The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being. She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze. "Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked. She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids..." "No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age. "I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me. After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me. Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up. At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know." As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, " We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it! There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets." She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose." She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be. When you finish reading this, please send this peaceful word of advice to your friends and family, they'll really enjoy it! These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.

It's almost Universal! Only two people that Jerry Hinkle has spoken to are less than enthusiatic about his DWU Theatre debut as Albert Dussel DDS in "The Diary of Anne Frank". Everyone else that he has spoken with are pretty much excited about it. There has been talk of chartering a fan bus in Holabird for the occasion, but all of Holabird could fit in two minivans. Maybe Harrold and Highmore will chip in. Openning night is March 27. Ticket information will be coming soon, as soon as we get it, we'll pass it on.

Jerry did a little background check on the real Dr. Dussel. It seems that he had to share a bedroom with Anne. It also appears that he was not excatly the ideal roomie either. Dussel's common law wife was not happy about the way he is portrayed in the book as well. Jerry read through the script, and finds his scenes rather amusing. It will be all he can do not to crack up. Usually in all things theatrical, Jerry's motto is "Who needs dignity when you can be in the entertainment business?" This may be one production where a little dignity is called for.

Jerry has been promising autographs left and right, especially to all the cute nursing students. One of his athletic training buddies doesn't want to wait until March for her autograph. all f us here at the Holabird Advocate hope Jerry doesn't run out of ink.

Especially in this election year, every time we turn on the television or radio, pick up a newspaper or magazine, or even enter a conversation with a friend or “foe” – we hear critical, negative words that essentially curse our Capitol, our government leaders, our President and all the candidates for president. We all know the principle of “coming in the opposite spirit” and the powerful breakthrough that can bring. So, we are going to purposefully speak, pray and proclaim words of blessing on our President, our government, our Capitol and those candidates who would seek presidential election. Please distribute this call to prayer and blessing throughout your prayer network.
February 4-11
Lift your voice this week to pray and proclaim this Blessing on Capitol Hill!
“The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up His countenance on you and give you peace. So they shall invoke my name on the children of Israel [on the people of D.C.], and then will bless them.”
--Numbers 6:24-27
Alice Holland , Aglow Prayer Coordinator – WA DC
Nancy McDaniel, Aglow Int’l Prayer Director