Praises, Requests, & Updates – Page 505

Thursday

Pray for Grady Brecheen as he has surgery today at North Oaks.

Pray for Mrs. Parmys Stegall as she spend her weeks at rehab in Greensburh and her weekends at home.

Pray for Mrs. Estelle Raborn who is in North Oaks following a stent implant.

Continue to pray for Mrs. Kathryn Kuss and her family as adjustments are made.

Please continue to pray for the Harrells as they address continuing health issues.

Pray for Martha Traylor as she has nerve tests today in Hammond.

Pray for the Hatchels as they prepare to move from Brno to Prague on June 8th.

FBC, Kentwood will be serving fish dinners today as a fund raiser for a mission trip to Canada. You may pick up your dinners by the State Farm office on highway 51.

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

Cindy Knight Edwards continued to do well following her heart surgery. She has been at her parents’ home, but is ready for the move to her ownd home. Pray for her as she continues to get well.

Dukes

< Mom needs a lift. >
When Dad and I arrived to see Mom this morning, she was in the PT room. She was sitting in a reclining wheelchair with some support. She had been working with the trainers for over an hour at that point, and she was visibly tired.

They finished up and wheeled her back to her room. There, they lifted her out of her wheelchair and back into bed. The picture shown is her being lifted in the special device. She was sitting on a green canvas wrap while in the wheelchair. This canvas wrap was then folded up around her and strapped onto the special lifter. She was lifted up and over and into bed. She seemed ready to rest.

Her doctor came in soon after. He gave us an update, filling us in on some stuff we learned late yesterday evening. Mom’s bedsore on her bottom seems to be actually getting better, we are told. So does her head sore. However, we are also told that the bedsore on her bottom had gotten so deep that it caused an infection in Mom’s tailbone. They found it with a bone scan Monday. They have attacked it with meds and treatment. Osteomyelitis along with the other infection her body is battling is very serious. Please pray for those infections to heal.

Dad and I suggested that the doctor take a 2nd look at Mom’s swallowing and breathing and speech. We felt like they were not being proactive enough with her in those areas. Our reasoning was that the sooner she can get rid of the tracheotomy and the sooner she can eat real food and the sooner her lungs get stronger, the sooner she can communicate and move and get progressively better in all areas. Please pray for her to have the drive to do that.

The doctor agreed, relaying that Mom seemed slightly malnourished. He ordered some cultures to assess her infections. He ordered more aggressive speech therapy. He ordered more aggressive respiratory therapy. He ordered an intensive swallow study to ensure Mom’s safety moving forward. Depending on the result of that study, he order fed her to be partially fed. Please pray for Mom to handle all those tests well.

Speech therapy and Dad and I tried to coerce Mom to talk this morning. She didn’t. She did say “Ahhh.” That’s better than nothing! We asked her why she didn’t want to talk? Did it hurt? She said it did. I asked her did it hurt or was it uncomfortable? She nodded at uncomfortable. We tried to coach her through it, telling her it is going to be uncomfortable while she tries to get used to it again. She agreed, tried real hard, but nothing. Please pray for Mom to grow in strength in her vocals and throat to breath and talk soon.

We are reexamining whether keeping Mom in her current location is the best for her care. We can’t move her to Orlando yet with her infections, because the center in Orlando won’t take her with those infections. So, we are seeking counsel on other options from some trusted medical folks here in town whom we know. Please pray for us to have wisdom in that regard.

Dad seemed really discouraged when we left Mom today. I tried to encourage him, reassuring him that Mom is going to have good days and bad days for a while to come. She really has only been unclear and less responsive when she has been fatigued, I told him. She has really been doing well, I told him. Even the therapists had communicated how responsive she was the first half of therapy this morning. I really tried to encourage him to stay positive.

