Thanksgiving Day dawned bright and beautiful and just begged for people to be outdoors as well as indoors, with the weather being just cool enough for a light jacket or sweater, and many family members did just that.
My son got his large turkey-fryer out and soon had everything set up to begin cooking a turkey while the ladies were inside getting ham and dressing into the oven to heat and tables set up so everyone had a place to sit as we visited and compared notes.
It is always an interesting time for me, as we never have “just family” for a Thanksgiving Day at their home, it has always been family, extended family (from both sides), and basically anyone who decided they wanted to be with us. One year, we had Military members with us, and even though, technically, we were a little ways out of the distance allowed, (at that time, it was thirty miles from the base), since a family member was stationed in San Antonio, it was allowed, and we had an interesting and fun day.
This year, we were family members, and a couple of friends but we were missing several family members due their being with their spouses’ family. However, we still had another great and memorable day, sitting around the table playing games after the meal and dessert! This has become a tradition with this group and the amount of game players and the games change from year to year. All I can say is “Thank you, Lord for another great Thanksgiving with my family”.
Well, everyone, since Thanksgiving is over and done with, most of the leftovers eaten, and our memories made, the so-called Black Friday, (which to me, started early and was followed by Cyber Monday), with shops opening at all hours beginning on Thanksgiving Day, is over as well, and you either were up until all hours shopping, or like me, didn’t even bother to go, maybe it’s time to think about making some Christmas gifts.
Author: admin
Lytle’s Annual Christmas
Lighting and Santa’s Hayride this Saturday
Calls were up a bit from last week when we only had 32 calls. This week we made it to 47, that’s still low but 32 is “rock bottom” low. Officers conducted 82 traffic stops. Of those 82 stops, 31 were citations and 51 were warnings.
Only one property crime was reported again this week! A 2018 Ford F250 was broken into at Best Western Plus. Nothing was taken, but the damage was estimated at $600.
Only one arrest last week! It only made it into this week’s report by 35 minutes. Ofc. R. Garcia stopped a vehicle on Wisdom Rd. on Sunday at 11:25 PM. The passenger was found to be in possession of a controlled substance, the 48-year-old female was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail.
We recently assisted our Lytle I.S.D. campuses with lockdown drills. As always, they do a fantastic job safeguarding our children. It’s nice to see a well-oiled machine in action.
It’s time! This Saturday, Dec. 14th, is Lytle’s Annual Christmas Lighting and Santa’s Hayride. The event will be held at the Lytle Community Center located at 19031 Priest Blvd. We will start loading the trailers at 5:30 PM. Admission is $1 per person or 1 canned good. There will also be activities in downtown Lytle. Stop by the Shops at Lytle to visit Santa’s Workshop with events for the kids including an Ornament Workshop, North Pole Post Office, and Gingerbread Bakery. Other businesses in the DLEADD (Downtown Lytle Entertainment and Dining District) will be having events, food, or other activities. For now, it looks like the Bakery Pub, Tommy Joe’s BBQ, and the 702 Tejas will be the hot spots that evening. So, make the rounds and check them out. They are all within walking distance. Disclaimer, DLEADD is something I made up so don’t expect to find any info about it on the web. I’m sure somebody can produce something better.
Did you know that a recent change in the law made Texas Peace Officers’ licenses and training records available online to the public? You need to register, and you can access them from the TCOLE main website, https://www.tcole.texas.gov. You can search by name or agency, and you can see what the training and tenure of your local peace officers are like. Transparency is good, and this is a neat tool.
Where’s that Blood Coming From?
I was about 20 when my Grand Dad, Charlie Rosenauer, was the age I am now. I recall thinking how strange it seemed for him to say he could walk by a mesquite bush and start bleeding. Like him, I find myself now on Blood Thinners given both sides of my genetic make-up include a history of heart problems. And I FULLY understand how easy it is to bleed these days.
I was taking off my Sweatshirt the other evening getting ready for bed when some red dots appeared on the floor. I did a “Body Search” and could not find any broken parts on my arms or torso. I called out to The Boss Lady who proceeded to conduct a quick check. She was likewise unable to find the culprit of the red stuff and was talking about a full body inspection.
Then, looking closely at my sweatshirt we found a spot where some Cherry Jello had “slipped” off the spoon and landed on the shirt. Those globs shook loose when I pulled off the garment. They sure enough did look like blood spots on first inspection.
While no real harm was done to the fabric or the tile floor, it was a good reminder that “jumping to conclusions” can sure take a person down the wrong road of thinking. I plan to be more careful about assumptions in the future, IF I can remember this lesson. Now where is that Bib she said I better wear from now on when snacking on red colored stuff?
Devine Current Events Club says, “Thank you Walmart!”
The Devine Current Events Club was the recipient of Walmart’s “Spark Good Grants” program. The $1,000 grant will be used by Current Events to help support one of the many local organizations such as Wreath Across America. This event will take place Saturday, December 14th at 11:00 at the Evergreen and St. Joseph’s cemeteries where over 650 wreaths will be laid at veterans’ graves. A team of Walmart employees have generously volunteered their time to also lay wreaths. Thanks to Walmart and all the local businesses and individuals that have sponsored wreaths and donated time to honor our veterans. Pictured left to right: Current Events members Sarah McAlpin & Dinah Argo, Walmart Management PJ Corona and Cindy Cruz, and CE member and Wreaths Across America Coordinator, Martha Wall.
On the agenda, get in on all the fun at Devine Acres Farm
Candy Cane Lane is one of Devine Acres’ newest, magical attractions this Christmas.
