Thursday 05.27.04

Ruth Holland is now in the rehab center at the Clinton Regional Hospital rm 172. She arrived there Monday evening and will be there depending on progress a week to seven days. She was in quite a bit of pain this morning after three hours of therapy.

If you have news that is Sweetwater related of any kind email me at wrather@dobsonteleco.com. News will be added all through the day as it is received. The Sweetwater, OK webpage is located at www.theburningbush.org/Sweetwater.html.

Tuesday 05.25.04

Tomorrow morning are services for Georgie Nell Hardy at Rose Chapel in Sayre at 10am. Burial will be at Mulberry cemetery.

Vacation Bible School is underway at Sweetwater Baptist and we have had great attendance and a fun time.

The Sweetwater graduates are back home from North Carolina.

Just received news that Esther Dickey's daughter Eleanor's husband Don has passed away from a heart attack. Services will be Friday or Saturday in Shamrock.

If you have news that is Sweetwater related of any kind email me at wrather@dobsonteleco.com. News will be added all through the day as it is received. The Sweetwater, OK webpage is located at www.theburningbush.org/Sweetwater.html.

Saturday 05.22.04

Clara Davis entered the hospital at Sayre yesterday. She was dehydrated which caused her blood pressure to go up. Lester's hands are still numb from his fall.

Today is wedding day for Dustin Hagerman and Rachel Hill.

If you have news that is Sweetwater related of any kind email me at wrather@dobsonteleco.com. News will be added all through the day as it is received. The Sweetwater, OK webpage is located at www.theburningbush.org/Sweetwater.html.

Friday 05.21.04

Edmond reported about the clemency hearing for Leroy Bryan which held at McAlester, OK. Edmond and several family members attended including Charles Bryan and Linda Daly. Donnie Walker also attended and spoke before the board. Edmond thought he did a great job. Linda Daly also spoke - Inabel's daughter. The board voted to deny clemency and it will not go to the governor.

They had Ruth Holland up on a back board today but it made her ill. Everything seems to be going as it should.

Wedding rehearsal for Rachel Hill and Dustin Hagerman is this evening at 5pm.

If you have news that is Sweetwater related of any kind email me at wrather@dobsonteleco.com. News will be added all through the day as it is received. The Sweetwater, OK webpage is located at www.theburningbush.org/Sweetwater.html.

Thursday 05.20.04

The reconstruction of Ruth Holland's knee (full knee replacement), bone grafting for the leg and ankle repair all went well with about a 3 hour surgery. Ruth was out of recovery by about 1pm. She will be in the hospital in Oklahoma City for about 10 days including rehab. She is in Room 330 at McBride's Bone and Joint Hospital in Oklahoma City.

If you have news that is Sweetwater related of any kind email me at wrather@dobsonteleco.com. News will be added all through the day as it is received. The Sweetwater, OK webpage is located at www.theburningbush.org/Sweetwater.html.

Tuesday 05.18.04

Wonderful news! Michelle Schmidt is moving back to Sweetwater.

If you have news that is Sweetwater related of any kind email me at wrather@dobsonteleco.com. News will be added all through the day as it is received. The Sweetwater, OK webpage is located at www.theburningbush.org/Sweetwater.html.

Monday 05.17.04

Keathley Korner has new paint which looks great!

Received a report today that there will not be a new restaurant in Sweetwater. Reasons for the change were not completely clear.

Great day at Sweetwater Baptist with five baptisms Sunday evening!

If you have news that is Sweetwater related of any kind email me at wrather@dobsonteleco.com. News will be added all through the day as it is received. The Sweetwater, OK webpage is located at www.theburningbush.org/Sweetwater.html.

Friday 05.14.04

Lester Davis came home from the hospital about noon today. He is still very sore and his hands are still numb.

Congratulations Graduates!! The Sweetwater High School and 8th Grade Graduation is tonight at 8:00 P.M. The Seniors and Juniors are going to North Carolina for their senior trip. They have a house rented on Cape Hatteras.

It is the time of year when there are many weddings. There is a wedding tonight and one next week at Sweetwater Baptist Church.

If you have news that is Sweetwater related of any kind email me at wrather@dobsonteleco.com. News will be added all through the day as it is received. Team members are needed who will help write the news. The Sweetwater, OK webpage is located at www.theburningbush.org/Sweetwater.html.

Thursday, 05.13.04

Sarah Rangle is home from the hospital with the new baby.

Amazing the number of drilling rigs that are still in the Sweetwater area. Counting them as I returned this afternoon I could see at least 10 rigs in the immediate area plus a workover rig. To the south extending to Mayfield are more rigs. To the west just over the state line in Texas are more rigs south and north of Hwy 152. West of Sayre there is another grouping of drilling rigs as well.

Lester Davis is still in the hospital and he is improving. They have taken the oxygen off and he is expected to go home tomorrow.

Definitely a little cooler today with the front coming through but no rain so far.

Looks like we have missed the rain again. We may want to consider doing what the Lubbock area did this year. They had been in a prolonged drought. In January the area sit aside a day for prayer and fasting for rain. Since then according to an article in their paper a month ago they had received 8.5 inches of rain. I've seen on radar that they have had more rain since then.

If you live in Sweetwater don't forget this is trash pickup day.

If you have news that is Sweetwater related of any kind email me at wrather@dobsonteleco.com. News will be added all through the day as it is received. The Sweetwater, OK webpage is located at www.theburningbush.org/Sweetwater.html.

