“My children inspire me to do better.” – Whitney [ “We are blessed … · 2014-02-06 ·...

Charity&ChildrenAnd now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina

Create memories by becoming a Summer Sponsor. (see page 5) HopeFest slated for May 25 – noon til 8 p.m. (see page 6 )

5/13_________________ 126/4_________________

[ “My children inspire me to do better.” – Whitney } [ “We are blessed to have these camps in our area” – Lamkin }

Fourteen-year-old Brittany and I are waitingfor Brittany’s little sister Ruthie in the foyer

of Blackwell Cottage at Kennedy Home.“I like your camera,” she tells me as she leans

on the doorframe leading into the living room.“I’d like to be a photographer some day.”

I lift the camera and snap a picture while affirming her interest. I show her the picture ofher smiling face as it illuminates the back panel of my digital 35 mm Canon, and Brittany smiles again.

Seven-year-old Ruthie is changing clothes forher picture. She has been flitting around the cot-tage since coming in from school, eating a snackin the dining room, and debriefing about her daywith cottage parents Andrea and Fred Johnson.

“I love living here,” Brittany volunteers. “It is so much better than at home. It’s so muchcleaner. We don’t have roaches here.”

Brittany and Ruthie lived without the necessi-ties of food, running water and electricity. Theirparents’ lifestyle took precedence and put the sisters at risk.

Now, Brittany and Ruthie share a room in the cottage. It looks much like any girl’sroom. Stuffed animals reston the made beds. Schoolbooks spill from book bags on the floor. Picturesof family and friends are on the nightstands. Thescene contrasts greatly with their life and theirroom at home before coming to the Kinstoncampus.

“I was afraid living at home,” Brittany contin-ues. “My life would be a lot different if I weren’there.”

Brittany alludes to a cousin’s abuse and

her parents’ drug and alcohol use. Growing up, she had endured and had been denied many

things. She only recently learned how towash her own laundry and to tie shoelaces. “I never had anyone teach me things likethat. Ms. Andrea taught me to tie myshoes. I’m really good at it now.”

Ruthie arrives in the foyer and we go outside to take photos.

“I love having my picture taken,” Ruthie exclaims and proceeds to pose with Brittany.

I give some direction and start snapping pictures – showing the girls and getting their approvals as I shoot.

“I was a little shy when I first came,” Ruthieinforms me. “I didn’t know anyone but my sister,and I was the youngest one in the cottage.”

Then Ruthie talks about the fights her momand dad had when she lived at home. She saysshe is at Kennedy Home so that her parents canhave time to themselves “to get things straight.”

“The girls are thriving in the stable environ-ment here,” Andrea Johnson says. “It’s calm here and they feel secure and safe now.”

The Johnsons describe the girls as typical sisters. They fuss, but they also come to eachother’s aid when needed. They are both doingbetter in school. Each has had to work hard andovercome some setbacks.

Now, the sisters are hopeful about their futures. And whether they ever return home ornot, they are both encouraged by the progresstheir mom and dad are making toward becomingbetter parents.

Sisters safe atKennedy Home___________________________________________________

By W. James Edminson, Editor

Sisters 14-year-old Brittany and seven-year-old Ruthie feel the love and care they need at Kennedy Home in Kinston.They are now discovering the joy of being children through many of their experiences living in Blackwell Cottage. They

play outside and swing, celebrate special days like birthdays, and enjoy outings to bowl and roller skate.

H O P E HOPE changes lives and dispels

darkness.

Problems that can’t be resolved with a big solution are problems overlooked. Govern-

ments, community groups and programs try to fixthings with a big sweep of their hands, with over-whelming size, and with a huge budget and staff.Smaller problems are recast, reshaped and trivial-ized into digestible bits that can then fall underbig program categories.

Five-year-olds not ready for school? Head Start.Pre-schoolers not learning what they need?

Smart Start.Students having problems reading? Communi-

ties in Schools.Elderly need medical care? Medicare.People don’t plan for retirement years? Social

Security.Big problems. Big solutions.There’s no room, time or budget for individual

solutions to small problems – small problems like a single life adrift.

If we have a problem with teenagers in our community, city councils look for remedies theycan prescribe for whole groups.

What we really need is individual solutions, because the problems are about individuals. Whatwe really need is for individual adults to invest partof themselves in a single child adrift, and care forthat child long enough to pull him to shore.

Every child needs a charismatic adult in his life, someone from whom to gather strength.Whether this person is a parent, relative, teacher,or coach; whether a child has one or two or evenmore in her life – these are not the important details. What matters, is that one such person exists to give a child an edge.

Such personal involvement by a charismatic, encouraging adult even helps insulate childrenfrom drug use and other delinquency.

How can one person make such a difference?Because one person can help a child believe

in himself. Not in a false way. Kids can see rightthrough that. You can’t go around telling a childshe did a great job if she really didn’t. You need to be sincere but honest.

While a parent is the most obviouscandidate to be the charismatic adult in a child’s life, research shows that a teacher is often the adult who makes a difference. Teachers are perfectly positioned because they can not onlyhelp a child believe in himself but alsoprovide situations where he can tastesuccess.

Parents, teachers, neighbors, SundaySchool teachers, Royal Ambassadorleaders, pastors, youth ministers, musicministers, uncles and aunts, bus stop buddies. . .the list of those who can be a significant, charismatic adult for a child is long. It just takes a willing-ness to quit hand wringing and starttalking.

Talk to the kid who rides his bike through your grass, or who walksby while you’re in the yard, or whocomes to your door to sell a maga-zine. Kneel down and greet the childin the corridor who seems all alone at church.

Call their names. That says youknow them, you identify them and to you, they are important. The solu-tion to young people who can’t seemto find direction in life is for someonelike you to show them the way.

You can help the teachers in yourchildren’s lives be special if you takesome responsibility. For instance:

• Volunteer in the school so the teacher is free to be doing greater things with kids.

• Thank a teacher for any help she’s given your child, however small. Even the least effectiveteacher can become more effective if he feels supported.

• When a teacher contacts you, don’t put himor her on the defensive. Hear them out.

I had such a charismatic adult – my elementaryand junior high school principal, R.K. Hancock.He encouraged me to see beyond the hills of mymill village. He said I could soar where others

would walk. He said I could sing where otherswould only mutter.

While others attached anchors that held me to the earth, R.K. Hancock called the wind andclouds to lift me aloft.

Seek charismatic, energetic, encouraging teachers for your children; help your children’steachers be that way by encouraging them; and

find a way to be that adult for yourchildren, and someone else’s.

