News from the Mountain

By CAROL GUNTER

Couldn't you just feel it in your bones that we were due a deep freeze as this is January afterall? We know this kind of cold weather was most likely going to happen at some point. We've been given advance warning by the weather people so we should be ready hopefully. Keep bundled up and stay warm!

Betty Barnes's son Chris and his wife Julia and their son Peyton came up from South Carolina for the Barnes annual Christmas get-together last week. A total of eighteen family members got to be there and had a great time. As I always say, it means it all to carry on a tradition of family being together celebrating with each other this special time of the year, because it is Jesus Christ's birthday.

At Walmart on Friday and ran into Marie Ford from the mountain. So glad to have the opportunity to talk with her for a while. Quite a lady I have always admired just as I did her husband Hershel Ford. Love you, Marie. You're a keeper.

Recent visitors at our house were Sherry Gannon, Lynn Underwood, and Richard Hubler.
Spoke with Diane Evans and she is doing okay.

Haven't started receiving the flower and seed catalogs yet. When they start coming in the mail, you now its not only you that's getting spring fever but those companies are too. A lot of people will be chomping at the bits like me for winter to hurry up and be gone so the mowing of the grass and those green onions, and the cleanup can begin.

Talking with someone the other day and they asked me about the little green men and their whereabouts and were they good or bad little aliens? Had to tell that person I didn't have a clue as to where they dwelled (if they really do exist) or if they were nice or not so nice as I've never seen confronted by any of them. Told him he could probably get the lowdown on the little fellas from Clyde as he supposedly calls them his friends, if he wanted to ask him. I'm steering clear of this matter altogether, because if the little green people are really out there, I do not want them to retaliate against me if I have given out any false information on them.

Trying to do some cleaning to our house and going through papers and found a box that contained cards of all descriptions that I had sent my sweet little mom over the years when she was still here with me. I do believe she kept every card I had ever sent her. Usually I had to write a few lines (yes, even back then a few lines would wind up being a few pages) to let her know just how important she was in my life. One card read: Mama, I can almost smell the fried potatoes when I came in from school, or the fried chicken on a Sunday morning. You made home so good to come home to. There are so many countless other things you always did (no matter how bad you were feeling inside) to help all of us weather we were just sick, have a toothache, earache, or whatever. My goodness, you just never let us down on anything! By the grace of God, by the loving and caring of a Mother like you, am I here today. Thank you, Love Always, Carol - June 7, 1990 the card dated. Christmas Eve, December 24, 2008, she left us for that heavenly journey to be in the presence of Jesus for all of eternity. She made it home and I can only imagine the many jewels in her crown because of her love for Jesus and living for Him while going through so many earthly trials here. Was always in awe of her and hop up there some day on her level of graciousness in living for Jesus. I also know one day, Mom, I'll not be writing about you - I'll be living with you!

I got to talk with Martha Parker today and she tells me Bernie is still improving and walking with the help of a walker. Keep up the good work Bernie and do know a lot of people, including this girl, are praying for you.
Keep these people in prayer: Edith Miller, Denise Stanton, Jeff Brown, and Carlon and Mai Nell Melton.
If you have any news for the column, just give me a call at (615) 563-4429. Have a great day!

In all things shewing thyself a patter of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.
Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.
Titus 2: 7-8, 12-13