Sweet and Sassy: Taking that giant leap of faith

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Son Jamie and I made one of the biggest commitments we’ll ever make when we and nine others from our church decided to get baptized. It took place this past Sunday at another local church.

We were supposed to go to a church member’s pond for a baptism on Sept. 20 and we did, but muddy conditions of the water forced those plans to change. So Pastor Don Brode made arrangements for the baptisms to take place at a church in Greenville.

I am the kind of person who doesn’t like commitment because I’m afraid I won’t meet up to those expectations. I don’t like to fail at anything, even though it probably happens daily and for all the world, at least Darke County, to see in the form of this newspaper.

Because Jamie is so sincere in his spirituality, he was ready at the get-go for baptism. As for me, I knew it would be the right thing but hesitated. What if I can’t live up to God’s standards? Then, I remember the pastor saying that He does forgive.

God did give me a good life, so I feel I owe Him something….myself, so I opted to go through with this spiritual cleansing.

Yes, I am still a work in progress. I love having a good time and joking around and hope that I can still do that. But, I also hold grudges, procrastinate and can flare up at times when I’ve got a lot on my plate (not just food), but I also think I have a lot of good qualities which include loving my family and friends.

I know I have to change a lot of things about myself, which sounds like another full-time job at retirement age…just what I need. Can I handle it?

I have always been a believer because we were raised that way, so I think I have a good chance at handling it. What do I have to lose? If I goof up and get off the path a bit, I know God will be there to direct me where He wants me. He’s done it all my life.

So, readers, bear with me, please.

I am glad that I did get to experience this event with our church family. Also getting baptized were the pastor’s wife, Judy Brode, and her two sisters, Peggy Pearson and Connie Imel; Dick Michael; Ken Schmitz; sisters Teresa Bowman and Tammy Kaffenberger; Teresa’s granddaughter Isabella; and Tammy’s grandson, Parker.

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Don’t forget:

• The annual Election Day dinner at Ansonia First United Methodist Church is set for Tuesday, from 4:30 – 7 p.m. The chicken-noodle dinner will include mashed potatoes, green beans, variety of salads and yummy desserts. Cost: $7 adults, $3.50 for children 6-12, children under 6 free.

• Upcoming events at the Ansonia American Legion: Fish fry from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6 and steak fry from 5 to 8 p.m. both Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.

• Raffle tickets for the Veteran’s Day bean supper at the Ansonia American Legion on Nov. 11 are still available. The bean supper will begin at 5 p.m.

• Any veteran in the area is welcome to participate in the Veteran’s Day Parade in Greenville on Nov. 11. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 57 Commander Robert Foster said the participants will be leaving Greenville Public Library a little before 11 and march to the courthouse on South Broadway, stopping in front of the clock. Other features of the event will be a prayer, introductions, a 21-gun salute at 11:11 a.m., presentation of a wreath, and the playing of the National Anthem by the high school band. The combined color guard of the DAV, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion will also be in attendance.

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Happy birthday:

• Nov. 4 to Louise Partin (100).

• Nov. 5 to Duane Edwards, Mike Koverman, Corey Bickel, Barbara Dircksen, Jennifer Mamazza, Linda Hogue McGuire, Mike McClurg, Linda Stoltz and Autumn Everman (11).

• Nov. 6 to Melissa Riffell Mansfield (35), Nathan Gray, Mary Saintignon, Maxine DeMange, Darla Printz, Roy Doyme, Colin Moody (10), Jeff Amick, Jake DeMange, Gabe Howell, Isabel Capowski and Christopher Hill (8).

• Nov. 7 to Pam Carney, Darick Rose, Sherryl Mead, Rita Drew-Neff, Mary Thornhill Edwards, Sharon Knick Shelley, Phil Hetzler, Amy Midlam Gessler, Ted Wonder and Rita Peck.

• Nov. 8 to Vicki Easterling, Dan Hufford, John Rismiller, Kay Camacho, Brady Dowler, Connie Apple, Tony Best and Gabriel Werner.

