Category: Death Notice(s)

Friday

“Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18~

Grady Brecheen’s surgery went wll yesterday morning. He will be hospitalized for about a week before he is released to come home. Please keep him in your prayers.

Infant Mary-Margaret Hendry
(May 20, 2009 – May 20, 2009)

Infant Mary-Margaret Hendry

Infant Mary-Margaret Hendry was born May 20, 2009 and passed away on May 20, 2009 at 10:23 p.m., May 20, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond.

She is survived by her parents, Travis L. & Hannah Lopinto Travis, Amite; a sister, Emily Hendry, Mt. Hermon; maternal grandparents, Frank & Mary Lopinto, Amite; paternal grandfather, Patrick Hendry, Chesbrough; maternal great-grandmothers, Carolyn Bel, Bolivar, MO & Josie DePhillips, Amite; numerous aunts, uncles, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by paternal grandmother, Margaret Welch Hendry.

Private funeral services will be held at a later date.

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

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

Donald Ray “Donnie” Fairburn
(August 10, 1958 – May 21, 2009)

Donald Ray “Donnie” Fairburn was born August 10, 1958 and passed away at 5:30 p.m., May 21, 2009 at his residence in Denham Springs. He was 50, a native of Covington and former resident of Amite. He is the son of Mrs. Evelyn Cox Crawford of Denham Springs the late Bobby Lee Fairburn, Sr.

Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, May 22, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, May 23, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. until Religious Services in the Funeral Home Chapel at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Walter Mixon officiating. Interment in the Allison Cemetery, Folsom, LA.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy-16W behind Grand Prix Car Wash & Bond Eye Clinic.

Joy Forbes Sanders
(June 18, 1925 – May 21, 2009)

Died at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at her residence in the East Fork Community, LA. She was a native of Kentwood, LA Age 83 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Shumock and Rev. Leon Dunn. Interment East Fork Cemetery, East Fork Community, LA. She is survived by her 2 sons, Paul E. Sanders and wife, Ann, Hammond and Roger Dale Sanders, East Fork Community; 4 grandsons, Steve Sanders, Shannon Sanders, Ricky Sanders and Blane Sanders; 10 great-grandchildren, Dale, Danny, Kristopher, Seth, Jesse, Cole, Garrett, Breann, Brayden and Logan Sanders; 3 great-grandchildren, Raelyn, Blaise and Kirsdyn Sanders. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie Mack Sanders; parents, Jessie and Nora Dykes Forbes; grandson, Nicholas Sanders; 3 sisters, Juanita Strickland, Vertie Tally and Nelvie Pritchard; brother, Hurlmon Forbes.

Don Denton

If you are not up for a long read, you may want to bypass this one:

I wanted to update you all. Don is getting stronger everyday. He started back with physical therapy. Our physical therapist is Dot H. at SBU. She is helping Don now since our insurance company is no longer paying for much needed physical therapy.

Our insurance company is changing as well and we will have to meet our “out of pocket” all over again this year. This means twice in one year. It is such a hard hit when there is a catastrophic event such as ours.

Now that this is out of the way. We are so glad to be home from the hospital again. Don is making strides. WE are hoping to see changes in the way of his dizziness; the medication he is on will have one more week before we can tell if there is a difference.

Joshua is readjusting to routine again as well. He seems to be doing well with this.

I can’t believe summer is almost here. This first five months of this year have been met with hospital stays each month. We are also praying that this was the last hospital stay for Don. He so wants that too.

Since late winter Don, Joshua and I have been dreaming about this summer and what we would do. We have hoped to go to Texas to see my sister in law Lynn and brother. She herself has battled four occurrences of cancer. She is a special aunt to Joshua. We have dreamed of taking a camping trip and hiking again. All of these are losses we have to work through. Hopes and dreams each of us live for as a family that come to a hault. And my dream of a big vegatable garden this year, which is theraputic for me. All of these dreams are places we are having to “let go”. I have a choice in what I am going to do with this. So a new way of looking at our life has come about and it is a good thing.

Now I find myself talking with Josh about ” our first lemonade stand” in our driveway this summer with Joshua. He is so excited. He can’t wait till he has his first lemonade stand. I just love it. I love the wonder in Joshua eyes and his “happy go lucky” skip he has when he walks. He is a delight to us. God is so good to us. And in the “big picture” this is what life is about. Life with each other and relationships. Not living on what it could have been, but what is right here and now.

And Don, he is an amazing person to watch. He continues to push through the challenges that face him each day. I am amazed at his character and his patience. I have never experienced someone in my life that has the determination to rise above this terrible disease as best as he can to “be present” with Joshua and myself.

