Category: Praises, Requests, & Updates

Friday

“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress;

have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.”

~Psalm 4:1~

Rip Rohner

Rip Roner had open heart surgery Tuesday, and the last I heard, he was responding well. He was operated on at St Tam. hospital. We have been praying for him, and thank God that He has seen Rip through this. Thank you for your time and for your prayers. Keep praying, and thanking God for loveing us as He does………….vs

Jadon’s Story

I know I haven’t updated in a long time. We have been super busy with all the fall activities. We have actually just been enjoying me having less seizures. I’m having about 40-60 a day. Even though I’m still having this many I’m doing lots of new things. I’m clapping, I said ma ma, and I’m holding my bottle and cup. Just imagine what I could do if we could get them down to 20. I saw my neurologist today. She is looking into trying to increase my banzel if possible. She said since it has decreased my seizures so much she would like to increase it if possible. Other than that she said I look fantastic. We are still scheduled to start the ketogenic diet November 8. She is hoping that between the diet and the banzel that will we get these under control. Please continue to pray for me. Your prayers are helping me more than you know!!!! I’m leaving you a picture of my brother and I playing this morning. He loves me so much. Mommy doesn’t have to tell him to tell me bye in the mornings. He always gives me a kiss before he goes to school. So sweet :)I know I haven’t updated in a long time. We have been super busy with all the fall activities. We have actually just been enjoying me having less seizures. I’m having about 40-60 a day. Even though I’m still having this many I’m doing lots of new things. I’m clapping, I said ma ma, and I’m holding my bottle and cup. Just imagine what I could do if we could get them down to 20. I saw my neurologist today. She is looking into trying to increase my banzel if possible. She said since it has decreased my seizures so much she would like to increase it if possible. Other than that she said I look fantastic. We are still scheduled to start the ketogenic diet November 8. She is hoping that between the diet and the banzel that will we get these under control. Please continue to pray for me. Your prayers are helping me more than you know!!!! I’m leaving you a picture of my brother and I playing this morning. He loves me so much. Mommy doesn’t have to tell him to tell me bye in the mornings. He always gives me a kiss before he goes to school. So sweet 🙂


SUING GOD

Did you hear in the news about the prisoner in a Romanian jail who is suing God?

“God received different material valuables from me, as well as prayers in exchange for promises of a better life.  In reality, this did not happen – I found myself in the devil’s hands,” the plaintiff said.

The convict is serving 20 years in the west Romanian city of Timisoara.  He apparently blames God for the troubles in his life and wants God brought to account for failing to fulfill the commitments He undertook and for taking bribes.

The plaintiff said that when he had been baptized in childhood, he concluded a contract with God that had legal effect – God was supposed to protect him from evil.

The plaintiff said the Romanian Orthodox Church, which, according to him, directly represents God, should compensate him for the alleged God-inflicted damage.

I promise – I’m not making this up!  Does it surprise you?  It shouldn’t.  The truth, there are a lot of people who feel the same way.
And while they may not take the absurd step of filing a lawsuit against God, they do feel that God has let them down and hasn’t fulfilled his part of the “bargain.”

Often, when people become Christians, they expect that God will take away all their problems and life will be easy (and many of them expect that because that’s what a preacher told them).  I suspect that we’ve all had the thought at some point in our lives, “How could God let that happen to me after all that I’ve done to serve Him?”

But, living the Christian life does involve difficulties.  In fact, it may even be more difficult than life before Christ!  Financial problems don’t magically disappear, there are still health concerns, people still let you down, and on top of everything else, there are people in this world who don’t like Christ who will make your life miserable at times.

But there’s no way to accuse God of breach of contract.  Jesus was very clear about things up front – “In the world you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33).  The problems don’t disappear, but we are promised God’s presence and His strength.  And what God gives us far more than outweighs what we have given Him.  Let’s just hope that God doesn’t sue us for our breach of contract!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thank God for the many blessing He has given you, including this beautiful fall day!

Anna Lee

Thursday Afternoon

Wayne Criswell

Wayne is having out-patient gall bladder urgery Friday morning at North Oaks. Please add him to the prayer link.
Thank You

Mrs. Elaine Bennett has been diagnosed with cancer.  The family believes in the power of prayer and will be appreciative of your prayers.

Caring Bridge

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

Thank-you for praying today.  Your prayers mean so much to so many.

Thursday

“I cried to the Lord with my voice,

and He heard me from His holy hill.”

