Andy - Then and Now - 28 years old!

Happy Birthday, Erika!!

Happy 30th Birthday to Erika Michelle "Sherman" Swart on March 3rd!!

Josh hosted a party last night for Erika at "Noodles" - a delicious Italian restuarant in Fayetteville. The majority of the group had Central Arkansas "ties" but now all live in NW Arkansas -- Brandon Lupkey, Matt Outlaw and Jai "Jackson" Stevenson from Conway; Chad Stevenson from Greenbrier and Amanda Outlaw from Little Rock. Others who joined the party was Danielle Lupkey, Brandon's wife, originally from Ft. Smith, Seth and Stephanie from Rogers and Susan, Erika's sister from KC.

We enjoyed great services again today (I've added a few more pictures to the "The New Community Church" posting below). I fixed "momma's roast & fixins" for Erika's birthday lunch and here are a few pictures.

We are so thankful Erika is a part of our family and wish you many, many more "happy birthdays!"

We love you, girl!!
Debbie & Jeff

Girlfriends

Glo Jensen, Conway, AR

God has blessed me with many, many wonderful friends over the years. One good thing about being in ministry, it has afforded me the opportunity to make many friends from all over the country. The negative thing about making friends in the ministry is when we move away - it is always so hard to say goodbye. I am very thankful that many friendships have continued (due in a large part to the convenience of email) - even though separated by many, many miles! Since I haven't saved pictures on my computer from years past, I don't have pictures to post of many of those sweet friendships -- but here are some of those precious friends that I do have pictures of or was able to at least take a digital picture of a regular photograph (sorry, the quality isn't very good on those). There are several of my friends' pictures in other postings on this blog, so I won't duplicate here for the sake of "space." I do love each of you! (These are not in any order---I still haven't mastered this blogging in getting pictures and text properly, so if the name doesn't line up with the picture, please forgive me!).

Michelle Lord and

Stephanie Jones, Red Oak, TX

Robin Bowman, Greenbrier, AR

Robin McCown, Jacksonville, TX


Sharon Hanks, Red Oak, TX

Glenda Curry, Red Oak, TX

Norma Crass, Conway, AR

Pam Glover, Conway, AR

Carolyn Smith, Tyler, TX

Brenda Riley, Moore, OK

Toya Aultman Conway, AR

Leslie Lemons, Mesquite, TX

and Cindy Briscoe, Rowlett, TX

Sher Craig, Conway, AR

Pam Murrey, Forney, TX

Brenda Christian, Hawkins, TX

Wilda Head, Conway, AR

Karla Crow, Forney, TX

Kerry Stitch, Bryant, AR

Love to all,

Debbie

New Community Church

As you know, our son, Andy has felt the call of the Lord to plant a new church in Northwest Arkansas. Jeff & I are thrilled that we are able to be a part of this new church plant. The core group have been meeting for Bible studies and occasional evening worship services for the last 6 months. But we are excited that God has given us a "home" - at least for 3 months and could be up to two years. We are now having Sunday morning worship services at the Bellview Elementary School in Rogers -- very near where Jeff & I live. Here are some pictures of the services this morning. Matt Outlaw is leading our worship time and does a great job. Today, his wife, Amanda sang with him. Andy's target group is 20-30 something's so we have several college students, engaged couples and young families with small children including two newborns and another baby on the way! We are averaging around 45 in our worship services, which is a great start for a new church. When Jeff started the mission work in Nevada, Missouri -- many Sundays we averaged less than a dozen. I know I'm prejudiced, but Andy does a great job preaching - he makes his "momma and daddy" proud! Carman is a blessed asset to his ministry as well. Josh & Erika are also working with us in this new church plant and when Josh is in town and not on the road, he is a tremendous help with the sound. We appreciate your prayers for Andy as he leads this new family and for God to richly bless the New Community Church for His honor and glory!

The pictures below taken on Sunday, March 2nd:

We are in Arkansas

We have completed the move to Rogers, Arkansas and all is well!


We were so appreciative of our sons, Josh & Andy, and their good friend, Brandon Lupkey for driving to Red Oak Monday from Arkansas to help us in the move. And we are forever indebted to our friends there in Red Oak for helping us load the trucks, providing food for us, and sending us off with their well wishes! Because of the great job everyone did, we left Red Oak 3 hours ahead of schedule and thought we would drive all the way to Arkansas. However, 540 which is the interstate from Ft. Smith to NW Arkansas that is in the mountains with deep, deep valleys got a coating of ice in the early evening which resulted in many accidents and even the highway being closed. So we spent the night in a little town off the beaten path in Oklahoma and drove on in Tuesday morning arriving around noon. My Mom and sister, Kaye, were waiting for us. With their help, the boys, and a couple more guys, we had the trucks unloaded by late afternoon. On Wednesday, Josh, Andy, Mom and Kaye did a great job of helping us get the furniture all in place and my kitchen in order. Thanks to all!!!

Jeff & I will now work at it "slowly" to get the boxes from the garage unpacked and put away.


Our new address is 3901 Amour, Rogers, AR 72758. I will be using the email address: debbieswart@jeffswart.com. I would love to hear from you!!



Thank you for your prayers.

