1. family and parenting
2. children

Sunshine
The magazine of Methodist Children’s Home
Journey
of
Fall 2013
Discovery
Methodist Children’s Home helps youth develop
their strengths, gifts and talents
Thank you for providing
A Season of Hope
for our children and youth
Annual Christmas Offering
Secret Santa Program • Christmas Donations
Your support helped MCH provide lifetime Christmas memories for our children and youth!
The generosity of the friends of Methodist Children’s Home serves
as an example of the way God uses the resources and stewardship of
others to help carry out the work of this important ministry.
Photographs from this year’s Christmas season will appear in the next issue of Sunshine.
President’s Perspective
by Tim Brown
I have worked with countless children, youth and families throughout my career. I have experienced the
best of times and the worst of times
as they struggle to cope and make
sense out of their circumstances.
Their journey frequently brought
them to Methodist Children’s Home
from one troubled path or another.
Some have struggled to overcome
abuse or neglect, significant losses, trust issues, academic
problems, unhealthy relationships, or anger and bitterness.
A few struggled with their faith in God. No matter the source
of their pain and challenges, there has always been resilience,
opportunity and ultimately hope when someone significant in
their life pointed the way.
I believe MCH has always had those significant “someones”
who point the way to children and youth on their journeys to
wholeness and fulfillment. As you read this issue of Sunshine,
I hope you see the resilience in our youth and the gifts that
are being given to our children, youth and families as they
discover their own strengths and talents.
Years ago, I read a book written by family counselors Gary
Smalley and John Trent, Ph.D. It revealed to me the power
that a parent has to honor their children through “their
blessing.” The book also showed me how we can transform
broken lives with “our blessing,” even when it is no longer
possible for a child to receive his or her own parents’ blessing. The book describes how we can pass on that life-changing gift to others.
I hope the stories you read in these Journeys of Discovery at
Methodist Children’s Home will bless and encourage you. They
are a glimpse into the transformation that occurs in lives each
day. I say this with a great
A Bag of Tools
sense of humility and a sense
R.L. Sharpe
of amazement at what God can
Isn’t it strange
do when we are faithful and
That princes and kings,
obedient in our service.
The poem to the right is one I
memorized long ago and captures my sense of amazement.
We can each bless others, no
matter our circumstance or
our capabilities, when we allow
ourselves to be used by Him.
Blessings, Grace and Peace!
Sunshine I Fall 2013
And clowns that caper
In sawdust rings,
And common people
Like you and me
Are builders for eternity?
Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass,
A book of rules;
And each must make-Ere life is flown-A stumbling block
Or a stepping-stone.
Inside this issue
Cover Story: Journey of Discovery............................................ 2
News and Notes......................................................................10
Independent Living Program..................................................12
Foster Care Profile: Safe Haven..............................................14
Development News: Commissioners Report.........................16
Donor Profile: Keeper of a Legacy..........................................18
Youth Profile: Something to Cheer About...............................21
Memorial Gifts and Gifts of Honor.........................................22
Homecoming Court.................................................................BC
Cover photo: Methodist Children’s Home offers a variety of
activities, classes and other experiences that enable youth to
achieve success through their strengths, talents and gifts.
Sunshine
The magazine of Methodist Children’s Home • Fall 2013
Mission Statement: Methodist Children’s Home offers hope to children,
youth and families through a nurturing, Christian community.
Executive Management
Tim Brown
President / CEO
Judy Broadway
Vice President for Human Resources
Moe Dozier
Vice President for Residential Services
Julie Mitchell
Vice President for Finance
Trey Oakley
Vice President for Development
Melissa Opheim
Vice President for Family Outreach
To learn more about Methodist Children’s Home, visit our website at
www.methodistchildrenshome.org or call us at 254-753-0181.
Send change of address to: Development Department, Methodist Children’s Home,
1111 Herring Ave., Waco, TX 76708; 254-750-1314; [email protected]
Bryan Mize, Public Relations Director; Lindy Dehm, Public Relations Officer;
Lindsay Blagg, Public Relations Officer; Jill Anderson, Public Relations Officer
1
Journey
of
Discovery
Methodist Children’s Home helps youth discover
and develop their gifts, strengths and talents to
achieve success
Lloyd, Mae, Emily and Andrew (left to right) are developing confidence and achieving success by pursuing their interests in agriculture
science, music, athletics, and science and math, respectively.
2
Sunshine I Fall 2013
cover story
Andrew
Lloyd
Emily
A
Mae
ndrew, Emily, Lloyd and Mae are achiev-
leading them into that process of finding value in
ing success at Methodist Children’s
themselves,” Brown said.
Home by developing their gifts, strengths
Brown said that providing opportunities for youth
and talents.
to succeed meets one of their basic needs and adds
value and quality of life to their existence.
Andrew is thriving in a new local academy that
focuses on the hands-on application of science and
“When children discover they are good at some-
math. Emily is leading her volleyball team with en-
thing, it becomes a strength. Strengths meet needs
couragement. Lloyd is discovering his love for tak-
and lead to healthy relationships, encouragement,
ing care of animals. Mae is finding healing and hope
growth, courage and self-esteem,” Brown said.
through music and her faith.
“Strengths can ultimately keep on giving from one
generation to another.”
Building upon youth’s natural abilities will, ac-
cording to Tim Brown, MCH president, open the
door to success and help youth form connections
and Mae demonstrate how they overcame challenges
with others.
and built confidence by discovering and developing
their talents.
“Helping children and youth discover their tal-
ents and strengths can be, and often is, a way of
Sunshine I Fall 2013
The following stories about Andrew, Emily, Lloyd
Continued on page 4
3
Andrew
Science & Math
A course load including physics, algebra, blueprint reading,
welding and robotics could intimidate any high school student. But Andrew, an MCH Boys Ranch resident, takes on
his coursework with excitement and views it as a step in the
right direction for his future.
He attends the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing
Academy (GWAMA), a Waco Independent School District
(WISD) program, during the morning and attends MCH
School in the afternoon. MCH partners with WISD to provide a wider variety of academic opportunities for youth.
Andrew said he told Betty Morrow, school coordinator
}
4
at MCH, that he would like
to go into engineering as a
career, which opened the
door for him to attend the
academy.
“Mrs. Morrow heard
about the academy and
asked me if I would like to
try it,” Andrew said. “It’s
Andrew is takreally helping me get a start
ing a full load
of challenging
in what I want to do. The
courses at the
program is hands-on and it
MCH School and
the new Greater
teaches me skills for when I
Waco Advanced
go into the workplace, such
Manufacturing
as budgeting my paycheck
Academy.
and clocking in and out.”
More than just teaching students workplace
savvy, GWAMA offers practical application for its
math and science courses.
“This program is not
the traditional school setting,” said Chuck Russell,
Boys Ranch administrator. “Too many of our youth haven’t
done well in traditional public schools. This is an alternative setting that is hands-on. They have classroom work
and then apply the principles in the lab. We’re very proud
of Andrew being our first student in the program.”
In order to attend the academy, it was mandatory for
Andrew to be in good academic standing and meet testing
requirements for dual credit placement.
“Andrew passed all of his college readiness testing to
attend GWAMA his first time at bat,” Morrow said.
The school’s hands-on approach to learning has proved
to be a good fit for Andrew.
“The proof is when we got Andrew’s first report card;
he’s on the honor roll now,” Morrow said. “GWAMA gives
Andrew a foundation so regardless of his future plans he
It’s really helping me get a start in what I want to do. It’s hands-on
and it teaches me skills for when I get out in the workplace, such as
learning to budget my paycheck and clocking in and out.
– Andrew, speaking about the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy
}
Sunshine I Fall 2013
cover story
can make a good living as a welder or in an industrial field.
He will have a guaranteed job when he finishes high school,
and I fully expect him to continue to a four-year university
to become an engineer. I know with his intelligence, skills
and aptitude, he’s going to be successful.”
According to Morrow, more than just Andrew’s grades
have improved since he began the school year.
“Since Andrew has been enrolled at GWAMA, he seems
to carry himself differently,” Morrow said. “There’s a quiet
confidence about him.”
Most importantly, Andrew is excited for the opportunity to attend the academy.
“A field trip to tour Caterpillar’s facilities was scheduled on a day MCH School was
out of session,” Morrow said. “Andrew chose to attend
school at GWAMA to be included in the tour. He didn’t want
to miss it.”
Andrew is a junior this year and plans to graduate from
the GWAMA program with a level one welding certification
next year. His motivation and attitude about the program
says he will.
“The staff at the academy are fun to be around,” Andrew
said. “They want to engage you and want you to do something you enjoy. They let you know they care about you.”
Emily
athletics
Emily, right, has experienced significant growth through athletics at MCH. She is pictured with MCH
volleyball coach, Lindsey Fortner, who has been influential in Emily’s success on and off the court.
Sunshine I Fall 2013
Encouraging. Confident.
Happy. Those are a few
words that describe Emily.
“She’s got such a bubbly personality and unique
style,” said Stephanie Scott,
Emily’s home unit manager
and caseworker.
Scott has worked with
Emily since she arrived at
Methodist Children’s Home
in 2009. According to Scott,
Emily had a much different
demeanor in the beginning of
her stay with MCH.
“Emily was not a happy
camper,” Scott said. “She
started having behavioral
problems and she transferred
that to the staff on campus.
Emily saw correction as a
message that she was a bad
person rather than a method
for staff to help her.”
See Emily, page 6
5
cover story
Emily, continued from page 5
Emily had a difficult time adjusting to her new environment when she came to live at MCH as a young teen.
“It was a shocking change to move here,” Emily said. “I
was really shy and I tried to do anything to fit in with the
older girls in my home unit.”
Over the next four years, Emily faced several challenges,
which became learning experiences for her. She proactively
worked to improve her attitude and behavior with the support of MCH staff, her counselor and her peers.
