From the Desk of the Lay Director – Dec. 2019

One Christmas, not long ago, an opportunity arose for me to spend the night at the hospital with an elderly sweet woman. Her family had been 24/7 at the hospital for several weeks. The family let me spend the night and it was a gift I will never forget.  They left and then we began to talk as I had brought her a poinsettia for her room. “That is so pretty,” she said and we both smiled.  It was funny, I asked her what her favorite flower was and she said a violet…I giggled and I said, “how funny your name is Viola, so did you get called Viola Violet?”  She asked me, “what is your favorite flower” I said, “at Christmas my favorite is a poinsettia.  Do you know where they came from?” She said no and I told her I knew they grew in South Texas and in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.  So, we were both curious. We persevered for more knowledge about the poinsettia and we soon forgot the noise of all the medical machines in there. I did have one eye watching the door in case the nurse came in with a shot to give to Mrs. Puckett.  

The poinsettia plant was noted as early as in the 16th century in Central Mexico.  It has a long history and it’s very interesting how eventually it ended up here in the U.S. in the 19th century.  It was brought to the U.S. by Dr. Joel Poinsett, our 1st ambassador to the U.S.,  thus the name of poinsettia and it finally got a name.  It is a beautiful thing to think of this story in my heart at this season of time.  So, Mrs. Puckett and I continued the journey in our minds with the two very poor young cousins. Their names were Pepita (also goes by Maria) and Pedro (also goes by Pablo). They were too poor to have a gift.  On their walk to the village chapel, an angel spoke to Pepita and told her to pick up the weeds. Sadly she did and bundled them together.  

Pedro reminded Pepita even the most humblest of gifts, if given in love, will be acceptable in His LOVE. What Pedro said encouraged Pepita.  They continued to the nativity scene in the chapel. She knelt and before her eyes a brilliant burst of red flowers appeared from the weeds,  appearing as poinsettias and the people at the church saw it happen. In Mexico, it was known as the Flores de Noche Buena…the Flowers of the Holy Night.  We know this is the season when they bloom.  

Now Mrs. Puckett and I had tears in our eyes looking at the poinsettias in her room.  Think of the colors in the poinsettias red, white and green.  Our Jesus sacrificed His BLOOD for us for an ongoing journey of being cleansed of the past, and the color of green of Life everlasting and to live forever.  All we have to do is ask Him into our heart… “is He there in your heart Mrs. Puckett?”  “Yes,” she said.  We had joyful tears for a while and great big smiles of joy prevailed in that room of peace.  To think a poinsettia could lead to all this joy that evening was amazing grace… to think the poinsettia and leaves are thought as a Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus, and the red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ and the white leaves represent his purity… what a blessing from Him for us all…that says it all and we both agreed what a gift from Him forever.

The next morning was a renewal day for Mrs. Puckett…her family walked in and they looked at us and said, “my goodness you both look so happy and joyful!” The two of us just grinned at each other.  What a beautiful friend she was indeed.  

Walking into her memorial service about year later was a surprise to me, as her daughters had made a huge picture of her holding a large poinsettia vase and with her picture in a Santa Claus Hat and with the most beautiful smile on her face. It showed the joy of the Lord and I was so overwhelmed.   I could not talk and such tears of love and joy for her and soon my repose came back to do the eulogy for her. It was the gift of Him in her life FOREVER.  It was the same beautiful smile of YES unto the Lord as I walked by her picture.  

May you, the people of the Kingdom of God, be blessed by this beautiful season to remember Him as the GIFT HE IS to all of us.  We give you all HONOR and GLORY!!! 

Be safe over the holidays and angels all around you and your families.

De Colores,
Karen Cox

Community Meeting

December 5th, we are meeting at Canyon United Methodist Church located on 217 FM to Market Rd 1729 and we look forward to seeing you.

Our Hours That Are in Place for Activities

6:00 Babe Chick Meeting
6:00 Meals
7:00 to 8:00 Worship

Text Blast /Phone Blast

The text blast is working out very nicely…the phone blast has worked well in the past also.  Please contact Donna Campbell if you would like to receive the monthly reminder and her contact number is 806-789-1008…hats off to you Donna for giving us a big blast!!! Thank you!

Board Members

Please feel free to contact any of our board members with any questions you may have.  Go to Llano Estacado Emmaus Website, click on it, scroll down to CONTACT US…there will be a note that says PDF, click on it and all the names of the Board will come up.  I hope this helps you to find it.  They come to the board meetings so catch some of them to talk to them.  They also circulate to send offs and Candlelight services and welcome at closings as well.  

We do have a new addition to our Board Room…We have our NEW ASSISTANT COMMUNITY LAY DIRECTOR…Troy Brooks…..YEA!!!!!! It is OFFICIAL and he will finish out this term on March 31st, 2020 and then the next morning when he wakes up on April 1, HE is our next COMMUNITY LAY DIRECTOR.  May the Lord Bless you and thank you for saying YES Troy.

GATHERINGS

• December 5th Canyon United Methodist Church
• January 9th Oakwood United Methodist Church

WALK DATES

• January 16 – 19 Men’s Walk # 106, Swade Moyers
• February 20 -23 Women’s Walk # 152, Lori Lusk