We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
We made a “flying” trip to Rome (Georgia) to be with Jason’s family. We enjoyed seeing all of them and doing some fun things together – feeding ducks, geese, and a swan at Berry College, seeing many, many deer at Berry College, putting together a 500 piece puzzle, eating and more eating, attending worship at West Rome Baptist church where we witnessed 15 baptisms and heard 3 awesome testimonies of thanksgiving, attending the reveal of an extreme makeover (by West Rome Baptist Church and XL (their alternative church) and witnessing the wedding of the lady whose family benefited from the makeover. Sunday was a day I’ll probably remember with chill bumps for a long time! That was all of top of receiving some hugs and kisses from some of the most special people in our lives!
You can read the story of the makeover in this online newspaper article.
http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/680/public/news937152.html
Take time to view the video. You will be amazed!
Many people said you needed to see the before and after pictures to really appreciate the love and work this family benefited from.
XL:http://www.xlwired.com/
West Rome Baptist Church:http://www.westrome.org/
There were approximately 1,000 in worship service yesterday morning. What a spirit of excitement about what God has done!
Some of you please call or email me and let me know what I missed here in Kentwood that needs to be shared on The Prayer Link. I have no current information at this time.
Jennie and Boyd also make it safely home today from a trip to Paris. Thank God for his traveling grace for our family over the last few days.
Read the updates on Emily Panter @ http://www.emilypanter.blogspot.com/. Continue to pray for Emily and her family.
You can read the updates on Don Denton @ http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewJournal.do?method=executeInit. Pray for this family too.
Ray Wilburn Tompkins
(March 7, 1942 – November 23, 2008)
U.S. Veteran Ray Wilburn Tompkins was born on March 7, 1942 and passed away at 10:37AM, Sunday, November 23, 2008 at his residence in Greensburg. He was the son of the late Roy and Mona Sharp Tompkins. Ray was 66 and a native of Paradise, MT. He was a Veteran of the United States Air Force where he was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Award.
He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Katherine Tompkins, Greensburg; 3 daughters, Shelia Simmons, Osyka, MS; Karen Barkman and husband, Kenneth, Carriere, MS; and Amanda Hilton and husband Christopher, Greensburg, LA; 2 sisters, Nancy Bradshaw, Morganton, NC & Rose DeNu, San Jose, CA; a half sister, Martha Good, Paradise, MT; step-mother, Mrs. Maxine Tompkins; 7 grandchildren & 2 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by parents, 2 brothers, James Frank Tompkins & Gary Wayne Tompkins; a half sister, Betty Lou Moore.
There will be a memorial service at a later date in the Day’s Cemetery, Liverpool.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to: Community Care Hospice, 1007 W. Thomas St.,Suite A, Hammond, LA 70403.
McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is in charge of arrangements.
An on-line guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com
Chief John J. (Bacile) Polito, Sr.
(January 14, 1940 – November 23, 2008)
U.S. Veteran Died at 10:07 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, 2008 at his residence in Independence, LA. He was a native of Kenner, LA. Age 68 years. He was member of Independence Fire Department for 45 years where he served as chief for 37 years. He also served as an Alderman and was the current Mayor Pro-temp of Independence. He was the Chief of District #11 Volunteer Fire Department in Livingston Parish where he was responsible for chartering their department. He was a life member of the Louisiana State Fireman’s Association, a member of the Louisiana Municipal Association, an employee of Tangipahoa Parish Council, a member of the Advisory Committee for Central Tangipahoa Head Start, was an avid farmer and loved to spend time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Congetta Drago Polito, Independence; 2 daughters, Mary Polito Spencer and husband, Tommie, Independence and Patricia Polito Sparacello and husband, Sammy, Independence; 2 sons, John J. Polito, Jr. and wife, Dianna, Independence and Michael A. Polito and wife, Missy, Tickfaw; 7 grandchildren, Lauren Spencer Hardy and husband, Christopher, Jessica Polito, Brandi Polito, Sam Sparacello, Jr., Bridget Polito, Tommie “TJ” Spencer and Stephani Sparacello; 2 great-grandsons, Brayden Polito Carlisle and Christpher D. “CJ” Hardy, Jr.; 5 brothers, Nick Bacile, Jr., Baptist, John Bacile, Metairie, Anthony Bacile, Baton Rouge, Nace Bacile, Walker and Charles Bacile, Walker; sister, Camilla Bacile, Independence; numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends. Preceded in death by his brother, Vincent Polito; father, Joseph Polito; mother, Mary Mitra Polito Bacile; step-father, Nick Bacile, Sr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Religious Services at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, Independence, at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Services conducted by Deacon Roger Navarra. Interment Colonial Cemetery, Independence, LA.
Courage
PETER CARTWRIGHT, A nineteenth-century, circuit-riding preacher, was an uncompromising man…
One Sunday morning when he was to preach, we was told that President Andrew Jackson was in the congregation. Cartwright was warned not to say anything out of line.
When Cartwright stood to preach, he said, “I understand that Andrew Jackson is here. I have been requested to be guarded in my remarks. Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he doesn’t repent.”
The congregation was shocked and wondered how the president would respond. After the service, President Jackson shook hands with Peter Cartwright and said, “Sir, if I had a regiment of men like you, I could whip the world.”
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” ( Matt. 3:1-2).
I’m not sure my courage would be equal to that, but I pray for more courage to speak up with the appropriate words at the appropriate times.
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 