Month: December 2012

Tuesday Addition

Please continue to pray for my mom, Beverly dyer. She is still at st. Helena parish hospital. She is getting stronger day by day, but prayer is the only reason she is still here with us.

Denise D. Stewart
Shelly called me this morning to tell me that Charles (Houeye, Shelly’s father-in-law) has been taken from the nursing home in Kentwood to OLOL in BR.    He is in ICU and they are not sure what his problem is.   Jeff found him yesterday (when he went to check on him) having what appeared to be a seizure.   The nurses couldn’t find his blood pressure and they sent him to Hoods.  North Oaks was full so they sent him on to OLOL.    Seems to have an infection, a fever and after they gave him seizure meds at Hoods the seizure stopped, so they are not sure what caused it.     According to Shelly Jeff was not home unitl the wee hours of the morning this morning as it takes hours to get all things arranged, even in a crisis.    Shelly and Jeff are in Baton Rouge today.  Please add him to the prayer list.

Fran M. Gay

 

Jane Duncan asked us to add her son-in-law so other can be praying for him.  Please pray for Brian Dugas’ health issues.

 

Dan Turner

Dan Turner is still doing well! He is nodding and shaking his head today when asked questions. Still giving thumbs up and such. He’s breathing on his own again today! Lots of good stuff! Thank you for your prayers and we ask that you all continue to pray for Dan’s healing. Dan is getting and has received the greatest care from UMMC and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for caring for Dan in the manner that they have. Even with the top quality care, there is only so much modern medicine can do. We praise God for tending to all of Dan’s needs, but especially those that just can’t be explained but for the healing hand of God! Thank you, Lord!!

Tuesday

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son,

so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

~John 3:16 NLT~

Embracing the Unengaged
Baptist Press – I’m going to list all of yesterday’s titles with links so you can see have valuable and interesting Baptist Press is on a daily basis.
People who need our continued prayers
  • Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Harrell
  • Mr. Gordon Price
  • Mrs. Ruby Luke
  • Mrs. Shirley Frazier
  • Robbie Lynn C. Kirby
  • Mrs. Evelyn Bridges
  • Dan Turner
  • Emma Brabham
  • Family of Austin Elder

I trust you are enjoying the holiday season.  Remember, the season is not about wearing red, parties, cooking, or gifts.  Ir is about Jesus.  Those other things fall into place in the process, but the focus is the birth of Jesus. 

Anna Lee

 

Monday Evening

UPDATE: Dan opened his eyes this evening!!! PRAISE GOD!!! He’s high fiving people (the best he can in his condition), nodding his head and making facial expressions!! THANK YOU LORD!!!

Father God, we praise you! Thank you for hearing our cries and doing a mighty work in Dan Turner! Father, we ask that you continue to heal Dan. We praise you, Father!! It’s in Jesus’ precious name that we pray, AMEN!!!!!

This isn’t over folks! Good things happening this evening, but Dan the Man still has a long way to go! Please do not become complacent and (not) continue to pray for him!!!

Funeral Arrangements

June Austin Spears, Sr.
(July 9, 1930 – December 16, 2012)

A resident of Kentwood, he died at 9:36 a.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at his home. He was born July 9, 1930 in Amite and was 82 years of age. He was the widower of Ruth Ritchie Ott Varnado Spears. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who was known by many as “Daddy”, “Uncle June”, “PaPa June” and “Nubby”. After graduation from Osyka High School, Mr. June joined the U. S. Air Force where he was a Veteran of Korea. He worked as a police officer for the Baton Rouge City Police and was a retired Boilermaker from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers NTL. If you needed a job, he was the one to call. And if you did call him, you better be ready to work! He enjoyed gardening on his old Cub tractor and loved to fish and squirrel hunt. With the help of his sons, he built his home using refurbished lumber from old houses. He is survived by 10 children, James Parnell Spears and wife, Lynne, Kentwood, William Bacot Spears, Kentwood, Jeanine Spears Stewart and husband, Allen, Gillsburg, MS, June Austin Spears, Jr., Kentwood, Leigh Ann Spears Wrather, Lt. US Navy (Ret.), Smyrna, TN, John Mark Spears and wife, Linda Ann, Osyka, MS, Linda Ann Brandon Kjos and husband, Ora, Helena, MT, Kenneth Varnado and wife, Mickey, Helena, MT, Alton “Tiance” Varnado, Jr., Kentwood, Culver Varnado and wife, Cathy, Helena, MT; 24 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; brother, James Monroe Spears and wife, Sue, Osyka, MS; very special friend, Mary Ann Day Cutrer, Kentwood. Preceded in death by wives, Jo Ann Blackwell Spears James and Emma Jean Forbes Spears; son, Austin Wayne Spears; grandson, Justin Englo Ballard; parents, June Bacot Spears and Nova Gill Spears Ott. Visitation at Greenlaw Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday with a Masonic Service at 6:30 p.m. and visitation from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m on Saturday, December 22, 2012. Services conducted by Rev. Gibbie McMillan. Interment Osyka Cemetery, Osyka, MS. Pallbearers are Bryan Spears, Jarek Spears, Chad Brandon, Connor Pezant Spears, Kaleb Lee, David Simmons and Logan Yawn. Honorary pallbearers are anyone that Daddy touched their lives. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Greenlaw Baptist Church. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Update on Dan

From Ladd

Dan Turner is responding very well this morning. They may take out the central line if they can get IV’s in his arm. He may get an MRI of his head and neck later today and they may put in another IVC filter (for the blood clots) just as a precaution. Unlike us, God never sleeps and He is always good!!