Wednesday 05.12.04

The Sweetwater Volunteer Fire Department was out to fight a fire somewhere in the community tonight. We can be thankful for their dedication.

Remember to pray for Elaine as she has another laser treatment on her eyes tomorrow to reduce the pressure.

Had a good group for Bible Study and Prayer meeting at Sweetwater Baptist tonight. Several attended the girl's group and the youth group meeting.

Lester Davis is still in the hospital at Sayre. He is very sore today and oxygen level still low. His son Leon who lives in Enid arrived yesterday evening.

Storms may be in the forecast for our area over the next few days.

If you have news that is Sweetwater related of any kind email me at wrather@dobsonteleco.com. News will be added all through the day as it is received. The Sweetwater, OK webpage is located at www.theburningbush.org/Sweetwater.html.

Tuesday 05.11.04

Sarah Rangle had a baby girl (Kelly?) and is at the Wheeler Hospital.

Visited Lester in hospital at Sayre. Lester said that he fell while walking in tall grass and tripped over a fallen tree. He landed hard on his chest and scraped up his arms. It took him awhile but he finally was able to crawl back to his pickup and drive home. They took him to the hospital from there. His oxygen level fluctuating seems to be the biggest problem and they have oxygen on him.

Lester Davis fell this morning and has been admitted to the hospital at Sayre for observation and tests.

If you have news that is Sweetwater related of any kind email me at wrather@dobsonteleco.com. News will be added all through the day as it is received. The Sweetwater, OK webpage is located at www.theburningbush.org/Sweetwater.html.

Monday 05.10.04

Sarah Rangle who has been expecting but planning to go back to her home to have the baby had the baby today. They had to go to a hosptial this morning after her water broke. We pray that all goes well.

The bank at Erick, OK 14 miles south of Sweetwater was robbed this morning. Ora Lee Roberts the wife of Sweetwater's Mayor was in the bank at the time of the robbery. Apparently a note was passed a teller by the robber. It has been reported that a car was surrounded by six police cars at the old truck stop in Sayre, OK and that this may be the robber.

Things are still booming in Sweetwater with oilfield drilling rigs everywhere. Howard Lohberger has had his new used car dealership open for several weeks and it appears to be doing well. It is located in the old McIntyre buildings. It is also been reported that a cafe will be opening in Sweetwater in the same building that was used as a cafe in the past. The building is located west of the Keathley store.

North of Sweetwater is the new disposal facility which has built new buildings and reportedly will be in operation for many years.

The Sweetwater School Multi-purpose building has been rebuilt since the tornado of last year and is like new.

If you have news that is Sweetwater related of any kind email me at wrather@dobsonteleco.com. News will be added all through the day as it is received. The Sweetwater, OK webpage is located at www.theburningbush.org/Sweetwater.html.

Sunday 05.09.04

Mother's Day was celebrated in our church today. Our oldest living member, Esther Dickey, was back for the service along with many others visiting on this special day.

Tonight was the Sweetwater Baccalaureate held at the Sweetwater School Multi-Purpose building. Henry Fletcher, pastor at Buffalo Baptist Church, preached the message. Bro. Henry noted that if you don't believe in God the Bible says you are a fool. Bro. Henry also touched on the fallacy of evolution and that there really is a place called Hell. Greg Henson sang two songs in the service and as usual did wonderfully. Ruth Holland played the piano for the service.

Olivia Locke is the Eighth Grade Valedictorian and she delivered the Valedictorian address. Great job Olivia!

The Sweetwater Graduation is scheduled for Friday, May 14, 2004 at 8:00 P.M. Senior Graduates are: Heather Dolloff, Jennifer Gracey, Jenny McNeil, Daniel Luna, Tyler Locke, and Cade Sites.
Eighth Grade graduates are: Keisha Hall, Oliva Locke, and Hayden Snodgrass.

On a more serious note there will be a state parole board hearing on May 20 for Leroy Bryan who murdered Inabel Bryan. Leroy's execution is set for June 8. At one time I (Ed Wrather) was Leroy's parole officer and later I was Inabel Bryan's pastor.

Some of the people who attended the First Baptist Church of Sweetwater, Oklahoma this morning are: Ed, Jeanie, and Nick Wrather; Greg, Jan, and Kyland Henson; OK and Elma Henson. Darrell, Kathy, and Tyler Heinsohn; EL and Wilma Fowler; Ryan and Kasey Arrington; Rhonda and Chase Arrington; Esther Dickey and her daughters; Iris, Imo, and Sam LeGrand, Carolyn Davis; Vikki Fowler; Kenny and Pam Reed; Jessica, Rachel, Hanna, Abbie, and Bubba Millar; Jim and Linda Millar; Tracy and Michael Reed; Gerald and Judy Tipton and their daughters - Jan, Tammy, and Lisa; Jada and her husband; Roy and Ruth Holland; Wilber and Theresa Nabors and their son, Jerry; Janet, Terri, and Rose Goodpastor; JE and Clara Lou McGuire; Gail Sutton; Helen Smith; Elbert and Eva Atkinson; Roy, Hope, Taylor, and Emmie Varnel; Lester and Clara Davis; Butch, Joan, and Asleigh Hagerman; Rose and Janice Spencer; Norma Banks and her daughter Lisa; Tara Boswell; Ron Whipkey; and Don Roberts. Please forgive me if I failed to include your name because I'm sure I've missed several. We had a wonderful service with mothers being recognized and presented with a small gift.