Sunday Afternoon

I received a call saying Mrs. Irene Lascaro fell and broke her hip, for the third time. She was being transported to the hospital at that time. I do not have an update. The third break will bring new challenges for her and for her surgeon.

You may not know “Miss” Irene, but I told you about the wonderful job she did sharing about Lottie Moon and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions. I was so glad to see her that day because I hadn’t seen her in a while.

Please say a special prayer or two for her this afternoon as decisions are made about how to deal with this latest fracture.

Wednesday

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

~Jeremiah 29:11~

Dr Ajanette Varnado is having cancer surgery today, please pray for her and her family

Shared by a TPL reader

We will certainly want to pray for her and her family today.

Milton “Buddy” Bel

January 26, 1945 – January 12, 2020

Milton Duaine “Buddy” Bel, mayor and lifelong resident of Amite, passed away at the age of 74 on Sunday, January 12, 2020, at North Oaks Medical Center. He served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, and he, along with his wife, owned Cabby’s Restaurant for over 20 years. He was previously elected as a school board member and Amite City council member. Buddy was preceded in death by parents, Milton J. Bel and Gwen Evans Bel; brother, Richard; and brother-in-law, Dick Toups; nephews, Taylor Bel and Scott Toups. He is survived by his wife, Claire Anderson Bel; daughters, Leigh Anne Bel Lambert, Megan Bel Miller (Joel), and Molly Bel (Danny Strickland); sister, Betty Jo Toups; brother, Patrick Bel (Elena); and grandchildren, Marie, Hunter, and Jaden Lambert, and Parker and Caroline Miller. Visitation at First United Methodist Church, Amite, from 8 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 17, 2020. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amite First United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice, in memory of Buddy Bel.

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 15

Genesis 31:17-32:12
Matthew 10:24-11:6
Psalm 13:1-6
Proverbs 3:16-18

Don’t forget to bring extra 2020 calendars for the Tangipahoa Parish Jail ministry.

I worked on the donations for Operation Christmas Child yesterday. I will post a running total after the end of the month. You can leave your donations in the classroom next to the choir room or in one of the totes in the fellowship hall or under the stairwell to the balcony.

Looking forward to some of God’s sunshine today.

Anna Lee

Monday

“We refuse to wear masks and play games.

We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes.

And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves.

Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.”

~2 Corinthians 4:2 The Message~

Donna Fay Miller continues to improve at home. Thank-you for your prayers for her and her family.

Buddy Morris is seeing his cardiologist this week in hopes of approval for surgery. He has already had one neck artery done.

George Pike will be having gamma knife surgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia tomorrow morning. That is the surgery that made such a difference for me in 2011. Pray with the family that George also has good results.

Buddy Bel, mayor of Amite, passed away yesterday afternoon. Please be in prayer for his family.

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 13

Genesis 28:1-29:35
Matthew 9:18-38
Psalm 11:1-7
Proverbs 3:11-12

Last night at church, I heard some reports that some classes are doing well with their January collections for Operation Christmas Child. I’m excited and thankful. We have two more Sundays in January!

Do you and a friend or two want to plan an Operation Christmas Child project day, morning, or afternoon? Let me know. I can supply everything we need or you can bring what you want to. Ideas: crochet party, painting shoeboxes, making bead dolls, making matching games, tote bags for marbles, cutting out for sewing day, etc. You may come up with your own idea.

I don’t do many things with an eye on the weather, but using my computer has become one thing that can be determined by the weather. I think I will post this before the rain comes back this morning. Have a great day, despite the rain!

Anna Lee

Lord’s Day!

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

~Psalm 40:3~

Donna Fay Miller is home from the hospital . Please continue to pray for her as she progresses through her recovery. Thank you

Firma Kay

Pray for my cousin Scott, who lives in Shreveport. He has Huntington’s disease. The past few days he has been hospitalized and has developed an infection. Pray it can quickly be cleared up. I usually call him my Texas cousin, but the family has moved east a little bit. Pray for Scott’s wife, Brenda, as she carries a big load for Scott and others in the family.

Read the Bible in 2020: Day 12

Genesis 26:17-27:46
Matthew 9:1-17
Psalm 10:16-18
Proverbs 3:9-10

Join me in thanking God for protection for our area during the storm.

Pray for our country as we face another difficult week. Ask God to guide the politicians and other people in a way that they can work together again.

Anna Lee

Friday

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

~Ezekiel 11:19~

I don’t plan to turn this site into a daily weather report, but know we can possibly have some bad weather in the next few days. Stay alert. Pray for all the people who will be affected by this front moving through our area.

Mrs. Annaliese Neal – Corrected information. Mrs. Annaliese was taken to Hood Hospital for tests and released to go home.

Donna Fay Miller is now a patient at Ochsner on O’Neal in Baton Rouge. Please add her to your prayer list.

Buddy Bel, Amite’s mayor, fell night before last and is now hospitalized at North Oaks with a concussion. Please pray for him.