As I have said many times, this very hard event in our life has brought the worst and the best out in me. It is a ever present reminder of how I have to “come to and end of myself” each day. Letting go of what was and learning to take on a new way of life for us has it’s challenges.

Loss and waiting are my two least favorite places to be in my life. All I can say is that God is full of grace and mercy. I don’t deserve God’s grace or mercy. Yet, I know it is there for me. I have been faced with more challenges and obstacles than I could have ever imagined.

But the one Constance is that we are a family and God IS with us. We have each other. Don is with us! And in that I give thanks to God! It could be so much worse.

I have to learn to quit complaining. Some days I just feel so sorry for myself. So pray for me in this way.

It is easy to fall into the pattern of “being a victim”. What a test for me. I hate tests! Don’t we all. I was rushing to get in my car this morning…as I am house watching a friends home, taking care of her garden, cat, fish and snail. And it came to me. I don’t like my life right now. And this small voice said….look at what you have! It is everything you ever wanted. It is so true. We have everything we could have ever imagined barring this illness and the unbelieveable medical bills. That part of it we could do without. Perspective helps me to see the big picture.

Well I have rambled on again. As you can see, when I don’t write for days, I then write a book. Sorry for the length of this one.

Thank you dear, dear precious ones in Christ. Thank you for your love and steadfast prayer for Don, Joshua and I. We are most grateful to you.

My email address has changed: dianed4@windstream.net

Bless you
Diane

Thanks to all who purchased tickets for the fish dinner. You’re helping a team go to Canada next month for a mission trip. They will be doing VBS, sports camp, revival, etc.

There is a bloood drive tomorrow at FBC. Call the church office today for more information.

Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into the world,

and we can take nothing out of it.”

~1 Timothy 6:6-7 NIV~

Baptist Press
May 19, 2009

WASHINGTON–‘Call 2 Fall’ issued for July 5. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30520

OKLAHOMA–Okla., Minn. take stand against cloning. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30521

TENNESSEE–Unhealthy SBC needed ‘shock’ of GCR declaration, Hunt says. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30522

GEORGIA–Church care plan for chaplains unveiled. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30523

TENNESSEE–RESOURCE: Multi-site churches entail challenges, rewards. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30524

KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (Stephen Douglas Wilson): Southern Baptists need methodological diversity. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30525

Mrs. Iris Wood Conerly
(August 24, 1915 – September 19, 2009)

Mrs. Iris Wood Conerly was born August 24, 1915 and passed away at 6:35 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. Mrs. Iris was 93, a native & resident of Amite her entire life. She was a member of the First Southern Methodist Church in Amite and also was retired from the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court Office after 35 years and 11 months service.

Mrs. Iris is survived by her son, Marc Conerly, and wife Nancy, of Amite.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55n & Hwy 16W behind Grand Prix Car Wash & Bond Eye Clinic.

KneEmail

Affluenza

greatphysiciana2.jpgTHE 1918 INFLUENZA epidemic was the most destructive in history…

It is estimated that more than 20 million people world-wide perished of the flu in a few months and more than 50 times as many were sick. In the US, 548,000 died. In India, 12,500,000 people or 4% of the entire population are said to have died.

Medical research and technology now routinely protects us against diseases that wiped out entire families, neighborhoods, and even cities. But another epidemic is taking a tremendous toll on our families. It is not influenza; it is affluenza.

Its symptoms include:
. A reaching for more and more, in spite of what we have.
. An insatiable drive to be successful.
. A chronic lack of contentment.
. A consistent choosing of career over family relationships.
. An overscheduled, overloaded life that leaves no room for significant time with spouse, children and true devotion to God. (Steve and Mary Farrar)

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” 1 Timothy 6:7

Posted by Mike Benson

Don’t forget the fish lunch cooked by Buie tomorrow at FBC, Kentwood. Call the church office for tickets. The cost is $7.00 with the profits going to support a mission trip to Canada this summer. Pray for those who will be ministering and those who will be ministered to.

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Saturday Evening


Robert Young “Bobby” Thompson, Jr.
(August 16, 1930 – May 15, 2009)


