School Is In Session.....Almost

Cartoon Clip courtesy of "The Social Poets" www.thesocialpoets.blogspot.com funny-back-to-school-quotes

   

     School supplies are lining the shelves of stores, teachers are preparing their rooms, vacation is almost over, and the new school year is about to begin.
   
 

Wanda Tharpe

      The new school year brings a new principal to Dacusville Middle School, Wanda Tharpe.  Wanda comes to us from Liberty Middle School where she was an Assistant Principal since 2006, and before that she taught Social Studies at Wren Middle School for ten years.  Dr. Kelly Pew, district superintendent said, "Wanda is committed to public education and works well with students, parents, faculty, and staff." Wanda holds an Associate of Arts degree from Greenville Technical College, a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education in Social Studies from Clemson University, and a Master of Arts in School Leadership and Supervision from Furman University.... -Easley Patch, "Wanda Tharpe Named New Principal of Dacusville Middle School", www.easley.patch.com.

       I was interested in finding out more about Mrs. Tharpe, who she is as a person and not just hearsay from others in our community.  I met with Mrs. Tharpe and instantly I knew I liked her.  She has a very friendly demeanor about her, and as I talked with her I was very intrigued by the answers she gave to my questions.

       I stated that Dacusville is a very faith based community and I asked her what are her beliefs?  Mrs. Tharpe is a christian, she got saved during Vacation Bible School in elementary school. She strongly believes in Vacation Bible School because she knows that children come to know Christ through this venue.  Mrs. Tharpe attends Brushy Creek Baptist Church and has been a member there for 18 years. She teaches Sunday School for first and fifth graders, and is a nursery worker.

       I asked Mrs. Tharpe how did she feel about working with the people from Dacusville?  She said she is very excited, she has heard nothing but positive things. She knows Dacusville to be a close knit, caring community, and that the people of Dacusville take pride in their community.  Just recently we have experienced some difficult things and she saw the outpouring of love and concern our community had for one another.  Mrs. Tharpe has had some connections to our community through family and church members.  She said she feels fortunate to become a member of our community. She also said that it's nice to drive to work everyday because Dacusville is such a beautiful area, that it revives her spirit; I agree.

       I asked Mrs. Tharpe what type of leadership style does she use, and she said she likes to lead by example, she believes in role models.  She wants to present a positive way to the students and teachers at DMS. She values input from the students, teachers, and parents, she knows that 2 minds are better than one. She knows that all decisions are not going to always be popular, however all decisions will be made based on the safety and what is best for the students.  When stresses come Mrs. Tharpe said a "good sense of humor" helps because laughing is better than crying.

       Mrs. Tharpe has 10 years before retirement and she hopes to finish out at Dacusville. I asked her what do you want people to say about you after your time at Dacusville is over?  She wants them to say that she was a caring leader, she always put students first, she took time to listen, and that she gave back to the community.

     Dacusville Welcomes You Mrs. Tharpe!
 
   
       Eleven years ago, Dacusville Elementary School was in need of someone to fill the position of principal.  Dr. Michael W. Fleming was hired for the position.

Dr. Michael  W. Fleming

     "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." -John C. Maxwell

What people have said about Dr. Fleming....
   
     "There is no way that I can tell you what you mean to me and my family.  You are one of a kind!  The kids of the school are your heart, it shows..." -Cindy Moody

     "I just want to say thank you!  We started DES at the same time 9 years ago.  And over those nine years, I have learned one thing and the most important is that you care about your kids.  It's not about the numbers with you, and me being a parent of two can't tell you enough how much that means.  I have seen how you are with kids and how much they love you.  I will never forget walking into your office one day and you had a kid in there whom if it was up to me would have got a spanking.  But no, you sat there talking to them with the patience of Job.  Last night while I was talking to others at the Back to School Bash we all agreed your main concern is for our kids, which you call yours.  So Thank You for all you do each and everyday!!!"- Deitra Page

     "Every time I ride by "your" new school I miss you all so much!  DES is absolutely the most wonderful place and it provides the best learning environment a child could experience, and yes, the buck does stop with you!  You make it all happen by always positively uplifting your staff, your children, and their families!  I was blessed to work with you for the best and last years of my 35.  Good luck with this year's start.  I am sure it will be the best one ever!" -Mary Martha Claiborne

     "Dr. Fleming is a wonderful principal and he was great to work for during my years at DES." -Melanie Davis  

     Dr. Fleming is a graduate of Hart County High in Hartwell Georgia.  He has an Associates of Fine Arts from Anderson University in music education, a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Wesleyan University in music education, a Masters of Education from Clemson University in Elementary Education, and a Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University in Educational Leadership.

