Sonflower Camp for Kids with Disabilities 2008

Dear friends,
I want to thank everyone who participated in Sonflower Camp for Kids with Disabilities in any form or fashion. Thank you to: God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the heavenly host, my friends who covered Sonflower Camp in their prayers, those who were able to physically help at camp, those who contributed their time, talents, money, the precious campers, their parents, guardians, grandparents, great grandparents, siblings, teachers...the list goes on and on as the praise goes on and on. Thank you all! God bless you all! Enjoy the pictures! The pictures summarize Sonflower Camp so much more eloquently than my words!

Whoops!! Cannot get the add image thing to work and a big storm is coming. I will edit later and add the pics. Thanks for bearing with this techno blimper!!

Me and my siblings....

Andrea, 49, Roy, 52 and Lori, 45

I don't believe we have ever had our picture made together in our adulthood....

Happy 78th Birthday, PawPaw

I cannot believe my Daddy is 78 years old....

Best Wishes to a beautiful couple: Forrest and Jamie

Rick and I were honored to attend the wedding of a beautiful girl named Jamie. We have known Jamie since she was a little girl. Congratulations newlyweds! God's blessings abundant to you as you seek Him and serve Him with all your heart!

Greenwood Homecoming

These Nonagenarians are looking good, yes? From left to right: Nell is 92, Miranda 90, Hazel 91, Arnold, 93 and Joe, 90.

Hello friends,
My family and I got to participate in an old timie event here in Greenwood yesterday. Greenwood Homecoming is an annual gathering the first Sunday of June. It's a step back to yesteryear and a lot of fun. The event affirms our decision to live in the country. Here's the little blurb I submitted to the Wise County Messenger.

"Approximately 120 people met in downtown Greenwood for the annual Greenwood Homecoming June 1st. Greenwood Homecoming is celebrated the 1st Sunday each June. The event was held in the Greenwood Fire Hall. There was an abundance of delicious food including homegrown vegetables and blackberry cobbler. The oldest in attendance was Arnold Howard at 93 years of age. Several nonagenarians were present as well as many octogenarians. The septuagenarians were out in force. Freda Kingsley La Duke of Kansas traveled the farthest to attend. Jerry McNeely traveled from Houston. A short business meeting was held. Bill Maxwell was elected president. Andrea Duwe was reelected Secretary/Treasurer."

Anyway, it was a lot of fun! Ya'll come next year! It's a slice of Rockwellian Americana!

Sonflower Camp

Hello Friends of Sonflower Camp,

Camp is all planned and good to go! I just need campers to show up; the more the merrier. Then I just need all the excellent helper volunteers to show up; again, the more the merrier! The chief objective is for everyone to be blessed: campers, helpers, siblings, parents, performers! So now you know how to pray for Sonflower Camp! Okay, yes, you can pray for perfect weather, too! Perfect weather is defined: Not too hot and not too cold with no rain. I am very thankful for the prayer coverage, dear friends!

Sonflower Camp is June 9th, 10th and 11th at Joe Wheeler Park in Decatur. Thursday, the 12th, is an off day. Friday, the 13th, will be the swim day at Wise Regional Health Systems. Camp will start at 9:00. Sign in starts at 8:30. Monday, the 9th, is Patriotic Day. Tuesday, the 10th, is Pirate Day. Wednesday, the 11th, is Cowboy day. Come dressed to reflect the theme, if you wish.

David and Goliath

Abbreviated Lessons from the Word of God: David and Goliath

For 40 days, Goliath taunted the Israelite soldiers (I Samuel 17:8-10). For 40 days the soldiers trembled in fear and did nothing. David showed up and heard the taunt. Even David's oldest brother's words of discouragement (I Samuel 17:28) did not deter him. David's response? "Let no one lose heart on account of Goliath; your servant will go and fight him." When King Saul tried to influence the way David would fight Goliath, David, in effect, said, "no thank you; that's not my style." He knew he did not need the protection of the armor and the sword. David's words to Goliath: "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.... It is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's...." David triumphed over Goliath with God, affirmative action, a sling and one stone.

Lessons we can implement: 1. David looked at the situation from God's point of view. When a problem seems daunting, realize that God is with you; you are not in the battle by yourself. 2. Give credit to God. 3. Don't let criticism or naysayers stop you. 4. Don't just stand around! There is no need to wait. Do something! Take action. Now! 5. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed!" Proverbs 16:3 6. Believe that you can enjoy great success like David did but remember: David was a man after God's own heart. 7. It (Life) is all about God.

Have a great day!