It's Spring! It's Spring! It's Spring!

It's Spring! It's Spring! It's Spring! I knew it would finally come and now it has. At least we have experienced the Vernal Equinox and the calendar says spring is here. I know we have a chance of another cold spell but we really can't complain too much about the weather lately. We have had some pretty and warm days. Every day I find a new bud or blossom. My back yard is lined with violets and I get simply giddy every year when they appear. I guess that is fairly obvious. The violets are blooming. I love it!

I was away for a few days last week. I went to be with Jim and Carol Stone while Jim had surgery in Pine Bluff. Their daughters Mary Small and Hope Ermert were also there with their husbands Lindell and Jerry and of course their son Billy was there as well. Jim came through the surgery well and he is recovering nicely, but we still need to keep him in our prayers. He will be looking at some chemo in the near future.

You remember Gaylan Cope. He was the minister at the Methodist Church a few years ago. He was also there to lend support to Jim and Carol and he was anxious to hear all about the people in Rector now. He said to tell everyone "Hello" from him and Suzanne. They are doing pretty well and living in Boonville.

Guess who made her first airplane flight recently. Mary Jo Walls. Yes, I have learned that she recently flew from Memphis to Kansas City to visit with Onis Bearden. It seems that he had a mild heart attack on February 27. He is doing very well now and we hope he continues to improve. Mary Jo was also able to spend some time with her niece Chris White.

Chris and her family have lived in Kansas for 19 years but enjoy coming home to Rector when they can. Last year Chris and her mother, Sharon Bearden and Chris' daughter and granddaughter made a trip to Rector to surprise Chris' grandmother, Sybil Hart on her 81st birthday. They got pictures of the five generations together. Maybe we can get them to post the photos on the Rector website. How about it, Chris? I look forward to seeing you on Labor Day.

Pastor Velda Bell and Lane Wozniak spent several days at UMCOR training last week. United Methodist Committee on Relief is an entity that deals with disaster relief on many different fronts. They provide financial assistance as well as physical help. The training covers the needs of early responders and for all the phases necessary to help people put their lives back together after a disaster. You have probably heard of them helping in Katrina and in Marmaduke.

Anyway Pastor Bell and Lane attended several training sessions. As it was Lane's first experience with UMCOR she started with the basics, Track 1, and brought home 4 certifications. Pastor Bell having previously completed Track 1 received training on the Track 2 level, Incident Coordination System, which includes how to pull a team together and shelter management. We all know how useful this training can be, both on a local level and in traveling to help others in need.

Pastor Bell also says there will be some training here in Rector at a later date, which will be open to anyone who wants to learn these skills. The date for this training has not yet been set, but if you are interested in participating you can call the First Methodist Church office to put your name on a list and to get more information. Anyone with a passion for helping others could find this satisfying.

Oh yes, Pastor Bell wants to say thank you to the Lockharts for letting Susie hang with them while the preacher was out of town.

Hey, I hear that Conner Langille is about ready to earn his black belt in Tae Kwan Doe. And he is one of the youngest to have a teaching certificate. Good work, Conner!

Time to go. Thank you to everyone who emails, calls or sends me mail for the column. I love hearing from all of you and sometimes I am able to put someone in touch with a past acquaintance. That is always nice. So drop me a line or email me. You can also give me a call. My address is 514 West 3rd St. Phone: (870) 595-3173 and email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.