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Greetings!
November - a month of Thankfulness!
I recently read the following sentiment -
 - What if we were only given tomorrow what we thank God for today? Hmmmm. That's quite a thought, don't you think? We, as a people have so very much to be thankful for. We live in countries that though flawed, are still two of the most blessed nations in the world. Whatever the state of our health, we know that we have a God who will walk with us through both the valleys and the peaks. Maybe we've welcomed a new grandbaby into our arms and maybe we've kissed the face of a loved one who has entered the embrace of our Lord. Few of us go to bed hungry, and most of us can choose whether to enjoy warm weather or the snow in the months to come. So this month (and every month, actually!) let us all become obedient to that great Biblical principal - In ALL things, Give Thanks! I know I'm thankful for all of you - for your encouragement regarding this e-newsletter, for your prayer support, and your hearts willing to serve our LORD in this ministry. May HE get all the Praise and Glory! In Him, Stephanie Conrad, for the Board of Trustees SOWER Ministry stephanie@rvthereyet.org |
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FLORIDA REUNION UPDATE
DATES: February 27-29, 2012 (Mon-Wed)(leave out on March 1)
LOCATION: Florida Baptist Encampment, Groveland, FL
COST: $30.00/couple
Register early - there are 25 FULL hook-ups available, plus 40 e/w. A limited number of "hotel" style rooms are also available! Ed still needs volunteers to help with rig parking, organizing meals, games and of course, the SOWER Auction!
Contact Ed - Deblanks@aol.com - to lend a hand. You were thinking about helping out, weren't you? The Blanks are looking for ideas to make this YOUR reunion - and since they are committed to organizing this next year, you won't accidentally become in charge next year! Get in touch with them today!
Texas Reunion Update :( Still nothing to report here. The Texas Reunion, traditionally held at ALERT in Big Sandy, is still looking for a "Chair-Couple". Woody and Jeri Epp, who have organized this reunion for many years, have offered to mentor the new Head Guys by sharing their years of experience and serving on a committee to help get this Reunion back on track. Contact the Office or Jeri Epp directly if you'd like more information!
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Testimonies......
God blessed us again!
American Keswick/ Colony of Mercy is project NJ-3 in the town of Whiting, NJ. Many of you have worked the site and know how God is healing men of their addictions. What a ministry this organization has been down through the years.
Did you know?
- Servants On Wheels Ever Ready began here.
- American Keswick is celebrating its 114th year of ministering to men and their addictions.
- 20,000 men have come to Keswick.
- Don Peterson, a member of the Keswick Board of Directors, and his wife Jean, were passengers on Flight 93 that crashed into a Pennsylvania field on 9/11. Don's Bible and part of the airplane's tire were the only things first-responders recognized at the crash site.The Bible was fully intact and inside the Bible was found Don's prayer list of men currently at the Colony of Mercy .
Just another reminder of how Great Our God is! Matthew 24:35 says; "Heaven and earth will pass away but my word will never pass away".PRAISE BE TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOR.
John and Rosie Stoner, #2721
It still amazes me how God will use us no matter where we are or what we are doing. As SOWERS we don't always know why God sends us to certain project. This time He shared with us how we had been used. In August we worked at Aldersgate Camp and Retreats (OR-320). I had made a huge pot of soup for dinner the night before and had a bunch left over so had invited the other SOWERS to come join us for lunch. We were all sitting at the picnic table in front of our rigs enjoying our lunch. Just then a young woman came up and asked if she could join us. She was there for a conference and thought we were part of that group. She explained she didn't have the funds to pay for her lunch, the overnight accommodations and the classes so was skipping lunch and just looking for some company. We invited her to sit down and have some lunch. It was a great time of fellowship. We told her we were SOWERS not guests. She was surprised that we had just invited her in. She left our table feeling like God had truly provided for her not only with food but fellowship. She hugged us with tears in her eyes and we invited her to lunch the next day also. That afternoon the teacher of the class she was in asked each to write a "God Story" and she shared our lunch experience. She won the contest for best story with a prize of some cash that would pay for her gas to return the next day. She had told us that she was sure God had wanted her to take this class and now she could see His hand in all this, His great provision.
We were all so blessed by her testimony and fellowship. God is so good!
Donna Miller #3038
Do you have a testimony about how you have seen God at work at a SOWER project? We'd love to hear from you and use it in upcoming issues! Email your stories to stephanie@rvthereyet.org!
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Dear Sam and Sally SOWER......
