What a difference a day makes. Remember that Wednesday, the wind blew so much. I moved to Lubbock from Beaumont. When we had wind that fast, we were putting the plywood on the windows, there was a hurricane coming. On that Wednesday, we were delivering food. Picture the wind, the flimsy plastic to go boxes, cartons of milk, newspaper and, of course that was the day we had to deliver the new menus, too. We made it without any incident, until the very last stop. I was not thinking. I pulled to the stop, going with the wind. My passenger opened the door and, yes, the wind got it. Lucky, it was still on and yes we could open the door. But what a sound it made.

The next day, I was going east to Benjamin, not a care in the world, (I did not need to open the passenger side). I was watching where I was going, but, wow, all of a sudden, I noticed how blue and calm the sky was. I think it was double the normal blue. Such beauty. What a difference from the day before. I made sure that I noticed the beauty around me as I made my way east.

This is my last newsletter. I have thoroughly enjoyed my year as Community Lay Director. I got to interact with so many wonderful people. I got to see the beauty of the Emmaus Weekend from a different point of view. I more fully appreciate all the planning and praying that has gone into the making of this weekend. Llano Estacado Emmaus will be celebrating 30 years in 2020. I went on my walk in 94 (I think) Walk #28. The talks that I heard then are basically the talks that are being done today. Of course, the personal items are different, but the basic outline remains much the same. The basic items of the walk are the same, with some changes. Candlelight still blows everyone away, both pilgrims and the community. And, of course the amount of food is the same, way too much. But I think we tried to eat all of it. Yes, I had the Thursday night of silence, but I was so tired that I fell asleep before I could think about it.

Take your Emmaus experience back to your church. Emmaus is meant to uplift, strengthen and revitalize church leaders. Emmaus is not meant to take the place of your church. Share your experience with others by sponsoring them.

There are so many ways for you to get involved in Emmaus. I made a list of all the committees that I could think of and I think I have added several more. I am sure your talents can be utilized. Contact a board member. (Check out the website for board member information).

Prayer is such a vital part of the Emmaus weekend. Please sign up for the prayer vigil. You will get an email reminding you of your time. Can you pray for 30 minutes? Of course, you can. Prayer is talking to God and He listens. You can do that.

Please welcome Karen Cox, as the new Community Lay Director. She has the biggest heart that I have come across in a long time. As much as I am “Martha”, she is “Mary”. We have been transitioning these past few weeks. I am so honored that she considers me a friend. Get to know her. You will be glad you did.

P.S. My door was getting worse, so I ended up sitting in the back seat. I am so blessed that I have a husband that can fix anything. My door is like new now and I am more careful how I park my car when the wind is blowing. At least for now!

I am Past Lay Director now, so I will still be around. Thank you for your help this past year.

Facebook: Llano Estacado Chrysalis/Emmaus

UPCOMING WALKS:

Kairos Outside #17 April 5 – 7 Melissa Wachholtz
Men’s Walk #104 April 11 – 14 Troy Brooks Lay Director
Young Men’s Chrysalis #36 May 2 -5 Jonny Hutson
Kairos #41 May 16 – 19
Women’s Walk #149 June 20 – 23 Jennifer Cline Lay Director

Community Meetings

April 4, 2019. Broadway Church of Christ, 1924 Broadway. Please join us for at 6:30 for a Community meal (Please bring food to share) followed by worship at 7:15.

PHONE BLAST Community Meeting Reminder: 11:00 AM Wednesday, April 3, 2019. The phone blast is always on the first Wednesday of the month at 11:00 AM. You will get a call from 806-634-5944.

If you wish to get a phone reminder of the upcoming Community gatherings, please send me an e-mail telling of the phone number you wish the phone blast to call. Make sure the number will accept a voice message. My e-mail is glendonnacampb@speednet.com.

Service Opportunities:

Reunion Group Coordinator – We need to update the reunion groups listed on the website. This person would talk to members at community and/or pass a clipboard at community, perhaps a facebook posting.

Media Person: We need someone to run the power point presentation at Candlelight, Community Meetings and closings. Knowledge of computers, power point, and flexibility is very helpful. We are looking to get several persons to help so spread out the responsibility. Please pray about helping. You will get training from Kat McCoy

De Colores,
Donna Campbell

Did you watch the Holiday movies?  I cannot believe that there are so many of them.  Yes, I started with Miracle on 34^th street, original version of course, went to Holiday Inn, White Christmas, Scrooge, and Christmas in Connecticut.  I think I saw them all, except the Christmas Story, where the boy gets the BB gun.  That is not my favorite.  But my most favorite is the It’s a Wonderful Life, with Jimmy Stewart. On Facebook, and of course that is the truth, they had tidbits from making this movie.  The snow was cornflakes painted white, which crunched when the actors walked on them, so the sound had to be dubbed later.  It was filmed in the heat, so I bet that was fun, with the winter clothes on.