Don’t tell him, but I was encouraging myself at the same time. Most days I am able to stay positive. However, after the run-in I had with Mom’s caretakers yesterday afternoon (we had a little talk about how attentive and communicative they have been in her care) and after the lack of clarity today, it is tough. I know we will make it. I know that. Just venting. Just being honest.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” Jesus said. He told His followers there would be days like these. But take heart, “for I have overcome the world.” I know that.

What that doesn’t mean is it’s going to be all right. Yeah – God is in control. I am not doubting that. But things don’t always work out like we want them to. Who wanted Mom and Dad to get hit by a Ford Expedition? And things aren’t promised to “be ok” for us. In fact, Jesus seemed to warn the opposite. His promise was that He’d be with us, not that He’d make it all okay for us.

He gives and takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Jesus, thank you for holding us through all of this. Thanks for good days and bad. Draw us closer to love and closer to each other and closer to Your heart. Please continue to heal Mom and Dad. Shine your light in her and in Dad and in us. Share your hope and promises through us. Your good news that even in difficult times, and there will be difficult times, and even in times where hope is thin, You are near. Your nearness never fades, and how You blossom togetherness among us is uplifting. Thank you Jesus.

And, man, does Mom need a lift today. Not just with that special device either.

Wednesday

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into the world,

and we can take nothing out of it.”

~1 Timothy 6:6-7 NIV~

Baptist Press
May 19, 2009

WASHINGTON–‘Call 2 Fall’ issued for July 5. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30520

OKLAHOMA–Okla., Minn. take stand against cloning. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30521

TENNESSEE–Unhealthy SBC needed ‘shock’ of GCR declaration, Hunt says. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30522

GEORGIA–Church care plan for chaplains unveiled. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30523

TENNESSEE–RESOURCE: Multi-site churches entail challenges, rewards. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30524

KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (Stephen Douglas Wilson): Southern Baptists need methodological diversity. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30525

Mrs. Iris Wood Conerly
(August 24, 1915 – September 19, 2009)

Mrs. Iris Wood Conerly was born August 24, 1915 and passed away at 6:35 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. Mrs. Iris was 93, a native & resident of Amite her entire life. She was a member of the First Southern Methodist Church in Amite and also was retired from the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court Office after 35 years and 11 months service.

Mrs. Iris is survived by her son, Marc Conerly, and wife Nancy, of Amite.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55n & Hwy 16W behind Grand Prix Car Wash & Bond Eye Clinic.

KneEmail

Affluenza

THE 1918 INFLUENZA epidemic was the most destructive in history…

It is estimated that more than 20 million people world-wide perished of the flu in a few months and more than 50 times as many were sick. In the US, 548,000 died. In India, 12,500,000 people or 4% of the entire population are said to have died.

Medical research and technology now routinely protects us against diseases that wiped out entire families, neighborhoods, and even cities. But another epidemic is taking a tremendous toll on our families. It is not influenza; it is affluenza.

Its symptoms include:
. A reaching for more and more, in spite of what we have.
. An insatiable drive to be successful.
. A chronic lack of contentment.
. A consistent choosing of career over family relationships.
. An overscheduled, overloaded life that leaves no room for significant time with spouse, children and true devotion to God. (Steve and Mary Farrar)

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” 1 Timothy 6:7

Posted by Mike Benson

Don’t forget the fish lunch cooked by Buie tomorrow at FBC, Kentwood. Call the church office for tickets. The cost is $7.00 with the profits going to support a mission trip to Canada this summer. Pray for those who will be ministering and those who will be ministered to.

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Afternoon

Jimmy and Retia Dukes

< Dad got discharged. >
New Orleans was chilly Sunday night. The front that soaked the city had passed when I landed, although the wind had not. 30 mph winds and a wet runway made landing like Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom. It was all good, though. I was here and on the way to see Dad.

He had eaten. I brought him a late-night latte, and we watched the 2nd half of the Orlando Magic game together. They took the Celtics in 7 games. Lebron here we come!!! Should be a good series for those of you who follow basketball.

