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

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January is “Make Your Will Month.” (Page 4) Family Care mom plans on graduating college. (Page 7)

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Western Carolina University (WCU) senior Sophie Calhoun values home.

She lost her mother to cancer when she was nineyears old and her father passed away five yearslater. A loving grandfather and aunt filled the gapfor Sophie and her younger sister when they wereleft with no parents.

“They were great, but it’s impossible to saythat the love of my grandfather and aunt totallyfilled the void,” Calhoun says. “There’s not a daythat goes by that I don’t miss my mom and dad.

I wish my mom could have been there, be herenow, for all the big stuff.”

Calhoun remembers a happy, simple life beforeher parents’ passing. She remembers a home thatwas all about family.

The 21-year-old environmental health major is a student leader at HOMEBASE – the newBaptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH) ministry to college students who are former residential careand foster youth, former orphans, emancipatedyouth, or homeless youth. HOMEBASE operateson the WCU campus in Cullowhee.

Calhoun, president of the student-led organi-zation RISA (Resilient Independent Student Association), drafted a paper that the Universityreferenced when partnering with BCH. She

states in the document that the target group of students all have one thing in common: “. . . theywere most likely expected to become almost entirely financially independent when they became of age.” She continues writing, “That is a very difficult thing to do at the young age of 18, but it’s even more daunting when youmake the decision to go to college.”

Calhoun writes that target students need to be with other students who tackle similar thingswhile becoming a part of the larger universitycommunity; they need help addressing theirunique challenges and connecting with resources;and each student needs a safe place where theycan come and feel at home. (Continued on page 3.)

New ministry feels like home__________________________________________________

By Jim Edminson, Editor

BCH’s Jim Dean, left, serves as the supervisor of HOMEBASE College Ministry on the WCU campus in Cullowhee. He andHOMEBASE student leader Sophie Calhoun, right, are busy planning for the target group of students who will benefit

from the newly renovated center, its programs and social activities.

Double your gift until January 31, 2017!

Learn how on page 5.

Charity & Children – Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, Inc., 204 Idol St., PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338. Michael C. Blackwell, publisher; Jim Edminson, editor (wjedminson@bchfamily.org); J. Blake Ragsdale, managing editor (jbragsdale@ bchfamily.org); Marcia Housand, account clerk. Charity & Children (ISSN 0009-1723-09 USPS 100-460) is published 11 times a year for friends and supporters of Baptist Children’s Homes. It is printed at Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC and 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 mailing offices. For free subscription or to be removed from the mailing list or make address correction orchange, use the above address and write to Attn: Circulation Manager, send an email to address@bchfamily.org or call at 336-474-1209. Subscribe online at bchfamily.org/charityandchildren. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Charity & Children, PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338.

Vision: sharing hope . . . changing lives

Mission: To provide the highest quality

of Christian services to children, adults

and families in a caring culture of

measurable excellence

In his autobiography The True Joy of PositiveThinking, the late Norman Vincent Peale

tells the story of a fifth grade teacher who had a remarkable influence on his life. The teacher,George Reeves, was a large man with a very sternappearance which coveredup a kind heart.

He was, as Dr. Peale recalls, a “character”– one ofthose unforgettable peoplewhose ways often inspire us when we think back on them. One of the mostimportant lessons he evertaught Norman Peale had to do with attitude.

Often the teacher wouldwrite on the blackboard in large letters the wordCAN’t. Then he would turn to his students andask them, “What shall I do now?” The studentsknew the answer. In unison their voices wouldreply to the question, “Knock the ‘T’ off theCAN’t!”

And with a sweeping gesture of the eraser, he would do it. Then he would say, “Let that be a lesson to you – you can if you think you can.”And, pointing his big forefinger at them, hewould add in a growling voice, “Don’t you ever forget it either.”

The lesson was not lost on Norman VincentPeale. Years later when he had become a famousminister in New York, he was pointing his ownfinger at people and saying, “You can do it if youthink you can.” His “Power of Positive Think-ing” became a trademark. He was renowned forhis remarkable ministry of encouragement.

The truth is, however, that there was nothingvery new about Norman Vincent Peale’s ministryof encouragement. It is certainly as old as theBible itself. The early Christian missionaries, Paul and Barnabas, engaged in the same kind of ministry among their Jewish friends in the synagogue of Antioch of Pisidiam, a small coun-try in Asia Minor.

We can imagine the problems these people

faced. The fledgling church was in trouble allover the empire. Its leaders were frequently jailedor put to death. Their Jewish friends would notunderstand their joining this offbeat cult on thefringes of Judaism.

What would they say to us if they were herespeaking to us today? We face a lot ofproblems, too. The world around us becomes more secular every day. Our children are ever more easily seduced intoagnosticism and turning their back on the church. Hedonism grows stronger all the time.

What would Paul and Barnabas say tous in the face of all this? Would they say,“You are right. It is a losing game. Whydon’t you throw in the towel while youstill have one to throw in?”

Not on your life! They would say the same thing they said to those Jewish

Christians in Antioch: “‘Go forward in the graceof God!’ You think you can’t make it at thechurch today? Knock the ‘T’ off that CAN’t –you can do anything you think you can as long as you live in the power of God!”

It’s a funny thing about a positive mental attitude. I really believe that thinkingpositively helps release thepossibilities within you. Andit works just as well for thechurch as it does for the individual.

What kind of church canyou become if you think andact positively in the grace of God? Just imagine, if youwill, the fellowship you canbe. Scores of people withhearts all warmed by experi-ence with Christ and his Spiritreaching out to one anotherin love and support, studyingour Bibles, learning how tobe better spouses and parents,better citizens in our countryand world, better emissaries

for Christ in our schools and businesses, betterstewards of our time and energy and resources.

When we truly live in the grace of God, thereare not limits to what we can do or become because the formula is always “Us plus God” and there is no limit to what God can do.

Encouragement is a marvelous thing. It’s partof our Christian ministry to each other. Paul andBarnabas urged their friends to continue in thegrace of God. That is something we can all do for one another. We ought to get in the habit ofencouraging one another every time we see oneanother.

Encourage your pastors. Help them becomegreat pastors.

Encourage your spouses. Help them becomethe best mates possible.

Encourage your children. Help them become great children. Knock the “T” off CAN’t for them.

Encourage one another like Barnabas surelyencouraged Paul. Become a son or daughter of encouragement.

Live your life in the grace of God. Let the dox-ology be continually on your lips – Praise God,

from Whom all blessings flow; . . . You can if you think you can –

and if you do it with God.

[ MY THOUGHTS }

Knock the “T” off the “CAN’t”____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 devoted histime and energy for nearly 34 years.

