The Southern Torch — Vol. 6, No. 15

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 / VOL. 6, NO. 15 / $1.00

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No Second for Stiefel

Churches might be empty, but so is the tomb.

Have a Happy Easter from all of us at Southern Torch!

STAY AT HOME

By Zach Hester, Reporter zach@southerntorch.com

Before last Friday, Alabama had been one of only a dozen states to avoid issuing a "stay-at-home" order. That has now changed. (File Photo)

22-Year-Old Arrested for Rape

ALABAMA — On Friday afternoon, Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) officially issued a "stay-at-home" order for Alabama residents. The order went into effect last Saturday and will last, at least, through April 30.

Alabama residents are instructed to stay-at-home unless doing the following: • To obtain necessary supplies

• To obtain or provide necessary services • To attend religious services (provided they have 10 people or less in attendance, can maintain a six-foot distance or is a drive-in service) • To take care of others • To work • To engage in outdoor activity • To seek shelter • To travel as required by law • To visit family members

"You need to understand we are past urging people to stay at home," said Ivey. "It is now the law."

Previously, Ivey placed the state under statewide emergency health orders that closed public schools for the rest of the school year, closed non-essential businesses, and prohibited public gatherings of 10 or more.

To read the full stay-at-home order, please visit southerntorch.com.

marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — (Full video on our Facebook) The DeKalb County Commission met for a Special Called Meeting on April 7. This meeting will replace the 2nd and 4th Tuesday regular meeting in April.

Due to recent proclamations by Governor Kay Ivey regarding only ten

Director Michael Posey.

District 2 and District 4 Commissioners Scot Westbrook and Lester Black, along with Director of Emergency Management Agency Anthony Clifton joined via the internet.

The main purpose of the meeting was to extend the Emergency Management Agency Disaster Declaration that was put in place in early March to run

• LISTEN TO 98-3 WILD COUNTRY & 101-7 THE TORCH

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•

marla@southerntorch.com

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Asst. EMA Director Michael Posey addressed the Commission at a special called meeting on Tuesday. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)

attendees in the meeting, Commission President Ricky Harcrow, District 1 Commissioner Shane Wooten and District 3 Commissioner Chris Kuykendall were the only commissioners in attendance.

The commissioners were joined by County Administrator Matt Sharp, County Attorney Jeff McCurdy and Assistant Emergency Management Agency

By Marla Jones Managing Editor

concurrently with the State of Alabama Disaster Declaration issued by Governor Kay Ivey.

County Administrator Matt Sharp addressed the Commission on behalf of County Engineer Ben Luther regarding the ATRIP Supplemental Agreement. In 2015 the County used the ATRIP

Commission Holds Special Called Meeting

By Marla Jones Managing Editor

The Rainsville City Council held their regular meeting via teleconference on Monday evening. (Photo

by Getty Images)

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — (Full video on our Facebook) The Rainsville City Council held its first meeting of April via a teleconference call on Monday due to coronavirus.

Councilmember Marshall Stiefel addressed the Council regarding the safety of the Rainsville City Employees. Stiefel stated that he had spoken with the mayor numerous times and had even tried to call a special meeting to address safety issues during the COVID-19 outbreak. He expressed his concern regarding the thumb-print time clock and the potential of contamination. Stiefel made a motion to suspend the use of the thumb-print time clock during this time. The motion failed due to a lack of a second. “I am not an alarmist; however, I do think there are simple proactive steps we should have already been taking to keep the virus from spreading,� said Stiefel. “Having the same 40 or 50 people touch a clock with their thumb seems like a bad idea.� “Our sanitation department doesn’t just serve Rainsville. Many other communities depend on us too,� he continued. “While the

By Southern Torch Staff FORT PAYNE, Ala. — From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: A Fort Payne man was arrested on a rape charge last Friday.

After receiving a tip early last week and an investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Jason Bolt (22 of Fort Payne) was arrested on a charge of Rape, 2nd Degree.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the arrest: “This is a great job on the part of our investigators when it comes to protecting our children from predators.

No matter what current events are taking place, this must always be one of our top priorities.� “God Bless!�

Concluded Sheriff Welden.