Father God, we bow before your majesty. We exalt your holy name! Father, thank you so much for tending to our brother even as we sleep. You are most worthy to be praised! Thank you for carrying me! Please continue to lay your healing hand upon Dan and restore his health. We love you, Lord! It’s in the precious name of Jesus that we pray, Amen!!

Monday

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?

For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

~Matthew 2:2, NASB~

Please pray for Mrs. Floyce Raiford, mother of Pam Bankston and also one of my favorite teachers.  She has not been her best for a while.  Tests now indicate some cancer issues.  Pray for her and her family as more tests are done.

Dan Turner continues to improve.  This is happening on God’s time-table.  Pray for the family as they continue to wait and accept God’s timing,

How is the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Used?

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=11003&LanguageID=1709

The Christmas program presented by the choir of FBC, Kentwood was excellent last night.  The tempo of the music and the wonderful video added so much to the message and the beautiful message.  I can feel Christmas now!

Wednesday, the church will have a Christmas Church Family meal and singing by candlelight.  Please being your favorite side dish or dessert.  Plan on a special night.

Thursday, David and I will host the monthly Third Thursday meeting at the cabin.  If you have been thinking of joining us, this will be a great time to do so.  We begin at 6:30.  Bring your favorite dish.

Remember, Christmas is not about a Christmas tree with lots of pretty packages.  It is about the humble birth of a Savior who lived on earth as an ordinary man.  He prepared for us a way to heaven for eternity.  This is the real reason for celebrating!

We are still dry and okay after the bad weather last night.  I hope you are dry and okay too.

Anna Lee

Later Sunday Afternoon

From Ladd Turner
UPDATE: Dan is having a good day today. His oxygen level is at 99% and he has been breathing on his own for a good long while. He is a good bit more active today. He was displaying some very fine motor skills by pulling at stitches. He heard us laughing about it I’m sure and kept doing it. He indicated that his stomach was hurting by tapping on it and Angela asked him to give thumbs up if his stomach was hurting and he did. So, good things happening today. They are going to perform a procedure at some point to put a filter in his leg to filter blood as they have detected teeny tiny blood clots which is to be expected. From what I understood, after the procedure, they are removing the tubes from his mouth. God is good! Thank you Lord for your faithfulness!

Sunday Afternoon

Jones Family Blog

http://gavincarrie.blogspot.com/

 

Mrs. Helen Robertson is home and ventured out to church this morning.  Pray for this special lady as she recovers from a fall and a broken hip.

Please continue to pray for Reesa B. DeLee as she works to be well enough to come home from New York.

Please be in prayer for the family and friends of Mr. June Austin Spears, Sr. He passed away this morning. No arrangements to be made until tomorrow.

Thanks

Mary Ann Cutrer

 

I’ve hesitated to post about Newtown, CT because the situation hurt so much, but I did pay attention to the news hour after hour.  I received this poem that helps heal some of the hurt.  As you pray for the families of the victims, pray for all the other children in the school Friday, and pray for the family of the shooter.  They are hurt and lacking understanding like the other families.

twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“this is heaven.” declared a small boy. “we’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”
“may this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“come now my children, let me show you around.”
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Sunday

Verse shared by Ladd Turner this morning:

‎”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

~Matthew 11:28-30 NIV~

Continue to pray for Dan Turner and his family.  It’s been a long eight days for them.  Thank God for the progress they have seen.  Pray for them as they continue to stick by him through this ordeal.

Mrs. Oma Zachary of Amite is in OLOL.  She had a heart valve replacement a few months ago.  Some days she is better than on other days.  Pray she can “bounce back” from her current problem.

Austin Elder’s wake will be Tuesday with the celebration of life service on Wednesday.  Pray for Austin’s family and friends as they prepare for these days.  Pray they can continue to point others to God through their witness.

Continue to pray as churches collect funds for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.  Check out the following site to learn of some of the ways these funds are used.

http://www.commissionstories.com/eurasia/

The choir of FBC, Kentwood will lead in worship tonight through song.  Join us at six tonight.  You’ll be blessed.

Holidays are hard for some families.  Family members are not together because of military service or other reasons, Pray for families with a member hospitalized during the holidays.  Pray for families that will celebrate their first Christmas since the loss of a loved one.  Pray for those who live alone and will not have any family celebration this year.  Step in and help make these situations brighter and lighter on the heart.

May you be blessed on this Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

may the Lord rejoice in his works—

he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,

who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

~Psalm 104:31-33 NIV~

 

Pray for Dan Turner as he has more and more time off the vent.  Pray for his family as they wait for the moment when Dan is fully awake.

Emma Brabham is enjoying her time at home and having visitors.  Continue to pray for this family.

The vande Vuss family has everyone at home again.  Pray the flu doesn’t continue to spread through this family.  Pray for all the other families dealing with bad colds, bronchitis, and flu.

Austin Elder was removed from life support.  His parents sang “Jesus Loves You” during his last moments.  As we slept last night his organs were given to help continue/improve the life of others.  Pray for this brave Christian family who ministered to other families at the hospital while their son for fighting for his life.  May the Elder family’s influence and example continue to minister to others.

Christmas Greeting from Africa (LMCO)

http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/

Baptist Press – It doesn’t take long to read some of these articles that are both current and inspiring.

BPNews.net

 The choir of FBC, Kentwood will present their Christmas musical tomorrow night at 6:00 P.M.  You are invited to come enjoy this time with FBC.

I was blessed last night to attend the annual Christmas Dinner and Musical at Woodland Park in Hammond.  What a blessing it was!

Anna Lee