We have been having some very hot and, for the most part, humid days and many with temperatures in the seventies at night. We had a thunderstorm last Tuesday and it must have done some damage in the area. I have not had a phone, internet, or cell service since then and the technician said that it looked like lightning hit the box up on the road and he had some others in the area as well that had damage. I am glad it wasn’t more serious than it was but it sure gets one lost when they can’t call or receive calls. Although it was nice not having telemarketer calls because the first call I had was the technician telling me my phone was fixed and what happened - the second was a telemarketer.

Those who are sick or shut-in and in need of prayers for whatever the need: G.Y. Bennett, Connie Bonner, Dorothy Brown, L.C. Bowen, Amy Carroll, Joann Carroll, Kathleen Carroll, Pat Carroll, Spencer Clark, Fada Clay, Bailey Cromwell, Kenley Bates (had some knee surgery last week and is doing okay but sore), Buffy Farnsworth, Helen Hardin, Christy Hinson, Wayne Holloway, Mickey James, Faye Kilpatrick, Monet King, Colben Ly, Greg McCann (having shoulder surgery Tuesday), Jackie McFall, Earl Rasbury, Shirley Reeves, Mona Runions, Boyce Sims, Nell Skelton, Brantlee Tripp (having some tests with a specialist in a couple of weeks), Jim and Jan Walker, Diane White, Annette Williams and Selina Young. Please remember all the sick in our area in your private prayers. Also pray for the healing of our nation each week.

Happy birthday to Eddie Carroll and Rhonda Tiller the 10th, Cynthia Kilpatrick, Josh Roberson, and Lynn Brown the 11th, Ben Barrier the 12th, Clay Runions the 13th, and to Christie Troutman, Burton Barber, Dustin Stutts, Wylie Carroll and Adam Roberson the 14th, and to Becky Graham and Christy Hillhouse the 15th; wishing for these many more happy days to celebrate life and hope they have a great birthday.

Happy anniversary to Johnny and Judy Bennett the 10th, Lee and Cathey Carroll the 11th, and Marty and Shondra Carroll the 15th. We wish for these couples many more years to celebrate life together.

We express sympathy to the families of Larry T. Evans, Frances Elizabeth Smith Tidwell, Wilma Loudean Smith, Martha Lou Craig, Joseph “Joe” C. Bell Jr., Suzanne Elizabeth Bixler, Ralph Parker, and Cornelia Grey Baker George. Prayers for these families and any other families that have lost loved ones.

Hoping that everyone had a great fourth of July and were able to celebrate with those you love and care for, and that you took time to remember all those who fought and the many who died to give us the freedoms that we have today in this nation. We are blessed more that any other nation in this world as far as I can understand.

Prayers for you and your family that you have a great week and take time to remember those who are sick and shut-in. Visit if you can or at least call or send cards. May you and your family have a great week. We are now in the last half of this year, doesn’t seem possible.