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Greetings!
Friends, does it seem like May has been going by at full speed? There are graduations to attend, weddings to celebrate and new babies to hold and enjoy. The lawn, after a long cold winter, has gone from brown to needing to be mowed overnight, it seems. And the vegetable garden is already showing signs of those green beans and radishes sprouting through the dirt. Things are picking up speed at the SOWER office too! The June/July Sowergram is almost ready to go to press, and it's chock full of information. Not only does it include the PLS (with the Lottery projects listed), GL reports and other articles, it also includes minutes from the March 2014 teleconference meeting, the resumes of the seven members who are running for the Board, and the Ballot for voting . If you're a "Web Only" member and don't receive the hard copy of the 'Gram, don't worry - your ballot will be mailed to you. Don't forget to get your ballot into the office by July 1st.
So before the summer schedule kicks in, take a look at all of the available summer projects. There is nothing like serving at one of our camp projects when it's in full swing! Check 'em out, and sign up! I know you'll be blessed.
Giving Him all the glory,
Stephanie Conrad, #2509
for the Board of Trustees
SOWER Ministry
stephanie@rvthereyet.org
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Snippets of Praise from around the Ministry
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In a note with their annual update -
I wish to take this opportunity to tell you just how wonderful everyone is that has worked here "in the Name of the Lord". They become more than just workers - but have become like family while they are here. I truly miss each one that has moved on after their time with us is over. We welcome the Sowers Ministry with open arms. I have never met a more sincere, loving, friendly bunch of people.
Thank you, and may God richly bless you.
Sherry Way
Capernaum Inn
FL-501
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Reported in the recent Camp Living Waters Newsletter -
SOWERS -- what a great thing, four very able and cheerful couples the whole month of April!!!! One of the men is quite an experienced pipe-fitter, one is good with electrical, one is an excellent drywall finisher. Several are excellent painters.
So now C & D have new floors and paint, and the ladies are putting up curtains. A & B will need a few more weeks work, Today we are pouring new concrete so we can start building the walls. We have set a goal of completion by the end of May.
The SOWERS also installed acoustic tile in the Dining Hall. . . . it looks good and it already sounds better in there!! there are other projects coming up. . . paint for the pool, gravel for the roads and gutters for the dining hall.
Joel Sasscar
Camp Living Water News
NC-285
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And from a surprised SOWER -
 Jim and I hesitated on coming to the Sheriffs Boys Ranch (FL-479) as we thought it may be supported by the State or Government. Not so. They have a full time chaplain. As we attended the Chapel with the boys each service some of them went forward at the alter. A very worthy project for boys 18 and under who have had a very mixed up life. Jim and Marilyn Linger #488
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Recently seen on the SOWER Facebook Group Page
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 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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While you're on Facebook, don't forget to check out your favorite project. Many of our project locations have a Facebook page and it's a great way to stay up to date on the places you love to serve!
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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 to 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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Dear Sam and Sally
At our wrap up meeting it was mentioned that some GL's will invite his team members to come into the project on Thursday if he is settled in. A great uproar ensued. The consensus was that it was a violation of Sower rules. Would you please clarify this for me? I am one that sees the intent of the rule as, the GL is to arrive first. No other member is to arrive on the project Thursday of their own initiative. I see no restriction stated or implied that the GL, the highest authority on the project, can not invite the other members in. What is the need to dry camp at Walmart or Travel America for that Thursday night? Are we that legalistic?
Signed,
Puzzled by the guideline
Dear Puzzled,
This is a great question because the "coming in early" is an ongoing problem in our ministry. The guidelines are pretty clear that the GL comes in on Thursday and "all others arrive on Friday or Saturday". It is the intent of that guideline for the GL to arrive early to get settled, meet with the host, and become familiar with the location and surrounding area. But even if he is settled and knows that part of his team is just waiting at a nearby location to come in the next day, it is not appropriate for him to invite them to come in early. Now, is that legalistic? We don't think so. We have guidelines to both give sensible structure to our ministry, but also to protect the host from unnecessary expense. Although many of our hosts are agreeable about letting folks come in early (because they are generous by nature and love SOWERS), we should never abuse that generous spirit. Even though the GL is the "highest SOWER authority" on the project, that authority does not trump stated guidelines. As seasoned travelers, we should be able to gauge our travel plans to arrive on the day that we're supposed to arrive - like you would if you had reservations at a campground or hotel. If we choose to spend a night at a Walmart or nearby campground so we can can arrive Friday morning instead of later in the day, then that would be our choice. Thanks for asking and we hope that clears up the issue for you.
