Terry,

Thank you so much for the crosses you gave each of us. Isn't the picture awesome? The lady that took our picture gave each of us a framed picture. It is a daily reminder of our commitment to pray and support one another.

We have met twice. ChristCare is based on 4 activities (Building Community/ Biblical Equipping/ Praise & Worship / Missions - Reaching Out). During each session, we are to focus on each, but in the 2 sessions we have especially worked on building community which has involved creating a group covenant (how we want to treat one another). I think this has allowed group members to get to know each other and to feel safe, accepted and loved within the group. Enough, so that the depth of sharing and vulnerability in Christ and each other has made individuals comfortable - perhaps more accepting of our brokenness.

I feel so blessed by being a part of this group. Our Bible Equipping has been Acts 2:42-47 and John 4:7-26. Our Praise & Worship has been lead by Lena Floyd, one of the ladies, a choir member in her church. She leads us in a sweet song each week. The Missions or Reaching Out, one might say that we are in a practice field. I have noticed we are reaching out to one another 1st. Last week we practiced our listening skills. By practicing listening we are showing the act of caring and loving. It was precious.....the sharing and listening on a one-on-one bases was precious and so deep in trust.

This is my short story for now, stay tune for Chapter 2. Thank you for listening, thank you for our crosses you gave us and thank you for your support and prayers. Tell Judy hello for me.

Love you both.
Susie

Looking out my office window this morning, there is about 4 inches of snow, but it's a beautiful day in Florida!

Sharing with you all this story and photo from Susie Fortune, who lives and works in "warm" Tallahassee, Florida. When Judy and I first met Susie on Father's Day of 1972, she was a student at Cumberland College, and we were serving the Williamsburg UMC. We baptized Susie and brought her into the membership of the Church, and watched her grow in the Lord, as she worked faithfully with our Youth.

Over the years, Judy and I and our daughters (Susie has known and loved Tracy and Lori all their lives), have kept in close contact, and it was a joy to have Susie as our house guest during our Whitley County Cluster Weekend Revival (Feb. 3-5), and send her home with 15 of Earnest Mann's "Wooden Crosses". Brother Earnest is Pastor of the West Monticello Charge in the Wayne County Cluster of the Corbin District. He serves 4 churches: Bethesda/Cabell Grove/Edwards Chapel/Keens Chapel, and we will be in Wayne County next weekend (Feb. 24-26) in our Wayne County Cluster Weekend Revival.

It's a "hoot" that Brother Earnest's ministry in Wayne County, Ky., is helping precious and beautiful people in Florida to be "522 People", and helping to build a "More Christ-like World". Praise Be To God!

In Christ, Who is at work all around us,
Terry Faris, Corbin D.S.