     Dr. Fleming taught for sixteen years before becoming Assistant Principal at Crosswell for four years.  In addition to serving as principal of DES,  Dr. Fleming currently serves as pianist/organist at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church in Sandy Springs, SC.  He also teaches a graduate level course for Southern Wesleyan University and online for the University of Phoenix.  Dr. Fleming is a trainer for the district for mentor teachers and for teacher evaluators.

     This past year has been a very difficult one for our community, just recently we lost two children in a house fire and the two Simpson children by the hand of their mother.

     Dr. Fleming posted this on his facebook page....

     "Please pray for our Dacusville community tonight as we have lost another student and his brother.  One was a first grader at DES last year and always had a way of making us laugh.  He will be truly missed.  The little brother was to begin K4 this fall.  Pray also for the boys' mom and two year old sibling who survived and were taken to the burn center in Augusta.  As He did back in May and does every day, God will sustain us and bring us through.  Ours is not to question why but to fully trust in His plan. Though our hearts are broken and our spirits shaken, we are strong in our faith in God and knows that we are in His hands."

     Dacusville Community,  please don't take for granted the leadership that God has placed over our children.  We are a "very blessed" community to have such godly, caring people in leadership. Show them how much you appreciate them,  pray for them and the staff.

A Note From Dr. Fleming.....

We are very excited about the upcoming year at Dacusville Elementary.  Our theme for the year is "Making a Splash at DES!"  We will continue to embrace the Lifelong Guidelines and Life Skills at DES along with the other nine body-brain compatible elements of learning as we encourage students to do their personal best each day to "make a splash"!

There are a lot of new faces at DES and they are excitedly awaiting the opportunity to meet the greatest kids (and parents) in the world!  Parents should be receiving letters in the mail soon about the opening of school (if they haven't already).  Meet the Teacher will be from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 15th.  See the district web page for specific registration information.

The first day of school for K 5-Grade 5 students is August 20th.  The annual Back to School Bash will be held on Friday, August 23rd from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

This year the PTO will be reinvented and will be called the Dolphin Support Organization (DSO).  I encourage all parents and stakeholders to join the DSO and become an active member.  We are looking forward to another great year as we provide quality educational experiences that will help our students achieve success.

Please do not hesitate to call the office at 864-397-2800 with any questions or concerns.

On a more personal note, we are deeply grateful for the prayers and support of our community through the difficult times we have had, we appreciate your continued prayers and support in the coming year.

Enjoy these last few days of summer!
Blessings!
M. Fleming



   

   

When God Steps In

Dacusville Pond behind Sunoco

"Fishing, it's a sport of drowning worms"-Author Unknown

     "Dacusville Pond was a full pond Sunday with fish weighing 30 to 60 pounds swimming in it.  This pond use to be a very active place to go fishing in our community.  All the recent rain fall that our area has received lately caused the pipe to become stopped up and the dam busted causing all the water and fish to drain out." -anonymous source (To the left of the picture is the area where the dam broke.)  

        Wyff4, "Upstate Hits Rainfall Record", "The upstate has hit a record for rainfall.  Rain totals have been recorded at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport since 1884.  The rainiest July ever was in 1984 when we had 13.57 inches for the month.  Meteorologist Dale Gilbert said the area hit that mark on Sunday and more rain is in the forecast for the week."

     "Lake Hartwell has 962 miles of shoreline.  It is safe to say this is a big lake.  This same time last year, the lake was more than 20 feet below full pond level.  People were frustrated and even demanding solutions to a problem they could not solve.  The "experts" said it would take years for us to see this lake back to it's designed level...then God stepped in. It is God and God alone who made all things BY HIMSELF.  Man continues to refuse to acknowledge this..... Isaiah 44:24" -Curt Austin

   

No Justice

   
        "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." -Romans 12:19  Living in a sinful world many times we don't see Justice being served, but we have a promise from God that sin will be punished through God's wrath

   

Photo Courtesy of "80's Images" @ Photobucket.com

   
     What were you doing in 1983, do you remember?...