Monday morning, Uncle Danny dropped Dad’s coffee off and made sure he had eaten breakfast and gotten dressed for therapy. So, I headed over to see Mom. On the way, my phone rang off the hook. Insurance people and case workers and Erik were calling to discuss logistics regarding Dad’s discharge from the in-patient rehab facility. He was discharged Monday afternoon.

Monday morning, beforehand, we were talking through what was next. Will we have Home Health Rehab come to Dad’s guest room on the Seminary campus and work him out? Will we transport Dad to Out-Patient Rehab across town?

Well, we decided to do nothing. You might find that funny, but Dad’s doctor said he thought neither was a good option right now while we were waiting for Mom to transfer. Home Health Rehab would be limited because of where Dad was staying. Out-Patient Rehab would be limited until Dad could put weight on his left leg. So, he asked me to work Dad out some and for Dad to do some exercises himself.

His next Orthopedic appointment is this Thursday at 9. His doctor may clear him on his left leg, and he may not. We will see, and that will determine when Dad moves forward with Out-Patient Rehab. He wants to stay aggressive on it, and Erik and I want him to. He is doing so well.

We got the discharge orders around 4:30. I had driven Dad’s truck over from the Seminary so that we could fit all his new toys – a platform walker, a potty chair, a shower chair, his wheelchair, his new Justice League attire. All things that every man wants and should save for, especially if you ever have a long stay in the hospital and can’t get up to go pee. Pretty cool.

Dad moved to the Seminary motel. It’s called the Providence Guest House. Thanks to Bob and Linda and their staff for setting up the room. It is completely wheelchair accessible and handicap equipped. We unloaded Dad’s stuff and headed out to get a bite to eat and pick up some prescriptions.

Dad had mentioned the corn grits from Zea’s out in Metairie. We had to go to Target to add to his wardrobe anyway, so we went there. Wow! The corn grits were great. It was great to take Dad out to eat for the first time in 44 days.

44 Days. Has it really been 44 days? Some days it seems like it couldn’t be that long. Some days it seems like it has been longer. Someone commented on Facebook that the accident was on 4/4, and 44 days later, Dad was out.

Shopping with Dad is always fun. He loves it! Not really. He is more of a get-in-get-out kind of guy. We were looking for a few specific things, so that helped. Jogging pants. I found him some that were on clearance and kind of looked like slacks. His pain pills. Target pharmacy had those but not his other meds. We had to go to Walgreen’s for that one. A cheap laundry basket. Just to help me collect and carry his clothes to wash them. And a Ghostbuster’s T-Shirt. Well, didn’t need that one. But I thought Dad would look good in it.

I got the weary traveller back to his room and tucked in bed just before 10. Then, I headed to hit the hay, too.

On Monday, I only got to see Mom one time about midday. Dad preparing to be discharged and then being discharged kept me busy. Mom was doing well, though. Still had her cast on. If they don’t take it off today (Tuesday), I think I may carve at it with my car key until it falls off. Her bedsores are getting better. Even the one on her bottom. She half-smiled at me a lot, but seemed really tired.

I love seeing her. She is one of those women, like my wife, who is not capable of being anything but beautiful. Regardless of the state of her hair and what she has on and whether she looks made up, the beauty she exudes from her eyes that flows from her heart and is expressed in her smile never fades. Even after 67 years. She is amazing. I would like to think I got her skin and look, but I think I was plagued…oh, I mean blessed to have my Dad’s look. At least his bald head. That’s one way Mom and I look alike right now.

I am writing this on Tuesday morning from Cafe New Orleans in the student center on the New Orleans Seminary campus. Dad is meeting with three colleagues about teaching and student stuff. Yeah – one day discharged, and he’s back at it. I will be limiting him to one and a half meetings per day, but only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. SO, have your people call my people.

