Betty’s Week

Betty’s Week
By Betty Shearer

Must be getting to the end of Day Light Savings Time because last  Wednesday I really needed that extra hour of sleep that’s coming November 1. The rest of the folks on the delivery route seemed to be a little sluggish also. Even though the sun was still not up when I came back from Dunn’s on Hwy. 32, I noticed that the prettiest fall tree in the area was getting there.
In the bright sunlight, which we’ve had very little of for the past few days, it just glows. Sunday noon, Wanda, Bud and I went out to Dunn’s for a barbecue lunch and the sky was brighter, and sure enough that tree was almost in full color. If the sun comes out this Wednesday morning it should be absolutely beautiful.
Going out to Dunn’s I got a shock. Even though spotty fog had been predicted I did not expect to have my windshield instantly turned to cotton. I’m glad I had no oncoming traffic, was able to maneuver to the rub board and then find my windshield wipers. It is very scary when you have a compete whiteout with no warning. Slowed way down, but thankfully did not have that happen again. There was more fog out in the fields and some on the highway, but it was higher.
Wednesday night we enjoyed a delicious meal  of potato soup, ham and beans, along with cole slaw and cornbread. This was followed by prayer meeting and the continued study of Daniel, led by Bro. Rob Jones. The book of Daniel is very interesting and you are invited to join us for  a time of prayer, followed by the Bible study.
However, there will be no regular Wednesday night services this week, due to the trunk or treat for the youngsters. This event will be in keeping with the pandemic way of doing things and snack and treat bags will be filled and delivered to the children at their homes.
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Got up early Thursday morning, expecting to visit with Jimmie for the day. Walking though the house, I found that this was probably not going to happen. Sinuses were so bad that I was drowning, sneezing and coughing constantly, and my ears were messed up to the point I was hitting the walls and probably would have fallen had the walls,  door frames, and furniture not been there. Just as I was about to call her, Jimmie called and she also had a problem to the point that she didn’t dare drive, so we kept a check on each other by phone.
Friday morning I got up and was fine—felt good and was not tearing up, drowning, or even sneezing or coughing. However, the sky looked like it could produce a downpour and I did not want to drive in the rain on Pope/Water Valley Road. Called and found Jimmie was also better, so we both just stayed  home alone. David says that the downpour came in the Valley Friday night during the football game – it only drizzled at the house. We are having strange weather patterns. Then on Saturday the sky was still overcast, again with the threat of a hard rain at anytime, so I spent another day at  home alone.
Sunday morning, the drizzle continued, but I’m not afraid of a little rain, or even a lot, if it’s just a short driving distance. Dressed and was off to church, but the windshield was messy with what Dad used to call a September gale. After the McCluskeys and I finished our Dunn picnic at our favorite spot– church fellowship hall—we came outside to bright sunshine. Lasted just a few minutes, but sure was a beautiful sight while it was there.
Clouds came back but I’m not sure if it rained anymore – windshield was dry on my way to discipleship training. This quarter, the regular study books have been replaced with a learning process of how to witness to the lost. We were considering ice breakers and mine is to ask newcomers to the office if they have chosen a home church. If not, I ask what denomination they are and for most I can direct them to the pastor or to members of the church preference.
We usually have a discussion involved enough for me to discern if they know the Lord or not and certainly having been on Main Street for these many years, I know most of the regulars church homes and that they do know the Lord personally.
My comment then was, “I really don’t meet many lost people.” Then I thought of a way to liven up the program—stating maybe I could just put a classified ad in that reads, “WANTED LOST FOLKS —You’re invited to come by the Herald office, as Betty’s pastor has given her the assignment to witness to some lost people. Hope your are interested and will stop by.” Got a great laugh, but seriously, if you don’t know the Lord, I’d really like to talk to you.
During evening worship Bro. Rob is continuing the study of Galatians. Everyone is invited to join us for this service, which begins at 6:15.
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As I was washing my face and hands this morning I  noticed that my little bar of soap was almost gone. This soap began as about a third of a bar at the beginning of the pandemic. Usually, about once a month my shower bar wears to the point that it is about to break in half and I transfer it to the laboratory and put a new bar in the shower. My bathroom uses  ivory colored Dial soap, so I know it’s the one I put there months ago. It still has not broken in half and is presently so thin that you could read a newspaper through it – it will probably disappear completely before week’s end.
At the beginning of this pandemic, I realized I was out of soap in my bathroom and found none on the grocery shelves. Went  upstairs and found a couple of  gold colored bars, which is used in the bathroom there. Those have lasted until now.  Do think God is stretching the soap at my house. Thankfully, Dial soap is again available – found packs last week just in time for me to stay clean.
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Discussing the weather yesterday, my main concern was the farmers. I know that this damp weather is not good for all the open cotton still in the fields. We need all the cotton produced in the U.S. Probably all corn has been harvested, but I know Bill is still baling hay, as I’m sure many others are. Hay baling also needs dry weather. Don’t know about sweet potatoes, as we only grew enough for the table and you could get them inside in the dry with no problem – not possible with these large acreages. Maybe the sun will reappear soon.
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Hope everyone has a good, safe Halloween celebration. Don’t eat too much candy.