“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing Spirit.” Psalm 51:12

Pastor Mark Imel officiated the funeral for Robert O. Woods in the Eads First Christian Church Saturday morning that was followed by a family dinner. Mr. Woods was an esteemed teacher and wrestling coach for many years at Eads. He also served as the superintendent for many years. I especially appreciated his presence when I sponsored lively Pep Club groups in motels and places when we attended Colorado state wrestling meets and basketball games. Robert and his wife, Renee, raised three daughters, Sheri Lyon, Leanna Collins, and Marci Miller.

Good Friday services were held this year at the Praise Community Church Friday evening with Pastors Lane and Deborah Gooden, Mark Imel, and Lay-Pastor Gail Voss sharing prayers, scriptures and the message, and good musical selections.

Saturday, Diamonds and Connie Richardson were pleased to have their adult children home, bringing their grandchildren for lunch with Connie’s mother, Shirley Watts. This meal included Jeff and Jamie Bayer with daughters, Jett and Winn, of Colorado Springs, and Wes and Jessica Richardson and sons Luke and Wade of Alamosa. After lunch they enjoyed the town Easter egg hunt.

A huge thanks goes to leader-organizer for years, Riki Berry Cordova and the volunteers, who assisted her to spread 3,000 wrapped eggs on the courthouse lawn. After the search was over, the children could turn in special eggs that could gift them a bicycle or wonderful basket of goodies or other prizes, thanks to donations that helped to purchase these gifts. Children could have their photos taken with a big bunny rabbit too.

Also Saturday, over 32 immediate relatives of Phyllis Nelson gathered in the large dining room, along with other residents and friends, to celebrate her 86^th birthday, which was April 22. They enjoyed photo taking, angel food cake with strawberries, and identifying who the relatives were.

John Lujan came by the Weisbrod Hospital’s nurses station to say “thank you, for saving my brother, Kelly’s, life during the county fair.” John, who is from Missouri, was on his way to Bob Wood’s funeral. His brother, Kelly, who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, had just called me the day before to see how I was doing. His mother, Rose’s, funeral service was held April 26 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Des Moines, New Mexico. Interment was in Raton, New Mexico next to Don, near the elder family Lujan ranch. I remember taking Kelly, Sharon Fischer, and Rhonda Batterton there about 50 or more years ago on our way to an Adams State College watercolor painting class in Taos, New Mexico.

There was a large crowd of worshipers who attended the Eads Easter sunrise service by the three white crosses near the Christian Church. People could sit outside or inside their vehicles and listen on their radios to hear the pastors and singers. It was special to hear Tom Davis give the Easter message on relating to two hymns, “He Lives’’ and “Because He Lives.”

Later in the morning, worshippers could go to one of the four churches in town for breakfast and the worship service. At Kit Carson Lutheran Church, we were pleased to have many college students home, plus others who came for early service and the breakfast.

At Weisbrod we enjoyed having Gail Voss come to play many hymns for us and hear her message,

Cindy Berry McLoud rented the Eads Senior Citizens Center to host a large Easter dinner for their families. We seniors really do appreciate the moneymaking folk who, for about ten years, earned money that made the center come to fruition for the enjoyment of so many people of all ages.

The residents of Weisbrod were delighted to receive large colorful baskets of green grass, plastic eggs with a darling pastel bunny, and a box with a large chocolate bunny. The mystery is that we did not know who to thank for the delightful gift. The gift giver was a man who called. He said he was not feeling well so he would have his granddaughter deliver them. The nurse on duty didn’t know her name. Mark Kelley came at the same time to see his mother, LaVerle, and saw she needed help, but he did not know who the blonde lady was with all those baskets. We are curious who this is who went to so much effort to add color and treats to our lives. Please call one of the staff or me. We want to thank you!

The Eads Baccalaureate service is May 4 at 6:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church. We are planning a light lunch for the four Kit Carson graduates May 4 following the worship service.

Our communities extend our sympathy to the families of Archie Cloud, who died in a car-truck accident on Highway 287 last week. He and his wife and employees raise many fine dogs for sale around the nation from their site north of Kit Carson.

Tuesday morning, we enjoyed having the some of the staff push us around in a “walk and roll” stroll around several blocks. It is so good to see tulips, forsythia, and iris blooming as well as many trees!

Many area Future Business Leaders of America students are gone most of the week to state competitions at the Gaylord hotel near Denver.

In May, the school sports season is coming to a close! Spring is here!