”They twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head.” Matthew 28-29

When I read the verse above about what the Roman soldiers did, making that crown of thorns and then putting it on Jesus’ head to make fun of Him and to torment Him, I suddenly remembered that when Karl and Mary Ann Koch of Kit Carson returned from a trip to Israel, they brought back thorns from near Jerusalem. At that point in my life the only thorns that I was acquainted with was our farm locust trees and Mother’s yellow rose bush, but those thorns in Mary Ann’s hand were huge and long! This was the type of thorn that was no doubt used to make a crown of thorns for Jesus. Reader friends, this is Holy Week, the week believers especially remember and contemplate the painful sacrifice of Jesus’ death on the cross for us. Some call it Easter; I like Resurrection Sunday.

I have noticed that men and women who have traveled to Israel are so much more informed, transformed, and encouraged when they return from touring the places where Jesus walked and lived. I hope in my lifetime is to know that Lane and Debbie Gooden, Gail Voss, Paula McMaines, Eboni Nash, Brett and Stephanie Rusher, and many of my family members get to visit Israel. I don’t know if those people want to go to the Holy Land, but that is my dream for them.

Since I am homebound by order of the State, most of the news I share with you is from phone calls or the internet. Because I am so used to going here and there every day, one might assume that I am longing to get out of my home, but I am not. It is good to be content and at peace. Our Jimmy Brown’s CD, “Because I Live Him,” is such a solace and is so uplifting to me.

Because most families are staying at home, it is an opportunity to learn to enjoy each other, to work on projects, to paint, and do yard work. My ten-year-old niece, Eve, is learning to cook meals and to sew. Some of my teenage relatives and friends have taken up part-time jobs while working on finishing their college or high school studies online.

My friend, Dara Randel, lives on a ranch north of Kit Carson, and is a trained counselor who works with adults and children. She writes some of these words of advice: “We will all come out of this on top. I honestly am so thankful for this experience as our kids are learning real life lessons in how to deal with life situations. Parents, be there for your kids, let them vent their frustration, and don’t let them get stuck in negativity. Remind them that there are lessons in everything and that they have a choice to make this work for their future and who they are as an individual.”

Patt (Anderson) Robbins, formerly of Arlington, was one of my former students who now is so proud of her son, James Ross Ward, who graduated last week from MSU and is now officially a medical doctor. He is a handsome young man in a military uniform. His aunt is Catherine Anderson of Arlington.

The Eads school cooks and staff achieved their goal of packing 600 meals on two different days that were handed out at east side of the cafeteria or delivered by school bus to country students. The staff also tested programs and have distributed Chromebooks to students for their instruction and use. Cameron Crow is said to be feeling much better after his second back surgery this year. We are so glad for this young man whose college studies have been on hold for a year now.

The people who get bags of food once a month from the Social Services had a new experience last week when they were directed to drive through the alley behind the Maine Street office. There, a worker wearing a mask handed them a pre-packed box of their foods through the car window or door as they took turns parking on Maine Street. Usually the people carry in their own baskets and bags into the office. This saved time and kept people at the six-foot distance.

Mike Arth didn’t answer his phone Friday morning because he was scooping eight inches of snow at their Colorado Springs home. The sun was shining in Eads.

Godfathers Pizza has opened attached to the Love’s store. This makes another choice of an eating business in Eads.

Pastor Delbert Beard, formerly of the Eads Christian Church, wrote an enlightening message, of which I want to share some of his thoughts. “In times of war things do change for the worse. Many of us never imagined that our own government could command us not to assemble as for church. We didn’t foresee a situation where a few selfish people would hoard needed supplies. But this is war and in war we can find inspiration by what ordinary people and volunteering can do. War is never good, but I think good can and will come from this, if we can be awakened to trust in God again.”

Shalom, Peace be with you.