I’m thankful to hear “Miss” Carol Jean and “Miss” Gail seem to be doing well, even if they are still in ICU.  Pray for healing of their hearts as well as their bodies.

Lorna Kay Smith
(May 11, 1937 – January 27, 2012)

Marguerite Bennett Baudin
(November 1, 1920 – January 27, 2012) 

“Now that the worst is over,

we’re pleased we can report that we’ve come out of this with conscience and faith intact,

and can face the world—

and even more importantly,

face you with our heads held high.

But it wasn’t by any fancy footwork on our part.

It was God who kept us focused on him, uncompromised.”

~2 Corinthians 1:12 MSG~

Four fine, Christian ladies were in an awful wreck last night.  Two are now in heaven.  Four families, two churches, and the whole community.

From ActionNews17.com

Troopers investigate Double Fatality Crash in Kentwood

Kentwood, LA – Shortly after 6:00 pm this evening, Louisiana State Police Troop L investigated a double fatality crash on LA 38 east of Kentwood in Tangipahoa Parish.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the crash occurred as a 2005 Lincoln LS sedan, driven by Elizabeth Pittman (W/F age 66) of Kentwood, LA, was stopped in the eastbound lane of LA 38 preparing to make a left turn into a private drive. As the Lincoln remained stopped in the roadway, a 2007 Western Star 18-wheeler, driven by Stennis Taylor (B/M age 50) of Magnolia, MS, was eastbound on LA 38 approaching the Lincoln from the rear. Taylor failed to observe the Lincoln stopped in the roadway and attempted to pass the Lincoln on its left side to avoid a rear-end impact. As the Western Star 18-wheeler, towing a wood chip trailer, crossed into the westbound lane of LA 38, the Lincoln began to turn left and was impacted on its left side by the front end of the truck.

Pittman and front seat passenger, Carol Gill (W/F age 75), were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash and were airlifted from the scene with serious injuries. Pittman was transported to Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington and Gill was taken to Northoaks Medical Center in Hammond where they remain in serious condition. The two rear passengers in the Lincoln, Lorina Smith (W/F age 74) and Catherine Simmons (W/F age 73), were not properly restrained at the time of the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene by the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s Office. All four occupants in the Lincoln were from the Kentwood area.

Taylor was wearing a seatbelt and received no injuries in the crash. He was charged with two counts each of Negligent Homicide and Negligent Injuring and was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail.

Alcohol and/or drug impairment is not suspected to be a factor in the crash with toxicology results from each driver pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab.

While motor vehicle crash fatalities have consistently decreased across the state over the past several years, troopers continue to see driver inattention and lack of seatbelt use as major factors in a large percentage of fatal and serious injury crashes. The simple act of avoiding distractions and properly wearing a seatbelt can mean the difference between life and death.

Jill Brister was feeling better yesterday and will be flying home today.  Thank God for the laser surgery that has improved her back.  Pray she will be more comfortable now.

Velta Morris

TO GOD BE THE GLORY – VELTA’S UPDATE WITH ONCOLOGIST VISIT JANUARY 27

First, I want to thank you, my praying friends and family, for all the love you have shown me since I was diagnosed with cancer earlier this month.  You have walked with me, prayed for me and comforted me.  I’m grateful and so very thankful for each of you.  I have received cards of encouragement from friends I have not communicated with in years! This has been such a blessing.  I’ve had prayers lifted from our fellow church members in Kentwood, LA and our church in Greenville, and just knowing we are one in the bond of love is such a source of strength.  My church here has covered me like a warm blanket in a cold, scary examining room!

Today my oncologist brought me the very best news I could have hoped and prayed for:  he confirmed that, yes, I do have B-cell lymphoma, medically defined as follicular lymphoma; it is slow-growing, low grade.  At this time he anticipates no meaningful negative impact in my daily routine.  The doctor will monitor me periodically with blood tests and scans, and if/when signs of aggression manifest later, at that time a course of treatment would begin.

Please continue your prayers in my behalf.   Having cancer is not something I would have chosen, of course.  But I want God to use this experience for His glory, and as someone aptly said, “Why not me?”  Being aware of the cancer will always be a constant reminder of my utter dependence on Him,for without Him I am nothing, as the song says, and my prayer for me is that I will honor Him with whatever number of years God gives me.

To God Be the Glory – great things He has done – and is doing!

Velta G. Morris

Baptist Press: Courageous is number one in DVD sales

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=37058

Thought for the Day: Do you know where you are going?

There was a time when Albert Einstein was going on a train to an out-of-town engagement. The conductor stopped by to punch his ticket. The great scientist, preoccupied with his work, with great embarrassment rummaged through his coat pockets and briefcase to no avail. He could not find his ticket. The conductor said, “We all know who you are, Dr. Einstein. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it. Everything is okay.”

The conductor walked on down the aisle punching other tickets. Before he moved to the next car, he looked back and saw Dr. Einstein down on his hands and knees looking under his seat trying to find his ticket. He came back and gently said, “Dr. Einstein, please don’t worry about it. I know who you are.”

Einstein looked up and said, “I too know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going!”

Like Einstein, we often don’t know where we are going. That’s why we are often compared in the Scriptures to sheep — animals which have a very poor sense of direction. They have no idea where they came from or where they’re going. That’s one of the reasons they are in such dire need of a shepherd.

