Thank you for your prayers and kindness for me and my family during the last two days. Thank you to my wife and many others who sacrificed and served me during this crisis. Thank you for good medical care, rest, and the gift of life – every day is a gift.
For those of you who don’t know, I blacked out while driving our van with a IWC student leadership team on Thursday. I was out for about two minutes. Before the event, I felt disoriented and had a thumping headache. Thankfully, the car died at a place close to our home, where my wife was, and with adults in the car. I was taken to a local hospital and stayed overnight. The medical staff ran ALOT of tests and found nothing conclusive except possible severe migraines. We’ll be discussing this week about follow-up and maybe even a early departure to the US. Thank you for your prayers and support of our family. Thank you to Joe Silby, Terri McInnis, Jason Hale, and Sheila Balthaser, who stepped up to take full responsibility of an on-field student team. Resting at home…
Yesterday’s test showed two blockages, the same two that he previously had surgery on. Additional surgery cannot be done, so Jimmy’s problem will be treated with medication. Pray the doctors can find the most effective one soon. Pray for the family as you pray for Jimmy.
Momma is still in ICU at North Oaks. The doctors think she will be able to have surgery in a few days. Nothing is definite yet. For the family, it is a waiting exercise. Please continue to pray for us.
Mr. Joseph P. “Joe” Giardina was born September 23, 1929 and passed away at 8:52 a.m., Friday, July 1, 2011 at his residence. He was 82, a native and a resident of Amite, LA. Mr. Joe was an avid golfer and gardener.
Mr. Joe is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gloria Ardillo Giardina, Amite; daughter, Lillian Giardina Massey and husband Michael, Loranger; 2 sons, Joseph Roy Giardina, Amite and Charles Michael Giardina, Amite; 2 brothers, Angelo J. Giardina and wife Marie, Amite and Salvadore Giardina and wife Diane, Westwego, LA; 2 grandchildren, John Lucas Massey and Sarah Kate Massey both of Loranger; numerous other extended family.
Preceded in death by his parents, Angelo and Frances Schillage Giardina; brother, Nick Giardina.
Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Mark Beard officiating. Interment in Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA.
An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com
McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.
Sarah Diane Mixon Zumwalt
(January 21, 1947 – July 1, 2011)
A resident of Amite, she died at 3:35 a.m. on Friday, July 1, 2011 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. She was born January 21, 1947 in New Orleans and was 64 years of age. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church, Amite. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2011. Services conducted by Rev. Walter Mixon. Interment Sylvest Cemetery, Amite. Survived by husband, John G. Zumwalt, Amite, 2 daughters, Jacqueline Cameron Sharpe, Slidell, and Deanna Cameron Sellers, Albany, son, Jack Ranick Cameron, Dallas, TX, grandchildren, Cameron Ethan Sellers, Shannaline Gayle Sharpe, Zevon Braddy Sharpe, Asa Julian Sellers, Sawyer Kale Cameron, Marinn Adair Cameron, and Harper Mckenna Cameron, step-father, Kermit Horton, Amite, sisters, Betty Mixon Woods, Bessimer, AL, Darlene Mixon Howell, Amite, and Cheryl Mixon Catt, Independence, brother, Iley Thomas Mixon, Jr., Amite. Preceded in death by parents, Iley Mixon and Rita Mixon Horton, and granddaughter, Ariel Cameron.
ANSWERING GOD’S CALL
When Americans answer the telephone, most of them simply say, “Hello.” I have heard that the response is a bit different in other countries.
– Germans answer a ringing phone with their last name.
– In Denmark, the Danes will answer with both their first and last names.
– Russians say, “I’m listening.”
– The curious French say, “Hello, who’s on the line?”
– Italians greet callers with “Ready” upon which the caller demands, “Who’s speaking?”
– The Spanish give the command, “Speak!”
– The Chinese proclaim, “Hey, hey, who are you?”
If you live in a different country, I’d be interested in knowing what is your traditional way of answering a phone.
Just as there are different ways of answering phone calls, there are also different ways to answering a call from God. God has called each of us. We are “called to be saints” (Romans 1:7), “called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Cor. 1:9), called “according to his own purpose and grace” (2 Timothy 1:9).
But those who are called by God have different ways of answering that call. Moses answered God’s call by saying, “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11). Gideon answered, “I am the least in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:15). Zechariah answered, “How shall I know this?” (Luke 1:18). Isaiah answered, “Here am I. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8).
How will you answer God’s call in your life? It’s a call that demands much from you (God calls asking for nothing less than everything you have), but it is a call that offers the presence of God in your life as you fulfill your calling. Will you answer His call? Will you be the man or woman of God that He has called you to be? Are you willing to accept the responsibility that God has laid on you?
God is calling. How will you answer?
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Have a great weekend, especially a great Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 
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