“Emily would not allow negativity to continue to affect
her life,” Scott said. “She got into sports and found ways to
channel her energy and emotions into a healthy outlet.”
Lindsey Fortner, MCH girls athletics coach, said Emily
got involved in athletics four years ago, starting out in
cheerleading. The following year she tried basketball, volleyball and track. She had a rough start in volleyball, but
Emily never gave up trying.
“Emily was upset at every volleyball practice
because she was frustrated and couldn’t get it,”
Fortner said. “But over time, she slowly built
up her confidence.”
Out of the sports she played, Emily liked
volleyball the most, so she continued to work
at it with encouragement from Fortner.
“When I first started playing volleyball,
I was upset all the time,” Emily said. “Coach
Lindsey would talk to me every day to ask how
my day was going. At first I didn’t really respond
to her, but then I liked that she cared enough to
keep asking. I started opening up to her eventually.”
The relationship between Emily and Fortner
helped to build Emily’s confidence and she became more
accepting of guidance from her coach.
}
6
“Last season during volleyball, we were in a certain rotation and the team kept passing the ball to Emily and she
kept missing it, so she walked off the court,” Fortner said.
“I didn’t let her play for a game and I talked to her about
it. I told her she can’t quit on her team and she has to fight
through the frustration. Everything in athletics changed for
her after that. She realized that it’s ok when she messes up.
Before that experience, she would quit and now she realizes
it’s ok to make a mistake and keep going.”
This season Fortner chose Emily for captain of the volleyball team.
“Emily didn’t feel like she deserved to be captain,”
Fortner said. “I told her the qualities I see in her, and I
told her I thought she could lead a team quite well. She is
always very positive.”
Emily accepted the challenge and leads her team with
encouragement, just as Fortner has done for her.
“Coach Lindsey has always believed in me,” Emily said.
“She gives good advice and encourages me. It just feels
good, and it’s nice to know that she’s there.”
Scott said this opportunity as team captain for the volleyball team allowed Emily to step up and become a leader
for the first time outside her home unit. Before then, she
didn’t feel adequate enough to do so in public settings.
“She realized that leadership was not all about the glitz
and glamour,” Scott said. “She hung in there. Being in athletics has taught her how to challenge herself, go the distance and know she can accomplish it.”
Beyond discovering her leadership abilities, Emily is
happy being Emily.
“Now I am happy being who I am,” Emily said. “I’m
open to people, and I feel more comfortable being myself.
I try to be a positive influence on the younger girls at MCH
now, and I want to be a good example for them.”
now i am happy being who i am. i'm open to people, and i feel more comfortable
being myself. i try to be a positive influence on the younger girls ...
– Emily, speaking about the growth she has experienced through athletics
}
Sunshine I Fall 2013
cover story
Lloyd
ag Science
Success showing animals
through FFA has helped
Lloyd develop confidence
and motivation to set and
achieve personal goals.
Hurricane Ike struck the
Texas coastline in September
2008. Said to be the third
costliest hurricane to make
landfall in the United States
at the time, Ike left a long
trail of destruction.
One of the many
affected by the hurricane
was Lloyd, a current resident at the MCH Boys
Ranch. Lloyd, then just a
young teen, was suddenly
homeless, his house demolished by the storm.
In 2009, Lloyd’s family
was referred to MCH. While
his parents worked to rebuild their home, Lloyd was
welcomed to live at MCH.
Steve Kruse, Ag Science
teacher at MCH School, has
taught Lloyd for four years.
He said the transition was difficult for Lloyd.
“Lloyd was unmotivated and didn’t want to do much,”
Kruse said. “He came to me one day and said he wanted to
show an animal, so I convinced him to show a lamb.”
Kruse put Lloyd’s interests into action in his agriculture
class. With each request Lloyd made, Kruse found a related
task and taught him how to perfect it.
“I’ve been able to teach him and let him go,” Kruse said.
“He’s one of those kids who will retain information and go
back and do it. He makes my job easier as a teacher.”
One by one, each task Lloyd learned and did well
enabled him to build confidence and he started to look forward to his future.
At the end of each school year, MCH gives out student achievement awards, one of which is the belt buckle
for excellence in FFA. In the 2011-2012 school year, Kruse
awarded Lloyd with the Crew Champion Buckle because of
Sunshine I Fall 2013
his improvement in the agriculture class and ability to lead.
“That’s the year he got motivated,” Kruse said.
Something clicked with Lloyd and his motivation turned
into hard work and dedication.
“I became heavily involved in FFA,” Lloyd said. “I wanted
to show a steer, so Mr. Kruse let me start working with a
steer last year. I won third place at the Bell County Livestock
Show. This year my goal is to win belt buckles for both the
McLennan County Livestock Show and FFA.”
Lloyd’s abilities as a leader began to emerge. Kruse
said Lloyd took on the role of teaching and assisting other
students to help them achieve their goals in the agriculture
class as well.
“Lloyd is a leader who’s out there willing to help other
students,” Kruse said. “It’s a complete 180 degree turn
from where he began. It’s neat to see how much he’s grown.
See Lloyd, page 8
7
mch gives me a chance to be better. i want to stay ahead of the game.
– Lloyd, speaking about the influence of Methodist Children’s Home
}
Lloyd, continued from page 7
I don’t even tell him what to do now. He knows the routine
and he’s good at it.”
Ashley Payne, Lloyd’s caseworker and unit manager, said
he sets high goals for himself and he accomplishes them.
“Lloyd is very dedicated and driven,” Payne said. “He
has an ability to stay on track and on task, and when he puts
his mind to something, he usually does it.”
In addition to his involvement in the ag science class
and FFA, Lloyd serves on the MCH student council and
the praise band, he works part-time at a fast food restaurant, and he recently completed coursework at McLennan
}
Community College to be licensed as a Certified Nurse
Aide. Lloyd said he plans to attend college to become a
Registered Nurse.
According to Lloyd, Kruse has been a good role model in
his efforts to achieve success.
“Mr. Kruse has been influential to me,” Lloyd said. “He’s
a volunteer fire fighter and he never misses a day of school.
He’s just an all-around good person and I look up to him.”
Lloyd will graduate from high school in May 2014. He
said he is happy to have the opportunity to be at MCH.
“MCH gives me a chance to be better,” Lloyd said. “I
want to stay ahead of the game.”
Mae enjoys expressing her
thoughts and personality
through music and songwriting.
Mae
music
A natural love and talent for
music coupled with the guidance of the MCH spiritual
development staff have brought
Mae to a place of healing.
At the end of the summer,
Mae performed a song she wrote
about her past struggles during
the Celebrating Gifts concert held
for family and friends at Harrell
Memorial Chapel on the Waco
campus. The concert was organized so youth could share the
musical skills they had acquired
during a summer Performing
Arts Club taught by Pastor
Ahmad Washington, MCH spiritual development minister. Mae
said she worked on her testimonial lyrics for three months.
8
Sunshine I Fall 2013
cover story
“I met with Pastor Ahmad every day during the summer to produce my song,” Mae said. “My mom and I bump
heads, and Pastor Ahmad taught me how to love my mom
and accept her for who she is.”
The chorus from Mae’s song, “Raven’s Path,” talks
about her pain and struggles but also how she has discovered healing through Christ:
Hard to fly with these tears in my eyes, so I lift my spirit
up to my Father in the sky. Come take my hand, let me
put you in this band. So Raven’s testimony can bring hope
to the land.
Singing and songwriting are only part of Mae’s musical abilities. She also plays bass guitar in the MCH praise
band every Sunday.
Colin Campbell, music and worship arts minister,
also works with Mae to hone her musical skills. Campbell
leads the praise band for Sunday worship and meets with
Mae weekly for music lessons on the bass guitar.
“Mae started on a guitar and showed a lot of musical
talent,” Campbell said. “Eventually she moved over to bass
and decided she wanted to join the praise team and help
lead worship on Sundays, so she’s been focusing on that.”
Campbell added that Mae soaks up musical knowledge
quickly and is very self-motivated, but he and other spiritual development staff don’t want her to lose sight of the
meaning of worship.
“Tied in with her musical development, we don’t forget about the development of her faith,” Campbell said.
“While we’re about building up our youth and their talents,
abilities and skills, we also want to cultivate their faith life.
That’s actually more important than anything we do with a
musical instrument or music production.”
According to Mae, Ron Britton, MCH discipleship
minister, has been one of the most instrumental people in
}
Sunshine I Fall 2013
helping her to develop her faith at MCH.
“He gives the best advice, even when I don’t want to
hear it,” Mae said.
Britton said he met Mae soon after she arrived on the
Waco campus.
“I was leading a group Bible study at Mae’s home unit
each week,” Britton said. “She was really interested and had
a lot of questions. Mae seemed pretty closed off to the idea
of Christianity because she had a false picture of who God
actually is.”
Britton and Mae began meeting on a weekly basis to
talk about the issues with which she was struggling.
“We talked a lot about grace and forgiveness and that
it’s ok to make mistakes,” Britton said. “She’s had ups and
downs as we all do, but she’s growing.”
Through the influence of Bible studies, worship and
one-on-one discussions with MCH spiritual development
staff, Mae said she made the decision to accept Christ. Mae
is using music to continually build her faith and learning to
have confidence in herself.
“She feels free when she’s singing, and she’s very at-home
when she’s playing in the praise band,” Britton said. “Mae is
getting a little closer every day to realizing that she doesn’t
have to pretend to be someone else; she can just be herself.”
While the MCH spiritual development staff believe
strengthening our youth’s musical talents is important, they
also instill in them the true reason why MCH has a praise
band and helps to develop musical skills.
“We talk heavily about how being part of the praise
team is to draw people to worship, not to look cool. We hit
hard with that message,” Britton said. “We want to encourage our youth with their gifts and allow them to express
themselves, but ultimately with the remembrance that performing is not for their glorification.”
Mae did just that with the song she wrote and performed, giving glory to God.
mae is getting a little closer every day to realizing that she
doesn’t have to pretend to be someone else; she can just be herself.
