Found - more family

Cook's Short Order Update

Just a Note

We appreciate you so here's what we need to know. There are many of you that we never hear from. While we want to be involved in your lives, we don't want you to feel forced to be involved in ours. If you don't really care either way whether you receive our update or not, please feel free to unsubscribe. We won't be offended. In fact, if you have other important things consuming your time, we don't want to take up space in your inbox. So please, let us know.

On the other hand, those of you who regularly email us and keep in touch with us, thank you!

We were at Anutt Community Church yesterday to present the need at Camp as well as our personal need. We were warmly received. God used something in what we said to stir hearts. Many took information about this ministry. We are glad to have met the family at Anutt Community Church. Pastor Chuck, thank you for honoring us with this time!

Not Fair

When parents go to prison, it can precipitate trauma in the life of the child(ren) left behind. Statistically, many of these parents were "raised" by incarcerated parents. This has left them with poor examples for raising their own children. And the beat goes on... unless intervention happens.

Take Jason. His dad's been in prison for most of his life. His dad just got released. Now Jason, who's been the "man" of the home for so many years is trying to adjust to the new "man" of the home, one he's never known, one he knows did something pretty bad a long time ago. His dad doesn't understand why Jason doesn't see him as "Dad". The tension is building. Jason just wants things back the way they were. Dad just wants to be respected and take care of his family but he doesn't have the proper skills. He makes more poor decisions and ends up back in prison. Now Jason's wishing he'd given his dad a chance. It's all his fault this time.

That's not fair.

Please help us help these children by partnering with us. We are currently at 30%.

Please... pray

- as we seek friends to partner with us (currently 30%)
- as we recruit volunteers for this summer (colleges and high schoolers)
- that God will provide for our needs
- that we will be faithful to our family and God's plan for us
- for guy counselors - we need God's help greatly here

Praise the Lord!

- for a great time recruiting at the Home School Convention in Kansas City last week
- for a great visit with Anutt Community Church, MO
- for a fairly restful weekend
- for knowing that our van rim is cracked. Now we can get it replaced - it's been leaking for several weeks.
- for plenty of food to fuel us for His work
- for giving us great people to interview for camp this summer

Looking Ahead

- Father/Daughter banquet this Saturday at CDO - Kaitie will be Bruce's date!
- Presenting our need at Grace Church in Rolla, MO next Sunday
- 6 weeks till camp!!!

No Bunnies Allowed

Short Order Update

What started with a reflection on Good Friday evening, ended visually thinking about our Savior's resurrection today.
One highlight in life for me is serving the Lord's Supper to my family. I cherish every time I am allowed to do this. Good Friday at New Harmony Church provided another such occasion. Carefully chosen songs, a time of freedom for families to take the Lord's Supper together.

Saturday night found us in the living room, flickering candles our only light. We listened to several songs Michelle carefully picked to focus our attention on our crucified, buried and risen Savior.

Resurrection morning culminated in a time of wonderful worship with our church family. When we arrived home we baked cookies where a marshmallow, representing Christ (a little weird, I know), is inserted in a croissant wrap and baked. The mallow melts and "disappears," and the croissant is left empty, just like the tomb on Resurrection Sunday. We each tasted vinegar (like Jesus did on the cross) and salt (for the tears shed during this time). We crushed walnuts (for Jesus' bruised body). We talked about the significance of each visual to this weekend a couple thousand years ago.

There were no bunnies (except some chocolate ones), no hunt for eggs in the yard (but we ate some filled with marshmallows!), no baskets filled with pink "straw." We even decided from here on referring to this weekend as "Resurrection Weekend, and Resurrection Sunday," since "Happy Easter!" generates a much different image after a trip to Walmart.

Thank you to our Pastor, David Gidcumb, for your part in planning these events that our family enjoyed AS a family. We appreciate you!


Not Fair
Not everything inside prison is nastiness and bad. According to Christian Post "Unconditional" was shown inside two Florida prisons last weekend. "Unconditional" is the story of a former maximum security inmate. Why not pray that God will use this story to soften hearts of men and women who are in prison? Why not pray for their "abandoned" children as well?

Cook's Short Order UPdateP

lease help us help these children by becoming our partners. We take you very seriously. We are currently at 30%.


Please... pray
- as we seek to keep our family time precious
- as we prepare to be at a Home School conference this weekend
- as we recruit at several churches this month
- as we seek to be good stewards of every resource God gives us


Praise the Lord!
- for a wonderful celebration of our Savior this weekend
- for a wonderful church to call "home"
- for a good time of sharing with the "Basics" of First Baptist of Salem, MO
- for 2 new financial partners last month
- for warmer temperatures which means less need for wood!
- for so much work being accomplished at camp by volunteers crews!


Looking Ahead
- Several church presentations this month
- Father/Daughter banquet at CDO
- Spring!!!