IN THI S I SSU E :
Church Announcements ...........................................page 2 Church-wide Calendar ................................................page 3 A Letter from Pastor Ross ..........................................page 4 Music Ministry .........................................................page 5 Adult Discipleship ......................................................page 6 Encore Ministry ..........................................................page 8 Youth Ministry ............................................................page 10 Children’s Ministry ...................................................page 11 Preschool Ministry....................................................page 12 FBC School ...............................................................page 13 Special Announcements...........................................page 14 From Troy’s Heart ...................................................page 15
CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Wednesday, December 24th at 6pm FBC Sanctuary
Lottie Moon The goal for Lottie Moon Foreign Missions Offering 2015 is $25,000
Holiday Hours
The church office is closed on: Wednesday December 24 Thursday December 25 Thursday January 1
New Members are: Charles, Bonnie, Wesley and Garrison Covin. Charlotte Avera. John, Kristy and Avery Simank. Cody Watts.
CHURCH STAFF
Ross Shelton, Pastor rshelton@fbc-brenham.org Troy Sikes, Associate Pastor tsikes@fbc-brenham.org Charles Covin, Music Minister ccovin@fbc-brenham.org Alex Morrison, Minister to Children amorrison@fbc-brenham.org Chad Marrs, Minister to Students cmarrs@fbc-brenham.org Stacey Strickland, Preschool Ministry sstrickland@fbc-brenham.org 2
Teresa McGlasson, Office Manager tmcglasson@fbc-brenham.org Annette Guenther, Comptroller aguenther@fbc-brenham.org Donella Peevler, Church Receptionist dpeevler@fbc-brenham.org O’Dell Merryman, Facilities Manager omerryman@fbc-brenham.org Nancy Fritz, School Administrator nfritz@fbcsbrenham.org Kristie Mendoza, Mother’s Day Out Director mdo@fbc-brenham.org
CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR DECEMBER: Dec 2 Joy Class Meeting - 2pm Sycamore House Dec 4 Deacon’s Christmas Dinner 6pm Sycamore House Dec 7 Family Life Class Christmas Lunch 11am Syc House Dec 7 Deacon Meeting 2pm Rm 111 Dec 7 Business Meeting 6pm Gym Dec 11 Christmas Musical Rehearsal 6:30pm Sanctuary Dec 12-13 Christmas Musical JOY, JOY, JOY 7pm Sanctuary Dec 14 Handbells at 8:30 Service Dec 18 FBCS Preschool Christmas Program 10:00am Sanctuary Dec 24 Christmas Eve Service 6pm Sanctuary Dec 24-25 Church Office Closed for Christmas JANUARY: Jan 1 Church Office Closed for New Years Day Jan 12 Divorce Care Class 6:30pm Rm 111 (first class) Jan 13-14 January Bible Study 11:30-1pm More details to come Jan 27 Precept Class 9am Pahl House (first class) Jan 28 Precept Class 6:30pm Pahl House (first class) Jan 30 Marriage Tune Up 2 5:30pm Sanctuary/Gym Jan 31 Marriage Tune Up 2 9:00am Sanctuary/Gym New CSI Study to Begin Sunday December 7th The Gospel of Mark: People Responding to Jesus. From the very first verse of the Gospel of Mark we know what Mark thinks of Jesus and what he wants us to think of Jesus. Jesus is “Christ, the Son of God” and Jesus brings, and is, “the good news.” The Gospel of Mark shows us Jesus by letting us look at Him through other’s eyes. People in the Gospel of Mark are shown responding to Jesus in both positive and negative ways. We will seek to learn from these characters who Jesus is and how we need to respond to Him. Come and join CSI on Sunday mornings in room 205. CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Mon - Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Fri: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. First Baptist Church Contact Info: Phone: (979) 836-2807 Fax: (979) 830-0122 Mailing address: PO Box 600, Brenham, TX 77834 email: info@fbc-brenham.org LINKS TO CHECK OUT ONLINE CHURCH & SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.fbc-brenham.org CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/Brenhamfbcs