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FRIDAY — APRIL 10, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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NACC Technology Prepared for Pandemic

By Jackson Blaze Staff POWELL, Ala. — The past few weeks have been anything but ordinary for community colleges across Alabama. As the nation experiences a world-wide, unprecedented pandemic, the leadership, faculty, and staff at Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) have remained calm and laser-focused on their students.

The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) was forced to modify instruction at each of its 24 institutions in a matter of days, transitioning each college to online-only instruction for the remainder of the spring semester. For the faculty and staff at NACC, being well prepared has been the key to success.

NACC President Dr. David Campbell weighed in on the situation. “These are horrible, tragic times with the coronavirus pandemic occurring,” Dr.

Campbell stated. “Our faculty and staff are using our educational technology to provide a quality education for our students during these very trying times. Our educational technology support staff has really kept us going in this effort. I commend everyone’s leadership and dedication to helping our students.”

Technology resources at NACC are second to none. The Learning Management System (LMS) allows instructors to hold virtual classes much in the same manner as their face to face classes. Instructors can create video lectures with or without quizzes using a tool called Canvas Studio. Students can submit all work online as well. NACC also offers secure online exams using proctoring tools like Respondus, Lockdown Browser with Monitor, and Proctorio for students with Chromebooks.

Northeast also

licenses Microsoft Office 365, making it available for free to all NACC faculty, staff, and students. Within the Office365 package, there are numerous tools available including Teams, SharePoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more. Although this feature was in place before the COVID-19 outbreak, faculty, staff, and students are using it now more than ever.

Amid the sudden change of scenery, faculty and staff at Northeast were well equipped as they transitioned to working remotely from their respective homes. NACC’s ETS department quickly implemented a “grab and go” program, putting computers and printers in the hands of every staff member and student in need. This program created a seamless transition to online instruction, and students continued in their courses without hiccups.

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SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — The City of Scottsboro has made several changes in order to comply with new guidelines set by Governor Kay Ivey’s “stay-at-home” order.

According to a statement made on Monday, the Scottsboro City Park is now closed to vehicle traffic. The walking trail is still open, but everyone is required to comply with social distancing guidelines. Goose Pond, considered an essential business by the Alabama Department of Public Health, will operate on a regular schedule, but have increased security.

In regards to scheduling changes with the sanitation department changes, the statement said, “the City of Scottsboro’s employees will be working on a staggered schedule to comply with the new health order and to also practice social distancing policy.”

“This means fewer workers will be available to the public at any given time,” it continued. Residential pickup will stay on a normal schedule of the same day, but trash pickup may not be at the same time.

Residential recycling will also be the same day, but possibly delayed. The landfill will operate under normal hours. For any further questions regarding the sanitation department, please contact them at (256) 259-5548.

In the street department, brush and debris will still be picked up but it will be on a rotating schedule, thus there will be no set days for pickup.

The City of Scottsboro hopes that everyone will be understanding at this time and will provide further updates as they become available.

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computers readily available allowed this program to be successful.

Educational Technology Support is also equipped with a remote access software, which has proved to be invaluable during this telecommuting period. This tool is used to offer IT support to faculty and staff, as ETS staff can remotely access, manage, and offer technical support to the entire NACC community.

The key to NACC’s success in transitioning to online-only instruction and telecommuting is simply being prepared. There was no instruction time lost enrolling students in an online system. One simple training session had all instructors up to speed on how to deliver course content electronically.

Dr. Campbell is especially proud of the Technology Department at Northeast, saying, “We (NACC) have the best support system. Working from home may not be ideal, we are making it work as a team.”

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THE SOUTHERN TORCH

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COMMUNITY

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Local Churches Host "Drive-In" Easter Services DeKalb Begins

By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Several local churches across the area will host special "drive-in" services on Easter

Sunday.