Serving together with you,
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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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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Contributors Needed!
Do YOU have a testimony to share about a recent SOWER project? We'd love to hear about it!
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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2014 Midwest Michigan SOWER Reunion!
Monday, Sept. 22 thru Thursday, Sept. 25
MI-139 Michindoh Ministries
4545 E. Bacon Road
Hillsdale, Michigan 49242
An excellent guest speaker, music, auction, book exchange, and other activities are planned. Costs for the reunion are as follows:
Meals per couple
$60.00 (5 meals @ $6.00 each per person)
Registration
$27.00 per couple
Cabin rate
$25.00 (Limited availability)
RV Campsite $0.00 (That's right - FREE!)
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. Reservation forms and information sheets will be emailed to all known Mid-western Sowers very soon. We are looking forward to seeing YOU at Hilltop!
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Trustee Nominations
The following SOWERS have been nominated to serve on the SOWER Board of Trustees. There are three openings.*
Ross Dunfee #3127
Nancy Ragatz # 2373
Jerry McGhee #2554
Jenny Rasmussen # 2813
Nick Murabito #3022
Kim Trivilino # 3094
Dave Neitzel #2251
Their resumes and photos will be published in the June/July Sowergram. Feel free to contact any of the nominees or a current Trustee for additional information. Ballots will be included in the June/July Sowergram or mailed to the "Web Only" members.
* Trustees Mal Wall and Ed Shuster are going off the Board. Jenny Rasmussen is up for a second three-year term.
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Help Needed!
After many years of faithful service, Ed and Darla Blanks are stepping down as our Florida Area Reps. We accepted their resignation with regret and we thank them for their faithful service! But we know the Lord has a plan for this also! The board has decided to split the large (20 project) Florida territory into 2 sections -
The Northern Florida Area
FL-143 - Florida Baptist Encampment
FL-174 - Camp Horizon
FL-244 - Child Evangelism
FL-412 - AIM
FL-421 - Bridging the Gulf
FL-335 - Word of Life
FL-448 - Teen Challenge
FL-475 - Bethlehem Camp
FL-478 - Lakewood Retreat
FL-479 - Florida Sheriff's Boys Camp
The Southern Florida Area -
FL-2 - Life for Youth
FL-6 - Island Community Church
FL-157 - Lake Wales Care Ctr FL-175 - Hope Children's Home FL-307 - Community Baptist Church
FL-341 - Lake Placid Conference Ctr
FL -359 - Potters House Girls Home FL- 427 - Heart Missionary Training
FL- 485 - Sherry White Ministries
FL- 501 - Capernaum Ministries
The Area Reps check out new projects and also call on existing projects once a year (either in person or by phone) to make sure everything is running smoothly and all their information is current. They also welcome new SOWERs to the ministry. Does this sound interesting to you? Contact Stephanie Conrad for more information.
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Clicking on the Pink Dogwood will take you to the Members Only Page and the most recent PLS along with the on-line April/May Sowergram
Forgot the password?
Check your hard copy of the Sowergram for the current password. Or contact the SOWER Office - they'll be happy to help!
Having trouble signing on? Don't forget the password will change on 6/15. Watch for the new password in the June/July Sowergram. If you are "Web Only" , the new password will be emailed to you.
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Just the Facts
for April 2014
Number of Active SOWERS*
540
Number of ALUMNI SOWERS*
144
Number of SOWER projects requesting SOWER Assistance
126
Number of SOWER projects receiving SOWER Assistance
36
Number of SOWERS* requested (Including SOAs)
596
Number of SOWERS* working (Including SOAs)
66
*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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Google Earth
SOWER Style!
Don't forget to check out the Project Locator (Google Earth) on the Members Only page. It's a great help in scoping out project locations, especially if you're trying to "bundle" projects to cut down on travel time (and fuel costs!). Maybe there's one near you that you could work this summer!
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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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Photo Info/Credits -
Header Location - Driving into Jackson, KY, home to Oakdale Christian Academy (KY-513)
Header Group Shot - March 2014Team at Trinity Pines Conference Center TX-454 - Too Small to identify! Click HERE to see a larger labeled picture.
Facebook Project - Oakridge Ministries (OK-503), Anadarko, OK
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