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Family Lines Newsletter, May 12, 2005
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**Reflections**
By David Chadwell
 
2 Timothy 4:6-8 "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."
 
Many years ago I heard a statement made many times in numerous ways.  In some form, the statement declared, “It is a shame that youth is wasted on the young.”   Never was the statement uttered as a ‘slam’ on young people.  It was a statement of regret made by an older person as a commentary on the way he or she lived in his or her past.
 
There was a time when we thought nothing would ever change, nothing bad would or could happen ‘to me.’  We could go day and night if we chose to do so.  Everything was a challenge—not an impossibility or a ‘ridiculous undertaking.’   We were focused on ‘proving something’—what we were trying to ‘prove’ was never clear, but we thought it needed no explanation.  With some of the ‘dumb’ things we did, it is amazing that half of us are still alive!  Yet, not for a moment did we think in terms of ‘dangerous’ nor did we associate any consequences with our acts.  We were full of life, and always would be!
 
When I was in high school, seniors received special privileges the last week of school.  My high school was extremely small with very small senior classes. (I think there were 19 in my graduating class.)  Very few students owned or had access to a car.  That year, 17- and 18-year-olds filled with excitement draped themselves all over a car—sitting on fenders, standing on bumpers—as they took a rural celebration cruise.  They wrecked.  Several spent weeks in the hospital.  A few were maimed for life.  The impossible was more than possible.  Consequences were real—something could happen ‘to me.’
 
For years I served as a camp director.  I quit when my awareness of all the bad things that could happen outgrew my possibility thinking.  When your fears grow bigger than the possibilities for good you see, you need to stop.  It always needs to be a matter of possibility, not a matter of control.  No one has the energy for good as do the young!
 
Being afraid of everything is not good.  Knowing when it is appropriate to be sober is good.
 
As Paul neared the end of his life, what a view of his past he had!  Outstanding student, a man ruled by hate, a man ruled by love, a man who knew he never was in control of anything.  Even as he approached death, he was like spilled oil and wine.  His final tribute to God—only God was in control.  His life was nothing more than a drink offering.  However, it was okay—he had absolute confidence in God and His promises.
 
When Paul looked over his life, I wonder if he thought youth was wasted on the young? In his case, absolutely!  What about you?  It is okay—if you have total confidence in God and His promises!  Only He—not you!—is in control.  Be a drink offering, not a control freak!
 
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We are updating our Church Directory information during the month of May.
Please read and verify your family’s information at the designated tables in the foyer. Thanks!
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Praise! Fred Jackson just returned from Little Rock with an excellent report. His aneurysm has healed to the point it barely shows on an MRI. His recovery has exceeded all expectations. No surgery is needed at this time.
• Bill Moss is scheduled for surgery at Sparks Hospital on Wednesday, 5/18/05.
• Helen Branum and Louise Cline are at the Mayo Clinic in Florida. Both are scheduled for appointments.
• Don Green has prayer pager 441-2593.
• Randy Hankins has prayer pager 784-7490 for his father, Lawrence Hankins, who is recovering from a heart attack.
• John Fowler is still very weak as he slowly recovers from pneumonia. He wishes everyone to know that he very much appreciates your love and continued prayers.
• Melody Priester’s grandmother, Kathryn Simms, was recently diagnosed with leukemia.
• Bill Houlker (Roy & Joyce Dunavin’s son-in-law) is still in the hospital. He has had complications while recovering from cancer surgery. If you would like to encourage Bill & Becky with a card, their address is 17 Spinaker Drive, Whitby, Wellington, New Zealand. It will take 80 cents to mail the card.
• Wilma Son had hernia surgery in Tulsa on Wednesday. She plans to spend some time recovering at her son and daughter-in-law’s home. If you would like to encourage Wilma with a phone call, the number is (918) 493-3539.
• Frieda Belote (Ron’s mother) is hospitalized in Fayetteville with a renal infection.
• Floyd Douthit is now home.
• Theresa Wieser is in Sparks, room 557. She hopes to be dismissed Thursday (5/12/05).
• Chuck Cunningham is entering phase three of his treatment for cancer. (Read the note from Karen in “Family Update.”)
• Treva Hill’s grandfather, Charles Hill, remains in ICU at St. Edward Hospital.
• Bill Beall continues to have double vision following his eye surgery.
• Ashley Pistole (Joe’s niece) was in a car accident Friday night. She was released from the hospital Monday afternoon, and she is recovering at her mother’s house with a home health care nurse for about 10 days.
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to John Paul Hundley and family in the death of his father, John.  Funeral services were Monday in Fort Smith.
 
