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Greetings!
Happy New Year, friends! Even though we really just turn the calendar over for a new month, somehow January always turns our minds and hearts to new beginnings. So in this month of resolutions and good intentions, I rejoice with you that EVERY day is a new beginning with our Lord! We read in Lamentations that His Mercies are new every morning! Great is his faithfulness!
Trusting in His Mercies,
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.
Need to register?
Contact Neil & Jane Benson - 706-604-7917
Want to help? Need a little more info?
Contact Ed & Darla Blanks (941-321-4701)
for more information on how YOU can be a part of this exciting reunion!
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I just wanted to thank you....
As the administrator of the SOWER Facebook pages, my job usually just involves welcoming new members to the page and encouraging members to add pictures and updates about the different projects they serve at. Recently I was delighted to receive the following note from a young girl who had, as she says, "stumbled across your facebook page" -
I just wanted to thank you all for what you do! I grew up going to a Christian school which almost always had SOWERS present. I didn't fully appreciate or understand the work that those SOWERS did; I just stumbled across your facebook page and remembered all of the times we had SOWERS help on campus. I wanted to send a warm thank you for all of the hard work you do, as well as the bright spirit and joy that you bring with you! Your work blesses many.
Jessica Marie Heryford
22 December 05:07
It certainly made my day - and I trust it will make yours!
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The Group Picture
OK, so this might not qualify for an official Group Picture, but it is a Group of Sowers doing what some love to do - play games! And these guys are getting to do it in an empty indoor pool! How Fun!
Thanks to Mission E4 for posting this picture and "tagging" the Howards, the Gowers and the Peels in this photo!
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 Sam and Sally,
I am writing in response to your May article about whether or not to go to a project if you hear that they might not have work for you. I am currently reading Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. It is a novel about how one can find God's work at places we wouldn't imagine. Although we haven't worked many projects in the past few years, we are looking forward to more projects in the future. We have worked on projects that had no money or very little money to buy needed supplies. However, some hosts have sold scrap metal or even done work for friends or neighbors in order to buy supplies for Sowers to be able to work. I believe that some of the best "work" we can do is to show up and support these ministries with a showing of God's love for them. Sowers is a ministry and we are all ministers, saved by Christ's blood and if he can die for us, then we can give "our best" for him wherever we may be "sent".
Steve Armstrong
Sower #2119
Dear Steve -
WOW - Thanks for sharing those insights! We'll be praying that you will soon be back on the road serving with the SOWER ministry, but we also know that the Lord will use you where He has you as well! God bless you!
Serving Him with you,
Sam and Sally
Do you have a question or comment for Sam or Sally? 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 -
 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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January SOWERGRAM
Hopefully everyone has received their January Sowergram and 2013 Roster. Inside the Sowergram, along with the regular features you'll find the GL reports, the minutes of the September Board meeting, a reflection article from Mal Wall, Treasurer, and even snapshots of your Board members! When it's time to dispose of your old Rosters (though keeping last years in your car or truck is a good idea!), please make sure you either shred it or burn it. In today's climate of identity theft, it's the smart thing to do! Thanks! |
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Coming Soon......
TRUSTEE Nominations will start in February. Look for nomination forms in the February Sowergram, and please be praying about who YOU might like to see serve on the Board and help lead the SOWER Ministry into its 4th decade of service!
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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?
 | | Lake at Rockin' C Ranch (TX-390) |
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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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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Photo Info/Credits -
Header - Cross in the sunset - Don Hogg #954
Header Group Shot - Word of Life (FL-335) Nov. '12 - Ruth Stoll #2980
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What a serious waste it is to let a day go by without allowing God to change us.
Richard Rolle
(1290-1349)
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New Program on the Horizon
The Board of Trustees is considering how we might better insure all of our projects are served and as often as possible. To promote this effort the board is considering offering our Sower family a chance to adopt a project that has been lacking Sower participation. The "Adopt a Project" program would work under similar guidelines as our Home Project Guidelines with a few exceptions. It would be our hope as a board that we can get some dedicated Sowers to help these projects attract more Sowers in the future. Our goal would be to have settled on how this program will work and can get it started by May. If you have suggestions, please share your thoughts as we want this program to get off to a great start.
Jim Fluckey
402-651-2088
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Happy Birthday!
Servants On Wheels Ever Ready
is turning 30 this year!!!! We're looking for some stories and pictures from the 'early days', so if you have a tidbit or two to share, send it to Stephanie@rvthereyet.org or directly to the office!
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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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Just the Facts
for January 2013
Number of Active SOWERS*
579
Number of ALUMNI SOWERS*
108
Number of SOWER projects requesting SOWER Assistance
73
Number of SOWER projects receiving SOWER Assistance
45
Number of SOWERS* requested (Including SOAs)
376
Number of SOWERS* working (Including SOAs)
166
*Number of SOWERS always refers to a SOWER "Unit" - whether a couple or a single, not individual SOWERS.
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Check out the latest PLS along with the January Sowergram 24/7!
And if you want to use your "Smart Phone" to get the latest information, check out the new "Mobile Version"!
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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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2013 Calendar Review
Just a quick review of the SOWER Calendar for 2013 -
TWO WEEK BREAKS -
Between March and April
Between June and July
Between September and October
THREE WEEK BREAK
December and January 2014
Handy PDF Calendars with the dates marked can be downloaded from the Members Only page!
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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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