NOVEMBER

2015 Sonshine Corner

COMBINED REFORMATION

SERVICE

at Bethany Reformed

Church of Clara City

Nov. 1st at 6:30 pm

ORPHAN SUNDAY

JOIN US on Sunday November 1st

As we focus on Orphan Ministries

*Jamie Groen will be joining us to share about the continuing ministry of

Children of the Promise

10 am Morning Worship Potluck to follow (bring a dish or 2 to share)

afternoon prayer service

Defend

The

Fatherless

2015

Thanksgiving Service on

Thursday Nov. 26th at 10 am

-no cookie fellowship after the service -

Sonshine Corner Page 2 of 8

Applications Sought for Case Manager Family Promise of Kandiyohi County (FPKC) is looking for a part time Case Manager, 20-25 hours per week. The case manager will provide comprehensive help to homeless families, assisting and empowering them to achieve and maintain sustainable housing. This includes but not limited to life skills;

Applications Sought for Family Promise

Is There Room in Your Heart and Home for a Child in Need? There is a growing need for families willing to open their hearts and homes to children and teenagers who have been removed from their families because of neglect or abuse. These children need a loving family who will walk with them during a time of crisis and welcome them unconditionally into a caring home. Children in foster care range in age from infants to teenagers and typically remain in your care for at least a few months. The highest-priority need is for foster homes for sibling groups and children from minority groups.

resume production, job placement; local agency coordination, etc. The Case Manager will also coordinate the day center and transportation parts of the Family Promise program. Qualifications include an Associate’s Degree or higher, experience working in human services, and

office/computer skills.

To submit an application, please go to

fpkc8352gmail.com.

Postings for this position will close on October 23,

a job description can be found on:

www.

minnesotaworks.net..

GEMS Soup & Pie

Supper & Bake Sale is coming up on Wed. Nov. 18th from 5 – 7 pm

Come out and

Support our GEMS Club & enjoy a great

time of food and fellowship !

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Thanksgiving in America

Thanksgiving was almost a fast - not a feast! The early settlers gave thanks by praying and abstaining from food, which is what they planned on doing to celebrate their first harvest, that is, until the Wampanoag Indians joined them and (lucky for us!) turned their fast into a three-day feast!

A tradition is born: TV dinners have Thanksgiving to thank. In 1953, someone at Swanson misjudged the number of frozen turkeys it would sell that Thanksgiving -- by 26 TONS! Some industrious soul came up with a brilliant plan: Why not slice up the meat and repackage with some trimmings on the side? Thus, the first TV dinner was born! Talking turkey: Why is it called a turkey? Oh boy, this will take some explainin'. Back in the day, the Europeans took a liking to the guinea fowls imported to the continent. Since the birds were imported by Turkish merchants, the English called them turkeys. Later, when the Spaniards came to America, they found a bird that tasted like those guinea fowls. When they were sent to Europe, the English called these birds "turkeys" as well.

Sonshine Corner Page 4 of 8

Jason & Mary Taatjes were blessed with a baby girl on

October 2, 2015

Kara Elizabeth Taatjes Weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz

And was welcomed home by siblings Silas, Ethan and Lydia

Grandparents are John & Pat Taatjes and Jack & Marie Fernholz

Congratulations

Bridal Shower

This has been a long journey for Randy and I. We are so thankful for a caring community. Thank

you for the visits, cards, calls and prayers. Thank you to everyone

who helped and attended the benefit. We are so grateful!

