The first week of school is under our collective belts and I’m not sure who is more tired, students or teachers. I’m just glad we have a long weekend to catch our breaths and come back fresh for another week. We had our first big pep rally under the sponsorship of Mrs. Sherri Ashworth. It’s almost like a fresh start for everything since half of the cheerleading squad graduated last year. Mrs. Ashworth started the Howlers group. It’s a pep squad that works with the cheerleaders to make some nice noise during the game. I don’t know how it will work at the games, but it brings the rafters down in the gym! Coach Burkhart had a surprise for the assembly. Apparently he taught the elementary students a song and dance routine during gym. The kids kept it a surprise, and I have to say it was a crowd pleaser! It was a super fun pep rally to start the year off, and the Friday night game was a blast. The team from May gave us a good game and we had to work for our win. The score doesn’t quite reflect that work, but it did give our boys a workout.Fifth Quarter will be Thursday night instead of Friday. Apparently there are not enough umpires to handle all the games on Friday night, so some of them were moved to Thursday. As usual the community is invited to eat and celebrate with the athletes. Football season is the social highlight of the year. I believe we have six 5th quarters this season, so we should be kept busy making food for athletes and fans. We’re not as physically big as we have been in the past, and I’m not even sure we’re as fast as we have been in the past, but I’m confident we have the heart for the fight ahead. Several of last year’s player graduates were there to check out the 2012 team. I know they want the boys to have a good season and keep up the winning tradition. Go Coyotes!I attended Johnny McPher-son’s funeral Saturday. The Christian Church was packed. Becky gave a tender speech about the wonderful loving nature of Johnny. Her calmness and mastery was amazing to see, and it made her points that much more precious. I received a lovely surprise at the service. Susan Luna came to pay her respects, so I was able to visit with her for a while after the funeral. She has been struggling to get back on her feet after complications from knee surgery. This last year has been a mighty battle for this wonderful lady. I’m glad she has made it over the pass and is on her way to full recovery. She will be in the area for a few more months, but eventually the Lunas will pack up and head for Colorado. I’ve been invited to come for a visit and I sure hope I can get there. I love Colorado. We love and miss you Susan.Monday church for the kids will start on the 24th of September. They could have started a week earlier, but we the teachers would like to get them settled down a tad. I have to say that our kids came to school prepared to work. I’m very proud of them. I’m frustrated with this silly STAAR test, but our kids are the greatest. The 4th and 5th grades will be selling chocolate bars again this year. I think we’ll wait a few weeks until it cools down a little. This heat is hard on chocolate!We have quite a few sick on the prayer list. I’m adding Amanda Brand. She is great with child and the child doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to join the family for dinner. Please pray for a safe and healthy delivery. We have many on the cancer prayer list. Bev Cohn and Vera Ralston are not well, but don’t know the cause of their illness at this point. Paul Gibson, Kenny Powell, Charlie Capps, Ottis Richmon, June McPherson, Weldon Faught and several others need our fervent prayers. Please pray for our precious troops and their families. I have to check on my poor Glen this week to see how he is doing.