2A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL JULY 12, 2017
When you pray, do you have
a vague feeling that something
is lacking…that there isn’t any
power in your prayers? Do you
struggle with doubt or fear, or
simply lack confi dence that God
even hears you at all?
I used to have feelings like
this and would think, “Maybe
I didn’t say the right thing, or
pray long enough, or my words
weren’t eloquent enough.” It
was so frustrating because I
didn’t want to waste time, won-
dering if it was doing any good.
After I pray, I want to know that
God is working and my prayers
are making a difference.
It’s easy to complicate our
relationship with God and think
we have to do certain things a
certain way for them to be ef-
fective. But I’ve discovered
that powerful, life-changing,
dynamic prayer is amazingly
simple!
Two Things We Must Do
It’s vitally important for us to
have faith in God when we pray.
Hebrews 11:6 (AMPC) says,
“Without faith it is impossible
to please and be satisfactory to
Him. For whoever would come
near to God must [necessarily]
believe that God exists and that
He is the rewarder of those who
earnestly and diligently seek
Him [out].”
Ask yourself, “Do I believe
God hears me, that He cares
about me and wants to be in-
volved in every area of my
life?” If we don’t really believe
God loves us and wants to help
us, we will struggle to have
faith in Him. That’s why know-
ing and experiencing the love of
God is critical to developing a
powerful prayer life.
It’s also important to ap-
proach God with a sincere heart.
James 5:16 says, “…The earnest
(heartfelt, continued) prayer of
a righteous man makes tremen-
dous power available [dynamic
in its working].”
A sincere heart is focused on
God, trusting that He hears you
and will answer. It doesn’t mean
you have to cry or raise your
voice to pray with sincerity; it’s
all about the attitude of your
heart toward God.
The Key to Praying for God’s
Mary Cook 1934-2017
Mary G. Cook, 82, of Eugene,
formerly of Cottage Grove, Or-
egon, passed away on July 1,
2017. She was born on Novem-
ber 9, 1934, in Yoncalla, Ore-
gon, to Charles and Mary (Ross)
Palmer. Mary attended Cottage
Grove High School and worked
to obtained her GED while rais-
ing six children. She married
Samuel T. Cook on October 7,
1950, in Stevenson, Washington.
They were married for 47 years. Mary was the owner/partner of
C&C Cutting, owner/bookkeeper of Cook’s Carpets, and a home-
maker. She was an avid reader and enjoyed bowling, travel, hunt-
ing, and her grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter Linda
(Dan) Ely, Beaverton, Oregon, son Marvin (Karen) Cook of Spring-
fi eld, Oregon, daughter Bonnie (Jerry) Davis of Eugene, Oregon,
son Chuck Cook of McMinnville, Oregon, brother Lindsey Palmer
of Chicago, Illinois, brother Richard Palmer of Eugene, Oregon,
brother Tom Palmer of Salem, Oregon, and brother David (Mary)
Palmer of Crescent, Oregon, 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchil-
dren, and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by
her husband Samuel T. Cook, Jr. (1997), sons Bruce Cook (1980)
and Vernon Cook (2012). The funeral was held at Smith-Lund-Mills
Chapel, 123 S. 7th St., Cottage Grove, Oregon, on July 10, 2017, at
1:00pm. Burial at Fir Grove Cemetery. Reception was from 2:00-
5:00pm at the Elks Lodge on River Road in Cottage Grove. Ar-
rangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel,
Cottage Grove.
Christine Louise
(Forgey/Hite) Clendenin
1939-2017
Christine passed on into Glory May 4,
2017.
She was born on March 15, 1939 in
Cottage Grove, OR to Pearl and Burton
Forgey. She was the oldest of 4 siblings.
She attended Cottage Grove High
School and married her childhood sweet-
heart, Francis B. Hite. Th ey moved to Cor-
vallis, OR where she was a long time employee of Western Pulp
Products. Th ey had 2 children and later divorced. Aft er raising
her children, she found love again when she met Chester V. Clen-
denin. Th ey were happily married until his passing in 1989. Lov-
ingly known as Gram, Christine was generous and compassion-
ate, had a great sense of humor and wonderful laugh. She loved
children, wolves, eagles, her porch cats, Elvis and a celebratory
pina colada. She is preceded in death by her parents and beloved
pet pups, Jimi Jo and Shilo.
She is survived by her daughter, Francine Th eodore of Cor-
vallis, OR, son, Gary Hite of Sublimity, OR, brother Walter Forgey
of Creswell, OR and sisters Jeannie Riggs of Salem, OR and Joyce
Forgey of Cottage Grove, OR. Four grandchildren, Rachel Baxley,
Nathaniel Th eodore, Devin Hite, Brandon Hite, and great grand-
daughter Annabelle Baxley.
At the family’s request no services are planned. Online con-
dolences for the family may be posted at www.fi sherfuneralhome.
com
tory pertaining to the United States. He enjoyed mining in Bohemia
Mines and using his metal detector. Walter enjoyed reading western
and history books as well as watching movies from his extensive
movie collection.