Check out the brand new Candy Cane Lane at Devine Acres this year – an immersive Christmas photo op experience in our tree grove!
As always, you can find your perfect Christmas Tree (cut your own or pre-cut available). Choose & Cut Fields close at 5pm. Pre-Cut lot is open 10am – close. Here’s a little about what they’ve got going on during the most wonderful time of year:
Live Tunes: Fridays & Saturdays and Sundays (check specific dates and times online)
Groovy Goat Races
Texas “Snow”
NEW Santa Experience!
Catch-n-Release Fishing
Festival Foods
Fresh Cider Donuts & Donut Shakes
Giggly Goat Beer Garden (21+)
Fire Pits & S’Mores
Fresh Wreaths for purchase
Reindeer Face Painting
Gift Shop & Merch
Stunning Christmas Ambiance
Santa’s Bear Workshop – build your own stuffy!
Nativity Scene
Barnyard Animals
Murals & Photo Ops
Santa Pics (see dates and times)
Loads of Attractions…. and MORE!
Shooting Star Museum Toy and Antique Quilt Show this month
Calendar of events
December
3- Friendship Art Club meets at 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Church of Christ in Lytle.
4- Story time at Lytle Public Library for ages 2-5 at 10:30 a.m.
5- Celebrate Christmas with the Natalia Night Parade and Market. The tree lighting and the MOVE.FIT.LIVE. Santa Sprint will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the parade begins at 7 p.m. Pictures with Santa at the end of the parade.
7- The Current Events Club and Wreaths Across America volunteers will be honoring veterans at the Devine Evergreen Cemetery on Pearl Harbor Day at 9:30 a.m.
9- Lytle City Council Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
10- Friendship Art Club meets at 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Church of Christ in Lytle.
10- Story time at Devine Driscoll Public Library for ages 9 months to 6 years at 10:30 a.m.
11- Lytle Public Library will host a story time for ages 2-5 at 10:30 a.m.
13- Plant and seed swap and discussion on winterizing plants at the Driscoll Public Library 2:30-3:30 p.m.
13- Turn in application for Silent Santa gifts at the Devine Police Department.
14- Wreaths Across America
14- Christmas Lighting and Santa’s Hayride at the Lytle Community Center at 6 p.m. Admission is $1 or a canned good.
16- Art club meets at Devine Driscoll Public Library from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Registration is required.
16- Devine ISD Board of Trustees meets at 6:30 p.m.
16- Natalia City Council meeting at 7 p.m.
17- Story time at Devine Driscoll Public Library for ages 9 months to 6 years at 10:30 a.m.
Where in the Bible will I find…?
Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
It’s hard to believe we’re already well into December! I hope everyone is doing well and praying for our country “…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1st Timothy 2:2).” I hope you remember to get into your Bible every day. “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (Galatians 5:9).” And “pray without ceasing (1st Thessalonians 5:17).” Our question for the week is; “Where in the Bible will I find an oath also called a curse in the same passage?”
Some words in the original language will have several meanings while other words are more exact than the words they translate to in English. Sometimes it’s just that the way things were worded were so different back then that we see them as odd or strange. The passage is about the sealing of a covenant and can be found in Nehemiah 10:28-29, “And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding. They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes.” Think about it! J.W.
Breakfast with Baby Jesus Dec. 14 at Devine First UMC
Join us on Saturday, December 14th from 9-11:30am for Breakfast with Baby Jesus at Devine First United Methodist Church! Event includes an opportunity to dress up and step into the manger scene to take a picture with Baby Jesus, pancake and sausage breakfast, several crafts, and cookie decorating with Santa and Mrs. Claus! There are several opportunities and backdrops for selfies or photos for memory making! Recommended $5.00 donation per person. See you Saturday at 212 W. Benton, Devine!
Answering Bible Questions with Bible Answers
Question: Does Everyone Have a Soul?
Answer: According to the Bible, yes everyone has a soul. Genesis 2:7 says, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” “Man” here represents all mankind, because Adam and Eve were the parents of all mankind. Genesis 3:20. When God created Adam, He breathed into Him the breath of life and Adam became a living soul. Genesis 1:26-27 tells us that God made man and woman in His image, this doesn’t mean in God’s physical image but in His spiritual image. It means that our soul and spirit come from God, whereas our bodies come from the earth, dust. Genesis 2:7. Because our soul comes from God it also has some of the characteristics of God, mainly it’s eternal as God is eternal. Psalm 48:14. This simply means that our soul doesn’t ever die, it lives forever and ever. Now our soul is made up of our mind, will, and emotion. To put it simply, our soul is what makes us unique and different than everyone else on the planet. God has never and will never cookie-cut people, we’re all different by design. God is the master creator with an endless amount of creativity. Everything He does is good and perfect. Psalm 139:14. Our soul is very important because it will live forever, so, we must always consider and care for our soul carefully. Our soul will either live with God forever in heaven, Matthew 25:46, John 17:3, or live separated from Him in a terrible place called hell. Matthew 10:28. The only way to ensure we’ll go to heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ and ask Him to save us from our sins. Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9-13. Once we do that, our soul rests in the loving hands of our heavenly Father and our dear Saviour Jesus Christ as we live out our lives on this earth. John 10:27-30. Once we’re saved, reading the Bible is like food for our souls, it strengthens us and helps us grow spiritually. 1 Peter 2:2. Also, praying to God benefits our souls very much by being in communication with our creator and God. Philippians 4:6-7. Are you caring for your soul? Have you asked Jesus to save you from your sins? Your soul is priceless, so give it to the One who made it and can give you life forever, Jesus. John 11:25-26.