“Now this is the confidence that we have in HIM (God) that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And we know that He hears us whatever we ask, we know we have the petitions we have asked of Him.” I John 5: 14-15

This is Vacation Bible School-time of the year in southeast Colorado. The Sheridan Lake Bible School was held at the church in late May. I understand that Amy Schmitt and Dennill Splitter have been key leaders for many years in decorating and directing the summer VBS. When I asked our night nurse if she had heard about all the pine trees they had all around in the church, Shelby (Harris’) eye just twinkled as she said, “Oh, yes, they used to decorate them when I was in VBS.”

At Kit Carson Trinity Lutheran Church, we had a great four-day VBS which the leaders, Tracey Weeks, Betsy Evans, Laura Negley, Sara Crawford, Jasmine Jacobs, Pastor Tom Barton, and I wrote and organized the lessons on “Journey with Jesus.” We had outstanding teen helpers who helped with the children, food, lessons, and games. They were Ava Oswald, Avery Johnson, Jolie Oswald, Miranda Keplar, Gabby Villa, and Khloie Villa. These young ladies were such a blessing, and I am confident that they could become fine educators or early childhood care takers. After 60 or more years helping with Vacation Bible Schools, I know that these experiences can have lasting, lifesaving effects on children into their lives and adulthood.

VBS is in progress at Praise Community Church in Eads at the time of this writing. We will hear reports later about their happy times.

Last Saturday, we hosted a funeral and lunch for Sharon Buck McEwen at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kit Carson. Sharon grew up in the Prairie Queen Community northwest of Eads. It was particularly nice to renew friendships with her children, Johnna Whitney of Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas; Todd, who recently moved from Texas to Kim; and J.D. and Heidi and daughters of Tucumcari, New Mexico. It was good to see Johnna catching up with news from several of her former classmates who were making more plans for the Kit Carson School Reunion the weekend of June 21.

Another person I really enjoyed visiting was Jim Garner, who had driven down from the Denver area for Sharon’s funeral. Jim was pleased to greet Sharon’s children because as a Prairie Queen neighbor. He had worked six summers for her parents, Laverne and Corky Buck.

Young Charlie Prince was selling potted plants outside Crow’s Stop and Shop a couple of days last week^. He was trying to earn money to donate to the library, which is under construction, and Crow-Luther Theatre.

Extension agent Tearle Lessenden sponsored 4-H youth to Colorado State University in Fort Collins last week. They attended the yearly conference.

Gail Voss was so kind to drive me in my van to visit our friends at Prairie Pines Assisted Living Community. It was for their weekly coffee hour. Several ladies from the community came to visit with the residents. Sue Ramsey was the hostess. It was so nice to see Pat, Sandy, Rita, Lola, Peggy, Dianne, Lorretta, Mary, Alice, with young Charlie, Gail, and myself are some of the ladies’ names that I remember who sat around the table. It was so nice to see these dear ladies, most of whom used to frequent the senior center. I encourage you to go to the “coffee hour,” or some activity, at a senior home near you. We like to see and visit with people from the “outside world.”

Wednesday was the monthly lunch for seniors in the Eads area, and over at Haswell in the evening was their meal. Our directors, Gail Voss and Pamela Lessenden, always have the tables set in lovely colors and delicious foods. Of course, people who come bring side dishes or donation money.

My great niece, Eve Clark, of Pueblo West, returned home last week from a trip and tour to Italy and France. She went on this great trip as part of a group of 4-H members from Colorado and Wyoming. Most of their trip was to tour small to medium size businesses, manufacturing companies, farms, castles, and other sites. Eve’s grandfather, Dwight Lessenden, said Eve had a good time, but she was glad to be back in America and home.

So many families spend lots of time in the evening and at night at the baseball and softball fields playing many games at a time. Also, older teens, who are on traveling teams, have such a long season that I fear they will be tired out by school time.

If you are a baker and live near Eads, Morena Lowe, director of our Crow-Luther Children’s Theater, could use some cookies for her young actors to munch on during their breaks. You can leave them at Crow’s Stop and Shop grocery store in Eads on Maine Street in the care of Jennifer Crow. The dates of the stage show are in early July at the Eads Plains Theatre.

The CSU extension agent’s office has the Kiowa County fair premium book printed and is available for exhibitors to read and decide what categories they are going to exhibit in at the fair. The dates are September 10-13. Alicia James’ theme was chosen for this year. It is “Cowboy Boots & Buckin’ Chutes.” The amounts of money donated and spent are listed in the book. Thank you, you wonderful people! Kids are worth it!