Month: January 2012

Friday Evening

 Melanie Lucido

Once again, I am asking you to please pray for my daughter, Melanie, who was hospitalized after a visit to her doctor yesterday to get the results of her recent CT scan.  Instead of an improvement in the condition of her lungs and her right ear/sinus area, it showed that there are more nodules and abscesses on her lungs, and that her mastoid sinus (right ear and the whole right side of her head) is completely blocked.  The doctor (a different one from the ones who originally did all the first tests in October) admitted her for more tests – actually to re-do all the tests (biopsies, etc.) that were done in October.  She said that either her body has stopped responding to the antibiotic she’s been since October, or the antibiotics she was taking prior to “crashing” in October actually “masked” the outcome of the tests they did then.  If that is what happened, they probably misdiagnosed the problem and although she has been a little better, she is definitely not well. They are doing a CT scan this morning, and an ear, nose, and throat doctor saw her already this morning and said he will probably put tubes in both ears. He thinks her hearing loss is probably due to the fluid buildup and infection.

She is in St. Elizabeth Hospital in Gonzales because that is where her doctor is.  If she has to have any type of surgery, she will be transported to Our Lady of the Lake.  St. Elizabeth is owned by The Lake.

I am glad that she will be seeing a different set of doctors this time.  Her doctor prayed with us yesterday. That meant a lot to both of us. Please help me pray for her. Thanks.

Susanne Crowe

Friday Afternoon

 

From Kitty Bennett Lapeyrolerie

Many of you know my sister Jackie. She lives in Alabama south of Birmingham. She came over to Kentwood (Louisiana) to see mother Wednesday. Mother is in the last stages of her battle with cancer. On Jackie’s way home today she was in a bad wreck outside of Tuscalousa, Alabama. She is in the hospital with multiple broken bones – her husband Bill is with her. I did get to speak with her briefly before they took her into surgery. Please say a prayer for her.

These are the daughters of Harold and Elaine Bennett of Kentwood.

 

 

Jason Matthew McKean
(January 14, 1972 – January 19, 2012)

As a pilot, Jason passed away doing what he loved and now he has his heavenly wings. A resident of Amite, he passed from this life on Thursday, January 19, 2012 in St. Mary Parish. He was born January 14, 1972 in Hammond and was 40 years of age. He was a pilot for Chet Morrison Contractors. He is survived by his wife, Karol Prine McKean, Amite, daughter, Kaleigh Marie McKean, Amite, son, Jacob Matthew McKean, Amite, parents, Jim and Glenda McKean, Greensburg, 4 sisters, Lisa McKean King and her husband, David, Colemantown, Patricia Bartkowiak and her husband, David, Magnolia, TX, Beckie McKean, Splendora, TX, Betty Turner and her husband, Tommy, Magnolia, TX, 2 brothers, Roy McKean and his wife, Jan, Conroe, TX, Tommy McKean, Colmesneil, TX, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Don and Kathleen Prine, Kentwood, sister-in-law, Dondi Rhodus, Hammond, 2 brothers-in-law, Kerry Prine and his wife, Mikki, McComb, MS, Daniel Prine, Hammond, numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by brother, Jim M. “Jimmy” McKean, III. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday, January 23, 2012. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Hegwood. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Friday

“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,

for You will answer me.”

~Psalm 86:7~

Prayer is the place where burdens change shoulders.

Our Daily Bread (Jeff Davis’ Facebook wall)

For a while my heart was heavy with thoughts of two litte boys, Tripp and Roth, who were sick.  Now, I’ve added two young people who were killed in accidents (Kelly and Jason).  I am so sorry these things happen and have a burden for families who bury their adult children.  Please help me pray for the Dunn and McKean families.  Both Kelly and Jason leave behind a spruce and children as well as siblings and parents.  May God give comfort and peace to these families.

Paul Howell from the Amite area is very sick.  Please pray for him and others who played a big part in my life and your life as we grew up and formed our Christian values.  It was a blessing to always have strong Christian role models to help pattern my life after.

Susan Rimes has an appointment next Wednesday.  Pray she will soon be well enough she can put kidney stones and associated problems in her past.

