May 4, 2026
Happy New Year NCF Family, Friends and Partners,
Twelve years ago today we worshipped on our first Sunday in Vermont at Washington Baptist Church. The next day we unloaded the two trucks and began life in Vermont. We are now less than 4 months from retiring and preparing to load “only” one truck for our return to Texas to establish our home in the house that Billy and Jean built for their retirement 33 years ago on land that I first walked on when we would visit my grandparents on weekends in Avery, TX.
Life has been busy since the first of the year with our regular schedule of activities and responsibilities at the church and schools. In February I was asked to substitute for the area high school band which led to me directing the band from March 30 to the end of the year. I have learned a lot about myself and band students the last 4 weeks but with its challenges things are getting accomplished for the Spring concert, and responsibilities on Memorial Day as well as for graduation.
Jan continues to stay busy at school as a substitute. January through March were filled with VBS training with and for the Baptist Churches of New England and now transitions into preparation for our VBS Camp at NCF.
We have a full summer ahead of us. A mission team from Woodlawn Baptist in Baton Rouge, LA is returning to lead our soccer camp, prepare our VBS float for July 4th parade as well as construction projects June 29-July 2. First Baptist Breckenridge, Tx is returning again to help with our VBS Camp for the seventh time August 3-7! We also have another team coming to help with block party and possible facility needs on July 23 from FBC Temple.
On May 22 NCF begins providing the Kid’s Zone at the weekly Farmers Market on Fridays from 3-6 pm and the following week, May 29 NCF will host our initial After Market Cookout (block party) from 6-8 pm. We look forward to seeing many of the community members who faithfully attended last year!
Healthwise, Jan and I still deal with issues with our backs and old age. I had “trigger finger” surgery on my middle and ring fingers on my right hand in February and still doing rehab. Our son, Jeremy, had major back surgery last Friday which included fusion of the several vertebra in his lower back. The hardest part for us, especially Jan, was not being able to be there due the cost and short notice. Please keep Jeremy and his family in your prayers.
Please keep our preparations for the summer and our move in September in your prayers and that things will settle down in our world and the prices, especially for fuel, will come down. As of right now, we are loading the truck September 12-13 and heading out for Texas on the 14 to arrive on the 17. We are praying for a team of men to be available to meet us and help unload. God has provided a friend who will be flying up to help load and drive to Texas and I know He has the rest taken care of as I fly back for the Singing Men of West Texas tour and to drive our motorhome to our new home in Texas.
Again, thank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement and support,
Bill and Jan Smith
Past Newsletters:
January 26