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FROM PASTOR ROSS It’s hard to believe December is already here. It’s also hard for me to believe that I am finishing my first full year as your pastor! I want to thank you for allowing me to be your pastor. I am thankful for you, our history, our present, and our future. As I close out my first full year as your pastor, let me renew some commitments I have to you and our church: • I commit to preach and teach the Word of God. I know there are times when we may or may not agree on this or that interpretation. That is OK. Nevertheless, I commit to pray and work hard in fulfilling the calling in 2 Timothy 2:15. • I commit to pray for you, our church, and for revival in our church and community. God’s power and anointing is with people who are willing to humble themselves and come to Him in prayer. Pray that I will lead the way in praying for you, our church, and revival. • I commit to lead the church relationally. By leading relationally, I mean three things. First, I commit to being present. It can be challenging at times because sometimes I have to be a number of places at the same time. Nevertheless, I enjoy being around you and find energy being around people of all ages. Second, if I find out you have an issue with me, or if I have made a mistake or said something I shouldn’t have, I will seek to work through this relationally. This may mean I will call you, find you at a church function, or set up an appointment at your home, your office, or my office. Whatever it may be, it will involve us talking and working through the issue, and if I need to apologize, I will. It is important that I lead the way in working through conflict relationally. Third, I commit to communicating. Communicating for me means letting you know what’s going on or what’s about to happen. In leading in these ways, my prayer is for God to continue restoring a higher level of trust and relational energy within our church. • I commit to work hard at administration. By working hard at administration, I commit to work at the financial health of the church, finding ways to be more efficient, being organized and/or finding ways for us to be more organized, strengthening our organization systems (i.e. how we welcome people, find volunteers, etc.), overseeing the staff, etc. While these are not always my strongest or most energizing areas for me, they are important, and I will seek to do my best and grow in areas where I am weak. • I commit to help us focus on where God is leading us in the future while showing appreciation for our past and being connected with our present. I believe God has wonderful plans for our church, and I realize that focusing on God’s plans for our future can be scary at times. I believe, though, if we will seek God, not neglect our relationships with each other, communicate, and serve that we will find that our best days are before us. Thank you again for allowing me to be your pastor. I ask that you pray for my family, our church, and for me as I seek to pastor well. I hope you have a blessed and wonderful Christmas. Grace and Peace, P.S. Thank you, in advance, for your end-of-year financial contributions to the church. Your financial gifts at the end of the year are crucial to the financial health of our 4 church. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity!
WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRY There are few things more synonymous with Christmas celebrations than singing. The sound of familiar carols surround us in the car, in retail stores, and in our corporate worship gatherings. Tunes and lyrics that sit on the shelf 11 months of the year reappear to create in us a sense of excitement, joy, and warmth by reminding us of some of the most precious times in our lives. We sing songs that remind us of the miraculous gift of our Lord, Jesus and once again we are filled with awe and wonder at His compassion for us. Though all these aforementioned things are wonderful in their own right, I want us to ask ourselves, “What if God wants to do something new in my heart this Christmas?” Maybe there is something He wants to show us that is greater than any feeling that might be gained through the nostalgia of our Christmas celebrations and traditions. Perhaps this is the year that Jesus becomes the absolute center of our attention and affection, and His great act of love compels us to share His gift with others! For someone who is lonely, it will happen through an invitation to be an honored guest at a family’s celebration. For someone who is hungry, it will happen through a Christmas meal or bag of groceries given by those of us who have more than enough. And maybe – just maybe – for someone who has never personally received the true Gift of Christmas, it will happen through the love and sharing of someone like you. “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Romans 10:14 Are you looking for an opportunity to invest in someone this December? One simple and fantastic way is to bring them with you on Saturday, December 13th or Sunday, December 14th at 7PM to the Music Ministry’s presentation of, Joy, Joy, Joy. We will feature children and adult choirs, the Tapestry ensemble, soloists, handbells, and orchestra, ALL with the intention of sharing the joy we have found in Jesus. Please join us for this can’t miss celebration!
