CYCLIST ARRIVES IN CHERRY LOG     

Volunteers come from near and far. Some come by truck, others come by car. Last week Susan Elliott arrived at The Craddock Center on her bike after riding all the way from Chattanooga. She had come to visit Dr. Craddock from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and being an avid cyclist, decided to ride in the Smokies and along the Ocoee River on her way to Cherry Log! Since her arrival coincided with the completion of the new room, she was a great help in organizing toys and books. Susan also got to observe the remarkable gifts of the Arts Specialists in the Children’s Enrichment Program at two different schools. At the first school the children were very subdued because tragedy had struck one of the families when one of the mothers had been killed in a car accident. Would Ms. Kim be able to get their attention on this sad day? Then Ms. Kim opens her bag of puppets and immediately you could see the children’s spirits change. “I want to be the snake!” “I want to be the turtle!”  They then waited anxiously to hear their names called. Everybody gets a turn in each class. Ms Kim “told” a story based on the book, Jump, Frog, Jump.

An amazing transformation takes place among the four-year-old students as Ms. Kim involves a little chick, a snake, a big turtle, and a colorful fish. Ms. Kim engages them in singing along with the frog, who brings many lessons to the students that morning: expressing feelings, the importance of obeying parents and most important — left these children full of “Happy & Hope”. We then drove to another county where Ms. Amanda was bringing songs. Susan got to observe the children with the microphone. It’s very interesting to watch how much more attentive they are when they know they will have a chance to sing into the microphone. When their voices can be heard above the rest they stand taller and sing better. You can almost see their self-esteem rising before your eyes. The other remarkable thing about the microphone is the way the classmates support and encourage one another when one is shy. One little boy couldn’t bring himself to use the microphone, so his classmate came over and held his hand giving him more courage. When we headed back to The Craddock Center, Susan remarked about the joy the Arts Specialists bring to these children and how many skills are given these students both for reading readiness and in building self-esteem. Whenever I make a school visit I see those precious faces for quite a while. This time there was a bright-eyed little fella wearing a tee shirt that said: “God made me SPECIAL”. Amen to that! — TLS

CARPORT IS TRANSFORMED           

At The Craddock Center through the efforts of many generous volunteers. Archie Cowan led the construction crew and Jack Bearden led the fund raising effort. Those who helped make this happen were: Diane Bales, Jack & Genie Bearden, Frances Carson, Diane & Rusty Coleman, Archie Cowan, Brenda Crawford, Judy & Ken Farmer, Melba Gandy, Larry Hansen, Milly Hastings & Steve Stevens, Vicki Hitt, Chris Livingstone, Don Mahaffey, Kenny & Carla Neal, Curt Payne, Jim & Debbie Ray, Gil Reed, Bill Scutt, Jack Senterfitt, Cheer & Mary Beth Shephard, Cathy & Mike Smith, Beverly & Bonnie Williams, Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Centers and Sisson Log Homes.

The need for the conversion of the carport to accessible work space arose because we were bursting at the seams. We receive and donate more and more books and toys and need to streamline the process of handling these materials once they are at The Craddock Center. The carport transformation facilitates the processing of books and loading the Story Express without having to move them multiple times. With additional shelving we can organize the books into reading levels and have them accessible rather than digging through boxes. We can also have several things going on at the same time in The Craddock Center without interrupting each other. We are excited about this new work/storage space and are most grateful to all who made it happen! — TLS     

FALLING PREACHING WORKSHOP      

Sponsored by The Craddock Center will be held at Cherry Log Christian Church on Monday, October 4, 2010. All ministers are invited. Following a continental breakfast at 9:00 a.m., Dr. Thomas Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, will lead the workshop on “Re-thinking the Funeral Sermon”. Dr. Long is an outstanding speaker and preacher, whom you won’t want to miss. A lunch will follow the workshop. There is no cost for the event but participants are asked to make reservations by September 27 either by phone (706-632-1772) or email (craddockcenter@tds.net). — TLS