Read Baptist Children’s Homes’ stories at bchblog.org.2 1/17 – Charity & Children – 130/1

Mannequin Challenge – BCH president/CEO MichaelBlackwell and children from Mills Home in Thomasvilletook the challenge and send Christmas greetings. ViewBCH’s Mannequin Challenge at http://bchnc.org/BCHMC.

“Let that be a lesson to you – you canif you think you can.”

Scan QR codeand watch.

President Blackwell assigns Edminson new BCH responsibilities_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Baptist Children’s Homes presi-dent/CEO Michael C. Blackwell announced that Charity & Childreneditor and North Carolina BaptistAging Ministry’s (NCBAM) marketingand public relations director Jim Edminson would assume newresponsibilities.

Edminson, who has served at Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) formore than 16 years, will continue in anenhanced capacity as editor of BCH’s 130-year-old publication Charity & Children andtake on the new role of Special Assistant-GeneralAdministration working directly with Blackwelland BCH’s chief operating officer Keith Henry.He will no longer serve with NCBAM.

“We are excited about what this can mean for BCH’s many ministries,”Blackwell said. “Jim’s new adventure isfitting to his experience and talents.”

Edminson is a founding team mem-ber of NCBAM helping to launch thestatewide ministry in 2009. BeforeNCBAM, Edminson was BCH’s direc-tor of communications for nine years.

“I can’t imagine that NCBAM wouldhave its current level of success had it

not been for Jim’s creativity, hard work andimagination,” Blackwell said.

Edminson came to North Carolina in 2000from Louisiana where he was communications director at Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.Prior to that, he directed the design, advertising

and promotions for The Baptist Message – newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.

“I know that Jim will bring the same dynamicenergy in his new role that he has brought to allhis endeavors since joining BCH,” Blackwell said.

This year marks the 130th anniversary of Charity & Children. BCH’s historic publicationwas first printed on July 14, 1887. BCH founderJohn Haymes Mills was the first publisher andedited the paper until Archibald Johnson becameeditor in 1895. There have been 14 editorsthroughout the paper’s history. Edminson is thesecond longest tenured editor behind Johnsonwho served until 1935. Blackwell has served asCharity & Children’s publisher since 1983.

Edminson can still be reached at wjedmin-son@bchfamily.org.

Edminson

(Continued from page 1.)HOMEBASE is a compassionate place where

students can find help.“Seeing the passion of students like Sophie

sparks my desire,” BCH’s Jim Dean says. Deansupervises HOMEBASE. “All college studentsare on a course thrusting them forward. I see myself helping them to increase their trajectory. I want to help them thrive.”

Dean says he looks for ways he can help stu-dents succeed. An email came across his desk thatoriginated from a professor who was concernedabout a student who might drop his class. Thestudent, identified as part of HOMEBASE’S target population, needed a $21 lab notebook.Being alone with no home support, the studentreasoned that his only option was to drop thecourse.

“When a student feels he has no one to turnto, he comes up with solutions that make sense to him,” Dean says. “This student felt droppingthe course was his only way.”

Dean says the lab notebook was bought andthe student stayed in the class. He says the stu-dent was independent enough to have a solution,drop the course, but with a little help, the stu-dent had a better option.

Dean learned that one student had missed a number of classes. Hecalled her and found outshe had been ill andneeded medicine but had not been able to go to the pharmacy. A short time later, Dean tookher to pick up the needed medication and boughther lunch.

“She ordered a foot-long sub sandwich and ate half of it,” Dean recalls. “Then I noticed shequickly wrapped up the rest and tucked it intoher bag – for later. These students are doing thebest they can; they just need a little help.”

Twenty-two-year-old sociology major WestleyBroom was in and out of guardianship with his

mom. Her lifestyle and drug use prohibitedher in caring for him. His father passed awaywhen he was 11 due to the effects of alcohol.He remembers telling a judge that he neededstability. “I saw the need for something

better in my life and I asked for help.”Broom was in six foster homes before moving

to live with an aunt and uncle his senior year ofhigh school.

“The foster families that I lived with weregood experiences,” he says. “There were differentreasons for why I moved to the next family.”

Broom says one residual from his youth is hisstrong sense of self reliance. “I’m used to doing

things for myself.Other students likeme need help, butoften will not askfor it.”

Like Calhoun,Broom is a studentleader at HOME-BASE.

Broom sayssome of the thingsHOMEBASE will offer is great –computer lab, foodpantry, simple edu-cational opportu-nities like “how to balance a check-book,” and socialactivities. But hebelieves just havinga place to hang out will be mostimportant.

“For some stu-dents, HOMEBASE will be a place where theycan come and feel like they can relax,” Broomsays. “They may not take advantage of anythingelse, but they will come because they feel safe. It can feel like home for them.”

Dean says the ministry continues to morph. It will be a resource center, a place that allowsstudents to connect with each other, and a placeof spiritual enrichment, too. “We are focusing on meeting needs and building relationships.Helping to meet physical needs opens doors to talk about personal faith journeys.”

Dean credits God for leading him to where he is today. He says his experiences have uniquelyprepared him for this ministry. “It’s amazing howthe Lord has put all the pieces together.”

Westley Broom is a student leader at HOMEBASE on the Western Carolina University campus inCullowhee. The 22-year-old sociology senior grew up in foster homes and understands the need

for the ministry and a place for students like him to feel at home.

[ NEW STUDENT MINISTRY }

HOMEBASE student leaders know the need for home_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Subscribe family and friends to C&C at bchfamily.org/subscribe. 31/17 – Charity & Children – 130/1

C A R ECARE and

see lives changedforever.

During the months of October, Novemberand December, everyone at Baptist

Children’s Homes (BCH) is busy thanking ourwonderful, faithful friends. Each one of us knowsthat it would be impossible to serve children andfamilies without your commitment to help onechild and one family at a time.

Thank you!As we begin a new year, we look ahead and

are reminded about the many new beginningseach person who turns to BCH for hope will experience during the next 12 months.

January signals new beginnings, fresh startsand second chances. How difficult life would be without the hope that comes with beginninganew. Unfortunately, an increasing number ofchildren and families facing the harsh realities of poverty, abuse, drugs, and family crisis feel uncertain about the future. They feel lost andhidden under a cloud of fear and despair. Theysee little opportunity for any renewal. Hopeseems out of reach.

But despite the darkness, there is good news. At BCH, we believe each child, family and individual who comes into care deserves new beginnings, fresh starts and second chances.Everyday, we strive to demonstrate our faith in God by offering every child and family thechance to experience hope. BCH strives to plant

the seeds of hope that provide the promise of a future. Your love and the legacy it createswill live on in the lives touched through theministry of Baptist Children’s Homes.

January is a time of reflection and resolution. It is a time to consider theblessings God has entrusted to you anddetermine the kind of legacy you want to leave by sharing those blessings.