____________________________________________________________________

2 5/13 – Charity + Children – 126/4

Charity & Children – Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, Inc., 204 Idol St., P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338. Michael C. Blackwell, publisher; W. James Edminson, editor (email: [email protected]); J. Blake Ragsdale, managing editor (email: jbragsdale@ bchfamily.org). Charity & Children (ISSN 0009-1723-09 USPS 100-460) is published 11 times a year for friends and supporters of Baptist Children’s Homes and is printed at Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC. It is mailed by Excalibur, Winston-Salem, NC.Circulation: 62,000 seven times a year, 30,000 four times a year. Periodicals postage paid at Thomasville, NC, and at additional mailingoffices. For free subscription, or to be removed from the mailing list or make address correction or change, write circulation manager Karen Fincher (using the above address), email her at [email protected] or call her at 336-474-1209. Subscribe onlineat www.bchfamily.org/contact/index/charityandchildren. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Charity & Children, P.O. Box 338,Thomasville, NC 27361-0338.

More stories at www.bchfamily.org

[ MY THOUGHTS }

Children need charisma from individual adults –Be a strong adult with influence___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Michael C. Blackwell, President/CEO

Michael C. Blackwell leads the ministry with vigor and enthusiasm. He has served as president of BaptistChildren’s Homes since 1983 and has a record-setting tenure of almost 30 years.

A charismatic adult who impacted Blackwell’s life was hiselementary and junior high school principal R.K. Hancock. Above,

eigth-grader Blackwell presents Hancock a retirement gift in 1956.

There are always a number of traditional reports and updates whenever the trustees

of Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) come together. Important information is shared by executive staff members, trustees and members of various committees.

But the most powerful voice heard in the con-ference room on Tuesday, April 2, was uttered bya single mother of four children.

“Because of BCH’s Family Care program, the help of churches, and you folks here in thisroom, my family has hope,” Whitney said.

Prior to recognizing staff members during theannual Direct Service Awards ceremony (see storyon page 6), 30-year-old Whitney stood before the group and shared how Family Care, BCH’sresidential ministry for single mothers and theirchildren, had changed her life.

Whitney, who lived in Jacksonville, NC, had always been a stay-at-home mother. Whenher family circumstances unexpectedly changed,Whitney suddenly became a single parent. Withfull custody of her children, whose ages rangefrom two to eight, Whitney did not possess theeducation, skills or resources to provide for her family.

Whitney had no money or relatives to whomshe could turn. Desperate, the single mom ap-proached a pregnancy resource organization inJacksonville to ask if they could provide diapersfor her baby. The organization, recognizing theseverity of Whitney’s situation, connected her to BCH’s Family Care program in July 2012.

Within weeks of contacting BCH, Whitneyand her chil-dren relocatedto Culler Cot-tage, one oftwo cottagesdedicated toFamily Care onthe Mills Homecampus inThomasville.

Through thisnew-found sup-port, Whitneybegan workingat a local restaurant and enrolled at the localcommunity college to be trained as a CertifiedNursing Assistant (CNA). Her children, whogreeted trustees with a surprise appearance dur-ing the meeting, are all doing well. Her twin nine-year-old boys haveimproved their grades and are excelling in school.

“My children inspire me to do better,” Whit-ney shared as the trustees listened intently.

Whitney has now completed her CNA train-ing. She has also successfully completed the Family Care program. She and her children havemoved into a nearby apartment, and churcheshave rallied around the family providing furniture

and supplies.“I don’t have any blood

family. BCH is my family now,”Whitney told the trustees. “Icome back and see them almostevery day.”

“Whitney is a terrific example of what Family Care isabout,” BCH Chief OperatingOfficer Keith Henry said. “It’snot a homeless shelter. It’sabout empowering single mothers who are dedicated to pursuing a better quality of

life for themselves and their children. One of theprogram’s biggest blessings is that we are able toprovide a home where the mothers and childrenremain together as a family.”

Trustees offered words of encouragement andhugs to Whitney and her children.

The full board meets at Mills Home inThomasville on September 17.

Hear the words of another Family Care mom. Scan to watch Monica’s 3-minute video to learn more. Or go to BCH’s YouTube channel atwww.youtube.com/ncbch

Learn about Bed Sponsorships at www.bchfamily.org/bedsponsor

[ WHITNEY COMMITTED TO HER CHILDREN }

Trustees inspired by single mom’s success –Family Care offers hope and continues to grow________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By J. Blake Ragsdale, C&C Managing Editor

____________________________________________________________________

5/13 – Charity + Children – 126/4 3

BCH trustee Wayne Jordan (left) greets Whitney and her four children during a trustee joint committee meeting on April 2. A single mother who recently completed the Family Care program, Whitney shared with trustees how BCH

restored her family’s hope. Below: Whitneys’ children made a surprise appearance at the board meeting to handout colorful bags of candy to everyone in attendance.

Leave a legacy. Vist www.bchfamily.org/plannedgiving____________________________________________________________________


UpcomingeventsNote: Some dates have been revised

May 4 – Friends of Children Workday: Kennedy Home in Kinston, Oak Ranch in Sanford, and Odum Home in Pembroke

May 11 – Barbecue Festival:Broyhill Home in ClydeMay 21 – Founders Day:Cameron Boys Camp in CameronMay 25 – HopeFest: PinehurstJune 1 – Friends of Children Workday:Mills Home in ThomasvilleAugust 24 – Hope in Style:Greensboro

Sept. 5 – Western Area Conference:Broyhill Home in ClydeSept. 7 – Friends of Children Workday:Camp Duncan in AberdeenSept. 14 – Friends of Children Workday: Cameron Boys Camp inCameron, Kennedy Home in KinstonSept. 21 – Friends of Children Workday: Oak Ranch in Sanford

Sept 24 – Founders Day:Camp Duncan in AberdeenSept. 28 – Friends of Children Workday: Mills Home in Thomasvilleand Odum Home in PembrokeNov. 17-24 – BCH’s Week of Prayer:Schedule a BCH speaker.For more info, call Alan Williams at 1.800.476.3669, ext. 1277.

Albert Schweitzer once said, “A man doesnot have to be an angel to be saint.” To

that I say, “Yes, but it’s even better when thesaint is an angel.”

Recently, I had the opportunity to participatein a memorial service for a wonderful saintwho was also an angel. Martha Beach, a retiredclinical social worker and generous benefactor to Pembroke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, FirstPresbyterian Church in Fairmont, and BaptistChildren’s Homes (BCH), died at age 95.

Beach lived a marvelous life retiring from her private counseling practice at age 80. Hergenerous gifts to BCH enabled countless children and families to have opportunities that they would not have had otherwise. In her professional life, she was able to help many.Through her generosity, she was able to helpmany more.

She listened to the best investment counselorwho provided the following advice: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neithermoth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thievesdo not break through nor steal. For where yourtreasure is, there will your heart be also.”

The good news for us is that we can all listento her investment counselor – Jesus. Jesus knewwe would face many choices in deciding how to best invest our resources. Sadly, we are oftentempted to store up treasurers in places that arevulnerable to decay and loss. But keeping oureyes on Jesus and remembering to put our heartin the right place is the key.

