. But I know that he wouldn't want us missing him, he would want us doing the best we could and enjoying the life that God had given us.

 

Me and Da' Butch at the windmill,  Spring 2008  15 years after construction

Rani with Da' Butch, Fall 2008

 

Me, Dad, Andrew, & Da' Butch, Christmas 2009

Vacation Bible School Part 1

When I was 9 years old I was attending Vacation Bible School in Chester, MS. This was from the large urging of my Mamaw, Catherine Jenkins. Mamaw was going make sure we were in VBS, and she is largely responsible for the man I am today. I'm not here to say that my mamaw was perfect, no one is. But she loved King Jesus, and she wanted her children & grandchildren to know Him.

I can't speak for my cousins, or my brother & sister, but I can only give testimony to the witness I saw lived out in front of me.

My mamaw was the "Snack Lady" at VBS. When I say she was the "Snack Lady" Chester Baptist Church had more than one gracious soul working in the kitchen each year on those hot, humid Mississippi June weeks for VBS. This was way before all the incredible themes, that have been thought up, had been added to the VBS curriculum. I can remember coming in, saying our pledges, and singing songs like America the Beautiful and Onward Christian Soldiers. I can remember the crafts just saying "VBS" or "CBC" for Chester Baptist Church.Looking back some of the simplest things that I can remember being apart of, but no matter how simple Jesus still used them to bring Himself glory. Even..... the "Snack Lady."

I know that my mamaw's job at VBS wasn't one that "taught the Bible classes" or "led opening assembly" but she was happy to serve, and showed Jesus to a lot of little kids, who were probably so absorbed in their own little world that they were too bust to say "thank you" for the cherry/grape kool aid, and the butter cookies (you know the ones you can put on your fingers.)

Just giving out those 4-5 cookies, and an 8oz cup of kool aid was being the hands and feet of Jesus. It's servants like my mamaw that remind me that being "The Church" is a huge part in glorifying Jesus. This example that she lived out in front of me is a major part of why I have missed only 2 Summers of VBS since 1990. On Wednesday of that week of 1990, I was listening to my Pastor, Bro. Rob Faulk, proclaim the Gospel through Matthew 7. Preaching about how narrow is the way to a life with Christ, and how the broad path is like a "6 lane highway", "It looks nice but leads to death." I talked with Bro. Rob later that day, and knew that if I died that day, that I would be separated from God for eternity. I can remember praying to Jesus, and receiving Him as my Savior that Wednesday morning. The greatest thing next to knowing that I has Christ as my Savior was the hug I got from my mamaw. She had been working in the kitchen all morning, and didn't see me raise my hand during the morning prayer. But that didn't mean she wasn't apart of the work Christ was doing at Chester Baptist Church, or in my life that morning.

Why is VBS so important to me? Because I have seen the power of Christ radically change my life & the lives of others during VBS. Not only children, but teenagers and adults as well. It is my prayer that everyone that serves in VBS will be a witness to each person that comes through the doors of the church. Whether its Chester Baptist Church, or your church around the corner.

"The Road to Omaha"

 

 

My entire life I have been a Mississippi State fan. No matter what sport, whether we were predicted to win the conference, or to lose every game. I, like many others, have been there. But one thing at MSU that has been woven into the very DNA of me and my family is, Baseball. God knew what He was doing when he placed me in this world. He has given me great opportunities to witness many unforgettable things, and to be a part of "The Road to Omaha."

I can remember the 1985 season, sitting in the wooden grandstand, eating roasted peanuts watching Clark, Palmerio, Thigpen, and Brantley anchor a team that everyone thought would go to the end of the road at Omaha. But as everything worked out, they came home short of even playing in the championship game.

 

My parents made sure we were at the games, and my grandfather made sure that we had a seat to sit in and peanuts to eat. I know that there are MSU fans out there that are older, and have been through even more disappointments, and victories than I have. But my grandfather Hubert Scrivener "Butch" to those who knew him, loved Mississippi State University and would have already booked the rooms for Monday if he were still alive.