A MOST UNUSUAL REQUEST...           

came into the office last week by phone. A distraught father told Tammy his dilemma with great urgency in his voice. It seems the stuffed gorilla his four-year-old son had been given by The Craddock Center Santa last December was now missing after his son’s birthday party in the home. He wanted to know if Santa could tell him where this gorilla had come from. To which Tammy responded appropriately, that it had come from the North Pole via Kohl’s Department Store. The father then asked if there might be more where that one came from. We were afraid there were no more gorillas but said we’d check. And lo and behold, in the last storage place we checked, there, looking so happy to be rescued from the dark closet, was one more gorilla. Come to find out, it seems this little fella had grown very attached to the gorilla Santa gave him last December in his Pre-K class.

He had to have it to go to sleep at night and was very sad when it turned up missing. As soon as we realized we still had a gorilla we could give the little boy, we called Santa to see if he could deliver it to the parents. What a lucky day — a gorilla was lost, another gorilla was found, Santa was able to make a special delivery to the greatly relieved parents who in turn were able to surprise their little son with the gorilla. — TLS  

THERE IS A RIGHT WAY            

To make introductions of persons to each other, and she did it right. “Jeffrey, this is Fred; Fred, this is Jeffrey.” Jeffrey and I shook hands. “Hi, Jeffrey;” “Hi, Fred.” The “she” was Janice, Jeffrey’s mother. But if the social amenities were so right, why my slight but perhaps noticeable reaction? I don’t know. I see Jeffrey now and then and it’s “Hi, Jeffrey;” “Hi, Fred.” I think my reaction, ever so slight, was prompted by the fact that I am 82 years old and Jeffrey is 5. I am quite comfortable saying “Hi, Jeffrey” but how can he be so comfortable saying “Hi, Fred”? Did I mention that I am 82 and Jeffrey is 5?

I baptized his grandmother, for crying out loud! Five years ago Jeffrey was but a kick in his mother’s womb while I was out saving the world. Surely that counts for something. Of course, there is something I like about Jeffrey calling me Fred: he is comfortable around me; he accepts me in spite of my age and many infirmities; he is at ease in a world of adults; we are in many ways alike. So, what’s my problem? In the world of my growing up a child never called an adult by his or her first name. It was Miss or Mrs. or Mr. To this day, when I greet a former teacher, it is Miss Jessie, Miss Jane, Mr. Gray, Mr. Thomas. I still cannot call former seminary professors Steve, or Edwin, or Phil. Even in graduate school, on one of my more adult days I referred to a professor as Lee and an older faculty member said, “Are you referring to Dr. Keck?” The old reprimand was still alive: “Respect your elders.” My son is right: “No disrespect is intended, but it’s a new day and a new age.” And I’m pleased to report that I am growing more accustomed to this new day. By the time I am 90, I’ll be cool with it. I saw Jeffrey the other day. “Want to play some video games?” he asked. “I don’t know how.” “It’s O.K.; I’ll teach you.” — FBC

SNACK IN A BACKPACK MAKES A DIFFERENCE            

A Big Thank You to those of you who are assisting with the Snack in a Backpack. We are grateful for the response of those who are making donations, shopping, packing and delivering. The feedback from the teachers has been phenomenal. They say the children who were coming in on Monday morning with growling tummies and low energy are now arriving full of energy and ready to participate in all the classroom activities. Another sign of the need is that every backpack is returned on Monday ready to be filled for the next weekend. We are still looking for more partners/sponsors for this program to help feed the growling tummies! — TLS   

JUST THOUGHT I’D ASK                 

If anyone has a four-drawer filing cabinet that you no longer need. The Craddock Center now has room for more filing cabinets with the new room finished. Tammy and Trisha are going to have The Craddock Center so organized Dr. Craddock may not recognize the place. — TLS