Robert Young

U.S. Veteran Robert Young Thompson, Jr., born August 16, 1930, in Amite, LA, son of Young Thompson and Louise Hendry Thompson Anzalone, died at home in Amite on Friday, May 15, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. After graduating from Amite High School and completing four years of military service in the United States Air Force, he graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University and became a valued employee as an Examiner for the Louisiana State Commissioner of Insurance. Affectionately known as “Mr. Bobby”, he worked for the last decade for the Town of Amite as Custodian of Amite’s five cemeteries. Preceding him in death were his parents. His survivors include his wife of 55 years, Ruby Frey Carley Thompson, Amite; sons, Gerald G. Carley and wife, Brenda, Daphne, AL, John Robert Thompson and wife, Karen Vines Thompson, Ponchatoula, Samuel James Thompson and wife, Nancy Miller Thompson, Tickfaw and Robert Young Thompson, III, Amite; grandchildren, David Carley and wife, Murphette, Baton Rouge, Kevin Carley and wife, Susan, Mobile, AL, James Michael Thompson, Pumpkin Center, Robert Brandon Thompson and wife, Samantha, US Army Fort Bragg, NC, John Carl Thompson, Amite, Bradley Young Thompson, Amite, Kevin Paul Thompson, Amite and Beth Taylor Jarred, Independence; great-grandchildren, Houston, Evelyn and Jack Carley, Baton Rouge, Cameron and Ross Carley, Mobile, AL, Amanda and Corey Jarred, Independence, and Breeanna Marie Thompson, Fort Bragg, NC; brother, James E. Thompson, Baton Rouge; sister, Irma Thompson Villar, Oriskany Falls, NY; aunt, Rosemary Thompson Walters, Baton Rouge; numerous cousins, two nieces and a nephew. Mr Thompson was a charter member of First Southern Methodist Church, Amite, for 45 years serving for many years as a Sunday School Teacher, member of the Board of Stewards, Trustee, Church Chairman, and Choir member. He was formerly a member of the Volunteer Fire Department in Amite, the Masonic Lodge of Amite, the Woodmen of the World Fraternal Organization and a former member of First Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church both in Amite. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, beloved husband, father, grandfather and neighbor. You will be sorely missed by your many friends and loved ones. Visitation will be Sunday, May 17, 2009 at First Southern Methodist Church, 410 E. Mulberry St., Amite, from Noon until 3 p.m. when a Memorial Service will be led by Rev. Dan Plunkett and assisted by Rev. Sam Leto and Rev. Mervin Strother. Honorary pallbearers will be John Battalora, Reggie Goldsby, Malcolm Goldsby, Louis McCoy, Marvin McCoy, Vergil Howell, Maurice Wascom and Allen Doughty. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Southern Methodist Church, 410 E. Mulberry St., Amite, LA 70422. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Alma King
(December 21, 1933 – May 15, 2009)

Mrs. Alma King was born December 21, 1933 and passed away at 5:45 p.m. on Friday May 15, 2009 at Hood Memorial Hospital, Amite. She was 75, a native and resident of Amite.Mrs. Alma is survived by a daughter, Cynthia “Cindy” K. White, Amite; 5 grandchildren, Darla King Washington, Michael White, Ashley David, Brandon King, & Jessica Baham; 7 great-grandchildren, Jonathan King, Devin Miller, Oscar Miller, Darlisha Washington, Mykeira White, Mykayla Jackson, and a baby girl.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde H. King, a son, Clyde L. King; parents, and a sister.

Family & friends invited to the visitation at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday, May 18, 2009 from 1:30 p.m. until Religious Services at the funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with Bro. Marshall Wallace officiating. Interment in the Briar Patch Cemetery.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy-16W behind Grand Prix Car Wash & Bond Eye Clinic.

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Friday Afternoon

I have been upped to 43 treatments from 38. I now have 8 down and 35 to go. going real good so far. Thanks for the prayers. Thanks Luther Ricks



Charles Flory “Charley” Kuss, Sr.
(April 19, 1925 – May 15, 2009)


U.S. Veteran Mr. Kuss went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, May 15, 2009 at 7:40 a.m. at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was a native of New Orleans, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 84 years. He was a U. S. Navy Pharmacist’s Mate Veteran of WWII and a deacon of First Baptist Church, Kentwood, LA. Visitation at First Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 9 a.m. on Saturday until religious services at 11:00AM Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by wife, Kathryn Shaw Kuss, Kentwood, daughter, Bonnie Kelsey and husband, Mike, Amite, 2 sons, Charles F. Kuss, Jr. and wife, Betty, Rome, GA, Dr. Kit D. Kuss and wife, Charlotte, Valparaiso, FL, 8 grandchildren, Chris Kelsey & wife, Tracie , Cullman, AL, Brennan Kelsey & wife, Donna, Amite, Robyn Kelsey, Amite, Christian Kuss and wife, Tina, Rome, GA, Mary Kathryn Nichols & Justin, Ft. Collins, CO, Charles F. “Trey” Kuss, III, Rome, GA, Kristopher Kuss, Mobile, AL, Kelsey Kuss, Tallahassee, FL, 11 great-grandchildren, Zoe, Mike, & James Kelsey, Christian & Rosa Kathryn Kuss, Tyler, Justin, & Casey Proux, Kayla, Brennan, Jr., & Keegan Kelsey, 1 brother, Tom Kuss, Hammond. Preceded in death by parents, Joseph A. Kuss and Lydia Marie Flory Kuss, brother, Joseph Kuss, Jr. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Friday

“The Lord is far from the wicked,

but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”

~Proverbs 15:29~

Beth G. Lee sent this birth announcement and the Kentwood connections.

