Greetings everyone:
We are winding down to the end of the year "millennium" and this week has been an unusual week. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ames were to go to Michigan for the Ski Weekend, but they both came down with the flu. The entire editorial staff except for Mr. Gary Ehman has or has had the flu this week (Mr.Ehman had it last week). Today Mr. Meredith came to my office at noon to be anointed-yes, he was coming down with the flu also! Our HQ Staff is so dedicated that they keep coming in to work and infecting one another! Is this the GIVE WAY? Please pray for quick recovery for Mr. Meredith, Mr. and Mrs. Ames, Mrs. Linda Ehman, Mrs. Donna Prejean, and Mr. Bill Bowmer, and those who may follow.
We are happy to have Mr. Aaron Eagle back from his trip to the office in Toronto.
We were saddened to learn that Mr. Tony Smith, long-time Elder in God's Church, died Sabbath morning, December 11. The following is excerpted from a message this week from his family:
"I wanted to tell you that dad died Saturday about 9:30 AM in the ICU of the hospital in Gainesville, FL. He was faithful to the end knowing that GOD could heal him at any time by any means according to His will. The hope that we have been given through God's truth makes this trial not easy, but bearable. We can't wait for that "...moment, in the twinkling of an eye..."; one more reason to keep pushing ahead, letting nothing separate us from our calling." "We appreciate all of the cards, calls, email and prayers that the brethren have given in support of us during this time." Mark and Chris Smith.
Mr. Dan Hall conducted service for Mr. Smith in Winchester, Tennessee. Mr. Hall wrote:
"We will sorely miss Tony who had served faithfully in the Pensacola area for many years. He was 57 years old. Tony and Chris have been a very stabilizing force among those who "rolled out" of WCG and again, during the formation of LCG."
We truly will miss Tony's loyal support of the Work of God, but we thank God that he is relieved of his suffering in this life.
Mr. Stuart Wachowicz, Elder in Edmonton, AL. Canada sent the following wonderful news:
"Mr. Bernhard Leuker, who recently recovered so remarkably from organ rejection has been deluged with cards from brethren all over the world. He and his family have been much moved by this and were wondering if it were possible at some time to relay the message below in a manner where it could be conveyed to those who have prayed for his recovery."
Mr. Frank Best, Elder in Toronto, ON. Canada sent the following news:
"I was just speaking to David Florio and he said they got a report on Nicholas today and the cancer in his head is all gone. There is still some cancer in his spine but the tumor on the brain has disappeared. David wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and cards. Please continue to pray for Nicholas that God will also heal the cancer in his back.
AUSTRALIA
Mr. Bruce Tyler reports that the Australian office will move from Canberra to Brisbane January 17, 2000. Here is a new local Church listing for Australia.
Brisbane QLD Bruce Tyler (Regional Director) 02-6231-8166
Adelaide SA Michael Gill 02-6254-3260
Brisbane, QLD Bruce Tyler 02-6231-8166
Brisbane, QLD Dayrell Tanner (Elder) 07-3806-0833
Canberra ACT Michael Gill 02-6254-3260
Dubbo NSW Dayrell Tanner 07-3806-0833
Melbourne VIC Michael Gill 02-6254-3260
Newcastle NSW Norman Hellyer Phone not listed
Perth WA Ken MacLeod 08-9457-7624
A final thought for the week - THE PROCESS OF CHANGE (an excerpt from "The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle") quoted by Jim Rohn:
"Change comes from one of two sources. First, we may be driven to change out of desperation. Sometimes our circumstances can become so out-of-control that we almost abandon our search for answers because our lives seem to be filled only with irresolvable questions. But it is this overwhelming sense of desperation that finally drives us to look for the solutions. Desperation is the final and inevitable result of months or years of accumulated neglect that brings us to that point in time where we find ourselves driven by urgent necessity to find immediate answers to life's accumulated challenges."
"The second source that drives us to make changes in our lives is inspiration. Hopefully, that is where you find yourself right now - about to become sufficiently inspired to make major and dramatic changes in your life."
Have a great Sabbath and those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, KEEP WARM! Those of you in the Southern Hemisphere, KEEP COOL!
Have a great Sabbath!
CEMcNair