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Soul Care Appreciation Picnic
written by John McNaughton Carolyn and I hosted the Soul Care Staff and Volunteers at our ranch for a “Thank You” and “Get to Know You” Picnic. From our perspective it was a huge success!! The day started out kind of “iffy” as two giant storm cells seemed to be headed directly for our ranch. However, I think Leigh Ann called out the prayer warriors and by some divine guidance the storm cells went around us, cooled things off, and provided a lovely evening for those that braved the drive down here (about 50 by my count). The guests enjoyed fishing, games, swimming, four wheeling, and just plain old fashioned fellowship in the country. I think everyone enjoyed the food (smoked pork ribs - my specialty) and a wonderful assortment of side dishes and many desserts (Carolyn’s favorite). Saying Thanks Enough about me - now on to the real purpose of the picnic and that was to say thanks to all you that do so much in sharing your lives with those in need. Without the volunteers at Soul Care I am afraid that ministry would just not be there. Greg, Leigh Ann and the rest of the staff would be overwhelmed and many would just fall through the cracks. Soul Care would not be there without you - so a great big thank you to all who serve in so many ways. The time also was to actually get together and meet some of the other volunteers as well. It is always great when the volunteers from different ministries within Soul Care get to meet each other and interact that do not see each other on a regular basis. It is always interesting to me to watch the dynamics when a bunch of like minded people, young, “mature” and everything in between, get together. What I observe is that it doesn’t matter who or what you are, everyone enjoys everyone and I do believe that was the case May 21, 2011. On a few personal notes, I was especially blessed by some of the stories that I heard. When my parents first got the ranch their number one goal was to share it with others - especially their church family. One lady asked if I had a sister named Tookie, which I do, and she said that she had been in a church group with her that had come to the ranch probably 35 or so years ago. Greg Cook and another person cornered me and said they remembered coming to the church picnic years ago. When my parents died, people shared with me how much their ranch events meant to them, so it is a real blessing to me to start this again and hopefully create some new memories.
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