We always hope that each New Year will bring peace, happiness, and good health to all, however 2015 has started off as a health struggle for your writer. Congestive heart failure and respiratory issues have kept me hospitalized for several days.

The mid-week decision was to be sent home with home health and family assisting my recovery. Home was a welcomed sight even though the road to recovery will be a long one. Many family and friends have called and visited, which has been very much appreciated. Please continue to pray for our family.

The Carl Cripps family celebrated their Christmas last week late, due to sickness in the family. Matthew and Melody Cripps with sons Owen, Ledger, and Kaius hosted this year’s event in their home in Murfreesboro. Those attending were the following: Lisa and Jerald Cripps of Liberty, Dwight Cripps, Jordan and Nicole Cripps, Christian and Claire of the Dry Creek Community, Justin Cripps of Smithville, Paul Tubbs, Angela Royalty, and sons Brody and Brayden of Lebanon, and Wanda Cripps of Mt. Juliet.

The family enjoyed food, fellowship and the exchanging of gifts. The Cripps family has been blessed with seven little ones throughout the past few years. This made for an exciting celebration.

Our family extends sincere sympathy to the family of Ruth White. She has been a lifelong friend. Her family is in our prayers.

The Delta Kappa Gamma honorary teacher’s society met at the Church of Christ in McMinnville this week. The group enjoyed welcoming in new members, a guest speaker on gardening, food and fellowship.

Our family has several with January birthdays: Nicole Cripps on the 6th, Carroll Ray Thomas on the 21st, Lisa Cripps on the 24th, and Deborah Fuson on the 25th. We wish all of them love and well wishes.

We send prayers and well wishes out to many that are sick or recovering from serious illnesses: Lily Anderson, Cody Atnip, Rosie Young, JoDean Redmon and your writer Louise Frazier.

Please attend the church of your choice this weekend. The Lord desires our worship, and we need the strengthening from hearing God’s word and fellowshipping with our church family. If you don’t have a church, let me welcoming you to Dry Creek Baptist Church.