• The final episode of M.A.S.H. aired with more than 125 million viewers tuning in to watch.  
• The "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign debuted. 
• Vanessa Williams becomes the first African-American Miss America.  
• Singer Karen Carpenter died of complications from anorexia nervosa at the age of 32.  
• Microsoft word was launched.  
• Cabbage Patch Dolls are sold in shops and becomes a success. 
• President Reagan signed legislation that makes the third monday in January a national holiday commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. 
• McDonald's introduced the McNugget.  
• Tom Brokaw becomes lead anchor for NBC Nightly News. 
• Swatch introduces their first watches.  
• Star Wars Episode VI:  Return of the Jedi, National Lampoons Vacation, and Flashdance were popular films.  
• The Police "Every Breath I Take", Johnny Cash, Phil Collins, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie "All Night Long", and Michael Jackson "Beat It and Billy Jean" were popular musicians.  
• The A-Team, Mama's Family, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Outsiders, and Cujo were what people were watching.

     It seemed like 1983 was a good year, but not for everyone.

     It was the month of October, the people in our small town of Dacusville were getting ready for fall.  The leaves would be changing soon to all the beautiful yellows, oranges, and  burgundys.  The air would turn crisp and cooler, and you would start seeing all the fall decorations being placed around the homes in our community.  The Buckner family, part of our Dacusville community, didn't know that on October 4th, 1983 everything was about to change forever for them. Catherine Hester Buckner, aka, Cathy Buckner was a young, carefree, smart, talented, and beautiful girl. Cathy was 16, just starting out her life when a tragic event would end her life before it had the chance to begin.

   

Cathy Buckner

     Cathy and her family were from the Peter's Creek Community area of Dacusville. On October 4th Cathy went missing.  Four days prior she was walking to meet her sister Donna at the stop sign right down the road from her house. Donna was going to take her to try for her license. Donna never got the chance to take her because four days later Cathy's partially clothed body was pulled from the Saluda River. It would be three months later until they found out who killed her.

    The Hyder family were neighbors to the Buckners. Curtis Lee Hyder and his dad helped clear the road to the family cemetery so they could bury Cathy. The Buckners paid $5,000 to the Hyders to have the land cleared.  Curtis helped with the whole process, knowing all along he was the one that murdered Cathy.

     During the investigation, in The Sumter Daily, "Man charged with Murder of Teen", Sheriff Stone said his deputies had questioned Curtis Hyder on "at least two other occasions during the three month investigation."  Stone said Hyder voluntarily came to the sheriff's department Thursday after he was invited by investigators, and a confession was signed minutes later." Curtis was a 22 year old man who confessed to killing Cathy, "Hyder claimed during his trial that he never meant to hurt Miss Buckner, but panicked when she threatened to claim he raped her if he didn't give her $50.  He said the incident occurred after the girl asked him for a ride." -The News and Courier, "Court Upholds Life Sentence For Marietta Man"

Curtis Lee Hyder

     Donna Kelly Bolt, Cathy's sister said that "Curtis has stated a few times that he thought she was 18, it shouldn't matter what age she was, it doesn't give him the right to take her life or anyone else's. Curtis knew what he was going to do to her that day.  He chased her from the road down into the woods, and then he drug her back to his car and from there took her to another location to have his way with her. Curtis had Cathy in the trunk of the car while everyone was riding around looking for her. He took her to one more location where he put her under the sand pump barge in that cold river and she took her last breath."

      Curtis knew all along that he was the one and yet he was able to stand there with shovel in hand waving and smiling while the funeral procession drove to the grave site. Curtis sat at the Buckner's dinner table and ate with them after the funeral, all along knowing that he was the one, he was the one that committed the murder, he was the one that everyone was looking for. They found Cathy with strangled marks around her neck. When they performed the autopsy, they also found water in her lungs. They couldn't prove rape because in 1983, they didn't have tests that they have today.

