Sunday Evening

June Russell (Chesbrough)

We passed by David’s Aunt June’s house this morning as we were taking a friend to North Oaks and saw an ambulance in the yard. Aunt June was taken to North Oaks and admitted due to complication of the hip surgery she had a few months ago. David got to see three first cousins he doesn’t see very often. Please pray for them and others as they care for Aunt June.

Jimmy and Retia Dukes

Well this time I will apologize on the front of the update. I said I was sorry for being tardy before about 8oclock, before i hit save and was told I had no connection.

It was a good post but I will try to reconfigure. I also apologized for the length of the post, stating that this may be my only chance to write since my almost published really good writer brother is returning today. Did I mention jason has a book coming out soon. Remember, I am not a wordsmith for my job. I could write you a perscription, not an essay. For sure I am neanderthalic when it comes to tech as my post would not save and I am not on Facebook and don’t have an iphone. I am writing it over so it will look even more tardy.

I was worried that this weekend would be real hard for my wife. I am glad she and Erik Daniel came with me but I was concerned. But this has been a weekend filled with praise, a wonderful weekend with my parents. On friday as you remember, mom mouthed i love you to jase after opening her eyes and their transfers happened to Ochsner elmwood off clearview for dad and west jefferson hospital room number 7103 for mom, this is off barataria on the west bank. They settled into their rooms and have some wonderful nurses and doctors caring for them. Mom’s nurse yesterday stated that her doctor was very caring and attentive and thorough. I have not met dad’s but it is providence that got him to ochsners, so i will not worry.

Friday i was disappointed, jealous, and little hurt that she did not show me the same courtesy and open her eyes and tell me she loved me. However, on saturday, I had been there talking to her and singing and praying over her and she would do nothing but some straining attempts to open her eyes, then i went to talk to her nurse they paged her to mom’s room. I returned to the room to wait on her and as I entered I noticed mom was staring at the ceiling. I leaned over and said “were you playing possum with me before” and she mouthed “erik”. I cant explain the feeling of praise, and excitement that overcame me, we talked some more and I assured her that I loved her and told her about all who are praying. We also told her she had a bud on the tomato plant at home in orlando. Last night Erin and I went back to tell her good night and I did not think she would respond as she is not a early morning or late night person. But she did, she opened her eyes after much prompting, I did all but drop an elbow off the top rope, and then I called her “brown eyes” and she opened them and Erin got to witness an awakening. I asked her to respond with a blink if she understood me as I told her some things, and she did. We talked to her some more and she opened and closed her eyes off and on and I assured her she was a vardaman sweet potato but she was a tough one. We said good night.

I saw my first NBA playoff game with my wife yesterday. The Hornets one! Thanks Uncle Danny for the escape. Thanks to all of you who have given us a place to stay, washed our clothes, kept our children, bought airline tickets, bought us food, and put cold hard cash in our hands (jasons favorite). We have been overwhelmed with your kindness, and love and the sheer volume of prayers being spoken to the Father. Thank you so much

We all must keep praying, this journey is far from over and this is an important time to pray. Pray for dad to heal, bones and all and for strength if they do the surgery on his lower arm. Pray for patience and peace for him as the Father’s spirit fills him with those. Pray for mom that she will continue to progress and heal up and that no further skin breakdown will take place. Pray for the people caring for them that they will do so as if they are their own parents.

We go back today and my excellent writer/preacher brother will be back so he will post later today. He had a great visit with his kids and mickey and saw a great football game. He is not only a great writer, did I tell you he has a book coming out and I expect all of you will want to buy it, but a great father son brother and friend. He has done a great job taking care of mom and dad and handling all of the logistics last week. So continue to enjoy with me his scribing of this journey and buy his book. It is about living sent, since you asked. He has gotten some hard research done these last few weeks as we have watched God’s church living sent as they have cared for and prayed for our family.

I have learned or been reminded of a few things during the last three weeks. As one of my wisest friends told me once, all manner of things are well. Live today: yesterday is gone, tomorrow may or may not come, today is all we have. Live with Him as he lives in you and through you for he is not always safe but He is always good.