I am inspired by the resolutions created byJonathan Edwards, one of the key revivalists inthe Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s.Edwards adopted 70 resolutions by which hecommitted to live. Edwards read the resolutionsat least once a week. One thing Edwards wrotethat gives us some insight into his life and intentwas the preface to the resolutions. It reads as follows: “Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humblyentreat Him by His grace to enable me to keepthese resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will for Christ’s sake.”

Edwards resolved that only with God’s helpwould he be able to effect significant change inhis world. What a tremendous legacy of King-dom building he built.

Singer/songwriter Nicole Nordeman penned:“I want to leave a legacy. How will they remem-ber me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to Youenough to make a mark on things? I want to

leave an offering,a child of mercyand grace whoblessed Yourname unapolo-

getically, andleave that kind

of legacy.”I have

listenedto inspir-ing storyafter

story ofthe wonder-

ful legaciesthat have been

passed on from gen-eration to generationthat help sustain Bap-tist Children’s Homes.Throughout the years,we have been blessedby those who have lefta legacy of hope by including Baptist Children’s Homes ofNorth Carolina as partof their life giving andremembering BCH in their Last Will andTestament. Thank you for your legacy of caring for the “least of these” throughoutyour earthly life andinto your eternal life.

[ WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTS }

A legacy of love leaves its markeach year and for eternity_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Leave a legacy through planned giving. Visit bchlegacy.org.4 1/17 – Charity & Children – 130/1

January is “Make Your Will” month_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The first of the year is a great time to reviewyour will. If you have never made a will, let it beon the top of your list of things to do in 2017.January is “Make Your Will Month.” Considerpreparing or updating your will using one ormore of these generally accepted ways to make a bequest.

Specific bequest: This is a gift of a specificitem to a specific beneficiary.

General bequest: This is usually a gift of a stated sum of money.

Contingent bequest: This is a bequest madeon condition that a certain event must occur be-fore distribution to the beneficiary.

Residuary bequest: This is a gift of all the“rest, residue and remainder” of your estate afterall other bequests, debts and taxes. The previousitems can apply in the case of bequests to individ-ual heirs or bequests to charitable organizations.

The following are considerations when plan-ning a charitable bequest for BCH.

Unrestricted bequest: This is a gift for BCH’sgeneral purposes – to be used at the discretion of

BCH’s governing board.Restricted bequest: This gift allows you to

specify how the funds are to be used. It’s best to consult BCH when you make your will to becertain your intent can be honored.

Honorary or memorial bequest: This gift isgiven “in memory of” or “in honor of” someone.

Endowed bequest: This bequest restricts theprincipal of a gift, requiring us to hold the fundspermanently and use only the investment income.

The official legal bequest language for BaptistChildren’s Home of North Carolina is: “I,[name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, divide and be-queath to Baptist Children’s Homes of NorthCarolina, Inc. [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for itsunrestricted use and purpose.”

Anonymous gifts will be kept confidential.But, allowing us to recognize your gift can encourage others to do the same.

For more information, call Brenda Gray, Exec-utive Vice President, Development & Communi-cations, at 336.474.1230.

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.

Give now and your gift is matched dollar for dollar up to the $250,000challenge goal! Make your gift beforeJanuary 31, 2017 and see your giftmake twice the difference.

Scan the QR code or go towww.bchfamily.org/givenowand double your gift today!

Double your gift!

[ E N D - O F -T H E - Y E A R G I V I N G }

Your gift is automatically doubled at bchfamily.org/givenow. 51/17 – Charity & Children – 130/1

For some children, Christmas is never how it appears on television.Their Christmas is never like the ones friends at school talk about – a warmhouse, good food and presents for everyone.For one nine-year-old boy, he’s wasn’t even sure his family would have food tomorrow, or the next day, much lessserve him and his sisters Christmas dinner with all the fixings.

So, he decided that he was tired of seeing his three-year-old and five-year-old sisters go hungry. He was tired of seeing his siblings being hurt from the abuse plaguing his home. He packed a small bag, took his sisters by their hands and left. He didn’t know where he was going. All he knew was he had to save them – he had to get them as far away as he could.

Earlier this year, a deputy found nine-year-old Jake walking down the road with his little sisters. Jake told the officer, “We can’t live with them anymore. They hurt us and we’re hungry.”

and everyone who gives, big brother Jake and his younger sisters are safe and are getting ready to celebrate their first Merry Christmas. They are living with otherchildren who in a warm cottage, safe from harm.

Jake recently asked his houseparents, “I would like turkey and dressing for Christmas – just like on TV.”

And he’s going to have it!

There’s still time to give and to be a part of giving a child’s story a happy ending. Remember, ANY amount you give will be MATCHEDthrough the $250,000 challenge gift. Give before January 31, 2017 and your investment in children’s lives is doubled!

For the children,

Michael C. Blackwell, President

P.S. Giving online at www.bchfamily.org/givenow is easy, fast and safe.

Because of you,

It’s not too late! Double my Christmas gift to help a child! $50 Christmas for one child! $300 A cottage holiday outing! $1,000 A large gift for a cottage!

$100 Christmas for two siblings! $600 Christmas for a cottage! $ ___________ Any size gift!

Name ________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

City ______________________________________ State _____ Zip ___________ Phone _________________________________________________ Email _________________________________________________

Credit Card Option: Visa MC Name on card: _________________________________________________________________ Card #: ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___

Must have Credit Card Expiration Date: __________ Three-digit security code (on card back): ___ ___ ___ Signature: _____________________________________________________________

Contact me with information on how to prepare a Christian Will. I have included Baptist Children’s Homes in my estate plans. Check to sign-up for BCH’s email newsletter

Mail to: Baptist Children’s Homes, PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361 To give immediately, go online at www.bchfamily.org/givenow.

Keep up with BCH on Facebook – facebook.com/bchfamily.6 1/17 – Charity & Children – 130/1

The visit to the government-operated chil-dren’s home just outside of Guatemala City

was beyond eye-opening for Keith Henry – it wasnearly overwhelming.

Henry was familiar with the stories describingthe overcrowded conditions of the residentialhomes Guatemala’s child welfare services pro-vides for orphans and youth, but it was the firsttime Baptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH) ChiefOperating Officer saw it with his own eyes.

“The home was packed with children. Theywere everywhere,” Henry says. “The buildingwas supposed to be a home for around 300 children. Instead, there were about 800 boys and girls living inside.”

BCH cares for Guatemala orphans through theGood Shepherd Children’s Home in Quetzalte-nango (also known as Xela), the second-largestcity in the Central American country. BCH hastaken its successful model of childcare and imple-mented it at the orphanage.