Debbie Luce is home after her back surgery.  Pray she will have a stronger back when she gets past this early recovery time.

Thought for the Day: Learning from Noah

The following list of “Things I Learned From Noah’s Ark” (author unknown) is making the rounds.

1. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

2. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone might ask you to do
something REALLY big.

3. Don’t listen to critics — do what has to be done.

4. Build on high ground.

5. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.

6. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so
were the snails.

7. Don’t forget that we’re all in the same boat.

8. Stay below deck during the storm.

9. Remember that the ark was built by amateurs and the Titanic was
built by professionals.

10. If you have to start over, have a friend by your side.

11. Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than
the storm outside.

12. Don’t miss the boat.

13. No matter how bleak it looks, there’s always a rainbow on the other
side.

The writer of Hebrews would add one more thing to that list — the importance of having a faith in God strong enough to lead us to obey his commands. For having that trait, Noah was included in God’s “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11:

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

What is your faith leading you to do in response to God?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Let’s pray for each other today!

Anna Lee

Addresses, Death, and Update

Shared by Greg McKneely
Saturday, March 24 at 7:00am at Tangipahoa Parish Fair Grounds

This looks like a good way to help the Pailet and a good day of family fun.  I encourage you to check out the site and to participate.

KaLeigh Powers

KaLeigh did well with her surgery. She was in the OR a little over two hours. The doctors told us that it was just a benign swollen lymph node. The biopsy that was done about 9 days ago was benign and the frozen section that they did today was benign. He felt sure that all is well, but we have to wait another week for the final test. She had to stay overnight and is supposed to come home tomorrow if all goes well. Thank you all for your prayers that have gotten her this far. Please continue to pray for her as we await the final test result. God is an awesome God!!! By the way pray for me because I have ShyAnn and she is a tough one. LOL. No she is really good.

CaringBridge:LarkinDorris

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/larkindorris

 

I have information that the helicopter accident at Morgan City involved Jason McKean, husband of Carol Prine McKean.  I do not know any more at this time.  I taught Jason “a few years back”.  He has been a pilot for many years.  Jason was one of two killed in the accident.  Please be in prayer for the family.

 

 

From Velta Morris

Your prayers and well-wishes are carrying me and your posts are received as gracious, loving gifts from Our Heavenly Father. Today, more detailed information about my diagnosis has been provided, and I am very encouraged. To God Be the Glory! Thank you for your continued prayers on my behalf. I am so blessed.

Some of you have asked for contact information for Dr. Derry and “Miss” Dora.  I’m reposting the address for Dr. Derry’s rehab where he will be for a couple more weeks and contact information for “Miss” Dora that she approved me sharing.  I hope this will be helpful to many of you.

 

 

Dr. Derry Magee

Room 118

St. Joseph Rehab

1600 Joseph Drive

Bryan, Texas 77802

 

Velta G. Morris

937 East Meadow Dr.

Lancaster, SC  29720

803-285-5168 (H)

803-288-0901 (C)

veltag@comporium.net

 


 

 

 

Thursday

“I have treasured the words of his mouth

more than my daily bread.”

~Job 23:12b NIV~

 

 

  • From Mary Ann Cutrer concerning Kaleigh Powers

KaLeighs surgery will be at 7am or around that time today. Please pray for her that this mass will not be something serious. I will try to keep you posted on how the surgery went.
Thanks to all for your prayers.