Those who wish to attend must follow the guidelines dictated by Governor Kay Ivey: everyone in your vehicle must share the same residence, all vehicles must be six feet apart,

and no one will be allowed to leave their vehicle. • Rainsville First Baptist Church: Located at 223 Church Ave NW in Rainsville. Begins at 10 a.m. and will be carried live on WVSM 103.1 in

Juvenile Located MEETING FROM PAGE 1 in Chattanooga Supplemental Program

By Southern Torch Staff FORT PAYNE, Ala. — From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: On Thursday, April 2, a 13-year-old juvenile female ran away from the Griffin Street area of Powell; stealing a car and taking a 3 year old neighbor with her.

Amber Alerts were issued and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office immediately began searching for the juveniles. The 13-year-old had previously ran away on two different occasions to the Scottsboro, Alabama and Chattanooga, Tennessee areas.

After reported sightings in Chattanooga, DCSO investigators and Narcotics Agents traveled there and worked closely with the Chattanooga Police Department. At approximately 10 pm, the 3 year old child was located at the intersection of Dodson Avenue and Windsor Street in Chattanooga after the child had been left their alone by the 13-year-old.

In the early morning hours, the Chattanooga Police Department located the 13-year-old and the stolen vehicle. The juvenile was taken into

A 13-year-old juvenile was located in Chattanooga after running away from Powell last week. (File Photo)

custody.

Juvenile services in Tennessee and Alabama were made aware of the situation and are responding accordingly.

The juvenile has been transferred from Tennessee to a juvenile facility in Alabama. Due to the age of the female, we are not able to elaborate further.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said: “Our guys did an outstanding job on this case and getting this child back to safety. The Chattanooga Police Department was also pivotal in resolving this case with neither of the juveniles injured. They had their whole shift for that area working on this case and helped our guys every step of the way.� “We’re working with local juvenile authorities to ensure this situation does not happen again,� he said. “God Bless!�

Concluded Sheriff Welden.

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for over 14 million dollars in projects. The County ran out of ATRIP funds and had to use several hundred thousand dollars in federal aid money.

Some counties did not use all of the supplemental funds.

Recently, nearly $800,00 dollars has been allocated back into the ATRIP Supplemental Agreement. Sharp advised that if the Commission would agree to a new ATRIP agreement, it would free up the federal aid money that had been previously used for projects. The Commission passed the new agreement.

Sharp presented the Traffic Striping Quote for District 4 County Roads 121, 85, and 114 in the amount of $3600 which was accepted.

Sharp addressed the Commission on behalf of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office for personnel changes.

The DeKalb County Sherrif’s Office had three resignations in the County Jail: Tiffany Edwards, Zach Bell, and Lee Hitchcock. The office terminated John Brown and Adam Jackson. The office requested the hire of Tim Smith to replace Adam Jackson and promoted Sara Slaton to Sergeant to replace John Brown. That will leave four vacancies within the office, to hire at a later date.

In other business, the DeKalb County Commission:

SOUTHERN TORCH • 98-3 WILD COUNTRY • 101-7 THE TORCH Staff:

Southern Torch (USPS Periodicals #19790) is published each Friday by Southern Torch, Inc. 203 Main Street E, Rainsville, Ala. 35986. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Southern Torch, P.O. Box 614, Rainsville, Ala. 35986-0614.

Eloise Smith, General Manager Marla Jones, Managing Editor/Sports Jenna Sue Payne, Media Sales Manager Joe Sims, Radio Operations Manager Zach Hester, Art Director/Reporter Amy Thrash, Account Executive B. Annette Little, Account Executive Jodi Skinner, Account Executive Teresa Smith, Traffic Director Dylan Smith, Jackson Blaze Managing Editor Lindsey Jones, Accounting Marshall Stiefel, Distribution Manager

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Rainsville. • Central Church of Christ: Located at 1114 Main Street W in Rainsville. Begins at 10:30 a.m. • Section Holiness Church: Begins at 6 p.m.

• Appointed Thomas Ridgeway to the 911 Board • Appointed Board Members to the Peek’s Corner VFD- Robert Harris, James Mathis, and Cary Turner • Hired Sebastin Costen to replace Stanley Shores at the Dekalb County Animal Shelter. Shores retired at the end of March.

Assistant DeKalb County Emergency Management Director (EMA), Michael Posey updated the Commission regarding the COVID-19 virus in DeKalb County.

There are currently 16 cases within the county.

