Wednesday

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name ‘Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us'” (Matthew 1:23, NKJV).

I missed seeing this update Sunday.
Update on Dustin Rosamond: Dustin is in ICU at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans. Dustin had surgery to his lung yesterday (Saturday) to try to remove some of the “infection pockets” from his lung, he also has some bleeding and may have to have a transfusion, please continue to pray for him and his parents as they stay with him round the clock and for the rest of his family and friends as we all anxiously await his recovery. We know that God has a reason for allowing this to happen. Dustin is 13 and has his 14th birthday coming up in just days. Thank you for praying. I will keep you updated.

This is Tuesday’s update.
Update on Dustin Rosamond: Dustin is slowly continuing to get better followng surgery to his lung on Saturday. He still has a drain tube into his side and hopefully will get that out soon, they thought he would get that out yesterday but he keeps spiking a fever. He of course really wants to come home but pray for him to get really strong and healthy before he gets to come home and his patience so that he doesn’t end up having to turn around and go right back if he gets out too soon. Thank you all for all of your prayers. Please continue to pray for Dustin and for all of our family. Thank you again.

Mr. Cete Dillon’s medical procedure went well yesterday. The results also seem to be good. Thanks for praying for him.

Mrs. Faye Price continues her “roller coaster” ride to recovery. Please continue to pray.

Emily Panter is well enough to writer for herself now!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Hello World!

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.

Nahum 1:7

Dearest Family and Friends in Christ,

How wonderful it is to be able to write to you. I apologize it has taken this long. I am trying to read the entire blog before I really express my heart to you, but I simply could not wait. We have dial-up so you know how that is, and there is just so much to read! (I am only to November 2nd.)

You all have blessed me more than you can know and I want to thank you for all of your thoughts, kindness, generosity, and above all for your prayers. “…and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16b. I have felt your loving prayers and know that God has answered and shown Himself powerful and merciful, all for His glory. There were no circumstances or luck involved in this event, only the hand of our sovereign Father, lovingly answering the prayers of His people.

Please do not stop your prayers for me yet, as I face a long recovery and am very limited in the activities I am able to do. Pray that I am able to meet my children’s needs, and praise God for my wonderful husband who, through God’s grace, has been a rock through this whole ordeal.

I go for a follow-up cat-scan and visit with the infectious disease doctor, Dr. Spak, this Monday to see how effective the ONE antibiotic they have me on has been successesful at killing the infection in the left over liquid in my abdomen. Other than that it will just be a matter of regaining muscle tone, energy and an appetite.

Even through all the pain and frustrations, this has been a surreal and wonderful experience. What a privilege to be a tool that unites so many in one accord, agreeing in prayer. What a joy to see just how big my God is and how nothing surprises Him or can stand in His way! He has protected me and my family and touched many lives in the process. Nothing He does is without purpose, even if it does not make sense to us.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares 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. For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, and furnish seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So shall My word go forth from My mouth. It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the mater for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:8-11

I love you all and thank you again. I will write again very soon. ~Emily

P.S. I would like to thank Becky for all her hard work at keeping up this blog, It has been such a blessing, and will be a written account for my children when they are old enough to understand. Thank you, I love you.

Don Denton is now at home and having rehab three times a week. Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Ray Edwin Brock
(April 14, 1956 – December 14, 2008)
Ray Edwin Brock a wonderful, kind and loving father, son, brother, uncle and friend was born April 14, 1956 and passed away at 1:26PM, December 14, 2008 as a result of a massive heart attack. Ray was 52, a native of Magnolia, MS and a resident of Hammond.

He is survived by a son, James Barker Brock, Gardnerville, NV; his mother, Lina Brock Bernard, Amite; 3 sisters, Bettie Johnson and husband, Charlie, Thibodaux, Carolyn Helms and husband, Vernon, Schriever, Robbie (Ray’s twin) Davenport and husband, Ricky, Jonesville; a brother Lat “Bubba” Brock, Jr. and wife, Ceil, Hammond; 8 nieces & nephews and 7 great nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his father, Latimer A. Brock, Sr.; his grandparents, Margaret & Holland Brock and Sally & Pierre Warren.

Ray graduated from Amite High School in 1974 where he played basketball, baseball and football. He attended Northeast LA University for two years before transferring to SLU. He graduated with a degree in Physical Education and Chemistry. He was a mud engineer for Magabar for several years before moving to Lake Tahoe, NV. He worked at Harvey’s and Harrah’s Casinos as a pit boss and dealer for many years. He moved back to Louisiana in 2006 to be closer to his family.

Ray loved watching all sports, especially LSU. He was a talented pianist and guitar player. He enjoyed entertaining the guest at the Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Hammond with his music.

Ray will be deeply missed by his family.

A private funeral service will be held at a later date at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Baptist Press
December 16, 2008

WASHINGTON–Abortion bailout: Obama urged to use taxpayer funds for abortion. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29520

ALASKA–Palin’s church targeted by arsonist. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29521

TENNESSEE–Black leaders explore church growth strategies. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29522

TENNESSEE–Adapt to reach adults, speakers say. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29523

TENNESSEE–500 women’s leaders gather for training. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29524

VIRGINIA–FIRST-PERSON (Ken Connor): Attention Wal-Mart shoppers. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29525

If you are a interested in sports, you might want to bookmark this link and refer to it periodically.
http://www.bpsports.net/

KneEmail
Balance

WHEN THE RINGLING Brothers Circus went to New York City in April 2004, thousands of people jammed Madison Square Garden to see the greatest show on earth…

What they saw instead was a terrifying accident. A performer named Ernado Rangel Amaya, a thirty-four-year-old Venezuelan high-wire daredevil, lost his balance and plummented to the ground. The crowd gasped in horror as emergency workers rushed to his side. Rangel somehow survived the fall, but he taught us a valuable lesson: life is all about keeping your balance. (David Jeremiah)

During this holiday season, work on keeping your balance — financially (don’t over-spend), emotionally (don’t over-stress in purchasing and preparing), physically (don’t over-eat), and spiritually (don’t neglect your worship, personal study and focus on God).

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” ( Luke 2:52).

Posted by Mike Benson at December 3, 2008 12:11 PM

Have a wonderful Wednesday remembering “Jesus is the reason for the season”.
Anna Lee