I wish Hartselle Enquirer readers a “happy spring”’ and share the following thoughts about what the spring season means to me.

Spring is that special time of the year that God blesses us with Mother Nature at her best. The trees are dressed up all pretty and green, the buttercups raise their yellow heads and the fruit trees are bloomed out and looking beautiful. I love to visit the Bankhead Forest and take pictures of what I like to call “God’s Country.” I am very thankful to be living in this great country where we are free to enjoy the simple things in life, and we can still say “God Bless America” without the fear of being locked up because of our beliefs. The U.S. is the greatest country in the world and I am very proud and thankful to be enjoying another spring in Alabama where I was born and raised.

Members of Shady Grove Baptist Church express Christian love and prayers for the following people who are on the church’s prayer list: Courtney Camper, Jimmy Wright, Ian Sapp, Madonna Holladay, Sherry Anderson, LeAnn Lamar, Cecil Ransom, Stephanie Hyde, Chuck Honer, Chuck Parker’s mom, Ben Anderson, Delbert Vest, Gene Shelton, Janis Spinks, Kaye Alred, Rhonda Lindsey, Barbara Gillespie, Jerry Jordan and Don L. Allen.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Mildred Lake and Jada Vest, both on Mar. 29 and Macky Vest on Mar. 31.

Shady Grove Baptist Church members expressed loving memories for the following deceased church members on the month of their birthdays: Tina Anders Long, Jan. 18, 1959 – Jan. 31, 2012; Fay Sudduth, Mar. 22, 1931 – June 25, 2007; and Ottie Lou Self, Mar. 6, 1930 – Nov. 10, 2006.

Special happy wedding anniversary wishes go out to Chuck and Kim Parker who will observe their 14th anniversary on Mar. 28.

Members of Shady Grove Baptist Church extend love and heartfelt prayers to the following families: Chuck Holder and Paige Boyd and family in the death of their aunt, Hazel Overton; Shay Terry and family in the death of her grandmother, Marilyn “Punky” Raney; Jerry and Janet Williams and family in the death of their friend, Coy Lee Vinzant; Diann Alexander and family in the death of her aunt, Mary Lee Poteet; and Betty Boyd and family in the death of her cousin, Vernon Gene Jones.