Like sheep, we have all “gone astray.” (Isa. 53:6). We need someone to show us the way. And Jesus not only shows us the way — he IS the way!

“Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:5-6)

Thanks be to our God, who provides us with direction.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

There is sadness in Kentwood today because of the awful wreck that happened last night.  Thankfully, we can say all four of these ladies knew where they were going.  Two of them have already made the journey.  If the same thing happened to your vehicle today to you, could your family say you were in heaven?

As you pray for the four families represented by those in the wreck, please remember to pray for Spring Creek Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Kentwood.  Pray for Bro. Danny and Bro. Joey as they minister to the families and friends.

Anna Lee

There was an awful accident on highway 38 east of town tonight.  Four of our precious, local ladies were involved.  I’ll not post names at this time, but please pray for the families.

Mrs. Lorna Smith

Donna sent a message that her mother is doing very well.  She doesn’t even have a cast!  Keep the prayers coming.

Dr. Derry Magee

“But to You I have cried out, O Lord,

and in the morning my prayer comes before You.”

~Psalm 88:13~

Jadon Pailet is making amazing progress.  He is able to scoot around on the floor much better, repeat sounds and words better than he ever has, and give a high-five with his right hand.  Go, Jadon!  Thank you, Jesus!

Mr. Kenneth Felker seems to have his hands full lately.  ”Miss” Grace Helen seems to have an infection in her knee.  She will be moved back to North Oaks for more attention on her knee.

Robert Lee Beaver

McKneely Funeral Home, Amite

Robert Lee Beaver relinquished the bonds of this world to join another that he strove for his whole life on January 25, 2012. Born January 25, 1930 in Martha, West Virginia to Charles Wesley Beaver and Vesta Lovejoy Beaver. A faithful servant to God, devoted husband, father, brother and trusted friend to all he shared his rich life with. Bob was a teacher of the Word of God and the skills of the hand to many. A retiree of Union Carbide Corporation with 35 years of service. Bob was raised and lived in Hurricane, West Virginia, later residing in Luling, Amite and Zachary, Louisiana. Bob is survived by wife, Ann Welsh Beaver, 3 daughters, Donna Ericson, Diana Herrera and husband, Don, Devon Jeffcoat and husband, Jerry, son, Scott Beaver and wife, Susan, step-son, Kohn Milton and wife, Patricia, brother, Bill Beaver and wife, Jean and sister, Helen Beckett. Bob was blessed with grandchildren, Krista, Morgan, Chelsea, Mitchell, Joshua, Meagan, Steve, Adam, Thomas, Eric, Catherine and Brittany. Also sharing his love with great-grandchildren, Brianna, Carissa, Mallory and Colin. Bob is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Loretta Wise Beaver, son, Mitchell Dean Beaver, brother-in-law, Bill Beckett. Special Thanks from the family go to Zachary Manor Nursing Home for the long term care given to Robert and for the many thoughts and prayers from the special friends that have joined in the adventurous life journey with Bob. Visitation at First United Methodist Church, Amite, from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2012. Services conducted by Rev. Brady Whitton. Interment services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Lakelawn Mausoleum, Metairie. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Andy Taylor’s surgery went well.  He is already home and in the good hands of his family.  Pray for a good recovery.

Mrs. Ann Ballard of Arcola has been very ill in a Baton Rouge hospital, but is better today.  Please pray for her.

I’m sorry to be late posting today.  I packed too many miles, people, and events into Wednesday!

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;

perplexed, but not in despair;

persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed.”

~2 Corinthians 4:8–9 NIV~

Pray for Andy Taylor as he has surgery this morning in Hattisburg at 10:30.  Pray for peace, rest, good results, and a great spirit.  God has surely used Andy as a testimony to us especially during the last months.

Mrs. Lorna Smith‘s elbow surgery went well yesterday.  She’s at home now.

Debbie Luce is recovering from her back surgery and hoping to be free of her back brace soon.

Pray for Paul Howell of Amite.  His health has declined lately.

Mrs. Mickey Cade is recovering from knee surgery and complications, but was able to get to the funeral home to support extended family yesterday.

Pray for Taylor Breeland as she goes through challenging times.  Pray for her family as they “travel this journey” with her.

Many of you have asked about Boyd and me.

• I’m doing very well, just waiting until I can have a MRI in three more months.
• Boyd Hatchel  has no more information about his blood clots.  I’ll give you a report when he goes back to that doctor.

Heart to Heart with Holley: Walk on

God not only walks with us through hard times…

…he turns them into stepping stones that take us

places we never could have gone without them.

Holley

God is good all the time.  All the time, God is good!

Anna Lee

Jill Brister

Jill’s back surgery went well this am. Drs. Unable to completely fix the problem in one outpatient surgery but thinks she will have relief of a lot of the pain. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. We are currently resting in hotel. We will go back for follow up visit Friday am and Lord willing will fly home Saturday morn.

Joan Hagan is doing well, but please pray for her mother, Mrs. Betty Bethel, who is dealing with congestive heart failure.

Andy Taylor will be having surgery at 10:30 in the morning at Hattisburg.  Please keep Andy and Betty in your prayers.

Donald Ray Willson
(February 19, 1933 – January 25, 2012)