Saturday's Internet Edition, July 31, 2010.
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| Van Horn Junior High students posed for this photo after receiving cards, a plaque and a flag back from soldiers in Iraq. See related story above. (CCAISD photo) |
- Van Horn Junior High has some of the most considerate, caring students to be found anywhere. This was proven by a special outpouring of the students’ efforts and creativity before Christmas break.
After the Thanksgiving break, Mrs. Edna Clark enlisted the help of several Jr. High students to share with some troops that were away from their friends and family during the Christmas season. The students either created homemade Christmas cards or wrote special messages of thanks on cards donated by Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Janelle North. Mrs. North and Mrs. Lupe Carrillo assisted students in writing letters in class while Mrs. Clark worked with students during recess to prepare over 200 cards. The cards were mailed to the First Medical Brigade stationed at Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq.
Recently, some students have received thank you cards back from soldiers to whom the cards were distributed. The heartfelt thanks from these soldiers are humbling to all who read their replies. They received the actual flag that was flown over Iraq along with a plaque in return. The kids were surprised to receive something back for their hard work. “Its an honor to feel appreciated by our troops,” stated Lina Martinez. Since it was rare that our school received these wonderful gifts, “ It was an honor to hear from them for making them feel appreciated when they couldn’t spend the holidays with their loved ones”, Jacque Turnbow added. “We never got anything like that, so that was really cool. I thought Mrs. Clark was silly for crying of joy everyday because of our hard work,” Andy Vasquez commented, “ I think people who serve our country need to be rewarded, so I thought we’d do something for them.” Mrs. Clark will continue to assist any student who wishes to reply to “their soldier”.
Column One
By Dawn Simpson
I know the area ranchers must be tickled pink with all the winter moisture we are having. Tuesday night’s rain brought us to 2.01 inches since Jan. 1st. And it rained almost continuously yesterday. If this were a little later in the Spring, we would soon be seeing a blanket of green over Turtleback Mountain. My only concern is that I have visions of knee-high weeds everywhere. With the first few warm days they’ll be growing like crazy.
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The local Rotary Club is hoping to host a “Meet the Candidate” evening later this month. What they are asking of each candidate for office on the March 2nd Democratic Primary is that you call John Clark or Larry Simpson and tell them whether February 19th or February 25th would be better dates for you, and whether or not you will attend. Please make the call sometime this week. Thanks.
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One of the daily devotions that I read and enjoy and depend on to keep me focused in the right direction comes to me online each morning. The one this morning seemed to be just what I needed and so I share it with you. It comes from Dr. James C. Denison of Dallas. The web site, in case you are interested in receiving them is Godissues.org.
Groundhogs, llamas, and Oscars
Punxsutawney Phil has spoken. Actually, he texted. The most famous meteorologist in America has declared to the world, "As the sky shines bright above me, my shadow I see beside me. So six more weeks of winter it will be." More than 15,000 people signed up to receive the groundhog's prediction on their cell phones, though how Phil types with those clumsy claws is beyond me.
All hope may not be lost, however. According to this morning's Wall Street Journal, members of the Slumbering Groundhog Lodge in Quarryville, PA, trust Octorara Orphie to predict the future. Those in Monroe County are depending on Sammi II (who was called into service after Sammi I died of heatstroke after riding in a parade).
There's Staten Island Chuck in New York, and Gen. Beauregard Lee at the Yellow River Game Ranch, a petting zoo outside Atlanta. And don't forget about Oxford, Michigan. They used to have a groundhog, but it died. So now Oxford uses a llama to predict the weather. I don't know what any of them think about our meteorological future-maybe Phil will be outvoted by his prognosticating rivals.
How will we measure the accuracy of Phil's prediction over the next six weeks? If the number of days with temperatures below 40 degrees exceeds the number above that threshold, he's right. Actually, human meteorologists already agree with Phil. They remind us that Groundhog Day falls halfway between the winter solstice (December 21 last year) and the vernal equinox or start of spring (March 20). Technically, we have six more weeks of winter, no matter what the thermometer or Michigan llama say.
Maybe Phil would care to tell us what Congress will do with President Obama's budget. Or predict the Academy Awards, which just announced their nominees for Oscars, or tell us who will win Sunday's Super Bowl. Or forecast the stock market. I suspect he's too wise to venture into such murky waters, but we're not. Avatar is favored to win the most Oscars, and the Colts are predicted to beat the Saints. But not one of us really knows.
The uncertainty of the future is one of the best reasons to trust God in the present. He transcends time, seeing tomorrow more clearly than I can see today. And he promises to those who follow him by faith, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" (Isaiah 30:21).
The smartest thing I can do with this day is to submit it to my King. He can lead only those who will follow him, and bless only what we give to him. A carpenter can repair only those rooms to which he is admitted. A doctor can heal only those patients who take the drugs she prescribes.
As C. S. Lewis taught us in his last sermon, "He claims all, because He is love and must bless. He cannot bless us unless He has us. When we try to keep within us an area that is our own, we try to keep an area of death. Therefore in love, He claims all. There's no bargaining with Him" (from "A Slip of the Tongue" in The Weight of Glory).
Can God bless every part of your life today?
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
February 4th - Nothing scheduled at press time.
February 5th - Crossroads Cowboy Poetry Gathering today at the Van Horn Convention Center. The Van Horn Eagle (JV & varsity, girls & boys) basketball teams are slated to play the Wink Wildcats in Wink this evening beginning at 5 p.m.
February 6th - Crossroads Cowboy Poetry Gathering continues today at the Van Horn Convention Center.
February 7th - Attend the church of your choice today.
February 8th - Culberson County Commissioners are slated to meet this evening at the County Courthouse at 6:30 p.m. Members of the Van Horn Lions Club are scheduled to meet this evening at 7 p.m. at Mija’s Restaurant.
February 9th - The Van Horn Rotary Club will meet today at noon at Chuy’s Restaurant. The Van Horn Eagle (girls & boys varsity) basketball teams are scheuled to play the Ft. Hancock Mustang here this evening beginning at 6:30 p.m.
February 10th - Nothing scheduled at press time.