Since the BCH-affiliated orphanage opened in October 2014, the exceptional care providedto abandoned and neglected children at GoodShepherd has caught the attention of GuatemalanPresident Jimmy Morales and wife Hilda PatriciaMorales. Henry along with Roger and VickiGrossman, longtime Guatemala missionaries

who oversee Good Shepherd Children’s Homeand its nearby medical clinic, were invited to theGuatemala government’s launch of its new familyfoster care initiative. Henry was asked to speak atthe event and discuss BCH’s childcare practices.

“It was an honor to be among so many digni-taries and other people whoare active in the care of thecountry’s children,” Henrysays. “I was able to shareBCH’s history, the state ofchild care in the United States,and how BCH has arrived atthe model of care we use.”

At the event’s conclusion,First Lady Morales personallyinvited Henry and the Gross-mans to visit the government-operated children’s home.

“This was a huge overtureon her part. They seldom allow outsiders to see their homes,” Henry states. “They see thesuccess of Good Shepherd Children’s Home andare interested in using our model as a blueprintfor enhancing their efforts to help children.”

After a lunch with Guatemalan officials, thegroup were taken to the government-operatedhome near Guatemala City.

“It looked like a prison,” Henry confesses.“There were high walls with razor wire andguards at the gate. It was raining that day andthere were children standing outside gettingsoaked.”

As they ventured indoors, they came across thesleeping quarters. There were bunk beds for theolder children and cribs for the younger.

“We were told they were putting more thanone child to a bed,” he says. “You could see ba-bies looking up from their cribs hoping someonewould hold them, but there was nobody there.”

Henry also met some of the older develop-mentally disabled children in care. “They were

very much likethe specialneeds adultsBCH serves –they justwanted to be hugged.”

Henry goeson to explainthat much ofthe negativeconditions aredue to the in-credible need.

“The ratio between caregivers and children is 40:1. You can tell they care deeply for the children, but they are in a difficult situation,” he continues. “Poverty and neglect are so rampant that they do not have the adequatestructure in place to keep up with the needs.”

Since returning to North Carolina, Henry hasheard from First Lady Morales’ office requestingBCH’s assistance as Guatemala moves forwardwith improving its child care practices.

“We are looking at ideas to help them establishsmall homes based on BCH’s proven model ofcare,” Henry says. “If we can change the lives of Guatemala’s children, like the ones I met, bysharing our experience and expertise, then it’s a good thing to do.”

[ GUATEMALA ORPHANAGE }

BCH assistsGuatemala withchildcare model___________________________________________________

By J. Blake Ragsdale, Managing Editor

BCH Chief Operating Officer Keith Henry and Good Shepherd Children’s Home administrators Roger and Vicki Grossmanwere invited to the Guatemalan government’s meeting to launch the country’s new foster family care initiative. Henry

spoke at the meeting sharing about BCH’s model of childcare that has been successful at the BCH-affiliated orphanage inQuetzaltenango. Above, Vicki Grossman greets residents of the children’s home operated by the Guatemalan government.

The BCH guests visited the home after the meeting. Below, Henry with Guatemala First Lady Hilda Patricia Morales.

picture yourself makinga difference!

Become a difference-maker atBaptist Children’s Homes

Career opportunities are immediately available for houseparents/child care workers, care givers

for special needs adults, chiefs/counselorswith residential camp programs, and more.

Learn more & apply at www.bchcareers.org

Two-and-a-half-year-old Claira tumbles,laughs and then continues running to the

playground behind Moody Home in Franklin.Claira, her older sister Annabella, and momCaitlin are part of Baptist Children’s Homes’(BCH) Family Care program.

“Family Care is the best thing that ever happened to me,” 29-year-old Caitlin says.“Everything is looking up for me and my girls.”

Caitlin cannot remember a time before comingto Moody Home when she wasn’t searching tofill the void inside her that she has had sincechildhood.

“Looking back,” she says, “I realize I strug-gled with how I felt about myself. I didn’t everseem to measure up to others.”

In middle school, she began hanging out with people who made her feel accepted. “WhenI was with my friends, things were great. When I was alone, it seemed that I was always in pain.”

Caitlin says that even though they were the“wrong crowd,” they made her feel wanted. She began to make bad choices and things “gotout of control quickly.” She dropped out of highschool, married at 19, and had her first child.Two years later, she was divorced.

“I was alone again,” she says solemnly. “I felt lost. Things went bad – it was worse than before.”

A new relationship and marriage broughtCaitlin hope. But it wasn’t long before her husband became abusive. One night, he lockedher in the house where they lived. She escapedand called the police. Things began to unraveland the threat of losing her children made Caitlinseek help. She ended up at Moody Home.

Family Care homes help mothers build suc-cessful, independent lives. The service helps them

regain control and make a plan for the future.“I told them that I would do whatever it takes

to make the bad go away,” Caitlin remembers.Things began to turn around. In a pivotal

moment, Caitlin recounts how she called out toGod and asked Him to take control – “to turnmy life around.”

“My life has become a miracle,” she says.“God has put all things into place. He has trans-formed me into who I am today. It’s not beeneasy, but I now see God in the everyday littlethings and it’s made the big challenges doable.”

Caitlin says she strives to follow in His foot-

steps. She is a member of nearby Cowee BaptistChurch. “They have welcomed us with openarms. I love them.”

She says she is a better mom. She has a job and owns a car. Education is her top priority.

“My education has been a long road,” Caitlin says. “I returned and got my high schooldiploma and then a community college associatedegree. Now, I’m two semesters away from earn-ing my degree in biology from Western CarolinaUniversity. I want my masters and then my PhD.I’ll need to work hard. With God’s help, I’m on my way.”

[ FAMILY CARE FEATURE }

Mom breaks from past, depends on God for future_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Jim Edminson, Editor

Mom Caitlin and her two daughters Annabella, 9, and Claira, 2 1/2, have found a new beginning at Moody Home inFranklin. The group home is part of BCH’s Family Care. The transitional program provides a goal-focused, safe environ-

ment for hard-working single moms and their children.

Learn about Family Care at www.bchfamily.org/familycare. 71/17 – Charity & Children – 130/1

Blackwell states strong support turns tide on Family First Act_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The following is a statement from BCH’s president/CEO Michael C. Blackwell regardingthe status of the Family First Act:

“After day-long negotiations on December 8that successfully resolved concerns, I am pleasedto announce that the Family Prevention ServicesAct H.R. 5456 (or Family First Act) was effec-tively amended. However, the House of Repre-sentatives did not have the opportunity to votebefore Congress adjourned for the year. There-fore, the Family First Act in its amended formwas not passed by Congress in 2016.

“Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) is a proponent of some aspects of the proposed legislation and strongly (and historically) believesthat Prevention is an essential part of the contin-uum of care to children and families. However,

with the specific kind of family-focused andtrauma-informed services many residential careorganizations such as BCH offers, Family Firstin its original form would only allow children to be placed in care for two weeks before havingto move them yet again. This is not enough time to do a proper assessment and determine the bestpossible care for a child depending on his or herunique circumstances. In addition, because of the family environment BCH provides, siblinggroups that had to be removed from their fami-lies are able to stay together in our care. This isseldom the case with other child care placementoptions as many of them are not able to acceptmultiple children.

