Tuesday Death Notice

Roy Virgil Russell
(August 19, 1955 – January 23, 2012)

A resident of Roseland, he died at 11:27 a.m. on Monday, January 23, 2012 at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. He was born August 19, 1955 in Amite and was 56 years of age. He is survived by his mother, Juanita Bowman Russell Miller, Amite; 3 sisters, Fairba Cade and her husband, Raymond, Osyka, MS, Nancy Forbes and her husband, Bobby, St. Rose and Julie Kathy Russell, Osyka, MS; brother, Lloyd Russell, Amite; 2 step-brothers, J. C. Miller and his wife, Debbie, Kentwood and Wendell Miller and his wife, Diane, Hillsdale; 3 nieces, Laura Ricuard, Celeste Cade and Christie Quin and her husband, Ray; 2 great-nieces and 3 great-nephews. Preceded in death by his father, Roy V. Russell. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Services conducted by Dr. Joe Baugh and Rev. Darryl Miller. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Gideons International or the American Heart Association. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Tuesday

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.

Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.

Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”

~Colossians 3:16 NLT~

The family will make arrangements for Roy Russell this morning. They hope to have the wake tonight with the funeral tomorrow. I’ll post the arrangements later. Please be in prayer for the family, especially Roy’s mother, today.

Frist Person: How will you be remembered?

http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=37019

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

SOME TIME AGO National Geographic ran an article about the Alaskan bull moose…

The males of the species battle for dominance during the fall breeding season, literally going head-to-head with antlers crunching together as they collide. Often the antlers, their only weapon are broken. That ensures defeat. The heftiest moose, with the largest and strongest antlers, triumphs.

Therefore, the battle fought in the fall is really won during the summer, when the moose eat continually. The one that consumes the best diet for growing antlers and gaining weight will be the heavyweight in the fight. Those that eat inadequately sport weaker antlers and less bulk.

Spiritual battles await us. Satan will choose a season to attack. Will we be victorious, or will we fall? Much depends on what we do now–before the wars begin. Remember the bull-moose principle: enduring faith, strength, and wisdom for trials are best developed before they’re needed. Bruce Howell

“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;

I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”

Job 23:12

“Write” something positive that you can be proud of for your book today!

Anna Lee

Monday Afternoon

I do not have an update from Mrs. Velta Morris yet, but will let you know when I hear from her.

Jill Brister is on her way to Philadelphia to see about laser back surgery this week. Please pray for her and for her family.

Roy Russell of Arcola, David’s cousin, passed away this morning. His mother, most of his siblings, and step-brothers all live in this area. Faibra R. Cade is one of his sisters. J.C. Miller is a step-brother.

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.

http://www.lbc.org/DisasterRelief/

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.

Monday Addition

The WMU meeting this morning was great. We had a great attendance. The food was good too! If you misses it, i hope you will come next time. You’ll be blessed.

Jadon Pailet’s mother, Monica, wrote;

Our God is Great!!!
For with God Nothing shall be impossible!! Luke 1:37
I want everyone to understand that we were told there was nothing else that could be done for Jadon’s seizures. Luckily we had a neurologist in Boston that wouldn’t give up on him and of course we wouldn’t either. I will always be grateful for him as well as the doctors here in Detroit. They have given my baby another chance. I can’t explain how awesome all the doctors have been here. God surely lead us to the right people 🙂

The Best News Yet!!!

They took my last drainage tube out yesterday. I was so glad to get it out. My head feels much better now. I had a great day the rest of the day. I did get sick last night but it was due to the pain medicine. I do not like the taste of it and it makes me sick. I had my CT scan this morning. There is no fluid build up so I do not need a shunt. We will have to watch for fluid build up in the next few weeks but I should be ok. I lost my IV today and they are not putting another one in. I’m super excited about this. I have 0 cords attached to me 🙂 I’m going to stay at the hospital tonight in order to make sure I can handle all meds, foods, and liquids without IV. If I do well then we will be discharged tomorrow. We will then stay at the Ronald McDonald House that night. If I do ok then we will stay at a hotel by the airport Wednesday night and fly home Thursday. The doctors say it is fine for me to fly. They have had several patients fly home after surgery so we should be fine. I will then be admitted to NOLA Childrens hospital for inpatient therapy for another week or two depending on how I do. Right now I’m pretty weak so it will probably be more like two. Please pray that I can handle all the meds by mouth and pray that I will not get sick. I’m so ready to get out of here. Thanks for praying. The doctors say I’m doing amazing. I know that God is the reason I’m doing so well. All the praise and glory go to Him. Tomorrow makes a week of 0 seizures. I used to have 1400. It’s totally amazing that they can take out half your brain and you can do so well. It will definitely make you believe in miracles!!! I’ve changed my song to How Great Is Our God. He has definitely answered our prayers. Please continue to pray for me and don’t forget to thank God for what He has and will continue to do for me. Love, Jadon

CaringBridge:LarkinDorris

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

Time for Quarterly St. Jude Visit

Happy New Year!

