Happy Thursday with a morning low of 30 degrees. I feel like God rewarded us for coming through the last few weeks! Reward or not, I’m THANKFUL!
A Verse for Today
“If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
Ecclesiastes 4:10:
Read the Bible in 2026
- February 4 – John 3-4
- February 5 – John 5-6
Today’s Prayer Focus
Focus on that verse today. Write it on three little pieces of paper and place them in places you visit frequently: the washing machine, the kitchen sink, your car. If you don’t like those locations, choose three of your own. Read it when you see it. Think how it applies to you.
OBITUARY COMPLETED
Bonnie Sue Vernon
June 26, 1960 – February 2, 2026
Bonnie Sue Vernon, 65, of Loranger, Louisiana, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 2, 2026. She was born on June 26, 1960, in Amite, Louisiana, to Robert Weist Vernon and Mary Young Vernon. Bonnie Sue was a resident of Montpelier, Louisiana, for most of her life and was deeply connected to the community she called home.
Bonnie Sue was a proud graduate of Amite High School, Class of 1978, where she was known for her athletic ability, participating in both basketball and track.
Bonnie Sue had a wild-at-heart spirit and a deep love for the outdoors. She loved the beach, fresh air, and any chance to be outside. She had a contagious personality that filled a room, made people feel instantly comfortable, and left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
She had an extraordinary love for animals and spent much of her life rescuing and caring for them. Her most beloved companion was her yellow lab, Breaden, whose memory remained close to her heart. In keeping with her wishes, Breaden’s ashes will be buried with her.
Bonnie Sue adored her family and never missed an opportunity to capture memories through photographs. Her daughter, Marci, was her only child and truly her world. She loved holidays, especially Halloween, which she cherished celebrating with Marci.
She was known for her kindness and generosity. Bonnie Sue never met a stranger and never hesitated to lend a hand, even when she had little to give. In the early 1990s, she demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit by owning multiple businesses, including a clothing line. She was known for her natural sales ability and could truly sell anything, even the clothes she was wearing.
Bonnie Sue shared 14 loving years with her partner, Mike Neasloney.
Although she did not have the opportunity to meet her granddaughter in person due to illness, she was deeply in love with her. She treasured every photo and video and spoke about her constantly with pride and joy.
Bonnie Sue is survived by her partner, Mike Neasloney; her daughter, Marci Gaines Bradley, and son-in-law, Jonathan Bradley, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and her cherished granddaughter, Lucy Marybeth Bradley. She is also survived by her mother, Mary Young Vernon of Montpelier, Louisiana; her brother, Robert Dale Vernon, and sister-in-law, Charmaine Vernon; her niece, Katie Vernon; and her nephew, Rob Vernon, all of Watson, Louisiana.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Weist Vernon.
Visitation will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Montpelier Methodist Church, followed by a service at 12:00 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Steve Elworth. Burial will follow at Montpelier Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor Bonnie Sue’s memory to consider making a donation to Companion Animal Alliance of Baton Rouge, an organization close to the family’s heart. https://www.caabr.org/
Bonnie Sue will be deeply missed and forever loved by her family and all who knew her.
Operation Christmas Child
I’m thankful for those who have volunteered to work this year to pack shoeboxes for next year. If you still want to volunteer, it is not too late.
Baptist Press
Volunteers Urgently Needed
We Need You!
Samaritan’s Purse is helping homeowners in hard-hit areas of the South slammed by the recent storm that brought snow and crippling ice to the region. Much work has been done, but there are hundreds of families who still need assistance.
I’m sure Louisiana Disaster Relief teams are onsite too.
Volunteering with either one would be rewarding for for you and for the residents.
A Thought from Waylon Bailey
How Can I Do the Things that Matter? (2020)
James Clear is a favorite writer. He has written about the power of habits and how you develop those powerful habits.
Recently he wrote about adding value to other people. He said that before you ask for value you must give value to others. This fits many areas of life. My blog tomorrow will expound on this idea and how it applies to Scripture and to us.
Today, I want to talk about productivity and time management with something James Clear said in the same article.
“The fastest way to raise your level of performance:
Cut your number of commitments in half.”
Almost all of us are asking, “How can I do the things that really matter?”
Obviously, we first have to ask, “What really matters?” This is a great life lesson and life exercise. Certainly, your family, livelihood, and faith would fit in these areas. What else should fit, and what shouldn’t fit? What should you not do, and what should you give to someone else?
These are the kind of questions that help us be more productive and to add value to others.
As we move to the weekend, I want to encourage you to look deeply at what you are doing and the contributions you are making. Look for ways to make a difference in the people around you.
Paul told the believers in Colossae to “Make the most of the time” (Colossians 4:5). He saw time as an opportunity to serve God and to advance the Gospel.
How can we see time as an opportunity, and how can we use our time to advance the Gospel?
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THANKS for reading, doing, and praying today.
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 
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