2A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL APRIL 12, 2017
I think it’s healthy to stop
periodically and take invento-
ry of our lives. It’s important
to ask, “Am I really living the
life Christ died for me to have?
Or am I settling for something
less?”
Regardless of what’s hap-
pened in the past or what ob-
stacles seem to be in our way,
God has a big, full life in store
for each one of us. But it’s up
to us whether we’re going to get
the best out of life and make the
most of our time, talents, rela-
tionships and opportunities.
The book of Genesis contains
a great lesson in this area. It
shares the story of Abraham’s
father, Terah, who gathered his
family, packed up everything,
and set out for his ultimate des-
tination—Canaan.
However, Genesis 11:31 tells
us, “...They went forth together
to go from Ur of the Chaldees
into the land of Canaan; but
when they came to Haran, they
settled there” (AMPC).
Wow! I wonder how many
people start out to do one thing
in life but settle somewhere
along the way because they get
tired or because it’s convenient.
It’s not really what they want,
but it’s something they think
they can “settle for.”
Are there areas in your life
where you have settled, or may-
be just haven’t made as much
progress as you had hoped?
The Lord has called us to ex-
cellence, and we don’t have to
settle for mediocrity. The word
mediocre literally means “to
live halfway between success
and failure.” And that’s where
so many people live; they ha-
ven’t completely failed, but
they’re also not where they re-
ally want to be.
This applies to every area of
our lives. Maybe you’ve begun
studying the Bible and you have
a goal to really know God’s
Word and develop an intimate,
close relationship with Him. If
that’s the case, don’t settle for
just reading a chapter a day to
“put your time in”—stay deter-
mined to make it a priority and
reap the benefi ts of truly know-
ing God.
Or maybe you have a goal to
lose 20 pounds. If so, make a
decision that you’re not going
to give up when it gets diffi cult.
Even if you have a bad day and
actually gain weight, be deter-
mined to bounce back the next
day!
Sometimes we get used to the
place where we are and forget
there’s something better. Life
gets busy, complicated, or even
comfortable, and we lose sight
of the dreams and goals we used
to have. That’s when we need
to stir ourselves up and become
determined to attain every sin-
gle part of God’s plan for our
lives.
The Bible is full of scriptures
that encourage us to do our best.
2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study
and be eager and do your ut-
most to present yourself to God
approved (tested by trial), a
workman who has no cause to
be ashamed...” (AMPC).
I love that phrase, “Do your
utmost.” It may be easier to go
halfway, but just imagine what
could happen if you decided to
give your “utmost” in your mar-
riage, at your job, or any other
area of your life.
Some of the greatest bless-
ings in my life now are things
that have required the most ef-
fort. Today, my husband, Dave,
and I have the awesome priv-
ilege of sharing God’s Word
with millions of people through
Joyce Meyer Ministries. Many
times over the years it required
tremendous sacrifi ce and the de-
cision to keep moving forward
when we felt like giving up.
Yes, it required time and
effort to do everything God
placed in our hearts to do—but
it was worth it in the end! To-
day, I am so glad we didn’t stop
halfway when things got tough.
I thank God that I didn’t get
discouraged and quit during the
days when only 50 people were
attending my conferences.
The truth is if you will give
your best and do what you can
do, God will do His part and do
what you can’t do!
So, don’t settle for average,
mediocre, or halfway. God has
an incredible, fulfi lling and ex-
citing life just waiting for you.
Yes, it’s going to require effort
and determination, and in many
cases it may require you to push
past fear so you can enjoy great-
er freedom and success. But I
promise you this: Whatever it
takes, it’s always worth it.
IN MEMORIAM
Richard DeAutremonth
Sherri Wynn-Dumong
Sherri Wynn-DuMong passed away
of an accidental death on April 4,
2017. She is survived by her mother,
Judy Wynn Toon, stepfather, Glenn
Toon, two brothers, Randy and Jim
Wynn, a sister, Terri Zancanella, and
many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on
April 22, 2017 at 3 p.m. at the Wald-
port Seventh-Day Adventist Church,
(next to the KOA), 1506 NW Pacifi c
Coast Hwy., Waldport, Oregon 97394.
