Newsletter   I   NOVEMBER 2002

TIME FOR THANKSGIVING When the New England colonies were first settled, the settlers endured many privations and difficulties. They laid their distresses before God in frequent days of fasting and prayer. Constant meditation upon their problems kept their minds gloomy and discontented, and made them think of even returning to their fatherland, with all its persecutions. At length, when it was again proposed to appoint a day of fasting and prayer, a plain common sense old colonist rose in the meeting and remarked that he thought they had brooded long enough over their difficulties, and that it seemed high time they should consider some of their mercies; that the colony was growing strong, the fields increasing in harvests, the rivers full of fish, the woods full of game, the air sweet, the climate conducive to well being, their wives healthy and their children obedient; above all, that they possessed what they came for, full civil and religious liberty. On the whole, he would amend the resolution for a fast and propose instead a day of thanksgiving. His advice was taken. - Tom Olson                                                                                                --Knight's Master Book of 4,000 Illustrations

LETTER FROM THE ISF ASSISTANT Dear International Friend, Once again we extend warm greetings to you. Another year is quickly passing us by and in just a few short months we will be facing a New Year. Many of you know that here in the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. This year Thanksgiving Day is on November 28th. We encourage you to join in the spirit of thanksgiving and look back over this year and take time to think of the many blessings you have received. You might just be surprised at how many benefits God has sent your way. Here are a few amazing things you may not have realized. A hummingbird weighs less than a penny. Earthworms have 5 hearts. A week old gazelle can outrun a full-grown horse. It takes 12 bees their entire lifetime to make a tablespoon of honey. We look forward to seeing you at our Annual ISF Thanksgiving gathering at the William Pitt Union. This is always a very special family time for our ISF family. This gathering will be on Friday, November 8th, 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 Fifth Avenue. To get to the Ballroom, use the entrance on Fifth Avenue and then follow the signs. At this gathering we will have our traditional "Thanksgiving" meal with turkey and all the trimmings! I'm sure you will want to especially invite your friends to this gathering. P. D. Stonebraker will be giving a special lecture on Thanksgiving and there will be children's activities in the Kurtzman room. Come and be a part of our big International family and invite your friends. It's all free! Hope to see you on November 8th!                                                                                                       --Terry Tiberio, ISF Assistant

       HE ONLY IS THE MAKER