– Ron Britton, spiritual development minister, speaking about the influence of music in Mae’s growth
}
9
news & notes
MCH youth win 26 awards at the
2013 Heart of Texas Fair & Rodeo
MCH had a strong performance in the 2013 Heart O’ Texas Fair
& Rodeo with 22 students from FFA showing animals and 14 students entering the Creative Arts contest. Youth showing animals
are students in the FFA program led by Steve Kruse, Ag Science
teacher at the Methodist Children’s Home School. This was the
first time many of the students showed animals at an event. “I
am pleased with the results because the students all showed
well,” Kruse said. “Winning is nice, but it is the lessons our kids
learn and the experiences they gain that are important.”
MCH 2013 HOT Show Results
Ema shares her testimony through song during a concert by youth
in the Performing Arts Club.
Performing Arts
Club helps youth
develop talents
MCH youth celebrated their
musical talents during a
concert Aug. 17.
Through the summer
Performing Arts Club,
taught by spiritual development minister Ahmad
Washington, youth learned
how to write and produce
their own music. During the
concert, each youth shared
a song about their lives.
As part of the summer program, Washington
taught youth how to manage their vocal chords, gave
them songs to sing within their range, and helped
them work through the
anxiety of being on-stage.
All youth signed up voluntarily and had an interest
in performing, recording
or producing music. Their
dedication to the club was
apparent as many students
practiced every day.
Not only was participation in the club and concert a healing experience for
many of the youth, it also affected those in the audience
10
too. A parent of an MCH
youth had the following to
say about her experience.
“These kids touched my
heart in a way I cannot explain,” she said. “By the time
this concert was over, I wanted to hug every kid I saw.”
The Performing Arts
Club also provided opportunities for youth to learn behind-the-scenes operations,
and students helped prepare
the chapel for the concert.
Boys Ranch hosts
annual Fall Festival
Youth and staff from the
Waco campus and Boys
Ranch enjoyed spending
time together at the Fall
Festival on Nov. 3.
The event, held at the Boys
Ranch, was led by the recreation and spiritual development staff.
Activities began with a
worship service and presentation of senior rings to May
graduates. Lunch was served
by the Student Advisory
Board. The day continued
with activities that included
face painting, Frisbee toss,
“horse rides,” pie toss and
Plinko to name a few.
LAMBS: FWX - Matthew N., 9th; Southdown - Cassie, 8th;
Medium Wool - Star, 4th
SWINE: WOPB - Maleak, 6th; BOPB - Diego, 2nd; DUROC Michael D., 3rd; Jonah, 5th; Tristan, 6th, Enzo, 9th; HAMP Stephen J., 6th, Dusty, 8th; Michael R., 9th; Mykala, 10th; also
participating, Jordan P., James C.
GOATS: Eliza, 12th; Patricia, 13th; Thomas, 16th
STEER: Chianina Division - Dakota, 6th; Lloyd, 7th; Limousin
Division - Memo, 10th; AOB - Brandon, 12th
PHOTOGRAPHY: Lloyd, 1st and 3rd; Steven S., two honorable
mentions, 4th; Noel, two honorable mentions; Dustin, 4th and
5th; Brandon, 5th and five honorable mentions; Andrew, 5th and
honorable mention
CRAFTS: Spencer, 1st; Marvin, 1st; Diego, 2nd and 3rd;
Michael, 5th
BAKED GOODS: Alfred, 1st; James, 1st; Billy, 3rd
ART: Jacob, honorable mention
Thomas prepares to lead
his goat to the
show arena at
the H.O.T. Fair
and Rodeo in
Waco.
Sunshine I Fall 2013
news & notes
Dusty, Tristan
gain hands-on
experience with
IT department
Two Waco campus youth
are getting valuable work
experience in information
technology through student
positions in the MCH technology department. Dusty and Tristan work
alongside IT staff Michael
Baxley and Karen Cryer.
They help with formatting,
cleaning off data and removing hard drives from
old computers. They also accompany IT staff on service
requests around campus.
“They are doing really
well at this job," Cryer said.
“They both work fast and
have a strong interest in
computers and electronics.
There will be opportunities
for Dusty and Tristan to get
real hands-on experience as
the technology department
takes on more projects.”
Dusty said he had minimal computer experience
when he started the job but
Five youth - McKenzie,
Dominique, Sierra, Noel and
Wilmaneice - are enrolled
at McLennan Community
College, and Andrew is taking classes at Texas State
Technical College while attending the new Greater
Waco Manufacturing
Academy half a day.
Tristan, center, and Dusty provide valuable assistance to MCH
through their student positions with the technology department.
They work alongside IT staff Karen Cryer, left, and Michael Baxley.
is learning a lot and enjoys
the work.
“It is laid back and they let
us do our job and trust that
we will get it done,” he said.
Dusty and Tristan have
been roommates at MCH
for almost three years and
said they work well together. Tristan came to the position with a basic knowledge
of computers.
“It has been a good opportunity to learn,” he said.
“I want to go to college for
graphic design so this experience will help me.”
MCH students
get an early start
on college degree
MCH has six youth from
the Waco campus and Boys
Ranch taking dual credit
courses this fall. These students all have a 3.0 GPA or
higher, in addition to having
passed the college readiness
test in order to qualify. Dual
credit helps students get a
jump start on their college
education, possibly reducing the time it takes to earn
a degree.
Drumline adds
spirit to Bulldog
athletic events
Athletic events have taken on a new source of spirit
and energy with the addition
of the MCH Bulldog drumline. The drumline performs
at pep rallies and home football games. Colin Campbell,
spiritual development minister at MCH, leads the 11
students in rallying the
crowds this year.
In addition to generating a high level of energy at
events, drumline members
are learning to read music and proper playing techniques as well as how to
perform at a high level both
individually and as a group.
MCH Family Outreach in Tyler
continues 26-year partnership with
East Texas Network for Children
Twenty-six years ago, 20 representatives of East Texas
public and private agencies met to consider how to enhance communication and client services for the children
and families of the area. From those meetings, the East
Texas Network for Children (ETNC) was established.
The collaborative tradition continues in an annual conference where more than 300 professionals and foster
parents come together each fall to exchange ideas, share
perspectives and enlarge their repertoire of resources.
MCH is a proud member of the ETNC. Traci Wagner,
MCH Eastern Regional administrator, currently serves as
vice president of the ETNC board.
Sunshine I Fall 2013
Staff members in the MCH Family Outreach office in Tyler are,
from left, Traci Wagner, Eastern regional administrator; Holli
Collins, outreach director; Suzy King, case manager; Jessica
Johnson, case manager; Philana Hollingsworth, case manager; and Latasha Hickman, case manager.
11
INDEPENDENT LIVING
Gaining Independence
MCH's Independent Living program bridges the gap for young adults learning to live on their own
Once the celebration of graduation winds down, high
school graduates begin the
next stage of their lives as
they find jobs, attend college
or vocational school, and
learn to live on their own.
While many young people have families to guide
and provide for them during this transition, some
MCH youth do not have
that support to fall back
on. However, they are not
alone. Staff members in
MCH’s Transition Services
program work closely with
high school juniors and
seniors to help them prepare for the challenges
they will face after graduation. They also maintain
relationships with graduates and provide continued support as they pursue
advanced education, work,
and learn to handle their
independence.
In July 2012, MCH
added an Independent
Living program to assist
graduates who need additional support before they
make their transition to
live on their own. For these
graduates, the next step can
seem overwhelming, and
Reba graduated from high school in 2012 while living in MCH’s
foster care group home in Jayton. She then made the transition
to Waco where she received support through MCH’s Independent
Living program. Reba recently completed her stay in the program, and she now lives on her own and attends McLennan
Community College.
many may feel unprepared.
This was the case for
Reba, who lived in MCH’s
foster care group home in
Jayton, Texas until she graduated in 2012. However, with
MCH’s new Independent
Living program, she had a
place to go to help her get
on her feet while she worked
toward building her future.
“I wasn’t ready to live on
my own after high school,”
Reba said. “This program
has given me more time to
mature and learn how to
budget and save money.”
MCH started the
Independent Living program to give graduates a
place to live with affordable rent as they work and/
or attend school and learn
skills to help them live on
their own. The graduates
live in two home units on
the Independent Living
campus located at the rear
of the Waco campus. The
young adults are supported
by live-in life coaches and a
caseworker. Jeff Creel, associate administrator, said
MCH identified a need for
this program because some
youth are not prepared to
leave MCH after graduating,
and many of them do not
have the family support they
need to live on their own.
“Independent Living
provides youth a safe environment with more freedoms than residential living but still has a caring,
nurturing adult available
to help them develop independent living skills to be
successful,” Creel said.
“Our goal is to help them
learn and continue to work
toward living on their own
and being stable.”
The program is designed
for young adults, ages 18-22,
who graduated from high
school while living in MCH’s
residential or foster care
programs, and who are willing to work the program.
Seniors interested in the
program discuss the possibility with their Transition
Services coordinator. The
youth then undergo an
interview process and are
monitored during their
“I wasn’t ready to live on my own after high school.
This program has given me more time to mature and
learn how to budget and save money.”
– Reba, Independent Living Program resident
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Sunshine I Fall 2013
INDEPENDENT LIVING
Eric graduated from University High School last June and attends McLennan Community College (MCC) while working part-time. He is
pictured with Independent Living caseworker Mary Bilheimer. Ashley, a 2013 graduate from the MCH School, prepares a meal while life
coach Veronica Marecle provides cooking instruction. Ashley is working in Waco and plans to attend MCC in the spring.
senior year to determine
if the program will best fit
their needs.
Reba’s Transition
Services coordinator, Angie
Vaughn, felt she was a good
fit because she was responsible and wished to live closer
to her former foster parents.
