It’s Friday and I’ve started the article a little early. Today started off hot and sunny. I believe exactly like some 40 other days this summer. I’m looking for my cloud. You know; the one that the prophet saw in the distance and told everyone to prepare for a huge rain. I’m looking. The wind has picked up, and there are some clouds in the sky, but no rain as yet. I’m sure you’re wondering why I would be looking, but we had such a good prayer meeting last night. I’m sorry some of you missed the meeting. I wish there had been more, but at least 14 people showed up to pray for our community, and for the rain we so desperately need. Mayor McKinnerney has invited everyone to return next Thursday at 7:00pm to repeat the process. We are going to continue to call out to God and pray for our land. I hope you can attend this coming Thursday. Until then, I’m watching for the cloud. Don’t give up!

The drought is taking its toll on everyone. There was a big fire out in the Spring Creek area. It took 6 fire departments, forest service planes and some National Guardsmen to put the fire out. Bill Bryant had his cows pastured out there. Carol tells me they managed to move everything except one calf that was separated from its mother. I haven’t heard whether or not they found this little one. I don’t have to tell you this would have been a devastating loss for the Bryants.

Kay and Gerald McKee were trying to go to an Ag conference, but that is up in the air thanks to the drought. Like most other rancher/farmers in the area, they are scrambling to care for stock. To add to their troubles, Kay walked into her sewing room the other day and discovered it was wet. It took some searching, but they found the culprit was an A/C problem that had leaked under the tile in the room. On the bright side is the fact that nothing was ruined other than the floor. Kay says the floor will be easy to replace. Since I know she is an incredibly positive person, I’m going to ignore the constant care for stock, and upcoming school year, in that equation. I have no doubt Kay and Gerald will "get ‘er done."

Donald and Ginger Skelton have returned from their trip to Branson. Ginger said they saw many entertaining shows, but one of the best things she saw was the Titanic Museum. This was an extended family trip, and I hear Grandpa had a great time with his grandson riding the go-carts. Apparently it was green in that part of the country; I’m not sure what that looks like exactly. They saw some evidence of the tornadoes that hit that region as they drove through to Branson. It is certainly turning out to be an incredible year for bad weather! Welcome back home to the daily 100!

The benefit for Paul Gibson was another incredible example of this awesome community. In spite of the horrible heat we are enduring, the softball area was packed with people. I’ve not heard the results of this fund raiser, but it looked like it was going to be another resounding success. Our prayers are with Wanda and Doug in their prayers for a cure for Paul. Thank you everyone for being a part of his return to health.

George Hill is recovering from a TIA stroke. Robin Crisp will be headed for San Angelo for some more tests to determine what is going askew with his system. Joey Hardman is doing better. Harold said he was relying on the walker less and less. Bev Cohn’s sister Mary needs our prayers. Brooke and Emily Escavilla are recovering from a water skiing accident. Abbie Irons needs healing of her heart. Wayne and Gladys Powell wanted friends and family in the community to know how much they appreciated the help they received, while they were both down with leg issues.

I was pleased to hear that some of you are praying around 7:00am. I know we are not doing what we are supposed to be doing, as far as keeping God first in our life and our country, but if He would have saved an entire city had there been 10 good people, surely He will hear the cry of the thousands of Christians who have lifted their voices to ask for forgiveness and healing for our land. Please God, hear our prayers and bless our land with rain. Experts claim we need 15 inches of rain to restore life to our region. I know God can fix anything.

Attention all you students out there. I hope you are getting your summer work completed. I’ll make copies and leave them with Mrs. Mask for those of you who may have "misplaced" your work. Experts say students not reading over the summer lose an entire reading level. I hope everyone is saving box tops. I’d like to start the year off with a great presentation to Mrs. Gossett. Box tops help build our library; so look around, and get ready to bring them in the first week of school. This next month is going to go very quickly. I left a supply list with Mrs. Mask and hopefully Wal-Mart will have copies. I’m looking forward to a great year even though I’m not ready for it to start!

On a happy note, Daniel Fowler will be getting married at the end of the month, in Schulenburg, Texas. Cason Fikes will marry Hollie Billings August 20th. That wedding will be in Tyler, Texas. Plans are being made for a reception at the Baptist Church August 24

Please pray for our President, our representatives and our government. At all times, please lift up our precious troops and their families. There are so many families suffering through this war. May God protect our troops and bless America. I hope everyone has a blessed week.

th. Details for this event will be presented at a later date.