Yearly Archives: 2024
Rest, A Necessary Blessing by Patty LaRoche

Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
Jesus wants us to rest. His kind of rest. “Come to me, all of you who are weary, and I will give you rest,” he says. The Christian life should not be a burden, yet choices we make to stay in a perpetual state of busy-ness force it to become just that.
Dave and I are in Las Vegas, and this past week we rode e-bikes to Boulder City, about 10 miles away, for breakfast. If you’re not familiar with e-bikes, they are amazing. You pedal but choose a gear (0-Race mode). Some of our crazier relatives ride only in Race-mode, but I stay in the lower gears unless there is a hill, and then I press “2” and let the bike do most of the work. I still pedal, just to pretend that I’m doing something.
On our ride, we passed legitimate bikers who had no battery pack to assist them. They struggled to pedal up the steep hills as we passed them with ease. Of course, they were getting a work out that we weren’t, but our ride was relaxing and fun and stressless. Only one time did I accidentally hit the throttle and propel myself forward, narrowly missing Dave’s bike, but other than that, our excursion was easy-breezy.
Not so with the regular bikers.
The Christian journey should be more akin to the restful, e-bike experience. At least, that’s the way Jesus would desire it to be, for Jesus-rest allows us to find solace and renewal that only he can offer. Sometimes, he even permits an injury or sickness to slow us down. In Psalm 23:2, David, the shepherd boy-turned king, wrote this about God: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” Get that? He “makes me.” Jesus knows that we require rest, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Still, we choose to stubbornly dig in our heels to the point of exhaustion in order to meet the goals we have set for ourselves. In that, we miss God-goals. Yesterday in our Bible study, one woman spoke about her judgmentalism towards homeless people and how God stopped her from rushing past them on the street last week when one said to her, “Love God.” She paused and asked him to repeat what he had just said. “Love God,” he restated, as if a directive from the Lord Himself.
She shared with us that sometimes we encounter angels in human clothing and instead of dismissing them because we are rushing to check something off of our to-do list, we need to recognize that God might have other plans. The woman admitted that she (pedaling through life as fast as she could?) has never stopped a stranger with those words, yet a homeless man (allowing God to do all the work?) had shared them with her.
In the article “Scripture Savvy,” Jamie Wilson writes that being still doesn’t just refer to physical stillness but also to a quieting of our hearts and minds. “It is an invitation to trust in God’s wisdom and plans, knowing that He is in control and will be exalted in every situation…Resting in God is not passive; it requires an active surrender of our lives and a recognition of His saving work in our hearts. It is a conscious decision to find our security and peace in Him alone.”
Say what you want, but in life, especially in this spiritual journey, I will take all the help I can get.
Summer School and Free Food Start in June at USD 234
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 30
Southeast Kansas Library System May Newsletter
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Special Kansas Legislature Session Will Convene
Governor Kelly Announces Special Session
of the Kansas Legislature
TOPEKA— Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that she will use her constitutional power under Article 1, Section 5 of the Kansas Constitution to reconvene the Kansas Legislature for a special session on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
“I am committed to working with the Legislature to deliver responsible, sustainable tax cuts for all Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “A special session provides the opportunity for bipartisan collaboration on comprehensive tax relief that does not threaten Kansas’ solid fiscal foundation. By working together, we can swiftly come to a compromise to put more money back into Kansans’ pockets.”
Governor Kelly will issue the proclamation officially convening the Legislature for a special session in the coming days.
Obituary of Deborah Baxley
Deborah Sue Baxley, age 67, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at the Ascension Via Christie Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. Debbie was born March 20, 1957 in Fort Scott, the daughter of Cecil Otis Lancaster and Vivian Louse Towel Lancaster. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1975. Debbie was employed at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, then she went to work for her sister Marsha at Marsha’s Great Plains Deli. At the Deli you could find Debbie out front at her table taking orders and visiting with the customers as they came in. She spent many hours at the ballpark watching her brothers play, then when the nieces and nephews started playing she would go to all their games as well. She had great pride the last several years getting to spend time with her own grandchildren and taking them out to eat and driving around.
Debbie is survived by her daughter Shelly Rowe (Dan) of Fort Scott, Kansas, two grandsons, Anthony and Christopher Rowe; two brothers Tom Lancaster (Kay) and Don Lancaster, both of Fort Scott, one sister Carolyn Washburn (Gary) of Eagle River, Alaska; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Vivian Lancaster, a sister Marsha Lancaster, and a grandson, Tucker Rowe.
A private family graveside will take place the Memory Gardens Cemetery.
There will be a celebration of life at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com
Signup to Enter the Good Ol’ Days Parade Today! Lavetta Simmons Will Be the Grand Marshall

At the Good Ol’ Days Parade, on May 31 at 6 p.m. Lavetta Simmons will be honored as the grand marshall.