“We are thankful to the U.S. Senate andHouse representatives from North Carolina

who stood with us in believing that all high-quality care options must be available to children.They have worked tirelessly to ensure that theFamily First Act will allow all children to receivethe care that will best meet their needs.

“We also thank the thousands of BCH supporters who rallied to let Congress know thatin its original form, the Family First Act wouldhave had a devastating impact on many of thechildren that BCH serves. This support absolutelyturned the tide in this uphill battle!

“It is BCH’s hope that when the new Congress convenes in January that the amendedlegislation will be accepted and that all of us whoare passionate about the welfare of children andfamilies can celebrate this good news together.”

Help a child immediately – bchfamily.org/givenow.8 1/17 – Charity & Children – 130/1

Bikers roared onto Baptist Children’sHomes’ (BCH) Kennedy Home campus

in Kinston on Saturday, November 26 for the annual charity motorcycle ride – Bikers Toy Run.

One by one, cyclists passed under the historicKennedy Home archway until 725 motorcyclesarrived successfully at BCH’s second-oldest loca-tion. It’s the 24th year the Harley Owners Groupof New Bern (HOG) and Harley-Davidson ofNew Bern have organized the ride which kicksoff the Christmas season for Kennedy Home’s(KH) boys and girls.

“It’s all about the kids,” says Tom Linton,president of HOG. “We want to leave them with the hope for a better future and show themthere are good people in the world who careabout them.”

The Kennedy Home toy run first began in1992. Led by Jimmie Allen, owner of Harley-Davidson of New Bern, Linton has seen the efforts to bring Christmas gifts for the childrenand raise funds for KH grow exponentially.

“Jimmie started this ride 24 years ago with a handful of friends. It went from eight riders to the more than 1,000 this year,” Linton says.

Each ride brings new participants joining forthe first time. This year’s toy run added a uniquerider and an entirely new group of friends.

Jim Pennington, pastor of Temple BaptistChurch in New Bern, borrowed a motorcyclefrom one of the church’s deacons and receivedhis legal motorcycle endorsement in order to ride in this year’s toy run.

“I was near the front of the ride and it wasgreat to look behind me to see all the people

riding,” says Penning-ton. “Until a year ago,we did not realize thatthis ride was going onright in our backyard.”

The church pro-moted the ride in theweeks leading up to this year’s event sharinginformation from boththe pulpit as well astheir Facebook page.Pennington saw multi-ple ways the church could be involved.

“As a church, we saw this as an opportunity to not only plug in at Kennedy Home, but to engage the community,” explains Pennington.

In the days before the ride, church volunteersassisted with campus clean-up and repairing thedamage caused by Hurricane Matthew last Octo-ber. Also, Pennington and his wife Patty attendedHOG meetings to learn more about the bikercommunity and ways the church could partnerwith their efforts.

“The owners’ group is all about building camaraderie and relationship through what theyhave in common – which is motorcycles,” saysPennington. “We went in to say, ‘How can wehelp you with the ride?’”

Groups of Temple Baptist volunteers worked

registration tables at the Harley-Davidsondealership the day ofthe ride and preparedand served lunch whenthe bikers arrived atKennedy Home.

After the bikers fin-ished lunch, everyonegathered for a programat Kennedy Home’spicnic shelter which is named in honor of

Harley-Davidson’s Jimmie Allen. The Harleygroup presented Kennedy Home with a check for $13,755 raised through this year’s ride.

The following morning, Temple BaptistChurch held a special “Toy Run Sunday” wor-ship service. The service featured motorcyclesboth in front of the church building as well as onthe sanctuary stage. Bikers and church volunteerswere recognized. The church matched the fundsraised by the toy run.

Pennington is already looking towards the2017 event, which is the 25th anniversary of the toy run. He says the church sees this year’sinvolvement as only the beginning.

“We would love for this to be a NC Baptist effort and have other churches participate andget involved,” asserts Pennington.

[ KENNEDY HOME BIKERS TOY RUN}

Church partners with Bikers to grow annual event_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By J. Blake Ragsdale, Managing Editor

The 24th annual Bikers Toy Run for Kennedy Home took place on Saturday, November 26. The ride, which kicks off theChristmas season for the boys and girls at Kennedy Home in Kinston, brought 725 motorcycles and more than 1,000 peo-ple to Baptist Children’s Homes’ Eastern North Carolina campus. Above, cyclists park along Kennedy Home’s main drive

after traveling from nearby New Bern. Below, volunteers from Temple Baptist Church in New Bern prepare and servelunch to riders. It is the first year the church has been involved with the toy run and hopes to see more churches help.

Get Ready!With more childrencoming into BaptistChildren’s Homes’care, the FoodRoundup is more vital than ever.

Our hearts go out to LarryVaughan whose wife Gaye

Nell passed away on Thursday night,November 3. Thanks to Judy GayleGriffin for sharing this sad news withus. She asks that we keep Larry’sfamily in our thoughts and prayers.Condolences may be sent to Larryand the family at 205 Stacey St,Thomasville, 27360.

Larry came from Durham in 1961with siblings Gene, Vanessa, andTeresa. He left in 1970. He has oneoffspring and two grandchildren. Heis still in the “work world” as a ship-ping manager. In recalling workerson campus, he named ThelmaRobertson as an outstanding house-mother and one of his favorites. Heloves Homecoming and reconnectingwith old friends.

Thanks to alumna Mary FrancesBailey Blankenship and her daughterAnn Hale for sending the news of thedeath of Dewey Phelps. Dewey livedon the Mills Home campus from ‘44-‘51 while his mother Nannie Phelpsserved as a houseparent. It is an in-teresting story that Mary Frances’ father met Mrs. Phelps on one of hisvisits to his children in the late 50sand subsequently, they married and combined families and moved to western North Carolina. MaryFrances, her sister Betty, and herbrother Ray were seemingly as closeto Dewey as they would have been to another brother.

After finishing high school,Dewey served our country in the US Coast Guard and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was a 25-plusyear member of the Appalachian TrailClub, an Eagle Scout, and a memberof Colonial Baptist Church in Virginia. He made a lifetime living at a beloved trade he learned at MillsHome (MH) – printing. Much of hiscareer was spent at the Norfolk Print-ing Company. He is survived by hiswife of 51 years, Carol R. Phelps, twodaughters, one son, five grandchil-dren, and two great-grandchildren.His funeral was followed by militaryhonors and he was laid to rest at Memorial State Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk. The Baptist Children’s

Homes was listed as one of the recip-ients of memorial donations. Mail toBaptist Children’s Home of NorthCarolina (NC), PO Box 338,Thomasville, NC 27361.