After over 24 hours of labor, Jeremy and Sarah Purvis are the proud parents of Kendra Nicole Purvis. She weighed 8 lbs 12 oz, 21.5 in long. Jeremy is currently Student Minister @ Hixson First Baptist Church, Hixson, Tennessee. The proud paternal grandparents are Rusty and Becky Purvis. Kendra’s Great-grandparents are the late Edsel and Mary Ann Graham and the late Dr. Ben Purvis.

Jimmy and Retia Dukes

We were late to the Zephyrs game Tuesday night. I forgot to mention it in yesterday’s post. I bring it back up, simply to share with you something Caleb said that meant a lot to me. I thought it would mean a lot to you.

This happened Tuesday night. We had ordered Dad’s supper after taking him for a walk, and Uncle Danny was going to pick it up. Both Caleb and I wanted to see Mom again before we went to the game. We were also hungry. Smoothie King sounded good. The Peanut Power Plus is always a good meal replacement. Or a good snack. Or a good dessert. It’s just plain good.

Anyway, we were turning into Smoothie King, and I told Caleb that we were going to be late for the game, but I really wanted to drive back over to see Mom before we went. Here was his response:

“That’s okay, Daddy. Moms are more important than games anyway.”

I love that kid.

Well, speaking of moms, yesterday afternoon (Wednesday), after I had posted the last post on Caring Bridge, Caleb and I went to see Mom. She was very interactive. I helped the nurse change her bed dressing, and then we just talked with her. Caleb and I tried to keep it to shake-the-head and nod-the-head questions or multiple choice. It was fun.

We were about to go in order to get back over and take Dad some supper, so we closed our time with what has become our normal routine. We washed our hands thoroughly, and then leaned over Mom and told her how much we loved her. When we did, she looked straight at Caleb and mouthed, “Bye, I love you.”

Only thing is that this time she did more than mouth. She has been wearing that valve that is supposed to help her begin to get used to air going up through her vocal cords again. I told you she made some coughing noises through it, but no talking yet. Until last night. She didn’t just mouth “Bye, I love you.” She said it. Air was translated into speech and noise was shaped into words through the valve!!!

We were elated. I leaned down over her and said, “You just said that, Mom! Like, you really talked!!! Do it again! Do it again!!!”

She had a big half-smile and a proud look in her eye like, “Yeah. I did that.”

Caleb had a HUGE grin. We tried to get her to say more stuff. She really tried. She struggled to form words again, but she didn’t. We didn’t care. She “spoke.” We were thankful. It was awesome!!!

That was the great news. Now, the not-so-great news. The BIRC in Orlando won’t accept Mom until her infection resolves. We anticipated that. It is totally understandable. It just means we have to wait a bit longer to see when it resolves. The doctors have Mom on two different antibiotics, and their gut feeling is that within the next two weeks she should either be over it or show signs of being over it. Please pray it will be so. With Dad about to be shifted from in-patient rehab to out-patient rehab, being in Orlando would be best for him to have his own bed and his own bathroom and his own focus on being with Mom as we walk through this long journey together.

Don’t get me wrong. Being here has been amazing. The love poured out by family and friends here in New Orleans has been way beyond anything we could have ever imagined. Thank you so much to all of you from the Seminary and the surrounding church families. We can’t ever thank you enough. It has been such a joy to hear all of the stories from all of you of the many ways Mom and Dad touched your lives in their 30 plus years of being in this area. We’re not trying to rush away from this.

We are just trying to get Mom into a center that has been highly recommended to us that we believe will be the best for her health and recovery. In fact, we have in our church family in Orlando a young woman who has been through that very center and has recovered from a traumatic brain injury. She has been a huge encouragement to us, along with so many others. So, we are not trying to rush out of New Orleans. Just trying to get Mom toward her next step and the best care possible.

Besides, there is no Copeland’s or Praline Connection or an abundance of scallops (whatever they are) in Orlando. There is Mickey Mouse. Mom and Dad’s home. That brain center. Four of Mom and Dad’s grandkids. And my wife and kids. I miss them a lot. Mom and Dad do, too.

They miss time with Bill and Brenda. They miss eating out together and then chilling on the couch, laughing at some of those outlandish sit-coms Mom likes. Dad misses his shower head. It’s actually pretty cool – like a rain shower. Most importantly, they simply miss each other.