We are headed to Memphis today. Larkin has her MRI and lumbar punch tomorrow afternoon. She will also be participating in a follow up to the Working Memory study she helped with in the Fall. She will be taking a second functional MRI (awake and playing computer games to see her brain at work) on Wednesday afternoon before we head home Wednesday evening. Please keep Larkin in your prayers. We will keep you informed.

Thanks,

Scott and Kelly

Begin praying for Debbie Luce, a former student of mine, as she prepared for another back surgery tomorrow. Pray for her mother who will stay with Alex while Debbie is hospitalized. Continue to give Debbie the peace of mind to face another back surgery expecting better, more permanent results.

Pray for Billy Carl Strickland as he has a procedure tomorrow that wil determine when he can begin chemo and radiation.

Pray for Mrs. Shirley Frazier as she tries another doctor this week. She has been “homebound” for about six months now.

Begin your extra prayers for Mrs. Velta Morris who will have a biopsy tomorrow. Pray for her family as they wait for test results. Give them both peace and strength.

Mrs. Jessie Hilda W. Currier was born December 28, 1922 and passed away at 5:25 a.m., Monday, January 16, 2012 at Belle Maison Nursing Home, Hammond. She was 89, a native of St. Helena Parish and a resident of Amite.

Mrs. Hilda is survived by 2 daughters, Charlotte Durbin Webb, Amite & Kay Currier Gay and husband Donnie, Amite; 3 sons, Anthony “Biddy” Currier, Jr. and wife Beverly, Osyka, MS, Ronald Vincent Currier, Baton Rouge & John Keith Currier, Luling; 3 sisters, Dot Nail, Texas, Helen Bearden, Delhi, LA & Joyce Greer, West Monroe, LA.; 5 grandchildren, Scott Gay and wife Layla, Toni G. Rager and husband Jason, Aimee Garner and husband Richard, Mike Jeansonne & Brooke Currier; 5 great-grandchildren, Alayna Garner, Alyce Garner, Avery Garner, Jessie Gay & Dillon Jeansonne.

Preceded in death by husband, Anthony Charles Currier, Sr., parents, Charles & Jessie Manchester Williams; sister, Ruby Arnold; 2 brothers, Ray Williams & Charles Williams, Jr.

Visitation at McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Deacon Mike Agnello of St. Helena Catholic Church officiating in the Catholic Funeral Liturgy.

Interment in Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn Express.

Monday

“But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time;

O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, hear me in the truth of Your salvation.”

~Psalm 69:13~

Pray for Boyd Hatchel as he has more appointments today at Ochsner in New Orleans. They are still trying to determine the cause of the blood clots.
Jimmy Harrell spent two days in the hospital after a slight stroke. He is better and back in his routine. Thank God the problem was mainly a warning to him.
Mrs. Pauline Strickland continues to improve. As you pray for her, pray for her family members who are faithfully at her side.
Roy Russell has been hospitalized in Lacombe after having seven by-passes. He had a good day yesterday and should be able to leave the hospital today unless a problem develops. He will be at his sister’s (Faibra R. Cade) home for the recovery period.
I talked with an aunt and uncle of Jadon yesterday. They said Jadon was doing well. In fact, if he continues to do as well as he has been doing, he may get to come home much earlier than first planned. Jadon’s mom wrote: Praying Jadons circulation has picked back up. CT scan at 6am. He had a great day today.
The associational WMU meet will be at FBC, Kentwood at 10:00 this morning. Bring a covered dish and join us as we remember our WMU ladies who have passed away during the past year.
The monthly gathering for supper, sweet fellowship, and a meaningful devotion will be Thursday at our cabin. We begin at 6:30 and hope to see some of you with us.

Randal Michael “Tripp” Roth, III

Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home

Randal Michael “Tripp” Roth III, 2 years old of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2012, at home. Tripp was born on Thursday, May 14, 2009, in Hammond.

Surviving are his mother, Courtney Regina Hotard Roth; father, Randal Michael Roth Jr.; grandparents, Lawton and Anita Hotard, Randal and Rhonda Roth Sr., Pamela and Carey Bennett; great-grandmothers, Dorothy Hotard and Marie Ernst; great-grandparents, Pat St. Amant, David and Betty Robichaux; and step great-grandfather, Erick St. Amant.
He is preceded in death by his great-grandfathers, Sidney Hotard and Lawrence Ernst, and paternal great-grandfather, Frederick Roth II.

Visitation will be on Wednesday1/18, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ponchatoula, from 10:00a.m. until 1:00p.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00p.m.

Interment will follow in the Ponchatoula Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Tripp’s name to debra.org, or puckfund.org

A guest book is available at http://www.harrymckneely.com.

