Family News and Notes
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
David will be preaching Sunday evening in a Lectureship at Edgewood near Canton. Bob Clemons from Mabank will be here to preach in his place and report on the work we help support in Bangor, Ireland with the Colin & Lisa Graham family.
Men's Business Meeting tonite following the evening srevices. All the men are encouraged to attend.
The Summer Youth Series schedule is all planned and the first brochure went out Friday. Our Theme this year is: "Take Time To Be Holy." We will meet on Monday nites this season. The first session will be at New Boston on June 5th. We will host the 2nd session here on June 12th. More later!
VBS begins June 05, 2006. Watch for brochures and we'll be looking for a great VBS.
Congratulations to Deborah Biesemeyer, who graduated with Honors, Friday evening from Northeast Texas Community College. A reception was held for her here at the building at 8:00 PM. What a wonderful accomplishment!
Bible camps are just around the corner. Janice & David McCain will be chaperoning young people to two camps this summer. June 2330 will be "Teen Week" at Indian Creek Youth Camp near Jasper, Alabama. July 23-28 will be Senior Camp at Cisco, Texas. If you would like to attend either camp, please see David or Janice for applications. Also, David has applications for Camp Ida, near Maude, Texas if you'd like to attend there.
Charles & Dorothy Kyle will be leaving this coming Friday for a month working with two different Sojourners Evangelistic Campaigns, working first with the Lord's church in Parogould, AR, and then later with the Lord's church in Neosho, MS. We wish them well and pray for their safe travel and much success in these two evangelistic efforts.
Patsy Duncan will have laser surgery Wednesday to clear up cloudiness of vision. following her cataract surgery.
Grady has been experiencing some pain under his left arm and back for several days. He had some tests at his doctor's and will have the results of that soon.
Charles Lewis has been sick this past week.
Bonnye Horton was able to be at services last Sunday after being ill at home.
Veleta McFerrin is doing well after her recent cataract surgery.
Johnny Ramsey has switched rooms again. He is in Room 4474 at ETMC. His direct dial phone number is: 903-531-8474. He is having some kidney problems but the good news is the wound where they removed his toe is healing. They prefer no visitors at this time, as Johnny needs to rest. Pray for them.
Courtney Marshall had her gall bladder removed laprascopically on Thursday at the local hospital. She was hoping to go home on Friday. Hopefully this will take care of the problems she has suffered with for so long.
Mary Hall had a bout with extremely high blood pressure on Wednesday and was admitted to the local hospital for treatment. She was dismissed Thursday afternoon and will be staying with her daughter, Patsy Autry at 1615 Dennis Drive, Tyler, Texas 75701. The phone number there is: 903-535-9693. Later she will visit her heart doctor in Dallas and may need to go stay with her daughter Linda for a while if her doctor requires her to be there.
Elna O'Neal had 3 stints put in on Wednesday at Baylor. She is in CCU. She started bleeding internally following the procedure and doctors had to do additional surgery to stop the bleeding. Nelda said they lost her for about 3 minutes Wednesday night but said she is making progress and needs our prayers. You can check with Molly at the dentist office for updates or Nelda's Cell No. 903-563-2177. She had a better night Thursday night but still not doing well.
Iona Carpenter is a proud great-grandmother. Isaac Martin Anguiano was born May 04, 2006 to Kayla and Erik Anguiano. Congratulations!
~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~~
PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Jean Bell, Deborah Biesmeyer, Winell Blackard, Annah Brown, Billye Campbell, Nancy Chastain, Perry Cooper, Grady Duncan,
Irene Duncan, Patsy Duncan, Vernon Garrett, Mary Hall, Hollis Lee, Joyce Lee, Georgia Lide, Courtney Marshall, Elna O'Neal, Wayne Pickrel, Marie Plemmons, Johnny Ramsey, Helen Roper, Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets, Edith Shiflet,
Ola Mae Simpson, Julia Terrell, Rebecca Tippitt
ALSO: Wanda Abbey Rivera, Melba Boyd, Cristell Cato, Austin Cody,
Horace George, Pat Hughes, Betty Newman, Thelma Reed, Ruby Jeffery,
Wayne Lineberger, Lonita Thompson
~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~~
A Word Of Exhortation To Our Butterflies
Congratulations to our graduates, you're free at last! Ah, sweet freedom - that wonderful day you've all dreamed about and waited for the last 12 or 13 years. Maybe 14 or 15 if you were a little slow like me in coming to realize that "F" meant "failure," not "fantastic!" With the occurrence of this milestone event in your young lives, a "right of passage" has been achieved which will usher you into a new phase of living. A whole new world is just around the corner for you, with a completely new set of privileges and responsibilities.
