Newsletter   I   MAY 2004

MOTHERS ARE NOT BIRDS My son found a bird’s nest. It was empty. After just one season, the mother bird was finished with it. Next year she will build another. But I am glad human mothers are not like birds. Did you know that if someone handles eggs in a wild bird’s nest the bird may stop sitting on them? And that if a mother bird has a defective chick she will shove it out of the nest and not allow it to grow up? Thank God our mothers care for us, regardless of the many problems we have. They take care of us when we are hurt or sick. Like God, they love us even when we do wrong things. A mother bird keeps busy feeding her young and protecting them. That is all she does, though. Think of how often our mothers have to be nurses, teachers, housekeepers, cooks, chauffeurs, counselors, and friends. With all we ask it is a wonder they don’t push us out of the nest. Baby birds are out of the nest in one season. The mother becomes free from caring for them. Our mothers are forever. They continue to do things for us even when we get older. They never stop caring for us. They pray for us. They become grandmothers and care for our children. Mothers are a treasure. Take a moment to meditate on all that your mother has done for you. Be sure to honor and thank the mother God gave you.                                                                                                       --A Treasury of Bible Illustrations

A MOTHER’S BEATITUDE Blessed is the mother who understands her child,     for she shall inherit a kingdom of memories. Blessed is the mother who knows how to comfort,     for she shall possess a child’s devotion. Blessed is the mother who guides by the path of righteousness     for she shall be proud of her offspring. Blessed is the mother who teaches respect,     for she shall be respected. Blessed is the mother who emphasizes the good and minimizes the bad,     for in like manner the child shall make evaluations. Blessed is the mother who treats her child as she would be treated     for her home shall be filled with happiness. Blessed is the mother who has character strong     enough to withstand the thoughtless remarks and     resentments of the growing child,     for again, in due time, she shall be honored.                                                          --A Treasury of Bible Illustrations

LETTER FROM THE ISF ASSISTANT Dear International Friend, Spring has finally arrived. The spring showers we experienced in the month of April did bring about the beauty of May flowers. Recently, my wife purchased a flower called a gardenia. When she brought it home it had not yet bloomed. Each day in the morning we checked to see if one of the flowers had opened up. We waited patiently and were rewarded one morning with a beautiful white blossom. What a miracle of God’s creation. Not only did it open up one morning but throughout the day we noticed its progress until it was a wonderful thing of beauty. How great is God. He delights to share with us a wonderful world filled with many beauties. In a small way it gives us a glimpse of the very nature of God. While some serve a god who is demanding and hard to satisfy, the God of the Bible shares good things with the ones He created. In the month of May we will again be taking time to honor mothers. My mother is 83 years old. Over the years I have grown to love her more. She helped to make me the person I am. No one will ever be just like her in my life. Take time to remember your mother. Tell her that you love her. It will be the best present you can give her. My wife will be celebrating Mother’s Day this year as a grandma. She thinks it is the most wonderful thing next to being a mother. At our May ISF gathering we will honor the mothers who are in attendance. We will have a small gift for every mother who is there. Please invite anyone you can so we can make this a special time for them. Our May ISF Gathering will be on Friday, May 7th, 7:30 PM in the beautiful Ballroom of the William Pitt Union. The William Pitt Union is located in Oakland on the corner of Bigelow and 5th. Avenue. To get to the Ballroom, use the entrance on 5th. Avenue and then follow the signs. Along with honoring mothers, Mr. Dan Quales and his family from Salem, Ohio will be with us to sing and speak about the family. Yes, of course there will also be a full course dinner, good music, special children’s activities in the Kurtzman Room, but especially good International fellowship. It’s all free, so do plan to come and invite your friends. We hope to see you on May 7th!                                                                                                       --Terry Tiberio, ISF Assistant

ISF JANUARY GATHERING (April 9, 2004)