Category: Praises, Requests, & Updates

Friday

“If you are a follower of Christ Jesus . . . all that matters is your faith that makes you love others.”

~Galatians 5:6 CEV~

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – February 28

  • Leviticus 22:17-23:44
  • Mark 9:30-10:12
  • Psalm 44:1-8
  • Proverbs 10:19
  • Remember you can have these Scriptures read to you at OneYearBibleOnline.com.

 

 

Don’t forget the Open House at the new Hope Center just south of the curve in Roseland.  The open house today is at 5:45.  I hope to see you there.

 

 

 

The parents of the children of FBC, Kentwood are planning a church cookbook to raise some money for camp for the boys and girls this summer.  Your recipes can be turned in at the church.  I hope to find some time before Sunday to get some together for them and hope you will be doing the same.  To make it super easy, you can use your phone to take a picture of the recipes and send it to one of the mothers.  Let me know if you need more information on who to contact.

 

 

 

Don’t forget the WMU meeting at Greensburg Monday morning at 10 A.M.

 

 

 

Say special prayers today for Kristi Alford and for Donald Alford and their families.  Thanks!

 

 

 

My sister and a friend are delivering 250 t-shirts for OCC today.  I am thrilled for Julie’s support and for the shirts that will bless many young lives.  She has enjoyed making the shirts extra special.

 

 

 

What are you planning to do today to impact the lives of others?  I can always give you some ideas for OCC purchases or crafts.  

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday Update

The following is an update on Donald Alford written by his oldest, Janet.  I want to say Janet can express her thoughts and emotions much better than I can express mine.  I can tell you Angela, Janet, Willie, and Julia have fought cancer every step of the way for and with Donald.  I can only admire how they have cared for and loved Donald.

Trying to write an update on daddy is taking way longer than it should. I’ve been working on it for two weeks but nothing sounds right, nothing explains it the right way, nothing conveys the emotions tied to watching this giant of a man suffer the way he has. But I am going to attempt something, even if it’s wrong!
The last hospital stay was 26 days long full of ups and downs. I don’t know if all cancer can cause such extreme swings in treatment but this has been hard understand. Not so much hard as impossible. Especially when you are not a medically trained genius with a much better brain than I have. One treatment depends on something that can’t be managed until the treatment works but can’t be started because he needs the treatment to work before the treatment can start.
The cycle is seems unending.
The overwhelming fight in all of us would love it if we could fight this battle for him and try anything possible that might help but it doesn’t work that way. Daddy has more faith that I can imagine ever having. Even sitting in his chair and unable to breath, he has a continued faith that God’s plan is playing out the way it should.
Yesterday he and Angela made the tough decision to call hospice to help manage his care. Please keep our family in your prayers. Angela, Willie, Julia and I appreciate all the calls, messages and most of all the love.

Wednesday

“Isn’t everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God?

So what’s the point of all this comparing and competing?

You already have all you need.”

~1 Corinthians 4:7-8 The Message~

 

 

 

Robin Alford‘s next surgery will be Monday.  Her mom and aunt will arrive Thursday to help take care of her at her home.

 

 

 

Donal Alford had a hospice referral yesterday.  Please continue praying.

 

 

 

Ericka Janelle Taylor

November 09, 1987 – February 22, 2020

On Saturday morning, February 22, 2020, Ericka Janelle Taylor went to her heavenly home. Ericka was a resident of Greensburg Louisiana. Ericka had a beautiful soul and a kind heart. She was always willing to help anyone in need. She had a passion for photography, loved doing hair and was incredibly talented in the art of doing make up. She loved fixing her nieces up for their recital each year. She loved watching LSU with her Papaws, going out to eat with her Mama, long talks with her Daddy and shopping with her Mamaw. Ericka was a single mother to a beautiful little boy Brendon Austin, who just celebrated his fourth birthday. Ericka cherished her baby boy with all of her being. He was the love of her life. Along with her son, Brendon Austin, she leaves behind her parents, Clint Taylor and Angela Travis who both reside in St. Helena Parish. Ericka also leaves behind her grandparents Joe and Margaret Estes of Kentwood and Jimmie Taylor of Greensburg, her brother Austin Taylor, her sister Krista Keller, brother n law Justin Keller, nieces Makynna and Annalee Keller and nephew Scott Keller. She also leaves behind her Uncle Vince and Aunt Sherry Estes and her Uncle Joey and Aunt Jamie Estes and numerous cousins. She was preceded in death by her step dad Darren Travis, great grandpa Gene Smith, grandma Sandy Taylor, great grandma Herlon Taylor, great grandma Boncie Smith and great grandma Bernice Birch. Ericka was loved dearly and will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved her. Pallbearers are Vince Estes, Joey Estes , Blake Estes, Justin Keller, Joseph Brabham and Butch Taylor. Honorary pallbearers are Clint Taylor, Austin Taylor, Brendon Broussard, Joe Estes, Jimmie Taylor, Scott Keller. We will celebrate her life with visitations Wednesday at Taylor Creek Baptist Church from 6-10 pm and Thursday Morning from 8:00-11:00am. The grave side service will be at Greensburg Cemetery. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – February 26

