Here is your challenge this week. Choose your words wisely. This is a challenge that has more difficulty to it today than it would in a “normal” time period. But we are obviously not in a normal time period. So, what does the Bible say about choosing your words?

A total of 955 students completed associate, bachelor’s or graduate degrees at Fort Hays State University in the fall 2020 term, with seven of those being from Rooks County. The university conferred 265 graduate degrees (master’s, Education Specialist and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees), 662 bachelor’s degrees and 28 associate degrees.

Jared Casey of Plainville and Jersey Kaiser of Hays are among the more than 7,100 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas who earned honor roll distinction for the fall 2020 semester. The honor roll comprises undergraduates who meet requirements in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and in the schools of Architecture & Design, Business, Education, Engineering, Health Professions, Journalism & Mass Communications, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy and Social Welfare.

This romance/drama was filmed in 2007. When Gerry, the husband of Holly Kennedy dies from an illness, she loses the love of her life. Knowing how hard Holly will take his death, Gerry planned ahead. Beginning on her 30th birthday she receives the first in a series of letters written by him, designed to ease her grief and encourage her to move forward to a new life. Starring Gerard Butler, Hilary Swank, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Harry Connick Jr., Lisa Kudrow, Kathy Bates, Gina Gershon, James Marsters and Nellie McKay.

THE THRILL OF VICTORY. His name was Vinko Bogataj. Someone has stated that he was perhaps the most viewed athlete in history. Depending on your age, you could well have seen him on Saturdays. In the opening to ABC's Wide World of Sports, it was when Jim McKay said, "...and the agony of defeat" that you saw Vinko blow through the side of the ski jump, through a banner, flailing head over skis. Yes, Vinko became known as "the agony of defeat guy." From 1971 through the end of the show in 1998, this guy was defeated every Saturday. Do you ever feel that way as a Bible-believing Christian? Certainly our lives are often filled with defeat after defeat—physical, mental, occupational, relational, and, yes, spiritual. Especially spiritual. Paul's life was no different. In a sense, Paul was seemingly always defeated. He wrote to the Corinthians, "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Cor. 4:8-9). Two chapters later, Paul lists out many challenges that he faced: "in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings" (2 Cor. 6:4-5). But through it all, Paul triumphantly states, "yet always rejoicing" (6:10). For us who are genuine Christians, the circumstances of life can at times make us feel like Vinko and that our lives are filled with "the agony of defeat." That's when we need to get back to the Word of God and be reminded that "the thrill of victory" is already ours. Paul exhorted the Philippian believers to "rejoice in the Lord" (3:1). That is the victory! We have to realize that the Lord might not change our circumstances, but He can change you and me by getting us back to thinking Biblically. No, we might not be able to rejoice in our circumstances, but we can ALWAYS rejoice in the Lord for He is our Victory!

Kurt and Megan Engle of Manhattan are happy to announce the arrival of Avery Elizabeth born on the 6th of January, 2021. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. She joins big brother, Brooks, who is 22 months old. Proud grandparents are Mark and Barb McClain of Smith Center and Alan and Lanie Engle of Manhattan. Great-grandparents are Larry and Betty Lala of Woodston, Buck and Helen McClain of Hesston, Wilson and Donna Scott of Belleville (deceased), and Kenny and Maudine Lantz of Otis (deceased).

Chase and Gabriel Kuhlmann are excited to announce the birth of their baby sister, Avery Lynn Kuhlmann, at 5:05 p.m. on Monday, February 8, 2021, at Hays Medical Center in Hays. She weighed in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and was 20 inches long. Her parents are Mitchell and Shelby Kuhlmann of Stockton. Grandparents are Greg and Terri Moore ,and Dennis and Sherry Kuhlmann all of Stockton. Great-grandparents are Betty Kaba and Verna Mauck of Stockton, Bill Moore of Studley, and Rex and Judy Gunther of Colorado.

The January meeting of the Star 4-H Club was called to order on January 10, 2021, at 7:30 p.m., via Zoom by president Ryan Mongeau. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Oliva and the 4-H Pledge by Jonathan.

The menus for the week beginning Monday, February 22, are as follows: Monday—Pork cutlet, hashbrown casserole, California blend vegetables, bread, applesauce. Tuesday—Chili, Ambrosia fruit salad, crackers, cinnamon roll. Wednesday—Oven-baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, bread, peaches. Thursday—Turkey tetrazzini, sweet potatoes, bread, fruit cobbler. Friday—Chef salad (meat on the side), tropical fruit, crackers, pudding.