We are only six weeks away from our 55th Anniversary Alumni Homecoming on August 30 – 31, 2008 (Labor Day Weekend). This will be a gathering of former residents and staff members, as well as Mansion friends and supporters.

For a complete listing of information about the homecoming weekend, go to http://www.tcmm.org/about/55anni.html.  We are encouraging everyone to RSVP and let us know what activities they will be participating in and how many are coming. This will help us with the planning. To RSVP, go to http://www.mansionevents.org and click on "Register for an Event."

The Homecoming activities will kick-off with the Mansion 5K Run and 2K Fun Run/Walk at 8:00 A.M on Saturday. The 5K is an official race endorsed by the Tupelo Running Club and is expected to draw hundreds of participants. This event is expected to raise a lot of money for the Mansion through corporate sponsors and individual donors. Our goal is $100,000. If you would like to participate in the Mansion 5K or 2K, you will need to register and can do so online.

In my next blog, I will be sharing with you my personal goal to not only run the 5K, but to go the "extra mile" and run the course a second time, completing 10K or 6.2 miles. I am trying to personally raise $55,000 with this endeavor. Guess what? I'm almost half way there!

At 11:00 A.M., there will be an Outdoor Extravaganza, including a picnic, games, softball, volleyball and inflatables for the children. Jonathan Moore, Burton Gaar, and other artists will be singing and providing entertainment at this great event. The food is going to be fantastic! I understand that 0'Charley's Restaurant may be catering for the picnic.

An open house and guided campus tours will begin at 1:00 P.M. This will be an opportunity to see the numerous renovations and improvement projects that have taken place on our beautiful campus.

I am really excited about the formation of our new official TCMM Alumni Association. The first meeting will take place during our Homecoming at 3:00 P.M. in the Freeman Chapel. Organizational matters will be taken care of, including the adoption of bylaws and election of officers for the Alumni Association. All former residents and staff members are urged to attend.

The highlight of our homecoming will be the 55th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday evening at 6:30 P.M. at the new BancorpSouth Conference Center behind the Hilton Garden Inn. This will be a fun-filled evening with lots of music and memories. A fabulous reception with great food (Italian) and entertainment will follow.

Of course, all are invited to attend the Sunday morning service at Life Church at 10:00 A.M. Come worship with us before heading home!

Our special guests for the weekend will be Rex and Patti Johnson of Austin, Texas, and Jonathan and Alicia Moore of San Antonio, Texas. Rex Johnson will be speaking and Jonathan and Alicia Moore will be providing special music.

Help us spread the word regarding this exciting weekend in Tupelo. Come and be with us if you can. Whether you are a former resident or staff member, or a Mansion friend and supporter, we'd love to have you. We're going to celebrate the history of this beloved institution, and make some great memories. 

TRAVEL UPDATE

On a personal note, Erma and I have been "on the road again" for the Mansion. This past week, we met up with our tour group at the Arkansas Campmeeting in Redfield on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, we drove eight hours from Little Rock to Wapella, Illinois (near Bloomington) for the Illinois Campmeeting that night. On Thursday morning, we drove down to St. Louis for a 10:00 A.M. service at the Missouri Campmeeting. We came home on Friday.

You just wouldn't believe how awesome the children are doing in representing this great cause. Their singing is wonderful and their testimonies are inspiring. Sarah Slagle has learned the song that Burton Gaar just wrote, "I'm Your Kid Too." After she sings that song, everybody wants to give! We're thankful for the thousands of dollars that have been given in our promotional services in recent weeks.

Tomorrow, Erma and I will travel to Columbia, MS for the IMPACT Conference hosted by Pastor James Carney and Woodlawn Church. I am honored to be a sponsor of this great meeting. We'll be home Wednesday night, and then fly to South Carolina to represent TCMM at a district meeting. After a few days of vacation on the South Carolina coast, we will be in Ohio the next week for several more services.

Stay tuned...I can't wait to share with you my goals for the Mansion 5K!