MUSIC MINISTRY PRESENTS JOY, JOY, JOY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH & SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH @ 7PM Th ank You! Special thanks to those of you who participated in the Faith Mission Choir for the annual Candlelit Event & the Community Thanksgiving Service! Many people have shared with me how much of a blessing you all were.
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ADULT MINISTRIES SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASSES
At BFBC we offer fifteen different Sunday Morning Bible Studies for YOU! Each Sunday @ 9:45am, you will find people eager to meet you and engage you in friendly discussions of faith and life from the Bible. Agape (various ages) Virtuous Women (Ladies - various ages) Life Applications (various ages) Family Life Class (various ages) Choices (various ages) CSI: Brenham (Open to All) S.M.I.L.E. Class (Single Moms) Adult 1 (Sr. Adults)
•Joy (Ladies) •Friendship (Ladies) •Scripture Searchers (Men) Adult 2 (Sr. Adults - all ages) •Hope Class (Ladies all ages) •Covenant Keepers Adult 3 ( 60’s) Adult 4 (50’s & 60’s) Adult 5 (50’s)
Marriage Tune Up 2 Registration Has Begun!!
Back with new insights and fun, Jeff & Debby McElroy will lead us in Marriage Tune Up 2, Jan. 30-31, 2015. You can go online to www.fbc-brenham.org/marriage-tune-up/ to register and for more information. Like last year, the cost for the weekend (Fri. p.m. & Sat. a.m.) is $60 per couple. The cost includes meals, conference material, free childcare for infants-12yrs and a free guest ticket for a couple who is unchurched or may really need some encouragement. In addition, we are reaching out to thank our First Responders and active military by offering the conference to them at no cost. In addition, Jeff & Debby will be leading our morning worship services on Sunday, February 1.
1. 2. 3. 4.
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SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY NOVEMBER MOMENTS: Heather Thielemann, Christy Van Dyke and their crew for helping organize the Community Thanksgiving Meal.. David May and family for coordinating and leading the Operation Christmas Child efforts. Angela Dalrymple and her work with Community Ed and the ESL program. Our volunteers who work weekly with ministries like: Bread Partners, New Beginnings, Hospice, Adam’s Angels, Faith Mission, Mission Brenham, Miracle Farm, Brenham State School, etc(please kindly let me know of others I forgot) KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK TEAM!!
BIBLE STUDIES & MORE
CONNECT & SHARE LIFE TOGETHER IN ONE OF THESE GROUPS!
Schroeders - Study: Marriage, 620 Country Place West, 1st & 3rd Sundays @ 5pm Koenig/ Sossaman (Ladies/Widows) Study: Grace, Max Lucado, 402 Magnolia, 1st & 3rd Mondays @ 6pm Bishop/ Doebler - Study: Intro to the Bible, 4803 Salem Rd., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays @ 6:30pm Yeakleys (Excellent Way Bible Study Group)- Study of The Acts of The Apostle, 800 Loesch St, Tuesdays @ 6:30pm Atkins - 9250 Lake Dr. 1st & 3rd Sundays @ 5pm
Weekl y Bi ble St udi es & Fel low sh i p Men’s Study/Prayer Breakfast: Wednesdays, 6:00am, Sycamore House Potluck Meal - Wednesdays at 5:30pm in the Gym Pastor’s Bible Study & Prayer: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Wednesdays, Rm. 112 @ 6:30pm Producing Great Fruit from the Family Tree: Wednesdays, Room 111 @ 6:30pm, with Troy Sikes Sweet Hour of Prayer: Thursdays, 10-11am – Sycamore House Garage College Small Group: Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30pm, Sycamore House Rm. 201
LADI ES FALL BIBLE STU D I E S • Evening class “Breathe”, ends 12/3. On 12/10 and 12/17 we will meet to pray. Starting “Stronger” by Angela Thomas in January – 6:30pm Sycamore House • Morning class “Why Do You Believe That?”, Starting “Stronger” by Angela Thomas in January – 9:00am Sycamore House Upstairs. (Childcare available for Moms!) LADIES BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP CLASS Meeting on Thursdays, from 9:30am - 11:30am, in the Sycamore House. 7
ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS THE ENCORE MINISTRY IS ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING! Our Encore Ministry is comprised of Adults 55 yrs of age and above who know God has more for each of them to accomplish for His kingdom. Therefore, our Encore adults are growing in faith, community, ministry, missions and their love for others. Mark Your Calendar: January Bible Study – 12-14th 11:30-1:00pm Location To Be Announced Sweetheart Banquet for the whole church, February 13th @ 6:30pm