     Every year since 1998 this family has to relive this tragedy. Donna and her family have to go to Columbia to ask that Curtis Lee Hyder not be released from prison on parole.  Donna stated, "This murderer should never be released.  The devastation that Curtis put our family through, she was the baby of the family, just starting to explore what high school was all about."  Every year when they go before the board they ask Curtis why he had to take her life. Donna said," I cannot imagine the fear and pain she must of went through."  He went on for three months as though he knew nothing.  Donna said, "Not one bit of guilt was about him." When they go before the board each year Donna said that Curtis states that he would like to be released so he can go on with his life, to be a tax paying citizen, and to be with his girlfriend. Donna said, "Cathy doesn't get that chance! So in our heart and mind he should never get out of prison.  We feel like he should carry on his life behind the prison walls so he would never be able to hurt another child, or anyone else. We feel as a family that we should have the right to keep our families safe and out of reach of a man who could kill with such vicious determination."

     This happened in 1983, but Donna said that Cathy is still very much missed.  She said, "Not one day goes by that I don't think of her.  I still cry for her knowing the fear and pain she must of felt and the realization that she was going to die." I sat and talked with Donna and you can tell the pain is still so very real for her. Cathy and Donna's parents are passed away but Donna promised her mother that she would continue to go before the parole board every year to keep Curtis in jail.

     Has this family experienced Justice for what they have had to endure?

     I know this is not a story that makes this a special place to live, but we still live in a special place with special people that come together in a community for one another. I felt like this story needs to be told because I see how Donna pleads for people to please help her and her family by writing to the Parole Board so that Justice can be served. When Donna started out getting people to send letters, 200 were sent, last year 1800 were sent. This family is dear to my heart, I grew up with part of them and my brother dated Cathy for a short time. You can help Donna and her family keep Curtis behind bars by writing a letter to the parole board.  Anyone over the age of 18 and from any state can write a letter.  Last year Curtis went up for parole in August, so please get those letters in!

The address is:
Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services
2221 Devine St., Suite 300
Post Office Box 50666

*Please include in the letter, Curtis' full name:  Curtis Lee Hyder and his SCDC #:  00121482,  Cathy's full name:  Catherine Hester Buckner

Thank you!

"Rest in Peace my dear sister, I love and miss you so much! 1967-1983"-Donna Kelly Bolt

Please say a prayer for this family, also for Curtis because God desires no one to perish, but "ALL" to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Sources:  Major Events of 1983. Year In Review. www.home.ibbsonline.com
                 What Happened in 1983 in Pop Culture, Prices, and Events. www.thepeoplehistory.com
                 What Happened in 1983? Crack Open the 80's Time Capsule and Learn. www.liketotally80's 

   

   

   

SPECIAL NEWS UPDATE: Dacusville Fire Rips Through Family's Home, Kills Children, Coroner: 2 Children Inside Home Are Dead

PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. —The investigation continues after two children died in a mobile home fire Sunday morning.

(Photo Courtesy of WYFF)

The Dacusville Fire Department was called to the home on Daisy Drive in Easley around 4:35 a.m.

Click here to see more pictures from the scene.

Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley said two children -- ages 4 and 7 -- were killed in the blaze.  Their identities are being withheld until family members are notified.

Two other members of the family -- the mother and a 2-year-old sibling of the deceased -- were hospitalized at the Augusta Burn Center.

Chief Deputy Creed Hashe said the Pickens County Sheriff's Office and the Dacusville Fire Department are both investigating what happened.

According to Hashe, the mother told investigators that the fire may have resulted from what she was cooking.

"At this time, the fire appears to be accidental," Hashe told WYFF.  "It is always a tragedy when children of this age die."

Read more: http://www.wyff4.com/news/local-news/oconee-pickens-news/fire-rips-through-familys-home-kills-children/-/9654906/21089044/-/y4d8jyz/-/index.html#ixzz2ZhXfgdZ9

SOURCE: "Fire Rips Through Family's Home, Kills Children Coroner:2 Children Inside Home Are Dead"
http://www.wyff4.com/news/local-news/oconee-pickens-news/fire-rips-through-familys-home-kills-children/-/9654906/21089044/-/y4d8jyz/-/index.html
Also www.wyff4.com

Do You Have A Place For Me?