Posey advised that there are still a couple of weeks before we hit the peak in the County. The EMA is looking ahead to services that might be needed for DeKalb County.

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Commission will be held on May 12, 2020, beginning at 10 a.m. on the second floor Commission Chambers of the DeKalb County Activities Building.

Annual Clean-Up

DeKalb County began its annual clean-up campaign this week. The service is provided free to residents during the first 3 weeks of April. (File Photo)

By Marla Jones, Managing Editor marla@southerntorch.com DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — DeKalb County Commission President Rickey Harcrow announced that the County will be starting their annual clean-up campaign this week.

If you have spring cleaning that needs to be done while you are socially isolated, you may use the dumpsters that are located outside of the Republic Services Sand Valley Landfill in Lebanon.

This service is provided free for DeKalb County residents, for the first three weekends of April. The free service will be on the dates of April 4-5, 11-12, 18-19.

The Republic Services Sand Valley Landfill is located at 3345 County Road 209, Collinsville. “We are pleased to offer this service to the residents of DeKalb County� stated Rickey Harcrow.

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LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2020-86 ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS In the Matter of the Estate of Jack Arnold Brewer, deceased Letters of Administration of the estate of Jack Arnold Brewer, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned on the 24th day of March, 2020 by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Judge of Probate of said County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

To be published: March 27, April 3, April 10

LEGALS IN THE PROBATE COURT OF DEKALB COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: 2020-87 In the Matter of the Estate of Michael Ray Winkles LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the Estate of MICHAEL RAY WINKLES, having been granted unto the undersigned on the 30th day of March, 2020, by the Honorable Ronnie Osborn, Judge of Probate of said county, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

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Ivey Proclaims April as National Safe Digging Month

By Southern Torch Staff FULTONDALE, Ala. – Coordination, communication, and cooperation between excavators, contractors, homeowners, and utility owners can reduce the risk of damage to underground facilities. If you plan any digging, excavation, demolition activities or moving the earth that could damage underground utility facilities, state law requires contacting Alabama 811.

Unintentional damage to underground facilities during excavation projects is a significant cause of disruption in telecommunications, water supply, electric power and other vital public services, such as hospitals and air traffic control operations, and is a leading cause of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline accidents.

Everyone who contacts 811 at least two (2) working days before digging is connected to Alabama 811 who will gather information about the planned excavation location and activity and communicate it to our member utility companies. Once a site has been marked with the approximate location of the underground facilities, it is safe to begin digging

carefully around the marked areas.

As part of National Safe Digging Month, Alabama 811 encourages professional excavators and homeowners to take the following steps when planning a digging project:

• Always contact 811 a minimum of two (2) full working days, not counting the day of notification before digging, regardless of the depth. • Plan ahead. Call Alabama 811 or use our online locate request Web

Portal, mobile application or if you are a homeowner utilize our Homeowner Locate Request Portal or early in the week if work is planned for the upcoming weekend, to provide ample time for the approximate location of member underground utility lines

e o m a c t n e w o y s I p t a c h b o c M w c j t m a p f

to be marked. • Professional locators will then to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines at your project dig site. • Confirm that all lines have been marked by the Alabama 811 member utilities with spray paint, flags or stakes. • Consider moving the location of your project if it is near utility line markings. • If a contractor has been hired, always confirm that the contractor has contacted 811. Don’t allow work to begin if the lines aren’t marked.

To find out more information about Alabama 811, visit www. call811.com.

FRIDAY — APRIL 10, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

5

POLITICS

STIEFEL FROM PAGE 1

employees’ health and overall well-being are the most important aspect in all of this, you do have to consider the implications that could arise if we are not proactive. If one employee gets sick, then we have to quarantine all of them and there goes your sanitation and sewer department.

Imagine if all the garbage pickup and sewer treatment in Rainsville and the surrounding communities were halted. We would be in a big mess. I'm just glad I opened up the conversation for the Mayor to implement wiping down the time clock after each use. It’s just like everything else I try to do. If I made a motion to give a dollar to a hungry orphan; I’d probably still be waiting for a second.�

Rainsville Fire Chief, Willimac Wright addressed the Council regarding the need for a new thermal imaging camera. The expense to the City would only be $225 due to a grant from Walmart in the amount of $1375, reimbursement for the training of Tyler Phillips by Fort Payne in

the amount of $2500 and a $100 donation. The motion was made to purchase the camera and passed by a unanimous vote.