  • Please continue to pray for Susan Rimes.  She is not well from her kidney stones yet.
  • Mr. Jimmy Tolar has been undergoing tests and recently had a bad fall at home.  He’s okay, but prayers are in order for him and his family.
  • Glen Magee, Sr. had surgery, but had developed nose bleeds since them.  He will be having surgery at West Jefferson today to correct the problem.
  • Mrs. Lorna Smith’s break requires surgery.  Pray for her as she beging the long road to recovery.
  • Jill Brister will be having back surgery in Philadelphia next week.  Pray for her and for her family.
  • Mr. Freddie Rick will be having shoulder surgery  tomorrow.
  • Mrs. Dorothy Ricks as been moved to Specialty Hospital in Hammond so she can be made comfortable.  Continue to pray for Diane Turner and other family members.
  • Chloe Neyland is gaining weight and doing well following her last surgery.  Continue to pray for Chloe and for the family who chose to raise her as their own.  She’s been blessed as much as she has blessed others.
  • The last I heard from Taylor Breeland, she was in Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.  Wherever she is, she needs our prayers.
We will be gathering at the cabin for the Third Thursday Share Group at 6:30 tonight.  You are invited to join us for food, fellowship, and a devotional.  Jimmy Schwartz will be sharing one of his “stories” and James Rimes will be leading the devotional time.
There will be Disaster Relief Training Feb. 3-4 at Camp Living Waters.  Volunteers will be trained in several areas which usually include chain saw, laundry, counseling, kitchen work, etc.   You can get more information at the state web site.
Heart to Heart with Holley: The small

Hello Friend!

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I have to admit I do. Usually they’re quite grandiose—you know, climb Mt. Everest and save the world. Stuff like that.

But this year every time I tried to put some outrageous goal down, it seemed I sensed God whispering to my heart, “Keep it small.”

Now I’m a God-sized dreams kind of girl and I couldn’t understand what in the world was happening. But I slowly realized that what I struggle most with is the small. The mundane. The ordinary. The boring.

So the resolutions that landed on my list are anything but exotic and glamorous. I look at them and sigh. They’re like homely little seeds that don’t look like much of anything at all.

But here’s the thing—I know that if I plant them, water them, and nurture them faithfully every day that they will grow into some really beautiful, powerful, worthwhile habits in my life.

Perhaps we’re ready and willing to be faithful in the big. But it seems the real test often comes when God asks us to be faithful in the small.

Or maybe that’s just me?

So this year I’m taking a different approach. I’m starting small, praying to stay steady, and waiting to see what our extraordinary God does with a whole lot of ordinary.

You too?

Love,

Holley

Isn’t it great for all of us to be able to pray for someone.  With all that went on in my life last year, I can testify to the effectiveness of your cumulative prayers gaving me such peace during the hardest year of my life.  I trust you will pray along with me so we can join our hearts in prayer for others.

Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

Roy Russell did not get to leave Lacombe Heart Hospital Monday, but he did today.  He will be staying with his sister, Mrs. Raymond (Faibra) Cade while he recuperates.   Keep him in your prayers.

 

 

From Velta Morris

Hello everyone,

I just returned from an unexpected visit with my family doctor who had received the biopsy results sooner than we had expected. The results were that I have Type B lymphoma, but I was encouraged from the doctor (and Art confirmed this and was in on our conference), that this form of cancer is very treatable and I expect to see an oncologist on Monday to see where we go from here. At this time I don’t have any more information as to the course of treatment, etc., but will keep you posted from time to time. Please keep praying for wisdom and for strength and peace. I am blessed to have such a wide array of loving friends and family to walk this journey with me.

 

 

 

I trust you will continue to remember Roy and Velta in your prayers.

Wednesday Midday

#10 DERRY MAGEE’S MEDICAL REPORT

January 18, 2012

 

We praise God every day for Derry and his progress!  Each Tuesday, the Rehab team meets, reports progress, and makes recommendations for the next steps in his rehabilitation.  Next Tuesday, January 24, we should have an idea of when he will be discharged from Rehab to home.  We will be given time to plan to make the necessary preparations for his return to our home possibly during the first week of February.  

We want to express to everyone our heartfelt thanks for your love, kindness, PRAYERS, visits, cards, e-mails, etc.  I have been able to rest comfortably in the small private room in his suite which has a lavatory and roll-a-way bed.  I also am able to spend time daily in our home taking care of household chores while Derry is going through his PT, OT, Speech therapies during the day.    I order my dinner (supper) and eat with Derry in the dining area with large open windows overlooking the trees, etc.  

