Another birthday has passed and the last one barely had time to get dusty. I’m aging so fast I think I’m on some kind of time warp! With all the turmoil in the world, I’m wondering if we’ll all get to see my next birthday. Most specifically I’m referring to the war in the East. On a more positive note, there will be a community Christmas presentation at the First Christian Church on Sunday the 2nd of December at 6:30 p.m. Members of the community and area churches will join together to get our Christmas season off to a good start. Everyone is welcome, and if you would like to perform, please contact Mary Kate Adams for more information. I hope to see everyone there. We have started our 3rd six weeks grading period. School will be dismissed early on Tuesday for our Thanksgiving break. When we return, we will only have a few short days before the elementary students attend UIL competition. Our students are practicing for multiple events as usual. Please keep your students reading over the break. My fear is we will have the STAAR test breathing down our neck before we’re ready!I want to say at this point; we have some super parents. I have always enjoyed the support of my class parents. It never fails to warm my heart. I think it is partially because all parents want the best for their child and are willing to do what it takes for that to happen. Since my goal is the same, it is easy to be on the same page with my parents. That is one of my Thanksgiving blessings. I have much to thank God for this year. I know the outlook is a little bleak, but I’m confident God will see us through. I hope each of you has a blessed and plentiful Thanksgiving.I missed the Haustin Burkhart shower on Saturday. I hope they had a good turnout at the community center. Haustin and his bride- to-be are experiencing all the joys of starting a new life together. There are many decisions to make; at the same time you are trying to maintain your grades in school. Another young couple is Jessica and Shane Phillips. The community will host a baby shower for them on December 1st from 3:00-5:00 p.m. The proud couple is expecting a baby boy. They have a cute little diaper raffle going. If you bring a pack of diapers, your name is put in the pot for a prize. It sounds like this is going to be a fun shower.The quilting ladies will not be meeting this Wednesday. They will resume after the Thanksgiving holiday. The annual Christmas party will be December 5th. Plans will be finalized the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. We have a project for the future. Brother Barry feels led to open a foster home here in Richland. There are still state issues to resolve, but when it is done he will have to set up a home for 6-8 boys. I told him the ladies' quilting group might like to make quilts for the beds. There will be many issues for him to work through, but we are proud of his project and hope to be able to assist him in any way possible.The Christmas shoeboxes are on their way to Brownwood, where they will be forwarded to the Franklin Ministries. Thank you to everyone who participated in this very worthy ministry. We have people in town who need our prayers. Vicki Overstreet’s mom has been diagnosed with a second round of cancer. The family of Cheryl Fain is mourning her loss. Sonny Capps, Andrea Romero and Jason Lenz also need our prayers. Doctors are working with Paul Gibson and his health issues. We keep praying for this young man who has such strong faith.There will be another 5th Quarter on Friday. The playoff game is here in Richland Springs. I hope the weather holds up for this big game. Our young men and coaches are carrying such a huge burden. After multiple years of success, everyone expects more of the same. So many things can go wrong before or during a game. Please pray for these athletes and their coaches.Another area of concern is the lack of rain in these parts. Russ and I thought we would only have a few trees to cut down, but this latest stretch of dry weather seems to be killing quite a few trees. I know our farmers and ranchers are having a bad time with ruined crops and lack of feed. It’s going to be another expensive year for cattle raisers. Please pray for our friends and neighbors.Have a great week everyone.