"I'm Ruined"

I'm ruined, toss me out.

I have a past, there is no doubt.

I don't fit in, I don't belong.

I tried to do right, all I've done is wrong.

Toss me out, or help me out?

I just need to find a different route.

(Author-Crystal E. Hall)

       Will you be the one to help?
   

Meet the children of Radiant Church.

     Lisa Freeman is a teacher at Dacusville Elementary School, but she is also the children's director at Radiant Church. Lisa grew up not going to church, neither parent had a relationship with God. When Lisa was in high school her friends introduced her to Jesus and she got involved with the youth group. Lisa's passion was foreign missions, she traveled to Australia, Africa, Romania, all over the world to share the
gospel. Radiant Church started from a Mission trip to San Diego. Her and her husband went to help on the mission trip. While on this mission trip they experienced  how it feels for the native people from San Diego to be unchurched; it was a refreshing feeling to minister to people that are not the stereotypical church people. The mission team started praying and asking, "What would this look like back home?"

     They tossed some ideals around such as, there are already hundreds of churches so how do we make this work, we need to just step out, try and see how it goes, and who will we get to lead our group? At the time, Ricky Motes was a youth pastor at Washington Avenue Baptist Church where he intended to stay.  But in April 2009, God woke him up with a different plan to pastor a new church plant. The group of five families started the planning process.

     In September 2009 Radiant Church was birthed, they started meeting at Berea High School with 40 members.  God gave Ricky a vision to do church a little different. He wanted them to reach the de-churched, the people that don't fit in traditional church, and the people that haven't given church a chance. In the online article "De-Churched:  Why They Left" by Thom Schultz, he defines de-churched as "people that are done with organized church, in some cases they are wounded, in other cases they are just disinterested. They are tired of what Jesus' church has become, they want real relationships, real love. They are not looking for perfection or polish or pious professionalism, they are looking for real people who are willing to admit they don't have it all together, but realize we're all in this together."  Ricky Motes is a police officer so his teaching style is evangelistic because his job allows him to always be around the lost, he sees the worst of the world daily. Monday through Friday he is around hurting people with a bad past. Sundays, he is preaching to hurting people with a bad past.

Pastor Ricky performing a baptism.

     Lisa said that Radiant Church is based on the book of Acts; Peter and John were ordinary unspoiled men but spent time with Jesus. No one in this group had ever ran a church before, but they felt like God had prepared them. They received redirecting from their family and friends when they shared the news of starting Radiant Church. They made a comment such as they don't need to start a new church, just help other churches. Their family and friends were not against the ideal, just questionable about it. The church wasn't questionable about it, they knew God was calling them to start Radiant Church.

     "And he said unto them, Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."-Matthew 4:19  Lisa said that when they started the church they wanted people that didn't go to church because they wanted to bring fish in, not trade fish, however everyone is welcomed.

     Have you ever been hurt by the church, or had a bad experience?

     Could we all say we have experienced this one way or the other?  The church is made up of imperfect people, but it has stood the test of time.  It will prevail because the foundation is Jesus Christ, and he is the builder, "on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail."- Matt. 16:18  No matter how people get things wrong and mess things up, Jesus will raise up a church body to love and show the way.

     What is different about Radiant Church?

     First, this body of believers don't meet in a traditional building; they meet in a school, not because they have to but because it is God's plan for them now.  They are not affiliated with any organizations or denominations. Lisa said, "Lost people don't care about organizations, denominations, or doctrines, they are looking for hope and the love of Jesus." Since they are a portable church, they have to move their equipment every Sunday, they have to set up and tear down, and that takes a lot of work. Since this takes a lot of work, they need workers so there are always ways to serve. Their church congregation is not made up of traditional church members. It's made up of people with a past, hurting people, wounded people, people that are not so easily accepted. Would you allow someone to come into your church that is a quite, timid person, that didn't graduate from high school, callused, rough, with tattoos serve in your church? Radiant Church welcomes it with open arms. They don't only welcome these people, they desire these people to be part of their church body.

     Radiant Church has a vision to be:  Relevant. Relational. Radical.