Having family, friends and neighbors who look after things around the house is very comforting.  Our nephew Patrick Schilling and family take care of filling the bird feeders and water container, cranking Derry’s truck,  running errands, pruning plants, etc.  The Hilal’s put out our garbage can for pick-up and return it to the rear of the house and anything else that they can help with. The Wynn’s do whatever is needed.  Sandra really came to my rescue when my “energy efficient Elite Sears Kenmore washer” failed to successfully spin out the water one day.   After struggling with it for over an hour, I called Sandra.  She came over and picked up the bucket of heavy wet towels and sheets and took them home to complete the job.  Derry and I have been struggling with the inefficiency of this “elite” washer for quite some time.  In 2006, this washer was the latest model and the selling point was that it did  not have a dasher.  That washer has ruined two good bottom sheets that got caught under the dish part in the bottom of the washer and ripped 12-15 inches in the sheets. When I told Derry about the newest struggles trying to wash clothes, he quickly replied, “Go buy a new one.”  Sunday morning I went to Lowe’s and requested information on a washing that had a dasher.  I immediately made the decision to get a Maytag washer with a dasher which suits our needs better than the “expensive paper weight” that went to recycling.

I patched this last bottom sheet with an iron-on tape that did not hold.  After Sandra finished laundering it, she brought it over and put it on the  bed upstairs to have the bed ready for the next guest.  I will warn the guest to be aware that there might be a rough patch at the foot of the bed.  

Several months ago, our son-in-law, Steve Johnson’s Aunt Kitty Kane (Aunt Mina) called and invited me to be her guest at the College Station Christian Women’s  luncheon and style show at Pebble Creek Country Club on Tuesday, January 17.  Aunt Mina gave her Christian testimony, and I was so glad that I had made the decision to attend.  She is a writer, speaker, vocalist, song writer, and a strong Christian who lives in Arlington, TX.  After we returned from the luncheon, we went to the St. Joseph Rehab to visit Derry.  Derry was so pleased that I had attended the luncheon and was extremely pleased to see Aunt Mina.  I knew a large number of the members attending the luncheon and decided to join this group which is affiliated with the Stonecroft Ministries.  When my longtime friend Velta  Morris from S. C. learned that I would be attending, she stated, “Dora, you are made for this organization.”  I am looking forward to opportunities to help me grow as a Christian and to minister to others.

I have been overwhelmed by the way so many of you have shown Godly love to Derry and me.  You have ministered to Derry in various ways when you came to visit.  God bless each one of you in a mighty way!

Derry’s niece, Dr. Robin Fabre, from Tyler called us Tuesday afternoon and stated that she is coming Thursday afternoon to spend three nights with her Uncle Derry to give me a rest and time to take down Christmas decorations and begin preparing the house for Derry’s return.  WHAT A GIFT!!

God bless you and your families!

Dora


Jadon Pailet

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

We are coming home!!!

I was discharged from the hospital late yesterday evening. By the time we got to the hotel it was too late to blog. I really enjoyed sleeping in the hotel bed. It was much better than the hospital. I got to sleep by my brother. He stayed right by me all night and played with me this morning. We managed to get to the airport this morning with all our bags. We got a wheelchair and it has helped alot. I’m still so weak. So yes we are at the airport in Detroit waiting for our flight!!! When we get to NOLA I will have to go straight to children’s for therapy. We were hoping to get to go home for a night or two but because of insurance reason we have to go straight there. We will be there anywhere from one to two weeks. If my anxiety level doesn’t get better we are going to come home and do therapy in my home where I’m more comfortable. So we will see how I do. Please pray for safe travels.


Wednesday

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

~Galatians 6:2~

CaringBridge:LarkinDorris

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/larkindorris

Robbie Lynn C. Kirby will have a procedure at 8 A.M. this morning that will require sedation.  Pray her back gets better after the procedure.

Tripp Roth

Today, services will be held at the Catholic church in Ponchatoula for Tripp Roth.  Pray for his family and all those who helped with his medical care.  Thank God Tripp young life touched many hearts and made a difference.  You may choose to wear red like many of Tripp and Courtney’s supporters.

 

The monthly meeting at the cabin is tomorrow night at 6:30.  Please feel free to join us for a good time with other Christians.  Bring a dish to share if you want to.  Mainly, bring yourself.