The heart represents what is central – what is core to a person. Admonitions to be pure inheart are instructions to guard one’s thoughts.“Create a clean heart in me. . .” is a prayer tocleanse the whole person. “Hide thy word in myheart” is obviously a reference to one’s memory.And when Jeremiah reports that God says a dayis coming when He will write a new covenant on the hearts of His people, it is meant to signifya more personal communication than the law

written on stone. Jesus says wherever

you place your treasure,that is where your heartwill be. It takes time, energy, effort and com-mitment to build a treasure. Very few of us accidentally acquiretreasure. Generating it takes a great investment.

When Jesus said you wouldknow where a person’s heart is based on his orher treasure, Hewas acknowledgingthe link betweenour passions, ourtreasures and ourhearts.

What Jesus desires is our hearts. Yes,he wants our behavior to reflect the highest levelof ethical standards, but it is always our heartsthat matter most to Him – our passion, our core,our center.

When our “hearts” are in Him, then we areable to hear and follow His investment advice.Our values and priorities align with His missionand purpose. The result: We will choose to lay up our treasures in heaven. These treasures arebeyond the reach of crashing stock markets, dishonest advisors and the wear and tear ofeveryday life. These are truly protected assets.

At Baptist Children’s Homes, we are the regular beneficiaries of treasures – treasures of the heart – given by people just like you.Whether small or large amounts, each is a gift of love that has been placed in a heavenly storehouse. Your investments enable children to have clothes, food, mental health counselingwhen needed, and most of all, an example of

Christianlove. They

have an opportunity

to respond toGod in their

lives.Martha

Beach’s valuesand faith guidedher to investwisely. She is now collecting on those heavenly investments. Inan interview, shewas asked abouther generosity.Beach responded,“Once you aredead and gone,

all you’ve got iswhat you’ve given

away.” Today, Beach is

truly wealthy in the very best sense of the word.May each of us know as clearly as she did whereour hearts are to lie.

Beach was introduced to Baptist Children’sHomes by the parents of her daughter-in-lawAnne Gatlin Beach. Anne’s father, Robert Gatlin,was a trustee and long-time supporter of BCH.Share the BCH story with someone you know;they may be the next Martha Beach.

For information on how you can invest in achild’s life through an immediate or a plannedgift, call me at 1-800-476-3669 ext. 1230.

Remember, treasures and heartsgo together.

Brenda Gray’s passion is children. She serves BCH as the executive vice president, development & communications. Gray directs all fund-raising/friend-raising activities for the state-wide services.

[ WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTS }

Invest by wisely laying up treasures in heaven –Children benefit from gift______________________________________________________________________________________________

By Brenda B. Gray, Executive Vice President, Development & Communications

_________________

Make your summer gift online at www.bchfamily.org/givenow

Name __________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________________

Phone __________________________________________________ Email _________________________________________________________________________

Credit Card Option: Visa Mastercard Name on card: __________________________________________________________________________________

Card #: ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ Signature: ___________________________________________________________

Summer Sunshine sponsor for $5,000.00 Summer Sizzle sponsor for $2,500.00 Summer Splash sponsor for $1,250.00 Super Summer sponsor for $500.00

Summer Sensation sponsor for $250.00 Summer Smiles sponsor for $50.00 $ ______ _________________ Other Amount

____________________________________________________________________


Must have Credit Card Expiration Date: ____________ Contact me with information on how to prepare a Christian Will. Three-digit security code (on card back): ___ ___ ___ I have included Baptist Children’s Homes in my estate plans.

Check to sign-up for BCH’s email newsletter or sign-up by texting BCHFAMILY to 22828

for many of our boys and girls.It will be the first time a child steps barefoot onto the beach and sees the beauty of the ocean. It will be the first time a child cheers loudly from the bleachers at a local baseball game. It will be the first time a child rides a ferris wheel or tastes a funnel cake. It will be the first time a child attends Vacation Bible School and learns about God’s unfailing love.It will be the first time a child can enjoy simply being a child.

Will you help make a child’s summer something to remember? Will you be a summer sponsorfor our boys and girls? Through your investment, not only are you meeting the day-to-dayneeds of children, but you are replacing memories of past heartaches with new memories like eating hot dogs at a cookout, playing games with visiting church groups, and being withhouseparents and other boys and girls at the beach.

Thank you for restoring the joys of childhood. Thank you for showing our children that thereare friends like you who love them.

Summer is a time of firsts

[ S U M M E R A P P E A L }

Mail to: BCHP.O. Box 338Thomasville, NC27361

To give immediately, visitwww.bchfamily.org/givenow

I want childrento have a summerto remember!

Become a Summer Sponsor

Your gift will make

it an unforgettable

Summer!

[ DIRECT SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS }

Staff members honored at ceremony –Recipients share their heart for BCH ministry_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Altimeen “Al” Little stepped to the front of the room where Baptist Children’s

Homes (BCH) president/CEO Michael C.Blackwell and BCH board of trustees chair GaylaFreeman recognized Little with a 2012 Excel-lence in Direct Service Award. A child careworker at Kennedy Home in Kinston, Little wasone of four recipients honored on April 2.

“I love kids. Kids are my heart and my pas-sion,” Little said to the trustees and BCH staffmembers attending the awards ceremony. “Icome to work every day knowing I can make a difference in someone’s life.”

Excellence in Direct Service Award winnersare selected by their peers and are recognized forachieving quality relationships with children,families, co-workers, and colleagues. These staffmembers work directly with the children andresidents entrusted to BCH’s care.

2012 HonoreesAl Little is known as the definition of service

in action. The boys at Kennedy Home’s BryantCottage look up to him as a father figure. He isthe on-call child care worker on the campus. Hispeers look to him for advice and support. Duringthe time when Kennedy Home was short-staffed,he and his wife were on-duty with the childrenfor six months without time off.

Wanda Shelton serves as a residential care-giver for developmentally disabled adults atThree Forks Home in Zionville. Shelton is affec-tionately known as “grandma” by the residents.She sets a Christian example serving each personwith patience and love. Shelton has providedhope to adults who work hard to achieve per-sonal goals in their lives.

Amy Snovak is a lead teacher for BCH’sWeekday Education program in Thomasvillewhere she teaches three and four-year-olds. Sno-vak shows both the children and their parentsGod’s love by being kind, caring and understand-ing. She is a wonderful example to her co-work-ers and is always willing to do anything that isasked of her. Snovak’s creativity and experience aremaking a difference in children’s lives every day.

Linda White serves as a case manager forBroyhill Home in Clyde. White’s work to keepchild placement organizations informed of vacan-cies has resulted in Broyhill Homes’ recent highoccupancy levels. She is known as a minister ofhope and shares the love, grace and mercy ofChrist whenever she works with children andfamilies. White loves, lives and shares Jesus as she supports the BCH ministry.

Four BCH staff members were recognized with the 2012 Excellence in Direct Service Award. The awards were presented by BCH president/CEO Michael C. Blackwell and board of trustees chair Gayla Freeman. Left to right,

Wanda Shelton, Al Little, Michael C. Blackwell, Amy Snovak, and Linda White.