He is survived by son Bill (Terri) Parsons of Cottage Grove;
daughter Vandi (Rob) Parsons of Cottage Grove; daughter Coleen
(Troy) Jentzsch of Lorane; son Ben (Heidi) Parsons of Creswell;
son, John (Lisa) Parsons of Cottage Grove; son Zack Parsons of
Portland; daughter Jenny (Brian) Parsons of Cottage Grove; and son
Jake Parsons of Portland; 24 grandchildren and two great-grand-
children.
Walter was preceded in death by his wife Sonja Parsons, brothers
George, Rufus, Max, Lawrence, and Jim Parsons.
There is a private family memorial service planned at Bohemia
Mines. Arrangements in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral
Chapel, Cottage Grove.
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Please Celebrate the 4th of July Safely!
Joyce "Sam" Thies 1939-2017
Joyce “Sam” Thies, 78 of Cot-
tage Grove, OR passed away on
July 7, 2017. She was born Feb-
ruary 3, 1939 in Chauvin, LA to
parents Horce and Beulah (Bourg)
Boudreaux.
She graduated from Terrebonne
High School in Houma, LA. She
was a bank teller for Wood Prod-
ucts Credit Union for 16 years. She
married John E. Thies on September 21, 1984 in Cottage Grove,
OR. Sam enjoyed sewing, knitting, crossword puzzles, and travel-
ing. Sam and her husband John danced consistently for 10 years,
she sang in The Grove Tones Women’s Barbershop and was famous
for her knitted slippers. She was an active member of the United
Methodist Church for more than 40 years. Sam is survived by her
husband, John Thies, Cottage Grove, OR; son, Craig Kulm and wife
Cindy, Creswell, OR; daugh-
ter, Cindy Thies, Springfi eld,
Or; daughter, Cheryl Kerns and
husband Kevin, Cottage Grove,
to Me] and My words remain in
you and continue to live in your
hearts, ask whatever you will,
and it shall be done for you.”
To abide means to live, dwell
and remain; it’s not just spend-
ing time with God on Sunday.
z
Walter Parsons 1941-2017
Walter Parsons, 75, of
Cottage Grove died June 30,
2017.
Walter was born in Koko-
mo, Ind. on Nov. 15, 1941 to
Rufus and Arlene (Barlow)
Parsons.
He served in the U.S. Navy
from 1959-1961 as a Radio
Technician Helper.
On Jan. 9, 1963 in Goshen, Ore., Walter and Sonja Marie Robert-
son were married.
He worked as a timber faller and decided to try commercial fi sh-
ing for a few years. Walter went back to the woods as an indepen-
dent, self-employed timber faller.
His hobbies and interests were reading to gain knowledge of his-
Will
If you’re not sure whether
you’re asking for God’s will in
your life (and we all go through
times like this), then you need to
take time to just abide in Christ.
In John 15:7, Jesus says, “If you
live in Me [abide vitally united
123 South 7th, Cottage Grove, Oregon
th
OR; son, Jim Thies and wife Lori, Coquille, OR; daughter, Shan-
541-942-0185
•www.smithlundmills.com
non Grove, Coppell, TX; brother, Dallas Boudreaux, Houma, LA;
sister, Barbara Daily, Houma, LA; sister, Shirley Lien, Menna, z
AR; brother, Larry Boudreaux,
Springfi eld, OR; 12 grandchil-
dren and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her
fi rst husband, Kenneth Kulm in
1978. Memorial contributions
may be made to United Meth-
You’re invited to our upcoming events:
odist Church, 334 Washington
St., Cottage Grove, OR. Burial
at Fir Grove Cemetery, Cottage
Grove, OR. Arrangements in
the care of Smith-Lund-Mills
Funeral Chapel, Cottage Grove,
OR.
DEATH
NOTICE
123 South 7 , Cottage Grove, Oregon
www.smithlundmills.com
Magnolia Gardens
Assisted Living & Memory Care
Fall Prevention Seminar
Thursday, July 20th
@2:30pm
Join Mindy Bench in this special free
seminar to learn tips and tricks to save you
from the fall.
Refreshments will be provided.
The Price is Right
Greer- J.C. "Bob" Greer, 89
of Cottage Grove, died July 4.
Arrangements by Smith-Lund-
Mills Funeral Chapel in Cottage
Grove.
Friday, July 28th
@ 2:30 pm.
Comprehensive family, medical eyecare
and optical services
We will have lots of prizes and
delicious desserts. Invite friends to
join the fun.
Also enter to win a free day trip to
Florence, Oregon which includes
lunch and bus ride.
Bahamas Bingo Bash
Friday, August 18th
@ 2:30pm
Get out your fl ip fl ops and Hawaiian
tops and be ready to win!
Lots of fun, fresh fruit and tropical
drinks. Bingo games are free to seniors
and you can win cash prizes.
Cataract exams • Glaucoma exams • Lasik exams • Diabetic exams
Serving Cottage Grove Community since 2006
Welcome new patients
Offi ce hours:
Monday thru Thursday 9-5, Friday 9-4
257 N. 8th St. • 541-942-5000
www.PCVI.com
1425 Daugherty Avenue
Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424
541.942.0054 | magnoliacampus.com
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