• Nov. 9 to Tom Magoto Jr., Mikey Shoenleben, Rob Widener, Danielle Keiser, Corvin Farmer, Don Delaplane (65) and Linda Johnston (65).

• Nov. 10 to Bridget Swabb Ashley, Mary Francis, Jeff Clack, twins Dennis Shiverdecker and Diane Shiverdecker Zumbrink, Shelly Hoffman, Jan Keiser, Teresa Knapke, Alysha Jenkins, Greg Wendel, Kaylee Hartrum, Jacob Erwin, Ray Donadio and Jamie Whitfield.

• Nov. 11 to J.D. Clymer, Deanna York, DeAnna Best, Marge Harman, Christine Randall, Michael Mullens, Candy Stump, Sharon Henry and Kelly Brandon Goodwin.

Happy anniversary to: Randy and Mary Ann Grilliot (25) on Oct. 27; Tim and Donna Wagner (45) on Oct. 31; Linda and Bob Vehorn today; Dennis and Paula Moody and Jack and Carole Harless, all on Nov. 5; Ron and Joanne Duncan (50) on Nov. 6; and Stacy (Kammer) and Matthew Barnt on Nov. 11.

Happy belated anniversary to: Lynne and Rick Gump and Shane and Angela Coby, all on Oct. 19; and Brad and Jennifer Shook (20 years) on Oct. 21.

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Don’t forget to pray for: Stacy Dorko, Phil Clark, Jim Marker, Don and Linda Myers, Nina McDaniel, Rick Moody, John Clack, Rusty Wilson, Gloria Keller-Brinley, Lee Moody (our father), Linda Johnston, Ron Kreitzer, Pappy Harshman, Gerald Rhoades, Chris Young, Harold Rismiller, Rick Jones, Albert Duncan, Delores Duncan, Ansonia Police Chief Frank Shapiro, Randy Heck, John Klipstine, Greg Moody, Elsie Svajda, Dave Sherman, Sue Chitty, Phil Chilcoat, Christine Pipenger, Paul Barton, Terry Ungericht, Gracyn Blackburn, Jim Moody, Lowell Arnold, Joe and Wanda Bailey, Mel Grile, Robert Codling, Kohen Thwaits, J.C. and D’Arleen Waymire, Deanna Jones, William DeBord, Dave Starline, Bob Hiestand Jr., Kathy and Tom Hamilton, Joanne Sharp, Larry Bemis, Ivan Miller, Cindy Elson, Cary Van De Grift, Dina Dancer Morris, Teresa Mayo Hammons, Jim Crotcher, Tina Kiser Deaton, Alvera Schmitz, Jerrod Pratt, Vicky Henderson, Julia Frey, Tonia Thompson, Fred Monnin, Thelma Shade, Bob Coppock, Stephen “Brownie” Brown.

Also, Nate Epperson, Brad Pipenger, Faye Schlecty, Michelle Sparks Reed, Bill Beasley, Steve Cunningham, Kody Ketring, Bob and Sandy Finkbine, Kevin Dickey, Joe Martin, Tracy Bailey, Brenda Grimes, Margaret “Peg” Bundy, Kevin Hemmerich, Ray Dickey Jr., Penny Starns, Tim Heck, Vanna (Hannam) Abbott, Suzy Heck Schilling, Addie Henderson, Barb Morrow Zimmerman, Samantha Smith, Shannon Peters Hall, Todd Walls, Ron Kramer, Melissa “Missy” Helmer, Susie Gress of Nebraska, Dana Holzapfel, Kara Didier, Carla Welch, Bill Schuette and to all those others who suffer from the many debilitating diseases. And, God bless all of our military people serving and protecting this nation.

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Jamie and I express our condolences to the families of: Kenny Dunevant, Marg Miller, Baby Raven Burchfield, Isabella Scott, Linda James and Betty Mikesell-McCullough.

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Think about it: “Don’t carry your mistakes around with you. Instead, place them under your feet and use them as stepping stones.” — Unknown

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By Linda Moody

Linda Moody is a staff writer for The Daily Advocate. Her column appears every Sunday. She can be reached at [email protected].

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