Author: Anna Lee

Friday Death Notice

Belen Ruth Rakow Wall
(October 7, 1947 – January 5, 2012)

A resident of Kentwood, she died at 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at her home. She was born October 7, 1947 in Bell, CA and was 64 years of age. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Winston Gene Wall; father, August F. Rakow; brother, Lance Rakow; nephew, Jamie Rakow; niece, Jennifer Rakow Waite; great-niece, Skylar Joy Waite; great-nephew, Zachary Taylor Waite. She was preceded in death by her mother, Joy Rakow. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 


Friday Midday

  • Velta Morris

Good afternoon everyone,

I wanted to give you an update on my visit with the surgeon today.  (For some of you, this may be the first e-mail you’ve had from me about my recent health concerns.  A little background, a scan right before Christmas showed some suspicious lymph nodes and I was referred to my surgeon here in Lancaster.)

The surgeon confirmed that I do indeed have some enlarged lymph nodes that need to be biopsied and he will be consulting with others in this field to determine the best way to go about this.  I expect that this biopsy will be set up within the next few days, probably either in Pineville or Charlotte.

I do appreciate so much your continued prayers for wisdom for the doctors and for me, that I will have peace during this time of waiting, and that I would glorify the Lord in all things.

Love you all, and thanks again for praying and for all the words of encouragement you have shared with me.  One dear friend from Kentwood said, “God knows your name!”  Indeed he does!

Velta G. Morris

 

 

  • Boyd Hatchel

Boyd Hatchel has been admitted to Ochsner in New Orleans with blood clots in his leg.  Please be in prayer for Boyd, Jennie, the children, his family, and those caring for him.

  • Jadon Pailet

Not so good, but staying positive

It’s been a really long night. I’m very agitated and have anxiety when they come in the room. My mommy and daddy stayed with me until about 12:00 then my daddy stayed the rest of the night. My aunt Mendy came about 6 and then my mommy came back around 7:30. I’m still nauseated. I’m also still mad that no one can hold me. I’m moving out of ICU today. When we get to the other room my mommy will be able to hold me. All of my seizures are coming from my left side still. This is great news. I’m having lots of seizures. Some are due to the trama and others bc I didn’t have any medicine yesterday. I’m back on my Meds so hopefully they will get better. We still do not have any results yet. All we know is that I’m spiking a whole lot on top of the 150-200 seizures we were seeing at home. We have to get these seizures to stop. They said that they are shooting over to my right side which has to be stopped. Please continue to pray. I have to be honest and tell you this is horrible. Yes God is giving us the strength to get through it but it feels like we are in a bad dream. I will leave you with some good news. First they said my swelling looks great. Not too much. Tomorrow will be the peak of the swelling. Next, our neurologist is on call this weekend at home and here in Detroit. Dr. C(neuro here) said not good for me but good for you. Lol. He said he is only on call ever 7 weeks. To me it’s just another sign that God is taking care of me. Love you all.
I will stay strong. I will fight. I will win.

Friday

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”