*Relevant worship experience
*Relational by building deep relationships
*Radical, serving others radically

Radiant: "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was "Radiant" because he had spoken with the Lord." -Exodus 34:29

      Radiant Church currently meets now at Dacusville Elementary School at 10:00 on Sunday mornings. They have no evening or Wednesday night services, what they do offer are Life groups which meet at members homes. They have no paid staff and no church office. When they moved their church body to Dacusville, in their thoughts were, we should have done this all along.

     Working at Dacusville Elementary, Lisa gets to see how our community comes together, how all the churches come together in unity to make this the best community for our children.  Cross Roads hands out book bags with food to less fortunate children to have over the weekends.  Nine Forks donates supplies for teachers with encouraging notes attached. Mount Carmel offered our kids the Good News Club after school program.  Other area churches are always giving to meet the needs of our children. Lisa sees the needs that are being met and what needs still need attention. Clothes for the children who have emergencies at school are often bought by the school nurse out of her own pocket, so Lisa knows that her church needs to collect and donate new underwear, shirts, and pants to meet this need.  "This is what Jesus had in mind:  folks coming together, forming close-knit communities and meeting each other needs-no kings, no major welfare systems, no president necessary..." -Shane Claiborne

     When Radiant Church came to Dacusville, they knew that there were already many churches in the area. They also know that you can have many different varieties of churches running after the same Jesus because we are all different, with different needs.  You may, or may not have known about Radiant Church meeting at Dacusville Elementary School, because the church meets at a school they are not allowed to place signs of any kind on the property.  This has been an issue on how to let the community know about the church.  The church did sponsor a free Spring Fling for our community in April. At the Spring Fling they passed out cd's to let the community know about the church. As the cd says, "It's a place where you can be real and not feel intimidated.  Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and be ready to be greeted by people who want to do life together."

Pastor Ricky Always Welcomes You With Open Arms!
(Spring Fling- April, 2013) 

     "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."-Romans 15:7
Everyone wants to feel accepted, Radiant Church has a place for you.


*To contact Radiant Church Click Here

Disclaimer: "U.S. Supreme Court provides for the use of public school buildings by churches, religious and political groups on a viewpoint-neutral basis, if the public school districts are already renting their facilities after hours to other community groups... One appellate court, the 2nd Circuit, ruled in 2011 that a school board’s prohibition of hosting a particular type of activity, religious worship services, was constitutional."-FFRF   Lisa Freeman is not affiliated with Radiant Church during regular school hours. 

   



   

           

   

   

Leaving A Legacy To Be Proud Of

     As I drove up McConnell Rd. here in Dacusville it was a cool 77 degrees.  The sun was hidden behind all the rain clouds that we have been experiencing for the past two weeks.  I had my window down and was enjoying the ride because it's such a beautiful, peaceful area.  I looked to the left and there was the sawmill, so I knew that I was at the right place.  As I pulled in, first I was greeted by a large dog and behind that dog was a tall man wearing glasses and a cap, with a big friendly smile.

Tim McConnell

     Tim McConnell is the grandson of the late Drake and Janie Attaway McConnell, and the son of the late Charlie and Ruby McConnell.  The McConnell family is a well-known family in our small Dacusville community.  I was interested in finding out more about this family especially since it makes up a large part of our community.  

     Tim began telling me the history of his family, how they are Scott, Irish, and English descendants.   They lived in Anderson and a couple of brothers moved to Dacusville back in the 1900's.  His grandfather Drake McConnell started the sawmill that is still being used today by Tim and his family here in Dacusville.  Tim shared with me the stories of how the area changed over the years.  Peter's Creek use to be a school that his aunts and uncles attended.  It was a one room school building with several grades on one side and several grades on the other side before it became Peter's Creek Baptist Church.  Jones Hill Church of God came to exist through brush arbor meetings.  You can read about the History of brush arbor meetings by checking out http://www.ehow.com/facts_6067135_history-brush-arbors.html 

     Janie Attaway McConnell, Tim's grandmother, wrote a personal diary to leave for her family to read and I felt privileged when Tim shared it with me, and I want to share some excerpts with you. Janie wrote this diary from 1903-1941. She wrote each year during the celebration of her anniversary to her husband Drake McConnell.  She shared in her diary how hard life was, how she missed her husband because he had to work so much to provide for their family, and how each year seemed to bring a new child. 