George Bailey thought the world would be better without him in it.  But good old Clarence gave him an opportunity to see what changes he did make.  Some Large, but mostly small things.  Think about all the small things you do to make someone’s life a little better. Calling someone, visiting someone.   Our church makes lap throws for cancer patients at Joe Arrington.  But I am always, unfortunately, running into someone who needs a blanket.  They are not fancy, fleece with fringe, but warm.  They are so appreciated.  Every one of us has gifts and talents that can be used to glorify God.  Use your talents for 2019.  Emmaus is always looking for volunteers and other organizations too.  Check them out. Make time to make a difference.

The world was a better place because of the mark left by George Bailey.  Make your mark too.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart.  Psalm 27:14

And, ”In the end, it’s not about how much stuff you have, it’s about how many hearts you have touched.”  Iva Ursano

UPCOMING WALKS:

• Young Women’s Chrysalis #44 Jan 3 – Jan 6
• Men’s Walk #103 January  17 – 20  David Powell Lay Director
• Women’s Walk #148 February 14 – 17  Debbie Paxton Lay Director
• Karios Outside #17  April 5 – 7
• Men’s Walk #104 April 11 – 14 Troy Brooks Lay Director
• Young Men’s Chrysalis #36 May 2 -5
• Kairos #41 May 16 – 19
• Women’s Walk #149 June 20 – 23  Jennifer Cline Lay Director

Community Meetings

January 3, 2019, Mercy Center.  Please join us for at 6:30 for sendoff for the Young Women’s Journey which starts that Thursday.  We will not have a meal, but please consider bringing food agape for the Journey.  And, there is still room for additional caterpillars.  Worship will begin after sendoff.

PHONE BLAST Community Meeting Reminder:  11:00 AM Wednesday, January 2, 2019. The phone blast is always on the first Wednesday of the month at 11:00 AM.

If you wish to get a phone reminder of the upcoming Community gatherings, please send me an e-mail telling of the phone number you wish the phone blast to call.  Make sure the number will accept a voice message.  My e-mail is glendonnacampb@speednet.com.

Service Opportunities:

Board Members:  Emmaus is looking for persons to serve on the Board, beginning April 1, 2019.

These are three year terms.  We meet once a month at 5:30 before the Community Meal.

 If you are looking to serve, this is a great way to learn about all the opportunities available.  Please pray about this service.  Please contact me or another board member for additional information.

Media Person:  We need someone to run the power point presentation at Candlelight, Community Meetings and closings.  Knowledge of computers, power point, and flexibility is very helpful.  We are looking to get several persons to help so spread out the responsibility.  Please pray about helping.  You will get training from Francis Daniels.  Please see Francis or me.

Charla McShane is the new Book Chairperson.  Thank you B J Schilling for doing this job for so many years.  

Marti and Stacy Smith is the new Men’s Prayer Vigil Chairs.  Thank you Mike and Nadia Morgan for serving in this capacity.

De Colores,

Donna Campbell

Have you had a small cut on your hand, foot, etc.  How many times do you bump it on something?  Do you hit it more because it is sore, or do you just notice it because it is sore?  It sure seems like it attracts something to hit it on.  I am trying to sew this week and good grief, I seem to hit that spot every time I turn around.  But when I do hit it, I am reminded how I got the sore.  I was in the field pulling weeds for the harvest.  The weather was cool, sky was blue and I was enjoying being outside.  Also, I was saying again, “I am going to hoe those weeds before they get too big.”  Like I do each harvest time.  Walking up and down the rows gives you time to reflect on several things.  I tried with the music, but I could not get the hang of it, so it is just God and me walking up and down.  I know you know, but I know God has a master plan.  The tumbleweeds are big, unfortunately, but they have no roots.   One kick with the shoe and they are gone. Of course, it really helps if the farmer in the next field works on his weeds also.

“These things I have spoken to you that my joy may remain in you, and your joy may be full.”  John 15:11

Christ desires that our joy “may be full.”  Not partial, not fleeting, but full.  Christ is the giver of joy, and the truths He taught, especially His promises, were given so that His joy might remain in us.  The joy He gives is a kind that lasts, a kind that can buoy us upward when crises threaten to pull us downward.

