02 Feb The Titus Boggs Groundhog Day Letter

Titus Boggs, director of the Laurel Mission in Big Laurel, Kent., is famous for his annual Groundhog Day Letter. At least, famous among those of us who receive it.

Yesterday, I received #19 in the series. As usual, it contained a batch of delightfully corny jokes which I’d never heard before. It seems that some of the world’s best humor makes its way to the hollows of Big Laurel and stops there, until Titus releases it back to the world via his Groundhog Day Letter.

For example:

• The other night I left the window open and influenza.
• Do you know the difference beween Bird flu and Swine Flu? For bird flu, you need tweetment, and for swine flu you need oinkment.
• Did you hear about the man who watered just half of his lawn since there was a 50% chance of rain?
• I heard of a preacher who named his bed “the word” and his boat “visitation.” His wife then could answer the phone calls, “He’s in the word,” or “He’s out on visitation.”
• I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
• Two cannibals were eating a clown. One cannibal said to the other, “Does this taste funny to you?”

Along with the frivolity, Titus reported that several people prayed to receive Christ this year at Laurel Mission. He noted of his six children, “They are good workers and helpers, and they each love Jesus.” He gave these updates on his family.

• Titus and his wife, Debbie, have now been ministering at Laurel Mission for 30 years.
• Nathan, 25, works at United Central, a coal mine supply company. He is also the mission’s youth pastor and leads an active group of teens weekly. “No challenge seems too big for Nathan.”
• Hannah, 22, lives and works at a high school in Vancleve, Kent., and also works part-time as a state social worker. In October, she spent ten days in Israel.
• Stephanie, 19, will complete high school in May and plans to attend Kentucky Mountain Bible College next fall. In January, she spent seven days in Jamaica on a mission trip.
• Erica, 17, loves gardening and animals, and is determined to serve her country in the Army.
• Lacy, 16, is the extrovert and is able to express herself very well.
• Taylor, 15, is the youngest, but the tallest, and she loves to do artwork.

Titus concluded his letter with this: “May the Son shine on you so that you cast a long shadow of influence every time you venture from your den.”