Please continue to pray for us! Randy & Carla Slagter

and family

Bridal Shower for

Megan Bonnema bride elect of Clark Fiekema

on Sat. November 21st

9:30 -11AM

In the RCRC Fellowship Hall

Congratulations to Craig & Kelli Blom in the birth of a

granddaughter

Johanna Grace born to Jordan & Jennifer

Rozeboom welcomed home by brother Jackson

Sonshine Corner Page 5 of 8

The Old Dented Bucket

FAITH IS NOT ABOUT EVERYTHING TURNING OUT OK; IT'S ABOUT BEING OK NO MATTER HOW THINGS TURN OUT. OUR HOUSE WAS DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE CLINIC ENTRANCE OF JOHNS

HOPKINS HOSPITAL IN BALTIMORE . WE LIVED DOWNSTAIRS AND RENTED THE UPSTAIRS ROOMS TO OUT-PATIENTS AT THE CLINIC. ONE SUMMER EVENING AS I WAS FIXING SUPPER, THERE WAS A KNOCK AT

THE DOOR. I OPENED IT TO SEE A TRULY AWFUL LOOKING MAN. "WHY, HE'S HARDLY TALLER THAN MY 8-YEAR-OLD," I THOUGHT AS I STARED AT THE STOOPED,SHRIVELED BODY. BUT THE APPALLING THING WAS HIS FACE, LOPSIDED FROM SWELLING, RED AND RAW. YET HIS VOICE WAS PLEASANT AS HE SAID, "GOOD

EVENING. I'VE COME TO SEE IF YOU'VE A ROOM FOR JUST ONE NIGHT. I CAME FOR A TREATMENT THIS MORNING FROM THE EASTERN SHORE , AND THERE'S NO BUS 'TIL MORNING." HE TOLD ME HE'D BEEN

HUNTING FOR A ROOM SINCE NOON BUT WITH NO SUCCESS, NO ONE SEEMED TO HAVE A ROOM. "I GUESS IT'S MY FACE .... I KNOW IT LOOKS TERRIBLE, BUT MY DOCTOR SAYS WITH A FEW MORE TREATMENTS..." FOR A MOMENT I HESITATED, BUT HIS NEXT WORDS CONVINCED ME: "I COULD SLEEP IN THIS ROCKING

CHAIR ON THE PORCH. MY BUS LEAVES EARLY IN THE MORNING." I TOLD HIM WE WOULD FIND HIM A BED, BUT TO REST ON THE PORCH.. I WENT INSIDE AND FINISHED GETTING SUPPER. WHEN WE WERE READY, I ASKED THE OLD MAN IF HE WOULD JOIN US. "NO, THANK YOU. I HAVE PLENTY." AND HE HELD UP A BROWN

PAPER BAG. WHEN I HAD FINISHED THE DISHES, I WENT OUT ON THE PORCH TO TALK WITH HIM A FEW MINUTES. IT DIDN'T TAKE A LONG TIME TO SEE THAT THIS OLD MAN HAD AN OVERSIZED HEART CROWDED

INTO THAT TINY BODY. HE TOLD ME HE FISHED FOR A LIVING TO SUPPORT HIS DAUGHTER, HER 5 CHILDREN, AND HER HUSBAND, WHO WAS HOPELESSLY CRIPPLED FROM A BACK INJURY. HE DIDN'T TELL

IT BY WAY OF COMPLAINT; IN FACT, EVERY OTHER SENTENCE WAS PREFACE WITH A THANKS TO GOD FOR A BLESSING. HE WAS GRATEFUL THAT NO PAIN ACCOMPANIED HIS DISEASE, WHICH WAS

APPARENTLY A FORM OF SKIN CANCER. HE THANKED GOD FOR GIVING HIM THE STRENGTH TO KEEP GOING... AT BEDTIME, WE PUT A CAMP COT IN THE CHILDREN'S ROOM FOR HIM. WHEN I GOT UP IN THE MORNING, THE BED LINENS WERE NEATLY FOLDED AND THE LITTLE MAN WAS OUT ON THE PORCH. HE

REFUSED BREAKFAST, BUT JUST BEFORE HE LEFT FOR HIS BUS, HALTINGLY, AS IF ASKING A GREAT FAVOR, HE SAID, "COULD I PLEASE COME BACK AND STAY THE NEXT TIME I HAVE A TREATMENT? I WON'T