~Psalm 25:9 NIV~

  • Update from Jadon Pailet
Not much time to update. It’s been a very long and hard day. I have 132 electrodes attached to my brain which means 132 wires. I also have all the other normal hospital wires. I do not like having these wires attached to me. I was doing really well until around 5:30. I started having stomach pains and got sick. So I didn’t get to eat anything. I was able to hold down some juice about two hours ago. I’m very agitated. I’m mad because I can’t crawl into my moms lap. I keep trying and reaching and crying but they won’t let me. Mommy got as close as possible until I went to sleep. They gave me some medicine to help me relax. I’m also having withdraws from my sabril. I haven’t had it since yesterday and it’s one of those medicines that can effect you that way. So they did order it and gave it to me a little while ago. My seizures are very bad and everytime I have one I cry. The doctor said he is getting plenty of information. He said we will have some results of the EEG tomorrow. Please continue to pray as we will have to make some big decisions tomorrow. Also pray that I will be able to settle down and get some rest.
 Please keep praying for Jadon, his family, and the medical staff caring for him.
  • Dr. Derry Magee continues to improve.  He is participating in physical, occupational, and speech therapy.  He will get moved to the stroke/telemetry unit today where his therapy time can be increased.  He does not get frustrated or angry.  He became very excited when told his grandson Bill would be coming tomorrow with his wife Kellye.  “Miss” Dora and daughter, Nita, thank you for your continued prayers.
  • Mr. Kenneth Felker said B.J.’s surgery was delayed from early morning to late evening, but was eventually done.  The surgery turned out not to be as complicated as originally expected.  David talked with B.J. yesterday, but said she seemed medicated.
  • Baptist Press: Baptists and the Civil War on display at the library
  • Thought for the Day: I’m starting to forget
There’s a beautiful story about a little boy who couldn’t wait for his new baby sister to come home from the hospital. He couldn’t wait to be near her, to talk to her. But his parents didn’t want him to be left alone with her. After all he was only four years old, so they wanted to supervise his visits. He kept begging to be alone with her, so one night his parents finally relented. The boy tiptoed into her room, stood next to his sister’s crib and said: “Tell me about God – I’m starting to forget.”There are times when we as adults get so caught up in the “rat race” and all of our responsibilities. Perhaps we need to go to the children around us and say, “Tell me about God — I’m starting to forget.”There are weeks when we’ve been dealing with irate customers and heavy traffic. We need to fellowship with the saints and worship God together because “I’m starting to forget.”There are weeks when we’ve had to focus on crying babies, the paying of bills and doctors’ appointments. We need the reminder of the Lord’s Supper to see God’s love and grace because “I’m starting to forget.”

There are days when we’re so caught up in deadlines at work and getting the kids to soccer practice, days when we need to slow down a bit and spend time with God in prayer because “I’m starting to forget.”

“Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.” (Deuteronomy 4:9)

Are you starting to forget? Ask someone to tell you about God once more.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

 

 

  • Please continue to pray for all the others we have had on our prayer list lately.
  • Boyd and Jennie, our daughter and son-in-law, will be speaking in the 10:30 worship service at FBC, Kentwood Sunday.  They are missionaries to the Roma(Gypsies) in Europe.  Their stateside assignment time is ending this month, so they will be returning to Prague soon.  You are invited to join us at this time if you are interested and available.
Anna Lee

Another Obituary

Mary E. “Betty” Douglass Reid
(December 5, 1915 – January 4, 2012)

Mary E. “Betty” Douglass Reid, a retired librarian, died on January 4, 2012 in Shreveport, LA. She was born in Conway, AR, December 5, 1915, the daughter o Chester Ernest and Pearle Haller Douglass. After graduation from Arkansas State Teachers College in 1935, she taught in Arkansas for five years before getting a degree in Library Science from Louisiana State University in 1943. She married October 2, 1942 in Baton Rouge, LA to Joseph W. Reid, Jr. who died October 24, 1990, she was a librarian in Arkansas, North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana, before becoming head of the Catalog Department in the Southwest Missouri State University Library in Springfield, MO, from 1962 until retirement in 1982. Whie ther, she attended Schweltzer United Methodist Church. Survivors inclue her sister, Sally D. Montgomery, Shreveport, LA, nieces, Sally Oyer Perigard, Germantown, MS and Ginger M. Cobb, Tyler, TX and nephews, R. Gary Montgomery, The Woodlands, TX, and Robert L. Oyer, Glendale, AZ, and sister-in-law, Irene Reid Morris, Kentwood, LA. Graveside Services will be in her husband’s family plot in Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA on Saturday, January 7, 2012 under the direction of McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, LA.

 

 

Thursday Afternoon

Helen “Woogie” Varnado Bridges
(October 29, 1930 – January 5, 2012)

A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother passed from this life on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge. She was born October 29, 1930 in Kentwood, was 81 years of age and a resident of Kentwood. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., Friday, and from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2012. Services conducted by Bro. Pat Norred. Interment New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood. Survived by son, Michael Wayne Bridges and his wife, Donna, Denham Springs, daughter-in-law, Helen Holmes, Jayess, MS, 6 grandchildren, Lisa Norred, Dodie Wascom, Ken Bridges, Frank Bridges, Amber Hilbun, and Colby Clayton, 15 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Lorraine Donagrichi, brother-in-law, Clarence Bridges, Jr. Preceded in death by husband, Kennon Bridges, great-granddaughter, Reba Norred, 2 sisters, 7 brothers. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

Update on Mike Moore

From Robin, Mike’s wife

This morning Mike was in pretty severe pain. He said his eye burned and felt like someone was sticking a blade of straw in his eye. After a pain pill, it is much better. I’ve gotten pretty good at putting the meds in his eye. I’m the one that sends the kids to Mike when they have something in their eye! Haha. It really hasn’t bothered me like I thought it would. Thanks for the messages and calls. Feel free to call us. We have no more dr apptmts until his surgery on Tues.

