Vol. V, No. 1                                     Ministries to Encourage Joyous and Purposeful Living                                         July  2006

Colossians 3:17

Thank You Notes

The Newsletter of Giving Thanks Ministries

Norma McMurry, President   15 W. Xenia Drive   Fairborn, Ohio 45324

PH: 937-879-0618                Fax 937-233-1851

on the web at: www.givingthanksministries.com
email:norma@givingthanksministries.com or normamcmurry@sbcglobal.net

Giving Thanks  From My Heart

God is so Good! I can never thank Him enough for the experiences of 2006. I set my writing plans aside for awhile and delved into helping Don finish FOREVER SEVENTEEN. His book is at the publisher right now!!! It will be ready in Nov. or Dec.

The cover is pictured in this letter and you may order a copy pre-publication on the form provided. We’ll send you a notice when it is ready. I am amazed at Don’s stories and how he weaves his testimony for Christ through his activities and relationships.

  We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary twice! Don and I took a trip to Hawaii in May. What a joy to visit Lanai City Baptist Church. Our friends Art and Charlene Bingham retired from German Village Baptist Center in Columbus, Ohio, and are doing interim work. Bruno, the music director at the church, and his daughter Jana took us on an island tour where only 4-wheel drive vehicles go! Look at the canyon in this photo! A serendipity was seeing two young ladies who are active in church who sent Don a birthday card and picture in 1999 from their Mission Friends group. Their leader Cindy Sagawa is from Don’s home church in Jefferson City, Mo.

     Our children gave us a second 40th anniversary celebration with an Open House at Don’s office. The decorations, food, fellowship and cards were wonderful! We enjoyed seeing friends and especially having our friends meet our children and grandchildren.

Giving Thanks For Family

 

 

   The McMurry family had an unusual adventure in June. All 15 of us attended the Southern Baptist Convention in Greensboro, N. C! Not a typical family outing. We followed the days in N. C. with three days at Gatlingburg. Now that was a more relaxing setting.

   I thank God for the opportunities He affords our family to get together. And we praise Him that He continues to bless Don with health and strength. We thank you for your prayers for our family.

   July 18 we, along with Joseph, Lisa and Walker, welcomed Fletcher Kent McMurry into the world.

Giving Thanks  For Ministry Opportunities

   Ministering with you in 2006 has been such a pleasure. I continue to be amazed at the variety of events God provides through your invitations.

   Missions Events remain strong on my schedule. Immanuel BC, Greenville, N. C. and Children in Action in FBC Robersonville, N. C. were exciting times. A lady who attended Missions Night at the Southern Hills Association of Ohio called to thank me for putting enthusiasm into missions. The NAMB study at FBC Fairborn was educational for all of us. Future missions events include RA Camp in N. C., an On Mission Celebration in Honolulu, and Harveysburg, OH.

   Don and I enjoyed speaking together in Robersonville and at FBC Miamisburg, OH, for a couples banquet. We will teach together at RA Camp also.

   I enjoyed retreats and conferences with the women of Grand Heights BC, Fairborn studying Leaving a Legacy, the women of Southwest Ohio learning about My Body, God’s Temple and those at Ohio’s Beautiful Feet evangelism conference  finding ways for Practical, Daily Evangelism. Future conferences include an Ecumenical Women’s Conference in Ind. and Through Every Storm, a time at FBC Fairborn when gospel singer Janet Paschal and I will share about God’s faithfulness during illness.

Banquets provide a great time of fellowship. Marsha Hull and I called our weekend with Geneva, Wilmot and Norwalk our Northern Ohio Tour. I spoke for Airway BC, New Lebanon, Franklin St. in Eaton, and Lascassas BC in TN. Future banquets include New Albany, OH, and Morningstar BC in Centerville.

   Senior Citizens groups are fun. Miami Shores Baptist Church enjoyed memories included in Leaving a Legacy and future groups include Dayton. Ave. BC, Xenia.

   Leading Prayer Meetings and Bible Studies provided a time of spiritual growth for us at Lascassas BC in TN and FBC Fairborn.

   Ann Boy, the illustrator of Happily Ever After, and I will enjoy a Book Signing together at Northview BC, Hillsboro, OH, in Oct. in conjunction with a World Craft party to support missions. That’s a novel event.

Sunday Morning Worship gives a time that every age and gender can hear God message to us. Sharing in Robersonville  was a blessing and I look forward to being with Georgetown, OH, in the future.

   I love being with each of you and the groups you represent. Continue to pray that God will use me in His Kingdom’s work and for His Glory!

Some of you have not ordered your DVD, CD or Cassette tape of Growing in the Truth of God’s Word. Janice Story has shown it many times to friends and family who visit. We have received much positive feedback. Order it and books you need. with the order form below.