~Psalm 3:4~

Isn’t it great to know He hears us?   We should go to Him in prayer more often, but it seems like many times our prayers are in our difficult times.  How often do we remember to thank Him for answering our prayers?

Randy Relan is better now even though he has been very sick.

Brenda Bryant came through yesterday’s surgery very well.

Several people who have been seriously sick have been able to return to church lately.

Etc.

Think of your recent petitions to the Lord and take time to thank Him for the way He chose to answer.

WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN WHEN WE PRAY?

I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, ‘ This is the Receiving Section.’ Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received.

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.

Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.

The angel then said to me, “This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them.” I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. “This is the Acknowledgment Section, my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed.” How is it that there is no work going on here? ‘ I asked.

“So sad,” the angel sighed. “After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments”

“How does one acknowledge God’s blessings? ” I asked..

“Simple,” the angel answered. Just say, “Thank you, Lord. ”

“What blessings should they acknowledge?” I asked.

“If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world ‘ s wealthy. ”

“And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.”

“If you woke up this morning with more health than illness .. You are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day. ”

“If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation . You are ahead of 700 million people in the world..”

“If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world.”

“If your parents are still alive and still married …you are very rare.”

“If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you’re unique to all those in doubt and despair…….”

Your are special!  He loves you!

Count your many blessings and thank God for each one.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“With men this is impossible,

but with God all things are possible.”

~Matthew 19:26~

Thank God for the rain and for the cooler temperatures we should have soon.

Brenda D. Bryant’s doctor determined she needs to have by-pass surgery, not just an additional stent.  Surgery was scheduled for Friday, but has been moved up to today.  Please be in prayer for Brenda, the medical staff, and the family.

Pray for Jason Dean as he continues to seek relief for his back pain.

Stacey Scarle was scheduled for chemo this week, but that has been put on hold for now because Stacey is sick.  Pray for her to feel better so her last chemo before surgery can be scheduled.

FIRST-PERSON: Eyes on the prize
Lisa Huddleston

Baptist Press

My husband, who is a federal employee, didn’t have to go to work on Columbus Day, which sort of made Tuesday into Monday, if you get my drift.

To complicate matters further, Chuck works at two different offices — one in Nashville and the other in Murfreesboro — so he is constantly having to remember where he is going when he leaves the house every morning.

This confusion (and the fact that we are both growing older) caused him to worry that he might head off in the wrong direction that Tuesday morning. Therefore, my parting words to him were, “Remember where you’re going.”

After he left, those words kept playing through my mind. They were a great reminder for me as well as for Chuck, even though I wasn’t physically going anywhere. As I pondered this thought over the following days, I saw more and more application for their truth.

We all need to have a destination in sight. We all need to remember where we’re going.

But that seems to be a problem for many of us. We seem to travel through life without direction. Is it any wonder that we take so many turns that lead us down dead ends and unpaved rabbit trails? Every pothole can seem like the end of the road. Every flat tire points to an impossible failure. We can’t see beyond the moment because we have our eyes fixed on our latest discouragement or catastrophe. We are nearsighted drivers without a map to direct our journey.

As I considered the importance of keeping my eyes on the prize, two very opposite examples were playing out on the nation’s television screens.

The first scenario was the terrible tragedy of the young college student who took his life after being humiliated. Two other college students filmed him in a sexual encounter with another young man and posted the whole thing on the Internet. As you might expect, he was devastated. But the real tragedy was that he couldn’t see beyond that moment. He didn’t know there was more to come and that he wouldn’t be stuck in that terrible spot forever. He couldn’t see that there was still a future that could carry him past his pain, so he chose to end his journey.

The second story was a much happier one — the rescue of the miners in Chile. Trapped for more than two months in the tomb-like prison of their collapsed mine, they were able to keep their thoughts on the future. They sent notes to their families; they dreamed of breathing the fresh air of freedom; and they kept hope alive. I imagine it would have been very easy to give up especially in the first days when no help appeared to be coming.

Yet they survived, and their joyful faces proved to be shining examples of what it looks like to reach your destination — the joy of hope fulfilled.

What a contrast! What a difference hope makes. But that’s what faith does for us. It’s the light at the end of the dark tunnel, the promise of things to come. “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen,” Hebrews 11:1 tells us.

As believers in Christ, our faith is sure, as real in our present troubles as it will be in the future. We can trust that the finish line is there and we can keep our eyes fixed upon it, even in our most desperate situations.