Your parents and others have watched you grow from infancy to young adulthood, and are all very thankful for the privilege of witnessing the journey. We've watched you develop physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. We've tried to "be there for you" as you grew towards maturity, but now the caterpillar has become a beautiful butterfly and it's time for you to test your wings and fly away to new adventures. As you launch off to soar among the clouds to new horizons, those who love you most are apprehensive about the dangers you'll encounter away from the safety of the home cocoon. So, they are undoubtedly filling these last days with last-minute advice for this new phase of your journey. You are probably weary of hearing it, but I hope you'll be indulgent and tolerate a word of exhortation from your preach-er. As you slip the surly bonds of earth to see new places and new faces, please remember the following things:
Remember Your Creator - The wise man, Solomon, wrote, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth" (Eccl. 12:1). Earlier he had explained why this was so important when he penned, "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment" (Eccl. 11:9). God's ways are the ways of life, health, peace, and prosperity. Don't ever forget that life founded on the rock of Christ is the only life that will withstand the storms of life and the crucible of eternal judgment.
Remember Your Parents - They gave you life, then taught you how to live it. Remember to honor your father and your mother that it may be well with you (Eph. 6:2). I know right now they must seem like the dumbest old-fogies and most out-of-touch people on the face of the earth, but you'll be surprised how much smarter your parents will get in the next few years of your life! Confide in them and ask their opinions when you don't know how to proceed. Heed their counsel and advice. Ask for their help when you are in over your head and don't know where to turn. Respect the spiritual values they taught you in childhood, for those principles will guide you in the pathways of righteousness and help you to avoid the pitfalls of evil.
Remember To Select Your Friends Carefully - Peer pressure will be one of the strongest motivating forces in your life the next few years, therefore choose "your crowd" carefully. If you run with the dogs you'll be a dog, but you can just as easily soar with the eagles if you make that choice. The decision is yours, but remember, "Evil companions corrupt good morals" (I Cor. 15:33). Also don't forget that, "they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isa. 40:31).
Remember To Select Your Mate Carefully - Most people marry within two to five years of their high school graduation. As you are looking for "Mr. or Mrs. Right," don't forget the wise old adage, "marry in haste and repent in leisure!" Next to your choice of obedience to Christ, the second most important decision you will ever make is your choice of a life-long companion, soul-mate, and spouse. Choose carefully and much sorrow and heartache can be avoided, while great joy, happiness and satisfaction can be found, if you make a wise selection. Ask God for guidance and wisdom in your choice, and seek guidance from your parents and spiritually-minded friends. Most of all, marry a faithful Christian - someone who will help you to get to heaven - someone who will help you raise your children to honor God (Mt. 6:33).
Remember To Give Priority To Things Spiritual - Study your Bible daily (II Tim. 2:15). Spend some time in prayer and devotion to God each day (I Thess. 5:16-18). Attend the services of the Lord's church regularly (Heb. 10:24-26). Set your affections and priorities on righteous and holy things and put the Lord and His church first in your life (Col. 3:1-3, Mt. 6:33). Find a way to serve God faithfully, as you remember that true greatness is found in humble service (Mt. 23:11). Since you often pay a great price for them, seek to learn from your mistakes, as you confess them and seek God's forgiveness (I Jn. 1:9-2:2). Be truthful and honest as you realize that men and women of character are always respected, but a life built on lies is a sham and a disgrace, and destined for eternal failure (Rev. 21:8). Cultivate a spirit of thankfulness in your life (Luke 17:12-17, I Thess. 5:18), which will save you from self-pity's misery.
Remember To Live Each Day To The Fullest And Enjoy Life Now - Today is all anyone is assured of, so make each day count. As the economist said, "Yesterday is a canceled check. Tomorrow is but a promissory note. Only today is ready cash, therefore spend it wisely." Some people are ever looking into the future, dreaming and making plans for what they are going to do "someday," or when they "get around to it," but they wake up one day to find that life has passed them by while they were waiting for better days to arrive. Live for today! Grasp opportunity when it presents itself and don't be afraid to take some risks for no one ever accomplished anything worthwhile or great by being fearful. Finally, never forget that today is the day of salvation, tomorrow may be too late (II Cor. 6:2).
May God bless all of our graduates as you leave the cocoon of hearth and home and fly away to new destinations of excitement and adventure. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers. Don't forget us, as we will be anxiously awaiting your return, to tell us of the wonders you have experienced in the mountains and valleys beyond the horizons of Mt. Pleasant, Texas.
David McCain
~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~~
