The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great Joy for all people.” Luke 2:10. (NRSVUE)

The thought printed in the devotional booklet that Gail Voss brought to me had the phrase “Jesus is my Joy” printed in a box. This booklet and some others were gifts from the Praise Community Church. This is one of the four devotionals I like to read daily. We are grateful for the service to the community that this group is, as well as the Praise Community Church, the First Christian Church, and the Baptist Church are in our town. I think that wherever you live, this is no doubt a fact that Christian folk are generous and helpful. What attracted me about this Bible verse from Luke was the word “joy,” one of my favorite words. Just to say the word “joy” gives me a good and peaceful feeling, with a bit of tingling too.

It was such a pleasure when we were gathered in the large dining room to have a nurse give each one of us a pretty envelope to open. It was in attractive handwriting, as it is every month or holiday from the Hospital Auxiliary. But I know the truth, this kind lady is following her mother’s example and carrying on a “card ministry” of her own. For many years, Dora Pearcy sent greeting cards to people in the community and from the Hospital Auxiliary, So, after Diana Pearcy Flory returned from about 30 years working there, we were so glad when she and her husband, Ken, relocated in Eads. What a blessing because so many people do not get any mail, but here at Weisbrod, they get a pretty card from our friend, Diana.

Although we were able to decide on the menu for our Thanksgiving meal here at Weisbrod, we were even more gratified to get to eat it together. As my nieces and nephews grow older, they are scattering across the United States, so I just enjoy the photos and phone messages from those faraway places. Again, I am so glad I live in Eads!

One of the best memories this Thanksgiving was a phone call from my former neighbor boy, Jose Ramos. As a young boy, he kept me company a lot after my parents had died, and he was such a great help to me with yard work, and then such a joy to have around as a high school athlete and to see him grow through college and now his work. He and his wife, Julianna, called me from Nevada. Their recent adventure is to work and earn money, and then settle back in a home in Colorado.

Last Tuesday, we were pleased to have Denise Nelson and her junior class come to Weisbrod in the afternoon to decorate a large Christmas tree in the small dining room, and to watch them hang wreaths and other decorations. It was pleasant to visit with them, especially when the Fell sisters, Vera Hammons and Donna Eaton, visited and teased each other. The Fell family used to live north of Kit Carson and were quite the cowgirls in their day, and their interests live on to day!

I was surprised and then really pleased to see how taller and larger these juniors had grown since I had seen them as younger men and women on the sports floor or field or on the television. They asked us if we were going to the basketball games this Friday, but we said no because it will be so cold and icy, however we would watch them on television which is such a blessing for those of us who like to watch our local teams on TV. Some of those boys were going to Akron for two days of wrestling. In “real life” and up closer, I marvel to see how pretty those girls are! I hope I have told most of them that I think they are beautiful. I like to read about our area sports teams. I like to read the team scores in the Kiowa County Press because of the print size and format. I remember Aiden Hough years ago as a cute little boy who helped me by being a model in a fashion show. Now he is a tall, handsome guy!

This Wednesday morning it is gently snowing. My Google machine was playing Christmas music. What a cozy magical feeling.

I read about the Eads fifth grade students, whose teacher is Sharon (Crow) Wilson, that after they did research this fall on a character in history, they had a showing of their person. A photo showed the students in typical dress of the era of the man or woman’s lifetime. The students read books about the person they chose to research. They also made an oral presentation, display boards, and dressed similar to their person from the past, or living currently. Families and others and other students who attended their displays and presentation were very excited to see and hear their research work. The student’s names are Brock Yates, Jett Dienes, Piper Uhland, Kynlee Uhland, Gracie Lynch, Cassidy Brown, Paitin Jones, Kynlee Dunlap, Isaiah Rouse, Macy Trosper, Autumn Lowe, and Mathias Lane.

Santa is coming to nearby towns soon. Peace be with you all.