From the desk of Jamey Herd: It feels like winter has arrived. It was really cool this morning with a mist. We had to light the furnace and run it to knock the chill off the house. I don’t care for these sudden changes.
Pleasant Ridge had a spirit filled service Sunday morning. Brother Carl brought the morning message. Laveta Ray had 6 young ones for children’s church. They sang before going back to class. It blesses your heart to watch them. Also Wanda Dugan blessed us with a song. Michella Campbell celebrated a birthday this past week.
The church went to Marshfield to the Hampton Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch on Saturday. There were twenty-nine children and adults that made the trip. They enjoyed a hayride and cookout while there. They report they had a wonderful time.
We drove to Carl Junction for the Blue Grass Festival on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and filled with great music. Our granddaughter, Joellen Doyle, and son-in-law, Chuck Doyle, also performed several songs. We heard a lot of great bands.
On the way Saturday, we saw three hot air balloons in the air. Then Sunday, from home, we saw a Blimp on the northwest horizon traveling north.
Friday, Connie Porter and I went to the Piecemakers Quilt Show in Springfield. There were so many beautiful quilts there. We met two ladies from Dora and had lunch together. It was a fun day.
Mumblings from Carol Boeddeker-Genet: I wrote a letter of curiosity to the editor of the Herald two weeks ago and last week was more or less lambasted in the Herald by a disgruntled reader. To clarify my position, I wish to say that I live in this area by choice. After hubby, Willie Boeddeker, passed away in 1990 I had every opportunity to move to California with a high paying job as a court typist. However, I didn’t want to leave here (and the cows needed milking!) Then when second hubby, Duke Genet, passed away in 2002, again an opportunity to move to California was offered. Even though I have a Seymour address I live in Douglas County and Ava is my town by choice. There are many lovely homes, lovely areas in Ava. My curiosity was just to know how many empty houses there are in Ava, some of them appearing derelict, and those houses depress the value of homes around them. This happens outside the city as well. Sorry if I offended anyone.
What a wonderful weather change we are enjoying. More mowing beckons me outdoors. The dogs are satisfied to stay on the deck rather than seeking shade underneath the deck.
Saturday there were about 20 people at Randy Boeddeker’s farm for clay shooting. From my house it sounded much like 4th of July partying. They called ahead to let me know their plans. Even so, a couple of the dogs were scratching at the door wanting in.
As mentioned previously, granddaughter, Regina, has moved to Dogwood. Her husband, Dan, is still in California awaiting deployment to Afghanistan. Friday or Saturday Dan was driving in the Port Hueneme area of California, going a legal 45 mph, entering an intersection with a green light, when another vehicle pulled in front of him although it had a red light. Dan’s vehicle is totaled and he is bruised and sore. The occupants in the other vehicle had to be cut out of it and sent to the hospital – no vehicle registration – no insurance – they could not speak English. When Duke Genet was in California shortly before he passed away, a vehicle deliberately cut in front of him and hit the brakes (a typical event in California for illegal insurance claims). None of the occupants of that car could speak English. Our insurance had to pay for the damage to Duke’s rental car and the other car. Something is very, very wrong in this nation!!!
The Gospel at St. Leo’s Church on Sunday centered on Luke 16:24 – “Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue…” The homily was about helping others, regardless our circumstances. We need to be aware that somewhere there is someone whose needs we are not noticing, who need our assistance. A person need not be lying in the streets to be in need.
Susan Sinclair writes that with this cooler weather coming in, it has some folks talking about breaking out their thermal undergarments, if they have not done it already. This cold weather will also send unwanted houseguests inside, i.e. field mice, who are perfectly cute with their little beady eyes, as long as they are outside where they are supposed to be, but bring a mouse in my house and it is warfare, plain and simple. I have a motto that works for me, though there are many ways to resolve the problem, and that is I never let a mouse go away hungry. Each person does what works for them 
The ladies fellowship had a benefit bake sale for the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks, and appreciate the providers and purchasers, we have a donation just shy of $100. Thanks to everyone.
The new church building is progressing nicely, the steel beams are being primed, and there is discussion of starting the wood framing inside. God has blessed us with this new building as well as so many other things. Speaking of blessings, as I think back to who I was before truly knowing Jesus as my savior, and think of the wonderful change He has brought to my life, I cannot help but want other people to know Him, too. That is what the gospel does, it changes lives for the better; it draws us closer to God through Jesus Christ who loves us.
Until next time, God bless you and your loved ones.
