A Tribute to Mother

Being a mother is a mission, a calling, a profession given to the first woman along with her name. "Mother" means different things to different people; and who they are and what they look like changes in our minds as we pass milestones in our life. The following are thumbnail sketches of different periods of motherhood:

MOTHER is a young, vivacious girl. She can hardly be more than 20 years old, perhaps less. She is wide-eyed with marvel at the squirming bundle of softness in her arms.

MOTHER is a sort of middle-aged, nondescript lady whose anatomical proportions have undergone slight rearrange-ments in the two or three decades since she held her first child. She is watching teary eyed as her own children marry. She is wondering if she was ever so young, so naive, so inexperienced. Good ol' steady, dependable Mom.

MOTHER is that beautiful gray headed lady who doesn't walk so well any more. She is a bit stooped. She hears a little less distinctly, sees a bit more dimly and forgets a lot more easily; but all the grandkids think that she is the greatest anddon't all the kids still say; no one cooks like mom? And Dad - well, he thought heloved her 45 years ago when they got married, but the truth is he hardly had anyidea what love was all about. Now he knows love as only a select few in this world have been privileged to know.

MOTHER is that delicate little lady with the frail body living out the last days of her life under the tender care of her children and grandchildren. The hands of the clock have turned full cycle. As she served her mother before, now it is her turn to be served. Her hair is thin and white; her body is no longer able to perform the tasks her mind commands. It is then, or so it seems, that our God of love and mercy steps in and creates a special world for mother. Whatever else she may achieve in this world, regardless of what other profession she may have pursued, nothing so honors her or ties her so dearly to our hearts as the simple fact that she is mother! ❀

.........via: Central CoC - Stockton, CA

Ladies' Ghana Report
Ladies, we have received a letter from Brother Oppong in Kade, West Africa. He has received the funds we sent over recently for his support in order that he may devote himself to the teaching of God's word. Of course, he expresses his deep appreciation and says, "To God be the glory." The letter is posted on the bulletin board for your reading. You will be encouraged and assured in your heart that we have done a good thing in sending support for this man. The seed of the gospel is being sown in that part of the world, we are helping someone to do the watering, and we know that God will give the increase. (I Cor. 3:6-9) We now have $1,160.00 in our Ghana Fund and can soon decide how best to use it for the work there. Brother Bauer is leaving for Ghana in about two weeks. We have talked about sending some with him to use as he sees fit. Please let me know how much you feel we should send with him.

CRAYONS FOR GHANA. We only have a few more days to bring in the crayons, colored pencils, stickers, etc. for Brother Bauer to take with him when he goes to Ghana. Please put your items in the designated box in the Bible Lab.

Shirley Faneuf

Change of Address
The Patnaudes have moved again. Please make the following change to your directories:

PATNAUDE, Clayton & Annie. . . . . . . . . .***-****
**** *** **** ***** - Winter Haven, FL *****

VBS is Coming!
The scheduled date for our Vacation Bible School is May 28-30 (Tue-Wed-Thur). If you have any suggestions or if you can assist in some way, please see Greg Littleton. More details will follow when they are available.

Ladies’ Devo
The ladies will meet tomorrow, Monday - May 13^th at 11:30 am in the annex for their monthly luncheon and devo . All of the ladies of the congregation are invited to attend.

Home Bible Study
The monthly Home Devo and Bible Study will be hosted this coming Saturday evening (18^th) at the home of Phillip and Terrie Howell. Check the foyer for the sign-up sheet if you plan to attend.

Teacher’s Room
The Teacher's Resource Room has been moved to Annex "B" (the old concrete classrooms in back of the annex). Teaching materials are filed under "Old Testament" or "New Testament"; specific people, places or things. Many maps and charts are available. Also, some bulletin board items. You may find just what your looking for to compliment your lesson. Feel free to use the materials to make your own visuals.

Johnye Sims

If we fill our hours with regrets over the failures of yesterday, and with worries over the problems of tomorrow, we have no today in which to be thankful.

UPCOMING AREA EVENTS:

    • May 17-18 - Ladies’ Retreat
    Weeki Wachee Christian Camp

    • May 18 - Accounting Day
    for the “Change For Children” cans

    • May 20-23 - 100^th Anniversary
    Eagle Lake congregation - Various speakers