Larry Bankston is doing better and may be released from North Oaks to go home Saturday or Sunday. Pray for him to continue to improve.

Read the Bible in 2020 – December 10th

Genesis 23:1-24:51
Matthew 8:1-17
Psalm 9:13-20
Proverbs 3:1-6

It’s beginning to look a lot like . . . Operation Christmas Child! David and I missed out on so much last year when he was not healthy, but are making up for lost time this year. We have had some good help already this year. If you have a couple of hours to give, please let us know. We’ll plan to meet with you and work together. If you are available to shop, check the list on the bulletin and happy shopping. Thanks to those of you who shopped the first week and already turned in some items. I pray this is our best year of shoeboxes ever! Last year’s 415 boxes X 7 people each one influences = 2,905 people who had an opportunity to learn about and grow to love Jesus. The possibility for more people being influenced is up to each of us!

Quote from Andy Stanley:

“You have no idea the number of people that God may want to influence through you.”

Anna Lee

Thursday

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them;

I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

~Ezekiel 11:19~

First, let me tell you I gave you the wrong number for David‘s blood level this week. It was 8.5, which is still strong compared to where he has been in the last year. We are so amazed at the improvements we have seen in his health and thank God.

Ferrie Gene Blackmon‘s surgery Monday went well. So did Katie Brabham‘s surgery yesterday. Keep these two ladies in your prayers as they heal.

Kristi Alford in trying a new treatment because the previous one was not helping. Remember to pray for Kristi and her family.

Freddy Bales is undergoing cancer treatment in Hammond. Pray for him and his family as they make adjustments in their daily routine.

Annalyce Neal was involved in a traffic accident with a garbage truck yesterday. The report I heard was that she is now in North Oaks.

Our daughter and granddaughter have spent the last week preparing their European home for them to move. Today, they will sell many of their possessions and all their furniture. Pray for energy as they complete their task and return to the states.

Christian Ratliff, 13 year old son of Scott and Jodi Ratliff, is hospitalized at OLOL with meningitis. Please pray for all involved in his care.

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 9

Genesis 20:1-22:24
Matthew 7:15-29
Psalm 9:1-12
Proverbs 2:16-22

There will be several showers at church in the next month. Be excited for newlyweds and new babies.

Check on a friend you haven’t seen or heard from lately. They may need your encouragement.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“People who promise things they never give

are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.”

~Proverbs 25:14 GNT~

Please add Larry Bankston of Roseland to your prayer list. He is in ICU at North Oaks.

David‘s blood level was 9.1 yesterday. He got his Procrit injection and is lined up for another one last week. That number is lower than it has been in recent weeks, but higher than it was for many months. David surprised another nurse practitioner who saw him in the hallway. She was shocked to see him with a cane, not a walker! God has been so good to us! Thanks for your many prayers.

Read the Bible – Day 8 of 2020

Genesis 18:16 – 19:38
Matthew 6:25 – 7:14
Psalm 8: 1-9
Proverbs 8:6-15

https://oneyearbibleonline.com/nltaudio/?nltdt=0108

As we consider the problems in the Middle East today, let us focus on Joshua 1:9.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” NIV

This lets us know that NOW is a good time to pray for our country!

Our trips to Ochsner in Baton Rouge have allowed us to stop and shop some for Operation Christmas Child. That’s like “taking lemons and making lemonade”!

Enjoy the change of temperatures today!

Anna Lee

Sunday

“May [God] keep us centered and devoted to him,

following the life path that he has cleared,

watching the signposts,

walking at the pace and rhythms

he laid down for our ancestors.”

~1 Kings 8:58 The Message~

Read your Bible in 2020 – Day 5

Genesis 11:1 – 13:4
Matthew 5: 1-26
Psalm 5: 1-12
Proverbs 1: 24-28

Several people have important appointments/procedures next week. Keep them covered with your prayers.

Smiley Conerly
Ferrie Gene Blackmon
Donald “Red” Alford

Ida Mae Lindsey Carter

November 30, 1934 – January 03, 2020

Ida Mae Lindsey Carter, a resident of Kentwood, passed away on Friday, January 3, 2020 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. She was born November 30, 1934 in Kentwood and was 85 years old. She is survived by her sisters, Margaret Cutrer, Thelma Guillory, Betty Howell and husband, James “Buddy” Howell, and Virgie Slaven; aunt, Pearline Smith; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Louella and William Lindsey, II; husband, Daniel Leroy Carter; sisters, Geneva Wall and husband, Daniel Wall; Viola Bennett, Bessie Travis, and Tempee Williams; brother, William Lindsey, III, and wife, Mae; and numerous aunts and uncles; nieces, Sharon Howell, Barbara Jean Lindsey, and Chrissie Garner; nephew, Clarence Lindsey; great-niece, Melissa Ricks; great-nephews, Sidney Ricks, Jr. and Hunter McGregor. The family would like to thank Tommy Simmons, Kentwood Fire Department and the staff at North Oaks Medical Center for their help during this time. Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Monday, January 6, 2020. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer. Interment will follow in Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Week one of our Operation Christmas Child focus is changing into week two. I trust you have/will donate money or the suggested item for your class/age group. You have all month to contribute as the Lord leads you. Don’t try to reach for a certain number. Just do what God leads you to do. It’s not about us! It’s about the recipients of the shoeboxes and their introduction to Jesus. How important is that to you? This is one way we can all be missionaries! I’m thankful to say that David is feeling stronger now and has been helping me shop and open packages for OCC. We both love this opportunity and make it a twelve month per year project at our house. Get involved and get excited! Think of the children and their families who will be impacted by out “shoeboxes”!

