April 2004 Issue A ‘Beautiful’ Mother’s Day story: Continue On    A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life.  She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.  She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. At times, she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and         unappreciated.  “Is it worth it?” she often wondered.  “Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?”   It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her    heavenly Father speak to her heart. “You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be.  Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye.  But I notice.  Most of what you give is done without remuneration.  But I am your reward.  Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support.  Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know.  I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.  Your children are precious to Me.  Even more precious than they are to you.  I have  entrusted them to your care to raise them for Me.  What you invest in them is an offering to Me.  You may never be in the public spotlight.  But your obedience shines as a bright light before Me.  Continue On.  Remember you are My servant.  Do all to please Me.” by Roy Lessin The women to whom we minister do not have ‘beautiful’ stories to tell.  In crisis, they do not know how to Continue On.  Many do not even know where to ‘begin’!  Years of abuse, neglect and the cycle of violence have left a deep void in their lives.  As we strive to Change One Life At A Time, our fervent prayer is to see that void filled with the love of our Risen Lord and Savior..   As His servants, we work to teach, comfort, provide, nurture, and share the blessings of love He has given to us.  With your support and Our Lord’s guidance and provision - we can make a           difference.  We can give hope and direction to broken lives.  We can begin a story that will      Continue On from generation to generation.  Let us work together to give every woman a ‘beautiful’ story as a testimony of God’s love reflected through our actions.   “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required.”  Luke 12:48 Debbie VanMeter “BECAUSE of the devastation of the afflicted,...now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs.” Psalm 12:5 NASB From Betty’s Pen As we embark on Spring I remember God's Promises, and I am    reminded of all that you have done to nurture the hopes and dreams of the  mothers and children we serve.  You have loved, prayed for, and given, so often to the unlovely, and our Lord smiles on you as you imitate His life. These past few months we have seen two of our rooms vacated as our moms and children moved into their own apartments. You provided countless items for these residents not only during their stay at RoseHaven, but also furniture and supplies for their new homes. These two moms have stable jobs, and are healed from the pain of homelessness thanks to your generosity, love and prayer.   Both moms are planning to go to JCC to further their education thus giving their families an even greater opportunity for security and hope. As we will fill our rooms with new moms, we witness anew the many forms of the recovery process.  Watching our moms and children interact, play, cook, work and pray together, we see the healing  process begin.  With sacrificial giving, and unconditional love, we can see miracles when a potentially wasted life is transformed by love and prayer.  I am praying for you with special appreciation for all that you are doing to help us protect and nurture each fragile human life - ONE LIFE AT A TIME!  Let us hear from you, or your group, how you plan to experience the JOY OF SERVICE!  Let's continue this year, modeling the life of our Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ.   We love you in Christ! “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are VERY GLAD. PSALM 126:3 Board of Directors  OFFICERS:  Betty J. Decker, COB  Founder, Executive Director Terri Franklin, President CEO Oldham County Online                     Allen J. Corbin, Vice-President Senior Vice-President-Investments, Wachovia Securities  Gregory A. Miller , Treasurer               CPA-  Deming, Malone, Livesay & Ostroff Bobbie Stoess, Secretary  Teacher-Crestwood Elementary       MEMBERS: Mary Ann Locke-Founder-Angelic Expressions Gayle L. Rickert-Owner, Sunshine Promotions Jacki Shafer-VP, Sales-Semonin Realtors John K. Carter, Esq.-Attorney Steven Sparrow-Oldham County Sheriff Connie Byers-Realtor-Semonin Realtors Ray Decker-Director of Operations Sandra Sawaya-Former Housemom-RoseHaven Diana E. Wheeler-District Judge State Senator Ernie Harris State Representative Tim Feeley Farewell to Gayle Rickert Gayle and her husband, Rick have purchased a motor home and will be traveling wherever the road may take them.  Gayle’s new home is appropriately named “The Sugar Shack” after her baby “ Sugar”.  Sugar, a very special poodle, travels with Gayle and Rick as the “Queen” of their new home on wheels.  Gayle has been a valuable member of our board for many years and we’re going to miss her a great deal.  We’ll miss that smiling face, the tacky jokes, and her expertise in assisting us in the decision making process of RoseHaven. We wish the very best to Gayle and her adventures in traveling.  God Bless you, Gayle! Welcome New Board Members Donna Fonk of Woodfield Homes, Inc. and Pat Rosenberger of United Parcel Service. We will give a detailed profile of these two new board members in the June newsletter. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our website is maintained through the generous support of  Lambert and Terri Franklin. Monthly postage expenses are paid for by donations from Jim and Mary Christmas of Pleasanton, California. We Give Thanks! Brenda Winn for purchase of cookbooks Mary Christmas – Postage Stamp Angel  $500 January - $600 March   Businesses, Clubs and Foundations BellSouth Foundation Buzz Bee’s Gifts – Brenda Beehler Crestwood Auto Sales Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Kentucky Rolling Wigwam - Patty Campbell LG&E Foundation South Oldham Lion’s Club Triple Crown Vacations – Travel Planners Wachovia Foundation  Woodfield Homes, Inc. Zoeller Manufacturing Co.  Monthly Support Ballardsville Baptist Church Women -On- Mission  (Day and Evening Groups) Southeast Christian Church DeHaven Memorial Baptist Mission Project Support Cornerstone Family Church Covenant United Methodist Women Southeast Christian Church South Oldham Interchurch Council Northeast Christian Church Immaculate Conception Transfiguration of Our Lord Church   Individual Support Jayne Axline Robert Parrish Ramona Goff Karen and Steve Brooks Janna Johnston Davonna Riggs Hilda Hamilton Angela and Jim Lantz Kanti Northrop Mr. And Mrs. Charles Nutt Nancy Doty Rita Doran