December 2023

You Made it Through The Holidays, Now What?

“You Made it Through The Holidays, Now What?” Coping with loss during the holidays and special occasions is an immense challenge, particularly for those who have lost a spouse. While you may have successfully navigated the recent holiday season, it’s crucial to recognize that the journey through grief is ongoing. Your first year, marked by the absence of the person you shared these special moments with, can be particularly poignant. This article reflects on the challenges faced and suggests constructive ways to cope. During the holiday season, the absence of a loved one becomes acutely […]

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Emotional Health, Grief, Relationships

The Helene Lamp Story

THE HELENE LAMP STORY The Lord blesses each of us with each day of life, and this month’s members’ spotlight is the perfect example of the Lord’s abundant blessings. Helene Lamp, born October 2, 1921, has already completed 36,865 days thus far and is not slowing down. Helene was born in Germany, and on October 24, 1924, she moved to the U.S. with her parents when she was three years old. They lived in the country community of Neffs, Ohio. In those days, you had to have a sponsor to enter the United States. Her uncle

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Life Stories

The Suzie Holderfield Story

THE SUZIE HOLDERFIELD STORY Jackie Suzanne Koch Holderfield, but we know her as Suzie. Suzanne Holderfield was born in San Antonio, Texas, on June 8, 1954, to loving parents Robert John Koch and Doris Mae Sharp.   Suzie has two older brothers and one younger sister, all living in Texas. Since birth, Suzie has led an exciting life. One of her favorite childhood memories was on her uncle’s ranch in Hondo, Texas. Playing with her three girl cousins as they rode horses and pretended to be real ranch hands. They attended Rosemont Church of Christ, where

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Life Stories

The Mary Favre Story

THE MARY FAVRE STORY On a fantastic fall day, October 27, 1953, in Lake Forrest, Illinois, the world welcomed an energetic baby named Mary Elizabeth Harrington. Mary would be the third child born for a total of eight. She has six brothers and one sister. Mary did not stay in Illinois long. The family moved to Roswell, New Mexico, in 1962. After that, the family moved to San Angelo, Bangs, Abilene, and Dallas, Texas, all before she was in high school. In  November 1966, the family’s house caught fire! Mary was asked to live with her

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Life Stories

The Theresa Lynne Brunker Story

THE THERESA LYNNE BRUNKER STORY March 12, 1955, a beautiful baby girl named Teresa Lynne Brunker was a blessing to her family. The first-born Wichita, Kansas, girl was a farm girl at heart. Her family lived in the city, but her favorite childhood memory was playing on their 40-acre farm outside town. She and her youngest sister had horses, dogs, cats, and goats and loved farm life. Teresa was the oldest of 4 girls and two boys, ten years between herself and the youngest. Her dad worked the farm, and growing up as a young

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Life Stories

The Judy Cooper Story

THE JUDY COOPER STORY Judy Lynn Cooper was born in Jackson, Tennessee, on October 04, 1946. She grew up in a loving Christian home with hard-working parents and two brothers; Judy was the middle child.  Her mom would read Proverbs to her every night before bed. Judy was baptized at 12 years old.   One of her favorite memories: “Our family owned a small country grocery store (which later evolved into a furniture/ appliance store). Our business was next door to our house and required “all hands on deck.”  We all worked – I learned

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Life Stories

The Xenia Hollis Story

THE XENIA HOLLIS STORY A LIFE OF DIFFICULTY AND SURVIVAL On June 21, 1938, Xenia Hollis was born in Djokjakarta, Indonesia, on Java Island. Xenia is the middle child and has an older brother and younger sister. Being the middle child was fantastic because her two siblings got all the attention, and everyone left her alone, allowing her to do whatever she wanted. Life was not easy as a child, though. They were forced to move around a lot. Even in these difficult times, she respected her parents because of their sacrifices. While her dad

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Life Stories

Was it love of just bad timing?

Was it love or just bad timing? Approximately six months after Cindy died, I visited Abilene to visit my kids at college. I received a call from Cindy’s mother on my return trip home. She told me she felt it was time I moved on with my life and informed me she was at my house, cleaning out Cindy’s clothes and had cleaned out the bathroom cabinet of all her perfumes, makeup, etc. In horror, I had no words and somehow remained in control of my car as I pulled over to understand what was

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Emotional Health, Grief, Relationships