*March 30, 1904:  Just one year ago today I was made the wife of J.D. McConnell, the dearest man on earth.  I never tire of looking at him.  He is in all my thoughts.  Poor boy!  He has a hard time.  His dear slender shoulders have a heavy load to carry.

*March 30, 1908:  What is to become of us?  What are we to do with so many babies--four here on our fifth wedding anniversary?

*August 5, 1908:  God gave and God has taken away.  Our family circle is broken--a place made vacant in our home that can never more be filled.  Our little Harvey, our pure, sweet, little baby boy, has been beneath the sod two weeks today.  I didn't know last year what I was to do with so many babies, but it didn't take God long to show me.  He took Little Harvey home to Heaven.  Little did I think when I wrote last year about having so many babies, and not knowing what to do with so many, that God would take one of my darlings away from me.  But he knows best.  Could we but see ahead!  What changes we would make in what we do and say.

*March 30, 1916:  Thirteen years passed, gone.  We are still struggling to live.  I hope to live until I can get a new apron without feeling like I'm stealing.

*March 30, 1927:  We are still living hard--one little old cow, no hogs to kill and nothing much to feed this crowd on, and nothing to wear either.

*March 30, 1932:  It seems that times are worse than ever.  Can't sell lumber or get money any way, but we have bread, milk, butter, meat, lard, syrup, eggs, and canned goods at home.  We are thankful, and as happy as anybody, I guess.

*March 30, 1936:  My children found the Lord last summer at the brush arbor.  They received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and I did too.  I'm glad that we learned about that wonderful blessing.  The boys have started the new Church of God down at Jack's place.

*April 3, 1941:  I haven't done much good in this world, but I've done the very best I could.  I've lived a clean, pure life that you children and grandchildren need never be ashamed of.  I have loved the Lord and kept his commandments to the very best of my ability.  I have never been lazy. I have worked with my hands to provide for your needs and comfort.  I am praying daily for each child of ours, that God will save you, and that our Big Family of 18 will be unbroken in Heaven, where there will be no pain, where we won't be hungry, or have to wear rags.  We will all be glad someday, we can all sing and shout and praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy.  We have lots to be thankful for now.  The barn is full of fodder, hay, and corn. We have milk and butter, chickens and eggs, pretty good health, and better clothes than we once had.

Janie Attaway McConnell passed away on February 20, 1942.  She was laid to rest beside her son Bill, in the Jones Hill Church of God cemetery. Bill was killed in an auto accident.

Drake and Janie McConnell in the center of the picture with two of their children.

     Life was not easy for the McConnell family, they had to work hard at the sawmill and at farming.  If you had the chance to read the complete diary you would understand more of the struggles that they had. What they did have was a wife/mother that stood strong to her beliefs and she knew that her God would see them through.  Tim shared that they were not left with a heritage of a large sum of money, but of land and of a spiritual heritage. 

     Tim has seven brothers and sisters.  Charlie and Ruby, Tim's parents first child was a girl and then they had a boy and the sequence went like that through the rest of the children.  Tim has a twin sister named Tammy.  Tim said that Tammy is older because she was born on November 24th at midnight and Tim was born on November 25th.   

     The family owned a general store on their land where they sold gas, meat, and candy.  Tim's parents ran the store as a second business.  Now the store has been restored and is being used as the office for their sawmill business.  One day when they were young his brother Jerry took a chocolate bar from the store.  He had chocolate all over him after eating it, and his dad told him he knew better. Jerry responded by saying, "The Lord told me to take it."  His dad said, "No, the Lord didn't, that was the devil."

     Tim said that his family killed hogs in the fall, cured them with spices, wrapped them in toe sacks and hung them in their garage.  His dad would kill, clean, and cut up the hogs and Tim at the age of six would be given the fresh liver to take to his mom to cook for that night.  They also raised cattle, Tammy and Tim bottle fed the calves and at the time didn't know they were being raised to eat.  They just knew the cattle was gone and in the next few weeks they had hamburger meat.  The family had the biggest gardens, they canned food, and they had bees for honey.  Tim's dad would be logging and find a nest of bees and bring them home to get honey from them.