Did you watch as one of the miners fell to his knees as he exited the pod and thanked God for his rescue? I don’t know about you, but I want to keep that image in my mental photo album for the next time I feel hopeless. It will help me fix my eyes on the prize — Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of my race. I hope He is yours. If so, remember where you’re going. The destination makes every moment of your journey worth the trip.

(Lisa Huddleston is a writer who lives with her husband Chuck, their three kids, two dogs and two cats on a farm near Lebanon, Tenn.)

Saturday, FBC Kentwood will have On Mission in Kentwood.  If you, or someone you know, needs some help in your house or yard, please contact the church at 229-8111.  If you would like to help serve others in our community, be at the church for 8 A.M.  Working together to help others will make your day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

Well done, good and faithful servant!

You have been faithful with a few things;

I will put you in charge of many things.

Come and share your master’s happiness.

~Matthew 25:21 (NIV)~


Stacey Scarle

Well its that time again. Stacey has lab tomorrow, chemo on Wed. and oncology on Thurs. This will be number 7 with only one more to go. She has had a tough week and we have learned that the week before chemo is the worse at least with the Taxotere. She is very tired and had the sore mouth and trouble eating. If things stay on track she should have the last chemo in mid Nov. That would make the surgery sometimes in Dec. Thanks again for all your thoughts, calls and prayers. They are very much appreciated. She has had a tough time but we are learning to take one day at a time.

Willis W. Neal
(May 19, 1928 – October 25, 2010)

Mr. Willis Wesley Neal was born May 19, 1928 and passed away at 10:18 a.m., Monday October 25, 2010 at Tangi Pines Nursing Home, Amite. He was 82, a native of Goldonna, LA and a resident of Roseland.

Mr. Willis served our country during the Korean Conflict in the US Army.

He is survived by 3 daughters, Lessie Marie Arnone and husband, Anthony, Sr., Independence, Laura N. Garner and husband, Melvin, Spring, TX, and Debra Lynn Neal, Roseland; a son, David Neal and wife, Tammy, Magnolia, MS; 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by wife, Christa Jane Allen Neal; parents, Albert and Lessie Mae Milam Neal; son, Willis Wayne “Bo” Neal and sister, Lucille Neal Rymes.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Thursday, October 28, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel with Deacon Mike Agnello officiating. Interment in Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite.

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

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

Thought for the Day

Making a Difference


The following story comes from John Shay, Sr.:

A group of dinner guests were sitting around a table discussing life. A CEO decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?” He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.”

To stress his point, he said to another guest, “You’re a teacher, Susan. Be honest. What do you make?”

Susan, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness, replied, “You want to know what I make? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ student feel like the winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence.

“You want to know what I make? I make kids wonder. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math and perfect their final drafts in English. I make them understand that, if you have the brains and follow your heart, and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you must pay no attention because they just didn’t learn.”

Susan paused and then continued. “You want to know what I make? I make a difference. What do you make?”

It was James who wrote, “Brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers.” (James 3:1, GOD’S WORD). He points out that teachers will be judged more severely. He could just as easily have said that teachers have a greater responsibility, a greater challenge, a greater opportunity to affect the lives of people in a negative way. It is impossible to teach without using words, and with greater use of words comes a greater danger that the words will do harm.

But thanks be to God that there are those who face that challenge and assume that responsibility and make a diligent effort to use their words as an opportunity to affect the lives of people in a positive way. Those of you who are teachers — who can begin to measure the tremendous effect that you are having in the lives of the children (and adults) in your classrooms? You may not see the results of your efforts for years. In fact, you may never get to see the results. But you do make a difference.

Those of you who are schoolteachers are teaching not only the basics of education, but you are teaching values and character. Those of you who are Bible class teachers are filling the minds and hearts of our children with stories of faith that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Those of you who are preachers are strengthening the family of God and bringing salvation to the lost.

So, my hat is off to all of you who are teachers because I know exactly what you make. You make a difference!

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach.” (Romans 12:6-7)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Anna Lee

Monday

God withdrew from Hezekiah

in order to test him

and to see what was really in his heart.

~2 Chronicles 32:31 (NLT)~


Correction concerning Frances Gay:  Frances is in remission, not cancer free.  Thank God for the good news.  Remission is wonderful!

Pray for Petey Harper as he has cancer treatment in South Carolina this week.  His sister, Keri/Cissy is with him.  Pray for her as she travels home later.

