I’m praying for rain; how about you? It rained at our house about three a.m. one morning last week, but it didn’t amount to much. There was no mud puddle to be found anywhere around our house or in the road. Our family traveled to Colorado last week to attend a family reunion. The weather there was also lacking in rainfall. However, we were told that a tornado was expected there the day we left for home. We stayed overnight in Wichita, Kansas before traveling the rest of the way home on Monday. They have had a long spell of hot, dry weather too, but they got a good rain late Sunday evening after we arrived. My niece called and said that they had received another good rain since then. They were elated.
Traveling with Gary and me on our family reunion trip to Colorado was Gary’s Mother, MaxineLirley, and his two sisters, Judy Smith and Jeane Huff. We had a great time traveling and visiting with relatives. Of course, we had to stop at our favorite A & W Root Beer restaurant in Iola, Kansas for lunch. They serve Root Beer the old fashioned way; in a tall frosted mug.
Tuesday, after we arrived home from our trip, Gary checked into the St. Johns Hospital for shoulder surgery. He came through the surgery fine. The rotator cuff that is attached to the shoulder bone had torn loose, along with two major muscles. Dr. Nachtigal was able to reattach them through an Arthroscopic type surgery. That will shorten his recovery time. Gary has had this done on his other shoulder so he knows the recovery routine well. He is doing great so far. Many friends and family have let us know that they are praying for him. We sincerely thank them. While I was sitting in the surgery, waiting room, Ralph and Barbadeen Laughlin walked in to wait with me and be with Gary when he came out of recovery. We so much appreciated their loving thoughtfulness.
Jeane Huff stopped in at our house everyday after Gary’s surgery to look in on her brother and see how he was doing. Our pastor, Les Hallmark, also visited and had prayer with us. Saturday, Mac Mitchell drove up at our house and spent time visiting with Gary and me. He wanted to make sure his old friend was doing O.K. Visiting in our home Sunday evening was Maxine Lirley, Willene Adams, and Jerry and Jeane Huff. Of course, our children called on the phone to see how their dad was doing, and to find out if we needed any help. We also got two phone calls from Gary’s sister, Judy Smith, to get an update on her brother’s health. Pam Shell, our neighbor, has kept in constant contact with us to check on Gary and see if she can help in any way. She gave us some fresh vegetables from her garden. We appreciate her efforts very much.
When one that has a leading part of the weekly church service is absent someone had to fill in the vacant spot. Taking Jeane Huff’s place at the piano last Sunday was Margi Gates. Everyone said that she did a wonderful job playing hymns for both services. We appreciate her offering her talent for the Lord’s service. Also, I want to thank Miranda Hallmark for taking my place and presenting the flannel graph story to my beginner class. She is very good with children and is going to make a wonderful Sunday school teacher someday soon. She and her sister, Elise, have helped me many times in the beginner class. That was great training for them and a great help to me. I love them both very much.
This Sunday was Father’s Day. We had several fathers in attendance. Brother Jerry Huff led the morning hymns and greeted the congregation. Brother Jake Hampton led the worship service hymns. After the morning sermon, Alice Lirley presented gifts to all fathers present. Special gifts went to Jerry Huff as the oldest father and to Bill Hill as the youngest father. Along with a gift, each father received many kisses. Of course, they were candy kisses. We just wanted them to know how much they were loved and appreciated.
Celebrating a wedding anniversary this week is Adam and Niki Moreland.
Sunday evening Brother Les preached from Genesis 17 and 22, the sermon title being, “God Will Provide.” At the end of the service, we had a circle prayer for Gary Lirley, Bill Holland, and Robert Adams.
The community revival is still going on. This Wednesday, June 22 and 23, the Goodhope General Baptist will host the revival. Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, the revival will be held at the Goodhope Nazarene Church. The music service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend these wonderful, Spirit filled services.
Take care. I read this on a church sign as we were traveling back home Monday, and it impressed me as very true. “Only a risen Savior
