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Greetings!
Merry Christmas! Once again the year has sped by, and here we are, just days away from celebrating our Savior's birth. Are your days filled with shopping and baking and planning that big family dinner? Sometimes it's hard to catch our breath this time of year, isn't it?! Whether you're already on a SOWER project, looking forward to heading to one after Christmas, or will be staying close to home this winter, our prayer is that each of you will experience the peace that is promised in Luke 2:14 -
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Joyfully His,
Stephanie Conrad, #2509
for the Board of Trustees
SOWER Ministry
stephanie@rvthereyet.org
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Upcoming Reunion Information
Whether you're a Seasoned Sower or New to the Family, there's nothing like a Sower Reunion to connect with friends old and new and get recharged about the ministry. Check out these opportunities - and mark you calendars!
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2013 Southeast Area Reunion
Monday, Feb. 25 thru Wednesday, Feb 27
(departure Thursday AM)
Florida Baptist Encampment (FL-143)
Groveland, Florida
Cost: $35 per RV/ 3 Days
If you come in early or stay over the cost is an additional $10 per night. A day fee for those not staying over night is $5 per couple. Some meals will be included, but not all meals so plan on feeding yourselves as well. More details will be available later.
Want to help? Need a little more info?
Contact Paul Clark (248-321-1997) for more information on how YOU can be a part of this exciting reunion!
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Stay on the Fence!
This November, the Jennings (#2573) and the Buttricks, (#327), worked together at Charis Hills, (TX-476) in Sunset, TX. This part of Texas adheres to the three R's - riding, roping and rodeos! And they are very serious about this!!
We decided to attend worship services in the Montague County Cowboy Church. This was our first experience with cowboy worship. Our intro began on Sat. night with a real live calf roping contest in the large arena next to the church. This noteworthy event included talented men, women and even the Pastor, Joe Caballero, as they teamed up to rope these frisky and fast calves. Prizes were awarded for the best time a team could rope the head and both hind legs.
On Sunday morning, we arrived in time to watch the Cowboy Dads teaching their young'un's how to rope stationary calves. Right in the parking lot in front of the church! We began to realize just how committed these cowboys and cowgirls were to rodeo performance.
Pastor Joe's sermon was related to a real-life situation in a cowboy's life - of course! He talked about a ride he was on in New Mexico assisting with a roundup on a vast ranch. The men rode many miles out into the ranch property which had low mountains, canyons, cliffs, cactus and various desert trees. Perfect places for cattle to hide. Their purpose was to find the cattle and herd them back to a watering hole near the ranch so they could be brought in for sale. Pastor Joe was sent to an area that had a deep canyon where it was suspected that a pocket of cattle were located. Before the other cowboys left to find their own lost cattle, he asked how to find his way back to the waterhole. The trail boss told him, "stay on the fence", you will eventually come to the water.
Well, Pastor Joe, found the cattle and began to herd them towards the fence line which was visible in the west. The small herd did fairly well along the fence line until they came to a sharp left turn in the fence, then they wanted to veer off to the right. Not knowing the lay of the land, Joe did not want to follow the cattle, lose the fence and perhaps end up in a canyon, drop off a cliff or just plain get hopelessly lost. He rounded them up back to the fence and stayed on it until they reached the waterhole.
With this experience, Pastor Joe talked about the life of a Christian and how we must "stay on the fence" in our walk with our Lord. Sometimes, what seems like an easier way, presents itself to us. It could lead to trouble! Once you stray off, it is harder to find your way back. You may think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. A temptation can lure you away from the Lord. Your devotion becomes lukewarm. You lose your first love. BUT, there is a way back! God always welcomes us back to Himself. We only have to turn around and look for the "fence" standing sharp and vivid against the skyline and we can find our way back.
Joyfully, Carlie Buttrick
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The Group Picture
Almost every month, towards the end of any project, we all gather to take the "Group Picture". Generally we stand by a sign from the project and some kind person takes our picture. Those are great shots - they not only remind us of the project but of the great folks we were blessed to work with.
But every once in a while there comes an opportunity to put together a slightly different group picture, like this one from the Life for Youth (FL-2) March 2012 project. What a fun idea!
Thanks to Nancy Ragatz for sending this one in!
Do you have a favorite Group Shot you'd like to share? Send your favorite Group Shots to stephanie@rvthereyet.org, and watch for them in future issues! |
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Dear Sam and Sally SOWER,
Dear Friends,
Sam and Sally are taking December off - lots of Christmas shopping to do! They'll be back in January, and they would love to hear from you if you have any questions about the SOWER Guidelines or SOWER etiquette. Contact them at samandsally@sowerministry.org.