Seriously, bringing him over here this morning, I didn’t know what to expect or who we would see. WOW, was Dad overwhelmed in a good way. Thanks to the over 100 people who heard word Dad was in the Cafe and took the time to come over. And thanks to the awesome folks there at the Cafe who brewed him some “Midnight Train” as soon as we rolled in. That’s Dad’s special blend here. Pretty neat. I hate it. It’s about as thick as twice reused motor oil. I think they use it to coat the bottom of the Space Shuttle, so that the tiles stay put for reentry. Anyway, it was amazing to watch Dad’s face when each person welcomed him back with exuberance and a gentle hug.

He just got pushed back here from his meeting. We are going to grab a quick bite and head over to see Mom. Then, this afternoon, we will get Dad walking a bit for exercise.

I am thankful for this time. It is hard. But it is rich. Togetherness really makes life beautiful, no matter how ugly the circumstance.

Please pray for Mom’s infection to heal. Please pray for her mind to keep healing everyday. It is going to be a long road before we can even determine where Mom will end up mentally and emotionally. Please pray for her bedsores. Please pray for the people who care for her there at the hospital to have wisdom and attentiveness.

Please pray for Dad. I think he is excited about having more freedom. I am proud of him for how hard he is working to get better. Please pray for his heart. You can pray for its physical health, but I mean Dad’s heart and outlook and feelings and perspective. Pray for him to have peace and comfort as he thinks of the accident, of Mom, of the guy who hit them, of the future, of the bills, and of the difficult road to recovery. He is doing better and better physically. He is beginning to more deeply process everything mentally and emotionally. Thanks for your prayers for him in that way.

I will post at you later. I reassured Dad yesterday that we are definitely walking through this alone. You all have been amazing. You are amazing, how you are being the church together to us.

Well, gonna head to get a bite and to see Mom. Love y’all.
-jason

Tuesday

“You can be sure that God

will take care of everything you need,

His generosity exceeding even yours

in the glory that pours from Jesus.”

~Philippians 4:19 MSG~

Mr. Walter Green Harper continues to progress since his heart surgery last week. Plans are being made for rehab when he is ready. The family is hoping he will be in Hammond for that. Continue to pray for Mr. Walter Green and “Miss” Maxine.

Ellen Trappey is taking a group for a former college where she was on staff to Equador. Pray for them as they travel.

Don Denton

Good morning! Sorry for the delay on update with Don. Once we arrived home from St. Louis, I went into “warp” speed mode to get the house ready and the party ready for birthday.

It was an exciting event for us. We had ballons everywhere and Joshua had one of his buddy’s over during the day. The time came for the party and we ended up having about 37 people arrive for the party. It was a celebration in many ways I should say. A celebration most important of Joshua’s birth. And then to see the faces of dear friends was the icing on the cake for me.

We are working toward getting back into routine again. It takes time to finally get unpacked and situated again. Don is very tired as expected. He is very weak with being in the hospital for the length of time that he was.

I hope to get him back into rehab again. His meds are not working to the level that we hope they will. It will take another week or two before that happens. Please pray that these meds will help Don with his dizziness.

I am working at getting more sleep these days. I have allot going on with getting back into routine, working and keeping everything running so to speak.

It is beautiful here. I love Spring and the weather just does something to me. I love it.

We have several doctor appointments this week. Pray that Don will be able to get back into rehab soon.

I will post soon.
Diane

Baptist Press

May 18, 2009

PAKISTAN–Pakistan fighting drives 1 million from homes. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30512

TENNESSEE–Video details torture Chinese Christian endured. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30513

WASHINGTON–Pro-lifers: Obama policies deny ‘common ground.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30514

MISSOURI–Q&A: Huckabee urges pro-life efforts. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30515

ALABAMA–Job Corps training changes lives. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30516

GEORGIA–Baptist Men, RA numbers jump 6 percent in 2008. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30517

TENNESSEE–Disaster relief pioneer Archie King dies. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30518

KENTUCKY–FIRST PERSON (R. Albert Mohler Jr.): Should Christians ‘respect’ other religions? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30519

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).

