Category: Family

Friday

“The thought of my pain and my homelessness is bitter poison.

I think of it constantly, and my spirit is depressed.

Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing:

The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue,

fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.

The Lord is all I have, so in him I put my hope.” 

~Lamentations 3:19-26 TEV~

 

 

There are many in our area with heavy hearts today.  Some are listed here, but some are not listed here.  Pray for those you know who have needs and for those you don’t know of, but who have needs.

 

From Ashley Raborn

Please keep Sammy Ott in your prayers. He will start chemo treatments tomorrow at M.D. Anderson.

Sammy has been diagnosed with leukemia.

 

 

I was given incorrect information about Mr. Bill Conleay passing away.  He’s still very sick and in ICU at North Oaks.  His son, Randy, was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident yesterday.

 

 

Jimmy Schwartz feels very tired and saw a doctor again yesterday.  Please keep praying for Jimmy and his family.

 

 

Both Jesse Dean and Jason Dean have been having back problems for a while.  Jesse has scheduled surgery for next month.  Jason is trying to wait a few months to have his surgery.  Pray for the Dean family.

 

 

Continue to pray for Mrs. Ann Chapman.  She still has problems with her neck.  Most importantly, she has a wonderful attitude about her problems and leaves them all in God’s hands.

 

 

Momma will be moved to rehab this weekend.  Paperwork is still being processed, so we don’t know where or when yet.  Pray for Momma to make a good adjustment to another new place.

 

 

Lay Renewal begins tonight at FBC, Kentwood.  Supper will be prepared and waiting when you go tonight.

 

 

Douglas E. Langlois
(March 10, 1942 – August 18, 2011)

Douglas E. Langlois was born March 10, 1942 and passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Covington. He was 69, a native of Woodside and a resident of Independence. He served our country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict.

Preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Gladys Langlois; wife, Fedora “FiFi” Clement Langlois; son, Douglas “Dougie” Langlois; 3 brothers, John H. Langlois, Jewel R. Langlois & Bobby “Cookie” Langlois; 2 sisters, Doris Dubroc and Betty Venterella.

Arrangements will be added Friday, August 19, 2011

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

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

 

 

Cecil A. McCoy, Jr.
(July 5, 1952 – August 16, 2011)

Cecil A. McCoy, Jr, born July 5, 1952, passed away in his beloved Colorado on Tuesday, August 16, 2011. He was a resident of Greensburg, a graduate of Greensburg High School and employee of ExxonMobil Plastics in Baton Rouge. Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, Colelia Smith McCoy and Cecil A. McCoy, Sr and sister, Norma Ruth McCoy Strickland. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Craig and Lauren McCoy, Valerie and Jeff Young, Henry and Amanda McCoy, Matthew and Teresa McCoy. He has three beautiful grandchildren and one on the way, Stephen and Zachery McCoy and Victoria Young and her unborn brother, Cole. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Dale Walters and Lydia Smith. Services will be held at Greensburg Baptist Church on Monday, August 22, 2011. Visitation and fellowship from 3:00pm until religious services at 7:00pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baptist Press News

http://www.bpnews.net/

I hope you take time to read some of these articles.  They are very inspiring.

 

Let God take your hand and lead you through this day.

Anna Lee 

 

Tuesday

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

~Galatians 6:2~

 

Tripp Roth

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

 

 

From Becky C. Lindsey

Please add Bill Conleay and his family to the prayer list. He is in North Oaks in ICU.

 

Pray for me as I have some dental work done today and my family as we make decisions this week about Momma’s care when she is released from the hospital Saturday.

 

Pray for our military as they serve around the world to protect freedoms and rights.

 

Pray for politicians on the local, state, national, and world level.  Pray they will put God first and politics somewhere later in their list of priorities.

 

Weekly Prayer Highlights (SBC)

August 17, 2011

* Praise Lord for making Himself known to a small group of women involved in a church plant in easternHungary!

* Pray for the salvation of a couple in Portugal who stayed after dinner for two hours for an eager discussion about faith, Jesus, and having a relationship with God.

* Thank the Lord that more than 60 radios were distributed in 20 market towns in China so that the Iron Pea people could hear the Good News; word has come that so far, 34 have put their faith in Jesus Christ!

