“Sisters in Christ Sisters for Life”
With six days and counting down till reveal date, I want to hereby name the Knoll Digging Deep group near Obion, Tennessee, the “Digging Deep Group of the Year!” Maxine Knoll wouldn’t want me to call the group that meets at her house by her name, but I don’t know how else to identify. I love this group. They meet monthly at Maxine’s house, and, of course, (this is the deep South), they eat! (I bet they put the leftovers up in Cool Whip containers, too! We people in the South know those containers are sturdier than lots of the ones you buy on the food storage aisle, and they are FREE!) I keep hearing for the women in this group that the Bible Study is the biggest draw, BUT the fellowship and the closeness they share is a close second.
Maxine usually prepares the main dish and the other sisters bring sides and drinks. They share the meal, but Maxine says they also share the burdens and the spiritual struggles and the happy things in their lives, too. They pray for each other and they help each other when there are needs. These girls vary in age from 30s to 70s and they all agree that this is the “safe zone” where they can share and encourage in open discussions. It’s kind of a Titus 2 place to be.
The best thing is, this group has been the catalyst in the formation of at least four more groups. Did you get that?! Vickie Castro started a Paducah, Kentucky group. Michelle Johnston took Digging Deep to Union City, Tennessee. Then the Rutherford, Tennessee group was begun by Barbara Roberts, who now attends both groups (Obion and Rutherford). And currently Kelli Gough and her friend Hailey are planning the advent of a Jackson, Tennessee group. (I’m loving this idea, because the congregation there—North Jackson— is where our son, Caleb, is the local preacher.)All of these groups are now formed/forming as a result of the original Obion Area Diggers. God is amazing, no matter how your vantage point in seeing this phenomenon!
So hats off to Maxine and the diggers who travel monthly for the purpose of knowing God and His very practical will for our lives. I happen to know that some of these women are also in Missouri. So this group literally touches at least three states, now. I have to think souls will be in heaven as a result of this open home and several open hearts!
Maxine is often thinking of little gifts and treats for the ladies and last Saturday, they all got a coffee mug! She’s making a few extra this time and, if you want one, she’ll have some at Branson PTP and at Sevierville, as well.
the back…
They’re ten dollars each and you can let her know to save you one by sending her a Facebook message or catching up with her at either convention. I think she’ll have a table in the exhibit hall in Sevierville. Isn’t this a cute mug? It’s not officially a Digger mug, but it’s a Bible study mug. And what a sweet gift for a fellow digger.
(You may be one of those lucky moms who got the handmade Bible story/activity books, if your kids were in Mrs. Maxine’s kids’ class one particular year at Sevierville. Colleyanna was one of those blessed kids Eliza Jane was also gifted one of those amazing books just recently and I am currently using it for Bible Time when she visits my house. It’s another pretty wonderful thing that came from that house near Obion!) 
See you soon! If you’re coming to Branson, get a move on! It’s time! If you’re not, be sure to watch the video reveal next Saturday at 1:00 CST! You’ll find it on the DD facebook page and on the Digging Deep YouTube channel. We are grateful to Song Nicholas and Jennifer Benavides for making the reveal video work for you that day!
P.S. There are some more groups that are really working together toward the great eternal goal, too. I’m thinking Zoom in the Dakotas, Zoom from Kentucky, Texas & Montgomery teen Zoom, and that Julie Orr Midland crew! Oh yeah, and that great Florence, AL crew, as well. And the hardworking bunch in central California. And that revamped group of sisters in Montgomery! And, oh!… the Mount Sterling, KY group, and the one in Elizabethton, TN! I could go on and on…(and probably should not have begun naming!) I don’t even know about them all, but I love it when I do hear. This can’t be anything but good! It’s the Word! To God be the glory. He is so, so good!
But I do know her. Remember, I said that if you made me laugh, there are extra points? Well, I did laugh when I watched this video. I also know how very far out of her comfort zone Mrs. Maxine had to go to sing this song for 11.5 thousand group members to access forever. I don’t know if she handcrafted each pair of those dangly legs or not, but, if she did…well, let’s just say she was serious about this entry. Perhaps she will give us some insights in the comments.
On the first day of Digging Deep, this digger got to