The Sara Jane Meyers Story

THE SARA JANE MEYERS STORY At birth, we never know the road or the journey the Lord has planned. The story of Sara Jane Meyers, known as Jane. Jane, born August 1, 1929, in Dallas, survived the beginning of a life that can only be explained by the intervention of the Hand of a loving God. At 93 years of age, Jane tells of a family who adopted her as an infant. The family included the wife, husband, and a mentally challenged child and grandmother. The husband returned home and killed the mother, the mentally

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Blog, Life Stories

The Sherry Seyer Story

THE SHERRY SEYER STORY Sherry Ann Seyer brightened this world on August 9th, 1947. Sherry was born in Houston, and as a young little girl, she remembers how special Christmas mornings were in her family. She was born into a Christian home and attended church all her life. Christmas was a time of true celebration. When asked how she came to know Jesus, she said, “It was easy for me. He was with me all the time. I’m very blessed.” When Sherry was only seven years old, she underwent heart surgery due to her heart

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Life Stories

The Donna Eller Story

THE DONNA ELLER STORY Donna Marie Conner Eller was born in Pampa, Texas, on September 7, 1946. How wonderful it is to celebrate her birth, as this interview will be our September Spotlight! Donna’s dad worked in the oil field, which required a lot of travel. She recalls moving around a lot during her first four years in elementary school, but they always returned to Pampa. Her mom would take all the children to the Baptist Church while their Dad was traveling. They attended Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School, and Donna gave her life

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Life Stories

The SFL 1st Annual Christmas party

With the ministry entering the third event of the year, we wanted our Christmas celebration to be unique.  These special ladies have served others their entire lives, so we decided to do something extraordinary.  We invited them to attend this luncheon and not worry about anything.  They are our honored guests, and we had a lovely sit-down luncheon and served each of them in a fine dining fashion.  There were even creative names for each table.  They were served a delicious punch when they arrived while mingling with the other ladies.  When it came time

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Events

2023 SFL 2nd Annual Christmas Party

This is the 2nd annual Christmas party for our Surviving From Loss group. Click the photo first and then CLICK HERE to see the photos from the event. This year, we began inviting our widowers to the party, and we all had a great time. These two groups of people are exceptional and blend so well together. The party was held for the second year at the beautiful home of Peter and Sasha Lotze. The food was delicious, and everyone enjoyed themselves.   While at the event this year, we asked the widows and widowers to

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Events

2023 HIGH TEA EVENT

The concept of the High Tea was to provide these widowed ladies a place to connect and allow them to feel the importance they are to society. So many widows are left at home or shut in and feel abandoned.  We have taken all of those feelings away.  We help them remember the highlights of their past while enjoying the fellowship of others.  This will become an annual event.   To see photos of the event, click anywhere on the photo to be taken to the gallery.

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Events

When You Feel Hope Is Lost

When You Feel Hope Is Lost   I heard this story a few days ago and wanted to share it with you as a story of encouragement. What do you do when all hope is lost, the pressure mounts, you lose it all overnight, the foreclosure of your home, the repossession of your car, and the food pantry is your only food source? It did for this lady when you thought it could not worsen. Statistics show that many widows and widowers suffer financially after losing a spouse—especially widows. I believe you will find the

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Emotional Health, Grief

The Martha Brasell Story

THE STRENGTH OF ENDLESS LOVE The Dave and Martha Brasell Story Written by Charles Foster   THE STRENGTH OF ENDLESS LOVE… The Dave and Martha Story by Charles Foster Sometimes, you are introduced to people and feel you have known them forever. This unique connection was the case with a special lady named Martha. One of our business partners had been friends with Martha for years, and one day, while looking for a healthier lifestyle, Martha decided to join our company. We met Martha and knew from our first conversation that there was something special

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Life Stories

Lack Of Faith Of The Unknown

Lack Of Faith Of The Unknown We see our biggest problem today as social distancing, or is it? We all feel separated, lonely, isolated, and out of control. We hear of the horrific deaths of our senior citizens and fear leaving our homes or getting within six feet of another person. We are now told to wear protective masks, and gloves sanitize our hands to avoid contact with delivery drivers. The question is, what do we do about this problem, which is causing an isolated America? Are we just looking at the problem we are

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Faith

Experience Loss? Not Ready? Now Is The Time.

Experience Loss? Not Ready? Now Is The Time. THESE ARE THE STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE Losing a loved one is tragic, no matter how it happens. Unfortunately, when you experience loss, knowledge is power. There are critical steps to take to ensure protection from the legal system. In my book, “The Surviving Spouse Club,” on page 236, I have written with considerable detail about each of these 39 unique documents you need at hand at the time of loss. Not having these documents could cost you a lot of money in your time of

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Emotional Health, Faith, Financial, Grief, Life Stories, Relationships
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