 

 

Senior adults from FBC, Kentwood will eat at NOLA in Ponchatoula today.  Join them is you wish.  Call the church office for more information.

 

 

 

Baptist Press News

http://www.bpnews.net/

Thought for the Day: Will you make the jump?

In the movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” Butch and Sundance, running from the law, run up to a cliff hundreds of feet high overlooking a river. They are outnumbered by lawmen who have taken up their positions and there is no way out. They get ready to shoot it out, but they know it’s a suicide mission. Then Butch looks out over the cliff and sees the river below and says, “I know, we’ll jump!” Sundance thinks he’s crazy. Butch tells him it’s their only hope. Sundance is still reluctant. Butch assures Sundance that the lawmen would never follow them, saying, “Would you make a jump like that you didn’t have to?” Sundance says, “I have to, and I’m still not going to.” Finally, Sundance gives the reason for his reluctance. He says, “I can’t swim.” Butch just laughs and says, “Are you kidding? The fall will probably kill you!” But Sundance, because of the predicament, knows he’s out of options, and though he can’t swim, he jumps.

I think there are times that the Lord leads us into predicaments where the only reasonable thing to do is to jump and trust the Lord. And we know that he’ll never let us down. Over and over, the Bible stresses that one of the primary attributes of God is his faithfulness. God is always dependable. You can count on him. He makes his word good. When he tells you he’ll do something, you can believe that he will do it. When he makes a promise, you know he’s going to keep it. Because God is faithful.

It’s interesting to notice how the Bible connects stability in the lives of Christians to the faithfulness of God. Thus, we find statements like this: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23). The reason a Christian is able to stand when life’s storms come against him is that his faith is grounded in a God whose promises to him will always be honored.

In Hebrews 11, Sarah is praised with these words: “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11). Here were two people who shared the disappointment over the years of being childless. They had no tangible reason to think anything had changed. Yet, God gave his word to them. And they knew that God was faithful. He wouldn’t let them down.

It is essential that we understand this very important truth: God keeps his promises. And it doesn’t matter whether it was made to Abraham, David, Paul or you, God has never given a promise that he failed to honor. He is faithful.

All you need to do is to jump.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

 

 

Have a blessed day!
Anna Lee 

Tuesday Afternoon

Velta Morris

Velta’s biopsy went well this morning. We are home and she is naping. Now we wait. Should know the results sometime Friday. Thank our friends for their prayers, please continue and we trust the Lord with the outcome.
Blessings,
Bill

Kelly Dunn Sofge

Kelly Diane Dunn Sofge was born January 4, 1976 and passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2012 in Callahan, FL. She was 36, a native of McComb, MS and resident of Hilliard, FL and a former resident of Amite.

Kelly is survived by her husband, James Benjamin Sofge, Hilliard, FL; 3 children, Jade Patton, Amite, Raina Sofge, Hilliard, FL & Emma Sofge, Hilliard; mother, Kathryn Daniel Dunn, Amite; 3 sisters, Lori D. Vicknair and husband Chad, Springfield, Dana D. Meyn and husband Wade, Amite & Kristen Dunn, Ponchatoula; grandmother, Eula Jenkins, Amite; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by her father, Richard W. Dunn; maternal grandparents, Norris & Melrose Daniel.

Visitation at McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, January 20, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. Jake Williams officiating. Interment in Kedron Cemetery.

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

Tuesday Addition

Just thought I would share that Jadon Pailet has now been seizure free for a week.  Thank you, God, for giving this little fellow a chance for a better life, one without the many seizures he was having every day.  I can only imagine how wonderful Jadon’s family feels about this!

 

 

Debbie Luce is out of back surgery, but in pain.  Pray it won’t be long before the pain diminishes.

 

 

Please pray for Mrs. Dorothy Ricks and her daughter, Diane Turner, as she cares for her mother during some difficult days.

 

 

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2012

Tripp’s services

Tripp’s services will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ponchatoula on Wednesday, January 18th.
Visitation will be from 10am – 1pm, with a mass of Christian Burial starting at 1pm.
Interment follow in the Ponchatoula Cemetery.
His services are open to all who loved Tripp and want to join us in prayer.
Love,
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