Have a great Lord’s Day!

“May [God] keep us centered….”

Anna Lee

Saturday

“May [God] keep us centered and devoted to him, following the life path that he has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace and rhythms he laid down for our ancestors.”

~1 Kings 8:58 The Message~

Daily Bible Readings for Saturday, January 4

Genesis 5:1 – 10: 32
Matthew 4: 12-25
Psalm 4: 1-8
Proverbs 1:20-23

A large number of people at FBC, Kentwood picked up a daily Bible reading guide. There were only a couple left yesterday, so more were printed and are now available. I’m thankful that many are interested in reading together this year. Let’s keep it up for the entire year. If you miss a day, just read extra the next day. If you didn’t start yet, it’s not too late, You can get a copy of the plan Sunday and make Sunday day one or read a little extra each day for about a week and be caught up by this time next week. It doesn’t even matter if you choose to read at a slower pace as long as you choose to read your Bible. Remember, extra copies are available at church for those who didn’t get one yet.

My sister, Julie, and I worked on cutting and sewing the cutest wash cloths I have ever seen yesterday. We made 182 before running out of fabric. I’ll be purchasing more soon. Who would want a plain wash cloth when they can have a colorful one with dogs, balls, etc.? We also made them in varying sizes for the three different age groups. I think they will be a big hit! We will be working again in two weeks to make more so we will have enough for all the “shoeboxes” we pack.

I also was able to make a number of matching games yesterday. I didn’t get a count yet. I love the idea of working together to make items that will lead to boys and girls learn about Jesus. Isn’t it wonderful how God can use simple things like washcloths, games, tooth brushes, school supplies, and even soap to help introduce children around the world to Jesus? Remember, each “shoebox” impacts and average of seven lives for Jesus!

You can be a part of this ministry too. Let me know how you want to contribute – items, shopping time, labor, funds. I will also be happy to show any of you our project/storage room. It will bring a smile to your face. I know it did for my sister yesterday. It is very rewarding to us to realize the eternal value of this mission project.

Please be in prayer for this ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. It has grown so much and now reaches out to more and more people each year. It’s easy and very rewarding to be a tiny part of sharing Jesus with others. If you know of anyone who needs help getting started packing “shoeboxes”, I will be glad to help them get started.

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

Bro. Joe Baugh has a saying he uses to encourage people to get involved. It goes something like this: “If you are not excited about ________. your firewood must be wet!”

I love telling others about Jesus. Our mission is to go and tell. I think “shoeboxes” do an excellent joy of giving us an unlimited opportunity to go and to tell.

Anna Lee

Friday

It’s smart to be patient.”

~Proverbs 14:29 CEV~

Donald “Red” Alford is home again after spending several more days in St. Tammany. His oncology visit has been postponed for a couple weeks. Please pray for Donald and his family as they make adjustments at home for him.

God Is Using a Small Texas Church to Bless Many Thousands of Children

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/god-is-using-a-small-texas-church-to-bless-many-thousands-of-children/?utm_source=OCCFacebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_YOCC-20SM&utm_content=010220_link_ARTICLE_brumbelows&fbclid=IwAR2NtVE4ERoPjsbkQFxFTEu2qQpqBI-b70DE7kRfmuSrpAi1aBkdteqOA50

The Greatest Journey

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/tgj-game-app/?utm_source=OCCFacebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_YOCC-20SM&utm_content=10220_link_APP_greatest-journey-announcement&fbclid=IwAR28h1EI0sPRVXx8CbxnjjZCEvzVHWQnmYHJ4GFQqPW6zg4e54MnuVfP69A

Read the Bible in 2020 – Day 3

Genesis 5:1 – 7: 24
Matthew 3: 7 – 4: 11
Psalm 3: 1-8
Proverbs 1: 10-19

I pulled out an old Bible to use for my readings this year and purchased some fine-point colored pins to underline, circle, star, etc. That method keeps me fully involved in reading and learning.

David and I shopped briefly yesterday and found some 2019 calendars. I will cut the pictures and place them inside the cover of the shoeboxes. If you are capable of cutting and gluing paper, let me know when you are available to help. Today, my sister and I are planning to make washcloths for all the shoeboxes. I’m looking forward to our work today.

It’s smart to be patient.”

~Proverbs 14:29 CEV~

How are you wisely and patiently using your time for others?

Anna Lee