Crape Myrtle Chapter # 163 Order of the Eastern Star State of Georgia

03/31/2026

With a full heart, I am so excited to pass the baton here at Crepe Myrtle Chapter No. 163 as I welcome Joanne as our Worthy Matron and Glenn as our Worthy Patron. 💙🌸

This is such a special moment for so many reasons. Glenn’s journey means so much, especially knowing how important Eastern Star was to his wife, Kathy. I truly believe she is smiling down from heaven, proud of how far he has come. In many ways, this is also a beautiful way for us to continue honoring her memory. It is so important that we continue to love, support, and uplift our widows and widowers, and this moment is a reminder of just how meaningful that can be.

And sweet Joanne—this role is deeply special for her as well. Her mother was Worthy Matron while pregnant with Joanne, so this is something that has been part of her story for a very long time. It is a position she has always wanted, even while feeling a little nervous about stepping into it. But she has already done such an excellent job, and I am so very proud of her. The installation decorations were absolutely beautiful, the food was delicious, and everything reflected the love and care she has already poured into this year.

I have always loved seeing Joanne’s beautiful smile, especially when I was Conductress and she was Associate Conductress. It has been such a joy to watch her grow, and I truly cannot wait to see what this year has in store for her and Glenn.

I wish them both a wonderful, blessed, and memorable year. I have already told Joanne that I hope her year is every bit as special to her as mine was to me. Please join me in congratulating them and showing them lots of love and support. ❤️✨

01/29/2026

I am incredibly honored and grateful to have been elected Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of British Columbia & Yukon 💙✨

I am beyond excited for what’s ahead—connecting with my counterparts, officially joining the club, traveling, learning, serving, and meeting so many amazing people along the way. Most of all, I am so proud to represent Georgia in this role. 🍑💫

This opportunity means so much to me, and I honestly can’t contain my excitement. I’m ready to jump in, do all the things, and make the most of every moment. Let the journey begin! 🌍🤍

So thankful, so humbled, and so excited for what’s to come! 💖✨

01/18/2026

10/08/2025

Subject: 🌟 Upcoming Eastern Star Events – January Official & School of Instruction

Good evening Sisters and Brothers, 💜

I received an update from Sister Shannon Mason and wanted to share the latest details with everyone:

For the January Official Visit, Crape Myrtle Chapter (Albany) will be responsible for the Opening, and Blakely Chapter will handle the Closing. 🌸

Valdosta Chapter will conduct the Introductions.

They are still finalizing the parts for the upcoming School of Instruction in December and will need three officers from Albany. Sister Shannon will confirm which ones once that’s finalized.

In the meantime, she has asked if any of our members would like to practice a part during the School of Instruction — if you’re interested, please let me know so we can share your name with her. ✨

Fraternally yours,
Malinda Barron
Crape Myrtle Chapter 💫
Order of the Eastern Star

07/08/2025

💫 Sisters and Brothers,

As many of you know, one of my honor stations is Esther 👑—and recently, I felt called to dig a little deeper into her story. If you’ve ever read the Book of Esther, it’s short but incredibly powerful. What you may not know is that in the King James Version (KJV), parts of Esther’s story were left out. 📖

These portions are part of what’s known as the Apocrypha—a collection of ancient texts included in early versions of the Bible, such as the Septuagint, but later excluded from many Protestant versions due to debates over authorship and doctrine.

✨ Two powerful passages that were left out are the Prayers of Mordecai and Esther—and I humbly ask that you read them. These prayers are raw, vulnerable, and full of faith. They remind us that God hears the cries of the humble—and He answers. 🙏💜

📜 Mordecai’s Prayer (Esther 13:8–12)

> "O Lord, Lord, the King Almighty, for the whole world is in thy power, and if thou hast appointed to save Israel, there is no man that can gainsay thee:
For thou hast made heaven and earth, and all the wondrous things under the heaven.
Thou art Lord of all things, and there is no man that can resist thee, which art the Lord.
Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest, Lord, that it was neither in contempt, nor pride, nor for any desire of glory, that I did not bow down to proud Haman.
For I could have been content with good will for the salvation of Israel to kiss the soles of his feet."

📜 Esther’s Prayer (Esther 14:3–19)

> "O my Lord, thou only art our King: help me desolate woman, which have no helper but thee:
For my danger is in mine hand.
From my youth up I have heard in the tribe of my family, that thou, O Lord, tookest Israel from among all people, and our fathers from all their predecessors, for a perpetual inheritance, and thou hast performed whatsoever thou didst promise them.
And now we have sinned before thee: therefore hast thou given us into the hands of our enemies,
Because we worshipped their gods: O Lord, thou art righteous.
Nevertheless it satisfieth them not, that we are in bitter captivity: but they have stricken hands with their idols,
That they will abolish the thing that thou with thy mouth hast ordained, and destroy thine inheritance, and stop the mouth of them that praise thee, and quench the glory of thy house, and of thine altar,
And open the mouths of the heathen to set forth the praises of the idols, and to magnify a fleshly king for ever.
O Lord, give not thy scepter unto them that be nothing, and let them not laugh at our fall: but turn their device upon themselves, and make him an example, that hath begun this against us.
Remember, O Lord, make thyself known in time of our affliction, and give me boldness, O King of the nations, and Lord of all power.
Give me eloquent speech in my mouth before the lion: turn his heart to hate him that fighteth against us, that there may be an end of him, and of all that are like-minded to him:
But deliver us with thine hand, and help me that am desolate, and which have no other help but thee.
Thou knowest all things, O Lord; thou knowest that I hate the glory of the unrighteous, and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised, and of all the heathen.
Thou knowest my necessity: for I abhor the sign of my high estate, which is upon mine head in the days wherein I shew myself, and that I abhor it as a menstruous rag, and that I wear it not when I am private by myself.
And that thine handmaid hath not eaten at Haman’s table, and that I have not greatly esteemed the king’s feast, nor drunk the wine of the drink offerings.
Neither had thine handmaid any joy since the day that I was brought hither to this present, but in thee, O Lord God of Abraham.
O thou mighty God above all, hear the voice of the forlorn, and deliver us out of the hands of the mischievous, and deliver me out of my fear."

🌟 These prayers show the deep faith behind Esther's bold actions. They may have been left out of some versions of the Bible, but their message remains timeless: God hears. God answers. I hope they inspire you as much as they inspired me.

With love and light,
Malinda Barron

05/15/2025

Rob Morris himself came by 🤭. We had too much fun!! Thank you again! Amazing job! Loving my Eastern star family!