When we were trying to get Mom to talk, I asked her to tell me what she wanted me to tell Dad. She didn’t “speak” it, but she mouthed, “Tell him I love him.”

Dad could get discharged Monday. If he does, it will change a lot schedule-wise and need-wise. It will definitely be a positive, though, at least in one very significant way. Dad will get to see that woman who told me to tell him she loves him. Almost everyday if not everyday. That’d be special.

One thing I wanted to comment on and get some feedback from y’all. Many of you have left comments about the med-flight stuff for Mom. Erik and I really appreciate it. Here’s what we have found out from your comments and from some research over the last few weeks.

Angel Med-Flight is a free air-transportation service for patients who need high-quality medical care that they can’t get to easily. However, from what we understand, patients are required to be able to walk onto the plane and buckle themselves up. We were told by several sources that there is currently not a free flight service for patients who cannot get themselves on and off the plane without significant help. For example, Mom would need to be transported in a bed or stretcher. She would not be able to sit up that long and withstand the inertia of flying.

There are companies who offer this service and try to do so affordably. In fact, we are looking deeply into two options. The case worker from one of those companies is communicating with Mom’s case worker at the hospital, trying to get Mom and Dad’s insurance to pay for it. Also, we are working with an extended family member who has a friend in the med-flight industry. This is a promising situation, and they are offering the service at a fairly low cost. We are looking into both and trying to fully understand each option.

Please pray for us to have wisdom. And, pray for Mom to get remarkably better between now and when her infection resolves. That’s when she would be ready for the med-flight transfer to Orlando.

Thanks again to everyone who has been looking into this stuff with us and for us. It really means a lot. Please comment back with suggestions and helpful thoughts if you have them.

This afternoon will be fun. Dad’s facility gave us a pass again so that I can load him up in the Civic with Caleb and me and take him over to see Mom. I can’t wait!

He is in therapy right now. Two sessions were before lunch. Then a quick lunch. Then two more sessions. He will be tuckered out for sure. We are planning on making an afternoon and evening of it -seeing Mom, then grabbing supper with some family and friends before we bring him back.

Please pray for safety of travel and transfer in and out of the car as we go. Also, please pray that Mom would “say” something to Dad. That would rock the house!!!

By the way, Jen and I were talking last night on the phone about her day yesterday with the girls. She mentioned something that really grabbed me. I am sharing it with you in case it might encourage you, as well. I blogged about it on my blog. Even made a video about it for the girls. If you get a chance, click here to check it out. (http://jasoncdukes.wordpress.com/) Maybe enjoy the pictures, and then watch it again to especially listen to the words of the song. Please pass it on, also, to young women whom you think it might encourage.

I love and appreciate you. Post at you later.
-jason

KOMpray

http://www.imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=6686&LanguageID=1709

Be sure to notice the age of the last MK.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
FOR THE FIRST time in your life, Western Oregon University’s Sara Tucholsky not only hit a home run in a game against Central Washington University, but she hit it over the fence…
She had passed first base and was on her way to second base when she collapsed. Something had happened to her knee and she couldn’t run. No one on her team could help her around the bases because if they touched her, she’d be out. That’s when her opponents from Central Washington picked her up and carried her around the bases and across the home plate. “My whole team was crying. It touched a lot of people,” says Tucholsky.

This devotional will be shared with co-workers who helped me with a big project at school yesterday. I know they touched me when they shouldered some of my “burden”!
Anna Lee

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2


Eugene N. Strong
(December 15, 1919 – May 12, 2009)


Eugene N. Strong

The picture was not available when I posted Mr. Strong’s obituary.


Thursday

“‘Teacher,’ he asked,

‘Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus answered, ”Love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

This is the greatest and the most important commandment.

The second most important commandment is like it: ‘

Love your neighbor as you love yourself.””

~Matthew 22:36-39 TEV~



It’s graduation time! Pray for the graduates as important decisions are made in their lives.


Mr. Walter Green Harper had heart surgery yesterday in Lacombe. Pray for him as he recovers and his family as they stay by his side.






Don Denton

Good news! Don will get to go home on Thursday. We have a good rapore with our neurologist. She really is doing everything to help Don. I like her ability to see the big picture for us.

So, Joshua and I will go home earlier and open up the house.

And we will settle in and start to celebrate Don coming home and then of course Joshua’s birthday.

Don home on Thursday and Joshua’s birthday Friday. Joshua’s party will actually be on Saturday. That is cutting it a little close don’t you think. Hey, it is what we prayed for that Don would be able to be home for this.

