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SOWER Ministry Newsletter
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Greetings!
It's hard to believe that we're already into the second half of 2013. How does that happen??? (We won't even mention how many days until Christmas!) For all of its "vacation time" feel, this Middle-of-the-Summer month stays plenty full. The SOWER office has had a particularly challenging month, with Ray's knee replacement surgery and then his torn and detached retina. Praise the Lord he is on the road to recovery, but he is still limited in his activity. Please continue to lift both Ray and Alean up in your prayers. Even with all of that going on, the Sower office has been busy getting the August Sowergram ready to go to the printer, so I thought I'd give you just a little preview of what to look for! First there will be the announcement of the newly elected board members (but there's a sneak preview in this newsletter as well!). It will also have the listing of the lottery selections so all projects will once again be back to a first-come-first-served basis. (No sneak preview here for that, but those results should be on-line after July 19th when the 'Gram goes to press). You will also find the 2014 Registration Form (formerly known as the Skill Sheet) tucked inside. Yes, it's ALREADY that time again! Although there is plenty of time to get it in (they need to be back to the office by October 1st) we highly recommend doing it sooner rather than later! Even if you do not anticipate being able to work any projects in 2014, it is still important to fill out and return the form if you want to continue to be part of the ministry. Feel free to change your status to Alumni if you won't be working - it's easy to return to Active status at any time by calling the office and filling in the "skill level" portion of the form. Choosing not to return your Registration form will remove you from the membership list and you will no longer be eligible to work projects in the future. And we'd hate to say good-bye!
So stay cool, drink plenty of liquids, and hug a baby! Oh, and sign up for a project - the Lord has great thing ahead!
Thankful for His Mercies,
Stephanie Conrad, #2509
for the Board of Trustees
SOWER Ministry
stephanie@rvthereyet.org
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2013 Midwest Michigan SOWER Reunion
Monday, Sept. 23 thru Thursday, Sept. 26
MI-139 Michindoh Ministries
4545 E. Bacon Road
Hillsdale, Michigan 49242
An excellent guest speaker, music, auction, book exchange, and other activities are planned. Cabin space is limited, and we don't know which 6 will be available, so plan on coming with your RV. Those fortunate enough to get a cabin may want to share it with another Sower couple. We will keep a waiting list open and available for cabin requests in case of a cancellation, so that the next on the list will be notified of the availability. Costs for the reunion are as follows (same as last year):
Meals per couple: $60.00 (5 meals @ $6.00/ea)
Registration: $25.00 per couple
Cabin rate: $25.00
RV Campsite: $0.00 (That's right - FREE!)
We will be taking only one offering, for Michindoh. All other expenses including speaker and entertainment will be covered in the budget. Plan now the auction items you will bring. Please remember the auction items are to be worthwhile items another Sower would consider valuable. Also consider the testimony you may want to share regarding your ministry and service as a SOWER.
Please contact John Crandle at jmcrandle@sbcglobal.net for more information, to volunteer, or with additional questions. We are looking forward to seeing YOU at Hilltop!
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Minnesota SOWER Reunion
 Sept. 24-26Located between Long Prairie and Little Falls, MN.
Full hook-up RV sites ($21.00/night) or Cabins ($46.00/night). Enjoy the beautiful fall colors on the shores of Lake Beauty.
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I know we don't usually do roofs, but......
On March 28 I was contacted by Appalachian Bible College (WV-415) and asked if I would be project manager for replacing the roof on a boy's dorm building. I accepted it and signed up to work. The roof project started on May 28 and finished on June 28. My crew basically consisted of two volunteers that had come in from out of state and four maintenance personnel from the college. We used a 75 ton crane and installed 120 trusses! I might have put in a couple extra hours, but it was all for the Glory of God. He is so good. The personnel I worked with were fabulous!