Joy is not a matter of what’s happening around you, but inside you.  In your heart and mind, are you focused upon Jesus, His words, His promises?  If you are, then you will know joy.

The holiday season is here.  I wish you Joy, peace and love now and in the coming days.

Merry Christmas.

PS.  If you wish some of this joy, I am still pulling weeds and I would not turn down any help.

UPCOMING WALKS:

Young Women’s Chrysalis #44 Jan 3 – Jan 6

Men’s Walk #103 January  17 – 20  David Powell Lay Director

Women’s Walk #148 February 14 – 17  Debbie Paxton Lay Director

Karios Outside #17  April 5 – 7

Men’s Walk #104 April 11 – 14 Troy Brooks Lay Director

Young Men’s Chrysalis #36 May 2 -5

Kairos #41 May 16 – 19

Women’s Walk #149 June 20 – 23  Jennifer Cline Lay Director

Community Meetings

December 6, Agape Methodist Church, 1215 Slide Road, Lubbock.  Bring food to share at the community meal at 6:30; followed by worship at 7:15

Please, we need help in setting up tables, chairs and food for the December 6 meeting.  If you could come early, it will be greatly appreciated. Park on the back of the church on the east side and enter through the fellowship hall.  Board Members, you will need to enter through the front door, though, if you arrive before 6:00.  There is a day care facility at the church which will prohibit going from the fellowship hall to the church before 6.

If you wish to get a phone reminder of the upcoming Community gatherings, please send me an e-mail telling of the phone number you wish the phone blast to call.  Make sure the number will accept a voice message.  My e-mail is glendonnacampb@speednet.com.

Service Opportunities:

Media Person:  We need someone to run the power point presentation at Candlelight, Community Meetings and closings.  Knowledge of computers, power point, and flexibility is very helpful.  We are looking to get several persons to help so spread out the responsibility.  Please pray about helping.  You will get training from Francis Daniels.  Please see Francis or me.

Men’s registrar:  Margaret Rohde has to step down from this responsibility.  She has done it for several years.  This position requires computer knowledge, organization and flexibility.  This position gathers the information about the pilgrims and communicates with the sponsors and team of each men’s walk.  If you feel led, please give me a call.  This is a very blessed position.

Thank you, Margaret, for your service to the Emmaus Community and your ever present smile that you give so freely.

De Colores,

Donna Campbell

Several years ago, I had a chance to go to Canada to see the leaves change color. I snapped and snapped pictures, but I realized I could not do them justice, so I put my camera up and just enjoyed the view. So many colors.

Well, yesterday, I went again on a Fall Foliage Tour. But I did not have to go to Canada. There are beautiful trees in Lubbock. Go to the fountains on 82nd east of Kingsgate. Beautiful trees. We went down Indiana, more trees. And the sky was so blue. What a day to get to run errands and to enjoy the beauty outside. God knew what he was doing when he created the earth and all its glory.

Went north of Lorenzo, not many trees in the cotton fields, but the cotton was so pretty and white.
What a contrast in colors. The white of the cotton, the brown of the earth. (And of course, the green of the weeds)

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings.” (Proverbs 28:20) But we have to STOP and remember all the blessings that we do have. Blessings are all around us. Even the mess I have in the living room is a blessing. Of course, I will appreciate it more when it is all bagged up and ready to be distributed.

Facebook: Llano Estacado Chrysalis/Emmaus

UPCOMING WALKS:

November 8-11 Kairos #40

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

• November 1, 2018, Lakeridge Methodist Church, 4701 82nd Street, Lubbock
Babe Chick meetings will start at 6:00, followed by a community Meal at 6:30 (please bring food to share); worship will start at 7:15

• December 6, Agape Methodist Church, 1215 Slide Road, Lubbock

Do you like to work with computers? The Emmaus community is looking for a Media Chairperson. This person is responsible for putting the words of worship and music on the screens. Francis Daniels has been doing this job and needs to step down. We need someone to run the computer at each Community meeting, Candlelight and Closing. You do not have to do this alone. This is a perfect place to have a committee; to have several persons experienced and to be able to rotate. Francis is able to train and to assist, but cannot be the chairperson. Please pray about serving in this capacity. And thank you so much Francis for your service.

Today’s thought for the day: A life anchored in God will hold steadfast.

Christ has no hand but our hand to do his work today. He has no feet but our feet to lead men in His way. Be Christ’s hands and feet today. Emmaus has opportunities for you to serve. Give me a call.

De Colores,
Donna Campbell