If you have any questions call 541-961-5253.
Carol Lorraine King 1951-2017
Carol Lorraine King, 65, of
Cottage Grove died April 1,
2017.
She was born Dec. 28, 1951 in
San Francisco, Calif. to Donald
and Jacqueline (Futch) King.
She had an associates degree
in nursing from Lane Commu-
nity College and worked as a
registered nurse, was President
of the American Association
of Offi ce Nurses from 1993 to
1996, and was a nurse for World
Relief in the Philippines and
Ethiopia.
She enjoyed oil painting and
photography.
DEATH
NOTICE
Clifford Charles Gadway, 72,
of Cottage Grove died April 5.
Arrangements by Smith-Lund-
Mills Funeral Chapel in Cottage
Grove, Oregon.
Survivors include a son,
Nicholas King of Los Angeles,
Calif., and a sister, Donna King
of Cottage Grove.
A Celebration of Life was
held April 8 at 3 p.m. at the
First Baptist Church in Cottage
Grove.
Arrangements under the care
of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral
Chapel, Cottage Grove.
Richard P. DeAutremont 62,
passed away March 24, 2017. A
celebration of life will be held at
a later date.
Richard was an amazing father,
brother, uncle, grandfather and
friend. He touched many hearts.
He loved family, fi shing, out-
doors,carpentry work and helping
others.
Richard is survived by his broth-
ers Steve and Dan, sisters Renee,
Vicki, and Donna. Nine nieces and
nephews. His four daughters Toshua, Tia, Tara, and Tiffany. Along
with nine grandchildren.
BIRTHS
Karrie and Christopher Cone
of Cottage Grove welcomed a
baby boy on March 30 at Peace-
Health Sacred Heart Medical
Center-RiverBend.
Charity and Stephen Perez
welcomed a baby girl on March
30 at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart
Medical Center-RiverBend.
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RUSSELL CARY THOMS
1958-2017
Aft er a courageous fi ght against
cancer, Russell Th oms, 58, passed
away surrounded by his family on
Sunday morning, April 2, 2017. He
was born on November 10, 1958 in
Eugene, Oregon, as the son of Emil
(Bud) and Delores Th oms, growing up
in the Cottage Grove area.
Russ graduated from Cottage Grove High School and also
attended Blue Mountain Community College on a golf schol-
arship. Russ fi rst worked in the lumber industry along with
his father and brother. Aft er a number of years, he decided to
make a career change that eventually proved to be his passion.
Working as a construction contractor was the right move, as he
loved his work from the foundation to the roof and everything
in between, starting his own business, Investor’s Choice Con-
struction. He later decided that fi nish carpentry was his true
passion and sunk his heart into it. Th e quality of his craft sman-
ship, work ethic and leadership skills were recognized by all who
knew him.
Although his real pride and joy came from being a father
and husband of 37 years to Carrie Strebe, Russ also loved the
game of golf. He was an accomplished golfer, earning Club
Champion at Emerald Valley Golf Club and won many two-
man tournaments with his brother, known as the Th oms Boys.
Being competitive in nature, Russ always enjoyed playing pok-
er, pinochle,Yahtzee and crochet with family and sharing good
food and fi ne wine with both family and friends.
We will always remember Russ as being quick witted, funny,
talented and creative. He was a loving member of our family,
always willing to help and share his knowledge with others. He
was an avid Duck fan and hosted many “Duck Parties” to watch
his favorite team. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife Carrie, their sons Vincent, Kyle
(wife Hannah), and Cameron, two grandchildren, his mother
Delores Th oms, brother Randy Th oms (wife Lisa) and sisters
Ronda Cranmer (husband Fred) and Rochelle Miller. He is pre-
ceded in death by his father Bud Th oms.
A summer memorial will be planned for family and friends.
In lieu of fl owers, contributions can be made in his name to Cas-
cade Health Solutions, Hospice Care.
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