Lloyd Hayden continues to need our prayers.  He continues to have problems related to his diabetes and his medicine.  Your prayers for him will be appreciated.

Continue to pray for Jimmy Tolar.  He continues to be plagued with several issues.

TODAY’S PRAYER
IMB
OCTOBER 25, 2010

“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 19:14)

WORLD LEADERS. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please pray today for Prime Minister Philemon Yang of Cameroon (western Africa, between Nigeria and Chad).

BAOTOU, CHINA (BOW-toh). Thank God that believers have become more numerous in this city. Please plead with the Father to bless His children in Baotou with godly, gifted, faithful, well-rounded leaders who will shepherd His flock with clean hands and pure hearts. Ask Him to bless training events so that participants will grow not only in knowledge and skill, but also in integrity of character.

SHAN OF THE PACIFIC RIM. A worker was able to visit with and encourage T, the believer for whom you have been praying. T realizes now what Jesus meant when He said, “But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown” (Luke 4:24). Pray for T, as he longs to share Truth with those in his hometown and the surrounding villages, but is the only believer right now. P, his younger brother, has not yet decided to follow Jesus, but remains interested. Pray that P will soon choose to follow Him.

Rebooting and Starting Over

Thought For The Day

Alan Smith

The following are some suggested new error messages for Microsoft Windows:


1) Smash forehead on keyboard to continue.

2) Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue.

3) Press any key to continue or any other key to quit.

4) Press any key… no, no, no, NOT THAT ONE!

5) Close your eyes and press escape three times.

6) Bad command or file name! Go stand in the corner.

7) Keyboard not attached. Press F1 to continue.

8) CONGRESS.SYS corrupted… Re-boot Washington D.C? (Y/N)

9) Runtime Error 6D at 417A:32CF: Incompetent User.

10) Error reading FAT record: Try the SKINNY one? (Y/N)

11) WinErr 547: LPT1 not found. Use backup…..PENCIL & PAPER.

12) Backup not found: (A)bort (R)etry (P)anic.

Wouldn’t it be nice if every time we made a mistake in real life, we received an “error message” telling us we did something wrong, along with instructions on how to correct it? And wouldn’t it be nice to keep “backups” so if we did something stupid we could go back and put in the backup, continuing on as if nothing had ever gone wrong? And if things get really bad, wouldn’t it be nice just to be able to “reboot” and completely start all over again from scratch?

In essence, God has given us a way to do just that. Part of the blessing of becoming a Christian is the ability to start afresh. Paul said of the Corinthians:

“Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (I Cor. 6:9b-11).

Thanks be to God for giving us all a way to “reboot” and start over.

–Alan

Thanks for praying.  Make today a good start to your work week.

Anna Lee

Sunday

God is always on the alert,

constantly on the lookout for people

who are totally committed to him.

~2 Chronicles 16:9a (MSG)~

Frances Gay received good news Friday.  She is  cancer free!  I’m helping her “yell it from the rooftops”!

CaringBridge

Baptist Press Stories for Oct. 22, 2010
—————————————
  • ELECTION ’10: State ballot initiatives give voters a say
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33927
  • Biblical Recorder editor resigns
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33927#mce_temp_url#
  • WEEK OF PRAYER: Missionary’s visit ends man’s 20-year wait for Gospel
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33927#mce_temp_url#
  • POLL: Pastors sour on Obama’s performance & oppose pulpit political endorsements
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33929
  • TRUSTEES: NAMB’s Ezell: ‘We must do more’
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33930
  • USCIRF: 8 nations, including Russia, failing religious liberty pledge
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33931
  • MARRIAGE DIGEST: Calif. gov., AG races could affect Prop. 8; …
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33932
  • SBC DIGEST: Criswell search leads back to Jerry Johnson; Land at SWBTS
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33933
  • FIRST-PERSON: Juan Williams’ offense? His feelings
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33934
Myra Darouse LaRue
(January 19, 1922 – October 22, 2010)