CELEBRATE OUR DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS! Gloria Nix Ted Low Dorothy Lesser Clyde Schneider Barbara Klussmann Frances Applewhite Reba Pair Johnnie Rutledge Maria Cadwallader David Moore Doc Pair
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12/1 12/3 12/4 12/4 12/5 12/5 12/10 12/11 12/15 12/18 12/21
Charles Blank Jerry Allen Sonny Dannhaus Jerry Norman Judy Whitaker Shirley Schultz Morris Fraley Lillian Lewis Rebecca Presswood Ara Kent Snow Victor Brier R.L. Mayeur
12/22 12/23 12/23 12/23 12/23 12/25 12/26 12/29 12/29 12/30 12/31 12/31
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Dear Friends, Here we are looking forward to another holiday season. I love this time of year. I love all of the decorations in the stores and public places, and I really love decorating our home. Many of you have been to our home during the holidays, and know I decorate everything that sits still long enough to have a ribbon tied around it. As I think about that it reminds me that in our Christian walk we should not need a ribbon to decorate us. Living a Christ like life should be the ribbon around our gift of Salvation. We saw this recently when Chad Marrs called and asked us if the Benevolence Committee could help our daughter out with some modifications in their home so that their boys who have Epilepsy could be safer in their home. We had planned on doing the work, but Doc got hurt and could not use his arm for a few months. They have done the work, and the family is so grateful for the help given. My wish would be that the community who see us in town would say what is going on over at First Baptist, I want some of that and come join us. As I write this the gathering of OCC boxes has begun. Packing the boxes at our October meeting was a great time for all. Each box was packed with love, notes to the children, and a prayer for each child who receives one of those boxes. I hope this can be a yearly event. Any of you who do woodworking, crochet, knit or sew could make little hats or toys all year long for our boxes. We packed 50 boxes that day with donated items. Thanks to Dr. and Mrs. Knowles for donating toothbrushes and toothpaste for our boxes. Look for a final count in the January newsletter. If you missed our November meeting you need to put it on your calendar for next year. We once again enjoyed the Veterans Day Program and lunch put on by our school. Thank you FBCS for the time you put into this every year since 2001, and share it with the senior adult program. The gifts were very tasty. As I close let me wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Christmas Blessings, Reba Pair SCRIPTURE OF THE MONTH - “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10 THOUGHT OF THE MONTH - “Love came to a stable that very special night to bring us out of darkness into His glorious light.” 9
STUDENT MINISTRY I was studying for my Wednesday Night Bible study, making a pot of chili for All In and I kept hearing a popping sound outside of the Student Center. I finally braved the cold and went out on the back porch. The recent “artic blast” had caused a shower of pecans. So I starting picking up pecans from all around the building and putting them in a bag. Then I started shaking branches to make even more fall. It’s hard to believe I’ve been in Brenham for over two years but it brought back the memory of that first year when I would sit on the back porch of the Student Center studying for my Bible study and I would snack on pecans. It brings to mind the rugged image of John the Baptist eating locusts and honey. I do love pecans, but every now and then you will find one that’s just too hard to crack. But after some determined effort I usually can crack them. As we go into the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas I hope you’ll enjoy some pecan pie, or banana nut bread or sweet potatoes with pecans. But mostly I hope you’ll turn your focus to the Meaning of the season of gratitude and giving. Perhaps you have someone among your family, or friends or coworkers that has been a tough nut to crack - maybe they are difficult to witness to or not open to hearing the Gospel. I want to encourage you to pray now that the Holy Spirit will open doors for you to love others and shine the Light of Christ during this season. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Let’s get crackin’!
