Friday

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV).

Pray for Holly K. as she completes her preparations for service in western Africa and returns home for a few weeks before leaving the States early next year. I think God has big plans for her as she serves Him.

God is so God! You’ve been praying for Don Denton who formerly served at First Baptist Church, Independence. Here is last night’s update:

We Made It HOME…… 🙂

Meaning Joshua, Don’s mom and myself…yeah!

Leaving Rochester today and saying goodbye to new friends – Arwin, Mike, Lydia, Ben, Anaka and Miles is the sad part. They took us in an befriended us and cared for us and just loved us. Dorothy, Arwin’s aunt who also is a very wise women and so giving I will miss too. I will also miss the incredible experience we had at Mayo. The nurses and doctors were wonderful. It is an amazing place to be when one is sick. Joshua will miss Lydia and the Nature Center and Lego Land.

WE started our trip this morning with a car packed to the ceiling. Forty-seven days – five people living life at Mayo – a very, very full car.

I might add snowing this morning and 12degrees. A few challenges before we started and the first two hours of our trip. Don’s mom slipped on the icy snow and twisted her ankle. Please pray for her. She is hurting this evening. She is an amazing women and I love her so much. Both Don’s mom and dad have been with us from the beginning and we are so grateful to them.

Well….snow kept falling to the point that many times along our route the first two hours this morning the conditions were almost “white out” conditions for driving. You could tell that I was not from that part of the country, but my brother Roger said that I would have driven home in 20 degree below zero and white out conditions. He was right. And then the sun begin to break through the clouds on into Iowa. We had a really good rest of the trip home.

Don and his dad will be leaving in the morning from Rochester and will arrive in Bolivar early afternoon. I expect Don to be exhausted and very tired from this trip. He will need to rest as soon as he gets home. Please pray for him.

I can’t end this journal entry without telling you about the most incredible experience we had upon arriving home this evening about 7:45pm. I hope I can do it justice for what we experienced. As I am sharing this with you even now, my emotions overcome me with the incredible gift of love that was awaiting us.

As we turned down our street and came closer to our home we realized that our front porch columns were wrapped in Christmas lights – Tim and Melissa Roberts doing. And upon driving into our driveway a big “Welcome Home” sign made by Barbara Smith was on our garage door. Then we were greeted by Tim, Melissa, Elijah and Ryan with happy tears. As we entered our house through our garage and walked up our new step made by Rick Barnhouse into our kitchen and a house that was spotlessly clean and sprinkled with precious Christmas decorations. And a refrigerator that was full of groceries and a yard that did not have one “fall” leaf in it- compliments of John Smashy. And Mary Ann Smashy had the best homemade soup and snacks waiting for and Barbara Smith had wonderful treats for us and Elijah had this sweet little gift on Joshua’s bed for him. Gail Roberts litterly dusted all of my greenery and cleaned my house along with two of Melissa’s friends- Rebecca. Two churches University Heights and Wellspring Fellowship donated money to help with groceries. And then Lisa Manis and Solomon came to give us hug and brought a very special ornament that Solomon made for our tree that they are going to provide for us. Lauren Drennon and Mike Novak have cared for our dog as well and they are so very special to us.

Can you see why I am so overwhelmed with tears. We have never in our life experienced such love, care, support and kindness in our life. We have been blessed beyond what we could ever have imagined. So many of you which I have not named have given and continue to do for us in a way through the SBU fund which has meet a real need.

As you can imagine with Don being at Cox South Hospital for 25 days and Mayo 47 days and our having to live in Rochester and my not working has been devastating. You, God’s people have poured out your love to us in ways that truly humble us.

We have the strength for this day and we are strengthened by God’s people. I hope to thank each one of you personally for what you have done for us.

Before I end this update, please pray for

* Don and his dad’s trip home tomorrow. Pray that Don will not get sick from traveling.
* Pray for Don’s mom and her ankle.
* Pray that we will be able to get all of Don’s appts for doctors here scheduled
* I will be starting back to work this next week. Don will not be able to keep Joshua. a I am looking for someone to come in a few times a week to take care of Joshua. If anyone knows of a student, etc., please call me at 417-399-8520. This will be a “paid” position.

Blessings to you our friends and family. I am going to sleep in my own bed tonight, yes!

love,

Diane

If you are not crying now, go to http://emilypanter.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-week-ago-today.html and read the latest updates on Emily Panter.

God has blessed those who serve him and answered many prayers on behalf of Don and Emily. I don’t know either family, just some connections, but an glad to had had the opportunity to stay updated and pray for these families.

Barbara Bennett Gaines of Roseland had surgery last month. Since then, she had had some complications and some additional concerns. Pray for her as these concerns are investigated.