Ed Blanks #2010
Appalachian Bible College is open for SOWERS JAN through DEC and has 10 SOWER spots available. Note from the 'Gram -
We have "Bridge Day" on the new River Gorge Bridge in October. Come to southern WV to see the beautiful creation the Lord has painted just for us, especially in the autumn season!
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A.R. Corner
The SOWER Area Reps are the dedicated folks that check out and check-up on projects in their area. From time to time different A.R.'s will be sharing some "up close and personal" information about projects in their area. Recently John and Nancy Franges (#2043), Area Reps for 1/2 of TX and Louisiana sent in a batch of annual reports from recent visits to their projects. Here are some excerpts -
TX-333 Living Stones/Victory Camp
Living Stones is a large church with Victory Camp located on the same property. Their goal is that every camper will have a life-changing experience with Jesus Christ. Victory Camp offers modern facilities and recreational activities including a Jr. size Olympic pool, double chute water slide, quad zip line, bumper boats and go-carts. The entire facility is very well-maintained. They can accommodate 400 overnight guests in addition to their day-camp programs. One of their main features is the Christmas train, Christmas Lights and Big Al's pizza! We were impressed with everything they offer and can see why they are so popular with the Houston area.
The RV sites are excellent, all with 50 amp service. Their Christian outreach is evident throughout the camp.
Victory Camp is open for SOWERS Sept-May and has 6 SOWER spots.
Gulf Coast Foursquare Church and Highland Creek Camp
are small in comparison to the other projects we serve in the area. They have overnight lodging facilities for about 175 campers. It is located very near the Gulf of Mexico and, as a result, has been helpful in disaster relief and housing refuges following Katrina and other recent hurricanes that have hit the surrounding area. The main purpose for the Church and Camp is to provide a Godly atmosphere so many hearts can come to understand God's amazing love. The facilities are all well-kept and they seem to have a good schedule for maintenance and new construction. We had a very entertaining tour guide and he had many wonderful stories of how God has used the staff and facilities for His purpose.
We found the RV sites to be level, easily accessible and offering 30/50 amp service.
We feel that they are a worthy SOWER project whose goal is to serve God and spread His word in a very personal way.
Gulf Coast Foursquare Church/Highland Creek is open for SOWERS Jun/Jul/Aug/Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr and has 4 SOWER spots.
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Recently seen on the SOWER GROUP Facebook Page
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 Are you "on Facebook"? If you are, SOWERS has its very own Facebook Group and we invite you to join our community! You are welcome to post about projects and upload pictures. Click on the Facebook Icon or the picture above for a direct link to the SOWER Facebook Group. It's always a blessing to hear and see what's going on in the SOWER Family! |
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(Prescott Pines is open for SOWERS 12 months of the year - cool in the summer, moderate in the winter! Check it out!)
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Dear Sam and Sally SOWER,
Dear Sam and Sally,
We hear a lot about being a good Group Leader, but maybe you could shed some light on what it means to be a good Group Member. Seems like it should work both ways, right?
Signed,
Dear Wanting,
You are absolutely correct - it should work both ways! Just like the key to being a good GL is being respectful and flexible, the key to being a good Group Member is the same. It's all about respecting the GL's authority and working with a humble spirit in doing whatever task is presented for you to do (unless, of course, it's outside of your skill level). As the liaison between the project and the group, the GL has been given a list of jobs that need to be done. Sometimes the jobs are just what we like to do. Sometimes they are not. (Put me in a camp kitchen and my heart sings. Put me in a camp restroom, not so much!) But isn't it true that we can do almost anything for 3 weeks? A good Group Member has a willing spirit regardless of the task. Every month, as we begin our projects, we read the "Welcome Sowers" to review the basis for a smooth project. These are tried and true guidelines. SOWERs have a wonderful distinction of being a very diverse group of folks who love Jesus and want to serve in His Name. And it's true that you may come across a fellow team member (or even a GL) who might not be a candidate for your best friend. It happens. Pray for extra grace that you might "work together harmoniously" for the three weeks you are together. And always, give God the Glory!