“Reba was moving to
a new city and needed the
direction and support provided by Independent
Living,” Vaughn said. “This
offered her time to learn
Waco while living in a familiar setting.”
Reba is studying early
childhood development
at McLennan Community
College. Vaughn said she
has done well every semester and is keeping her grade
point average up. While
attending college, Reba is
also working 25 hours a
week at a child care facility.
She was able to purchase
her own car and recently
moved into her own apart-
Sunshine I Fall 2013
ment with a friend she met
through school.
“I wasn’t prepared to live
on my own, but Methodist
Children’s Home gave me a
chance to work and attend
school without having to be
left on my own to struggle
to find a job and pay rent
while going to school,” Reba
said. “I probably wouldn’t
be doing well without it. I
wouldn’t be able to go to
school because rent and
bills would be too high for
me to do both.”
Residents pay $100 in
rent each month and abide
by house rules. Residents
also have a curfew and must
communicate with staff
when they will not be at the
unit overnight. MCH provides each resident with a
bus pass if they do not own
a car. Residents with cars
must show proof of insurance. Caseworkers and life
coaches are able to establish
adult relationships with the
residents and offer lessons
and support when needed.
For example, life coaches
provide cooking lessons and
caseworkers help residents
research and apply for medical coverage and complete
paperwork for school.
Every three months, residents meet with their caseworker to discuss their plan
of service and goals. Also,
every six months, residents
take the Daniel Memorial
Institute’s Independent
Living Skills Assessment
to test their knowledge of
basic skills, such as budgeting or household maintenance. The computer program generates an informational packet for the
resident based on their
responses. The life coaches
use the information to help
the residents improve on
these skills.
“In general most youth,
even though they are 18 and
technically considered an
adult, are not mentally and
emotionally ready to be on
their own,” Creel said. “This
program provides a network
of support to help them as
they learn how to be independent. I believe we’ve
done a good job at creating a
positive environment where
they are able to build adult
relationships and get help to
resolve problems.”
Independent Living has
given Reba confidence as
she has matured and prepared herself to become
independent. She was given
time to take the steps and
learn the skills she needed
to build a successful future.
Reba is the middle of seven
children and said she basically raised her younger siblings. She found her passion
in child care, and now with
the help she has received
from MCH’s Independent
Living program, she will be
able to pursue her dream of
working with children.
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FOSTER CARE PROFILE
Joey and Amy Gallardo are pictured
with Casilda, above, and Carlynna.
Safe Haven
Joey and Amy Gallardo provide a safe,
healthy and loving home for foster children
J
oey and Amy Gallardo, foster parents for Methodist
Children’s Home, have served the ministry for three
years. They have provided a safe, healthy and loving
home for seven children so far in their journey as foster parents. Between parenting three children who are currently
placed in their care and working full-time, they took time to
share their powerful story of struggles, triumph and joy as
foster parents.
“Our first placement was a sibling group of four children,” Joey said. “They were staying at an emergency shelter for youth at the time they were placed in our home. We
showed them to the bedrooms they would be staying in and
one of the boys ran out of his room and shouted, ‘It’s going
to be ok! We have beds!’ They were so excited to have beds
and rooms of their own.”
Joey added that the little boy’s reaction was eye-opening for them. Surprised that the children were happy to have
beds, they also learned the children had not received much
guidance and support either. The Gallardos said it was a
learning experience for both them and the children.
“Being a foster parent for the first time was stressful and
hard, but eventually everything got better,” Joey said. “It was
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difficult to find respite at first. We really needed a break.”
Joey and Amy agreed that finding respite, receiving
support from MCH and learning Trust-Based Relational
Intervention (TBRI) techniques all played a part in their success as foster parents. The couple was able to connect with
other local foster parents for support in addition to assistance through MCH.
“MCH has been really supportive,” Joey said. “The caseworkers and director at the Corpus Christi outreach office
have helped with doctors’ appointments and school functions.
Working together is key to being successful foster parents.”
Working together as a couple, Joey and Amy know the
importance of having a healthy relationship, especially in the
role of foster parents.
“We are a united front,” Amy said. “We know the kids
are always watching us. We are aware and we treat each other with respect so they can see what it looks like.”
It has made a difference in each of the lives of the seven
children who have been cared for in their home.
*Sammy was placed with the Gallardos a year ago.
According to Dominique Caram, MCH case manager, Sammy
was severely delayed in his development at 22 months old
and his teeth were in bad condition due to lack of care.
“Joey, Amy and MCH worked together to discover that
Sammy wasn’t learning because he was having difficulty
Sunshine I Fall 2013
FOSTER CARE PROFILE
with his ears,” Caram said. “After a few months, tubes were
put into his ears and his teeth were taken care of. Sammy
now attends an early childhood learning academy and he
is able to speak more clearly. He has a healthy appetite,
smiles all the time and has grown into an extremely social
and intelligent child.”
The Gallardos were already living an active lifestyle
with Sammy in their care when they received a call from
MCH about fostering two sisters in August 2013 who were,
at the time, homeless. Amy is a full-time pharmacist and
Joey is the owner of a yogurt shop on Padre Island and in
the process of opening a second location.
“It seems there is no limit to the capacity of their hearts
in caring for children who temporarily need a good home,”
Caram said. “MCH staff is always on standby, of course, if
they should need support in any way.”
With assistance from MCH staff and availability for the
girls at the learning academy, the Gallardos welcomed the
sisters to stay in their home. Carlynna, six years old, and
Casilda, two years old, moved to their new home shortly
after the Gallardos had received the call.
“We were the girls’ third home since January of this
year,” Amy said.
According to Caram, the sisters’ mother did not have any
form of identification for herself or her daughters and little chance of finding a job to support them without it. While
MCH staff were working with Carlynna and Casilda’s biological mother to get identification, counseling and employment,
the Gallardos were seeing positive changes in the sisters.
“Casilda is continually picking up speed in her development,” Amy said. “She is in the same class as Sammy at the
learning academy, and seeing what Sammy is able to do encourages Casilda to become more independent. Carlynna
has improved in reading and is being respectful overall.”
Both Joey and Amy attribute Carlynna’s recent change
in attitude to their use of the TBRI techniques.
“Carlynna had a shell around her when
she came to live with us,” Amy said. “During
one of her meltdowns, we used the TBRI techniques by staying calm and talking to her in a
comforting voice. At the end, she had a breakthrough moment. She trusted us enough to
say, ‘I’m sorry, but I’m tired of nobody wanting
me or loving me.’”
Until they were placed with MCH, Carlynna
and Casilda were often moved to different homes,
which had a negative impact on their growth and
development and caused Carlynna to struggle
with abandonment issues.
Sunshine I Fall 2013
Caram said Carlynna was forced into survival mode so
many times that she naturally takes on the role of protecting her younger sister, Casilda. The Gallardos have had the
opportunity to teach the sisters that, as adults, they are the
caretakers in the household and Carlynna can focus on being
a child without the stress of looking out for her sister.
“Carlynna is doing really well,” Amy said. “Her teacher
talks about how smart she is. She is learning to do chores,
such as getting the mail and taking the dogs out. We’ve
found that music is soothing to her, so we bought her an
MP3 player that she can listen to. It lets her be in her own element. She loves to dance and sing and she recently started
taking dance classes.”
While being a foster parent can present challenges at
times, it is something both Joey and Amy felt led to do. Amy
said while she and Joey were considering adoption, they
learned more about fostering children. During the process,
she never forgot about an experience she had as a child.
“When I was a kid, my brother was placed in a foster
home and I went to live with another relative,” Amy said.
“He said the time he spent in the foster home provided some
of his best childhood memories. Joey and I decided we wanted to be that home for many children, instead of helping just
one or two through adoption.”
There are reminders almost daily that confirm their decision to become a safe haven for children.
“Seeing our first sibling group be successfully reunited
with their mom was so rewarding,” Amy said. “We still get
the chance to see pictures of them with their family and it
makes us happy to see that they’re still together. The best
part about being a foster parent is seeing how putting the
kids in the right environment allows them to blossom.”
* The child’s name was changed for this story.
Carlynna enjoys a treat at Joey’s yogurt shop, and Casilda plays in
the water at a South Texas beach.
DEVELOPMENT
Noel, a resident at the Boys Ranch, is pictured
with MCH alumni and Commissioners John and
Elaine Milam of Lubbock.
Commissioners serve MCH across Texas, New Mexico
MCH hosted its annual
Commissioners event
in Waco on Oct. 22-23.
Commissioners are representatives from churches
in Texas and New Mexico
who help increase awareness and raise donations
for the ministry.
The theme was
“Commissioners in Action”
as guests received information and objectives to
return to their community
and gain support for MCH.
Commissioners spent
the first evening at the
Boys Ranch where they
toured the Agricultural
Sciences building and lis-
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tened to youth talk about
their experiences. Guests
also toured a home unit and
enjoyed a barbecue dinner
and program.
Recreation coordinator Ian Bracken and David,
a Boys Ranch youth, provided a testimonial about
last summer’s “Flotilla” raft
building competition, which
enabled groups of youth
to develop teamwork by
designing and building rafts
for the contest.
Ron Britton, discipleship minister at MCH,
and two youth, Noel and
Vanessa, shared with the
Commissioners about how
they were impacted by summer mission trips. They
were followed by a testimony from Commissioner
Mark Ward from Kingwood
UMC who hosted one of the
mission trips.
Commissioners spent
Wednesday on the Waco
campus, where they learned
about MCH’s residential and
family outreach programs,
as well as specific ways they
can support the ministry
through the assistance of the
Development Department.
Benefactor relations officers
shared their personal stories
and own inspiration for supporting MCH’s mission.
The event ended with
a luncheon in the Johnson
Student Center, during
which supporter Julie Diem
shared about her connection
to MCH after the tragic loss
of her daughter and grandsons. She became connected
to MCH through her daughter’s influence and found a
way to give back to honor
her legacy, turning a tragedy
into a triumph. (For more
on Diem’s story, please see
page 18.) The luncheon concluded with a challenge
for Commissioners to take
action when they return
home and advocate for children and families of MCH.
