Tree of Life Trustees: Don Shaver Chairman Charles “Chuck” Caufield, Vice Chairman Debbi Koivisto, Secretary/Treasurer PO Box 1672 • Fort Smith, AR 72902-1672 Gary Russell, Return Service Requested Trustee Cindy Crawford, CEO Hannah House Board: Pam Laffoon, President Mike Beck, July 2014 Newsletter Vice President Tiffany Reeves, Secretary Jacqui Sargent, Treasurer Sharon Hendryx Kathy Nichols Lynnanne Nicely Julie Green Juanita Taylor YOU are Saving & Changing Lives Thank you to all who came out in support of our banquet! facebook.com/hannahhousefortsmith @hannahhouse @hannahhouseark www.hannahhouseark.com My name is Sally Moreno. I’m 23 years old, and I came to the Hannah House on February 1, 2013 from Los Angeles, California. Making the crosscountry move to Fort Smith has been one of the best decisions I ever made for myself. People often think that I did this to run away from my problems, but that isn’t the case at all. I was actually running to find my hope, which for me, could only be found in God. I grew up in a fairly typical Mexican home with a sister and three brothers. My mother did the very best she knew how to with us; she herself grew up in an extremely abusive home devoid of love and understanding. The man, who I thought was my real father, raised us until he left when I was 4 years old. I didn’t find out until age 9 that I actually had a different father; I met my biological dad for the first time that year. I was exposed to violence, alcohol, and harsh criticism in my childhood that shaped my thinking towards others and made me insecure about myself. I stayed very confused and always felt as if something was missing. Due to all of this, and many other circumstances, I began to become reckless and seek the approval of others around me, and also became rebellious towards authority figures that disagreed with me. I took drugs and drank alcohol to avoid the obvious confusion and pain that I held onto, and in a desperate attempt to fit in. For 3 long years, I was addicted to weed and partying. I sought attention from men who, in the end, made me feel empty and did not respect me. This lifestyle ended me up in the hospital twice. I didn’t care if I was going to die. I was tired of not having a relationship with my family, and I felt as if no one cared about me. It’s when I woke up in the hospital the second time, after almost losing my life, that I could honestly feel God start working in my heart. I could hear my sister and Mother asking why I was doing this to them. It all began to make sense, and I soon realized that God had a bigger plan for me. When I was 17 years old, I became a Christian, and am the first person in my family, thus far, to do so. Since the day I was saved from the condemnation of my sin, God has helped to restore the respect I never had for myself. He has revealed to me my self worth, and put hope in my heart by showing me that anything is attainable through Him. For years though, even with all of this power in my faith, I continued to struggle with my relationship with God—I still couldn’t see him exactly the way he saw me. I desperately sought hope and a supportive, and God centered environment, to grow in and be set free from the fears of my past. I was thinking, “God I need something. I can’t keep doing this. I’m tired, I’m drained”. Searching the Internet one night, I was led to Hannah House: the answer to my prayers. Without regret, I packed my things, caught a bus and then a plane to arrive to my destiny. There is hope here at Hannah House everyday. We learn, we pray, and we grow together. I thank Hannah House for the tremendous difference they have made in life, and for the spiritual family, support, and friendships I have gained through this ministry. I am also thankful for those involved who sacrifice their own daily lives to better help us. My dream is to become a social worker to guide those who are lost, like I once was. I have a passion to watch others grow, and to see the best in them. I want to be the one that believes in them when they have no one else. I can honestly say that my life is fuller than it was a year and a half ago. Hannah House revolves around God and his plan for us, and that is my hope fulfilled. -Sally Moreno The Hannah House would like to say THANK YOU to all of our Donors! You give our girls the help and hope they need to achieve their goals and see their dreams become reality. We couldn’t do any of this without you! In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” IN HONOR AND IN MEMORY - 11/8/2013- 6/5/2014 Given By: In Honor & In Memory Of William Gage In Memory of Velma Gage Harold Cozort In Memory of Mary Jane Cozort Suzanne Thomsen In Memory of June Bigham Russell Scarborough In Honor of June Goff Charles & Jeanne Ledbetter In Memory of Lynn Flocks Darrell & Rita Sue Rogers In Memory of Bonnie Rogers Christopher Greer In Honor of Dr. Mohsen Keyashian Christopher Greer In Honor of Dr. Kent Magrini Ronald & Patsy Hatley In Memory of Darion Hatley Dr. Kent & Tery Magrini In Memory of Leona Magrini Lizbeth Winford In Memory of Amy Scales Gertrude Vaught In Honor of Ken Evans Jimmy Franklin In