Congratulations to my niece, Amy Black, of Mobile who is the proud Mother of a baby girl, born Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. Janna Hope weighed in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces and was 20 inches long. Her little five-year-old brother, Devin Black welcomed her home.

Proud Grandparents are Judy and Walter Wagner of Mobile and Joe Clifton “Cliff” and Beverly Black also of Mobile. Great-Grandmother is Billie Manche of Theodore, Alabama.

Emily Ogle Maddox who was 80 years young December 10th was honored with a birthday party Saturday afternoon, December 5th. Her children and grandchildren served as hosts and hostesses. The scene of the party was in the Broken Arrow Baptist Church’s fellowship. It turned out to be a very festive occasion with a host of family, kin and friends attending. “Em”, as she is affectionately known, received any pretty cards and lovely gifts.

Belated happy birthday to my dear friend and cousin, Hazel Layton Morgan who celebrated December 8th! And happy birthday to my niece, Jamie Buckner (Steve’s Wife), December 16, my young friend, Shelby Carroll, December 18, my nephew, Phillip Buckner, December 19, my great-nephew, Caleb Buckner, December 20, (Caleb who will be 13 years old, is Phillip’s and Marlene’s son), and Mickey Kerr, December 22!

Congratulations and happy anniversary to Jackie and Sharon Gant, December 19, Bobby and Delaine Kerr, December 21 and my cousins and friends, Jerry and Betty Layton Willingham, who will celebrate their fifty-second December 22!

On Thursday, December 3rd a number of one gentleman, Paul Hood, and us ladies Nancy Hood’s husband, of our area attended the special Prayer Meeting, which was held at the National WMU Building in Birmingham. The Prayer Meeting was conducted by the Alabama WMU and was a statewide meeting. There were some three hundred women and men attendees. Candace McIntosh, Executive Director of Alabama WMU, Wanda Lee, Executive Director of the National WMU, Rosalie Hunt, immediate past president of Alabama WMU who now is on the National WMU staff and Becky Luther who is current president of Alabama WMU were on program. They led us in praying for our international missionaries and the peoples in the countries where they serve. There was also special Christmas music presented by Larry Lee, Delane Tew and a Vocal Ensemble and the congregation sang “Joy to the World” The Lord Is Come.”

This special Prayer Meeting was held during The Week of Prayer for our International Missionaries and the peoples in the countries where they serve—Sunday, November 29 through Sunday, December 6, 2009. The fact that the meeting was held on a day during that week and that it was held at the National WMU Building in Birmingham made it very special to all of us attendees. And I’ll cherish this spiritual experience as long as I live and be so grateful that I had the privilege of attending.

We toured the building and got to see artifacts and furniture of our beloved missionaries, Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, Kathleen Mallory and others. I made some pictures, one of Lottie Moon’s trunk. For refreshments we were served teacakes that were made by Lottie Moon’s original recipe. Therefore, this experience was one of those once in a lifetime experiences!

Our prayers and condolences are with the family of Mr. Preston Julian Hunter, 66, of Ragland, who passed away in November. Mr. Hunter was a devoted Christian and in recent years he, his wife, Naomi, and their son, Allen, attend services at Broken Arrow Baptist Church until he became disabled to attend. Interment was in Ragland United Methodist Cemetery.

Ima Jean Crump’s daughter, Cindy Allen and Cindy’s daughter, Krista of Valdosta, Georgia came to visit her and Cindy’s brother and family, Reverend Alan, Claudia and Alexander Crump recently. They, Ima Jean, Cindy and Krista, went on a big shopping spree and they also went to Emily Maddox’s birthday party while Cindy and Krista were here. Ima Jean said she had the time of her life while they were here! I am so happy for her. It’s wonderful when families can be together, especially at Christmastime.

Let us keep a continual prayer vigil for the sick and shut-ins and their caregivers, the bereaved, our troops and their families, especially those families whose Loved Ones have passed away in these Gulf Wars, the leaders of our country, their families, those in nursing homes/assisted living facilities and their personnel, for all school and college students’ safety while they’re on break for Christmas/New Year’s vacation.

Someone said, “Only God could have thought of Christmas.” That is a profound statement and so true—the truth. In closing for this week’s column I want to quote a refrain from one of my favorite Christmas Carols, words by Isaac Watts, music by George F. Handel: “Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing.”