For HopeFest info call 910.352.9070 and visit www.hopefestNC.org

Excitement is building for HopeFestto be held on Saturday, May

25. Taking place at The Village Arboretum inPinehurst, HopeFestpromises a fun-filledtime and is free to thecommunity. There will be live music from groups including 33 Miles and Gold City as well as a silent auction and church-led BBQ cook-off.

For Tom Lamkin, Director of Missions of theSandhills Baptist Association in Carthage, themost exciting prospect is the spotlight HopeFestwill shine on BCH’s Cameron Boys Camp andCamp Duncan for Girls.

“We are blessed to have these camps in ourarea,” Lamkin explained. “It’s an opportunity

for us to put additional effort behind ourprayers to make HopeFest

a success in raising support and aware-ness of the two

camps.”The Sandhills Associa-

tion is an event sponsor and is helping to rally support for HopeFest.

“The churches of the Sandhills Association are stepping forwardwith donations and volunteer sup-port for the event,” Lamkin said.

Proceeds will benefit BCH’s two residential

camps. It’s also an opportunity to learn moreabout the two Moore County-based wildernesscamping programs and how they offer hope

to children andfamilies.

“The camps represent the bestof what BCH isseeking to accom-plish: restored livesand families,”Lamkin said.“HopeFest will reveal how a soci-ety can come

together in its support of one of its most impor-tant assets - its children.”

Sandhills Baptist Association Rallies Behind HopeFest _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THREE WAYS TO HELP!1. VOLUNTEER: We need people to assist

on the day of the event. Please consider having your church group help.

2. COOK: Have your church group prepare its special recipe during the event’s

BBQ COOK-OFF. 3. ATTEND: A free (donations accepted)

family-friendly day.

____________________________________________________________________


May 25 from Noon to 8 p.m.

[ WEEKDAY EDUCATION HIGHLIGHT }

Snovak setsright priorities_________________________________________________________

The children circle around Amy Snovakstraining to see the pages as she turns the

book for them to look at the illustrations. Thegroup of preschool-aged children are studyingthe letters x, y and z. Today, the story is about“x-rays”.

Snovak is a lead teacher for 3-5 year olds atBaptist Children’s Home’s Fleshman-Pratt Edu-cation Center in Thomasville. The 5-star ratedweekday education center consistently garnerspraise as a model program.

That focus on excellence is evident as Snovakbegins her day poised at the door of her class-room greeting her students and their parents.

“I believe my students’ days are better whenthey know that I’m glad they are here,” Snovaksays. “The parents have greater confidence in me

when they know I’mglad their childrenare in my class.”

Snovak says one thing she strives

to offer is peace ofmind to the parents who are leaving for theirwork day.

“It means everything to be able to trust theirchild is going to be okay as they walk away,” sheasserts. “I believe both child and parent will havea better day by the way I greet them.”

Fostering a strong self esteem in each child is important to Snovak. She works diligently with the girls and boys helping prepare them forkindergarten – not just academically, but sociallyas well.

“If I can help bolster a child’s self esteem and help them feel comfortable in any setting,then they are better prepared to be successful in elementary school,” she says.

Snovak says she lifts up every child in prayer

during her day. “I begin my day wanting to seethem as Jesus sees them. It makes me better pre-pared to handle whatever may come my way.”

Christian devotion time is a daily priority. “It’s one lesson a day that each child is guaran-

teed to learn something new about God,” shesays. “I hope that our children and their familiesfeel loved and I hope that each child has learnedabout Jesus. If I achieve this, I’ll feel like I accomplished what I needed to do.”

News and events at www.bchfamily.org

Purchase “Enough” to help children__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

It’s been a little more than a month sinceGreensboro-based band Awestruck Worship

released their new song “Enough” through on-line music stores. The group, which serves as thepraise and worship group for Awestruck Churchin nearby Gibsonville, is not seeking “fame andfortune” with their new single. Instead, thegroup hopes to bring attention and support toBaptist Children’s Homes.

“It’s inspiring to know that God’s love is‘enough,’” said Jasmine who lives at Mills Homein Thomasville.

Jasmine and the other girls at Blackwell Cot-tage recently listened to “Enough.” The song’smessage speaks about the absolute sufficiency ofGod’s love and grace.

Proceeds from the purchase of the 99 centsong, available digitally through iTunes andAmazon, will go to purchasing BCH “SweetDreams” bed sponsorships (see page 8). Thesponsorships provide for the ongoing care of thechildren including a warm bed, plenty to eat, and

caring houseparents to help meet their needs. “It’s great that the group wants to help,” said

Izzy, who also lives at Mills Home’s BlackwellCottage. “It really means a lot to me.”

Awestruck Worship has set a goal of reaching10,000 downloads of their new song by the endof the year. Every 300 downloads of “Enough”purchases one bed sponsorship.

“It’s such a small price that goes a long way,”said Tyler Ricketts. Ricketts is a singer, guitaristand songwriter for Awestruck Worship. “It’s alsoabout awareness – that’s the big thing. Peoplecan ask their co-workers and other people theyknow to download the song, and they can letthem know about BCH.”

According to Izzy, knowing people want tohelp is a difference-maker. “The band is good.They care about us and want to support us.”

Scan to download “Enough” fromAmazon’s web-based music store orgo to www.ow.ly/ke05d. You can alsopurchase the song from Apple’s iTunesmusic service.

____________________________________________________________________


C A R E CARE andsee lives changed

forever.

Amy Snovak loves her students at Fleshman-Pratt Education Center. The lead teacher for 3-5 year oldssets a priority of not only building relationships with each boy and girl, but with their parents as well. Her focus is

preparing the children to succeed when they enter kindergarten.

Collecting a MILE OF PENNIES is a fun way VBS and Sunday School children can change the lives of BCH’s

boys and girls! A mile of pennies laid edge to edgeis $844.40. Download the collection guide

and labels at www.bchkids.org.

Also, invite a BCH speaker to your VBS and sharethis year’s 5-minute video, “Life at Blackwell Cottage.”

For info, call 1.800.476.3669 ext. 1209.

Make changeat your VBS!

VBS Video ‘13

Learn more about NCBAM by visiting www.ncbam.org

#1. Operating funds to meet the needs of all who God entrusts to us each day

#2. Commercial grade washers and dryers#3. Good used vehicles to transport children

in residential care, transitional living and family care programs

#4. Twin and queen sheet sets, towels, washcloths, and pillows

#5. Gift cards for children’s clothing

#6. Cleaning supplies and laundry detergent#7. Large griddles and cookware for the cottages#8. Car seats and new cribs for babies and

younger children#9. Upright vacuum cleaners for cottages#10. Lawn equipment: weed trimmers, rakes, shovels,

zero turn mowerFor more information, please call 1-800-476-3669 or 336-474-1230 and ask for Brenda Gray.

Here are BCH’s “top 10” needs! Can you help? We need. . .Help a childhave Sweet Dreams bybecoming a Bed Sponsor!For only $30 per month, you can sponsor a child’sbed for a full year. A plaque with your name ismounted on the child’s footboard.