Deadline to get an entry into the parade is 1 p.m. today.
Lavetta Simmons is the true meaning of doing for others before doing for yourself, according to Sidney Zimmerman.
“She dedicated 15 years to the Care Share Cancer support group, providing empathy, love, and support to cancer fighters/survivors and their families. Sometimes she was the only listening ear available.”
“Lavetta played a pivotal role in many people’s lives and has built a legacy, providing a strong foundation for Care to Share to continue growing and providing services in the community.
“If asked, Lavetta would say something along the lines of ‘It has nothing to do me, I didn’t do it alone or I couldn’t have done it without out my family and friends’ And although she is correct, she did not do it alone, but without her relationships with family and friends and strong community presence, many tasks would have been unmanageable.
“As we honor her, she wants to thank the businesses, community members, and individuals who have made Care to Share a success.
“To those who trusted in her the first few years, as the organization grew, to our long-standing supporters- her priorities were God, Family, and Care to Share.”
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 29
Youth Rummage and Bake Sale at First Baptist Church This Weekend
Youth Fundraiser!
Rummage & Bake Sale at First Baptist Church Youth Center
123 Scott Avenue, Fort Scott on
Friday, May 31, from 8 am-2 pm and Saturday, June 1, 8 am-3 pm
Furniture, Outdoor Gear, Electronics,
Dishes, Home Décor, Clothing, Bedding Books, Toys,
Kitchen, Vinyl & Tapes And Much More!
FACE PAINTING FUN FOR YOUR KIDS!
YUMMY BAKE SALE ITEMS FOR EVERYONE!
Obituary of Joanna Woody
Joanna Woody, age 96, a former resident of rural Bronaugh, Missouri and more recently of the Presbyterian Village in Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024, in Ft. Scott. She was born February 29, 1928, in Vernon County, Missouri near what was Swartz, Missouri, the daughter of Willard Earl Foster and Pearlie Wilma Hawkins Foster. Joanna attended grade school at Eureka and McGugh country schools. She later attended Bronaugh High School through her Junior year. Her family moved to rural Redfield, Kansas and Joanna graduated from the Uniontown High School with the Class of 1946. Joanna married James R. “Jim” Woody on April 19, 1946, after he returned home from serving in World War II. They settled on a farm in Vernon County. Joanna joined the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Garland where she and her family attended when she was a child. After her husband’s conversion, they both joined and help start Pleasant View Baptist Church. After the church disbanded, they moved their membership back to Mt. Zion where Joanna is still a member. Over the years, she served as pianist and Sunday school teacher and also helped with Vacation Bible School. In earlier years, Joanna served as a 4-H cooking and sewing leader when her children were members. She was also a member of TOPS for over twenty years. She will be remembered for her homemade pies, dill pickles and pickled beets. Joanna’s desire was to serve her Lord in any way she was able and to see her children and grandchildren accept Christ and live for Him.
Joanna is survived by her children, Linda VanSickle (Gary) of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Gloria Guzman (Frank) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Dr. Michael Woody (Linda) of Carthage, Missouri, Cynthia Leech of Grandview, Missouri, Dedra Woebbecke (Michael) of Shawnee, Kansas and Marty Woody (Gayle) of Bronaugh, Missouri. Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Muriel Woody of Webb City, Missouri; twenty-one grandchildren, and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.
Joanna was preceded in death by her husband, Jim on January 19, 2008. She was also preceded in death by two sons, Willard Woody and Rev. Ron Woody, a brother, Calvin Foster and two sisters, Barbara Fay Simmons and Virginia Flo Willard and a grandson.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 31st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Zion Mission Department or Samaritan’s Purse and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of David Troutman
David Dee Troutman, age 79, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born May 3, 1945, the son of Vernon Troutman and Verna Clark Troutman. Dave grew up in Niotaze, Kansas and graduated from the Caney High School. He then served with the U. S. Air Force during the Vietnam War where he was stationed in Japan. Following his military service, Dave worked as a police officer in Las Vegas and also worked as a truck driver and mechanic. Dave married Beverly Jo Duff on July 14, 1973, at Thayer, Kansas. Together, they had three sons, Tyler, Matt, and Justin. Dave took a job with the Social Rehabilitation Service and the family relocated to Ft. Scott. He was a member of Community Christian Church. He enjoyed reading and studying the Bible as well as listening to music.
Survivors include his three sons, Tyler Troutman of Independence, Kansas, Matthew Troutman (Jessica) of Independence, Missouri and Justin Troutman of Joplin, Missouri and four grandchildren, Evan, Salma, Meriam and Autumn. Also surviving is a sister, Nancy Beyl (Frank) of Claremore, Oklahoma.
Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, on July 22, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Richard and two sisters, Linda and Geneva.
Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 30th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Private burial will take place at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to Community Christian Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.






