June 20, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother and our teacher, Jesus. Amen. June 21 is the official start of summer. I think word that summer is right around the corner leaked out because it has felt like summer for a couple of weeks already. Last year we didn’t experience any temperatures over 100, but so far this year my outside thermometer has recorded 106, 107, and 103 at different times. The thermometer is located on the back porch, which gets a few degrees warmer than it really is. But still it tells us it is hot. And we don’t need a heat index to tell us it’s humid!

June 6, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother and our teacher, Jesus. Amen. We were in double digits at Paxton Methodist—something to celebrate at our little church. Sunday was the Day of Pentecost, a high holy day in both the Christian and Jewish faiths. Pentecost occurs around the beginning of summer and schools letting out. I know it is not officially summer, but it is already feeling that way. I am watering my raised garden beds every day. We were promised some rain last week, but that never materialized.

May 23, 2022 - Sunday was the 6th Sunday of Easter. As promised by all the local channels, our part of the world got a nice rain last night. We had almost 2 inches in downtown Joaquin. Sunday morning also saw some cooler temperatures. All the plants in my little gardens and containers appreciate rain, and I appreciate not having to water. It is usually much later in the summer when I have to start watering every day.

May 4, 2022 - Sunday was the 3rd Sunday of Easter. We have had rain, wind, nice low humidity days and not-so-nice high humidity days. Typical spring in East Texas—with some wild weather thanks to climate change. In last week’s Sunday School lesson, the author spoke about our denomination United Methodist) and our stand to protect the planet from misuse by us humans. We are supposed to be the stewards of this beautiful earth, but we haven’t done a very good job.

April 18, 2022 - Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Sunday was Easter and the most important holy day on the Christian calendar. Unfortunately, the church universal has split east and west: The eastern, or Orthodox Church, celebrates Easter next Sunday. Whichever date one celebrates, we all can agree that Easter came late this year. Everything is turning green or blooming. Nature is such a wonderful gift from God! As we ponder what resurrection means, we can enjoy Easter by being with friends and family—at home, in church, and in glorious nature.