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Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Cathy's Corner: Week 4

 This week continues the scriptures and thoughts of my Sister-in-Law Cathy Whitacre.
Cathy Whitacre has touched a lot of lives with her special personality. It is with much sorrow that her body cannot fight cancer this time due to other issues. Cathy is content to be able to be home with her family and Hospice care.  These are Cathy's daily thoughts which I am posting a week at a time. She wants to use this time in a positive helpful way and we pray that these scriptures and thoughts might encourage you.

To help you get to know Cathy, I have asked friends of the family to write a special note about how they met Cathy and  maybe some of the work for the Lord they have done together. Today's message is written by their Minister in Georgia. Thanks so much Dave Rogers for sharing your memories with us.
A Ripple in Life’s Pond

Dave Rogers
Linstead, Jamaica gets pretty hot in July and August.  That heat is especially noticeable when you pack a couple hundred people into the roofless shell of a house in a closely-built neighborhood, cover it with a tent, and then stay there for two hours of singing and preaching!  Two years in a row, for six days and nights, about a dozen American Christians joined with an equal number of Jamaican brethren to conduct VBS in the mornings, and canvass the community for folks interested in the simple gospel of Jesus Christ.  Cathy Whitacre and I were among that number both years (1987-88).  We first met in the airport at Montego Bay, and later lived about 50 miles apart, in central Texas.
What would lead a young, vivacious, and fair-skinned blonde woman to spend days in the hot sun of the Jamaican highlands?  How could she leave her husband and preteen children for a whole week?  Love for the Lord!  Cathy was a nonstop bundle of energy, teaching children’s classes each morning, going “gate-to-gate” every afternoon looking for bible studies, greeting and engaging visitors to each evening’s worship services, and generally encouraging everyone else on our mission team.  Whether trying jerk chicken for the first time, suffering the icy shower facilities where we stayed, trying to not scream as we passed giant dump trucks (on the “wrong” side of the road!) in our travels, or letting little Jamaican children touch her cloud of (almost white) blonde hair, Cathy was game for it all.
In the years that followed those mission trips, our paths crossed mainly at lectureships and gospel meetings; I met Gerry, Cathy met Luann, and we discovered many friends in common among the brethren.  When Rob entered the Southwest School of Bible Studies in Austin, Texas, we all became a little better acquainted because of that school connection.  As years passed, our families moved in different (geographic) directions and our meetings became less frequent; our connection was initially rekindled around 2008, when Cathy discovered a ladies’ Bible class book Luann had written, and, on a whim, called her to renew the old acquaintance.  They kept in touch by email and Facebook after that.
The ripple:  I checked my email on a Sunday morning, and found a rather cryptic note from Gerry (then an elder in Fayetteville, Georgia) – “Would you be willing to move from Texas to Georgia to preach?  I want to propose your name to the elders here today – I need your answer by 4:00 this afternoon.”  I NEARLY STRANGLED on a cup of coffee!  About three weeks later, Luann and I sat at Cathy and Gerry’s dining table, discussing the prospect of moving to Fayetteville with the men who became OUR elders just three months later.  The next two+ years were filled with the joy of working and worshipping alongside Cathy and Gerry, as well as opportunities to renew our friendship with Rob and Christina and their families.  Luann and I learned to love and appreciate Cathy and Gerry on a whole new level, seeing their dedication, wisdom, and selflessness in a much more personal way than ever before.  Now Cathy is experiencing a hard moment, and we’re thankful that she’s not alone in it; she is not the frail figure WE see, but an indomitable and immortal spirit who is only momentarily confined by physical existence, and we’re delighted by the thought of being together eternally.
Who’d have thought that the “ripple” of a chance meeting all those years ago in Jamaica would lead to so many blessings and memories over the course of a lifetime?
Cathy's Corner
April 12, 2015

Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with that weep."


What a wonderful day! I am so blessed to have friends to share the good times and difficult times. Today, I enjoyed the gift of friendship. Take time to make memories and build friendships with your church family. My journey is made much easier to travel thanks to my brothers and sisters in Christ.


Your Sister Cathy

 

April 13, 2015

 

Cathy's Corner
April 14, 2015

Jude 1:21 "Keep yourselves in the love of the Lord, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life and of some have compassion making a difference."

Today I was touched with a good deed done by total strangers. After hearing of my eating challenge two restaurant employees took it upon themselves to make available to me what they thought would be the tastiest soups. Not only did they go the extra mile in prep they wouldn't even charge for them.

In our world full of negativity there are those who care about others and want to make a difference.

My heart is lifted by the compassion of these caring people.
Our Lord showed His love through the compassion to all who came to Him. Who are we touching with our acts of compassion?

Your Sister Cathy


Cathy's Corner
April 15, 2015

John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full.


Each day that the Lord gives me is one full of joy never knowing what the day will bring from visitors, cards, calls and from tears to laughter. I am assured my joy comes from the comfort of knowing that the Lord is giving me the strength to enjoy each day to the fullest. Don't let the cares of this world take away the joy the Lord has given us.


Your Sister Cathy

Cathy's Corner
April 16, 2015

Psalms 121:1 "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help."


As the sun slowly meets the haze it brings calm and peace to the hollow this morning. I have been told two turkey's are walking through the back yard and the deer will eventually follow their path through the yard. It won't be very long until the neighborhood dog Cletus, a large white Pyrenees makes his way to the front porch to set under my window.
The busy days of life don't reach my hollow, a few trucks or farm equipment go by, or the sound of a tractor heard in the distance.

These few things I mention make each day special, how beautiful the calm can be knowing it was created for me right now when I need it. I encourage you to find your calm and lift your eyes unto the hills from where your help comes and thank God for it.


Your Sister Cathy

Cathy's Corner
April 17, 2015

Jude1:20 "But ye beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost."


"My Faith Looks Up to Thee". This is one of my favorite songs. My Faith is what helps me every day not knowing how the day will go, yet each day brings me new opportunities as I see the love of God continually showered on us.
Over the past several months I Have watched a single flower bud blossom into a beautiful bouquet. When Gods family comes together no matter where they are, from there is nothing more beautiful. Each one who has touched my life is part of this most beautiful creation, God's family. I thank Him for my bouquet. I know yours is as beautiful as mine.

Your Sister Cathy

Proverbs 17:6 "Children's children are the crown of old men and the glory of children are their fathers."

Can you remembering holding your child for the first time? What joy filled your heart as you then realized the responsibility God had placed in your hands. As I am able to spend time with my grand children I feel so blessed, we laugh, play games, they read the many cards that are sent, or we just talk. Without hesitation they care for my every need. Watching them grow over the years has brought me more joy than I could ever imagine. I wear my crown proudly!


Your Sister Cathy

1 comment:

  1. Thank you Debbie for sharing Cathy's thoughts with us at Good Morning Mondays. There is so much we can learn from Cathy and her heart for God, thank you again and blessings to you.

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