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Greetings!
Happy New Year, friends! Today, as I'm putting the finishing touches on this month's newsletter, our January project is beginning to fill up! There's always something  exciting about the start of a new project and the start of the New Year! We never know what the LORD has in store for us with each turn of the calendar page, but we can always be confident that He has it "in hand". As we begin 2014, may I share with you a prayer from Charles Spurgeon - the great 19th century theologian -
Oh that this evening the Lord may find in my heart a highway made ready by his grace, that he may make a triumphal progress through the utmost bounds of my soul, from the beginning of this year even to the end of it.
Praising Him for His Faithfulness,
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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2014 Southeast Area Reunion
Monday, March 3 thru Wednesday, March 5
(departure Thursday AM)
Florida Baptist Encampment (FL-143)
Groveland, Florida
Cost: $40 per RV/ 3 Days
Rooms - $40.00/ 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 $10 per couple. Some meals will be included, but not all meals so plan on feeding yourselves as well.
Want to help?
We still need an Auctioneer and someone to organize Games!
Need a little more info?
Contact Ed and Darla Blanks
edblanks@icloud.com or deblanks@aol.com
Contact Neil and Jane Benson to make your reservations
neilandjane2@juno.com
704-737-0246
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2014 Texas Reunion
When is it?
March 30 - April 2
Sunday afternoon through Wednesday Morning
Who Should Come?
All SOWERS - Active or Alumni who are in the area!
Where is it?
Trinity Pines Conference Center (TX-434)
Trinity, TX
What are the Costs?
Camping - $22.00/night
Rooms - under $35.00/night
Meals - Dinner on Monday and Tuesday - $14/per person
Other meals will be shared or "pay as you go"
There will also be a small (yet to be determined!) registration fee to cover miscellaneous costs
What will we be doing?
Auction
Talent Night
Tech Forum
Trustee Q&A
Lots and Lots of Fellowship!
Contact Nancy Franges to register
sower2043@yahoo.com
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Coming Soon.....
Trustee Nominations will start in February. Look for the nomination form in the February Sowergram (you'll be mailed one if you are 'Web Only') and please be praying about who you might like to see serve as a Trustee and help lead the SOWER Ministry. "The membership will nominate the Trustees. The candidates must be in good standing and have had substantial experience in the SOWER Ministry for at least two (2) years. The nominees receiving the largest number of votes on ballots returned by the membership will be elected." Article IV, Sower Constitution (The SOWER Constitution in its entirety can be found on the Members Only page.)
Annual contribution letters (for tax purposes) will be mailed by the end of January.
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Good Use of the Roster!
It "just so happens" that we were in Abbotsford, BC this Christmas, enjoying time with our family plus a change of weather and scenery from Ontario. We knew that there are 4 SOWER couples living in this city, so we contacted them ... and 3 couples were able to come for an afternoon visit! What fun for us to meet them for the first time! Finally we are able to put names to faces. Of course, they are all Mennonites and know each other, but they were delighted to learn that we are "almost Mennonite" ... our daughter-in-law is from a Mennonite family!! ha ha!! We also took individual pictures of everyone and sent them to the Office as requested.
(L-R) Vic & Charlotte Hiebert #3041, Jake & Phyllis Epp #1104, Walt & Shirley Janzen #2886, Wayne & Dorothy Farquhar #2238
Submitted by Dorothy Farquhar (#2238)
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Area Rep Opening
After many years of dedicated service, LeRoy and Donna Pease are stepping down as the Area Reps for the "Four Corners" Region - AZ, NM, CO, UT. Do you love that area and either live in or work in those states often? We'd love to talk to you about what's involved with this important part of the ministry! Please contact me at - Stephanie@rvthereyet.org or give me a call - 215-343-9678 - to learn more about this exciting opportunity! |
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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Pictures Update
The Skill Sheet picture project is continuing. Thank you to those who have sent in pictures! Here are a couple of suggestions and guidelines to help with the process -
- Pictures should be sent into the office - sowers@sowerministry.org
- Individual pictures are most appreciated, but since only "head shots" are needed, pictures that can be cropped are also fine.