Dear Sally,
I usually work with the ladies during a SOWER project and always enjoy our times of fellowship whether we're painting trim or working in the washrooms. However, during one of my upcoming projects I will be away visiting with my newest grandchild for one week. Do I need to let anyone know about that ahead of time?Thanks for your help!
Willing, but unavailable
Dear Willing,
I'm so glad to hear how much you enjoy working with the ladies! Generally speaking, if you have filled out your skill sheet with different levels of skill, you have indicated your willingness to work. Since the Host often counts on those skills to accomplish certain jobs during a project month, it's best to let both the Host and your GL know that you will be unavailable to work part of the time. And if you won't be working at all during a project, it's also a good idea to let the Host and GL know ahead of time. It's a big help to the Host as he plans different projects for each SOWER group. Thanks for your willingness to serve our LORD!
Dear Sam,
I recently finished up a project where I was GL and I ran into a problem that I hope you can help me with. One of the hardest things in being the GL is trying to get people to do the work the way the "project" wants it done. I don't know if having more in the rules would help any, but it would be great if somehow the GL did not have to continually fight that battle. Other than that, being GL has been a rewarding experience.
In His Service,
Perplexed GL
Dear Perplexed,
Thank you for your willingness to be a GL! It can indeed be a rewarding experience, but the problem you've run into is, unfortunately, not unusual. We are all "well-seasoned", with lots of experience, and we often think we have the best solution to a job. But since we are at projects as servants, we need to remember that we are there to do WHAT they want THE WAY they want it done (as long as it's not a safety issue), even if we think it's not the right way or the best way. Since that parameter is already in the guidelines and we read it every month in "Welcome Sowers", I don't think more rules would solve the problem. I wish there was an easy solution to the problem, but I'm not sure there is. Perhaps we all need to be reminded of what we are told in I Peter 5:5b - "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" God bless you as you continue to serve Him in the SOWER Ministry!
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Around the Web
Check out this great post from the "Notes from the Cove" blog affiliated with our new project - The Cove (Billy Graham Training Center) located is Asheville, NC. Jane Slocomb (#3030) did a wonderful job describing the many blessings that come from being part of the SOWER Family!
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Updated SOWER Brochures and Business Cards are available from the SOWER Office.
REQUEST SOME TODAY!
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STAY WARM THIS FALL
with a SOWER Jacket!
We haven't quite made it to the minimum order of 12, so don't miss this opportunity to order one of these great jackets - windbreaker on the outside with soft sweatshirt material on the inside with an embroidered SOWER logo.
Available for just $40.00 (that's cost!).
Sizes available - M,L, XL, XXL($42.00)
Color - SOWER Blue
Once they have 12 requests they can place the order!
Click HERE to send in your order!
(Check out the other great SOWER merchandise on the back of the SOWERGRAM!)
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There are still openings at many of our "Sun Belt" projects. And remember - the project listings are updated WEEKLY so you can always be up-to-date with project openings!
Make sure you select the
PLS UPDATE
button
for the latest version.
Watch for the DECEMBER SOWERGRAM coming 12/1 which will include a summary of the minutes from the September Board Meeting. The full minutes will be available directly from the website, and will be published in the January Sowergram.
Check it out ONLINE!
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is now available on
DVD at no cost!
to request your copy to share the ministry with your family, friends, small group and church. As a bonus, the Group Leader training is also included on the DVD!
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If you'd like to contact all the Board of Trustee members at once -
Send an email addressed to the SOWER office with " For the Trustees" in the subject line. Presto - the office staff will immediatly get it on its way to the entire Board.
Of course, you are welcome to contact any member of the Board indivudually by phone or email using the information in the roster.
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SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERS are doing around the country!
Roger's Photos and Stuff
Roger & Nola Sorenson
Soltesweb.net
Ed & Patty Soltes
On a Wheel and a Prayer
Don & Jenny Rasmussen
Bob and Billie on the Road
Bob & Billie Wakeman
RV There Yet -
Gary & Stephanie Conrad
Follow the Sun
John & Mary Flynn
Do YOU have a Blog you'd like to share? Send me the link, and we'll add it to the "Blog Roll".
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WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP!!
A BIG THANK-YOU to those of you who have sent in stories for the Newsletter. We'll be sharing them all in the issues ahead. How about you? Do you have a "God Story" to share? Have you been changed as a result of working at a project? Do you know about a special need at a project that doesn't get much help? We're looking for ideas and articles and volunteers to help put it together.
Send in your comments and stories and suggestions!
We're listening!
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HOLIDAY OFFICE
CLOSING...
The SOWER office will be closed from December 16 - January 3.
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Quick Links -
To send in a prayer request or praise item-
To contact the office -
903-882-8070
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