Honor of Larry Ferris Christine Williams In Memory of Clayton Williams Carl Corley In Honor of Rock & Linda Rodebush Suzanne Post In Memory of Denise Mayfield Clyde Houghton In Honor of Stephanie McClain Mr. & Mrs. Harold White In Memory of Clyde Yakley Danny & Mary Hall In Memory of Clyde Yakley Peggy Sue Harris In Memory of Clyde Yakley Cindy Grier In Memory of Clyde Yakley The Bible Church of God In Memory of Clyde Yakley Seventh Day Clarence & Linda Becker In Memory of Clyde Yakley Jack & Lora L. Selby In Memory of Clyde Yakley Roger & Vickie McFeeters In Memory of Clyde Yakley James & Misty Harris In Memory of Clyde Yakley Ready to Learn – Ready to Lead October 10, 2014 L2: Learn –Lead Leadership conference is coming to Fort Smith to assist you in training your leadership team, while raising money for Hannah House. This event is brought to you by Angle Fire Ministries (AFM). AFM will give 75% of the profit to Hannah House to pay off the transitional housing apartments. AFM is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit that has been created to promote, support and build personal, professional, and spiritual growth to young women in crisis situation. AFM has the license and exclusive rights to broadcast this ‘world cup final’ event in Fort Given By: Dr. Kent & Tery Magrini Jo Bearden Chris & Tiffany Wear David L. Furlow David Engles David Engles Smith. Hannah House will host the event at the Fort Smith Convention Center, Friday October 10, 2014 from 8:00-11:30 am. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit http://l2.johnmaxwell.com/finder (put your zip code in and scroll down); or you can visit AFMchange.org Dr. John C. Maxwell will be speaking live from Atlanta and his teaching on leadership will be broadcast live to 300 sites worldwide to benefit leaders. This exclusive event is billed to be the ‘world cup final’ on leadership that your leadership team would not want to miss. In a recent Inc magazine article, Dr. John C. Maxwell has been ranked as the number one ex- In Honor & In Memory Of In Memory of Leona Magrini In Memory of Leightyn Holmes In Memory of Baby Wear In Honor of Shanna Goodson In Honor of Josie Brown, Darrell & Debbie Robinson, Brooklyn Curbow, Jeff Marvin, Laura Stout, Virgil & Alice Armstrong, Al & Loy Bowman, Johnny & Elizabeth Turner, Jack & Helen Jones In Memory of Rev. Elton Pennington, Ernest Stout, Knox Dozier, Wilma Brown, Bill & Martha Hawthorne, Margie Engles, Harper Clark,Mary Evans, Pearl Engles, Sam Craig, Roughley, Raymond Farrar, Bud Stanfill, Caroll Stroud, Les Fellner, Bill Evans, Audrey Vandermillion, Richard Stanfill, Stuart Denney, Raymond & Avis Basham, Bill Philpott, R.B. Edwards, Ruby Herriage, John & Margaret Gibbs, Ernest Engles, Carolyn DeCocq, Ross Holland, Estella Borden, Mary Miller, Paul DeMaree, Betty Vaughn, Pete Peterson, Eunice Blake, Curtis Voss, Samuel Warren, Dub O’Neal, Jerry Bell pert in management and leadership that leading companies ought to be listening to; continuing the tradition where Maxwell has been voted the world’s leading leadership guru for six consecutive years. Maxwell will be joined by two other great speakers: Linda Kaplan Thaler, Chairman and founder of Publicis Kaplan Thaler (a leading advertising agency in the U.S.) and Tim Sanders (former Yahoo executive). For more information on the training and/or to be a sponsor of this leadership event contact Cindy Crawford, 479-782-5683, [email protected] or Jill Wolf 417-861-8826 [email protected]. Hannah House’s 10th Annual -Rock the River August 23rd 2014 Fort Smith Convention Center It’s more than a rock show. It’s so much more than a community event. This is a festival making a difference year round. Our 10th annual fundraiser, Rock the River, will be held at the Fort Smith Convention Center on August 23rd. Over eighteen different acts will be performing to benefit our ministry. You can buy tickets now at the Hannah House, any local Christian bookstore or at www.RocktheRiver.com. Call 479-782-5683, text CONCERTS to 24587 or visit Rock the River on Facebook to stay up to date. We look forward to seeing you all there for another great time! -Acts 20:35 Our Needs Household Needs • Air Fresheners • Batteries AAA, AA, D • Cleaning Supplies (i.e. Comet spray, Comet powder, toilet cleaner, Pine Sol, Lysol spray, Spray & Wash, Resolve Carpet Cleaner, etc.) • Counter Top Spice Rack w/Spices • Dusters • Dish Soap • Large Kitchen Trash Bags • Light Bulbs 60 Watt • Liquid Laundry Soap • Kleenex • Napkins • Paper Towels • Toilet Paper Food • Milk 2%, and whole • Fresh fruit & vegetables • Remember us when you harvest your spring and summer gardens please!! Office and Classroom • Copy Paper • Postage Stamps • Printer Ink - Epson 69 or 88 HP 74 & 75 Personal Needs August 23rd - Rock the River October 10th - L2: Learn –Lead a live simulcast from John C. Maxwell • • • • • Blow Dryers Diapers Sizes 2, 3 & 4 Feminine Hygiene Products Mouthwash Q-tips To Finish Our Extreme Home Makeover • Counter Tops and Floor in the Kitchen Wish List • Black Storage Ottoman for Living Area • Minivan, SUV, or Small Car to Transport Residents to Appointments