I looked at the calendar and noticed it read January 1, 2009. "How can that be," I said to myself? We just finished our 2008 BSU Reunion. That is always in September. Where did the time go? I must be getting older. I must be more careful. Time is so precious to us all. I must quit losing things--like time. So I began to look for those lost days. I did find them. They were scattered among the beautiful fall days of autumn. Fall is so pretty here in late October and early November. I also found a few days that I had spent getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. Maybe I was not ready for the cold month of December and the Christmas Holidays. Maybe I did not want the calendar to read January. We must be alert to the fact that time marches on. We need to be careful and not let time pass us by. So, yes October is gone, November too, and even December has passed me by, and staring me in the face is January 1. Yes, my January news needs to be written. I promise to be more alert to the days ahead. I must not waste one moment of it. I will start planning for the 2009 BSU Reunion in a few short days (Guess what,"I have already done a lot"). Why does that not surprise you??

Let me take this opportunity to thank you for the lovely Christmas cards you sent. I appreciated hearing from each of you. I even read the Christmas letters you wrote to your family. I enjoyed them too. Thanks , Thanks, Thanks. You are a wonderful group. I enjoy working with you so very much!! This will probably be my last year as your President. I am getting older you know.

Here are my January news items:

1. Ivan (Bill) and Mildred Christoff celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on December 214th. They were married Christmas Eve in 1943. Send them a card, even if late. The address is Mr. & Mrs. Bill Christoff Apt. #30 1801 Graybrook Ln. New Albany, IN 47150. By the way, I checked the Golden Wedding Anniversaries in the Directory and I noticed that Bill and Joyce Purdue celebrated their 68th Anniversary August 1. They were married in 1941. And, too, Bob and Roselea Mann were married Nov. 22, 1941 and celebrated their 68th Anniversary as well. Isn't that remarkable?? We have three BSU friends celebrating 65 years 'plus' of wedded bliss. God does bless us!! Check out that list of Golden Anniversaries. There are several others (Bethels see news item) who have celebrated 60 plus years.
2. Bro Dale Clemens isn't well. He has asked that we change his title at our church. He was Pastor in charge of Pastoral Care. Now he is our Pastor Emeritus. What an honor!! His health continues to be a problem. He is "game on" though. He will do what he can, when he can, and as long as he can. We all love Bro. Dale. Continue to pray for him. He is now our pastor "on call". We call and he says, " yes maybe", or "no maybe." We still have him -- that is the wonderful thing!!
3. Phronsie Quinn writes,"God has truly blessed me this year. I had a fall in early October which necessitated some minor back surgery. I was slowed down a bit but I am back to my normal pace now. I was cared for by loving famiy and friends. My house is open to any of you who can come my waay"
4. Verona Highsmith writes, "The BSU reunion was one of the highlights of my year. Thanks again for making it all happen."
5. Ralph and Betty Turnbull write, "We celebrated our 80th birthday in Melk, Austria during the summer. We traveled with Archie and Joy Mayo.Betty and Joy were roommates whle in college and we have kept in touch all these years. In fact, the trip was their idea." (talk about BSU days being remembered)(hg)
6. A Christmas letter from Otto and Gloria Brown states, "Otto still preaches every Sunday, We will go tomorrow to help put up the Christmas decorations at the First Baptist Church in Cabot AR." It was good to hear from the Browns.
7. A thank you note from Gordon and Nona Grace Eade was received during the Christmas season. They wrote, "Thanks for keeping us current with BSU news. We love hearing from our friends"
8. Carroll and Gracie Flether writes, " We celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary on Sept 7 2008. We pray that our BSU friends are well and that you all have a Merry Chjristmas"
9. Monty Knight has a new book out. Read his note to me. "Helen, I've sent you the cover (front and back) of my new book, that is now available online from the publisher. Perhaps some of the old SIU-BSUers on your email list might like to know about it, if you'll be so kind as to pass it along. The only thing you might add in that I'm from Zeigler & I'm Suzanne Stuckey's "little brother". (I sent this to all of you!!! Helen)
10. The Bethels enjoyed almost 200 guests who helped them celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. We are still just kids {does your nose still grow if you tell a lie?] We had a blest Christmas ans wish all a HAPPY NEW YEAR

ADDRESS CHANGES

1. Kenneth Hardway--- New Email address-- kgh89@att.net
2. Cliff and Jane Sims--New.Email address-- jane@shawneelink.net
3. Carol Smith----------- New Email address-----ceejayess31@yahoo.com
4. Jack Shelby-----------New Email address----jmshelby1@yahoo.com

Well these are my January news items. I will try to keep you informed during the month. Let hear from you if you have news to share. .I thought you might like to see this 2008 Reunion picture of me and Cliff Burchyett.Cliff doesn't look to happy but Helen does!!. See picture below.
Helen Green Galloway
BSU President for
40's-50's--60's BSU memebers

Happy Happy Happy New Years to you all. You deserve the best.


Helen Galloway and Cliff Burchyett