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Did you know that October 19-25, 2020 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week?
The National Estate Planning Awareness Week was adopted on September 27, 2008, with the help of Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), 49 members of the House of Representatives and the help of the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils.  Its purpose was to “help the public understand what estate planning is and why it is such a vital component of financial wellness.” Read the full resolution
here.
 
How about you?
Is your Will outdated?
I like to think that estate planning documents are like batteries on a smoke detector.  You want them to be ready to respond in an emergency.  This month take time to review your documents and make sure the content included reflects your current wishes.  Contact your Texas Conference Planned Giving and Trust Services office or your local attorney if you have any questions on how to protect your assets or for help to make these updates.

Where are your estate planning documents (Will, Trust, POAs and Advance Directive) located? 
As important as having your estate planning documents, it is equally important to store them in a safe place and have someone you trust know where to find them. 

Are your friends and family protected?
An estate plan is not just for the wealthy, the old, the married, parents, and the sick. It really is something all should consider "earlier rather than later."  During these times when COVID-19 is a real threat, it is good to have a plan and documents that protect property, children, family, rights and wishes.  Take time this month to share with your friends and loved ones why and how you got an estate plan.  They will be sure to thank you after they have "set their home in order" (Isaiah 38:1)! 

Social Media Challenge
  1. Take a picture,
  2. Add #NationalEstatePlanningAwarenessWeek,
  3. Post it on your favorite social media sites and influence!
The Feast of Tabernacles: When the LORD Commands Us to Rejoice!
by Uzziel Maldonado

On October 2-9, 2020, Judaism celebrates Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles.  Deuteronomy 16:14 says “and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates.”  This holy convocation was for all (Jew and Gentile) within the home to rejoice and celebrate for the harvest and the atonement by going to Jerusalem, building temporary shelters and feasting together.  Adventist pioneer, author, evangelist, missionary, Bible teacher and church administrator S.N. Haskell, describes this event in the book, The Cross and Its Shadow, saying “this feast was commemorative as well as typical.  It commemorated their desert wanderings; and in remembrance of their tent homes, all Israel dwelt in booths during the seven days.”  It began five days after the Day of Atonement, when God had finished investigating the life record kept in heaven through the inspection of the Book of Remembrance, and the Book of Life.  The sin of the people which had been placed in the sanctuary had now been removed by the High Priest and placed on the goat Azazel (Leviticus 16:22).  God’s people were at-one with their holy God! 
Whereas the Day of Atonement was marked with a most solemn fast (Leviticus 16:31).  The Feast of Tabernacles, the last of the feasts, was marked with joy, happiness and feasting (Leviticus 23:39).  God’s people had been counted, weighed and by His grace, found “not wanting.”  Because of the love of God and His Gift, which is to say, the blood of Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world, Christians do not perish but have everlasting life! 
The great controversy between good and evil will soon end and the promised inheritance will be received by the great multitude of overcomers which no man could number.   They consisted of all nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues (Revelation 7:9; Revelation 21:7).  Maranatha!  Read SN Haskells chapter “The Feast of Tabernacles” here.
“Stewardship is a total lifestyle.  It involves our health, time, talents, environment, relationships, spirituality and finances.”  Below you will find a few stories from across the Texas Conference of members who are doing their best to be good stewards.
East Texas Stewardship Hero: Nida Dizon
“Not all heroes wear capes” is a phrase often said of healthcare providers and others who place their life at risk to serve and protect.  It is said of nurses such as Nida, a registered nurse and trustor who lives and serves in Houston, Texas.  During this COVID-19 pandemic she and others like her have worked non-stop at hospitals and other healthcare facilities to attend our loved ones during their vulnerable condition.  Nida, however, is also actively looking for ways to serve her church, community and God on the weekends as the health ministries coordinator at the Houston Northwest Seventh-day Adventist Church where Pastor Eric Smith leads.  Nida enjoys organizing Health Expo’s and Blood Drives and encourages other health professionals to “taste and see” and enjoy pro bono Christian service.  This year, when blood donations have decreased due to the pandemic, Nida has organized two blood drives (June 14 and September 27) so far.  She does not limit health ministries to adults but looks for ways to motivate children and Pathfinders to assist and lead as well.  Thank your Nida Dizon for your service and example.

North Texas Stewardship Heroes: Stephanie Del Aguila and Pr. David Maldonado
Pr. David Maldonado and his wife, Stephanie Del Aguila married on June 13, 2019.  As a “requirement” of their pre-marital counseling they were encouraged to take part in Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University as a couple.  David and Stephanie were still at Andrews University when  they completed the last of the videos and began to focus on eliminating their debt (credit card, student loan and car loan).  Following the “debt snowball” plan and with help of their revised budget, elbow grease, God’s providence and discipline they were determined to destroy their debt for good.  On September 21, 2020, they completed this goal and paid the last of the $27,876.30!  Having Proverbs 22:7 in mind, which says “the rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender,” Pr. David after he made the last payment said, “it feels good to owe no one.”  Also following Dave Ramsey’s advice about “getting a will is the best way to make a plan for the people and the stuff that is important to you.”  Pr. David and Stephanie had their will drafted through the Texas Conference.  Pr. David Maldonado is currently serving as the associate pastor at the Crowley Seventh-day Adventist Church.  Thank you, Stephanie and Pr. David, for your service and example.
What do you call a duck's last will and testament?
-a legal duckument

Where do ducks prefer to go on vacation?
-The Duck-otas
October 2020
Below is a list of awareness events taking place this month.  Some may encourage to visit a health professional for a procedure or check-up, other’s may encourage to have the home inspected or have something installed, and still others may encourage to send a card or express gratitude to a friend or loved one.  We hope this may serve as a friendly reminder, a gentle nudge, and a source of inspiration for ministry opportunities as plans are made this month.  Happy October!   

Church/ Ecclesiastical
  • Children’s Sabbath: 3
  • Clergy Appreciation Month;  Sabbath: 10
  • Spirit of Prophecy Month; Sabbath: 10
  • Pathfinder Sabbath: 17
Professional/ Relationships
  • Customer Service Month
  • National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Home/ Homestead
  • Adopt-A-Dog Month
  • Domestic Violence Awareness Month
  • Energy Awareness Month
  • Fire Prevention Week
  • National Crime Prevention month
  • National Cyber Security Awareness Month
  • National Estate Planning Month
  • Halloween
Health
  • Breast Cancer Awareness
  • Children’s Health Awareness Month
  • Dental Hygiene Month
  • Down Syndrome Awareness Month
  • Healthy Lung Awareness Month
  • National Chiropractic Month
  • National Physical Therapy Month
  • Red Ribbon Week
  • SIDS Awareness Month
  • Vegetarian Awareness Month
May our good God inspire and guide you as you consider ways to serve Him!
Life is uncertain for anyone. Don't wait till the last minute to have things in order. Protect your property and your family. Get started on your Last Will and Testament today. We can help!
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Important Documents to Have...

Perhaps this is a good time to have your important documents in order...

  • Have you moved to Texas and need to create new documents?
  • Do you need to name a legal guardian for your minor children on your Will?
  • Are your children grown and financially independent and you would like to change the distribution of your estate?
  • Do you need to add or remove beneficiaries on your Will?
  • Would you like to include a gift to the Lord's Work in your Will?
If you answered 'yes' to any of the above questions, then it may be time to review and update your Will.

Contact the Texas Conference Trust Department to update your documents at 817-790-2255 ext. 2105 or reply to this email.

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