* Pray that people in Japan will come to know the One who is called the Wonderful Counselor as “heart care” specialists listen and offer solid life advice and hope.

 

 

Heart to Heart with Holley: Finish your ride…

Last week I wrote about climbing the impossible. And as I set out on my bike last Sunday, I felt sure no hill could stand in my way.

And then.

As I tackled the last steep incline, I felt a pop beneath me and skidded to a halt miles away from home in the blazing summer sun. I spotted a police car parked a few yards away. Timidly, I approached the vehicle and cleared my throat.

“Can I use your cell phone?” 

The phone rang without an answer. The policeman looked at my bike quizically and asked, “Think it will fit in the back seat?” I shrugged my shoulders, “Worth a try.”

We wedged that bike into the back like a sardine. The policeman cleared the passenger seat, pointed to it and said, “I usually don’t let people ride up here.”

I nodded and slipped in the door.  I tried to reassure him that I was not, in fact, an intimidating traveling partner. “I’ve never been in a police car before!” I declared.“That’s a good thing,” he responded sternly. I noted he drove above the speed limit–probably because I smelled so bad.

As we pulled up in front of my house, my wide-eyed husband came to the front of the garage and looked at me as if to ask, “What did you do now?” 

We popped my bike out of the back seat and I was home. The policeman answered my thanks with a single sentence, “Have a nice day, ma’am.”

Safe on my sofa, I reflected on the difference between last week’s ride and this one. Sometimes we do climb the impossible. We push through and realize we’re stronger than we ever knew. And sometimes God, in His loving care, makes a way for us to be carried instead just when we need it most.

Either way, He promises we’ll finish the ride.

Either way, we get Home.

And, in the end, that’s really all that matters.

 

God loves us enough to carry us through the difficult times in our lives.  I’m so thankful for that and know you are too!

Anna Lee

Saturday

This is why we never give up.

Though our bodies are dying,

our spirits are being renewed every day.

For our present troubles are quite small

and won’t last very long,

but they will produce for us an immeasurably great glory

that will last forever!

So we don’t look at the trouble we can see right now;

rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen.

For the troubles we see will soon be over,

but the joys to come will last forever. 

~2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT~

Terry Bankston had a second surgery yesterday.  It did not go quite as well as the first one did.  Please continue to pray for Terry and Iris Courtney Bankston of Amite.  Terry is in room 4110 (ICU) at Tulane Hospital.

Momma is doing better and beginning to focus on going home.  That will be a while yet, but the goal is enough to encourage her to work extra hard to get better.

Daddy is having a side-effect from a new medication.  Pray we can get his tended to before it develops into a bigger problem.

The Lay Renewal at FBC, Kentwood is next weekend.  Pray for the final preparations to run smoothly.

Have a great Saturday!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Now he who plants and he who waters are one,

and each one will receive his own reward

according to his own labor.

For we are God’s fellow workers.”

~1 Corinthians 3:8-9a~

Terry Bankston was rushed to Tulane Hospital over the weekend for surgery.  He will have addition surgery Saturday and possibly several more times.  Pray for his family as they are so concerned about him.  I would guess Terry is in his 40’s.

Momma was much better yesterday.  Thanks for all the prayers and calls.

Pray for the Lay Renewal at FBC, Kentwood.  It will be the weekend of August 19 – 21.

Alan Smith’s Thought for the Day

Being Prepared 
Earthquakes can strike without warning, and being prepared for such a
 disaster can mean the difference between life and death. Here are some 
tips someone has offered to help you and your loved ones make it through 
a quake:

~ Those living in areas not prone to earthquakes can respond quickly to 
the plight of disaster victims in quake zones by complacently smirking 
and saying, "I told you so."

~ To minimize loss and damage in a quake, try not to own things.

~ Practice your burrowing-out-from-under-40-tons-of-rubble skills ahead 
of time.

~ Look out your window often. If you see a large, zig-zag-shaped crevasse 
moving rapidly from the horizon toward your home, step either to the right 
or the left.

~ For those who fear earthquakes, it may comfort you to know that a 
majority of the damage during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake did not 
come from the tremors themselves. Instead, it was from the raging, 
out-of-control fires that consumed most of the city.

~ A doorway is the safest place to be during a quake. Eat, sleep, and work 
in doorways.