Visit www.bchfamily.org/bedsponsor or call 336.474.1277 for more information.

____________________________________________________________________


[ NCBAM INTRODUCES COMFORT COVERS }

After tragic loss of her sister, Theresa Bradleysees a way to bring comfort through quilting________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


In Theresa Bradley’s upstairs sewing room,there is a blackboard with scripture verses

scribed in pink chalk. The reference written in her hand is 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. Verse fourstates, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,that we may be able to comfort them which arein any trouble, by the comfort wherewith weourselves are comforted of God.”

Seven years ago, Bradley’s sister Cynthia was diagnosed with cancer. Although it was determined to be aggressive, her sister chose tofight just as aggressively. The next four monthswere filled with tribulation and trouble as shecombated the disease, but near her along the way was a handmade quilt sewn by Bradley.

“I didn’t know it then, but my sister’s quilt was my very first ‘comfort cover,’” she recalls. “I had never heard of doing anything like it, but I searched the internet and found there were people making quilts to comfort hurtingpeople.”

Cynthia’s quilt had Bible verses, prayers andpictures of loved ones stitched all over the frontand the back. Bradley wanted her sister to becovered in prayers and scripture. She believed itwas important for her sister to have somethingshe could hold reminding her of the love andcare of her family and friends.

Four months to the day Cynthia was diag-nosed, Bradley draped the quilt she had createdacross her beloved sister’s casket.

Bradley is an active North Carolina Baptist and the administrative assistant at the Wilming-ton Baptist Association office. Every day she isinvolved in aiding others who do ministry. Butafter the loss of her sister, she began to thinkabout doing her own ministry.

On May 9, 2012, Bradley received an emailfrom North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry’s

(NCBAM) eastern director Wendy Minton-Edwards. Edwards was looking for anyone inter-ested in forming groups to make quilts, blankets,or shawls for the frail aging.

“My heart stopped,” Bradley recalls. “It waslike God wrote it on the wall. I knew makingComfort Covers was what the Lord had beenpreparing my heart for.”

In a short time, Bradley had organized her first group to make Comfort Covers.

Each Comfort Cover the group makes has tobe accompanied by a Bible verse, she asserts.

Bradley says for it to be a true Comfort Cover,“there needs to be scripture they can crawlunder.”

Bradley and NCBAM are partnering to edu-cate and inspire others to participate. Patterns fora quilt, knitted shawl and fleece blanket and in-structions on how to form a Comfort Coversgroup are at www.ncbam.org/downloads/2012/11

“If someone is alone or hurting, and they havethat quilt, they know there are people praying forthem,” Bradley concludes. “This is important –scripture and prayer bring comfort.”

NC Baptist Theresa Bradley is leading NCBAM’s efforts to encourage others to make Comfort Covers for the frail aging. The Hampstead resident insists the focus be on scripture and prayer as she leads others to make quilts

and covers for those who are facing troubles and need comfort.

Homecoming is set for Au-gust 2, 3 & 4. Make your

plans now to attend! It’s not tooearly to start saving those most spe-cial items for the Silent Auction. Thisyear we will also have a flea markettable just for smaller, lower priceditems that are really too small for theSilent Auction.

MH Alumni Address Book:Please keep sending additions andcorrections to Sally Beck Fergusonfor the 2013 Directory to be printedat the end of June. Sally, 25 SouthernPine Trail, Ormond Beach, FL,32174, [email protected],386-676-9246.

Betty Mull Carney informed methat Grace Panther Willis fell onMarch 17 and broke her hip. Bettyand I felt many folks would want tosend cards to Grace. The address isPeak Resources, 1101 N. MorganSt., Shelby, NC 28150.

Jerry B. Harpe of Winston Salem,wrote inquiring about Ray and RoyPuckett who were at MH in the 40sand 50s. He met them in those yearswhen they had visited his neighborwhere they all spent many hoursplaying. Jerry himself has some con-nections to Mills Home and BCH.His church RA baseball team (Beck’sBaptist Church) used to come toMH to play the Mills Home RAgroup. Also, Jerry recently enjoyedmeeting Dr. Blackwell at CalvaryBaptist Church in Winston.

We know that Ray died acciden-tally some years ago, but please con-tact me if you can give informationpertaining to Roy and the otherPuckett family members.

Rhonda LaVone Beal happily com-plied when I asked her to share someinformation about herself in earlyMarch. She wrote, “I came to MHwhen I was five years old with sib-lings Robin, Tammy, Heidi, Joby, andToby. I first lived at the Mitchell andthen was moved to the Little Cottagewhere Mr. and Mrs. Wise were house-parents. Living with me at that timewere Tammy, Heidi, Trina, Lou Lou,and Alicia Jurney. Later, Heidi wentto the Alumni Cottage, and Tammyand Robin went to York where the

Bruins were houseparents. I remem-ber going down on the farm andpicking the veggies and having toshuck corn and string the beans afterwhich we were allowed to go swim-ming. I remember that once whileworking on the farm with TaraBullard, we were out feeding thecows one day and one of the femaleswas lying down on her side. Wedidn’t know what was wrong. Welearned she was in labor and Henryhad to call the vet to save the babies.The vet did his best at performing aC-section, but he was unable to savethe twin calves or their mother. I re-member thinking they were so beau-tiful and it was so sad that they hadall died.

“I left MH when I was nine yearsold but returned around the age of12. At that time, I went to live at theSimmons Cottage which I dearlyloved because it was right at thepool. I later moved to Whitty withMom and Pop Gordon and I lovedbeing there.

“There was a lot of yard work, es-pecially if we got in trouble. Some ofthe girls I remember are AndreaWagner, Melinda Barrs, Gina andSalina Abbott, Wanda Edmonson,Sharon Stines, Lisa Edwards, TammyEnnis, Angie Robinson, and anothergirl named Gina. Mom and Pop Gor-don had a black and tan coon houndnamed J.J. that I just loved, but hedid not take to off-campus kids.

“One day some off-campus girlswere headed across campus toward aboy from Biggs Cottage who was outmowing the lawn. That did not setwell with me since I thought he wasmy boyfriend. I sent J.J. over to runthem off, and run they did. I neversaw anyone run so fast. Later, Imoved from the Whitty to the Huff-man with the Gordons. While thereone summer, I was a life guard at thepool.

“I left MH again when I was six-teen. I was angry for some reasonand thought I was showing someonehow tough I was. I realize now thatit was a big mistake on my part.”

Someone told me that J.H. Cal-loway lost his wife Carol recently, soI gave him a call to offer my condo-

lences. As it turned out, he lost hiswife two years ago, but we can stilloffer condolences if we wish. I’msure he would love to hear from any-one. His contact information is 190Bluebird Lane, Salisbury, NC 28146;[email protected]; 704-645-8477. The Calloways came to MH in1941. Jenelle graduated in 1948 andJ.H. and Betty left in 1950 beforetheir classes graduated. J.H. remem-bers his work in the dairy barn andthe interest and amazement dis-played by visitors as they watchedeach of the cows go into a stall withher own special name.

