West-Ark Newsletter, 4 December 2008

Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:6-11

The challenge can be stated simply: The challenge is to see this world and human life as God sees it. That challenge is easily stated, but done with extreme difficulty. Perhaps in that can be seen the enormous difference between Jesus and ushe could see life and this world as God sees it. Nothing changes a persons life as profoundly as being able to look at the world and physical, human life as God does.

When I see my enemy as God sees my enemy, that changes the way I look at my enemies. When I see physical possessions as God sees the physical, that changes my motivation for work. When I see my spouse and children as God sees them, that changes the way I treat them. When I see friends as God sees them, it changes the way I treat friends. In fact, seeing the world and life as God sees them changes the way I look at peoplein every relationship. The number one person I will look at differently if I see as God sees is . . . ME.

Why will I see ME differently? I discover in increasingly profound ways Gods purposes. My society (since childhood) taught me how to look at myself, at needs, at wants, at the future, at plans, and at my purposes. God teaches me something different.

The more I trust God (the more faith I place in God), the more I see and grasp His purposes. The more I see and grasp His purposes, the more I redefine my purpose. The more I redefine my purpose through Gods objectives, the more I understand that Gods objectives are permanent and my self-centered purposes are temporary. Physical death ends my self-centered purposes. Physical death has no impact on Gods purposes.

I am faced with an immediate but continuing decision: Will I allow Gods permanent purposes to replace my temporary, self-centered purposes? Or, will I resist Gods purposes? When I discover and accept Gods purposes, I really can live for something bigger than me. I can live for something more permanent than physical existence. I actually can live for something bigger than deatheven when self-centered, physical existence of itself can never be bigger than death.

**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
Dotty Saegert (Niketa Stinchcombs mother) has been experiencing complications from surgery, but was able to go home on Nov. 25th. She is now awaiting test results to determine cause for loss of blood.
Chase Turpin (see Family Update below)
Doris Karr fell and broke her hip on Monday. She is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3509, and was scheduled to have surgery yesterday.
Melvin Hughes (Marvin Hughes twin brother in Phoenix, AZ) recently had a stroke which has left him blind in one eye. He had an angiogram Tuesday and is now awaiting surgery to be scheduled for massive blockages.
Ray Whitaker (Allies son) has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He cannot take chemotherapy due to a lung condition.
Trucilla Surratt (mother of Kathy Rosalez) has been in the hospital, but is now back in her [nursing] home.

**Continued Prayers**
Bob Faries
Bonnie Marrs (recovering from out-patient surgery)
Inez Hatfield
Iris Lara (sister of Mikki Mendez)
Joel Prigge (Louise Howards brother-in-law)
Kathleen Taranto
Larry Treat
Lloyd Priester
Louise Cline
Margaret Stone
Rex Lawman (former member)
Wilma Son

**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the following families:
Nolan Marrs in the death of his sister, Eva Myer, of Muldrow. Graveside services were 11/22/08.
Wilburn Howard in the death of his sister, Daphna Curtis, in Siloam Springs. Funeral services were 12/01/08.
Kathy Rosalez in the recent death of her brother-in-law, Marvin Lester, of Fort Smith.
Blake Frost in the death of his step-grandmother, Jackie Blake, of Mena on Tuesday. Prayers are requested for the family and especially for her son, David.

**Notes of Thanks**
I would like to thank the Lao Church for prayers, visits, flowers, food and kindness they have given to me during the last few months.
I am blessed to be part of their family (pee-nong) of Christians and God has blessed me by the encouragement they are constantly giving to me.
    May God Bless all of you,
    Kathleen Taranto
    (Ma-thow cong Meg and Jerry)

Dear West-Ark Family,
During this past month since Jims fall we have been encouraged and strengthened by your cards and your prayers. Thank you for your interest and your concern which have meant more than words can convey. God bless you and keep you in His care.
Jim and Donna Hannah

**Family Update**
Our trip to Mayo Clinic was productive and overall, we received good news: 1) While results are not conclusive, the doctor thinks the KT [Klippel Trenaunay] Syndrome is a mild case, 2) It is not life-threatening, and 3) It is not hereditary. The doctor requested additional testing which was done Tuesday before we returned. He also believes that the tentative laser surgery, which is an alternative in some cases, would not be in Chases best interest. He prefers to perform the surgery himself at Mayo Clinic, which will probably be in January. We are SO thankful for the many prayers lifted on behalf of Chase and our entire family. God is good and we know that prayers have been answered! Please continue to remember us as we make the necessary plans for a return visit.

**Widows/Widowers**
December 6 at 10 AM in the Annex, we will be having cookies and milk or coffee or tea (whichever suits your fancy). We will also exchange gifts. Now dont rush out and buy something. We want this to be fun! Look around your house and find something you are tired of looking at and wrap it up. We will have a few surprises also.

**Going-Away Reception for John & Melody Priester**
Sunday, December 14
2:00 - 3:30 PM in the FLC
John, Melody & Joshua Priester will be moving to Indianapolis, IN in January. John has received a promotion, and the new job awaits them there. This family has blessed the church in many ways and will be greatly missed! At the reception, a basket for cards, and a money tree will be provided.

Scrapbook Greetings for the Priesters
If you would like to send an e-mail greeting ahead of time for the Priesters, Dena Jenkins will collect them and put them in a scrapbook. Her e-mail is dena [at] jenkinssite.com. If you wish, you may also give her your greeting card so it can be included in the scrapbook.