~ Be sure to mail your house-insurance payments a full five business days 
before a major earthquake strikes.

~ If you are caught in a major earthquake in Southern California and are part of the entertainment industry, take a moment or two to reflect on how grossly you've wasted your life.

As several of the suggestions above point out (with tongue firmly in cheek!), the problem with an earthquake is its unpredictability.
A few months ago, Hurricane Ike devastated the Galveston area, but there 
was at least warning for several days that danger was coming. With an 
earthquake, there is none -- it simply strikes!

Jesus described his second coming as an event like that. He used terminology
like "a thief in the night" to describe the unexpectedness of the moment. 
His purpose in using that image was not to suggest that he is coming to 
steal something. Rather, he is coming at a time when we least expect it. 
And the only way to be ready for that moment (just as with an earthquake) 
is to stay prepared all the time.

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The skies will disappear 
with a loud noise. Everything in them will be destroyed by fire, and the
 earth and everything in it will be burned up. In that way everything will
 be destroyed. So what kind of people should you be?
You should live holy lives and serve God, as you wait for and look forward 
to the coming of the day of God." (I Peter 3:10-12a, NCV).

My prayer is that you will be prepared so that you, too, can truly "look 
forward" to that day (whenever it may be!).

Have a great day!

Alan Smith


Thanks for reading and praying today.
Anna Lee

Tuesday

“In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

~John 16:33 NIV~

 

From Sherry Rosamond (Yesterday)

I would like to add my ex-mother-law pearl Steale she had knee surgery this morning. I would like her to be remember in ur prayer that she will have a speedy recover.

Momma is still slowly improving.  The staffing meeting yesterday went well.  Momma will leave Specialty Hospital on the 20th.  We don’t yet know where she will be next.  That depends on her physical therapy progress between now and then.

Perry, at Rally: America has Forgotten God

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35900

 

Pray for America and her leaders on every level.

 

Have a terrific Tuesday day!

Anna Lee

 

Monday

Good Report!

Boyd learned this morning that he does not have epilepsy, just migraines severe enough to cause him to faint.   Thank-you, Jesus!

Boyd will have some additional appointments, but medication should be helpful with the migraines.  He can drive and was driving home from the appointment when Jennie called.

 

Monday

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought,

but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

~Romans 8:26~

 

 

Hello,
Can you please lift my 4 year old daughter in prayer? She is fighting stage IV neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer.

Here is her website: http://www.BrookeFightsBack.org (click “updates”)

God bless, <
Jessica Hester

 

Caroline Cutrer

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

 

Please pray for two important medical appointments for my family today.  We will be thankful to get information from these two meetings and appreciate your prayers for us today.

  • 10:00 – Boyd and Jennie get results and a plan of action in New Orleans for Boyd’s seizure problem
  • 3:00 – Medical staffing with Specialty Hospital for my family concerning Momma

 

My brother-in-law’s “second mother” passed away.

Mrs. Conchetta Cardaronella Fresina

  • BORN: June 11, 1919
  • DIED: August 6, 2011
  • LOCATION: Independence, LA

Mrs. Conchetta Cardaronella Fresina, 92 years old of Independence, passed away Saturday, August 6, 2011, at her residence.
She was born on Wednesday, June 11, 1919, in Independence, daughter of the late Frank and Victoria Chula Cardaronella.
Surviving are her sons & daughters-in-law, Joseph R. & Judith E. Fresina, Frank A. & Jennifer H. Fresina, grandchildren, John J. Fresina, Jenifer E. Ribando, Darren Fresina, and Vicki F. Purvis, great-grandchildren, Brad Joseph Fresina, Leigh Ann Fresina, Amy Elizabeth Fresina, Olivia Paige Ribando, Nicholas Joseph Ribando, Jaiden Purvis, and Sarah Purvis.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John A. Fresina, and 11 brothers and sisters.
Friends will be received on Monday, August 8, 2011 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, Monday, August 8, 2011 at 11:00 am.
Interment will follow in the Colonial Cemetery Mausoleum Independence, Louisiana.

 

Thanks for praying.  Your prayers mean so much to so many!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“I saw all the people who were mistreated here on earth.

I saw their tears

and that they had no one to comfort them.” 

~Ecclesiastes 4:1 (NCV)~

Jadon’s Story:Finally some results for you!!