PUT YOU OUT A BIT. I CAN SLEEP FINE IN A CHAIR." HE PAUSED A MOMENT AND THEN ADDED, "YOUR CHILDREN MADE ME FEEL AT HOME. GROWNUPS ARE BOTHERED BY MY FACE, BUT CHILDREN DON'T

SEEM TO MIND." I TOLD HIM HE WAS WELCOME TO COME AGAIN AND, ON HIS NEXT TRIP, HE ARRIVED A LITTLE AFTER 7 IN THE MORNING. AS A GIFT, HE BROUGHT A BIG FISH AND A QUART OF THE LARGEST

OYSTERS I HAD EVER SEEN! HE SAID HE HAD SHUCKED THEM THAT MORNING BEFORE HE LEFT SO THAT THEY'D BE NICE AND FRESH. I KNEW HIS BUS LEFT AT 4:00 A.M. AND I WONDERED WHAT TIME HE HAD TO

GET UP IN ORDER TO DO THIS FOR US. IN THE YEARS HE CAME TO STAY OVERNIGHT WITH US, THERE WAS NEVER A TIME THAT HE DID NOT BRING US FISH OR OYSTERS OR VEGETABLES FROM HIS GARDEN.

OTHER TIMES WE RECEIVED PACKAGES IN THE MAIL, ALWAYS BY SPECIAL DELIVERY; FISH AND OYSTERS PACKED IN A BOX OF FRESH YOUNG SPINACH OR KALE, EVERY LEAF CAREFULLY WASHED. KNOWING THAT HE MUST WALK 3 MILES TO MAIL THESE, AND KNOWING HOW LITTLE MONEY HE HAD MADE THE

GIFTS DOUBLY PRECIOUS. WHEN I RECEIVED THESE LITTLE REMEMBRANCES, I OFTEN THOUGHT OF A COMMENT OUR NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR MADE AFTER HE LEFT THAT FIRST MORNING. "DID YOU

KEEP THAT AWFUL LOOKING MAN LAST NIGHT? I TURNED HIM AWAY! YOU CAN LOSE ROOMERS BY PUTTING UP SUCH PEOPLE!" MAYBE WE DID LOSE ROOMERS ONCE OR TWICE. BUT, OH!, IF ONLY THEY

COULD HAVE KNOWN HIM, PERHAPS THEIR ILLNESSES WOULD HAVE BEEN EASIER TO BEAR. I KNOW OUR

FAMILY ALWAYS WILL BE GRATEFUL TO HAVE KNOWN HIM; FROM HIM WE LEARNED WHAT IT WAS TO ACCEPT THE BAD WITHOUT COMPLAINT AND THE GOOD WITH GRATITUDE TO GOD. RECENTLY WHILE VISITING A FRIEND, WHO

HAS A GREENHOUSE, AS SHE SHOWED ME HER FLOWERS, WE CAME TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ONE OF ALL, A GOLDEN CHRYSANTHEMUM, BURSTING WITH BLOOMS. BUT TO MY GREAT SURPRISE, IT WAS GROWING IN AN OLD

DENTED, RUSTY BUCKET. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, "IF THIS WERE MY PLANT, I'D PUT IT IN THE LOVELIEST CONTAINER I HAD!" MY FRIEND CHANGED MY MIND. "I RAN SHORT OF FLOWER POTS," SHE EXPLAINED, "AND KNOWING HOW

BEAUTIFUL THIS ONE WOULD BE, I THOUGHT IT WOULDN'T MIND STARTING OUT IN THIS OLD PAIL. IT'S JUST FOR A LITTLE WHILE,TILL I CAN PUT IT OUT IN THE GARDEN." SHE MUST HAVE WONDERED WHY I LAUGHED SO

DELIGHTEDLY, BUT I WAS IMAGINING JUST SUCH A SCENE IN HEAVEN "HERE'S AN ESPECIALLY BEAUTIFUL ONE," GOD MIGHT HAVE SAID WHEN HE CAME TO THE SOUL OF THE SWEET OLD FISHERMAN. "HE WON'T MIND STARTING IN THIS SMALL BODY." ALL THIS HAPPENED LONG AGO - AND NOW, IN GOD'S GARDEN, HOW TALL THIS LOVELY SOUL MUST

STAND.

