We were honored to be the special guests at New Hope Methodist Church's monthly fellowship dinner. They have some really great cooks and the retirement cake was delicious.

Our church was particularly beautiful Sunday with the beautiful flowers and pictures of our Moms on the altar. Mrs. Wanda Caldwell always does a great job. Bobby Teague sang a beautiful song written by Myra Jo. Such great talent in our church, and as usual Pam did a fine job on the organ. A new sound system was recently installed also. If you're searching for a great church to attend, please give ours a try. Sunday school is at 10:00 and services at 11:00.

We recently spent a couple of days in Natchitoches, La. It's a great small town with several old plantations and forts you can tour. Old pin oak trees that any kids would love to have in their yards. The limbs are huge and swoop to the ground, giving wonderful cooling shade.

On many of the branches was a brown-like substance that looked like moss. A Ranger pointed it out and called it Resurrection Fern. On several branches these small 1-inch to 1- 1/2 inch perfect little fern leaves were growing that he said looked just like brown moss the day before. Why the change? Rain. It reminded me of our spiritual life at times. We are rooted in the massive, strong arms of God, yet we shrink up into small dying patches. Then comes the rain of God's love, his spirit of courage and strength to go on.

We allow pain, discouragement, disappointments, and disillution to destroy our strength in Him. Satan rules us unless we give God the authority to take over and we are resurrected in His Grace. The miracle of Resurrection Ferns is amazing, and so is the resurrection of our spiritual life if we let God reign in our lives.