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Brownstown-Sefton News

Farewell to Saundra, A Special Friend
Saundra Motycka-Helm, a faithful, loyal and caring friend to many, left us to take her place in Heaven on Saturday, April 8, leaving a void in our lives. As a young woman, she chose to care for others and made it her life’s work doing so.
Saundra became a registered nurse, but she went beyond caring for others’ physical well being, as she went the extra mile, in ministering to others’ heartbreaks, struggles and problems, emotional and otherwise.
Besides her work as an R.N., she compassionately served many of all ages as she taught young people in health care classes, helped establish Lighthouse Pregnancy Center, and served on the board as well as personally and compassionately counseling and caring for the ones who came to the door for help.
As a Fayette County Health Department nurse for the homebound, she provided the patients with professional, proficient care, with gentleness, warmth, and understanding of their condition.
As a friend, she went beyond the extra mile to the point of being an advocate and “going to bat” to help others, and fighting for the justice and safety of children.
Saundra’s knowledge, experience and skill as a registered nurse was matched only by her kindness, compassion and empathy for those she cared for – her family, church family, patients, and friends.
Her heart was open, kind and loving. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and she was known by those who worked with her in the health department as, “The Pretty One.” That started as a joke, but for those who know her, it stuck, because it was a true description of her in all ways – appearance, personality, her heartfelt feelings for others.
She was a lovely, warm, Christian lady who showed her love of the Lord in her ministry to her family and others. Out of compassion, she made pleas to ones of importance, because she felt they could help a situation, especially that of a child.
She showed her love to one child in many ways, one of which was giving her own rag doll she called “Emily” to the little girl who treasured and slept with it until she, too, went on to heaven.
We feel that little girl was at Heaven’s gate to welcome and hug her friend, Saundra, and another bright star is lighting up the Heavens, in celebration of Saundra’s life spent so unselfishly, graciously, and in witnessing for her Lord.
Mrs. Robin-Determined Mother
A determined little mother robin is building her nest where she wants it, in spite of Bill’s (almost) equally insistence that she doesn’t.
I am in the habit of opening the back door to breathe the fresh morning air and checking to see if it is nice enough yet to take my coffee out on the porch.
Monday morning, when I opened the door bright and early, a little mother robin was sitting on the porch railing, facing the door and looked me over before she finally flew away.
As we have an outdoor critter visitor from time to time, I thought no more of the incident.
Last year, our readers may remember “Tarzan,” the little tree frog which took up residence on our back porch all summer, usually on our screen door, or near by.
One year, we watched a mother skunk move her babies, one by one, like a mother cat carries her kittens, from the neighbor’s barn into the foliage along our lane.
Although we were in plain sight, she paid no attention to us as she made several trips back and forth, evidently carrying her babies to a safer place.
We figured the empty barn would be ideal, but some critters or condition must have caused her concern, so she was moving her little family.
And, of course, Charlie, the raccoon, who came to the Homestead from some city folks, so he could be free to roam our woods. Instead, he hung around our yard like a pet and would get in Bill’s way when Bill was trying to work.
Later Monday morning, Bill discovered the robin beginning to build a nest right on top of our porch light, which is located on the side of the wall, right next to our door. She was flying back to the light, with more nesting material in her beak.
When Bill walked out the door, she turned and flew away. Bill took the nesting material away from the light, and placed a little board over the top, thinking that would discourage her.
Then, a little later in the morning, when he went out the door, he found she had already built her nest, neatly, perfectly, and securely … on the little board, on top of the light.
Needless to say, who are we to evict a determined little Mother Robin when she is set on raising her baby birds practically on our threshold?
It is probably a safe place for them, as a predator would probably not venture that close to our door. However, we will probably have to rig up a droplight to use as a porch light until the babies fly away.
Need Your News
This is your column, so drop your news (church, showers, family things, trips, vacations, and club news) items by in the small b box beneath our pink mailbox, which is located on north side of U.S. Route 40, across the road from the Cora’s Corner and the little log cabin.
Announcements
April Food Pantry Items Needed
One package of paper towels, four rolls of toilet paper, one box laundry soap, one bar soap, one tube of toothpaste or a package of diapers. Anything would be appreciated.
Bicycle Rodeo
… Sponsored by the Brownstown First Christian at First and Poplar streets on Saturday, May 6, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. New bicycles to give away (must participate in the safety course to be eligible). Contact Brent Keyes at 780-9311. It will feature bicycle repair, bicycle safety course, door prizes and free lunch.
Brownstown First Christian Church
Don and Ellen Willms greeted the congregation of the First Christian Church as it gathered for its Easter worship celebration and were led in song by Karen Underwood, Cameron Callaway, Adrienne Kinney and Mallory Wise. Accompanists were: Chuck Enlow and Walt Kinney, guitars; and Mitchell Smith, drums.
Don Lovett led the Communion meditation. The choir, followed by the message delivered by Robert Keen, presented special music.
Also serving: Sunday school nursery-Liz Oberlink; toddler worship-Samantha Prins and Robbi Edwards; Quest-4-Christ, Q-4-C Team; and shut-ins-Mitch Koehler and Matthew Smith.
Announcements
• Sunday –  Memorial program during a.m. service. And ASAPH concert (group from St. Louis Christian College) at 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 26 – Christian Women’s Conference at Lincoln Christian University.
• Fifth Sunday offering – Sunday, April 30, during morning worship. Fifth Sunday potluck following Sunday school.
• Baby shower for Samantha Prins – Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m., in church basement.
• May 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at BCSC – Seniors’ Day-“No Place I’d Rather Be In Christ.” Speaker is Walter McCaslin.
• Graduation Sunday – If you have a junior high, high school or college graduate that you would like recognized, let Duane Willms know.

       

 

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