  • Leviticus 19:1-20:21
  • Mark 8:11-38
  • Psalm 42:1-11
  • Proverbs 10:17

 

 

Be a blessing today!

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

Monday

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for

and assurance about what we do not see

 

 

 

Josh Thornton is home following his emergency gall bladder surgery.  He will be on limited activity for a week.  Pray for him and his family as he heals.

 

 

 

Smiley Conerly is at Forrest General where the doctors are carefully watching his fluid levels.  Your continued prayers are appreciated.

 

 

 

Donald Alford is at home.  Having oxygen at home has been very helpful.  Please continue to pray for Donald and his family.

 

 

 

David got a good report and procrit yesterday.  His blood level was 9.9.  I thank God for that and for watching out for us as we traveled in the rain yesterday.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – February 25

  • Leviticus 16:29-18:30
  • Mark 7:24-8:10
  • Psalm 41:1-13
  • Proverbs 10:15-16

 

 

As I was checking David in for appointments, Operation Christmas Child came up as something I was working on since I last saw the lady in the office.  She didn’t have a clue, so I began talking about Samaritan’s Purse, Rev. Franklin Graham, and Rev. Billy Graham.  That’s when the man behind me stepped up and said Samaritan’s Purse rebuilt his home after flooding.  That caught everyone’s attention.

I copied this from their webpage:

The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) gives a clear picture of God’s desire for us to help those in desperate need wherever we find them. After describing how the Samaritan rescued a hurting man whom others had passed by, Jesus told His hearers, “Go and do likewise.” For over 40 years, Samaritan’s Purse has done our utmost to follow Christ’s command by going to the aid of the world’s poor, sick, and suffering. We are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ. This, in turn, earns us a hearing for the Gospel, the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

As our teams work in crisis areas of the world, people often ask, “Why did you come?” The answer is always the same: “We have come to help you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our ministry is all about Jesus—first, last, and always. As the Apostle Paul said, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5, NIV).

Mission Statement

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

After sharing the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said “Go and do likewise.” That is the mission of Samaritan’s Purse—to follow the example of Christ by helping those in need and proclaiming the hope of the Gospel.

You may want to check out their site to learn more.

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/about-us/

 

 

I hope you will learn more about Samaritan’s Purse.  Their focus is helping people and sharing Jesus.  I believe in Samaritan’s Purse.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

Monday

“Rejoice with those who rejoice,

weep with those who weep.” 

~Romans 12:15 ESV~

 

 

 

Please keep Joshua and Danielle Thornton in your prayers.  Josh had emergency surgery to remove his gall bladder.  He will be on limited activity for the next week.

 

 

 

Please continue to pray for Kristy Alford and her family.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – February 24

  • Leviticus 15:1-16:28
  • Mark 7:1-23
  • Psalm 40:11-17
  • Proverbs 10:13-14

 

 

 

Operation Christmas Child

Thanks to all those who turned in items for OCC yesterday.  We are so thankful for your support.  Everything is being grouped and sorted into the proper groups for packing in the coming months.  The boys and girls who will receive the “shoeboxes” will be so excited.  I will be excited to know they have the opportunity to learn about Jesus.  Shoeboxes are a means of reaching families all around the world without ever taking a step out of our area.  Each one is an economical meals of witnessing to about seven people.  That means a small effort on our part makes a big difference eternally in lives of people we will never meet.  What an opportunity!

