Good morning to everyone. It’s a cloudy, rainy, windy morning, but it is still a good morning since it is the beginning of another day that the Lord has given us to use for His glory. No matter what comes our way, there is always something we can do to lift His Holy name. I knew of a woman once that was in the hospital and in a comatose condition. Our pastor was taking his turn walking the halls of a Kansas City hospital and ministering to the patients there. He personally witnessed what I heard this woman say while speaking at our church in Liberty, Mo. She testified that she had become a Christian after a life of sin. She desired more than anything to tell everyone she came in contact with how the Lord had come into her heart and life, made her clean and new again and gave her Eternal Life. She was devastated that because of her condition she could not wake up, let alone be able to witness this fact to anyone. However, she could hear everything that was going on around her. She said that she finally thought to herself, “Perhaps, if I can just get my lips to show a smile on my face, people will know that I have placed myself in the arms of Jesus and accept His will for my life. If they can understand the peace that I feel, maybe they will want Jesus in their life too.” Our pastor told us that he witnessed that smile and the great effect that it had on the lives of those that came to visit her in the hospital. They all knew the story of her life and realized that only her new found faith in what Jesus had done for her on the Cross could have changed her life and set her free from the strangle hold that sin had had on her life. This woman testified that there was nothing that she hadn’t tried while searching for a lasting happiness and peace in her life until she finally found it in Jesus. He gives the peace that passes all understanding. If He’s knocking on your heart’s door, let him in. He didn’t fail Johnny, this woman’s name, and he won’t fail you.
Sunday was full of sunshine that filled our hearts with hope for spring to arrive as we worshiped the Lord together. Brother Jerry gave the morning welcome and Brother Gary led the morning hymns. Celebrating a wedding anniversary was Les and Eloise Hallmark. Brother Jerry Maggard provided special music.
For his main sermon text, Brother Les read from I John 4. The main thought brought out from this Scripture was found in verse 4.
My husband and I had a surprise phone call from our young friend, Kelly Nelson. She said that she was doing fine. She was attending a vocational college and studying medical inscription, if I remember correctly. She is attending a church that she enjoys worshiping at. It’s always good to hear from her. We love her and pray for her happiness in the Lord.
I had another nice surprise this week. My Christmas cactus finally bloomed. Now that may seem silly to you, but I have been waiting and watching for that cactus to bloom for years. So far it only has one bloom on it, but it was a double bloom with a beautiful pink color. I was told that they only bloom about two blooms at a time. I am anxiously watching for that next bloom.
My husband and I visited with Maxine Lirley last week. She had a little elapse of the flu that she had been fighting off for the past few weeks. My husband visited with her again on Saturday and she was doing much better. She stays so busy helping others that are around her that she doesn’t have much time to be sick. Right Maxine? She also had other guests visit her. Jeane Huff spent some time with her last week. Ralph and Barbadeen Laughlin also visited her.
While we were visiting Maxine at the Healthcare Center, we saw Willene Adams sitting at the dining room table with her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Angie Adams. We didn’t get to visit with, but we all did a lot of waving to each other.
We were sorry to hear of the passing of a wonderful woman, Dorthy Siler. She and her husband served many years teaching at Ava High School, but more than that, they served as Youth for Christ Counselors after school hours during that time. This was a great strength to many young students including our own children. They were always eager and prepared to teach and encourage them in their young, Christians lives.
That’s all the news I have for now. Take care.