Sunshine I Fall 2013
DEVELOPMENT
Betty Thompson of Bryan shares an encouraging word
with Billy, a resident at the MCH Boys Ranch, during the
Commissioners program on Tuesday evening.
Tom Wilkinson (above), chairperson of Commissioners
and a member of the MCH
Board of Directors, addresses Commissioners during a
program in Harrell Memorial
Chapel on Wednesday.
Commissioners (far left) enjoy a tour of the Boys Ranch
where they learn about the
Ag Science program.
Mark Ward (left) of Kingwood,
Texas shares a testimony
about his work with MCH
youth and staff through summer missions.
Boys Ranch youth (far left)
provide a tour of their home
unit and share insight about
living at MCH.
Commissioners (from left)
Melodie King, Mary Clinton,
D’aun Vick and Walter
Johnson enjoy a tour of the
Perkins Heritage Home led
by Susan Beatty, a staff
member in the Development
Department.
Sunshine I Fall 2013
17
DONOR PROFILE
Julie Diem became a supporter of
Methodist Children’s Home after
experiencing the tragic loss of her
daughter and grandsons. As she continues along her grief journey, she has
found inspiration through giving back
in her daughter’s honor.
Keeper of a
Legacy
These photographs provide lasting memories of the love
Elizabeth Dowdy shared with her sons, Fischer (left) and Benjamin (center).
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Sunshine I Fall 2013
DONOR PROFILE
A
year and a half ago, Julie Diem had never been to Methodist
Children’s Home. She had only heard of the ministry in Waco
and had no idea it would play an important role in her life in the
future. After experiencing a terrible tragedy, Diem would become connected to the ministry in a profound way and, through her generosity and
strong faith, impact youth she has never met.
On July 30, 2012, a tragic accident between Taylor and
Elgin ended the lives of Diem’s daughter Elizabeth Herro
Dowdy and her three grandsons.
The loss of 25-year-old Elizabeth, who was pregnant at
the time with Hayes, as well as her grandsons, three-yearold Fischer and two-year-old Benjamin, transformed her
life. As she struggled to find a way to survive after the accident, Diem discovered that through faith and love, tragedy
can be turned into triumph. She decided she would become
the “keeper of a legacy” and found a way to honor her
daughter and grandsons and let their memory live on.
Several years before the accident, Diem’s family
decided that instead of exchanging gifts between the adults
in the family, they would make a donation to the charity of
their choice. For Elizabeth, her charity of choice was always
Methodist Children’s Home. She learned about MCH
through her church, Salado United Methodist, and her pastor at the time, Reverend Travis Franklin. When Elizabeth
and her sons passed away, her husband chose Methodist
Children’s Home to receive memorials in their name. Over
$10,000 was donated.
When MCH received the donations and learned of
the accident, Vice President for Development Trey Oakley
invited the family to come visit the campus in Waco and see
for themselves how the memorials were helping children
and youth in need. In October 2012, Reverend Franklin
brought the family to Waco and they were given a full tour
of the campus. Diem said she felt as though the ministry
of Methodist Children’s Home was “the hands and feet of
Christ, doing what we are called to do and what we should
be doing.”
“It is filling in a gap in our culture that we need,” Diem
said. “If MCH wasn’t doing it, what would happen to these
children? It is heartbreaking to hear their stories. MCH has
the opportunity to break the cycle and to be a transformational force in these kids’ lives.”
Through her daughter’s influence, she became a friend
and supporter of the ministry. During her tour, Diem mentioned that it would be a wonderful place to host a race.
Oakley told her, as a matter of fact, MCH was having a
race in a few months. At MCH’s first Race To Connect 5K
in April 2013, Diem served as the race captain. She spoke
to the crowd before the race began to share her daughter’s
story. With Elizabeth being a runner herself, Diem decided
to complete the 5K challenge along with her daughter’s
friend Randi Bingham.
As the months since the accident passed, Diem was convinced by friends to begin chronicling her grief journey
through a blog. In this blog, she writes about her love for her
daughter and the internal need to be the “keeper of her legacy.”
“Grief can destroy you or you can use it for something
amazing,” Diem said. “I am convinced that I don’t want her
legacy to end on July 30. God could use her story and the
accident for His glory and to honor her somehow.”
See Legacy, page 20
“I think all things came to a point with MCH. It honors our
daughter, and MCH gives children hope that they can dream of
another life, and who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”
– Julie Diem, speaking about a scholarship fund at MCH to honor the memory of her daughter, Elizabeth Dowdy
Sunshine I Fall 2013
19
DONOR PROFILE
Legacy, from page 19
Diem contacted Oakley
at MCH and decided to
start the “Elizabeth Dowdy
Scholarship.” She began a similar scholarship fund in her
grandsons’ names at Salado
High School where they would
have attended school. Diem
wanted to create a scholarship that would help girls
with similar dreams to her
daughter. Elizabeth was a fulltime mother during the week
and spent her weekends as a
makeup artist for weddings
and proms. It was her passion and she hoped to one day
attend the Aveda Institute to
Julie Diem creates and sells wreaths to raise money for a scholarship fund at MCH in memory of her
daughter, Elizabeth Dowdy. She presented wreaths to MCH following the Commissioners luncheon,
complete training for cosmewhere she shared her testimony about honoring her daughter’s memory and legacy. She is pictured
tology and open her own spa
with Tim Brown (right), MCH president/CEO, and Trey Oakley, vice president for development.
in downtown Salado. Through
the Elizabeth Dowdy Scholarship, Diem and her husband
more people are aware of MCH because of Julie’s advoJohn will help young people at Methodist Children’s Home
cacy and so many have found encouragement during tough
through a scholarship that will allow students to pursue a
times because of her influence.”
trade or vocational education. Perhaps, a student will even
In addition to the scholarship, Diem plans to particiattend cosmetology school, Elizabeth’s dream.
pate in the annual MCH prom. She wants to get Elizabeth’s
“This is a perfect place for Elizabeth to be rememmakeup artist friends involved to help the young girls prebered,” Diem said. “Her name will live on and hopefully
pare for the special event. Diem plans to bring Elizabeth’s
help young men and women go and change their lives and
own makeup kit and brushes to the occasion “to make her
help them heal some of their hurts. It is a perfect way to
a part of the event too.”
honor her and I think she would be pleased.”
Out of a tragedy, a friendship has formed and a legacy
Diem is raising funds for the scholarship by selling
lives on. Through Elizabeth’s influence, Diem found a place
wreaths. She began making wreaths as a way to honor her
to honor her daughter and Methodist Children’s Home
daughter and grandsons. She purchased Elizabeth’s makeup
found a loving supporter. business’ website domain name, www.twentycoats.com, and
“There’s glory to God in our suffering but we may not
is now using it to display and sell her specialty creations.
understand it at the moment,” Diem said. “It is not wasted.
Once the scholarship endowment fund reaches $25,000, it
He gave an example to us through His Son on how we
will become an endowed, named scholarship designated to
should handle pain and suffering. I want to be an instruserve young people for years to come.
ment and give other people hope who experience tragic
“It is inspiring to see someone turn a great loss into
things in their life and honor my daughter. I think all
something that will bless others,” Oakley said. “It’s a powthings came to a point with MCH. It honors our daugherful example of how these gifts help our young people as
ter, and MCH gives children hope that they can dream of
well as how one person can impact so many others. Many
another life, and who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”
To learn more about establishing a scholarship in honor or memory of a loved one, contact Trey Oakley at 254-750-1388. To make a gift for the
“Elizabeth Dowdy Scholarship,” note this in the memo line of your check and mail it to: Trey Oakley, Vice President for Development, Methodist Children’s
Home, 1111 Herring Ave., Waco, TX 76708. You may also visit us online at http://www.methodistchildrenshome.org/page/charitable-giving.aspx.
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Sunshine I Fall 2013
YOUTH PROFILE
Elena, a talented cheerleader at school, will
become the first in her
family to earn a high
school diploma when she
graduates in May.
Elena: Something to cheer about
Elena, a Waco campus resident, came to MCH five years
ago as an angry, troubled
young girl. She was having
a hard time accepting her
adoptive parents and began
doing drugs and running
away from home. She ended
up spending time in juvenile
detention where her caseworker recommended she
go to Methodist Children’s
Home to rebuild her life.
Elena said coming to
Waco and getting away from
her hometown meant that
she was no longer familiar with the area, and so
she was scared to run away.
She was still very angry and
acting out, but she had an
Sunshine
Sunshine II Fall
Fall 2013
2013
important realization one
night when her friend in the
home unit ran away. Elena
said she was extremely worried and when her friend
returned, she seemed
unapologetic about worrying
Elena and the others.
“I experienced what my
parents had gone through
when I ran away, and I
called my mom to apologize,” Elena said. “I have a
hard time with change so to
calm down I needed people
to talk to. I had great staff
who were here for me and
helped me.”
From that time forward,
Elena began to improve and
gain privileges at MCH to
participate in activities and
earn more responsibility.
She built a relationship with
her homeparent, Marjorie
Parker, who provided her
with advice when she was
facing decisions.
“Elena has changed tremendously since I met her,”
Parker said. “She takes on a
lot of responsibilities in and
out of the home unit. She
holds her peers accountable
and makes sure they stay on
the right track.”
Elena was able to take
lessons at Texas Dynasty, a
local cheerleading and gymnastics gym, where she went
on to win six national championship titles. She is now
a senior and the captain
of the varsity squad at her
local public high school. She
said she will be the first in
her family to earn her high
school diploma.
“As the oldest of eight
kids, it’s really important for
me to show them that they
can do it,” she said.
After graduation, Elena
wants to attend college and
become a social worker.
“With the experiences
that I’ve gone through, I
want to help other kids get
to a better place, just like
MCH helped me to do,” she
said. “Every kid in a bad situation needs to know they
can do it too.”