 

 

 

The family that had the tea to earn shipping money for OCC shoeboxes earned enough to ship 24 shoeboxes.  What awesome support the family provides for these two young “packers”!  They are planning another tea about Mother’s Day.  I’ll let you know, so you can plan to attend too.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

~Isaiah 40:30-31~

 

 

 

Please put infant Nora Collins Carruth on prayer list she was born last night (Friday night) weighing only 2 lbs 2 oz., she is the granddaughter of Danny & Lisa Carruth.  (Greensburg)

Bill and Linda Frazier

 

 

 

Josiah Huckaby is home again.  Keep him in your prayers.

 

 

 

Donald Alford went home last night.  Your prayers will be greatly appreciated for Donald and his family.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – February 23

  • Leviticus 14:1-57
  • Mark 6:30-56
  • Psalm 40:1-10
  • Proverbs 10:11-12

 

 

Late Friday, the Hope Center’s new location in the curve south of Roseland, will be open for you to see.  I’ll post more during the week.

 

 

You meet the nicest people as you shop for items for “shoeboxes”.  They recognize you as a shoebox shopper because of what and how many items you buy.  We met a lady, store manager, yesterday who insisted on providing someone to take our purchases to the car for us.  Today, we will need help getting them from the car.  I know we can depend on church friends for that.  That’s another blessing.

 

 

 

Have a wonderful “Lord’s Day”!

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday Update

Smiley Conerly called to say he went back to Hattisburg last night and spent the night in  ER.  He has been moved to a room this morning and has already seen a doctor.  Please say special prayers for Smiley and Carol Jean.

 

 

Transferred to a nursing facility to hang out until I see the surgeon on Tue. Hopefully they will schedule the 2nd surgery next week. This erector set on my leg makes it hard to get around.                                                                                                     Robin Alford (Colorado)

Saturday (2-22-2020)

“We must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another.” 

~Romans 14:19 GNT~

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – February 22

  • Leviticus 13:1-59
  • Mark 6:1-29
  • Psalm 39:1-13
  • Proverbs 10:10

 

 

Baptist Press – http://www.bpnews.net/

 

 

 

Louisiana Baptist Message – https://baptistmessage.com/

 

 

 

Thanks to Wanda Smith for helping with Operation Christmas Child yesterday.

 

 

 

Please continue to pray for all those who have been listed lately.  Their medical conditions seem to be about the same.  Pray for each one, please.

 

 

 

Stay warm. 

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday

Look to the LORD and his strength;

seek his face always

~1 Chronicles 16:11~

 

 

 

Paul Morgan is about ready to leave the hospital following heart surgery.  The decision about going home or going somewhere else is still undecided.  Pray for the Morgan family.

 

 

 

Please continue to pray for Billie Callihan Strahan as she faces the reality of the stroke.

 

 

 

Robin Alford will be having a second surgery next week.  Keep her in your prayers as she in limited in mobility for a while.

 

 

 

A doctor noticed something on David‘s blood work that concerned him.  An extra lab and an appointment were set us.  God took care of the lab so no treatment was required.  We are so thankful.  God has been so good to us.  We are blessed and thankful!

 

 

 

Pine Ridge United Methodist Church will have their monthly breakfast benefit Sunday morning to help with expenses of someone from the Kentwood area.  Breakfast is served at 8:00 A.M.  Come support a local family.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – February 21

  • Leviticus 11:1-12:8
  • Mark 5:21-43
  • Psalm 38:1-22
  • Proverbs 10:8-9

 

 

Operation Christmas Child

  • The 150 t-shirts for the older groups of boys and girls are purchased and decorated.  Today, they will be rolled and banded to add to the shoeboxes.  What a great addition to our boxes.
  • Ribbon wands are being made too.  Some will be from plastic tablecloths and some from ribbon.  What fun they will be for little girls!
  • We have more new items to sort and add to our stash today.
  • What a blessing the shoeboxes are to us as we give many people the opportunity to learn about Jesus!
  • Volunteers are assisting with various tasks.  Let us know if you want to help.  There is always something to do.
  • David invited a young man to see our OCC storage/work room.  He was speechless at first.  I think we can call on him to assist us some now that he has a better idea of our vision.
  • To volunteer to help, send a message to me by using the “Connect” tool on this tool.  Give us an idea of when you are available and include your phone number.

 

 

 

Thank-you for reading and praying.  Now, feel free to do/say something special for/to someone who will appreciate you time and attention.  

Anna Lee