In other business, the Rainsville City Council: • Closed the Imagination Library Account with First Fidelity Bank • Transferred Imagination Library Balce to AMRV account • Postponed upcoming paving projects • Hired James Smart as part-time Sanitation Driver • Will put out bids for the extension of sewer lines from Roy Sanderson Drive to Marshall Road for the new Medical Clinic on Hwy 35. Bids to be open on April 17, 2020. • Agreed to extend the sewer line on Rabbit Run Road, at a cost of approximately $3000 • Passed Resolution 04-05-2020 to surplus a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado The next meeting of the Rainsville City Council will be held on Monday, April 20 with a workshop at 4:15 p.m. and the regular meeting immediately following at 5 p.m.

DeKalb Announces Alternate School Plan

By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Students across the State of Alabama, including those in DeKalb County, will not return to school in a traditional sense this school year.

Due to the developing situation regarding COVID-19, DeKalb County Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett and the DeKalb County Board of Education have released their alternative learning plan to prepare students for a fresh start in the fall. The following goals were stated in a letter to the community (they have been condensed for space): 1. Student well-being and communication The DeKalb County Board of Education's primary focus is the well-being of our stidents, faculty and staff. To ensure we stay informed about each member of our community, teachers will be in weekly communication with the students in their homeroom (K-6)

and first-period class (7-12). If a need is identified or emerges, the teachers will communicate with local counselors, administrators, nurses, and other appropriate personnel to ensure those needs are met. Teachers will also use this time to review the coursework provided and identify supports that might be needed.

Administrators will also check in with teachers and other faculty and staff weekly to determine if they have any needs that need to be supported during this time.

2. Student Learning and Content Support • Seniors: Seniors are a priority during this time in terms of graduation. Senior students who are in good terms regarding graduation have completed their requirements as of now.

Seniors who are not in good standing will be afforded opportunities to meet the standard criteria for graduating.

Local counselors, teachers and administrators will work closely with these students. • Grades K-11:

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Students in Grades K-11 will be provided a calendar of activities to complete. The calendar of assignments and resources will begin on April 13, 2020 and will conclude on May 15, 2020. This document and plan of instruction is provided so that activities and expectations are consistent across schools. Many of these activities will utilize online resources. Those without Internet access will communicate with their teacher and print resources will be provided. During the teachers' weekly communications, students and parents are encouraged to ask questions and seek any support needed.

Teachers will also work with SPED, EL, etc. to ensure proper supports in place for your child's education. Teachers will also maintain virtual office hours.

3. Preparing for the 2020-21 School Year With the stress of supporting a family, working, and "teaching" from home, assignments will not be overcomplicated during the remainder of the school year.

The Board believes they have developed a plan of activities to adequately support students in meeting standards over the next six weeks, and prepare them for the next school year. • Possible Back to School Program: The Board is currently exploring a "Jump Start" type school session in the weeks leading up to the start of the 2020-21 school year, contingent

on public health and funding. This program would review preceding grades' standards and begin introducing and preparing for the rising grade. More information regarding this will be presented in the future.

4. Maintain Facilities and Properties During this alternative school environment, third-party vendors have been brought in to help sanitize properties; in addition, financial resources have been provided for the purpose of acquiring and implementing sanitation efforts. Employees will observe an abbreviated work schedule to reduce interaction and ensure proper personal safety.

5. Be Thankful "I, for one, am thankful for the opportunity that I have been given to serve DeKalb County during this time of national and state emergency," said Barnett in the letter. "I have heard from countless faculty and staff that are missing their students and their day-to-day routine. We didn't quite realize that Friday, March 13 — or Monday, March 16, for some — would be the last day we would see our students on campus for the remainder of the school year."