Myra Smallwood Darouse LaRue of Greensburg, LA, passed away on October 22, 2010. Following her cancer diagnosis five weeks ago, Mrs. LaRue was lovingly cared for at home by her sister, Mary Darouse Pardue and three nieces, Judy Pardue Polidori of Chandler, AZ, Barbara Pardue of Little Rock, AR, and Mary Sue Darouse of Metairie, LA. Mrs. LaRue was born in Hammond, LA, on January 19, 1922, to Frank Francis Darouse and Mary Magdalene Smallwood Darouse. She joined the WAAC in World War II, graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University and earned her Masters degree from Louisiana State University. She was a physical education teacher with the New Orleans Public Schools for more than 30 years. Mrs. LaRue was a Master Gardener and a devoted weekly volunteer at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Hammond. She was predeceased by her husband Robert E. LaRue, her parents, and her brothers, James “Jimmy,” Joseph “JoeJoe,” and Fritz “Tootsie” Darouse. She is survived by her sister, Mary “Libba” Darouse Pardue of Little Rock, AR, brother, Charles Edward Darouse of Houston, TX, and many nieces and nephews and their children. Mrs. LaRue requested cremation with no public service. Memorials may be made to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center of Hammond, 15728 Paul Vega MD Drive, Hammond, La., 70403. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday Afternoon

Brenda D. Bryant is home and doing well.  Thank-you for keeping her in your prayers the last few days.

Dr. Rod Smith shared something he wrote and gave me permission to share it.  I know it will speak to your heart.

I Saw America Today

I saw America today.

I was among more that 200 people gathered on the tarmac at the Meridian Air Navel Station to welcome Sgt. Eric C. Newman, 30, of Waynesboro, Mississippi, home from Afghanistan.

He did not exit to cheers and hugs but was greeted by respectful silence. Military men and women, bikers, policemen, firemen, all in formation riveted their attention as Sgt. Newman disembarked from the plane carrying him.

He exited in a flag draped coffin, killed in action in Afghanistan.

The family stood near the hearse and as Sgt. Newman’s casket approached he was greeted by his new wife and his mother as they draped their arms around the casket where their beloved husband and son lay. There would be no married life for the newly married couple and another mother had given her son in the name of freedom.

I saw America today.

The procession formed with a police escort in front leading the hearse carrying Sgt. Newman which was followed by his family, more than 100 bikers, including the Patriot Guard Riders, scores of police officers, firemen, and friends. I rode near the front and I never could see the end of the procession as we rolled over the hills from Meridian to Waynesboro.

I saw America today.

On the 60 mile journey truckers, the big rigs, pulled to the side of the road, exited their trucks and put hand over heart in honor of Sgt. Newman and the American flag. Down the road from one big shiny rig was a humble logging truck, driver standing on the ground, hand over heart.

For sixty miles a mixture of people stood by the side of the road, flag in hand as we rolled past. At every junction where a side road entered there were people. At the overpasses there was always a fire truck displaying a large American flag. Every fire department along the way had their fire truck standing by to honor this young American who gave his life for us.

There was a young Boy Scout, in uniform, proudly saluting Sgt. Newman and the American flags that passed him.

A man in bib overalls stood by a ragged old pickup truck giving honor. Just down the road was a man dressed in suit and tie by his expensive SUV.

Something in the bright blue sky above caught my eye. It was two jet fighter planes flying over the procession, the thoughtful action of fellow soldiers.

I could see a woman kneeling, holding something out in her hands. At first I thought it must be a camera but as I passed I could clearly see it was a folded American flag. Just like the one that was given to my mother when my father died. Yes, it was her way of saying, “I lost a loved one as well.”

I saw America today.

As we left the main road and entered Waynesboro two fire trucks were parked in such a way as to form an arch with a giant American flag suspended between the two.

The streets were lined solid with people. No cars were moving. I observed someone in a wheel chair on the side of the road. When we drew closer I saw several in wheel chairs, some on crutches. They were old, and fragile. They were residents of a nursing home. On down the road there was another group from yet another nursing home, all waving tiny American flags.

As we wound our way through town hundreds of people lined the sides of the streets. We passed an elementary school. The children lined the fence three deep, most with flags, some with red, white, and blue balloons which were later released.

Next we passed the high school. Again the students respectfully lined the streets adjacent to the school. All were standing respectfully in honor of Sgt. Newman.

And did I mention the yellow ribbons? They were on trees, mailboxes, fences, and anywhere people could place them.

I saw America today.

When we had finished the escort all the bikers were asked to meet at the First Baptist Church of Waynesboro. There they gathered us up and escorted us to the Western Sizzlen’ where the people of the town treated us to lunch for doing something of which we were proud to be a part.

Today, I saw America and I’m proud to be an American. God bless America.


Pray for this family and for all the families that are apart due to military service. Pray they will seek God to get them through the separation and the trials they face.

Anna Lee