“God’s most beautiful gifts bloom into children.”

Jordan and Allison Campbell recently received a new blessing to their family. Their son, Leyton Taylor Campbell, was welcomed into the world on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 12:42 pm at UT Medical Center.

In order to appreciate how it is or how it might be, our youth need a lesson in the “Old Ways.” Understanding what our ancestors endured will instill a greater respect for their survival and how they prospered.

My husband's widowed mother married her former brother-in-law in our living room. Uncle Charlie had hurt his leg putting down our well on the property of what was to be our new home, closer to my husband's work. The minister said it wasn't written anywhere that you had to stand to be married. We were all seated.

Back to the well. The water table was high at the new place. We didn't need to drill a well, Uncle Charlie said. He would help us pound down a well. It was cheaper to do than drilling a well. The three of us could do it.

Walking down a lane through the camp where I was working the summer of 1989, near Roanoke, Virginia, I bent over, picked a dewberry, and stuck in my mouth. Another staff member immediately became alarmed and asked me if I knew what I had just put in my mouth.

Some spices I am privileged to experience from the side line.

That spring evening, my daughter Sara’s softball team was playing the number one, undefeated team in their league. The other team were all 12 years old whereas Sara’s teammates were barely 10. We went in with no illusions of victory. If we were lucky, we may get one run.

At the top of the third inning, Sara went up to bat. At this point, none of ours girls had made it to first base, which was no surprise. At least they looked cute in their red, white, and blue outfits.

The pitcher threw. Sara swung.

Mincey’s Musings
Year One, Week Twenty-Eight

For the past nine weeks, I have referenced Bill Hybels book Who You Are When No One’s Looking: Choosing Consistency, Resisting Compromise. In this final article on this topic, I want to focus on the greatest character in all history.

I remember when I worked full time in a sewing factory. My mind would wander while sewing. After you do the same stitching over and over, it doesn't take all your attention to do the job. My mind would wander to wondering what I would fix for supper that evening. My kids were in the lower grades in school and came home about the same time I did. They had a long bus ride.

When you run across a snake, their normal reaction is to get away. But if they feel threatened enough all snakes will bite defensibly. If you are bitten, here are some recommended first aide treatments.

Try to determine if it’s venomous or not. If you’re confident it’s not you can treat the bite like you would a puncture wound. Check with your doctor to see if you might need a tetanus shot booster.

Cedar Ford Baptist Church is big on missions, but Pastor Jeff Leach recently felt God’s call to focus on the mission field right here at home.

“The Lord just woke me up and said, ‘This year, the fish are at the dock,’” he said.

So, along with many other ministry efforts within the church, Cedar Ford is reaching across churches and denominations to help facilitate a community worship and revival, set for 7 p.m. July 30 through Aug. 1, at Luttrell Ball Park behind Luttrell Elementary School. Free food will be provided between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Finance Director Ann Dyer reported that Fiscal 2018 ended within budget and all budgets in balance at Monday night's regular Union County Commission Meeting,