After completing his military serv-ice, J.H. lived a good many years inSavanah, GA. There he and his wifehad two daughters and one son. Henow enjoys eight or nine grandchil-dren and they all live in the Savannaharea. He has lived in Salisbury forclose to thirteen years which makesit very convenient for him to cometo most Homecomings. He expectsto return again in 2013 and I thinkwe will see him there with Jenelleand Betty who also come back everyyear.

I was finally able to talk withBecky Jacobs regarding her brotherBobby Jacobs, whose death I men-tioned earlier. Bobby was living inClinton when he died Feb. 1, 2013.The Jacobs family (T.R. Sidney, Marie,Becky, and Bobby) came to MH in1955 from Harnett County, and allexcept Becky left to live in fosterhomes. All the others are still livingexcept T.R.

Bobby and his wife Lucille hadtwo daughters and one son who diedas an infant. They also have fourgrandchildren. I sensed in our conversation that Becky was happyshe had been able to come down inOctober to see Bobby and his family.The Jacobs siblings, except for Sid-ney, will all gather again on March29 to have a memorial sort of re-union.

Bobby had a degree in accountingand was an accountant for BarnhillContracting Company, a pavingbusiness. He enjoyed being a mem-ber of a church and was faithful tothat. For leisure time activities, he

loved ocean fishing.If you have access to the North

Carolina Baptist Mission Magazine,you may have seen a photo of a veryfamiliar face. That man was two-timeMills Home Alumni President, JoeKnight. Most alumni have knownthat Joe has a tremendous passion forflying. Now that passion is evengreater because of how he is able touse it through his Knight FlightFoundation – that is to support theAngel Flight foundation by trans-porting non-emergency patientsgreat distances for such things asdoctors’ appointments, follow upsand surgery.

When he can find a block of time,he goes to the Angel Network, se-lects a patient to help, gets pertinentdetails on pick up and destination,contacts coordinating pilots, andperforms that much needed trans-portation task. Joe and other pilotsmake it possible for the Knight FlightFoundation to offer their flight skillsto the Aviation Ministry throughmonetary donations from friendsabout the state and NC Baptist Men.

Joe is happy that now the KnightFlight Foundation is a non-profit or-ganization. Those wishing to donatecan mail their financial gift to: KnightFlight Foundation, PO Box 542,Kernersville, NC 27285. Joe says thekind of help from friends and fromhis flight partner, Bob Oglesby, inobtaining high tech navigationequipment have been invaluable. ForJoe and every one involved, it is abonus advantage that he and Bobhave the perfect opportunity to wit-ness for Christ during the flight.

I am deeply saddened to reportthe April 3rd death of Coleen Myers,the wife of the late Willard Myers. I will write about her next month.

Blessings to all!

Lib Johnson was a resident of MillsHome from 1946 to 1957. Johnsonbegan writing the Mills Home alumnicolumn in 1992.

[ MILLS HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Story recounts hound dog J.J. running girls off –Alum leads Knight Flight Foundation_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Lib Smathers Johnson, 5612 Bledsoe Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410 (336) 299-7412 [email protected]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/millshomealumni____________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________Mills Home

Joel MacDonald and members of his familydonated funds to purchase playgroundequipment for the children living in FamilyCare cottages at Mills Home in Thomasville.MacDonald’s brother, the late Neal “DaddyMac” MacDonald, was a longtime housepar-ent at Mills Home along with his wife Joyce.The playground area will be named in theirmemory. Employees of Knight Services, alawn care company out of Kernersville, do-nated the labor to install the new equip-ment. Knight Services is owned by MillsHome alum Joe Knight whose companymaintains the campus grounds.___________________________________________Developmental Disabilities

Residents from Stegall Home in Marshevilleshare with the congregation during the wor-ship service at Lakeview Baptist in Monroe.___________________________________________Kennedy Home

In March, a group from Kenansville Baptistvisited the Family Care cottage at KennedyHome in Kinston. The group prepared dinnerand brought Easter baskets for the childrenand a small gift for each mom.

___________________________________________Camp Duncan

Residents of Camp Duncan for girls achieveda major milestone completing a 27-daySuwannee River trip and canoeing a total of250 miles. They began at the OkefenokeeSwamp located on the Florida/Georgia bor-der and finished at the Gulf of Mexico. Oneof the girls accepted Christ during the trip.___________________________________________Mills Home/Oak Ranch

Residents from Mills Home’s Alumni Cottage took a trip to Oak Ranch in Broad-way on Friday, April 5 . The boys spent theafternoon with the ranch’s five horses. Keith,a former Oak Ranch resident, had the oppor-tunity to reunite with Crystal – the horse he bonded with during the time he lived atthe ranch. ___________________________________________Broyhill Home

Boys from Broyhill Home in Clyde enjoy a pancake supper at a local cafe.

___________________________________________Care House

Barry Jordan was one of the volunteers fromPleasant Garden Baptist Church who helpedrepaint Care House in Lenoir. ___________________________________________Cameron Boys Camp

Under the supervision of his chief, a boyfrom Cameron Boys Camp’s Frontiersmengroup helps cut the wood the boys need to rebuild their sleeping tent. ___________________________________________Kennedy Home

A group of 31 children and adults from Pilot Baptist Church in Zebulon volunteeredat Kennedy Home on March 16 and 17. Thegroup fed the campus and undertook a serv-ice project. Youth led worship on Sunday.___________________________________________Broyhill Home

Children from Broyhill Home hold up thecolorful paintings they made at Ms. ArtyPants Creation Station in Waynesville.

Find Baptist Children’s Homes of NC on Facebook

[ AROUND THE STATE }

Every day at churches and BCH facilities “around the state,” residents, staff members and North Carolina Baptists are mak-

ing news. In Charity & Children and through BCH's social media posts, friendscan connect daily, weekly and monthly to learn about all of BCH's happenings.______________________________________________________________________________________

Stay connected online at www.bchfamily.org and on Facebook, Twitter,YouTube, and Vimeo. Also follow NCBAM (www.ncbam.org) and BCH'sDevelopmental Disabilities Ministry (www.hereismyhome.org).

We need you to lend a helpinghand. Share your time, talents andresources to meet the daily needsof BCH’s boys and girls. You canhelp in these ways:___________________________________

Friends of Children Workdays:From painting to planting, partici-pants help with special facility projects, tour campuses and havelunch with children and staff. Call 336-474-1209.

Food Roundup: This is a great opportunity for churches, businessesand organizations to help provide thefood needs of the boys and girls incare. Call 336-474-1277.

Bed Sponsor Program: Become a bed sponsor and have a plaquewith your name mounted on a child’sbed. Your name reminds a child thatyou are praying. Call 336-474-1277or visit www.bchfamily.org/bed-sponsor.

Mile of Pennies: Help by collecting a “Mile of Pennies.” When it comesto providing care for hundreds ofchildren, it takes everyone workingtogether – one penny added to an-other penny and then another penny.Continue to multiply the pennies andjust imagine how far you can go inmaking a real difference! Call 336-474-1209.