Our love and sympathy is also extended to Richard Adams in the recent death of his brother, Tom, in Florida. Mr. Adams was also the uncle of Marcia, Steven and Alex Tomlin.
 
Edith Marymont, a member of West-Ark, died last Friday. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday May 13, at Woodlawn Memorial Park Chapel. We extend our sympathy to the friends and family of Mrs. Marymont.
 
Eugene Williams, a Bible student of Oscar Nolasco’s, died earlier this week in the hospital. Please remember the Williams family in your prayers and Oscar also, as he encourages and ministers to this family.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Adam Jenkins
• Anita Maxwell
• Betty Pence, mother of Cyndi Glidewell
• Gene Smith
• Jay Wood
• Larry Treat
• Maile McDonald
• Mary Vampola
• Paul Flippo
• Paul Tucker
• Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
• Wendell Fenton, father of Natalie Nelson
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• __________ in Laos
• Thomas & Kindy Kweekul in Thailand and Laos
• __________ in Vietnam
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France
 
**Prayers for Men in Service**
Continue to pray for Matthew Faries, Shane L. Newton, Daniel Kweekul, Aaron Bailey, Philip Lux, Adam Morrissun, Ronnie Wheat, David Jennen, and Jacob Roper.
 
**Welcome New Members**
Troy & Linda Sweeten
22843 State Hwy. 112
Cameron, OK 74932
Phone: (918) 654-3314
 
**Family Updates**
Dear Church Family,
Maile and I went to her doctor here in Fort Smith yesterday.  Maile's port worked absolutely perfectly.  Everyone was rejoicing for her, and we all gave glory to our God because he did hear our prayers and they were answered. The nurses in Fort Smith are wonderful to Maile.  They are so kind, and they too believe in the power of prayer.  We are so blessed by them each week.  Please keep her in your prayers for next week.  We will be having a treatment in Little Rock on Monday.  You can not imagine what a wonderful feeling of comfort it is to know that others are praying for Maile with us.
 Thank you so much,
 Jeanie McDonald (5/10/05)
 
Many, many thanks for the prayers lifted to our Lord on Chuck's behalf. His latest MRI showed a possibility of regrowth of the tumor. Currently we are asking for your prayers to be specific in the following way: Timing is everything! We are trying to get Chuck into an experimental program at the University of Colorado Hospital. There are many "hoops" to get through to qualify and everything must work together, especially the timing. You are all so special to us and we truly appreciate the love and support we have experienced during this very difficult time.
 In His love and grace,
 Karen and Chuck Cunningham (5/5/05)
 
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**Summer Camp is Coming! **
Our kids need a break from the pressures of this world. You can help by sending a child to summer camp for a week. This will cost close to $100 per child. There are 15 to 20 children in the various programs in our inter-city that have expressed interest in attending one of our camps.  Please consider contributing to this effort. To help, make your check payable to West-Ark Church of Christ and earmark it for “camp.” Questions? Call Jack Lewis 459-0168.
 
**Guyana Needs **
• Old full-size bath towels.
• Sunglasses -- These can be purchased at the Dollar Tree for $1.00 a pair. If you would prefer, you can give your money to Kathy Monk or Glenda Lewis, and they will purchase the glasses.
 