I was deeply saddened whenDorothy Hoffman Vernon shared thenews of the death of Allen Carroll(‘56). He had been ill for quite sometime. Allen came to MH in 1943with three siblings, Charles “Bunny”,and the late Charlotte and Marjory.An outstanding student, Allen wasvery active in church activities, bas-ketball, and tennis. He graduatedfrom Wake Forest University in1960, obtained his MA from theClaremont Graduate School in 1962,and completed his PhD in Englishliterature at Chapel Hill in 1970.After teaching seven years at WakeForest, he joined the faculty at theUniversity of Tennessee in Knoxville(UT) in 1969. He served as head ofthe English Department from 1991-2002, demonstrating exemplary lead-ership. In 2002, he was awarded theJ. Douglas Bruce Distinguished Professorship. Along the way he alsowas awarded national and regionaloutstanding teacher awards.

Although Allen was a respectedscholar of Renaissance literature, his great love was teaching. Over hislong career at UT, he taught every-thing from Homer to modern novels.However, Shakespeare’s plays andpoetry were his passion, and genera-tions of undergraduate and graduatestudents came to understand andlove Shakespeare through his classes.

“Allen was devoted to his familyand especially to his children, Kather-ine and Andrew. He engaged in theirlives, teaching them tennis, coachingsoccer, and helping with Andrew’sScout troop. For more than 50 years,Allen played tennis with great focusand joy and engaged bi-weekly“probability seminars” with friends.

Allen was preceded in death by his son Andrew. He is survived by his wife Lisa, daughter Katherine,brother Charles (Bunny), and grand-daughter “Andy.” Please send condo-lences to Allen’s wife Lisa Carroll at4315 Hiawatha Dr., 37919 and toCharles “Bunny” Carroll at PO Box

8571, Greensboro, NC 27419, orcall 336-383-8773. He would lovefor anyone to call.

A note from Carolyn McCarsonTharrington reads, “The class of1956 lost our dear ‘orphan brother’in the passing of Allen Carroll. We all admired his brilliance and his suc-cess at the University of Tennessee,but most of all that he was one of usand shared that special accepting lovewe have for each other.”

It was fun reconnecting withRichard Raper after Harry Wallsposted a photo on Facebook showingsome “guys at some beach.” Sincenobody felt brave enough to try toname the boys, I sent it to RichardRaper because I thought he was the one in the center. Interestinglyenough, he thought I was right andbefore it was all over with, we namedalmost all of the guys in the photoand verified that it was a bunch ofMills Home scouts at the beach with Frank Bailey and Doc Baldwin(though Frank and Doc were not in the picture.) Great fun we hadsleuthing around on that one!

The fact that the name of Shal-lotte, (NC) was on the back of thepicture made Richard feel more certain of his memory. He went onto wonder, “if these fellows mightremember the trip was their first timeto be seasick. You could recognizewho was going to be next becausethe boat was rocking gently, we werecatching nothing, and their gazewould become fixed on the horizon.Then it was only a few minutes before they were hanging over therail tossing up their lunch.”

A new name added to our addresscollection through Homecomingregistration is that of Carmelita (Con-nie) Burleson Wall. Connie arrived at MH in 1936 with siblings Newell(Bill) and FJ. She left in 1950. Shelives at 355 Gemstone Loop, Sum-merfield, NC, 27358. In reminiscingabout life at MH, she is reminded oftwo special people who she felt lovedher, Mrs. Shockey and Mrs. MaryDavis. She vividly recalls ironing anddoing other chores in the laundry,cooking and washing dishes when shehad kitchen duty, and working in the

flower garden. She enjoys returningfor Homecoming because she spendstime with MH brothers and sisters.

Connie also remembers when thefarm boys would bring chickens tothe cottages, wring their necks, andtoss them to the ground. Even withbroken necks, the chickens would get up and run around and the girlswould have to chase them down andpluck all the feathers off. She recallsthat the rule at any meal was that a child must eat all of the food. She particularly hated spinach andsearched for any and all ways to getrid of it. Sometimes she would throwit under the table, but sometimes she was lucky enough to have potatoskins to hide it under. Another work-able solution for her was to talk oneof her friends into eating it by givingher a dessert bribe. Sometimes noth-ing worked and she ate it anyway andwas grateful to have food and shelter.

Nancy Carolyn Williams Baileycame to MH in 1956 when her fa-ther came to pastor Mills Home Bap-tist Church. The family included thebeloved Roger and Mary Williams,and siblings Betty Gaile and David.They were on campus until 1967. Anote from Nancy reads, “I graduatedfrom Western Carolina University in1972, having met my future husbandSteve Bailey there. We have lived inMorganton since 1973 when we mar-ried. My early career involved casemanagement with developmentallydisabled adults and children and my later years were spent providingparenting information and support to families with preschoolers. I havebeen happily retired for the past fiveyears. During the last six months,Steve and I have had the opportunityto work with Baptists on Missiondoing disaster relief in West Virginiaand South Carolina and intend to continue as future needs arise. We have two grown sons and twowonderful grandsons! Thank you for your wonderful column. I always

look to the back firstwhen I get C&C.”

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

[ MILLS HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Memory of chasing chickens and hating spinach –Alumna recalls life as a Mills Home child_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Lib Smathers Johnson (336) 299-7412 libsjohnson@triad.rr.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/millshomealumni 91/17 – Charity & Children – 130/1

_________________________________Craver Cottage Officially Reopens

After months of hard work by volunteers andother laborers, Craver Cottage at Mills Home inThomasville has reopened. Groups like North Carolina Campers on Mission spent weeks tack-ling a number of work projects to ensure that thecottage would be perfect for its future residents.Currently, Craver is home to children from agesone to 10 years old, some of whom are siblings. _________________________________Broyhill Home and DDM

Cape Carteret Baptist Church in eastern NorthCarolina travels from the coast to the mountainseach year to host a Christmas party at BroyhillHome in Clyde. The party includes residents fromBCH’s western NC locations including the specialneeds adults from Alverta Bolick in Asheville andJoy Cove Ministries near Boone. The homes arepart of Baptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH) Develop-mental Disabilities Ministry.________________________________Mills Home Bikers

The arrival of motorcyclists on Sunday, Decem-ber 4 signaled the start of the Christmas seasonfor the boys and girls at BCH’s Mills Home in

Thomasville. It was the 30th year for the annualBikers Toy Run organized by the Randolph CountyConcerned Bikers Association with assistancefrom Cox’s Harley-Davidson in Asheboro and thebiker community. Each year, hundreds of cycliststravel to Mills Home where children line thestreets waiting to greet them. Bikers purchasegifts on their wish lists and collect donations to pay for fun activities. ________________________________Odum Home

