Volume 40No. 6 2020

Christmas is a time for family and friends to do so much together and for each other. Some start planning a year in advance for the next celebration. We plan festive meals and holiday parties. Sometimes we gather up the family to watch one of those classic movies like It’s A Wonderful Life or A Christmas Carol. And often we plan a trip to see Handel’s Messiah or The Nutcracker.

While these cheerful events and celebrations draw the family together for Christmas, probably the most thought about event is that of gift giving. Some like to get this portion of Christmas done soon, sometimes even before Thanksgiving. Others are last-minute procrastinators! Nonetheless, it’s always interesting and fun.

It’s said in Acts 20:35 that Paul told us “… to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

With this verse in mind, many take the opportunity to give a little extra of both time and money to donate to charities that assist less fortunate families. Still others volunteer their time to bring a smile to the faces of the elderly and disabled. A visit here and a Christmas carol there make for warm hearts and grins from ear-to-ear, a blessing for both the giver and receiver!

The greatest gift of all, though, was given by

God, our father. The birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, cannot be topped. To those who accept and receive this gift we have the promise of eternal life with God (John 3:16).

With all this in mind, the entire staff at Mays Mission hopes that you take the time to celebrate with family and friends. We trust that you take the precious opportunity to bless others at this festive time of the year. Most importantly, we pray that you consider receiving the priceless gift offered by God, his son Jesus Christ.

The employees and staff of Mays Mission for the Handicapped wish you a very Merry Christmas and a most blessed New Year!

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

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Mission StatementDedicated to serving people with disabilities

and enhancing their quality of life. Educating the public that, given the opportunity, people with disabilities can succeed and become productive citizens.

My WifeBy: Francisco Lima

UnknownBy: Charles E. Thomas

UnknownBy: G. Slater

UnknownBy: George R. Slater

My Beloved Sister- Marjorie DeakBy: Roberta Stepp

Cpl. Vernon Cameron aand all Soldiers Living & Dead

By: Cpl. Larry Myers

MemorialsMemorials

Good SearchWhat if Mays Mission for the Handicapped earned a penny

every time you searched the Internet? Well, now we can!

GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it’s powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results.

Just go to the website www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Mays Mission for the Handicapped as the charity you want to support. Just 500 of us searching four times a day will raise about $7300 in a year without anyone spending a dime! And, be sure to spread the word!

Give a full time care giver a break a couple of hours each week this holiday season! What a wonderful gift to give!

DONATE ONLINE today at maysmission.org and click on the Donate button. Thank you!

Donate

Donate Online

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Disability Forum

The thoughts of Christmas fi ll the air. What comes to your mind when you think of Christmas? Do you, in your mind, smell cedar, spruce, fresh

fruits, candy or turkey and dressing? Do you imagine hearing sleigh bells, crowds of busy shoppers, or Christmas carols being sung by a choir? Does your mind’s eye see the bright lights, pretty decorated gifts, or a baby in a manger?

You can see all of these, including the babe in a manger, and miss the real meaning of Christmas.

We do celebrate Christ’s birth at Christmas, but why was He born? In His own words, “I have

come to your will O God.” God’s will was that He come and sacrifi ce Himself for our sins. If our thoughts are focused only on the birth of Jesus and the sentiment that goes with this story, we can miss the most important things.

Jesus was not just an ordinary baby, but the only begotten Son of God. He was God in the fl esh. He was to be the only sacrifi ce that could satisfy God’s holiness and atone for our sins. He was God’s love gift to us.

Have you received the Lord Jesus Christ, whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas, as your Savior? Have you let Him come into your heart? He will, if you ask Him in.

May your thoughts of Christmas include all God intended it to be.

Chaplain’s Corner

It’s that time again. It seems like December 25th and January 1st happen on the same dates every year. Yes, that was said tongue-in-cheek and meant to get your attention. With so much going on during the holiday season we often neglect some of the basic tenants of our Christian faith.

James says in chapter 1, verse 27 that “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (NLT)

Now, I don’t know what you see going on in our world but my opinion is that we are lacking some “pure religion.” And, that’s not said to condemn anyone but mentioned to provoke thought.

Our elderly and children, and let’s include the

disabled too, often need help and assistance. During the holiday season, with all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to inadvertently neglect these people.

Have you ever gone Christmas caroling at a skilled care facility or nursing home? Talk about lit up faces! Take small gifts and distribute them to the residents and you’ll have friends for life! Just a simple gesture like this can make even the “Gloomy-Gus” smile.

Plan a trip with family and friends to a place like this. Make it a point to put a smile on someone’s face, whatever it takes. It will be a picture you’ll not soon forget and more than likely bless you more than it did them! If you would like more information on ways you can help call us at 1-888-503-7955 and request one of our free brochures. Thank you.

GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING FOREVER

PLEASE PRINT

GIVEN BY: $ Mr. AMOUNTMrs.Miss

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE ZIP

MEMORIALS

Mays Mission604 Colonial Drive

Heber Springs, AR 72545-8090Please send me a free report.

Name _______________________________

Address _____________________________

____________________________________

City ________________________________

State _______________Zip _____________

IN MEMORY OF:

Send Card To:

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE ZIP

A number of thoughtful people, desiring to honor the memory of a departed friend or loved one, are sending memorials in the form of contributions to the Mission. Families of those whose memories are so honored are noti� ed of the contributions by an appropriate card, and the names are listed in an issue of our newsletter without mention of the amount of the contribution.

FREE REPORTFREE REPORT“The Benefits of Giving in 2020”

You can help:

shuttle to and from the airport. Are they

accessible? All good questions to ask before

your arrival. All US cities that have a public

transportation system must provide paratransit.

A paratransit is a public transportation system

that is accessible to the disabled. Also

remember, most major car rental companies

provide "hand controls" for the driver licensed

to use them.

FFiinnddiinngg aann aacccceessssiibbllee HHootteell

Probably one of the most frustrating

experiences in traveling is finding accessible

accommodations. Each room is different.

Each hotel/motel chain is different. Your

definition of "accessible" is not the same as

the next person's. It is your job to check out

the accessibility of each facility at which you

are lodging. Call the hotel directly to get

accessibility information. A central

reservation office person has more than likely

never been to the facility in question, let alone

are they qualified to determine accessibility.

Speak to the manager or a maintenance

person. They are more likely to be able to

answer specific questions about your needs.

The bottom line is for you to do your

research well ahead of time. You know what

is best for you - what is acceptable and what is

not. Be specific in your questioning. Ask

open-ended questions, not something that can

be answered "yes" or "no."

We wish you the best in your travels and

hope that you return safe, relaxed and satisfied

with your journey.

Produced by employees with disabilities at Mays Mission

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A publicaton of

Mays Mission for the Handicapped, Inc.

MAYS MISSION

FOR THE HANDICAPPED, INC.

604 Colonial Drive * Heber Springs, Arkansas 72545

(501) 362-7526 * 1-888-503-7955

www.maysmission.org

This is an Equal Opportunity Program

You can download the Department of

Transportation’s regulations for people with

disabilities (http://www.tsa/dot.gov/trav

consumers/tips disabilities.shtm) and carry a

copy with you when traveling to help educate

security personnel.

82004

Please send me ___ free copies of “� e Disabled Traveler” to share with someone with a disability who could use ideas for travel this Holiday season. For more information please call us toll free at 1-888-503-7955 or visit us on the web at www.maysmission.org .