It means so much to Don to be home for this. WE have allot going on with doctor appointments next week. We are excited that this new drug may work. We will know within the next three weeks.

I will update soon.

Diane




Jimmy and Retia Dukes

It’s amazing what you celebrate when expectations transform into expectancy. It’s true in every relationship and every situation. I admit, that thought is not original to me. The author of The Shack communicated it during one of the conversations between Sarayu and Mack. The relational and circumstantial implications are significant, especially with regard to a very driven man, driving a walker, with a drive to walk again.

Expectancy to see Dad walking again leads to celebration, even when he walks only 286 feet. Expectation to walk two miles would allow someone to be disappointed with a fraction of a mile. Much like our normally inflated, selfish expectations of God and our spouses and friends and our circumstances. But oh to celebrate instead of being disappointed. To approach each relationship and circumstance with selflessness and expectancy. Expectant of what might happen in the next session. On the next date. As a result of the next resolved argument. When the next difficulty comes.

286 feet matter a lot more when there’s expectancy rather than expectation.

That’s how far Dad walked with his walker Monday afternoon. As Caleb declared that evening, “That’s a record, Pop!!!” And it was.

Dad only had one PT session yesterday (Tuesday). Caleb and Dad and I were picked up at 12:30 by the wheelchair van and taken to a Neurology appointment for Dad’s neck. Caleb really enjoyed the van ride, especially when it stopped, and he got to ride on the wheelchair ramp with Pop. When we got delivered back to Dad’s facility, the driver even let Caleb control the ramp with the push-buttons. Pretty cool.

The news delivered by neurology was not exactly what Dad was wanting to hear. One more month in the neck collar. Erik told me why last night. Dad’s records were sent to Erik’s clinic, and he got to look at the CT of Dad’s neck from when Dad was at University. Not good. Pretty much fractured the column in his neck. Like “why wasn’t Dad in a coma or battling paralysis” kind of fracture. For real. Erik wasn’t surprised they said one more month. I saw the XRay yesterday, and it made a lot of sense.

Speaking of XRays, they wanted him to do more of his neck while we were there, too. They will compare them with the ones later when he comes back for the follow-up.

We got back to his facility, and we found out they are expecting to discharge Dad Monday. We were a bit disappointed to hear that. See what expectation does to you. But, we are working on either changing that or making an alternate plan. We are working hard on getting Mom transferred to Orlando. Dad would obviously transfer, as well. We’ll see what the timing of all that is.

Speaking of Mom, she had a really busy day Tuesday. They used a lifting mechanism to safely lift her out of bed and into a special, reclining wheelchair. They wheeled her down to the PT room to enjoy the view and do some exercises. They asked her to do some leg kicks while sitting in the wheelchair. SHE DID TWO SETS OF FIVE!!! The therapists said she did really well. She started sweating a lot, and the nurse asked them to return her to bed. Mom didn’t want to, but she didn’t have much choice. She can’t put up a fight right yet. She doesn’t like to sweat anyway.

She is wearing the Passy Muir Valve full-time now. It partially redirects the air back up through her vocal cords, helping her to get ready to do that all the time. They put the order in for speech therapy, too. I will let you know how that goes. She still hasn’t “said” anything to us. She has been mouthing things, but not “saying” stuff.

She was super tired last night, asleep when we stopped by.

This morning, we got there early enough to see both her ortho doctor and her internal medicine doctor there at the hospital. The ortho doctor told Caleb and me that they would take off her arm cast today. He said she would wear a splint for a little while. The internal med doctor said she is getting better and better, small progressions, but better nonetheless. He is hopeful and wants neurology to give us an idea of the timeline for putting Mom’s skull piece back on her head. He agreed that she would transfer much more safely with it on than without it on. We will let you know.

The infectious disease doctor came by, too. He told me that Mom has an infection in her blood, her urine, and the stuff she is coughing up. Not cool. He did say, though, it is not MRSA. It is something like it, but not as bad – coagulate negative staph. Still sounds negative to me. I’d like to beat it with a staff, and whatever germ caused it. He assured me that the two drugs they are using to treat it should be effective.

The wound care specialist informed me that Mom’s bedsore on her head is getting better. They are not sure hair will grow there ever again. It is about 3 inches by 3 inches on the lower left backside of her head. I am thankful it is getting better. I would rather better with no hair than out-of-control infection.

The news on the bedsore on her bottom is not good. It is deep enough now to expose the bone. It has been excavated (not something you want done on your body, unless you are in Israel), and the wound care specialist began a vacuum treatment on it this morning. Supposed to be the utmost of care – the best thing they can do. She described the bedsore as stage 4. I was hoping that was 4 out of 444. It wasn’t. 4 out of 4. “Very serious,” she stated. Please pray that the vacuum treatment will promote rapid healing. She believes it will. We have been very impressed with the wound care specialist. She has taken great care of Mom.

