Thursday

“I tell you the truth,

unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies,

it remains only a single seed.

But if it dies,

it produces many seeds.”

~John 12:24 (NIV)~

Ms. Molly Carter

Mom had a stress test done today and passed it. The Dr. said all is clear with her heart. The last x-ray of her chest as we know as of now is fine. Depending on that last x-ray if it is all clear then she will come home tomrrow. I want to thank every one for praying. Lawana

Frances Gay

Frances Gay is sore and recovering from her fall, but has been able to go to work. She thanks you for praying for her. Please continue to do so.

International Mission Board

MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. In the last several months, the citizens of South Africa have endured daily electrical power outages that have caused many problems. Equipment has been damaged, businesses have failed financially, and the traffic situation has worsened. There is also increased danger for nightly meetings such as cell-groups (home-based congregations) and Bible studies, as well as other ministries in which missionaries are involved. Pray for the country’s leaders to find realistic solutions to the current problems with daily power outages. Pray for missionaries’ safety as they continue with ministry while dealing with this difficult situation.

Bettie Belle Muse Watson
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 41:30. Bettie Belle was born in Pittsburg, Kan., on Sept. 12, 1925, and died Monday, May 5, 2008, after a lengthy illness. She is survived by daughter, Martha Watson, and son-in-law, Michael Stewart; daughter, Mary Watson; daughter, Irene Watson; son, Jim Watson, and daughter-in-law, Sylvia Lindsly Watson; and daughter, Pat Watson. Also survived by grandchildren, Suzanne and husband Steve Dumez, Jeffrey and wife Dawn Aucoin, Emily King, Melanie King and Jeremiah and wife Kristin Watson; and great-grandchildren, Kaylee Whitehead, André and Corinne Dumez, Avery and Madelyn Aucoin, and Noah Claire Watson. She was preceded in death by husband, Willie B. Watson; mother, Pearl Morgan; father, Bertram A. Muse; stepfathers, Sailor Harris and John Watson. Special thanks and love to Dr. Jed Lane Morris, her physician and friend. She was a talented and wise woman who loved children and life. She was compassionate and nurturing to all living things and always enjoyed learning new things. She was strong and independent and a mentor to many young people. She proved early on that you can have a career and a family and do both well. She was raised by her mother, Pearl Morgan Harris, and stepfather, Sailor Harris. For many years, during Bettie’s childhood, all three were circus performers and traveled throughout the United States. Bettie Belle was a child acrobat, once featured in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Bettie Belle graduated from Kentwood High School in 1942 at age 16. She obtained her nursing education at McComb Infirmary and Vanderbilt University. As a registered nurse, she helped many people during her long nursing career, especially new mothers and babies in the delivery rooms and nurseries at Baton Rouge General Medical Center and Earl K. Long Hospital. During her life, she had many interests including reading, fishing, needlework, gardening, genealogy, crossword puzzles and raising chickens. Her sewing included beautiful embroidery, needlework, crochet and quilts, as well as clothing for herself and her children and grandchildren. When her world became smaller and smaller due to illness, she continued crocheting caps to send to the NICU and St. Jude. Her love and knowledge of nature was remarkable. One of her last wishes was for a world at peace, and now she is at peace with no more struggling for breath and no more pain. Ourso Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Memorial Service at Pine Ridge United Methodist Church, 3893 La. 440, Kentwood, on Saturday, May 10, at 1 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Jim Reid. The family will receive visitors at the church from 9 a.m. until service time. Memorial donations can be made to her church or to a charity of choice.

PRACTICING THE GOLDEN RULE

I read recently about one of the most touching moments in sports I’ve ever heard about. It took place at a women’s softball game on April 26. Central Washington and Western Oregon faced off against each other, with the winner to receive a bid to the NCAA’s Division II playoffs.

Sara Tucholsky, a Western Oregon player, came to the plate in the second inning with the score tied 0-0 and two runners on base . Sara had never hit a home run in her lifetime. However, things were about to change. She connected on a pitch and hit the ball over the center field fence. Due to her excitement, she missed first base. So she stopped and turned to go back to the base. But when she made the sudden stop and turn, she collapsed to the ground, having torn her ACL.

Her first base coach wanted to run out and help her, but if she touched Sara, she would have been counted out. As Sara lay on the ground, umpires conferred and determined that the best thing to do was to allow Western Oregon to substitute a pinch runner at first base (which would have canceled the home run).

The coach prepared to make the substitution when she heard a voice: “Excuse me, would it be OK if we carried her around and she touched each bag?'” You see, in softball, a teammate can’t touch a player while running the bases, but there’s no rule that says the opponents can’t touch her. So Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace, two players on the opposing team offered to carry Sara around the bases so that her home run would not be counted as a single. These two players gently picked up Sara, and carried her around the bases, allowing her to tap each base along the way. After reaching home plate, these two girls handed Sara off to her own teammates.

When asked later why she did it, Mallory Holtman said, “Honestly, it’s one of those things that I hope anyone would do it for me…” In other words, she was practicing the “Golden Rule” “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

There’s not much I can add to a touching story like that. May it serve as an inspiration to find ways in your own life to look for people who could use a hand. When we are less concerned about “winning” than we are about helping others, we can truly begin to reflect Jesus Christ in our lives.

“Therefore, whatever you want men to do for you,

do also to them,

for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

~Matthew 7:12~

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

I trust you will be looking for the way you can “carry someone around the bases” today.

Anna Lee