I just thought that I would put a blurb in here about the Secret Pals program that is going on behind the scenes at church.  For those of you that have never even heard of it, we started the Secret Pals program last year.  The program runs for about a year and what it entails is participants getting matched up to other participants in the church.  You fill out a questionaire telling a little bit about yourself.  Someone else in the church will get this questionaire and will then become your secret pal.  You, in turn, will get someone else's questionaire and become their secret pal.  What that means is that someone will secretly be praying for you, encouraging you, and hoping that all is right in your world while at the same time you are doing the same for someone else.  You can send anonomous cards to your secret pal for special occasions or just because you were thinking of them.  You can send small gifts or think of other ways to brighten their days. 

I have recieved a couple of cards that have made my day when I found them in the mailbox.  It's nice when it's not just bills!  It's also nice knowing that someone is praying for me even though I don't know who they are.  I also enjoy doing things for my secret pal, wondering if they have figured out yet who I am.  I haven't figured out who mine is, although I do have a theory....  It will be fun to all meet in a month or so to have the 'unveiling'.  Since the program is drawing to a close it means that the next one is soon to start.  I want to encourage everyone to participate, yes even you pastor Steve.  It is a way of drawing our church family closer and I don't know of any family that wouldn't want to be closer.  You may learn some surprising things about your secret pal that makes you look at them in a whole new light. 

Before you men start saying, "That's not for me!"   "That's girly stuff!" or "I don't send cards to my wife/mother/sister/brother, why would I send one to a stranger?" let me remind you that you do not have to send cards, although it is nice to have a tangible sign that you do have a secret pal and that you aren't forgotten, but all that is really required of you is that you pray for your secret pal and I don't think that I have to remind you that Jesus did this all of the time.  Or you may be lucky enough to have one of those wives that will send a card or two for you.  Before you start thinking that I am one of those wives I would just like to say that my husband,  Danny, was a participant in this years program and I do believe that he was more enthusiastic about it than myself!  Many a time he reminded me not to forget my secret pal and I dare any of you to call him a girlie man!  We are really enjoying our church family and I want to get to know you all!  So when those questionaires are handed out again, don't wait, fill it out during service (ahem, I mean after service) and turn it right in and then hopefully the following year at the unveiling we can have a rousing party for a lot of people rather than a small luncheon for a handful of people.  And if you still have questions about it don't hesitate to ask me, I like to talk!  Patty  P.S.  What?! No spellcheck?!  Please forgive any mistakes!