Please pray for the technicians to be faithful to turn Mom at least every two hours as they have been instructed to. The wound care specialist does not believe they have been. Erik and I do not believe so, either. We have all called it to the staff’s attention. Please pray for the techs and nurses to make it a priority.

We have connected the case worker from Mom’s hospital with the brain center in Orlando, as well as with a MedFlight group. We may not go with that group, because a friend may have another group willing to help us. We are looking into it. It’s great that the case workers are in dialogue, though. It is the next step. Pray for them to have wisdom as they review all the files. Mom’s chart is now very large, so it will take some time for them to give us their answer. We are praying for favor for sure!

Mom and Dad both now have 7 inch digital frames in their rooms. We loaded 71 images of all eight grandkids and our families for them to enjoy five seconds at a time. They both seem to really appreciate it. It is fun to watch them scroll through. Lots of memories.

Caleb and I enjoyed the baseball game last night. The Zephyrs lost 9 to 7 to the Tacoma Rainiers. I am figuring they are from Washington state, or from some place here in Louisiana on the bayou that rains a lot. One of those. Great game, though. Caleb even got to meet Boudreaux, the Zephyrs mascot. And, the catcher threw him a ball coming back into the dugout at the end of a half-inning. He was super excited!

You can view two pictures of Caleb at the game along with several pictures of Dad in therapy on my blog. Click here to see them.

Thanks for your continued prayers and letters and facebook messages and twitters and emails and so much more. We really, really appreciate your love and support.

I will post at you later.
-jason




Edna Strickland Hughes
(January 4, 1920 – May 13, 2009)

Edna Strickland Hughes

Died on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at her home during her sleep. She was a native of Pike County, MS and a resident of Greensburg, LA. Age 89 years. She was a homemaker and was active in genealogy. She loved her family and found “relatives” at every turn.

Visitation will be at Bluff Springs Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2009. Interment Bluff Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Magnolia, MS.

She is survived by her son and granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. C. Hughes.



Eugene N. Strong
(December 15, 1919 – May 12, 2009)

U.S. Veteran Died at 1:55 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg. He was a native of Roseland and a resident of Hillsdale. Age 89 years. He was a U. S. Navy Veteran of World War II and a member of Kedron Baptist Church. Visitation at Kedron Baptist Church, Amite, from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Thursday. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer. Interment Kedron Cemetery, Amite. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Ann Holcombe Brooks and husband, John, Jackson, Sonya Newcomb, Greensburg; 2 sons, Ronald Strong and wife, Faye, Albany and Michael Strong and wife, Penny, Amite; sister, Carrie Desplas, Metairie; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mable Sharkey Strong; daughter, Pam Easley; 2 infant sons, Claude Earl Strong and David Emmitt Strong; 2 grandsons, Scott Holcombe and Timothy Easley; parents, James Nelson Strong and Carrie Jackson Strong; brother, John H. Strong; 2 sisters, Laura S. Durnin and Margaret S. Marquette.



Baptist Press
May 13, 2009

WASHINGTON–White House responds to abstinence uproar. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30483

WASHINGTON–In personal letter, Obama says he wants to overturn ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30484

GEORGIA–God ‘responded’ for Rick Gage crusade. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30485

MISSOURI–Lay Renewal Weekends lift churches to higher level. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30486

TENNESSEE–RESOURCE: Couple recounts parenting ‘adventure.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30487

KANSAS–FIRST-PERSON (Phil Boatwright): A solution to block TV profanity? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30488




===== Wednesday’s Thought For The Day (May 13, 2009) =====

SEEKING THE LOST

A golfer, playing a round by himself, is about to tee off, and a greasy little salesman runs up to him, and yells, “Wait! Before you tee off, I have something really amazing to show you!”

The golfer, annoyed, says, “What is it?”

“It’s a special golf ball,” says the salesman. “You can never lose it!”

“Whattaya mean,” scoffs the golfer, “you can never lose it? What if you hit it into the water?”

“No problem,” says the salesman. “It floats, and it detects where the shore is, and spins towards it.”

“Well, what if you hit it into the woods?”

“Easy,” says the salesman. “It emits a beeping sound, and you can find it with your eyes closed.”

“Okay,” says the golfer, impressed. “But what if your round goes late and it gets dark?”

“No problem, sir, this golf ball glows in the dark! I’m telling you, you can never lose this golf ball!”

The golfer buys it at once. “Just one question,” he says to the salesman. “Where did you get it?”