**60+ Potluck**
Our next supper is planned for Saturday, May 21, at 6:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. We’ll have special guests!
 
**Notes of Thanks**
I will be moving to Little Rock on Monday the 16th to begin a position with a new insurance company.  My plans are to worship with the Pleasant Valley congregation. I appreciate so much the warm hospitality the West Ark family has shown to me in the short time I was here.  You are a wonderful family of God, and I am thankful for the time God allowed me to spend with you all.
 In Christian love,
 Randy Allison
 
Dear West-Ark Family,
Thank you so very much for the cards, phone calls, and the wonderful visits I had from my wonderful church family. I appreciate your love and concern for me during my hospital stay and after I came home. One of the nurses at Sparks asked me if all those people that came to see me were from church I said yes, they were. She has never seen so many people from a church come to see someone in the hospital. Love you all so very much, and thanks also for the flowers, food, and the other stuff, too.
 Love you all very much,
 Allie Whitaker (5/7/05)
 
Dear West-Ark Ladies,
It was a real treat to be honored by you last weekend.  I enjoyed the encouraging words, fellowship, good food, and the entertainment provided by the ladies from Tulsa was awesome. I feel very blessed to have grown up in a congregation where there is tremendous support for our youth. You have richly blessed my life, and I appreciate the time and work you devoted to honoring me at this special time in my life. Thank you so much.
 Love,
 Emily Kamp
 
**Motherly Love Dinner**
Titus 2:4-5, "Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."
 
The “older” women invite the “younger” women to a Motherly Love Dinner, May 17, 6:30 at the home of Meg Canfield. Dinner will be at 6:30 and conclude around 9:00. If you need babysitting, please call Coleen Shirley at 474-5256. We ask you to help us by signing the list in the Information Center by May 15 to make proper food preparation.
 
**Sunday Morning**
Malachi 3
Chris Benjamin, Speaker
 
**Sunday Evening**
The Bible’s Story: From “A” to “Z”
David Chadwell, Speaker
 
** “Written Without Ink” **
Chris Benjamin’s web log
http://www.westark.org/benjamin/blog.htm
 
**Happy Birthday**
May 22
Charley Douglas
Jacob Hollomon
 
May 23
Dustin Byrd
David Myers
 
May 26
Bonnie Marrs
Rachelle Pratt
 
May 27
Landon Abuzeide
 
May 28
Norma Graf
Ethan Heras
Carl Nichols
Greg Null
Hannah Null
Lenora Word
 
**25th Annual Fish Fry**
 Mulberry Church of Christ
 Saturday, May 28, 6:30 p.m.
All fish, fries, and hushpuppies provided.
Please bring drinks, salads, desserts, if you wish, and lawn chairs.
We’ll meet at the
 John Callahan home
 6620 Slate Hill Road
 Mulberry, AR (479) 997-1198.
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
Parents' Meeting
Who: New 7th graders and their parents
(Any 7th-12th graders/parents are also invited)
 
What: Meeting about coming summer events and youth group expectations.
 
When: Sunday, May 15th at 5:00 p.m.
 
Where: Large Youth Room in the FLC.
 
Why: To welcome our new families to the Youth Group and pass out schedules of the coming 2005 Summer Youth Events
*If you missed our teen/parent’s meeting that took place on March 6th regarding our plans for this summer, you are more than welcome to join us this Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Youth Room.
 
**Third Sunday Nursery**
A.M. Nursery
Gail Mason
Bo Mason
Flora Johnson
Kristy Abernathy
 
P.M. Nursery
Sheila Vaught
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 640
Bible Classes  413
Sunday Evening 242
Wednesday PM  331
Contribution   $14,610
Children’s Home   $193
Hispanic Contribution $118
AM Hispanic Attendance  57
Laotian Contribution $244
Laotian Attendance 31
The Way Contribution $45
The Way Attendance 35
 
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax  (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
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"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
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