May 2024

These days, getting all three of my semi-grown daughters together for a family activity is like herding cats who have cars, jobs at coffee shops and their own debit cards. So, when our girls were able to pencil us in for a quick weekend trip to San Antonio, my wife and I jumped at the chance . . . or sort of hopped. Our backs hurt.

John 4:34 “My food,” Jesus said to them, “is to obey the will of the one who sent me and to finish the work he gave me to do.” What feeds us? What gives us sustenance? What is it that we take into ourselves that allows us to accomplish not only what we need to, but what we want to, as well? What gives us the nourishment that gives us the energy and drive to be better humans? Do we even think about what we take into our bodies and our souls? Is what we take in intentional, or are we eating on impulse? There are times when we are in the grocery store shopping for our food for the week, but we suddenly feel that we need some extra energy. So, when we reach the checkout stand, we impulsively grab that candy bar or soft drink to give us that extra boost to keep going.

An end of athletic competition for 2023-24 seasons, on Tuesday, May 7, the Fort Stockton Athletics Department hosted the annual Spring Fling for all athletic teams. The Spring Fling gathering is a time for student athletes to unwind at the end of their competitive seasons, while also allowing each program to be recognized for their accomplishments.

Iraan-Sheffield Independent School District is riding a wave of athletic success, with their Braves teams making significant strides in basketball, golf, and track. Athletic Director Berry Bowman recently expressed his appreciation for the Fort Stockton Pioneer’s coverage of the school’s sports programs, highlighting the dedication and hard work of the student-athletes, coaches, and community members who have contributed to this remarkable year.

The final chapter of the Fort Stockton Middle School golf season closed with a flourish at the recent Monahans tournament. Both the Panthers and Prowlers turned in their most impressive performances of the year, demonstrating remarkable progress and exciting potential.

Fort Stockton Pioneer.

Dear Neil: There has been an exponential increase in the number of thistle plants on my rural property this year. Although I have found a terrific garden tool that lets me extract them roots and all, I don’t have the energy. I don’t want to use toxic chemicals. What other options do I have?

The 2023-2024 Youth Leadership class celebrated graduation on May 8 with a luncheon at the Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce. To graduate from the Leadership program, the students must attend at least seven monthly class meetings and perform community service throughout the school year. At the graduation celebration, each received an official Youth Leadership pin, certificate, and small gifts from the Youth Leadership program leaders Arna Mc-Corkle and Letricia Slater. We are very proud of the class and know they will all go far, becoming leaders and exemplary community-minded citizens. The students with the top 3 community service hours are eligible for scholarships. This year’s scholarship recipients are: $1,500 Scholarship – Audrey Mendoza, $1,000 Scholarship – Elizabeth Bislar, $500 Scholarship – Alyssa Rangel.

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I was given one for my birthday by a good friend. When I took it out of the small package, I thought he was playing a trick on me. I didn’t say anything until one day he asked me how it was doing. I sadly said it was dead. He started laughing and told me to go home and put it in a little water. I did and to my amazement in a few days it had uncurled from a little dry brownish dead-looking ball to a beautiful greenish, full of life plant. It is called the Rose of Jericho or the Resurrection Plant. That little plant reminds me of a dynamic in the Christian life.