"We didn't realize that it would be the last time we entered our school and classroom for nearly a month. We may not always know when the last time to do something is, so it is important each day that we give our best effort and show kindness and love because it could be our last chance," Barnett concluded. "So, let's make the most of this time together and the time apart. Be compassionate, be forgiving, and show kindness."

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FRIDAY — APRIL 10, 2020

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

DEATH NOTICES

FAITH

on Saturday, April 4 at his residence. A private family service will be held with burial in Rosalie Cemetery.

W.T. WILSON Clara Edith Roden - 90 of Fyffe, passed away on Tuesday, March 31. The family will hold a private graveside service.

Brenda Charlene Collins - 69 of Geraldine, passed away on Wednesday, April 1. The family will hold a private graveside service.

Faye Tilley Blanks - 88 of Henagar, passed away on Saturday, April 4 at her residence. A private service will be held by the family and burial will be held in Unity Cemetery.

BURT

Mark Wayne Motley, Jr. - 35 of Crossville, passed away on Monday, April 6. The family will hold a private graveside service.

Marshall T. “Skeeter� Hillard - 69 of Mentone, passed away on Saturday, April 4 at the VA Medical Center in Birmingham. A graveside service was held at Little River Cemetery on Wednesday, April 8 at 1 p.m.

Aaron Kenneth Slaton - 80 of Albertville, passed away on Monday, April 6. The family will hold a private graveside service.

KERBY

CORNER STONE Jane Kessler Hale - 71 of Henagar, passed away on Thursday, April 2 at her residence. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

James Elbert Hawes - 79 of Flat Rock, passed away on Friday, April 3 at his residence. The family will hold a private burial in Smith Cemetery.

Marion White Wilson - 91 of Flat Rock, passed away on Saturday, April 4 at her residence. A private funeral service will be held by the family with burial to follow in Fuller Cemetery.

Matthew James Darwin - 34 of Pisgah, passed away

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Tammy Lynn Peek - 57 of Henagar, passed away on Sunday, April 5 at DeKalb Regional Medical Center.

RAINSVILLE Betty Jones - 88 of Fort Payne, passed away on Friday, April 3 at Collinsville Health and Rehab. The family will hold a private visitation and graveside service at a later date.

Anna Paul Traffansteadt - 81 of Fort Payne, passed away on Friday, April 3. The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date.

Terrie Jay - 60 of Fort Payne, passed away on Saturday, April 4. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Lester “Pete� Bowman - 79 of Fyffe, passed away on Monday, April 6 at his residence. A private visitation and graveside service will be held.

WILSON Julia Peek Harper - 72 of Fort Payne, passed away on Monday, April 6. Due to gathering restrictions, private services will be held.

Better Days

By Zach Hester Reporter zach@southerntorch.com

By now, if you haven't been living under any sort of rock, you'll have noticed things are...a little different.

Instead of the majority of us hopping out of bed to go to work, we roll out a little later than usual, throw on a pair of sweats, and head for the couch or a brisk walk outside (six feet away from others). If you're an essential worker, your schedule might not be different but your hygiene routine likely is. While it's vital to focus on the physical health of those in our world at this time, let's not neglect that there is plenty to be thankful for in any time of crisis if you look closely enough.

I'm naturally a pessimist (can't help it), but these days, in the midst of my own anxiety, I'm looking for the positives.

Examples: instead of thinking I am "stuck at home," I am blessed to be able to stay home and spend extra time with my family; instead of being mad that I can't go out to eat chips and salsa at my

local Mexican restaurant, I am blessed to have food in my home to share with my loved ones.

In 1 Peter 5:10, the Bible says, "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal grace by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."

When the dust of this virus settles, and one day sooner than we think, it will settle, God will still be in control as He always has and always will be.

The best days are always ahead of us, no matter what the state of the world is like, because the goal we're marching toward, the Kingdom of Christ, is always just over the horizon for those who have chosen to seek His face and accept salvation.

I hope you hold on to that while you're "stuck inside" or worried about being an essential worker.

God was not surprised by COVID-19, and he isn't afraid of it either. Please take this time to heed advice from experts by staying home, enjoying this extra time with your family, and soon enough, we will all see better days.

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...And Don't Forget to Wash Your Hands