Employees from Piedmont Gas Company inFayetteville hosted a Christmas party for the residents of Odum Home in Pembroke. They provided food, gifts and an evening of fun for theboys and girls in Odum Home’s care as well as the mother’s and children who are part of theFamily Care program on campus.________________________________Kennedy Home

Having recently raised funds to help the boys and girls living at Kennedy Home, members of the Boy Scouts in Smithfield visited the Kinstoncampus. The troop presented more than $300 for BCH’s second-largest location.________________________________Church Support

BCH’s Lewis Smith, left, recently spoke atLongview Baptist Church in Franklin, the western

NC community where Moody Home and DrakeCottage are located. At the conclusion of theservice, the church’s WMU presented Smith witha check for BCH totaling $600.________________________________Church Support

Members of the Gleaner’s Sunday School classfrom Immanuel Baptist Church in Clinton cele-brated during Thanksgiving at Odum Home inPembroke. The group’s Martha Pearce, left, led a time of devotion focused on God’s many bless-ings. The ladies brought gifts and homemadegoodies for residents and staff.________________________________Weekday Education

The afterschool students at Weekday Education’sChild Development Center in Thomasville competed in a friendly fall festival contest. Theclasses created different scarecrows, such as the“Minions” pictured above. BCH staff membersvoted for their favorites. Above is Mitzi McGee,Weekday Education School-Age Care ProgramCoordinator with John Adamcik, BCH Director of Human Resources.________________________________Britton Ministries

Recently, Pastor Derik Davis and a volunteergroup from Winton Baptist Church in Winton organized a workday at Britton Ministries inAhoskie. Britton Ministries is a Family Care resi-dential home in eastern North Carolina helpingsingle mothers rebuild their lives while parentingtheir children. Volunteers focused on landscapingaround the home as well as improving the chil-dren’s playground. Workers removed plants thathad been ruined by Hurricane Matthew last Octo-ber and repaired the plant beds. Volunteers alsobuilt a bicycle rack and improved the playgroundby installing a cover over the area.

[ 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).

Can we help?www.bchfamily.org/help

BCH offers services for children and families. Needhelp? Call 1-800-476-3669.___________________________________

1. Western Area Family Services Linda Morgan, Lead Dir. 828-627-9254

2. Central Area Family Services Regina Keener, Dir. 336-474-1200

3. Eastern Area Family Services Brian Baltzell, Dir. 252-522-0811

3. Odum Home Kathy LocklearRes. Campus Mgr.910-521-3433

4. Cameron Boys Camp Stephen Ashton, Dir. 910-245-4034

5. Camp Duncan for Girls Paul Daley, Dir. 910-944-3077

6. Oak Ranch/Family CareLynn Garner, Dir. 336-474-1240

7. Weekday EducationLinda Russo, Dir. 336-474-1201

8. Dev. Disabilities Ministry Peggy Pennington, Dir. 336-474-1261

9. NC Baptist Aging MinistrySandy Gregory, Dir. 336-474-1221

Ideas or suggestions, contact: Keith HenryChief Operating Officer 336-474-1215

To learn more or to make areferral online, click on:

www.bchfamily.orgwww.ncbam.orgKennedy Home:

www.kennedyhome.org Odum Home:

www.odumhome.orgCameron Boys Camp:

www.cameronboyscamp.orgCamp Duncan for Girls:

www.campduncanNC.org

Give to Hurricane Relief at bchfamily.org/givenow.10 1/17 – Charity & Children – 130/1

Don’t forget: this year’sKennedy Home KH)

Homecoming will again be in the month of June. Put the dateon your calendar. It will be thefirst weekend in June.

Well, here we go again! Whenyou are reading this column, wewill already be in the year 2017. I sincerely hope that everyone hada great year in 2016. I realize thatwe had some sad times and lonelytimes. But do you know what? Wealso had a lot of times that werewonderful and we will never for-get. We will put some of the thingsthat happened in 2016 as beingthe best ever. Many of you retired!Many of you found a new love inyour life. Some of you had newgrandchildren or even great grand-children to come into this world.Just pause a moment and think ofall the good things that the Lordgave to you and give thanks!

About 25 gathered for the annual Kennedy Home AlumniChristmas Party in Kinston on Sat-urday, December 3. Our PresidentBilly Smithwick (‘72-‘76) planneda great time for us. The room wasdecorated by Priscilla WoodardCraft (‘74-‘78). She really outdidherself – the room was beautiful!Thanks Priscilla. We had a deli-cious buffet dinner. We had a greattime of hugging, laughing and justhaving fun being together! I ledthe party in singing Christmas funsongs and carols. We drew num-bers and everyone received a gift.

Debbie McCormick Caudle (‘72-‘74) suggested that we go aroundthe room and tell exactly “what is going on in our life right now.”This was a great time of sharing.We learned a lot about each other.It was the kind of information I want you to send to me all during the year for the column.

Dan and Geraldine Medlin(‘43-‘71) were on hand to share in all the fun. I appreciate howthey support our Alumni meet-ings. They mean a great deal to

all of us. Lavonne Jackson Nelson (‘68-

‘71) had a good time sharing withthe group. Katie Jackson Parker(‘68-‘71) stated she is just recover-ing from hernia surgery and thatshe is doing great. At a recentAlumni beach gathering, Katiegave many of those attending a free haircut! She is good at that.Michael D. Grimsley (‘70-‘74)stated that he is retired and hewishes everyone a Happy NewYear. DeAnn Pierce Parker (‘85-‘87) wrote that she is a full-timestudent at UNCP studying socialwork and a volunteer with HokeCounty Rescue. She wishes every-one a Merry Christmas and aHappy New Year. Ed Pait (‘66-‘69) stated that he is still with Pait Security and has been working for forty plus years. Janet ClarkWilliams (late 50s to ‘67) wishedeveryone a Merry Christmas. Deb-bie Caulder (‘72-‘74) and her greathusband Gary Caulder (‘64-‘73)stated they were having a greattime being a part of the KennedyHome family. They asked that wewould continue praying for theirgranddaughter who just had surgery and is doing great! RonnieMatthews (‘63-‘72) and RaymondPridgen (‘51-‘59) wanted to saythey hope everyone has a greatChristmas. Priscilla Woodard Craft (‘74-‘78) writes that she hasbeen working at the Lenox China for more than 28 years. She is a grandmother of five. The oldest is 16. She writes, “What a trip lifecan be!” Donna Weeks Duty (‘67-‘74) wishes us all a Happy NewYear. She is the administrative secretary for the State Bureau ofInvestigation in Raleigh. She isalso getting a degree in counsel-ing. Please remember her as youpray. Billy Smithwick (‘72-‘76),the alumni association president,stated that he just graduated fromMiller-Motte and wished everyonea Merry Christmas and a HappyNew Year. Mary Etheridge Feige(‘85-‘89) is going to school to become a teacher assistant.

