JULY Letter from our President

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1 JULY 2015 Ladies, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU ALL. All the wonderful ideas that you have been sharing with us through the newsletter has inspired us and taught us how of do more and share more. I want you to know that I am now carrying around with me gift cards from McDonalds so that I don t have to search around in my purse and pocket for cash for the needy. I am not one to carry cash any more. With the gift cards, I don t have to worry if the person is getting something to eat or using the money for other things. I do think that I will have to give a $1 with the gift cards because McDonalds told me that you have to pay taxes on the gift cards when you use them. While I was at McDonalds picking up the cards, I did see that they have 5 complete meals for $5 each. Many of the Ladies have told me how much they enjoyed you sharing your thoughts and ideas with them and how much it has helped and encouraged them. SO KEEP UP THE GREAT THINGS THAT YOU ARE DOING FOR OTHERS. Spring Convention was wonderful and now I am looking forward to seeing you at Campmeeting. I know that I may not see a lot of you since we have separated Missions Day from Campmeeting, but we just had a CWC Board Meeting and planning session for upcoming Prayer Retreat. Please be in prayer for Cecelia PURPOSE: Ephesians 2:10 For we are GOD s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Seabright, who is heading up the Prayer Retreat. This is her first year and needs all our support. Hello Ladies, Letter from our President We serve such an amazing God! I would like to take a minute of your time to tell you about my miracle this summer. As most of you know I have been on blood thinner since July of last year, well on June 9 of this year I had to have my blood work done because I was afraid my blood was too thin. I went to my doctor to have blood work done and the machine was unable to read it. So they drew blood and was going to call me the next day with the results. I went back to work and ate my lunch, within a couple of hours I was doubled over in pain with my stomach. At midnight I ended up telling my husband I couldn't stand the pain anymore and he took me to the hospital. I told the ER physician what was going on with my blood first and foremost and

2 she decided to go ahead and check it before she started running any tests. The normal INR blood test should be between two and three mine was 15. The doctor decided to check it again just to be on the safe side & again it was 15. I wasn't allowed out of bed. One light tap and I could have internal bleeding because my blood was so thin. The doctor decided to do a CT because she was afraid I might have an Abdominal bleed. It ended up only being an infection however a spot was found on my kidney which warranted a visit with a urologist. The hospital doctors made the appointment for me with the Urologist. I got out of the hospital on June 11 and my appointment was Tuesday, June 16. The doctor had the CT and turned around and told my husband and I something that we weren't expecting to hear I had a cancer mass on my left kidney. He contacted the urologist oncologist Dr. Jensen and made me an appointment for that Friday June 19 by pulling some strings Dr. Jensen was going to see me on their lunch break. We went that Friday to see the doctor and he agreed with the same information that was given to me by the urologist he said surgery was needed but that he didn't have any openings until mid-september. I knew mentally I couldn't go that long. Dr. Jensen's nurse was in the room with us and excused herself to take a phone call. She came back in the room and said she may have an earlier date that she needed to do some checking and that she would be right back. When she came back in the room she said how about July 2? Here's how God was at work again... the phone call she had to take was the hospital calling to remind them that they were on call the weekend of 4 July. They had forgot about that and had plans to be at the beach. As I said we serve an amazing God!! So in two weeks and two days I was diagnosed, saw a specialist, saw the oncologist, had the surgery removing the tumor and 20% of my kidney and I am now cancer free! I am on the road to recovery and although it is a little slower than what I had wanted I am still leaving it all in God's hands. I go back to the doctor on July 31 to have a consultation regarding the pathology report from the surgery. I am trusting God to continue leading down this path and I thank you all for the prayers and cards that I received. I have been so blessed by the many calls, s, cards and text. I love each and everyone of you. I hope to be able to make it out to camp meeting but if not, I will definitely see you for sure at prayer retreat! Love, Cassie