- Next time you're on a project find the "shutterbug' in the group and set up a "photo booth" . All the photos can be taken at one time and sent in together to the office. Feel free to resize them to reduce the file size.
- These photos will only be used on the skill sheets that are sent to the project hosts and group leaders. While submitting these photos is optional, we encourage you to send them in.
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2013 Survey Update
We've had a good response to our on-line survey! To those of you who have responded - THANK YOU!!!! If you haven't yet - well, what are you waiting for! The survey closes on January 31st, so don't miss this opportunity to help us get to know you better! If you can't find your "Invitation" email with the "Take the Survey" button, feel free to access the survey using the link on the Members Only Page.
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Dear Sam and Sally
Dear Sam and Sally,
Since we joined SOWERS in 2008, I have been surprised, over those years, to hear SOWERS use expressions in their everyday conversations that I find offensive. Expressions like: Oh my God, Oh God, Good Lord, Lordy, and Oh my Lord. I believe the Lord finds them offensive too. They are not used intentionally but appear to be a habit. There is a difference in using a saying that shows reverence but it is another when the expression is a careless use of His name. I have personally pointed it out to an individual if the time was appropriate. When I said something to a SOWER yesterday, when they used "Lordy", they said they hadn't thought anything about using that expression. Is there any way to address this?
Signed,
Hurting for the Lord
Dear Hurting,
It is a very sad thing indeed that in our culture the phrases you mention are so common place that the general population doesn't even recognize them as "taking the name of the Lord in vain". They are just expressions. No big deal. We think it's right of you to feel the hurt that our Lord feels when precious His name is used carelessly. And when our believing brothers seem to fall into that same casual use of His name, the hurt is magnified. You were very wise in approaching your fellow SOWER in love and expressing your concern. Often times we slip into to using popular expressions without really thinking about what we are saying. Scripture tells us our words are powerful tools, and can bring our Lord either glory or sorrow. With the Holy Spirit's help, let us all strive to use our words - both in use of His name and in our conversation with others (like not gossiping, complaining, putting others down) - to give HIM all the glory and to encourage one another.
Praising HIS Name,
Sam and Sally
Do you have a question for Sam and 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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Quick Links -
To send in a prayer request or praise item-
To contact the office -
903-882-8070
To submit something to the newsletter
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NEW PROJECT
Camp Cho-Yeh
TX-519
Livingston, TX
Camp Cho-Yeh's mission is to be a place where Jesus Christ transforms lives through meaningful relationships and outdoor adventures. The camp has recently revamped their RV sites, and they are excited to join our SOWER project family, having learned about SOWERS from Chuck and Deanna Schoeneberger (#2029). They have just received funding for refurbishing their bathhouses, so they will be open for workers starting in February! Their official work dates are September through May and they have 4- 30/50 AMP spots.
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Change in Focus - Still spreading the Gospel -
Camp Tracy (FL-421) has changed its ministry focus from a children's home to a facility working with adult men 18 or older with varying addiction issues. Their new name is Bridging the Gulf Ministries.
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Pssst.....
Ladies - We would still love to hear from any Reluctant Lady Group Leaders out there! Send in your comments to either one of us (or both!)!
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Clicking on the Snow Scene 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"!
The FEBRUARY Sowergram will be published by the end of January!
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Just the Facts
for January 2014
Number of Active SOWERS*
525
Number of ALUMNI SOWERS*
141
Number of SOWER projects requesting SOWER Assistance
74
Number of SOWER projects receiving SOWER Assistance
39
Number of SOWERS* requested (Including SOAs)
375
Number of SOWERS* working (Including SOAs)
158
*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!
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
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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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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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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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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Photo Info/Credits -
Header -Mountain view at Huachuca Oaks Camp AZ-508 Jenny Rasmussen (#2824)
Header Group Shot - Gary Lynch (3215) - The Cove - NC-498 September 2013 Team- L-R Les & Deb Peel, Mort & Sue Stern, Gary & Sally Lynch ,Fran & Kent Hillman
Icicles on snowy porch - Cliff Stone (#1966)
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Contributors Needed!
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?
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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