Walk for Change: Perfect for yourchurch or community organization –walkers recruit financial sponsors togive a cash gift for walking a certaindistance. Set your goal, secure yoursponsors, designate a safe route, and have fun! Call 336-474-1209.

Recycle Projects: Collect emptyprinter cartridges (laser, inkjet andfax cartridges). Deliver items to anyBCH facility or use prepaid shippinglabels to send items to recycler. Mil-lions of cartridges are thrown awayeach year. Begin collecting and helpthis year-round program earn moneyfor children. You can recycle cellphones, too. Call 336-474-1209.

Bike for Change: Bike for Change is a fun and dynamic way for childrento help "change" the lives of children.By pedaling bicycles, children raisesupport and awareness for BCH’sboys and girls. It is a great serviceproject for schools, churches, andother children’s groups. It alsoteaches children the importance ofparticipating in missions outreach.To learn more, visit www.bikeforchange.org. Download a planningguide and other resources. ContactBike for Change coordinator JayWestmoreland at [email protected] for more ideas.

Helping Hand

____________________________________________________________________


Please note, the next Alumni/Staff Luncheon is slated for

May 18, 2013. Donna Duty wrote, “I had a

phone call from Shelley Lang Jack-son saying that she and her familywill grill hamburgers and barbecuechicken for our alumni/staff lunch-eon on May 18 at their home in La-Grange. Shelley will need to knowhow much meat to buy, so whenyou RSVP, please let her know howmany will be in your party, how many want hamburgers, andhow many want barbecue chicken.RSVP to Shelley at 252-361-1960;or contact me at 919-244-0920,[email protected]. PleaseRSVP no later than May 4th.

“With Shelley’s family providingthe hamburger, chicken, tea, andcoffee, the rest of us need to bring aside dish and a dessert – enough ofeach to share with others. By May18, the weather should be nice andwarm! Shelley will have room for 50this time, you can choose to eat out-side. For those who do not wish toeat outside, there will be tables in-side the building where we ate inJanuary. So please mark your calen-dars now for this lunch and fellow-ship together on Saturday, May 18.Shelley’s address is 4720 ShelleyDrive, LaGrange, NC 28551.

“Also, Shelley had neck surgeryon March 22 because of compres-sion of her 4th, 5th, and 6th verte-brae. It was out-patient surgery, soshe was back home ready to beginrecovery that same day. She is doingvery well and getting her balanceback. She appreciates everyone’sprayers.”

Another note from Donna says,“I recently attended the retirementparty for former Kennedy Home so-cial worker Ann Wilkerson Arant andit was such a blessing! I was the firstchild in Ann’s caseload in 1972!After 41 years, we remain in touchthrough such things as lunches,shopping trips and day trips. Formany years she has worked at theJohnston County Department ofSocial Services in Smithfield. She iswell loved by everyone in that de-

partment and will be missed! Manyof her co-workers shared wonderfulstories about her, as well as many ofthe teen moms whom she minis-tered to through the years in theteen moms program that she helpedget started many years ago. I was seated at the table with Ann’sfamily and that meant so much tome. It was good to see her family –her husband George her sons andtheir wives, and her daughter Mary,and her husband. I also had achance to stand up and tell how Ifirst met Ann at KH back in 1972,and how we have remained friendsall these years. It was a wonderful af-ternoon for me, and I’m thankful Icould be a part of it. You can con-tact Ann at 1135 Piney GroveChurch Road, Kenly, NC 27562;phone: 919-284-4022.”

We were very saddened to learnof the death of Charles Albert Spell-man, Sr. – known as Al. He passedaway peacefully on March 21, 2013at his home in Raleigh. He wasburied on March 25, 2013. Hecame to Kennedy Home in 1944with brothers Ralph and Roscoe. Algraduated in 1952. (Royal came toKH in 1945 and Rowena and Billycame in 1951.) He was fortunate tohave been married to his KennedyHome sweetheart Lucille GibbsSpellman for a “short” 58 years. Heis survived by one son, one daugh-ter, two granddaughters, brothersRalph and Bill, and sisters JudyShearon and Rowena Ramsey. Al’sbrothers Roscoe and Royal pre-ceded him in death. The familyasked that memorial donations bemade to Kennedy Home, 2557Cedar Dell Ln., Kinston, NC 28504

It was also sad to hear fromDonna Duty that Janie Malpass, aformer KH social worker, diedMarch 19 at Quinn Hospice Center.She served the KH children in the1970s. Janie was a member of Mt.Zion PFWB Church and was an em-ployee of Duplin General Hospitalfor 26 years. Survivors include herhusband Stanley Malpass, two sons,a brother, and two grandchildren.

KH ADVENTURE: “I knowsending these adventures so often

may lead one to think that I musthave been a terrible youth, but letme assure you that since my first dayat Kennedy Home on September 51943, my heart has been totallyfilled with nothing but love. My be-havior and that of my brotherswould have probably been the samehad we been playing on the goldenstreets of Heaven at those ages. Imust admit, the following adventurewas one of the hardest to write.

“It was summer 1946 and Mrs.Mamie Daughtry caught Lee Dick-ens and me fighting in the frontyard at the Lenoir building. Shegrabbed us by the ears and immedi-ately took us to her sitting room. Iexplained that we were fighting be-cause Lee called me some badnames. She lectured us on the old,old adage ‘sticks and stones maybreak my bones but words can neverhurt me.

“After we became humble andnodded in agreement with her lec-ture, she let us go! When I got tothe door, I made a terrible mistake:I turned and said ‘YOU OLD BAT-TLE AXE’ (a name we had givenher for no other reason than herslow waddling about campus).

“Woe was me! The door waslocked! We were captives! But weboth had to laugh even after shebent each of us over her knee andintroduced us to ‘Mamie’s’ paddle.But the experience gave Lee and mean even closer brother relationship.Approximately two years later, May12, 1948, Lee had surgery on a hisshoulder (birth defect) and died inthe orthopedic hospital in Gastonia.Along with his brother Jessie Wayne‘Snag’ Dickens (one of my all timebest KH brothers), we grieved theloss of our dear brother.

“And I might mention in passingthat ‘Snag’ passed away two yearsago. Lee and Snag had a thirdbrother that left KH at an earlier ageand made the US Navy his career.He still lives in Red Oaks. When weknow so many of our loved ones arewith our Lord and Savior, it encour-ages us to live so that we will seethem again. In Christian love to all.

Dan Medlin”Barbara Branch Smith sent a

thank you for the mention of hersister Penny in the last C&C. It is soimportant for our alumni (KH andMH) to let us know when a dearone passes away and it is wonderfulwhen you share special informationand feelings as Barbara did aboutPenny. It is a small spot in the col-umn that we fill with words aboutsomeone, but it is a sacred spot thateveryone deserves.

