Barbara Walton
February 26, 2009
We at Spearsville Baptist Church were blessed with several visitors yesterday: Sondra Mitcham Odom and her husband Reed; Frances Mitcham Rich and her husband Billy. They were going to meet their brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Wanda for lunch at Hollis’ and just came a little early in order to attend their childhood church. Beth Rhodes Lawson came for church and then she and her parents, Mary Gene and Vergil went to El Dorado for lunch. After they got back home they enjoyed a restful afternoon visiting. Joye Barron Isles was visiting with her mother, Maurene, for a few days. It looked so good to see her sitting beside Maurene in her favorite pew and later interacting with old friends–; just back at home. Johnny Rhodes, surprised his father, John, when he showed up at church; he usually attends a neighboring church. It is always good to look out over the sanctuary and see families together and I know each of these enjoyed sharing this service with family and friends. To them we say, “Do this again, real soon.”
Sickness has hit our little village quite hard this winter; however, I am happy to report some good news on that. Meada Post Smith is back home and doing well after being rushed to the hospital earlier in the week due to low blood platelets. (For those who don’t know, she is the mother of Bro. Connie Smith) Alan Miller, our pastor’s son, gave us a scare Wednesday. He experienced severe pain while on the way home from a revival and had to call for someone to drive him to Monroe. After all kinds of tests they are still not sure, exactly, what caused this but his blood pressure is bouncing up and down. He is at home and, hopefully, they have gotten it under control. Nell and Wilbur Upshaw were able to go to their camp on the river this past week. He has about stood being cooped up indoors as long as he can stand it. Wilbur and Nell, each, put a boat in; however, Wilbur soon found that he was not quite as ready as he had thought. That plunge from the deer stand, forty feet up, has taken its toll, but you know how a fisherman is. Sometimes he has to be sighted. Hang in Wilbur, you’ll be back fast now that spring is coming. You can’t keep a good man down, they say.
Bro. James has been preaching a series of sermons on the Ten Commandments. During the children’s sermon, he gave each of them a coloring book. He walked them through several pages and asked for parents help with the preschoolers in reading the words. This will give them hours of enjoyment while learning lessons that will carry them throughout their lives. Our hat is off to him and to the parents of these children as they guide them in the way they are to go.
Bonnie Rhodes is busy packing, unpacking, and repacking in preparation for her trip to Hawaii later this week. So many decisions to make – filled with great anticipation. We are excited for her (a little envious, too). Bonnie and her traveling buddies, Bonnie Alford, Terri Boothe, and Debbie Plummer, met for lunch at Johnny’s Pizza this week to map out their final game plan. I would’ve loved to have been a fly on the wall during that session. Have fun girls and don’t forget the old folks back home – one of those beach and palm tree tees would be nice.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
It is not what men eat, but what they digest that makes them strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read, but what we remember that makes us learned; not what we preach, but what we practice that makes us Christians.
Shiloh to Canaan 