Psalm 67:4 “May the nations be glad and sing for Joy.”

Easter Resurrection observances were very different this year than in past history because our nation was ordered to stay in our homes and not to be in any place where there are more than 10 people. The fellowship of other people has become even more precious to most people. For me, I have been thinking a lot about pleasant memories of Easter times past, like when I saw hundreds of Easter lilies in the St. Mary’s Corwin Hospital Chapel when I was twelve years old. Most vivid are in the 1960’s when our youth conducted the sunrise service in the pasture behind the Kit Carson Lutheran Church on Horse Creek around a cross made of railroad ties by Tim Hogan. It was a good place until the year Mr. Price put buffalos in the pasture. The next year we met in the church. It became our tradition to prepare breakfast before worship, which we carry on today - I mean next year. 

Because people are staying in their homes, many have been longing to be with other people, however many of us are using our time wisely to clean our closets, drawers, and homes. They tell me that the dumpsters are really being filled with “tossed stuff.” 

People are becoming innovative in the use of their family time. My cousin, Kimberley (Matthews) Garnhart’s family of five, are having theme meals and dressing up in costumes. Last Thursday was Hawaiian night at their Colorado Springs home. 

The Kiowa County Ministerial Alliance has for years conducted Good Friday services at night. This year, they met at the Eads First Baptist Church to share the Passion of Jesus’ accounts. Each Pastor wore a mask and was seated more than six feet apart as they read the scriptures and shared their message that was on Facebook. The pastors who participated were Janita Kraniack of the United Methodist Church, Richard O’Brian of the Baptist Church, Mark Imel of the First Christian Church, and Deborah Gooden of the Praise Community Church. 

In the 1960’s we used to be released from school at noon on Good Friday. Those who wanted to go to the Good Friday service could go to the Methodist Church, where we listened and sang hymns from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Friends and family of Charlotte Woelk are glad to have her back at home in Eads after stay in a city hospital. She is doing well now.

Tim and Sylvia Weeks are happy to welcome a baby granddaughter. She was born to their son, Grady and Erika, and has two older sisters in their Colorado Springs home. 

Hunter and Lexi Uhland were blessed with the birth of twins last month. A little girl and a little boy have been added to their family. Their two older brothers welcome them to their ranch south of Haswell. 

Janelle Crow, an Eads Elementary educator, picked up boxes of pinecones in her yard. She offered them to parents to use for crafts while they have little ones at home. 

Families are dealing with a new lifestyle of home schooling that they were not used to but are re-arranging their schedules to help their children to learn their lessons well. 

Farmers around the county were blessed last week with warmer weather so they were busy preparing their equipment to start plowing and eventually planting. Some farmers started applying fertilizer Our area is very dry and in such need of moisture. Prayers are needed for the whole region. 

The broadcasters remind us of how important farmers are for our society so that we have food to eat. We also need to be more thankful to the truckers who keep the merchandise flowing from coast to coast. For some time, we have been reminded of how important the first responders are to our society. Our new heroes are the doctors and nurses and all the support staff who are working tirelessly for the welfare of those who are stricken by this silent virus. This is a war. We need to pray more for those workers when they go home to their families that they don’t contaminate their families. 

We extend our sympathy to Greg and Nancy Miller of Haswell and their families after the death of his mother, Vernie Miller. Vernie had lived in Weisbrod Nursing Home and Prairie Pines where she was known for her sweet spirit. 

We are sad to hear that Raymond Wissel’s wife, Shirley (Bickel), formerly of Haswell died in Rock Springs, Wyoming. We extend our sympathy to their families.

Last Monday and Tuesday, a lady Easter Bunny made the rounds to brighten many people’s day by leaving pretty sacks of candies, plastic stuffed eggs, cupcakes, and other goodies. What a delight she was! That was such a kind act, but she said I couldn’t write her name. 

One of my neighbors brought wonderful fresh fruits, delicious chocolate cherry cake, and almonds. 

Another neighbor brought good baked goods. Another dear person painted my entryway posts and door trims white. It is wonderful to be the recipient of such goodness. It leaves me feeling so thankful and humble.