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If you missed the event last week at Tipton-Haynes Historic Site you missed something wonderful. We had food, vendors with arts and crafts, axe throwing, archery, drums, bands, and a candy dance that everyone enjoyed. We hold several events a year and this was the first to kick things off. The next one is in July. It is called “The Gathering.” It is a dinner put on by the board members. It is open to the public so grab your best kilt and come on out. Then in September we have a big two-day event. You can find more info on our Facebook page or our website: Appalachian Highlands Celts.

Also, we would like to wish everyone a happy and safe July the Fourth. When you celebrate, let’s remember why we have the fourth and how our forefathers joined from all walks of life to help build a nation that is one of the strongest in the world. And, like today, they had their differences. They disagreed on almost everything from politics to religion but they still were able to create a strong nation. So let us remember this, as we as a nation, move forward. We will never agree completely on everything but we can still come together as one Nation under God, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

President Thomas Jefferson on Equality:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Fun fact: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams did not like each other, however, both died July 4, 1826 — hours apart.

Part 2
Just Her and God
By Lorie Ann McReynolds
During all those sleepless nights, God was preparing her for what was to come. He saw things she didn’t. He heard things she didn’t. And He knew things she didn’t. God was her rock. He was the only one she could count on now. You keep you in perfect peace whose mind stays on you for he trusts in you. She kept repeating that verse over and over again. The relationship between her and her husband was barely tolerable. She knew everything in her life was God caused or God allowed. And she couldn’t figure out why He wasn’t answering her prayers. But He was. He wasn’t answering them the way she wanted Him to. He was answering them in the way it was best for her. Lately, the tension in their home was unbearable. She was suffocating when she was near her husband. She spent most of her time just trying to stay out of his way.

One Saturday, she went to a baseball game to watch her friend’s kids play. It was a good game and good weather. The fall air was moving in but still warm enough to get a slight sunburn. She was in such a good mood she thought about texting her husband to ask if he wanted her to pick up some food on her way home. But she didn’t. She didn’t want to hear his excuses. She pulled into her driveway and noticed his truck wasn’t there. Sadness struck her. She wondered where he had gone this time. She walked into the house and saw his shoes gone. She went into their bedroom and saw his dresser gone. She looked in the closet and saw an empty space where his clothes had hung. She went into the bathroom and saw his toothbrush missing from its place next to hers. He had moved out while she was at the game. She sat down in a chair in the living room. She was in shock, but she didn’t cry. Then, she felt this relief wash over her. No more fighting, no more tension, no more ugliness. She even felt her appetite coming back.

God showed her that He was all she needed. She learned that God permits what He hates to accomplish that in which He loves. God showed her that He was able. He was going to be her comforter, her provider, and her protector. On her worst day, God was with her. On her best day, God was with her. He was always at work around her. She is part of His story. God was going before her. And He still is. Indeed, He is a good, good Father.