I must have lost a sheet withother names because I know Debbie Lassiter and her husbandwere present. Their son just camehome from Japan. Debbie loves to travel here and there. I love to ready her articles on Facebookall the time. It helps me keep upwith what is going on.

I’m very sorry if I left out some-one. If I did, please write an emailto me at jthompson117@ec. rr.comand I will print your informationnext time.

Do you know what?Most of the people I have listed

in this month’s column were atKennedy Home when Becky and I were there. There is a lot to remember – it was a great time for us all!

Thanks to all for the gift certifi-cate given Becky and me at theparty. We love you a bunch. I wantto encourage other former staffmembers to attend KH meetings,Homecomings and parties. Youwill be glad you did.

I received this informative letterfrom someone who didn’t sign it.Please drop me another note to letme know if it was you. I want touse it because I love the contents.

“Dear Mr. Thompson, I grewup at Kennedy Home and enjoyedbeing raised there. I remember itwas a time when everyone treatedeach other like family. We wentoutside to play, we got dirty, andwe ate whatever our house mothercooked. I remember viennasausages, bologna sandwiches,penny candies and ho ho’s.

“We played “Mother May I?,”“red light, green light,” football,basketball, hop scotch, and playeddodge ball. We took walks in thewoods and rode our bicycles downthe road – we weren’t afraid ofanything but our elders. We weretaught respect for others and theirproperty.

“As children, we didn’t speak if an adult was talking. If someonehad a fight, it was a fist fight. Kids

didn’t have guns when we grew up.

We were mischievous though. I remember ringing door bellsaround campus and then running.

“When it got dark, we knew it was time to come inside. Occa-sionally, we would stay out tocatch lightning bugs.

“We loved going to school. Wehad loving and caring teachers andwe got to see our friends.

We watched our mouths aroundour elders because we knew if wedisrespected any grown person, we could get a spanking! Most of all, we were taught about Godand Jesus’ love for us. Church wasthe center of our life.

“I think we need to get back to those times because we’re losing our children to a societywith no respect for authority, no compassion for others, and no knowledge of God and Jesus.”

If you’re proud that you camefrom a close knit community, youwill never forget where you camefrom. Thanks so much for sendingthis wonderful letter for the column. I really love it!

After the Alumni ChristmasParty, many of us rode out toKennedy Home. Folks. There arelots of needs at our “home place”because of the hurricane. Thewater destroyed so much. I knowthat November was the time foryour church to send the specialChildren’s Home Offering, butnow is the time for “new” churchbudgets. It would be great if yourchurch put Kennedy Home intheir annual budget and sent a certain amount every month –just like paying the light bill, etc.This would be great! Give it a try.

Love ya as always! Remember,you will always be my youngins.

– jt

[ KENNEDY HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Alumni share information and holiday messages –Alum expounds on benefits of growing up at KH_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By John Thompson, 2324 Country Club Road, Jacksonville, NC 28546 (252)671-3515 jthompson117@ec.rr.com

John Thompson was the choir director at Kennedy Home from1972-1977. Today, he enjoys a veryactive retirement.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kennedyhomealumni 111/17 – Charity & Children – 130/1

Read more at #Homeword or bchfamily.org/charityandchildren.12 1/17 – Charity & Children – 130/1

My brother and I both had shiny redbicycles. The chrome spoked

wheels sparkled in the sun. Eddie’s bikewas larger, had a single saddle seat, and a square metal basket was attached to hishandlebars. My bicycle was smaller with a slender banana saddle and there werered and white tassels hanging from myhand grips. We both had taken playingcards – red hearts for me and black spades for him – and attached them insuch a way to our bike’s front wheels tomake a motor noise as the cards flappedagainst the spokes.

This one Saturday morning, Eddie left on his bike to visit friends and cruisethe neighborhood. I took my time eatingfrosted flakes and watching cartoons. Buteventually, the sunny morning drew meoutside. On my bike, I kicked the standup and pushed off zig zagging down the driveway.

Our house was on one end of Stennis Avenue. The new OceanSprings subdivision wasonly a few blocksaway fromBiloxi Bay. Thestreet wentdown, dip-ping andthen risingup again. I juststarted

to head down the steep incline when I saw Eddieat the other end turningtoward home. I stoppedand began waving myhands and hollering.Eddie stopped.

My only brother was also my older brother. Five years my senior, there was more than one timewhen he stood in the gap for me. Butother times, I got the rougher end of our rough and tumble. I remember himtickling me on many occasions until I screamed for mercy. Other times I wouldtaunt him, baiting him until he could notstand it any more. More than once, he was reprimanded by my parents as I chuckledunder my breath.

“Hey!” I yelled sitting atop my bike.“Let’s have a dog fight?”

Eddie yelled back. I couldn’t under-stand his reply. So, I sounded back evenlouder, “Dog fight?”

I took off down the hill building speed.Eddie began peddling. I fixed my glare on

him, determined that he would notget the best of his little brother.

Strangely, he returned my gaze with a perplexed look. The distance between us was swallowed up until we both hit our brakes, skidding on the pavement andthen colliding – metal basket, handle barsand fenders crunched.

“What are you doing?” Eddie screamed.Defiantly, I stood my ground. “I wasn’t

going to lose to you!”“Lose what?” he replied with the same

perplexed look he had moments earlier.“The dog fight!” I retorted.The confusion vanished. “I thought you

said, ‘Let’s go see a dog fight?’”“Oh, . . . ” I said. “Well, I didn’t”It took a few minutes for us to untangle

our bicycles. Both bikes had bent wheels,so we pushed them back to the house.

Bad communication can result in bigmisunderstandings. What may at firstseem only awkward can turn into some-thing destructive. So, how do we avoidthe crashes? Here’s what I learned:

First, make sure you hear what is beingsaid – and unsaid. Avoid the urges of having to be “right,” and always put theother person’s feelings first.

The Apostle Paul writes to the Philippi-ans: Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, butin humility count others more significant

than yourselves.Eddie passed away

a few years ago and I miss him. Sadly, the“dog fight” misunder-standing wasn’t ouronly misunderstand-ing. But each time, the love between twobrothers prevailed.

[ #H O M E W O R D }

Avoiding the crashof misunderstanding__________________________________________________________________________

By Jim Edminson, Editor

“Homeword” is written to inspire and encourage families. Edminson is available for preaching and speaking engagements. Email him at wjedminson@bchfamily.org or call 800-476-3669, ext. 1217 to schedule a date.

YOU STILL HAVE TIME! Give today and you can ensure BCH’s boys & girls, many who have endured unimaginable hardships, experience the joy of Christmas — www.bchfamily.org/givenow