“I found it!”

Maybe someday someone will invent a golf ball that can never be lost, but until then we will all have to deal with losing things — golf balls, car keys, glasses, etc. We also have to deal with a lost humanity. I find it interesting that the one term Jesus used most often to describe those who are outside of Christ is the word “lost”.

In Luke 15, Jesus elaborated on this idea by telling three parables — the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost (prodigal) son. The point has often been made that those three parables demonstrate three different ways of being lost — through unintentional wandering (the sheep), through the negligence of someone else (the coin), or through willful disobedience (the son).

However, the point of those three parables is not so much about our lostness as they are about the fact that our God is willing to search for us and bring us back into a relationship with Him. If we will truly see the world around us as “lost”, it will change our perspective as well. Think about the last time you knew of a child that was missing. When a child is lost, we don’t ask what race the child is. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! We don’t ask the child’s economic status. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! We don’t ask what the child may or may not have done wrong. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! All that matters is that we find that child and bring him/her home safely.

Seeing a world around us as “lost” will change the way we see them. The scribes and Pharisees looked at the tax collectors and sinners and saw terrible, ugly people. Jesus saw people who were lost. All that mattered to him was that he bring them home safely.

“For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Father, thank you for diligently searching for me and for bringing me home to you. Fill me with your love so that I may care enough to seek out those around me who are lost. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina




“I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind, but now I see!”
Anna Lee

Tuesday

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.

It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times,

and willing to yield to others.

It is full of mercy and good deeds.

It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

And those who are peacemakers

will plant seeds of peace

and reap a harvest of righteousness.”

~James 3:17-18 NLT~



Pray for Sarabeth Simpson as she has surgery today at North Oaks.


Mrs. Faye Price got to go home for a while on Mother’s Day. Pray for her as she continues to work to improve.

Don Denton

Don is still continuing to do better. The doctors are calling his disease an “Inflamatory Process”. He does not have any other dignosis at this point.

They feel good about treatment. The doctor is also saying that they feel they can help with the dizziness.

Don will have an MRI of the heart. They want to make sure all is OK there.

It looks now that they will not release him until the end of the week.

Joshua’s birthday is Friday and we are still planning his party for Saturday.

I had an amazing surprise for Mothers Day. My brother Roger and his wife flew in from New York to surprise me for Mothers’ Day. It was soooooo precious to have them here.

Back to Don, the doctors are saying they feel that he will get better. It will take some more time and a tweaking of his meds to make this happen.

We are so hopeful. Don has not been given a diagnosis that is not treatable. And we are past ready to be home again.
It has now been 16 days here.

We really like our doctors here. We have a neurologist who is agressive with her looking at what is going to work in ways of treatment.


I will update you soon. I have not had access to a computer, so hopefully it will be soon.

Diane


Carl Leo Bruce
(March 25, 1951 – May 9, 2009)


Carl Leo Bruce

U.S. Veteran Carl Leo Bruce was born March 25, 1951 and passed away at 11:38 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Hood Memorial Hospital, Amite. He was 58, a native of Ecorse, MI and a resident of Amite, LA. Carl was a U.S. Veteran having served our country during the Vietnam era.

Carl is survived by his companion, Joyce Davis, Amite, LA; a daughter, Lori Bruce, Ecorse, MI; a son, Preston Bruce, Ecorse, MI; 4 sisters, Patricia McCrary, Detroit, MI, Sandra Bruce, Ecorse, MI, Jeanette Butler, Detroit, MI & Michele Sanders, Ecorse, MI; a grandson, Jaylen Bruce; a host of nieces, nephews & great nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nelson & Sophie Byczenski Bruce; and a brother, Thomas Bruce.

A Memorial Service will be held at his residence, 10096 Mary Brown Road, Amite, on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. with Dr. Jackie McCain officiating. Interment will be held at a later date in Ecorse, MI.

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

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

KneEmail

Listen

abear4.jpgTHERE ARE AT least three levels of listening:

1. No listening or nonlistening: This person has no awareness of the need to listen or to use a set of skills related to listening. He is not hearing impaired, so he believes he is a listener.

2. Focused listening: This listener is the type you do in polite conversation. The listener looks at the speaker with interest and doesn’t interrupt him. Most people prefer to speak, so focused listening is greatly valued and appreciated.

3. Active listening: This type of listener will paraphrase or summarize what the other is speaking and it helps the speaker feel more deeply connected. This type of listening fosters trust, communicates caring, and invites open dialogue. Also it can clarify miscommunication and resolve conflict. (Dallas and Nancy Demmitt)

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” James 1:19

Posted by Mike Benson


Have a terrific Tuesday!

Anna Lee