3 MOUNDSVILLE-ASH AVENUE We just finished up our God s Bees Feeds Africa Sunday School Competition. I am happy to report we raised $ for 4 real bee hives for the national project to help feed Africa, Rwanda. The people will not only be nourished by the honey that is produced but will be able to make other things from the hive s wax and such. The children and adults were very excited to put their bees on a small hive that came with 12 bees. As they filled these hives they received a bee to hang in their classroom and another hive to fill. The filled bee hive would be hung by the chart in the sanctuary where they could see their progress (and made it easy during announcements). One Sunday during Jr. Church, we had a real bee-keeper to tell the children all about the bees, their hives, the products that can be made, etc. The children (and adults) were very excited to learn about the bees. Helen Horvath REMINDER: TO: Local CWC Historians From: I. Deichmiller, WVCWC Historian Please remember to bring your History Book to me at Campmeeting in Rippling Waters the week of August 2 August 7. After grading, they will be returned to you along with a Certificate of Appreciation at Prayer Retreat in September! Thanks and Happy Booking Imogene Deichmiller Fifth Avenue CWC News Eight members attended the Spring Convention at the Cross Point COG in Beckley and enjoyed good food, fellowship and wonderful workshops led by Diane Williams, Deb Rumer and Cassie Escue. Rev. Pratt inspired us to not lose our purpose for life, but to live "on purpose" every day for God. The rain did not deter our excitement to attend Spring Convention so we came home inspired to keep climbing the ladder to get closer to God. Our July General Meeting was a picnic held at Little Creek Park. The thunderstorm threatened to stop us, but 17 of us were persistent and waited until the storm passed by to enjoy a lovely evening at the park. We had a full program. This year we were excited to add "Scholarships" to our CWC Budget and so the first item on our agenda was to present the very first scholarships to two graduates who will be attending COG Universities this Fall: Maria Romeo, attending Anderson University and Michaela Ball, attending Warner University. This was a thrilling moment for us to be able to give encouragement and financial assistance to our own high school graduates who choose to attend a COG University. Secondly, we had a poignant memorial service for four of our dear CWC sisters who have gone to be with the Lord this year, namely: Bonnie Williams, Zella White, Jeanie Brown and Margaret Matson. Family and CWC members eulogized the ladies remembering their lives lived for the Kingdom and afterwards balloons were set free in their memory. Thirdly, Ruby McCormick, having been "born again" 75 years ago, won the Spiritual Birthday prize for having had the most spiritual

4 birthdays. We all enjoyed eating the beautifully decorated cake and socializing before ending our special time together. The next event on our calendar is serving meals for the Summer Celebration at Rippling Waters in August. We invite all of our sisters throughout the state to come and enjoy our meals. September is Apple Butter Making Month, so we will be gearing up for that big project after we recoup from Summer Celebration. Working for the Lord is a joy and we thank God for the energy and health He gives us to continue serving Him. Looking forward to seeing everyone again in September at Prayer Retreat. Helen Carpenter, President IMPORTANT COTTAGE SALES Please bring your items for sale to campground Thanks, Deb Rumer WE NEED YOU! We need you so that we can fund the scholarships that have been applied for, for the school year. Each year we encourage our students who attend a Church of God in WV and who are attending Church of God Colleges/Universities to apply for a CWC Scholarship. The good news is we already have six applicants for the coming year; the bad news is neither the Scholarship March at Missions Day in January, nor the State Project which is scholarships has come close to reaching the budgeted amount (Missions Day Offering Budgeted Amount $3,000.00; State Project Scholarships Budgeted Amount $2,000.00). During the physical year (April 1 March 31) we received a total of $2, for scholarships. Last year we had five scholarship applicants and we awarded $1, to each ($ per semester): two at Anderson University; two at Mid-America Christian University; and one at Warner University. One of those graduated, but we have two new applicants this year. Therefore, if we continue awarding the same amount that we have the past few years then we will be awarding $6, in scholarships. This may sound like a great deal of money, and it is, but it is well worth the investment. Over the years I have heard numerous stories from both students and their parents concerning how much this money means to them. It is our desire to continue awarding $1, scholarships, but the money given must increase. We are not just talking about money; we are talking about the future of these students. Everything you give is going toward making a difference in the lives of the recipients, who in turn will make a difference in the lives of countless others. It is our prayer that each of you and your locals will make giving to scholarships a priority. These students are not only our future, they are also our present. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Blessings, Diane Williams Chair, Scholarship Committee

5 Dear Ladies, Ready or not, here comes the fall of As we look to the fall, we can't help but think of prayer retreat. Prayer Retreat is a time we set aside to commune with God as a group. The unity of the women is so sweet. We lift our voices together in praise to God. We are inspired by our speaker to live a holy life. It is a special time to lay down our burdens at the feet of Jesus. I hope you remember the challenge of bringing three new friends with you. This is an opportunity to invest in someone's spiritual growth. Be sure to bathe that special someone in prayer before you invite them, bring them, and walk with them. There are lots of women in our churches who could benefit from a prayer retreat. Our theme is: "A Heart of Purpose". And our theme verse is Ephesians 2:10. Don't forget your coffee/tea cup for Friday night fun. Looking forward to seeing you there! In His Service, Cecilia Seabright