     Tim's parents were ones that lead an example for their children to follow, and they were consistent in doing so.  They taught their children how important hard work and honesty are and they lived this 24/7.  Tim said that his dad got up every morning and cooked breakfast for him until Tim graduated from school.  Tim's dad prayed every morning  and every night, he taught the kids the Lord's Prayer and had devotions with them.  Tim's mom was a very giving person.  She became a beautician and had clients until the last couple of years of her life.  The salon was always busy and Tim always had someone to play with. Tim knew all about the salon business and went into selling beauty supplies for 13 years.  Tim's mom also was a seamstress, she made quilts.  She made quilts for all of her children. 

     Tim said he learned this very valuable lesson when his dad passed away, "Never take for granted the words of your love ones when you depart." Tim didn't know that the day his dad said, "Treat people right, honest and fair, love everyone and you'll always have all the business you need", that these would be the last words he would ever hear his dad say.  Later that day he died of a massive heart attack at the age of 62. Tim said that thirty years later people still come up to him talking to him about his dad.  Tim took over the sawmill business three years after his dad passed.  Living in Dacusville and and being raised by his parents that taught him hard work and honesty, Tim said that when he did spend time selling the beauty supplies he was showed a different side of people, an ugly side.  He saw that outside of Dacusville and his family that people lie, cheat, and they don't pay their bills.  He said that he's been so blessed to be apart of his family.

     After reading Janie Attaway McConnell's personal diary, Tim's grandmother, I felt like I could understand where she was coming from, I felt as though I could feel the struggles that life brought her and her family. With every new entry that she wrote I was in anticipation to read what each year would bring this family.  If I could I would like to meet Janie and tell her thank you for the devotion and love that she had for her family, thank you for the example of hard work and honesty that she passed down to her children, but most importantly thank you for showing them the way to Christ because you see there is no better legacy to leave and be proud of than this, "to hear that my children are walking in the truth." -3 John 1:4  God tells us to, "fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." - Deuteronomy 11:18-19  

     Being around the McConnell family I see the honesty and hard work that has been passed down through their generations, but most importantly I see Christ in their lives and the difference that he is making through them. What a legacy that this family is leaving, Janie you would be proud. 

      

     

The McConnell Family Tree

       

            

     

      

Milestones

     Life has been defined as many things: a game, a gift, a gamble, a chance.  I say life is a path and along that path we place milestones.  

     The milestones we place gives us a chance to stop long enough to pause and create a memory.   All of us are at different places along the path of life but it seems that we have the same milestones, just different memories.  In 1995 my dad passed away on October 4th, and on October 11th I turned 21.  Turning 21 is a milestone that we place along our path, and  for many turning 21 is a good memory, but for me it was another day because I didn't celebrate it.

     Funny thing about the path of life is that we can't see where we are going, only where we have came from.  "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."
-Soren Kierkegaard.  We create our plans and our days, but do we really have control over our lives?  "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."
-Proverbs 16:9

   

      Dacusville is a special place with special people so I want to tell you about a special person in my life, her name is Taylor Hall and she is my daughter. 

      Taylor just turned 16 and this has been a hard milestone for me to see her hit.  It's hard to watch your children grow up because you know you have to start letting them go and since we can't see the path ahead let me share some special moments that is in her past.  When she was six we were walking through the yard and I said watch out for the spider webs and she told me, "Momma, I will walk through the spider webs for you."  When Taylor was about seven we were discussing what Jesus did for us, how he died and took the stripes across his back for you and me.  Taylor's younger sister was going to have to get a spanking and Taylor said, "Momma, I will take the spanking for her like Jesus done for us."  Taylor has always been someone who thinks of others above herself.  In school she's always made a point to be a friend to new students.  I've watched her take on challenges and come through a champion.

     Taylor you have reached 16 and I hope and pray that you have many more milestones to reach and in reaching those milestones my wish for you is, "this life becomes all that you want it to."- Rascal Flatts "My Wish"  

     ...and as you reach your milestones may they be as special as each one of you are!