**Poinsettia Memorials**
In memory of:
Mrs. Earlyne Archibald by Bill & Donna Miller
Mrs. Cora Gordey by Bill & Donna Miller
Malcomb L. Gordey by Bill & Donna Miller
A.W. Dub Chism by Bill & Donna Miller
Darold Wear by Wanda Wear
Jim Willis by Rennie Williams
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Jenkins by F.E. & Anita Cook
J.E. & Virginia Selby by Jerry & Marilyn Selby
Malcomb Gordey by Jerry & Marilyn Selby
Larry Neisler by The Bullards & Reynolds
Carl Nichols by Linda Allen
George Thompson by Frances & Paul Quenin
Victor Graves by Farrell & Lucille Graves
Aline Graves Story by Farrell & Lucille Graves
Dillon Story by Farrell & Lucille Graves
Henry Martin by Farrell & Lucille Graves
Lucille Martin Cate by Farrell & Lucille Graves
Vernon Cate by Farrell & Lucille Graves
Weaver & Ruby Douglas by Brent Douglas
Jeremy Harper by Elizabeth Harper
Jeremy Harper by Chandler Harper
Wanda Faye Adams by A friend
Avis Ingram by Clayton & Ollie Amos
Ruth Choate by Charles & Suzanne Karr
Cadon Joshua Jenkins by Sam, Mary Beth & Casey Oliver
Nanny Smith by Sam, Mary Beth & Casey Oliver
Gloria Jonette Shirley by Benjamin, Lacey, Faith Caroline, Clara Lane & Anna Elizabeth Shirley
Gloria Jonette Shirley by Shelley, Craig, Jeffrey Hall, Rachel Gloria, Issac Craig & Paul Tyler Frost
Gloria Jonette Shirley by Polly, Allen, Lura Beth and Amie Jonette Dehm
Virgie Neal Barry & Connye Neal
Bobby J. Williams Barry & Connye Neal

In honor of:
The Rick Odell Family by The Jerry Glidewell Family
Irene Willis by Rennie Williams
Roy & Joyce Dunavin by Jim & Janie Wyatt
David & Anita Cowan by Paul & Coleen Shirley
Allen & Polly Dehm by Paul & Coleen Shirley
Ken & Denisa Douthit by Paul & Coleen Shirley
Craig & Shelley Frost by Paul & Coleen Shirley
Mark & Carrie Scates by Paul & Coleen Shirley
Ben & Lacey Shirley by Paul & Coleen Shirley
Mary & Richard Broyles by The Berger Family
Our shut-ins by A friend

**Gateways Christmas Party**
Sunday, December 7 at 2:00 PM
We will meet at Glow in the Dark Golf at Central Mall at 2. We will play golf and then go and talk to Santa. After we talk to Santa we will go to the food court and get cookies and drinks. Parents, you may pick up 2nd through 4th graders at the food court between 3:45 and 4:00.

**Winterfest Scholarships Needed**
The youth group will be attending Winterfest in Arlington, Texas, January 16th through the 18th. Winterfest is an amazing event where more than 7,000 young Christians come together and worship. The total cost of the event is $60. We would like to make this opportunity available for any teen who would like to go, regardless of the cost. That is why we are asking for donations of any dollar amount. If you would like to help with this scholarship effort, contact Jackie Sofio in the office.

**Teens Serve Christmas Dinner**
The youth group is having their annual Christmas Dinner at 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, in the Family Life Center. Everyone over the age of 60 is invited to attend. (This includes Widows/Widowers, Joy Bunch, the Elders and their wives, etc.). The teens would like to take the opportunity to serve those who are such pillars of faith and wisdom in our church community. If you would like to attend, please sign up on the list outside of Room 100.
Note: Joy Bunch will NOT meet on December 20.

**Pancake Breakfast for College Students**
Its that time again! On December 10-12 and 15-16, the Lions for Christ will be hosting our Finals Week pancake breakfasts from 7 to 10 a.m. Wednesday through Friday and then Monday and Tuesday in the Annex. If you can help cook for and/or visit with the college students on any of those mornings, please let Colleen Frost know at colleen@westarkchurchofchrist.org. Thank you!

**LTC Announcements**
Dont forget to be working on your pre-convention events. Parents, check the LTC bulletin board to insure that your child is signed up for the correct events. Call Shelly Robbins with any corrections as soon as possible.
Well have a short parents meeting Sunday, Dec. 14, after morning worship at the front of the auditorium.

Jake - jakeo51 [at] yahoo.com

**New Church Photo Directory**
Our new church directory is published and copies are available in the foyer! Our thanks to Mat Griffin for his dedication to making this project a reality. Thanks also to Bill Dickey, Jo Griffin, and Ann Selig for their part in the copying, collating and labeling. Great teamwork!

**youth group // news**

Van Clean-up Day! // This Saturday, December 6
Attention DADS and YOUTH GROUP GUYS: Here is an opportunity for you to serve!!! If you have ridden in the church vans lately, you know that they need a little bit of attention. There is a Van Clean-up Day on Dec. 6th from 9 a.m. to Noon. We will work until noon and then eat at the Mall food court. It will be nice to kick off 2009 with clean vans for our trip to Winterfest. (If you have any questions, contact Bill Coffelt.)

Hope Chest Workday // This Sunday, December 7
Help the Hope Chest get ready for their toy giveaway! After church we will eat lunch together and then head over to the warehouse. We will finish up around 2:30 p.m. and then head to Sweet Bay on Rogers by Creekmore Park. You can be picked up at Sweet Bay between 3:00 and 3:30. Remember to bring money for lunch and Sweet Bay.

Hope Chest Toy Giveaway // Saturday, December 13