THE LORD DOES NOT LOOK AT THE THINGS MAN LOOKS AT. MAN LOOKS AT

THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART." 1

SAMUEL 16:7B

Rock of Life CRC (Formerly Willmar CRC) extends an invitation for a free

will offering soup and dessert fundraiser for some of the costs

associated with our new building project. Except for a few finishing

touches, the project is complete and we would love for you to come and we'll show you around the new facility, so please join us on November 5 from

4:30-6:30 for a great meal and fellowship.

Sonshine Corner Page 7 of 8

A story about Margaret Margaret Njuguna has been working for Christian Reformed World Missions for 27 years here and abroad. Wanting to live at home and be closer to her parents as they are aging, Margaret received an inspiration to start up a home for disabled children in her home country of Kenya. In Kenya, disabled children are considered a curse or bewitched. They are often killed or put in a dark room never to come out in public. If you want to read about the work Margaret is doing and how much as been accomplished in one year’s time, log on to www.en-gedichildrenwithhope.org You will see the light of hope shining in the eyes of these beautiful children. They are not cursed, parents need not be ashamed thinking their family is somehow cursed. When parents return to visit their child, they have tears of joy running down their cheeks as they see their child smile and try talking and even try walking. En-gedi is a place of rescue for these children. Margaret’s inspiration came from 1 Samuel 23:29-24:1.

Bring a smile ~ Receive a smile

Bringing cheer and good will to those who are shut-in rewards us by blessing us as much or more than those we visit. We have a list of volunteers who bring the bulletin and other mailbox items to our shut-ins. Everyone who has done so acknowledges what a blessing it is and how happy our shut-ins are to have had a visit. Perhaps you may want to add your name to the list. Any age is acceptable. If so, call 320-967-4139. If you are too young to drive, we will assign you to a driver. Our shut-ins include: Fred Grussing, John Ryks, Vivian Blom, Nellie Brouwer, Selma Hubers, Harry & Lydia Hoogeveen, Lynn Zimmer, Alma Blom and George Parker.

Rice Hospice sponsors:

The Honor Flight film is a heart-warming documentary about four living world war II veterans and a Midwest community coming together to give them the trip of a lifetime. Volunteers race against the clock to fly thousands of WWII veterans to Washington D.C. to see the memorial constructed for them in 2004, nearly 60 years after their epic struggle.

The film is 90 minutes long and will be followed by refreshments at no charge. The doors will open at 1:30 with the film beginning at 2 p.m.

Saturday, November 7, 2:00 p.m.

First Covenant Church

801 Willmar Ave. SW

Willmar MN

Applications Sought for Case Manager : Family Promise of Kandiyohi County (FPKC) is looking for a part time Case Manager, 20-25 hours per week. The case manager will provide comprehensive help to homeless families, assisting and empowering them to achieve and maintain sustainable housing. This includes but not limited to life skills; resume production, job placement; local agency coordination, etc. The Case Manager will also coordinate the day center and transportation parts of the Family Promise program. Qualifications include an Associate’s Degree or higher, experience working in human services, and office/computer skills. To submit an application, please go to fpkc8352gmail.com. Postings for this position will close on October 23, 2105 and a job description can be found on www. minnesotaworks.net.

The annual harvest Festival of Central MN Christian School in Prinsburg will be held in the

high school on Saturday, November 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be an old

fashioned ham supper starting at 4:30 p.m. Get your holiday baked goods at the international

bakery, eat at the snack shack or buy old fashioned candy at the sweet shoppe. Kids will

enjoy the activities in the kids carnival. The silent auction will begin at 5 p.m. with the live

auction beginning at 6 p.m. Come and enjoy an evening of food, fun and fellowship for all ages