Joanna Catalanotta Goynes, also of Roseland, developed some concerns in the course of pre-op medical tests. She and her family would appreciated your prayers for them.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
Week of Prayer – Day 6
REAP North, Peru

Going into mountain and jungle villages, missionaries Larry and Nancy Jackson endure bumpy, unpaved roads and 10-hour boat rides to plant churches in Peru.

The Jacksons, from North Carolina, hold out hope that a Southern Baptist church will feel led to adopt each people group they research. Through REAP (Rapid Entry Advance Plan) North, the couple, in the International Mission Board’s Masters Program, helps churches connect with people groups in Peru and Bolivia. Masters missionaries are those 50 or older who commit to at least two or three years of overseas service.

Today more than 25 churches have promised to invest their efforts in approximately 15 areas with the Jacksons. Fanning out from the more evangelized city centers, Larry will continue researching and contacting people groups on the edges of darkness to connect Baptists with the lost of South America.

Because you give:
“You can see your money at work when you look at us because that’s how we’re funded,” Larry says. “When you give money, people’s lives are changed. If you want to come to Peru, I’ll show you.”

For photos and additional information, please go to http://www.imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=5748&LanguageID=1709.

Jacqueline Jacob Viola
(November 28, 1935 – December 3, 2008)
Jacqueline Jacob Viola, 73, a native Independence, passed away at her home in Independence, on Wednesday, December 3, 2008. She was born in LaPlace, LA on November 28, 1935. Survived by her husband, Casimo Russell Viola, Independence, 4 daughters, Marilyn Calcagno, Independence, Cheryl Santangelo, Independence, Karen Forrest, Hammond, and Julia Dephllips, Albany. 2 sons, Russell Viola, Independence, and Jerry Viola, Independence. 2 sisters, Audrey Lewis, Laurel, MS and Francis Edwards, Albany. 2 brothers, James Jacob, LaPlace and Jerry Jacob, LaPlace. Grandchildren, Vanessa Tallo, Vincent Calcagno, Jr., Julie Ponder, Jennifer and Johnnie Santangelo, Whitney and Courtney Viola, Jocelyn and David Forrest, Jeremy, Jacy, and Jared Viola, Joshua and Kristen DePhillips. Great-Grandchildren, Brady and Seth Tallo. She was loved by a very dear friend, Bea Rost. Preceded in death by mother, Ester Marie Granier Jacob, father, Rosemond Jacob, and a brother, Lloyd Jacob. Visitation at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, Independence, from 9:30 a.m. on Friday and until religious services at 11 a.m. Friday. Interment Colonial Mausoleum, Independence, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

David Robert “Caveman” Kashin, Sr.
(July 9, 1955 – December 3, 2008)
David Robert “Caveman” Kashin, Sr. was born on July 9, 1955 and passed away at 8:43AM, Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at his residence in Montpelier. He is a native of Norvelt, PA. David was a welder and handyman who could fix just about anything. He was the son of the late Andrew James & Ann Kashin.

David “Caveman” is survived by his companion of 20 years, Sandra “Sandy” Culbreath, Montpelier; 2 sons, David Robert Kashin, Jr., and Brandon Culbreath both of Greensburg, PA; a daughter, Cathy Lea Culbreath, Greensburg, PA; 3 brothers, James “Jim” Kashin, Monroe, PA, Robert “Bob” Kashin, Greensburg, PA and William “Bill” Kashin, New Station, PA; 4 grandchildren.

Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, December 5, 2008 from 1:00PM until Religious Services at the Funeral Home Chapel at 3:00PM with Rev. Darryl Miller officiating. Interment in the Montpelier Cemetery.

An on-line guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N and Hwy 16W next to Coggins-Gentry Ford.

KneEmail
Willful

I HEARD THE screams long before I could see him, but as I wheeled my grocery cart around to the next aisle of the store, there he was…

With angry tears streaming out of squinty eyes, the little boy was shouting, “Gimme it!” His mom glanced at me for a moment. I won’t debate the merits of her actions, but, embarrassed and worn down, she grabbed the cheap trinket and tossed it into her cart.

I think I recognized that kid. He looked a lot like me. Yes, I’ve often been the willful child. And sometimes I’ve even pleaded with God, “Why not? Why can’t I have it?” On occasion, God’s given me what I wanted, but not because I wore Him down. No, I think He wanted me to see what happens when I put myself in charge.

THOUGHT: What we think is best is not necessarily the best that God desires for us. (Cindy Hess Kesper)

KneEmail: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” ( Isa. 55:8-9).

Posted by Mike Benson at November 17, 2008 4:22 PM

Have a fantastic Friday!
Anna Lee