Columnist back from two weeks in Destin

Seems it's been forever since I've written for you, and I thank those that have called and even came by to visit and check on me. We had a wonderful two week vacation in Destin, Fla., with our two daughters, and I'm glad to be back with you.
 Thank you, Caleb Bell, for taking over the music while I was gone. I know you did a great job. I'm not often away from my duties at church, but occasionally I have to leave my job in the capable hands of others.
On Sunday Butch preached to a good crowd. Taking his message from Amos 5:18-20, he talked to us about being healed to a higher standard. Amos feared God more than man and being called of God leads us to a higher standard. It calls us to be completely sold out to God. On Sunday night there was also a good crowd with visitors; he preached from Matthew 16: 13-19.
We still have so many sick. Don Patterson has recently been in the hospital. Diane Busbee needs our prayers, Jessie Comans has also been in the hospital. A praise: Michael Walker seems to be doing so much better. We were so sorry to hear that  Eurtiss Hamilton is not well. O.L. Jordan has some off days, as do most of us. Charles Johnson needs our loving care. So many, many too numerous to mention, but our Lord knows about each of them.
I didn't get to pay my respects when Peggy Harper's husband passed recently. Peggy, I send my love and sympathy to you and each member of your family.
We were so happy to have our No. 2 grandson, Curtis Arwood, and Roxana Bollinger from North Carolina last weekend. Also always happy to have Gayle with us in church, and this last weekend both our girls were here with us for a long weekend.
We spent a glorious two weeks in Destin, Fla., recently, just James and I and our two daughters,  Gayle from Conyers and Jill from Cornelius, N.C. Old Isaac didn't bother us–the water was choppy a couple of days but it was beautiful weather the rest of the time. Can't wait to do that again. Mark, Jill's husband, joined us for a few days; he likes to fish from the beach early in the morning. He caught some beautiful "meals," plus a shark that measured about 6 feet long. It sure drew an early morning crowd.
A couple of other days he went deep-sea fishing and brought back  enough red snapper for a good supper, plus other good fish one other night. I LOVE fresh fish.
Also joining us for Labor Day weekend was our granddaughter, Susanne Bell, and Bailey and Anna.
We have some great events coming up in October. Old Fashioned Day will be observed on Oct. 7, we will be hosting our quarterly singing on the 20th with Glory Bound Quartet at 6 p.m.,  plus our plans are being made for our annual Fall Festival which will be held on Oct. 13. There will be so many things for the youngsters to do, plus the adult cake walk and other events from 6 until 8:30 p.m. 
Mark your calendars now.
We are enjoying the meals being prepared for us each Wednesday night before the prayer meeting hour. There is a very small charge and such a good deal for the money which goes to our youth fund.
Jan Oakley called and asked that I place this in my column and I'm happy to do so: There will be an "Old Time Gospel Singing," live music featuring The Gospel Trio on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. The address is 354 Upper Harmony Road, about 2.5 miles from Highway 441. I understand this will be a regular event they are planning. 
We enjoyed the annual Buice Reunion in Cumming on Saturday. Also going with us, Alfred and Maudie Buice from Monticello. While there I had the pleasure of meeting a relative that we had been e-mailing for several weeks but had never met. Sharon, it was so nice to meet you and your family.  Also, it was good to meet Ron Buice and his family. We've been e-mailing several years.
Our own Against the Downpour will be playing this Saturday night at Loco Baptist Church in Lincolnton, Ga.
On Oct. 6 they will be in Winder for Faith Fest.
I understand that Clarke Kesler's gang are meeting in a different place now on Thursday nights. If I understand they are meeting at the Nicholson Amphitheater. Clarke, please correct me if this is wrong. I will need to check with him and get the listing of who the featured singers will be.
All our young adults are back in college and we wish for each of them a great year. 
Happy birthday to Kim Johnson and Kaylee Stewart on Oct. 1, to Harley Wilson on the 5th and Chelsea Stacy on the 6th.
So until next week, may the Lord bless you real good.

Printed in the September 27, 2012 edition