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Memorial Gifts and Gifts of Honor
Gifts made from May 2013 through October 2013
Memorials:
Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Ables
Joe and Jami Lovelady
Ryan Adams
Charles and Carol Brown
Bill and Nevelyn Alexander
Frances A. Copeland
Jerry Alexander
Sandy and Wayne Gilliland - Members, FUMC Colleyville
Dr. Leo Alexander
Dr. and Mrs. Marcus E. Young
Joan C. Allen
Linzy and Thigpen Attorneys-
At-Law, Temple, TX
Dorothy Allison
Lindy Jones
Mrs. Mozelle Kimble
Mrs. Dale Kimble Nelson
Corbett Anderson
Mary E. Clinton
Mrs. Miriam Armstrong
Dorothy (Sam) Clark
Vergie Arnett
Dan and Peggy Devorsky
United Methodist Women
Lake Shore UMC, Waco, TX
Carolyn Brown Askew
Joe and Betty Howell
J. Winston, Inc., Amarillo, TX
Lovelady, Christy and Associates
Amarillo, TX
Earl Bain
Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Orr, Jr.
Dora Barber
Ms. Vera E. Johnson
Mr. Roger Parker
Roy Bassett
Mrs. Mary Cooper Bassett
Charles Baum
Charles and Carol Brown
Melba Bellomy
Mrs. Florence Bratton
Debra Benge
Anne R. Benge
Vida Fay Bennett
Bruce and Deanna Montgomery
Don Montgomery
Zack Franklin Bettis
Carolyn, Elizabeth and Martha Neil
Harry Birdsong
Glenn and Kay Furman
Mr. Birdwell
Len Baird
Betty Black
Ms. Agnes L. Smith
Mary Emily Blackmon
Patsy Barnett
Robert Blankenship
Carolyn Byrnes
Judd Byrnes
Sheila Grace
Bob Blanton
Virginia Avery
Clyde Bomar
Charles and Carol Brown
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Kelly Bowen
Santo UMC, Santo, TX
Silas Brandenberger
Pete and Jo Bonds
Bonner Brazziel
Joy Brazziel
David M. Britt
Jim and Kay Batton
Dick and Ruth Irvine
Charley Brookshire
Glenn and Kay Furman
Charlene Broughton
Mary and James Thornton
Ruth Muriel Browning
Adult Sunday School Class
Cedar Creek UMC
Cedar Creek, TX
Ray Bruyere
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence M. Bruyere
Bessie Buhrman
Mrs. Margaret R. Buhrman
John E. Buzzell
June (Martin) Buzzell
Kay Callahan
Ms. Agnes L. Smith
Kathy Canant
Melvin and Mary Jo Elrod
Clyde M. Capps
Ms. Bertha M. Capps
Mr. and Mrs. Byron Hilton
Mary Lou and Max Marks
Michael Marks and girls
James and Frances Shanks
Melissa Tonn
Mr. and Ms. Maurice Trent
Mike Carmicle
Jerrel (Jerry) Carmicle
Mr. Ben Carroll
John and Mary Ann Ligon
Vlasta Rose (Payonk) Carter
Timothy and Joyce Woodlock
Emma Lee Cerveny
Linda Bram
Bobby Richter
Betty Chaney
Dr. and Mrs. Jack Kyle Daniels
Edgar Chavez
Deborah A. Kiracofe
Elton Churchill
Randy and Lyn Mason
Harold Clark
Rick and Kim Anderson
Albert W. Cobbs Jr.
Darrell and Sheryl Cobbs
Tommy Cokendolpher
Pathfinders Sunday School Class
Quanah UMC, Quanah, TX
Jennie Cole
Texas Department of Transportation
Agency Group Department
Eastland, TX
Dr. Perryman Collins
Ms. Agnes L. Smith
Joe B. Cotner
Herbert Shelton and Family
Ben G. Crocker
John and Beth Wegener
Michael Leon Crow
Irene Crow
Oma Lee Davenport
Rev. Allie M. Davenport (Ret.)
Glen E. Davis
Mike and Tracy Gonzales
Marsha and Lanny Peavy
Sandra Davis
Herb and Dot Zimmerman
Valda Horton Davis
Jim and Laura Milam
Media Dawson
Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Watkins
Ted De Ruyter
Mrs. Peggy De Ruyter
Jan Dehm
Susan Beatty
Tim and Susan Brown
Allison Crawford
Tim Fedro
Pat Franklin
Stephanie Lewis
Bryan Mize
Denise Nors
Trey and Karen Oakley
Pablo Villanueva
Eleanor Denker
Mr. William C. Denker
Sybil Delaney
Rick and Kim Anderson
Rebecca Judge
H. Tom Denman
Charles, Elizabeth, Chase,
Alex, Jordan and Nick Daigle
Pat Ford Denman
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd DeShong
Mrs. Morrelle K. Ratcliffe, Jr.
Mrs. Mena Dixon
John and Mary Ann Ligon
Bettye Dunbar
David Dunbar
Graham Edward Dyer
Kimberley and Steve Ekstrom
Nancy Morgan Eiland
Ann Enloe
Donna and David Holt
Dillard Ellington
Chris Williams
Vicki Elrod
Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Orr, Jr.
E. Jean English
Anonymous
Ervin Eoff
Kathy Shofner
John Doak Farmer
Antonette Freeman Elliot
Ruth Farrell
Mary and James Plumlee
Charles Ferguson
Randy and Lyn Mason
Robert Ferguson
Greg Flaniken
Emma Finley
Helen W. Hunt
Henry Fischer
Carol and Fred Nelle
Mrs. Annabel Pfau Fisher
Mr. and Mrs. Stonewall J. Fisher III
Jack and Joyce Fisher
Shelby and Amy Barley
James Fisher
Robert and Lillian Dach
Timothy and Joyce Woodlock
Carl and Bettie Fitzgerald
Kathryn Bass
Lucy Webb Flores
Mr. and Mrs. James P. Flores
Elvin H. Ford
Pat Ford Denman
Robert H. Ford
Pat Ford Denman
P. E. Fox
Robert and Ima Brown
Anna Rose Friday
Dick and Ruth Irvine
Nell Fuchs
Steve and Mary Frances Almquist
John Funk
Richard Bertel
Ray Cundiff Construction
Dallas, TX
Goshen Elementary Staff
Montgomery Village, MD
Jan, Judy and Janet Holcomb
Gayle Luckenbaugh
Lisa G. Ramsay
St. Andrews Study Club
Teri Dres, President
Dallas, TX
SEI Meetings and Incentives
Irving, TX
Ronald Smith
Charles Garner
Tom and Virginia Buckingham
Sandy Smith Garner
Ms. Creo L. Smith
Ann Marie (George) Garrett
Judy Hays
Colonel David Garvin, Retired
Dr. and Mrs. Jack Kyle Daniels
Bud Gervig
Larry and Betsy Pennington
Katy Marjorie Gillmeister
Jim and Laura Milam
Jean Glynn
Pat Ford Denman
John (Barney) Good
Jim and Laura Milam
Leta Bell Gorham
Charles and Carol Brown
Orell Evans Grammer
Hunter and Totsy Cunningham
Billie M. Grandstaff
Hazel J. Barrett
Johnny and Shirley Campbell
Sandy, Tommy and Robin Collins
Kevin and Laura Cortez
Hal and Corine Gieb
Martha and Cathy Hall
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hamblen
Sunshine I Fall 2013
Dr. and Mrs. James Hamilton
Ed, Shay and Rachael Holden
Laura Montgomery Hollis
Margaret Montgomery Hoyt
Yvonne Jones and Family
Billie Loftis
Jack and Mary Kathryn Montgomery
Mr. and Mrs. Neil Osburn
Greg and Vera Parcell
Dr. and Mrs. George L. Philley
Colleen and Ronald Randal
Gene and Joyce Rush
Son-Flower Laity Renewal
El Dorado, KS
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Steger
Rick and Louise Swain
Ms. Terri Templin
Bill and Janie Terrell
Emma Joe Thomas
Frances Green
Danny and Jackie McSpadden
Frank W. Greenhaw
Susan and Douglas Barnes
Mike and Kathy Brewer
Tim and Susan Brown
Mike and Cindy Burkett
Robert Lee Hanby Family
Georgia Kifer and Family
Bob and Helen McKemie
First UMC, Mesquite, TX
Lisa Morris
Trey and Karen Oakley
Gene and Jennell Sanders
Bobbie Speer Family
Sara Wilcox
Lynda Beth Richardson Grimes
Susan Richardson Barnes
Maryanna Richardson Rhemann
Jim Richardson
Fran Guinn
Mary M. Stewart and Family
Mrs. Grace Gully
Dr. and Mrs. Marcus E. Young
Orys C. Gunstream, Jr.
Susie and Charlie Burton
Dr. and Mrs. Jack Kyle Daniels
Dr. Delta Ree Hafford
Tim and Susan Brown
Jim and Laura Milam
Bryan Mize
Trey and Karen Oakley
Johanna F. Owens
Ann G. St. Clair
Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Taylor
Employees of Texas D.M.E. Inc.
Cleburne, TX
Patricia Dawson Wallace
Sandy Whitted
Lee and Gayle Wilson
Timothy and Joyce Woodlock
Derroll and Delta Hafford
Mike and Dotty Hare
Mrs. Genevia Hendricks
Hank and Mary V. Hamilton
Daniel and Melissa Alcorn
Betty Hancock
Lee and Lit Moore
Phoebe Hardy
Mr. Jerome Wells
Sunshine I Fall 2013
Charlene Harper
Ed and Kay Buie
Mrs. Nell Carmen Harper
Dr. and Mrs. Marcus E. Young
Jeanette Harris
Charles and Carol Brown
Mary Lu Harris
Mr. Orrie L. Harris
Eric Harrison
Lonnie L., Sr. and Derilda Ann Jones
Polly Hartman
Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Orr, Jr.
