Barbara Walton
December 16, 2019
The festivities are getting in full swing; the Christmas trees are in the same place as last year beautifully decorated the shopping is finished for some and the same ones that were last-minute shoppers in years past are still hurrying around trying to get all the things on the wish list for family purchased and wrapped, while some are going to purchase a small gift and wait for the after-Christmas sale to get more for their money. My family gets money and then we spend a great day shopping together, eating out, and comparing who got the best bargains. Whichever group we fall into, it is a wonder time of the year filled with family and friends enjoying the season and remembering the Christ child, Jesus, and the gift that he gave to us so that we might have salvation and be assured of an eternal life with Him in Heaven.
Two of our very good friends went to their eternal home this week__ Marie Rockett from the Spearsville community and Junior Ramsey from Laran area. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families as they go through this dark valley of death. It is not easy anytime but holidays are especially hard when their place in the family circle is vacant.
God can and does heal our hearts and we ask Him for an extra portion of His love and comfort during this holiday season.
Each year The special niece Sarah, and her husband Clyde Petterson, of Helen Sims, send a beautiful floral arrangement of poinsettias for our altar table at Spearsville Baptist Church; each year they seem to get prettier which I never thought possible. This display of poinsettias covers most of the altar table and is absolutely beautiful. Our thanks go out to Sarah for remembering Mrs. Sims ( her Aunt Helen) in this very special way.
Please remember Hez and Sunny Elkins as begin their treatments; this is so scary and the treatment can be very difficult. May God continue to give them a positive outlook and may their treatment be successful. They are dear Christian friends and they are in our daily prayers.
We are so proud of Mayor Karen Sue Black and her councilmen for their many efforts to improve our little village. The “Christmas in the Park” and the beautiful Christmas lights was a great start in pulling our folks in the various communities, Now she wants to get rid of all those abandoned buildings that we notice and everyone that comes to Hollis’s each weekend to eat. We’re praying that God, who loves beauty, will hear our prayers and provide someone or lots of some-ones to help us get all this cleared away. These dilapidated buildings are such an eyesore and detracts from all the good things that happen in our little village. God can move mountains and and I know three old buildings would be no problem. He just needs to hear us ask for His help.
Christmas is family time and I am going to be able to spend mine in New Orleans with Shana, Patrick, Allison, Myi, Benjamin, and perhaps a new little baby that is due to make his appearance just any time. This will be a special time for me and I hope yours is just as special. For the next few weeks I will be a mother and grandmother. Helen, my granddaughter, will be coming January 10th. She’ll miss the first celebration but we’ll just do it again when she gets to New Orleans. Merry Christmas to each of you and I look forward to seeing everyone when I get back. The Thompsons, John, Judy, Elsie and Jason will be house sitting and cat-sitting. I am so blessed to have such good friends and next-door neighbors to take care of Oz, (Bobby’s cat) and look after things while I am gone.
Thought for the Day
The best things in life are the people you love, the places you’ve seen, and the memories you have made along the way, Hang on to life with all its ups and downs. When it is all boiled down, the only things that are important are God, family, and friends; in this order. Using these as a priority list everything will fall into place. Merry Christmas to each of you, and may our new year be the best ever for family, friends, and country.
Shiloh to Canaan 