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 01:55 PM PDT

Sorry it took so long but my trip to Boston was not a fun one at all. I did great on the plane ride and slept great in the hotel room. The next day is when it started. I arrived at the hospital at 12:00 for a 1:00 admission. Since we were early mommy took me to the cafe to eat. We went back to the admissions office at 12:45. They didn’t take me to my hospital room until 3:00. When I got to the floor they said my room wasn’t ready. They put us in a holding room until about 4:30. While I was in the holding room they came and got me to put my leads on. I always hate it but I gave them a hard time. I screamed the entire 30 minutes. It was awful. I kept looking at mommy to help but all she could do is lay next to me and hold my hands. As soon as I was done I started pulling at my head. They said that most kids forget about it after a while. Well I didn’t forget. I kept pulling at it the entire time I was there. I did get the hat off at one point but they came and put it right back on. This made me really mad. Once we got settled in the room, I fell asleep. I was worn out from all the fighting and crying I did. Things were finally a little better and then they came in for my IV. It was 11:15 at night and I was extremely tired. I don’t know why they waited so late but they did. So I started kicking and screaming again. They had to get a blanket and wrap me up so I couldn’t fight them. By this point mommy and I were both crying. We tried to sleep that night but we didn’t sleep much. The next day was suppose to be my PET scan at 8:00 am. Well I was having so many seizures that they decided at 11:30 that they couldn’t do the scan. Did I mention I couldn’t eat during this time and it was all for nothing. They let me eat and they said we would try the test the following day but not until 1. So the plan was to wake me up early, keep me awake, give me ativan, and let me sleep for two hours then do the PET. Well they woke me up way to early that morning, and I gave my mommy fits all day. I was tired and hungry and couldn’t do either so I was just mad. They finally let me go to sleep. I slept about 30 minutes and they gave me the ativan. And would you know 30 minutes later I was wide awake having seizure after seizure after seizure. They decided to go ahead and do the PET. They would just have to read the results differently. Now the results part. The on call doctor told us some horrible things that I’m not even going to share because they were untrue. All it did was make my mommy cry. When my neurologist came in and explained things mommy felt much better. He said that my EEG didn’t look much different than October. It actually looked a little better because in October I was having over 200 a day. This time I was having about 100 a day. He said the seizures are coming from the left side. They still can not identify a focal spot but they are left sided. I did have 3 from the right side in a 48 hour time. Not the news we wanted but that’s very few considering the time frame. They are not sure exactly what type of seizure I’m having. According to the EEG it looks like tonic but tonic seizures usually last longer than my 1 second seizures. They are saying its probably more like myoclonic jerks because they are so short. Either way it doesn’t matter. I’m having way to many seizure a day. The PET scan did not show anything abnormal. We pretty much expected this because we couldn’t get the test run like we wanted. So what now. We are going to repeat the MRI and 48 hour EEG again next summer. In the meantime we are being referred to a neurologist in Detroit. The neurologist in Boston said that this doctor is the best for children like Jadon. He said that he can do a different kind of PET scan on Jadon that Boston can not do. He said that if anybody can help him it would be this doctor. My mommy already knew about this doctor when he said his name so we knew right away we wanted to go. So we will be traveling to Detroit sometime soon. Everything about me is so rare and different. We are praying that this doctor will be able to help me. Overall the doctors in Boston were impressed with how well I had developed since they saw me last. According to my EEG and the frequency of my seizures I really should not be doing as well as I am. So God is definitely answering our prayers.

 

CaringBridge:LoganWatts

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

 

My brother-in-law, Donnie Eudy, is doing well following his foot surgery.  Thanks for praying for him

 

My son-in-law, Boyd, has had his medical tests and sees the doctor Monday for results and plans for treatment.  Thanks to the staff of FBC, New Orleans for transporting him to and from his appointments this week.

Mrs. Buel Strickland passed away.  Please pray for her family and friends.

 

Clifton Conerly
(October 3, 1943 – August 5, 2011)

Clifton Conerly was born on October 3, 1943 and passed away at 6:15 a.m., Friday, August 5, 2011 at his residence. He was 67 and a resident of Amite.

Arrangements will be added Saturday, August 6, 2011 after 12 Noon.

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

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

 

Are You 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

 

 

Have a great day!

Anna Lee