Suzanne Haulbrook
Roy and Becky Kemble
Ralph Hawley
Jim and Laura Milam
Lou Hays
Miss Jean H. Fowler
Bill Helton
Mrs. David D. Davidchik
Dick and Ruth Irvine
Paul Henderson
Steve and Mary Frances Almquist
Harold Hendrix
Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Orr, Jr.
Nita Heston
Ginger Swearengin and girls
Ferrel Hickerson
Shelby and Amy Barley
Mr. Carson Hoge
Larry and Betsy Pennington
Roy C. Hohl, Jr.
Mrs. Roy C. Hohl, Jr.
Your Grandmother
Rachael Holden
Elizabeth Horwood
Laura L. Austin
Louise B. Houser
Ken and Maryann Eiserman
William Houseworth
Charles and Carol Brown
Opal D. Hughes
Ben and Bette Samford
Short UMC, Center, TX
Eleanor K. Hunt
Major Victor I. Mayer, USAF Ret.
Don Jacob
Hunter and Totsy Cunningham
Mrs. Emma Jenson
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Hudgins
Betty Tindall
Murray and Lorene Jenson
Geraldine Jenson
Roy Lee Jones
John E. Hilliard Colonel, USAF (Ret)
Nadine Kauffman
Mrs. Hope M. Norman
Richard Keese
Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Orr, Jr.
James G. Kelley
Hunter and Totsy Cunningham
Louise Kelly
Curtis and Brenda Haley
Joan Kennett
Mary M. Stewart and Family
Glenn Key
Rebecca Judge
Patsy Krueger
Charles and Carol Brown
Ken Laake
Mary Clay Hill
Kelly Laird
Elzy and Cynthia Prater
Blanche Hughes Lamb
Ms. Patsy Kelley
Daniel Lee
Jim and Laura Milam
John Lee
Friends at DCP Midstream
Houston, TX
EnerTrade, Inc.
Fort Worth, TX
Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A., Point Comfort, TX
Paul Huang
Larry Karl
Wayne and Sharon Lee
Ben Liao
Todd and Becca McEuen
Rick Sun
Beth Moore Bible Study
Northern Hills UMC
San Antonio, TX
Victor and Roseann Sanchez
Jere and Chris Thompson
Mr. Dale Townsend
Jack Lewis
Mrs. Suzanne Goodenough
Noel Lewter
Charles and Carol Brown
Brenda Limback
Jim and Laura Milam
Mr. Leo Edward Linbeck, Jr.
Mrs. W. Carter (Linda) Grinstead, Jr.
Patrick W. Lindner, Jr. M.D.
Leslie and Candy Mallonee
Christina Rosemarie Littlefield
Noelene and Dale McCall
Layton Lloyd
Rick and Kim Anderson
Neva Sara (Bentley) Longenecker
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Peterson
Mr. and Mrs. Walter C. Peterson
Henry Melford Lord
Timothy and Joyce Woodlock
Roy Joe Lovelady, Sr.
Joe and Jami Lovelady
Harry Lucas
Herb and Dot Zimmerman
Evelyn and Jim Ludwig
Ms. Susan L. Welker
Patrick Magee
Sid Underwood
L. M. (Jack) Maggard
Myra and Mike Brewer
Forrest Martindale
Bill, Shari and Steph
Clayton and Enola Massey
Mr. and Mrs. Earl E. Dague
Jim Matthews
Rose Mathews
Shirley McDaniel
John C. Alleman
(continued on pg 24)
A
Five hundred dollar gift
in honor of
Pastor Arcynthia Louie
by
Johnel Louie
Temple, TX
A
One thousand five hundred dollar gift
in honor of
Tim Brown
by
Red Bayou UMC
New Boston, TX
A
Five hundred dollar gift
in memory of
Dr. Kenneth D. Rudd
by
Dr. and Mrs. Sam R. Adkisson
Missouri City, TX
A
Five hundred dollar gift
in memory of
Ann Bradsher
by
Jack Bradsher
Houston, TX
A
Five hundred dollar gift
in memory of
Clyde Briley
by
John and Carolyn Campbell
Austin, TX
A
Five hundred dollar gift
in memory of
Ona Maude Tipps Gaston
by
Hugh W. Gaston
Austin, TX
A
Five hundred dollar gift
in memory of
Eris Shelton
by
Mr. Herbert Shelton
Bryan, TX
A
Five hundred dollar gift
in memory of
Dr. Robert O. Philips
by
Robert Shipley
Heath, TX
A
Five hundred dollar gift
in memory of
Mary Chancellor
by
Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Shipley
Heath, TX
A
Five hundred dollar gift
in memory of
Reverend Barbara Wordinger
by
Dr. Robert J. Wordinger
Euless, TX
23
A
Five hundred sixty-five dollar
and sixty-six cent gift
in memory of
our parents,
John Boston and Ida Irene Hankla,
and
Joe and Eva Hurt
A
Nine hundred thirty-five dollar gift
in memory of
Joyce Lawton
by
Linda and Bruce Ties
Georgetown, TX
A
One thousand dollar gift
in memory of
Zack Bettis
by
Mrs. Ann Enloe
San Angelo, TX
A
One thousand dollar gift
in memory of
James Glenn
by
Stephen and Mariglyn Glenn
Friendswood, TX
A
One thousand dollar gift
in memory of
Beebo Smith
by
Bubba and Nancy Smith
Austin, TX
A
One thousand five hundred dollar gift
in memory of
Reverend and Mrs. E. A. Irvine,
and
Mr. and Mrs. Leon Fillingim
by
Dick and Ruth Irvine
Wheeler, TX
A
Three thousand dollar gift
in memory of
Joyce Lawton
by
Linda and Bruce Ties
Georgetown, TX
An
Anonymous gift
in memory of
Arthur Capps
A
Five thousand two hundred
fifty-dollar estate gift
in honor of
Thomas Richard Harrison Family
A
One hundred fifteen thousand dollar gift
in memory of
Miss Grace E. Thompson
24
Goodson McKee
Tim and Susan Brown
Community Bank and Trust
David Lacy and friends
ConnectTel, Inc.
Austin, TX
Bob and Sandy Corwin
Dr. and Mrs. Jack Kyle Daniels
Mr. and Mrs. David Dickson
Paul and Sydney Easley
ExtraCo Banks, Waco, TX
Richard and Edith Gibney
Roland Greer
Karen Hansen
Eleanor and Harvey Hoffman
Ivan and Kathy Hurwitz
Neal and Cherie Leavell
Zack and Bonnie McGee
Bryan Mize
Trey and Karen Oakley
C. Ray Perry
Murray Watson, Jr.
Mrs. Edna White
Joel McKissick
Friends at Kachina LLC
Santa Anna, CA
Aerin and Jon Taubin
Doris McNeilly
Robert and Marilyn Berg
Terry and Joy Everhart
James McNeill
Stacy and Daryl Voss
Thelma Jane Ivy Miles
Timothy and Joyce Woodlock
Frank H. Miller
David and Peggy Dishman-
Osborne
James I. (Jim) Miller
Ann Wackman
Marilyn and H. W. Miller, Jr.
Phyllis Miller
Dr. Samuel B. Miller
Moe and Janet Dozier
Tim and Susan Brown
Mary Katherine Davis Mitchell
Jim and Laura Milam
Maxine Mitchell
Dr. and Mrs. Jack Kyle Daniels
Jill Montgomery
Mr. and Mrs. John Howard Daniels, Jr.
Virginia (Ginny) Montgomery
Ms. Margie Berger and Family
Bonnie Moore
Shelby and Amy Barley
Butch Moore
Dick and Ruth Irvine
Shirley Morris
Jane Hext
Chuck and Susan Tanner
Jerry Mullins
Jim and Laura Milam
Patrick W. Murphy
Ben and Bette Samford
Mellie Nicholas
Zanna, Hal, Gijs and Kay Cochrane
Mary Noe
June Nixon
Brady Taiyoh Nomura
Mrs. Pat Tausch
Homer and Ruby Spear
Robert Lee (Bob) Norred
Debe’ J. Piatak
Phillip Norris
Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Orr, Jr.
Jeannie Otto
Leslie and Candy Mallonee
Phillip Patrick
Betty Jo Spencer
Inez H. Patterson
Janice Patterson Taylor
Norma Patterson
L. R. Patterson
Sue Patterson
Elzy and Cynthia Prater
Layton and Brandi Wiemers
Eunice Pausewang
Charles and Ann Cook
Havens Family
David Stephani
Manuel Pickering
Theo and Helen Embry
Mrs. Ruth Ann Pipkin
Dr. and Mrs. Marcus E. Young
Dorothy Lee Ploeger
Judy Hays
David and Dorothy Oefinger
Mr. Herbert F. Poyner
Mrs. W. Carter (Linda) Grinstead
Wayne Priddy
Ed Bell Investments, Inc.
Dallas, TX
Judith Bennett
Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Daley
Mr. and Mrs. John R. Dyer
FirstRain, Inc.