Thursday Addition

Jadon’s Story: I’m in surgery now!

They took me back around 8:30 this morning. I fell asleep in my mommies arms before the even took me back. She laid me on the table and I stayed asleep. They put the mask on my face and I was so brave for my mommy. I slept until the last minute. I woke up let out one little cry, grabbed my moms finger, and went to sleep. The doctors have been amazing. We actually forgot my blanket and one of the doctors said wait we left the blanket. I’ll go back and get it. The nurse in the Operating room said that she will call and update us every hour. She said this isn’t a requirement but that she tries to put herself in the parents situation and she knows she would want an update so she said she will call. They also gave my mommy and daddy a number which they will update on a screen in the waiting room. The anesthesiologist also told mommy and daddy that he will be right there the entire time making sure I’m ok. This made us feel so much better. Thanks for praying. God is deginitely here and we can feel your prayers. I’ll update again after survey.

 

Dr. Derry Magee had a better day yesterday.  His regular doctors returned from their holiday break.  Dr. Derry asked for one of his visitors to pray for him.  Dr. Derry used a wash cloth to wash his hair and another one to wash his face and mouth.  His bleeding may be related to a family history of a bleeding problem, Von Willebrand’s Disease.  Dr. Derry’s speech is improved.  The family is encouraged and continues to thank you for your prayers for them.

Thursday

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.”

~Philippians 1:3-5~

 

Please pray for Tammy Smith’s sister who will be having knee surgery today.

Mrs. Anne Hurst is home now, but please continue to pray for her as she recovers her strength.

Percy Cutrer was at North Oaks last night.  Pray for him and his family.

Please continue your prayers for Taylor Breeland.

Pray for Bill Carl Strickland to get over his cold so he can begin chemo and radiation.

Pray for Donna Fay Miller and Firma Kay Schneeweiss as they take turns staying with their mother, Mrs. Pauline Strickland.  Pray she will regain her strength soon.

Jadon’s Story: Surgery is tomorrow (Posted last night)

We made it to Detroit. We have to be at the hospital for 7 which is 6 at home. Not sure what time they will get started. I’ll update sometime after surgery. Please send lots of prayers our way. This first surgery is going to give us lots of information and lots of decisions to make. We know that God will continue to help us make decisions. Love ya, Jadon

Lift-off of purple balloons at prayer service just before the Pailet family left for Detroit

https://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/cfs-ak-ash4/350143/625/2773634974371_4208.mp4?oh=f71ab08d8a688a1d0beea24279cb99b1&oe=4F067F00&__gda__=1325825792_9ce5c7c1c0bc9c9f1a8fa87ef86ed02e

Please continue to pray for Rev. Sale Lilly (Ann Trappey’s dad) and his family.

Thought for the Day: Don’t show up empty-handed

Joe and Mike had not seen each other in many years. After meeting, they had a long
talk trying to fill in the gap of those years by telling about their lives. Finally,
Joe invited Mike to visit him in his new apartment.

"I've got a wife and three kids and I'd love to have you visit us."

"Great. Where do you live?"

"Here's the address. And there's plenty of parking behind the apartment. Park and
come around to the front door, kick it open with your foot, go to the elevator and
press the button with your left elbow, then enter! When you reach the sixth floor,
go down the hall until you see my name on the door. Then press the doorbell with your
right elbow and I'll let you in."

"Good. But tell me... what is all this business of kicking the front door open, then
pressing buttons with my right, then my left elbow?"

"Surely, you're not coming empty-handed!"

As we approach God, surely we do not attempt to come to Him empty-handed. Listen to
these instructions given to the Jews in the Law of Moses:

"Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God 
in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the 
Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear 
before the LORD empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according 
to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you." (Deut. 16:16-17)

God has blessed us richly in so many ways. He wants us -- no, He expects us -- to bring a gift when we come to Him. We should not appear before the Lord empty-handed. Are your hands full?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Enjoy this great day the Lord has planned for you!
Anna Lee