REGISTRATION ONLINE NOW D-NOW WEEKEND 2015 FEB. 20-22, 2015 HONDURAS MISSION TRIP 2015 JUNE 9 - 17, 2015 FUGE STUDENT CAMP 2015 JULY 6 - 10, 2015
MARK YOUR CALENDARS Dec. 3,10,17 We have only three “ALL In” left till 2015. Dec.10 from 6:30-7:30 will be our Youth Christmas Party where we will be inviting our Adam’s Angel’s Family for dinner and gift presentation. Dec. 24 &31 We will not have any Wednesday Night activities. Dec. 21 & 22 Our Students will be a part of “Bethlehem at Independence”. We have been asked to be create the Manger Scene. It takes place from 6-8pm Dec. 21 & 22. I am looking for students to be Mary, Joseph, the angel, and the shepherds. If your student can help please email me at cmarrs@fbc-brenham.org.
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY BFBC Kids Klub Monthly Virtue is GENEROSITY: Making someone’s day by giving something away. I know that this month is supposed to be about Generosity (making someone’s day by giving something away). However, at the time that I am writing this Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I have just finished the last Core Essentials show for 2014. In that light, I want to take some time to show Gratitude (letting others know you see how they have helped you). Arlen Thielemann has been my right hand man on the stage for eight years. I have been the schlimazel to his schlemiel through 5 years of KidStuf and now 3 years of Core Essentials. The kids have loved his zany antics on stage and the adults have endured being the targets of his bad jokes. However, I think that he is best loved behind the curtain. Arlen has been the designer and creator of many of the stage sets and props. He puts in hours of personal rehearsal and team rehearsal just for one show. He is as professional with this ministry as he is with his business. Thank you, Arlen Thielemann for being on our team. Elisa Workman has been our stage and prop designer since the before we even started KidStuf. Elisa has been using her creativity for this ministry for about 10 years. She is brilliant with just a little crepe paper, paint and duct tape. She has created chicken suits, backyard clubhouses and strange scientific inventions. She is a valued player in each of our shows, but the audience never sees her – only her creations. Elisa Workman, thank you for lending you creativity to this ministry. Kara Freeman has been the vocal power and choreographical genius to our musical productions since we started KidStuf eight years ago. SEE MORE PICTURES AND CONTINUE READING AT www.fbc-brenham.org/connect/children
MEMORY VERSE 1 Timothy 6:18 - Be rich in good deeds … be generous and willing to share 11
PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES
SUNDAY MORNINGS IN DECEMBER
Basic Truth: Key Question: Bottom Line: Memory Verse:
Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Why is Jesus special? Jesus is God’s son. “God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son.” John 3:16 GNT
Yay, it’s Christmas time! The best time of the year! That’s right my friend, Christmas is just around the corner. This year, we are sharing THE BEST NEWS EVER with our preschoolers. You know what the best news ever is? That God sent us His Son, Jesus, on that very first Christmas day. Yes, THE CHRISTMAS STORY is truly the best news ever. We’re going to have a great time this year sharing the Christmas story with our preschool kiddos. Each week, they will be introduced to a section of a fun rhyme so that by the end of the month they will be able to share the entire Christmas story with anyone and everyone they meet. Imagine it: Every preschooler in our church knowing the Christmas story. That truly would be the best thing ever. Stacey
Happy Birthdays!
