Hello Folks,
This has been a very busy week for me. I had a niece and her family, 6 of them, have a vehicle break down and they came to stay with us during the repair time. They were with us for three nights and it was a pleasure having them there. But we also have had 2 of our grand daughters with us so that made for a full house. Fortunately, the girls are around the same ages and they did really good together. I then took them to get their vehicle on Tuesday and now they are safely back in Lousiana.
This week I received an e-mail from someone who has attended this congregation but had to move our of the area due to work. I want to share the e-mail with you so you can hear her words and know the importance of what she is talking about.
"I never knew that moving would be this hard. I am not homesick for Greeneville, I am not homesick for my house. I do miss my parents but I am HOMESICK for my Church. It took us years to find a Church we loved and when I got this job, I prayed and I feel God led me. I have cried so many times because I am homesick for my church. I have not went out and found a new one. I have two "excuses" for that, one is things have been so crazy since moving and two is the dread of not finding the right one and starting the "process" all over again.

I did not write this for a pity party, I am writing this to let you know how each of you and your congregation touch others' lives. When my neighbor came over to tell me about their daughter I immediately starting calling people with the First Church of God in Greeneville TN.
I knew they would stop what they were doing and start praying for this family. I got an email from Carolyn Hartman telling me about how the church came to their knees for a family they had never met. You all are so amazing and I love each of you more than you will ever know. I have made friendships within this church that will stay with me wherever I go. Please let the congregation know to keep up the good work, as new visitors come in it is imperative to go make them feel welcome and be there when they need them. So many times I have walked in a church and no one has come up and made us feel welcome. First Church is wonderful at this and I hope everyone realizes what an impact they can make in lives by doing this.

Please continue to keep the Beckett family in your prayers. They are an awesome family and even during the loss of their daughter stopped to invite me and the spouse to a study group at their house starting in September so we are going to try this Church. So please continue to remember my family as we would love to find another Church that accepts, loves and leads us in the right direction."

It is vital that we love people and help to make them part of this congregation if they are going to say with us. A lot of their decision about making this their church home will depend on our decisions on how we are going to open up to them.

Well, have a great day--May our Savior bless you.

Yours In Christ,

HGRudd