with Vickie Ellis
Hello everyone!
The sun was gorgeous on Saturday. The temperature was 51 as I wrote this. Sunday was supposed to be 64 and sunny. Boy, this could sure spoil us. There was rain Monday, and we were supposed to have rain off and on through Thursday. Friday, Valentine’s Day, is supposed to be pretty.
I saw three crabapple trees with pretty pink buds on them. I hope the light snow we got did not kill the buds. I am not experienced in horticulture, but in my mind, we are getting all this rain to prepare the trees and plants for an early spring. These colder months seem to be going by pretty fast. I sure hope we can truly enjoy a spring this year. Last year, it jumped from winter to a small spring and then summer. Whatever we get, God has his reasons, and we will be thankful for all.
We attended a Valentine’s dinner at Sanford Hill Baptist Church Friday, Feb. 7. Those who attended paid for a meal and entertainment. We enjoyed a choice of marinated, grilled chicken breast or pork tenderloin, cheesy hash brown casserole, green beans and rolls along with tea, water, coffee and a choice of several desserts.
There was a great crowd. Everything went orderly and friendly. After the meal, those who wanted to play The New Newlywed Game put their names in a box to be drawn from. It was fun to hear the couples answer questions. Some were right and some were funny wrong. There were prizes during the game, and the winners were Jamie and Kathy Vest. Congratulations to all who played and thanks to the church for offering this event. We truly enjoyed it.
Oh my, who would know? Valentine’s Day will be here Friday, Feb. 14. Schools will be out for parent- teacher conferences. Now, who knows the real history on Valentine’s Day? I am shocked.
Ancient sources reveal that there were several St. Valentine’s who died on Feb. 14. Two of them were executed during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius Gothicus in 269-270 A.D. at a time when persecution of Christians was common. How do we know this? Because an order of Belgian monks spent three centuries collecting evidence for the lives of saints from manuscript archives around the known world. However it started, it is a day now known for love. I wish you all a happy Valentine’s Day. Some have lost loved ones; others are single, so it is not always a day to celebrate for everyone, but hopefully, we can love ourselves and be thankful for another day. It has taken me many years to achieve this. As I age, I become more accepting of things I can not change and try to appreciate things that make me unique. We all have it.
Happy birthday to Judy Stanfill and DeWitt Swayne, Feb. 12; Megan Cooper, Feb. 14; and Donna Bishop, Feb. 15.
Happy anniversary to Doris and Owen McKinney, Feb. 13.
Please continue to remember these in prayer Lynn Allen, Denise Armstrong, Jerry Bain, Lois Bain, Bill Barrett, Sheila Berry, Marie Bishop, Charlie Brewer, David Brewer, Maverick Butler, Leon Carroll, Diane Cross, Ann Hinson, Danny Jones, Lee Nell King, Judy Love, Nancy McCaskill, Nancy Morris, LaVelle Page, MaryAnn Priddy, Pam Priddy, Dalton Seratt, Mike Tignor, Jo Willis, Adam Wise and Bill Wood.
Also, please pray for our military, law enforcement, our country and its leaders and our first responders. There are many sick and hurting. Please say a prayer for those. Even if you don’t know their name, God does.
“His Answer” by Diane Ranker Riesen – “Frustration comes to all of us when prayers seem so unheard/yet, deep inside, I know that God is hearing every word/I question if I’ve prayed enough; and if my heart was true/when suddenly God softly whispers…”I already knew.”/God knows our needs before we do – He rules the universe/He doesn’t need to hear the things that I need from Him ‘first’/And then I question ‘why I pray,’ since God already knows/It’s then God takes some special time to whisper in my soul/”My Child, your prayers were never meant to tell Me all your needs/My Spirit lingers everywhere and always intercedes/but that sweet time you spend with Me…in simple, tender prayer/Brings so much love and joy to Me, by feeling you right there/Don’t worry if you pray enough, or if they’re weak or strong/as long as you are searching Me…no prayer is ever wrong/My answers may not always seem to be the things you planned/but keep your faith – your questions will be answered in the end.’”
I pray you all have a wonderful week, and may it be filled with love, joy, peace and blessings. Remember: if you have news, please call me at 983-0718 or email mimmiepots@gmail.com. I would truly appreciate any news. People from here and those who have moved from our area are hungry for news from home.
Until next week, Happy Trails to You.
