Hot beer & stale cigarettes

I can hear a certain song and it takes me right back to another time. An old friend of mine I haven’t seen in probably 20 years died last year. At one point in my life he was the only real friend I had. The last time we talked he said he loved me and I didn’t say it back. I never thought that would be the last thing I ever heard him say. He died thinking I did not love him but I did. I loved him with as much love as my heart had room for at that time. I was too busy loving myself to worry about anyone else. Through the grace of God that will never be me again. I will never let another person leave this world not knowing that I love them. I used to think you could only love one person at a time but thats wrong. There are so many types of love that folks share. You can love one hundred people at once but all for different reasons. I think God allows us to love so much that whatever painful things we go through we are surrounded by folks we love and who love us back. Ephesians 4:2: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

I have moved on from my Season of Thinning The Herd. 😜 I prayed a lot and cried a lot then I let it go. Within a three day period God revealed the ones I needed to remove from my life. There were exactly seven. All family. I have so much peace now. I am calling this my Season of Growth. Good things are happening for me and I know the devil will try me but I am prayed up. The harder the fight, the sweeter the reward. 😘🎈😘

True Leader

Around this time last year I was really struggling. I felt useless and decided after the Christmas Fest that I was going to stop volunteering. My body and mind were both so very tired. Then I was sent an invitation to like Joey Hudnall for Sheriff page. I liked some of the things that he had to say so I invited him to be a judge for the Christmas parade in Joaquin. He was just as nice in person as he was on Facebook. I like people who are the same no matter where they are at.

When Billy D and I left the Christmas Fest I felt the need to pray for Joey. I did not know him other than asking if he wanted to be a judge and maybe talking to him for a few minutes at the Christmas Fest. On a side note: He showed up early which was one less thing I had to worry about. I am not sure what made me start praying for him that day but I have every day since then.

In the past year I have grown so much as a person and have accomplished things I never thought possible. I have also seen a change in my husband who is now running for JP in 2022. He feels like if Joey has the courage to run then he might as well give it a shot too. I often gain strength and encouragement from those around me. I like folks who give up things in life to follow the will of God. Very few know that Hudnall gave up a beautiful ranch and a lucrative job to move back to Shelby County to run for Sheriff. I also stand in awe at his wife and kids. They sacrificed their way of life to move to Shelby County in order to support Joey. I am often asked why I support Joey as the next Sheriff of Shelby County. Two words sum that up: loyalty and honor. In the year that I have known him I have seen his undying commitment to God,family,friends, and to Shelby County. During troubling times I have seen him handle situations with dignity and honor. I have seen pictures of him helping strangers during Hurricane Harvey, I have seen him pass out school supplies to kids who needed them, I have seen him dedicate many hours to the safety and well being of the citizens of Tenaha but most off all I have seen him be a loyal family man. I cannot see where the citizens of Shelby County could go wrong with a Christian who is loyal to God, family, friends and Shelby County. Thats why I back Hudnall 100%. He is already a strong, encouraging leader and thats exactly what Shelby needs!

BD

We are total opposites but yet we are the same. You always have to get the last word in and no matter how hard you try I always manage to coax you into saying the last word. I once referred to you as the Reagan to my Thatcher but then I realized you could not be either one of them. Your heart is too sweet. No way you could ever be iron fisted. I cannot call you the peanut butter to my jelly cuz I really don’t like either one plus a friend told us pb has rat poop in it so nope. I cannot call you the chicken to my waffle cuz you know my rule “Don’t mix my meats with my sweets.” So I guess all I have left to call you is the Billy D to my Marsha Ann.❤️

Family

About a year ago I volunteered to take over the Christmas Fest in Joaquin. I was given the number to the preacher at Joaquin FUMC because he wanted to help bring the community together. He actually saved my skin! Had it not been for his help in getting help I would have failed miserably. Instead $6000 was raised! This whole year everyone at FUMC has treated us like family. Billy D and I rotate going to Pine Ridge and FUMC. I love my Dad and love to hear him preach. I will continue going to Pine Ridge as long as he is preaching there. The connection that Billy and I both have with members of  both churches is like they are family. Well tonight Billy D found out that he is actually kin to Bro.Robert! They are second cousins!!! Billys bio dad was Bro.Roberts first cousin. Their Mommas were sisters. Not only that but Billys old boss Bill Baker is also his cousin. This coming Saturday is a family reunion that we will for sure be attending. Y’all just don’t know what this means to BD. We have always felt like God lead Billy to work for the city of Joaquin and now we know why. Had it not been for him working for the city I never would have volunteered and never would have met Bill or Bro.Robert. A whole entire family has been waiting on Billy D and on Saturday I know they will welcome him with arms wide open. Gods timing is so very incredibly beautiful! I have been saying for a few weeks now that God is shifting and elevating my life to new levels. This blessing is just the beginning. I stand in awe of how God works. He knows the emptiness Billy D has felt and is not only filling it but he is letting the joy and love overflow! Ain’t God good? 😊