Cedar Heights Baptist Church

For the past 3 years and 10 months, I have had the privilege of being the secretary for Cedar Heights Baptist Church in Cedar Hill, Texas. Having been a "secretary" almost all of my adult life and for many years, being my preacher husband's secretary, I have found being a church secretary to be where I am most comfortable. Prior to moving to Texas, I was secretary for almost 8 years at Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas. Jeff & I both feel that it is a much better situation, when I am secretary at a church where we are not members and/or where he is not the pastor. Consequently, my time at Cedar Heights has been very enjoyable. The good folks there quickly became dear to my heart. Since Jeff was always in his own pulpit on Sundays and I was with him, we never had an opportunity to worship with our brothers and sisters at Cedar Heights until today. So on our last Sunday in Texas, we were able to attend the worship service at CHBC. I was overwhelmed at their love today in both well wishes, hugs, and a very generous love offering!! Thank you so very much, dear friends, for your tremendous outpouring of friendship!

This is the fine staff--left to right: Josh Claycamp, Associate Pastor (Josh preached this morning and did a great job!); Royce Dodd, Pastor; Kyla Gleason, Children's Minister; Mark Isbell, Youth Minister; and Mark George, Music Minister. You have been a great group to work for and with. Thanks to each of you for putting up with me!! :-)

This picture is of Pastor Royce and Cliff Erwin, Chairman of the Personnel Committee presenting me with the wonderful love offering. Both of these men have been very kind and helpful to me during my tenure as their secretary. Thanks, guys!

Also the week prior to my last day, I had a very enjoyable lunch with 4 wonderful gals who were so good to me. They willingly filled in for me when I had to be absent and also helped me in many projects when I was in need of an extra hand. Girls, you will be my friends forever and I love and appreciate each of you! From left to right are: Helen Carr, Myra Brooks, Betty Oswald and Milly Jo Holveck.

And this picture is of my sweet friend, Lana George and my little buddy, Issac. They would come to the office often and Issac was a joy. He knew Miss Debbie had candy in her cabinet for him, so he was always "hungry." Mark & Lana's parents live in the same area of Arkansas that we are moving too and I look forward to seeing them when they are there visiting family!! Marketplace Express---right, Mark!!?!?

And the last picture is of Kyla and myself. Kyla is a sweet gal and God is going to use her in a wonderful way for His kingdom's glory.

I sure am going to miss all of these fine friends.

Thank you again for allowing me to be your church secretary!!

A Wonderful Christmas

What a "blessed" Christmastime we had!! All our kids (Josh, Erika, Andy, Carman, Rachel & Derek) were with us from Friday, December 21 thru Christmas day. It was the longest and most relaxing Christmas visit we have had in many years. We ate, played games, ate some more, had a fun visit with Randy Blaine, watched football, worshipped together on Sunday, took a family picture Sunday afternoon which I'll talk more about in a separate blog, enjoyed a great visit Sunday evening with Brian, Kellye & Addison Smith, ate some more, played some more games, open gifts and just enjoyed each other!! The next blog shows some pictures of the weekend here in Red Oak.

On Christmas day, Rachel, Derek and Carman all flew from Dallas to Little Rock. Carman flew into LR in order to spend some time with her Mom, sisters and grandparents in the Benton/Glenrose area. Josh & Erika drove home to Springdale. Andy accompanied Jeff & I to Kansas to visit our Moms/his grandma's. Andy, Jeff & I had Christmas with his Mom on Wednesday evening.

Andy, Mom, and I then left Kansas and drove to NW Arkansas Thursday morning. We took Andy home, then Mom and I went to the lakehouse. Kaye & Rob and Jeff all joined us later that evening. Jeff, Mom, Kaye & I looked at a few houses to rent on Friday morning and chose the first one we looked at. It is located in Rogers about 2 miles from Andy and 6-8 miles from Josh.

Friday evening, more of the family started arriving......Mike, Shannan and Madyson; Mike, Adrienne and Lincoln; and Rachel & Derek. Then Saturday, the rest of the family arrived: Bev, Don, Shawna & Nathan, Matt & Kristin, Andy & Carman and Josh & Erika (and her sister, Susan, for the evening). It was such a SPECIAL treat to have all our family together......perhaps for a very long time as Shawna and Nathan will be leaving in the Spring to go overseas for mission work.

We all enjoyed our two "little" ones -- Madyson and Lincoln. Both were so very good all weekend!

This is Kaye & Rob, Mom, Mike, Adrienne and Lincoln and Matt & Kristin (who are getting married August 9, 2008!!)

This is Bev and Don, Mike, Shannan and Madyson (baby Zachary is due in March) and Shawna and Nathan and Mom

And this is our family in the foyer at Pinnacle Hills Baptist Church in Rogers. All the family (23 of us) attended worship at Pinnacle Hills on Dec. 30th. We really enjoyed the service as Pastor Ronnie Floyd and his son, Nick, both brought the message that morning.

We did find a home to lease in Rogers while we were visiting this past weekend. Once we get moved, I'll include our new address and email on this blog so you can keep in touch with us!

Thankfully, everyone had safe travels home. A big thank you to Mom for providing the food and meals for the weekend and for the Christmas money and to Kaye & Rob for allowing us to use the lakehouses.

A new year is now ahead for all of us........we pray we each will be found faithful in service and obedience to our Lord!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!