Arrangements for Kelly Dunn Sofge are still incomplete. Check back to see if I have them posted later. In the meantime, please continue to pray for Kathy Dunn and other family members.

Thought for the Day: Eternal Life

The joke is told about three nurses who died and went to Heaven, where they were met at the Pearly Gates by Peter. To the first, he asked, “What did you used to do back on Earth? Why do you think you should be allowed to come into Heaven?”

“I was a nurse at an inner city hospital,” she replied. “I worked to bring healing and peace to many sufferers, especially poor, helpless children.”

“Very noble,” said Peter. “You may enter.” And in she went.

To the next nurse, he asked the same question. “What did you used to do?” “Why do you think you should be allowed to come into Heaven?”

“I was a nurse at a missionary hospital in the Amazon basin,” she replied. “For many years, I worked with a skeleton crew of doctors and nurses who tried to reach out to as many people across numerous tribes, with a hand of healing and peace, and with the message about God’s love.”

“How touching,” said Peter. “You, too, may enter.” And in she went.

He then came to the last nurse, to whom he asked, “What did you used to do back on Earth? Why do you think you should be allowed to come into Heaven?”

After some hesitation, she replied, “I was a nurse at an HMO.”

Peter pondered this for a moment, and then said, “Ok, you may enter, too.”

“Whew!” said the nurse. “For a moment there, I thought you weren’t going to let me in.”

“Oh, you can come in,” said St. Peter, “but you can only stay for three days.”

Some of you personally know the feeling of being pushed out of a hospital room faster than you would like to have been. But while there are a lot of adjectives that the Bible uses to describe heaven — incorruptible, undefiled, glorious — one adjective that is never used is “temporary.”

As I look back over my life, there have been some wonderful moments that I wished would never end. But everything we experience in this life is temporary. No matter how much we enjoy doing something, going somewhere, or being with someone, it is all only temporary. But, in heaven, we have the opportunity to be with God and His redeemed for all eternity!

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” (2 Cor. 4:18-5:1)

I hope you’ve made your reservations for the party that will never end!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Have a blessed day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Blessed be God,

who has not turned away my prayer,

nor His mercy from me!”

~Psalm 66:20~

Jadon’s Story

http://jadonsisstory.blogspot.com/

Carol New has the stitches out of her knee. She’s so glad to have come this far since her last surgery. Thank God for her progress.

Mrs. Pauline Strickland has had a setback, be is now doing a little better. Billy Carl will have a procedure Tuesday that will determine if he is ready for chemo and radiation. Donna Fay has been having some heart issues. Pray for all of them and for Firma Kay.

Pray for the doctors working with Boyd Hatchel to evaluate him carefully and determine the continuing course of treatment. Boyd has appointments at 10 and 11 today.

Alan Smith’s Thought for the Day: The bigger picture

Leith Anderson, a minister, shared this experience: As a boy, he grew up outside of New York City and was an avid fan of the old Brooklyn Dodgers. One day his father took him to a World Series game between the Dodgers and the Yankees. He was so excited, and he just knew the Dodgers would trounce the Yankees. Unfortunately, the Dodgers never got on base, and his excitement was shattered.

Years later, he was engrossed in a conversation with a man who was a walking sports almanac. Leith told him about the first major league game he attended and added, “It was such a disappointment. I was a Dodger fan and the Dodgers never got on base.” The man said, “You were there? You were at the game when Don Larsen pitched the first perfect game in all of World Series history?”

Leith replied, ”Yeah, but uh, we lost.” He then realized that he had been so caught up in his team’s defeat that he missed out on the fact that he was a witness to a far greater page of history.

I wonder how often the same thing happens to us. We get so caught up in the “defeats” in our lives, the times when things don’t turn out the way we want them to. So we’re depressed because an illness continues to linger, or when people don’t treat us the way we think they ought to, or when we face financial difficulties.

But we are often so blinded by the pain and disappointment of our “defeat” that we fail to appreciate the fact that we might be witness to something far greater that God is doing in our lives.

Remember when Paul was in prison? He wrote to the Philippian Christians, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.” (Phil. 1:12)

While most of us would have focused on the “defeat” (being in prison even though he was innocent), Paul was able to see what God was doing in his life. It’s not an easy thing to do. It’s never easy to view things from a heavenly perspective rather than an earthly one, but it is especially difficult in the midst of pain and defeat. But it is learning how to have a heavenly view that helps us to know joy no matter what happens in our lives.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

I think this devotional speaks to all of us. What do you think?

Looking for the bigger picture,

Anna Lee

Monday Midmorning

Iris Ricks

Thanks for prayers for Iris Ricks. Procedure at North Oaks went well. Report that we received this morning was that she was up walking and might get to return home today.

Roy Russell of Russeltown will be having by-pass surgery at Lacombe Wednesday. Please add him to your prayer list.