It was great to see some of our friends back at Covenant Sunday! I am so thankful that people are able to get their vaccines and feel comfortable coming to church now. I agree with dad, it’s a sign that we are headed for better days. I leave today for Mission Inn at Howey-in-the-Hills for our first LIVE training event in over a year. I have 60 people coming for School Finance training. I was surprised that many people were ready to venture out, but am really looking forward to meeting the people I have been “Zooming” with. All this being said, I go back to a verse I cited in my “sermon” Sunday. Romans 5:3-5 says. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” I sure feel like I have persevered through Covid, and that many of the tribulations I faced have built my character. What about you? The reassuring factor in all of this was the hope that I have in my Savior. The hope that told me, God is in control. The hope that told me, no matter what I have a spot in heaven. (It may be on the back row but I will take it!) It’s a hope that is buried deep within our souls. We must grab hold of that hope and let our light shine. I likened it to being a Super Bowl commercial when I spoke Sunday. I don’t know about you but I wasn’t impressed with the commercials at all, but the message is simply to be a big, neon lit billboard for Christ! Like it said in the song we sung; “Reach down deep in your hearts and let your light shine.” Shine, Shine, Shine!Tina