In Him,
Sam & Sally
Do you have a question for Sam or Sally? Contact them at samandsally@sowerministry.org. They'd love to hear from you!
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Photo Credits/Info
June 2013 (L-R Lynch #3215, Olson #2964)
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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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2014 SOWER
Work Dates
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Jan 13-30
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Feb 10-27
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Mar 10-27
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Apr 7-24
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May 5-22
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June 2-19
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July 7-24
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Aug 4-21
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Sept 1-18
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Oct 6-23
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Nov 3-20
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Dec 1-18
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Work dates for 2013, 2014, and 2015 are available in a handy printable calendar form on the Members Only page. Look for the 'Approved Project Dates" Link.
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The Votes have been counted!
Congratulations to
Bill Cairns #2373
Ken Oliver #1106
Jim Swanner #2885
who have been elected to serve on the Board of Trustees for the next three years.
Please keep these men in your prayers as they take up their responsibilities in September. And many thanks to all who ran - and all who voted! P.S. - you could actually be praying for the entire board :).
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Attn: Winter
Texans!
Committees are forming for a 2014 Texas Reunion following the March 2014 project. Let's not miss this opportunity to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the SOWER Ministry!
Want to lend a hand?
We'll need lots of help!
Have a idea to share?
We'd love to hear what you would like in a reunion!
Contact Gary and Stephanie Conrad for more information!
215-343-9678
psst .... we're still waiting for your call!
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NW Reunion
The Northwest Reunion, traditionally held at Warm Beach Conference Center (WA-367) in late summer, has been put on hold due to lack of an organizer. Want to help get it back on track? Contact the office to get more information!
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Click on the Flag to get to the Members Page and the most recent PLS!
The June SOWERGRAM is available in its entirety
and the AUGUST issue will be posted by the end of July.
Don't forget - the PLS is updated every weekend!
Check it out
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Prayer Chain
Etiquette
Prayer Chain requests should always include the Sower's name and number in the subject line. This could be either the Sower sending the request or the Sower for whom the request is being made if different.
Thanks!
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Just the Facts
for July 2013
Number of Active SOWERS*
578
Number of ALUMNI SOWERS*
139
Number of Active Projects
173
Number of SOWER projects requesting SOWER Assistance
98
Number of SOWER projects receiving SOWER Assistance
37
Number of SOWERS* Requested
(Including SOAs)
430
Number of SOWERS* Working
(Including SOAs)
68
*Number of SOWERS always refers to a SOWER "Unit" - whether a couple or a single, not individual SOWERS.
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Don't Forget
The Project Locator (found on the Members Only Page) is a wonderful tool for planning out your projects! Find projects that are in the same neck of the woods to cut down on fuel costs, or find a project that's close to home to work during the summer! Zoom in on a yellow push-pin and get the true lay of the land, and click on the push-pin to get detailed directions (from the Sowergram) to help you get there! Check it out today!!!
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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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Remember how you were going to write up that God Story for the newsletter?
Or maybe find that great SOWER photo you've been meaning to send in?
Have you been meaning to share about your favorite project that always needs more workers?
Click on this link to
send in your comments and stories and pictures!
We'll be watching for them!
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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
On a Wheel and a Prayer
Don & Jenny Rasmussen
Bob and Billie on the Road
Bob & Billie Wakeman
RV There Yet -
Gary & Stephanie Conrad
Paul Alton.com
Paul and Juanita Alton
Benedictus
Terry & Alice Burnett
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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Looking for a SOWER Denim Shirt, T-Shirt, Golf Shirt, or Sweatshirt? How about a new hat, or a SOWER License Plate? All these items and more are available through the form found at the back of the Sowergram or on-line on the Members Page under "Forms".
Contact the OFFICE to place your order!
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NEW 30th Anniversary
Decals
Available NOW!
Contact the office for available sizes.
Don't forget - FREE brochures and business cards are available from the office!
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Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and,if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12-14
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