San Mateo, CA
Valerie and Jody Hatcher
Harrison Steck, PC
Steven Harrison
Bob and Candy Herring
Jenny’s Monday/Friday Running Group
Helaine Blizzard
Carol Goglia
Susan and Dennis Lynch and Family
Lyle Mason
Brent Miller
Chris and Beth Miller
Doug and Laura Miller
Jan and Carolyn Miller
Tod and Helen Mitchell
Ms. Shirley Norwood
Mary and Mike Terry and Family
Jeremy Webb
Douglas Rabenaldt
Dorothy and Anthony Daniel
Nita Ramsey’s Birthday
Joe Ramsey
Sue Reese
Duncan and Mary Wright
Stewart Rice
Lee and Lit Moore
Moore Crop Insurance Agency, LLC, New Home, TX
New Home UMC
New Home, TX
Debe' J. Piatak
Bob and Lane Powell
John Rishling
Dr. and Mrs. Jack Kyle Daniels
Joeline Robinson
Lexie, Mary Lou Gregg and Family
Lucia Rodriguez
Ms. Agnes L. Smith
Mrs. Doris Zirkel Rohlfs
Mr. and Mrs. Ethan H. Calk
Travis and Elizabeth McCown
Nola and Jim Price
Marshall Rolke
Andrew and Dorothy Dunn
Jonathan Roquemore
Jim and Laura Milam
Margaret Weaver Russell
Rosemary Russell Morris
Kurt Russmann
Judy Broadway
Tim and Susan Brown
Julie Mitchell
Bryan Mize
Denise Nors
Trey and Karen Oakley
Charlsie Whitney
Evelyn Samford
Craig and Jan Jaynes
John Saul
Jack and Dennie Saul
Mary Bernadette Saurage
Pat Ford Denman
Ronnie Schaake
Glenna M. Kinnibrugh
Albert Schroeder
Caleb and Seth
Roxana Tom
Pat and Christy Dziuk
Robin and Lyn Esse
George William (Bill) Scroggins, Jr.
Jim and Laura Milam
Timothy and Joyce Woodlock
Mattie Seale
Cate Baggett
Jim and Deb Hill
The Seago Family:
William, JoAn, Larry and Suzette
Ms. Glenda R. Slawson
The Texas Workforce Commission Tax Office
Co-workers of David Seale
Tyler, TX
Ennis and Suzanne Wheeler
Mrs. Gayla Sellers
Dr. and Mrs. Jack Kyle Daniels
Eris Shelton
Mr. Herbert Shelton
Jim and Lynn Stuckey
Nell Shepard
Mrs. Cleo B. Curtis
Lorraine Shomaker
Ms. Virginia L. Perryman
Wilma Jean Stracener
United Methodist Women
Durkee UMC, Houston, TX
Ralph Simmons
Charles and Carol Brown
George Skinner
Ed and Kay Buie
Sunshine I Fall 2013
Lela D. Smalling
Caryn Thompson
Carly Smith
Ricky and Melinda Gaddis
Gary Lee Smith
Clyde and Judy Damron
John and Dorothy Koepke
Mrs. Kathleen Smith
David and Mary Ellen Cowling
David and Pat Smith
Ken Smith
Glenn and Kay Furman
William C. Smothermon
Fannie Smothermon
Reverend David Snowden
Reverend and Mrs. Boyd V. Baker
Leona Solley
Chuck and Teri Hyde
Peggy Stafford
Sue Hoover
Margaret L. Stark
Mrs. Tom McClung
Clara Velma Starks
Silas and Patsy Brandenberger and Family
Juanita Stebbins
Shirley and G. Dana Brabson
Elizabeth Stephens
Paula Heard
Lona Hood
William B. Kent
Employees of Permian Basin Community Centers
Midland, TX
Steve and Margaret Robinson
Morris I. Stevens, Sr.
Patricia and Mike Head
Mr. Clay Stevenson
Dr. and Mrs. Marcus E. Young
Alice Stewart
Ms. Meredith McCulloch
Melba Bozman Still
Craig and Jan Jaynes
Shelly Stover
Dale and Sissy Boyd
Bobby Sumner
Shelby and Amy Barley
Arledge and Peggy Brashers
Dr. and Mrs. Jack Kyle Daniels
David and Peggy Dishman-
Osborne
Mrs. Genevia Hendricks
Jim and Laura Milam
Faye Ridgley
Timothy and Joyce Woodlock
Ben Sustr
John and Mary Ann Ligon
Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Von Minden
Ramona Swain
Mr. Dale Grandstaff
Dale and Paula Patterson
Shari Swanson
Randy and Lyn Mason
Gloria Lopez Thompson
Jim and Laura Milam
Mary Ann Thompson
Caryn and David Thompson
Traci and Steve
Veda and Lee
Opal Thompson
Charles and Carol Brown
Sunshine I Fall 2013
Carl A. Thorell
Edward and Nina Bean
Doris Bona
Kay Morse
Mrs. Mamie Smith
Gary and Carol Story
Thomas Family
Margaret Torres
Ms. Gloria Hernandez
Roxie Turner
Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Orr, Jr.
R. T. Tyler
Mrs. Nelda J. Tyler
C. R. Walters
Bernice K. Cole
Nancy F. Cox
Sandy Cox
Phillip and Jan Crawford
Rex and Donna Davis
Steven and Dagne Fisher
Bob and Varyn Gross
Richard and Paula Johnson and Family
Terry and Charlene Key
Russell Korman Company, Inc.
Austin, TX
Ms. Nonie L. Mitchel
Julie Ann Mock
Michael and Barbara Reis
Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Tippie
Spencer and Melissa Ulrich
Kent M. Vining
Dale and Jeanne Williams
Gladys Walters
Mrs. Barbara J. Cole
Mrs. Mary Jo Guy Walters
Mr. Robert Walters
J. B. Watkins
Kathy and Chris Brandt
The extended family of Ed Davis: Ed, Barbara, Brant and Christy
Weldon Watkins
Carol and Fred Nelle
Genna Waugh
Mrs. Cleo B. Curtis
Sonny Webb
David and Jeanine Calliham
Ryan Webster
George and Cyndi Snokhous
Mrs. Clydelle Westbrook
Gary and Laura Jack
Keith Coleman White
Ms. Connie Smith
Robert D. White, Sr.
Mrs. Mildred White
Ted White
New Home UMC
New Home, TX
Lee and Lit Moore
Gaige Whitehead
Wilson Barfield Family
William Wiese
Allison Crawford
Billie Wigington
Eli H. (Hank) Mabry
Charles L. Williams
Susan Parish
Melinda Williams
Pat Williams
Don W. Williams
Ms. Martha Lansdale
Don Williams
Debe’ J. Piatak
H. W. (Chief) Wilson
Bruce and Patsy Pruett
Robert H. Wilson, Jr.
Mrs. Sara W. Simpson
Nell Rucker Winder
Hunter and Totsy Cunningham
Rick Wolfe
Robert and Cami Hill
J. C. Woods
Peter and Flossie Gibson
Honorariums:
Bill Adams
Wade Adams
Will Blackwell
Mr. and Mrs. George C. Lunsford
Bobby Boyd
Victor Sunday School Class
First UMC, Palestine, TX
William V. Bridgeman
Liza, Nomar and Boston Bridgeman
Ida S. Cook
Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Bateman
Howard Cox
Hunter and Totsy Cunningham
Parker Danek
Pat McClatchy
Evelyn Daniels
Mrs. Marie Louise (Sherry) Hill
Jack Daniels’ Birthday
Mrs. Marie Louise (Sherry) Hill
Mamie Lee Dodds’ 94th Birthday
Philathea Class
First UMC, Big Spring, TX
Don Fitzner’s 80th Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Don Fitzner
Shirley L. Gilmore
Aaron and Vickie Oldham
Greg Freeman
Nebraska Paralegal Association
Mr. Roger W. Fulton
Linda F. Gindl
Dallas Garrett
Mike and LaNelle Agee
Mrs. Peter Gryska
Gloria A. Palmer
Rev. and Mrs. Nathaniel Hankins
Dr. and Mrs. Marcus E. Young
Nelda Hazlewood
Karl and Cathy Herzog
Pauleen Hinshaw
Victor Sunday School Class
First UMC, Palestine, TX
Robert Houghton
Tommy, Connie, Casey, Robert and Zach McMillan
Reverend Charles and Gay Hutchins
Dr. and Mrs. Jack Kyle Daniels
Boyce Jones
United Methodist Women
Servants of Christ UMC
Houston, TX
Joy Jones
Emily and R. J. Claassen
Mitchell Jones
Ms. Janelle Brinck
Molly and Kenneth Kent’s
50th Wedding Anniversary
Mike and Eva Loeb
Myrna Kepford
Ms. Jaunita Honeyman
Chloe Lee Knust Birthday
Robert H. Collins and Family
Justin Koudelka - 2013 Senior
Friendship Sunday School Class
First UMC, La Grange, TX
Alex Joshua Larsh
The Wilhites
Lucy Mabel Larsh
The Wilhites
Reverend Gloria Lear’s Retirement
Laura Ball
Alex Martinez
Margie Martinez
Ann McClendon
Ms. Kelly McClendon
Judy McRight
Marc and Lindsay Parks
Hazel Mitchell
Mr. and Mrs. Eddie M. Dry
Chris and Jan Moser
Mary E. Clinton
Mr. Larry Orman
Lankford Family
Conner Pieratt - 2013 Senior
Friendship Sunday School Class
First UMC, La Grange, TX
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ramey
Joe and Jami Lovelady
Rita Ross’ Six Great- Grandchildren
Rita Ross
Bill and Gayle Rucker’s
50th Wedding Anniversary
Hunter and Totsy Cunningham
Mr. and Mrs. David Russ
Mr. Brian Russ
John and Amelia Taylor’s
57th Wedding Anniversary
Hunter and Totsy Cunningham
Bob and Betty Thompson
Prime Timers
First UMC, North Zulch, TX
Men of Tobin Park UMC
for Father’s Day
United Methodist Women
Tobin Park UMC, El Paso, TX
Sue Travis
Mrs. Norma Russell and Family
Betty Vilven
United Methodist Women
First UMC, Plano, TX
Veronica Whalon-Peters
United Methodist Women
Clear Lake UMC
Houston, TX
Amelia June Whitmire’s 1st Birthday
Meme and Poppa Ray
Jason Whitmire
Meme and Poppa Ray
Methodist Children’s Home
1111 Herring Ave.
Waco, TX 76708
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
WACO, TEXAS
PERMIT NUMBER 392
Emily, second from left, was crowned the 2013 Homecoming Queen
for the MCH School. Other members of the Homecoming Court are,
from left, Noel, Savannah, Chelsea, Wilmaneice and Dominique.