Barbara went on to say, “JoyceConnie (Surbaugh) Class of ’72 andI have recently reconnected and Ihave enjoyed learning more abouthow her life has played out. We’vetalked by telephone and postal mail(isn’t that funny that postal mail stillworks?). Emails and text willNEVER replace seeing someone’shandwritten words. Yes text andemails are instant, but there is some-thing about seeing someone’s actualwriting.”

I (Lib) do agree with Barbara,however, I am so happy to get eventhe shortest of emails about one ofour “orphan” brothers or sisters.

Barbara and I had a couple ofemails back and forth and we cameup with a bright idea. We think itwould be nice if folks would sharetheir favorite “tidbits” with us – ameaningful quote from someone, abit of advice, or whatever.

Barbara sent a quote from one ofmy favorite writers and hers: “AMother’s love is patient and forgiv-ing when all others are forsaking,and it never fails or falters eventhough the heart is breaking.” –Helen Steiner Rice

A quote I like: “When you reachthe end of your rope, tie a knot in itand hang on.” – Thomas Jefferson.

Now, we’re waiting to share yourfavorite quote.

[ KENNEDY HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Alumni encouraged to send favorite “tidbit” –Spring luncheon set for May 18_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Guest Columnist Lib Smathers Johnson, 5612 Bledsoe Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410 (336) 299-7412 [email protected]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kennedyhomealumni____________________________________________________________________


IMPORTANT: The search for a new columnist continues.If you are interested, contactthe Editor by calling 1-800-476-3669, ext. 1217.

1.Western Area Family Services 828.627.9254 Linda Morgan, Regional Dir. Broyhill HomeDrake Cottage Moody HomeTruett Baptist Assoc. Home

2.Central Area Family Services 336.474.1200 Mills Home Care House Oak Ranch

3.Eastern Area Family Services 252.522.0811 Sandy Perry, Regional Dir. Kennedy HomeOdum Home Britton Ministries

4.Cameron Boys Camp 910.245.4034 Stephen Ashton, Director

5.Camp Duncan 910.944.3077 Paul Daley, Director

Weekday Education Thomasville, 336.474.1201 Linda Russo, Director

Developmental Disabilities Ministry 336.474.1261Martha Surratt, Director

North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry336-474-1221Dr. Sandy Gregory, Directorwww.ncbam.org

Calling All State Employees!Choose BCH as your charity in theState Employees Combined Campaign.SECC code is 3641. Encourage others toas well and better the lives of childrenand families in North Carolina.# 3 6 4 1

We participate in these areas:C F C # 3 3 2 4 1

Baptist Children’sHomes provides only

the highest quality of carethrough a highly trained,skilled, Christian staff whosepersonal and professionalmission is “sharing hope. . .changing lives.”

Can BCH be of service?Call 1-800-476-3669.

Can we be of service to you or someone you know?Research Triangle Area CFCCape Fear Area CFCCamp Lejeune/OnslowCounty/New River CFCSoutheastern North Carolina (includes Fort Bragg)

Greater North Carolina CFCCherry Point CFCRowan/Iredell County CFCCFC Central CarolinasCFC of Western NC

South Hampton Roads CFC(Camden, Chowan, Currituck,Dare, Gates, Hertford,Pasquotank, and PerquimansCounties and Albemarle andElizabeth City)

____________________________________________________________________

12 5/13 – Charity + Children – 126/4 More Homeword at www.bchfamily.org/about/homeword

Kyle was thrilled at the prospects of being inthe church’s youth group. He was already

familiar with the youth minister and had been inthe shadows of the teens, catching glimpses ofyouth activities in which he longed to take part.

A social welcoming the young people whowere joining the group and their parents washeld in the church’s fellowship hall. There werecookies, some finger foods, and sweet fruitpunch. Ricky spoke to the youth first and thenturned his attention to the parents, going overevery detail of his program. We all listened atten-tively, and at the end a few of us lingered andwaited to talk personally with Ricky.

When it was my turn, I held out my hand,“My name is Jim Edminson, Kyle’s dad. Kathyand I look forward to the coming year and wantyou to know that you can count on us.”

He smiled and seemed encouraged. As I turned to walk a away, I looked back and said, “Bythe way, we’ll be here awhile;we will be youth parents forthe next 16 years.”

Although it was notplanned, our four children are all four years apart in age. That means that despite the fact thatKyle was born when Kathy and I were 20, ouryoungest will not graduate college until I’m 53.

“Listen to that,” I tell Kathy.“What?” she replies. “Do you hear it?” I say.“No.” she says, shaking her head.“That’s just it,” I muse. “It’s silence.”It’s just Kathy and me, sitting alone on a Sat-

urday morning and sipping our second cup ofcoffee. . .in silence.

Our life together is changing as our childrenlive their own lives. Kyle is now raising his familyin Louisiana. Amie and Mark are building theirlife together in Asheboro. Jenny is in her first

apartment and attending graduate school in Greensboro. And Mary attends Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs and hasnot been home in three weeks.

“So, what would you like to do today?” I ask Kathy.

“Well,” she replies slowly, “weneed to get back into the greenroom and remove that built-in.But we’ll need to make a trip to the hardware store first.”

Our Saturday schedules havechanged greatly since we nolonger have high school bandcompetitions, shopping tripsfor spring prom dresses, andlast minute excursions forhomework supplies.

“Oh, I don’t know,” I reply withthe intention of putting off a deci-

sion. Kathy steps into the kitchento prepare our third cup of coffee.

Each spring outside our doors, birdsbuild nests to lay and hatch their fledg-lings. The baby birds remain in the nestand the parent birds feed and watch over

the little ones. But the day arrives when the birdshave grown to take flight and leave the nest.

Parents experience that same empty nest when their children grow up and leave home.But unlike the parent birds, some parents find itdifficult to cope with the loss of their childrenfrom the nest – feelings of loneliness, sadness anduselessness can become a day-to-day struggle.

It’s important to remember empty nesters face a lifestyle change, and as we all know, change canbe difficult. In her online article “Six steps togetting over an empty nest,” Dr. Gail Saltz saysthere is “no reason to live an empty life becauseyour child leaves home.”

Saltz advises to plan ahead for the inevitable,look at the positive, focus on your relationshipwith your spouse – enjoy the silence, travel and

rekindle romance, compile a list of those thingsyou have always wanted to do, avoid addingother big life changes to your new lifestyle, strikeup conversations with other empty nesters – it’shard to get sympathy from someone who hasn’tgone through it – and finally, prepare your chil-dren to leave. The more independent they arewhen they take flight, the easier empty nestingbecomes.

Morning texts from all the children assure us they are all well and busy with their own plans. Kathy and I decide to put off the trip to the hardware store for an impromptu roadtrip – springtime in the mountains should

be gorgeous!

Edminson is editor of Charity & Children and writes“Homeword” to inspire and encourage families in themidst of full lives and hectic schedules. He is availablefor preaching and speaking opportunities. Email him at [email protected] for availability.

[ H O M E W O R D }

Planning for “empty nesting” makesit easier when the time comes______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


M O R E MORE inspiration in

every issue.

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