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Recently seen on the SOWER Facebook Group -
From Jenny Rasmussen -
With our unusual schedule this month at Camp Tejas, we enjoyed a tour of the TX Capital building in Austin. Van Os, Thompson, Rasmussen and Yates.
 Have you stopped by lately? Make sure you've "checked" the box to receive notifications, and PLEASE post pictures and stories from YOUR projects!
And if you're a member of Facebook, but haven't joined the SOWER Group, click on the icon to join the family!
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Upcoming SOWERGRAM
Watch your mailbox in early January for the Sowergram that EVERYONE gets! Along with all of the regular features, it will also include the minutes from the September Board meeting along with the bi-annual reports from the various committees within the Board. The mailing will also include the 2013 Roster. (Please be mindful of how you dispose of previous years' Rosters. There is a lot of personal information in them, and shredding them or burning them would be the safest way!) |
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Contributors Needed!
A big thank-you to those who have sent in stories for the newsletter! But we still need more! How about you? Do you have a SOWER related God-Story to share? Have you been changed as a result of working at a project and would like to share your testimony? Maybe you know of a special need at a project that doesn't get much help. We're looking for ideas and articles for upcoming issues.
Love taking pictures?
 | | Sunset at TX Baptist Encampment (TX-364) |
Do you have a photograph that might work as a "header" for this monthly newsletter? (It will be cropped to 600x125 pixels) Or maybe a favorite group shot that could be included?
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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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Photo Info/Credits -
Header - Lights of Tejas (TX-240) - Jenny Rasmussen
Header Group Shot - YWAM, Calif (CA-130) Nov. '12 - John Davidson
Lighted Tree - Warm Beach Lights of Christmas (WA-255) - John Morton
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TEXAS REUNION
LAST CALL FOR A VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE TO FACILITATE A TEXAS REUNION IN 2013. PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GETTING THIS REUNION BACK ON TRACK!
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Heading through Texas?
Looking for a stop-over spot in Texas? Don't forget the SOWER Office has 5 beautiful, paved, full hook-up sites that are available for our use. The first two nights are free, and then it's $10.00/night. If you'd like to hang around for a bit, it's $50.00/week or $150 for a month. Just enough to cover utilities!
Even if you can't stay for a couple of nights, the office folks would LOVE to have you stop in to say hello! A fresh pot of coffee is only minutes away from your arrival!
Lindale is right off I20, about 90 miles east of Dallas. Look for the directions on the first page of the Sowergram.
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Clicking on the Christmas candles will take you to the Members Only Page and the most recent PLS along with the on-line December Sowergram!
And if you want to use your "Smart Phone" to get the latest information, check out the new "Mobile Version"!
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Just the Facts
for December 2012
Number of Active SOWERS*
544
Number of ALUMNI SOWERS*
128
Number of SOWER projects requesting SOWER Assistance
69
Number of SOWER projects receiving SOWER Assistance
38
Number of SOWERS* requested (Including SOAs)
336
Number of SOWERS* working (Including SOAs)
102
*Number of SOWERS always refers to a SOWER "Unit" - whether a couple or a single, not individual SOWERS.
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SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERS are doing around the country!
Sower Adventures
Bill and Carol Cairns
Roger's SOWER Blog
Roger & Nola Sorenson
Soltesweb.net
Ed & Patty Soltes
Bob and Billie on the Road
Bob & Billie Wakeman
RV There Yet
Gary & Stephanie Conrad
On A Wheel and a Prayer
Don and Jenny Rasmussen
Paul Alton.com
Paul and Juanita Alton
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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Have a question or concern for the Board?
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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Holiday Hours
The Sower Office will be closed from
DEC 21 - JAN 1
They will be checking messages and emails for any emergencies or last minute changes.
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You're more than a number to us, but ANYTIME you communicate with the office (or a trustee) - either by email or snail mail or voice mail, PLEASE include your full name and your SOWER number. This is especially important if you are requesting a project or making any changes to your personal information. Thanks!
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Looking for a past issue of the
e-Newsletter?
Check out the ARCHIVE of every issue of this
e-Newsletter
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FREE brochures and business cards are available from the office!
Check out ALL the SOWER Merchandise available - On the Member Page or use the newly
revised form at the back of the Sowergram!
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