Toni Schwartz 12/05 Reba Pair Grady Loos 12/08 Harper Royall
12/10 11/18
Noah Brown
12/29
NEEDED!!! I am looking for some wonderful people who would enjoy hanging out with a great group of kids. The Marriage Tune Up 2 is coming soon and I am recruiting. The kids and volunteers from last year had a great time. Please let me know if you are interested in serving during this weekend. Thank you! Marriage Tune Up 2 January 30th - 31st, 2015
Preschool Postal Delivery! Remember our Preschool Postal service is in full swing and we want to make sure we help you get your Christmas cards delivered and save a little postage. Make sure stop by the nursery area or church office and drop off your cards. The last day to for drop off is December 17th. We look forward to delivering you a Christmas card soon. 12
FBC SCHOOL & EEC
We pray for all of our church and school families to have a blessed Christmas celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior. Remember to thank God for ALL OF HIS BLESSINGS including the gift of His Son! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! Nancy Fritz, Administrator
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” - Luke 2:10 Important December Dates 3
1st & 2nd Grade – Blinn O’Donnell Center Christmas Band Concert 1:30-2:30 5 Downtown Christmas Stroll 15 FBCS Spelling Bee-6:00 18 Preschool Christmas Program-10:00 19 Kindergarten-Christmas Tree Farm-9:00-11:30 19 End of 3rd 6 Weeks 19 Noon Dismissal - No Hot Lunches 22 - Jan. 5 Christmas School Holidays 24-25 EEC Closed Jan. 1 EEC Closed
MOTHER’S DAY OUT - KRISTIE MENDOZA
Our MDO rooms are decorated for fall with all kinds of craft projects and we finished up learning about God’s creation! In November, we have been learning about what it means to be thankful. We made a thankful tree that is filled with many leaves that we helped the children fill in the things they are thankful for! Mommies and daddies were the most popular on the leaves and MDO is so thankful for all the families that allow us to watch their children and love on them! Our annual Thanksgiving Feast for the families was held on November 20. It was so wonderful to see so many parents and grandparents at this event! I am so blessed for the 28 children that are enrolled in our program and for the 7 teachers that are dedicated to make this ministry a success. God is good!! Our December Bible Verse is: “For there is born to you this day, in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord!” Luke 2:11 December Theme: Happy Birthday Jesus Color: Red Shape: Star Letters: G and R
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Our Sympathies To: •
Ralph & Flo Blevins and family in the loss of their son-in-law, Gene Fitzwater.
Church Thank Yous: The Knoerr Family Dear First Baptist Church Family Thank you so much for the use of the Sycamore House for a Memorial Service for our loved one Sarah.
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FROM TROY’S HEART As many of you know, I am an avid runner. Now that the weather is cooler, my long run on the weekend is usually double-digit in length. A few weeks ago, we were in St. Louis over a weekend and I was looking for a fourteen mile route from our hotel. I asked the hotel personnel about running toward a particular destination across the freeway. I was told not to run through that part of town due to the socio-economic environment...ie, “the projects”. Of course, the next morning I ignored the advice and ran down North Hanley street. It was about 6:30am and 27 degrees. Along the way I met several people waiting in the cold at different bus stops. At each grouping, I smiled and said, “Good morning!” In reply to each greeting, the response was “Good morning!” One lady said, “Looking good!” I laughingly said, “Back at ya!” As I returned on my run back up North Hanley, my thoughts turned to the advice I was given the night before. If I would have heeded the advice, I wouldn’t have run into these people living their lives. I could have literally “run around” them to another part of town. If I would have chosen another path, I would have missed a simple friendly blessing. All along our daily path, we encounter people living life. Like Jesus, let’s meet them where they are and love them with what we have! It is my prayer for each of us to not judge or stereotype people in a way that makes us “run the other direction.” I am so glad Jesus didn’t operate that way. If He did, He wouldn’t have run in the neighborhood of my life. Happy running! I Love you, Troy
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P. O. Box 600 Brenham, TX 77834-0600
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