July brought some hot, very humid days, which is typical. The month surely did go by way too fast, but seems that’s the way it is every month these days.

I enjoyed lunch on Sunday with the Martins at Gloria and Charles Biggs’ home. Gloria had some of the best barbecued chicken I ever ate. Thank you for your hospitality.

I really did enjoy hearing Donna Rowe on the Patrick County Blessing Show on WHEO the other Friday morning. She told of when a Jewish girl became a Christian and that girl was Donna. She is such a nice, friendly person. It was a very moving story and very true. Love you, Donna.

I’m really going to miss Pastor Joe Cereno and Beverly. I was in his Sunday school class and have been to his classes on spiritual warfare and the story of Revelation and really learned a lot. He will be speaking at another church not too far away and will be seeing us whenever the opportunity rises. Keep him and wife Beverly in your prayers.

Thanks to Pastor Marion and wife for the very delicious sourdough bread. I pigged out on it—so delicious.

The Soup Kitchen cooked up some delicious German potato salad. It was really good—so good I ate a whole pint.

Bible school at Patrick Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church was really good and children and adults enjoyed it. I enjoyed Pastor Marion’s class. The craft class was fun but my lighthouse painting looked like abstract art but it was fun and relaxing. The refreshments were yummy also.

It was nice to see Sue Hall and Hody. Thanks for the goodies for the food ministry.

Let me tell you about two special young men. June 12-17 a cookoff was held at Camp Powhatan. The competition cooked, and there were five judges motivated by Hershel Stone. Jake Wethington made a homemade apple cobbler in his Dutch oven he got for his birthday, and won first place in the cookoff. The prize was a wooden serving spoon with 2017 cookoff winner on it.

He and younger brother Jackson play football, baseball and soccer for teams in Danville. Jake is a Boy Scout and Jackson is a Cub Scout. Both are working hard toward being Eagle Scouts.

These boys volunteer at the Jesus House when they visit Stuart and they are a big help. I enjoy talking with them. They are very polite young men and they always walk me to the car when I leave the Jesus House. Jake and Jackson, you are special and a joy to be around. Love you and hope to see you soon.

Thanks to neighbors Jonathan and Adrienne Hiatt for the nice surprise they left on my porch–three kinds of cake and a lovely card. God bless!

I was so sorry to hear of the death of Chloe Litten. My love and sympathy goes to Harry Lee and the rest of the family. Keep them in your prayers.

BANANA CAKE

(From my Amish cookbook)

3 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup shortening

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas

1 cup sour milk

Combine shortening, sugar and eggs. Add sour milk and bananas. Then add flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Put in greased and floured pan (9×13-inch). Bake at 350° until tested done.

COOKIE ICING

(No cook; Amish recipe)

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups (more or less) confectioner’s sugar

Mix first four ingredients and add confectioner’s sugar. Mix to a spreading consistency.

Food for thought

Regardless of the circumstances today, may you keep the faith within the hope and comfort of Christ’s eternal love for you.