Welcome to the first column of 2009. The New Year has started off with a strange twist. First we have record highs, and now old man winter has decided to pay us a visit. Although we desperately need precipitation, I’d prefer not to have the frozen stuff! It will be hard enough to get the kids back into the school mode without weather distractions. If it does turn nasty, I hope everyone slows down and drives safely.

I had a lovely gift for this first column. A kind lady, Pat Senterfitt called to thank me for writing the column. She also sent best wishes to Melanie Smith. She has been missing her lunch dates with Melanie, so perhaps they can make time soon to exchange news. The call made my week, and started the year off on the right note. I hope I’m not embarrassing you by writing this in the paper.

The winter crud is hitting everyone. Kay McKee is finally up on her feet just in time to help while Gerald gears up for the stock show.

There were all kinds of people hacking their way through church. I expect I’ll have a few absent from class. I just need to remind everyone that every day missed means double the work to catch up with the rest of the class.

I hear Mode Mask is still ill, as is Mary Cummings. Jerry Benton is headed to Austin this week, and Les Hammett is undergoing treatment.

Louise Hyman lost her niece Barbara Brown last week, so please keep her in your prayers. All of the folks listed above need some serious prayer time from anyone who can take a few moments to touch their lives.

It seems there is a theme for the week as far as ministry is concerned. I’ve listened to three different preachers talking about mirroring the love Jesus showed for us. They will know you are my disciples by the love you show one for another. The most impressive was the son of the Hammas leader who converted to Christianity. He said the phrase that made him stop and look at the Koran and the Bible was “love your enemies”. When he went into the desert to compare the two books he knew that Hammas was not right. He is now on a hit list from his former family and friends.

Apparently, love your enemies is not in their vocabulary. Their attacks on the Jews show their violent hate-filled nature. Their abuse of the civilians in their own towns shows the lack of respect they hold for anyone but themselves. It’s unfortunate that they may cause world wide problems as this crisis unfolds. Hate never solves life’s problems while love covers a multitude of sins.

Melanie Smith is coming in to give my ELA classes a workshop on writing. We are digging deep into the brains of our best teachers, to come up with the groundwork for a good writing program. I encourage parents to have their students write in a journal or diary as often as possible.

Obviously, I have no problem finding words to write, but our kids can’t seem to write their deeper thoughts. The TAKS folks want to be able to hear voice in writing. I’m not sure at the elementary level that voice is so important but the State says do it, so we do it. Melanie will have all kinds of great ideas I’m sure. She is one talented teacher with a passion for learning and living.

We had beautiful weather for my sister’s visit. I’m glad this front came after she left. Mind you, she is getting another round of snow. I watched the weather channel today to see how she was doing. She won’t mind though she has started “mushing” with her dogs. She has beautiful Australian Shepherds who apparently love to run pulling a sled. Well, she’ll be happy with all that white stuff. It’s not my idea of a good time, running a sled in 16 degrees!

We checked out some websites for Texas breeders but only one came close to the beauty of her dogs. I miss her and the rest of my family,but not the weather!

The freezing rain advisory just came up on the screen. I guess we’ll just have to see how things unfold in the morning. I’ll have to dig out my warm clothing just in case. The way our rain chances have been lately, it will most likely pass by on either side of us! There are quite a few people praying for rain. Sooner or later, God is going to bless us with some rain.

This semester is the toughest for our seniors. They want to be gone but they have to finish all their courses. Please encourage your senior to complete their education; it opens so many doors for them.

Mr. Fowler told the students before break, that there is plenty of money for those who want to get an education. Community colleges and Junior Colleges are very affordable, and technical schools will generate years of good steady income. We must give our young men and women options for success.

I hope everyone has a blessed week. Please pray for our precious soldiers and their families. Our present economic crisis demands clear thinking, please pray for our leaders and our new President. Oh, and don’t forget to pray for rain! Should we have ice, have a good time and drive safe.