Greetings I hope everyone got out and enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend. Our family attended the Wilder Days in Mansfield, MO. on Saturday. We took in all there was to see at the famous, “Rocky Ridge Farmhouse,” where Laura Ingalls Wilder, her husband, Almonzo, and their daughter, Rose, lived. We also toured the rock home that Rose built especially for her parents. It was beautiful. Our grandchildren were thrilled to get to hear Pa’s fiddle played. A talented young man named, David Scrivner, played a medley of songs on Pa’s fiddle that Laura had written about. He also read excerpts from her books that described each time he played a certain song. Our own Alvie Dooms accompanied him on the guitar. The “Ozark Mountain Players” also presented selected vignettes from, “Laura’s Memories.” They were all so adorable and very talented. There were also other great music groups to listen to while we were on the grounds and many other activities to enjoy. The whole day was a delightful experience.
Visiting in the home of Gary and Alice Lirley was their son, Les Lirley, and his family. They traveled from Oklahoma to surprise Gary on his birthday. They slipped in on him while he and Alice were at the Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center visiting his mother, Maxine. She wasn’t expecting to see them either. Alice was the only one that knew about the surprise. Jeane Huff just happened to drop by to see her mom and was equally surprised to see them.
Les Lirley, his children, Ryker, Ryan and Hannah along with his mother, Alice Lirley, enjoyed spending time at the, “Stillings Molasses Making Day” activities. They had a great time learning all about molasses making and visiting with friends they had not seen in years. They had a wonderful display of old tractors there, one of which used to belong to Gary in past years. Les remembered it well.
Bill Holland is home recuperating nicely from having stints placed in two main arteries of his heart. I think Pam said that they were about seventy-five percent blocked. Isn’t it wonderful what modern medicine is capable of? I’m so glad that God saw to it that someone had the natural talent to be doctors and nurses. It’s one of His way of healing. Take care and “Get Well Soon,” Bill. We are praying for a quick and successful healing.
In the absence of our song leader, Jake Hampton Gary Lirley began the Sunday services by leading the congregation in hymns. Everyone was given a warm, friendly greeting by our Sunday school superintendent, Jerry Huff. A birthday offering was given by Gary Lirley. Special music was presented by Les and Eloise Hallmark. It was good to see Maxine Lirley and Wilene Adams able to be with us at church this Sunday.
Bro. Les entitled the morning sermon, “Who Jesus Is.” He chose his main text from Hebrews 7:28, which identify Jesus as the one, the only, and the forever, High Priest.
This scripture reads, “For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.”
Verse 27 of this chapter describes this highest, appointed office as one, “who does not need daily, as those high priest, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offer up Himself.” There is no mediator between us and our Father God, but our High Priest, Jesus. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
I witnessed an oddity early last week. When I opened the back door to feed the cats some cat food, I was surprised to see a large terrapin turtle trying to get into the cat food pan for a bite to eat. The cats just looked at the terrapin as if to say, “What do you think you are doing here?” Anyway, the terrapin could not stretch its neck out far enough to reach into the pan and get some food. I decided to put some of the cat food on the ground in front of the terrapin just to see if it would really eat the cat food. It just simply began to pick up the pieces of food with its mouth and chow down on it. Pretty soon it decided it had eaten enough and took off as fast as it could go across our back yard. I do believe it could be the winner in any terrapin race. We used to have terrapin races at the end of every Vacation Bible School at Red Bank. The kids loved it. I’m not sure the parents did though because they had to make sure to find a terrapin crawling across the road or in their yards that week so their child could have one for the race. The problem was in keeping the terrapin from escaping before the race day.
I’ve enjoyed visiting with you again this week. Food for thought, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold,” Proverbs 22:1.