Butch is the reason that Maroon & White is a staple in my household, along with my parents, brother, and sister's lives as well. I thought everyone had a maroon blazer to wear, and a maroon car to drive, fortunately I inherited one of each.

I can't help but believe there are many other stories similar to mine out there, and that is just one step on "The Road to Omaha." I now live in North Carolina, and continually "go to bat" for MSU, and the SEC in general when interacting with many sports fans here. So my attendance at home games is somewhat scarce,but I know that my family is faithful to Section F, Row 6 of Polk-Dement Stadium.

I can remember my dad getting us out of school early, to catch mid-week games. Following the team to Hawaii in 1989 (watching Pete Young, Burke Masters, Tommy Raffo, & many more race motor scooters in the hotel parking lot), and then on to Omaha in 1990. Being a part of the 5 Million fans, helping break attendance records, driving to Hoover, attending baseball camps, & watching Masters crush that famous Grand Slam, are all a part of "The Road to Omaha."  Bearing the blistering, cold spring games and catching games when traveling home from Seminary in more recent years might be routine to some but it's memories to me. It's a bond that the true STATE fan can understand. It's just one more step on "The Road to Omaha.

I thought every coach should be coaching from 3rd, and get in an umpire's face almost every game. Even encouraging the ump to throw him out so his team could get a fire lit under them. Ron Polk, you are still The MAN! (and strangely aware of the weather at all times.) He's part of the foundation of "The Road to Omaha" for Mississippi State & Coach John Cohen.

 

 

           Coach Polk with Jeffery Rea                               Coach Polk getting his point across

 

                                                Coach Cohen following in good footsteps

I got to hear my parents and sister talk about the experience of being a foster family for the out-of-state players, when there was a foster program. Having players like Brad Corley, Brad Jones, Jeffery Rea, and Ed Easley come and share a meal with you. Also during this time, getting to hear my sister brag about her and my mom trekking to Omaha in 2007 to cheer on her friend Mitch Moreland and my dad getting to umpire inner squad games. It's all about the legacy that is Mississippi State Baseball. 

         

                
                      My Sister with: Jeffery Rea, Coach Polk, & Mitch Moreland, 2007 CWS

Then over the past few weeks getting to experience "The Dudes" journeying back on that long, hard road to Omaha. With nail-biting games, manly facial hair, and an electricity that has had not only Starkville juiced up, but the entire State of Mississippi. Thanks to modern technology (ESPN Watch, & an Iphone) even a family wedding couldn't keep last Saturday's game out of reach. It's ok my brother-in-law appreciated all the updates I could give him. It was only fitting that the happy couple was exiting as Hunter Renfroe sealed Oregon State's fate with the final out. Just one step further toward Omaha.

 

                       A shot from my sister's seats during the MSU vs. Indiana game, 2013 CWS

And now as Monday getting closer, and as  my college roommate texts me to tell me he's headed out to Omaha on Sunday the end of the road is drawing near. So whether we are ringing our cowbells in Rosenblatt (J/K) or in North Carolina, we have all been apart of that road and it's been incredible to watch. (and hear my sister brag, again, about traveling to Omaha personally this year.)

 

But as great as this has been to watch I was thrilled to see a post from Matt Jolley this past week, where God has been radically changing lives amongst the Diamond Dogs. Check it out if you haven't Diamond Dogs Discipleship. It reminds me that, no matter how many games I go to, how many pitches Johnathan Holder throws, or Wes Rea sends over the fences. God has given these boys a great opportunity that we have be privileged to witness & it's for His glory that they play and the most important thing that they could ever do is to come into a relationship with Him.

So if you've been there for every step down "The Road to Omaha" you can understand the familiarity with some of the things I've mentioned. But as Matt wrote in his article the most important thing that we can do on this "Road to Omaha" is: Please pray for God's Word to continue to grow in the hearts of everyone involved on this team and for His will to be done in their lives, on and off the field!

As much as I'm going to teach my children "Go Dawgs" "Maroon.....White" and my desire for them to be a part of  "The Road to Omaha" I want them to know Christ, and grow in His likeness.

Future Bulldog