Mike Benson, Editor

NOTHING IS WORSE than the memory of a mistake…

It is like a haunting specter, hovering over your shoulder, constantly whispering one word in your ear: “Shame.” You find it hard to laugh, to hope, to dream. You know what you did. You know the pain you have caused. You cannot believe what you have allowed yourself to become.

Well, God has promised to set us free from our past and allow us to say, “I am JUST-IF-I’D NEVER SINNED!” Read Romans 3 and 4 and focus on this blessing and the two essentials that make it possible. (Dan Winkler)

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed,

being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

even the righteousness of God,

through faith in Jesus Christ,

to all and on all who believe.

For there is no difference;

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

being justified freely by His grace

hrough the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood,

through faith,

to demonstrate His righteousness,

because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins

that were previously committed,

to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness,

that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Where is boasting then?

It is excluded. By what law? Of works?

No, but by the law of faith.

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith

apart from the deeds of the law.

Or is He the God of the Jews only?

Is He not also the God of the Gentiles?

Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God

who will justify the circumcised by faith

and the uncircumcised through faith.

Do we then make void the law through faith?

Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.”

~Romans 3:21-31~

Continue to pray for Mrs. Catherine Kuss and her family. Some of them will be traveling today.

Anna Lee

Monday

“All the ends of the world shall remember

and turn to the Lord,

and all the families of the nations

shall worship before You,

for the kingdom is the Lord’s,

and He rules over the nations.”

~Psalm 22:27-28~

Annie Armstrong trivia: What percent of the people in North America (USA & Canada) are Christians? You can find the answer below.

Martha Traylor asks for pray as she goes to North Oaks for a nerve test on Thursday.

Grady Brecheen will have surgery at North Oaks Thursday.

The share group will meet at the Alford’s cabin at 6:30 Thursday. Feel free to join us for food, fellowship, and a devotional.

There will be a blood drive at FBC, Kentwood Saturday. You can sign up by calling the church office at 229-8111.

You can also call that number to get tickets for the fish dinner Thursday. The money earned will be used to support a mission trip to Canada in late June.

Speaking of June, Vacation Bible School will begin June 8th. Children four years old are elegible to attend. Registration will begin soon at church.

Have a great week!

Anna Lee

Twenty-five percent of North Americans are Christians. Seventy-five percent are NOT Christians. That means two hundred fifty-one million people in North America are not saved. Tha’t why we need to suppor the 5,500 North American Mission Board missionaries!

Sunday

“I have set an example for you,

so that you will do just what I have done for you”

~John 13:15 TEV~

Jimmy and Reita Dukes

This weekend I had the joy of Joshua coming with me to New Orleans. He has had a great time. We have seen the Mighty Mississippi, eaten, ran 2 miles, eaten some more, prayed in front of the seminary chapel and by the fountain together, and his favorite, we have visited with grandma and pop. This has been his wish for 6 weeks and finally it came true. It has been great for him and I think it has been good for mom and dad as well. I showed him the place Erin and I were engaged, martin chapel where we were married and the big chapel on seminary as well. We have not only had fun but hopefully we have bonded and learned somethings, both of us teaching the other.

Mom is still fighting infection. She has two antibiotics helping her. She moved her hands today both of them so that is all four distal extremities. Today when i came in early this am she was very bright and mouthed “good morning and i love you.” She listened, smiled, and winked as Joshua and i talked to her both yesterday and today. She is getting PT OT and speech therapy. Hopefully this week will she will get her cast off and maybe a new small splint. Also she will get her skull cap back on soon. She hopefully will be free of infection, which was a staph but not mrsa, and should be killed with the two antibiotic she is on, so that she can be moved to the BIRC

Dad continues to do well. He has gained strength as was evident today as we got to get in my truck and go see mom. He will be sent home monday to do PT and such by home health. He has started to work, which most of yall know is something that will only give him more strength. Being able to see mom daily will help him too.

Thank you for praying, for encouraging, for buying us meals, and donating to the nobts site to help mom and dad’s bills. Many of you have asked what you can do to help. Mom’s rehab and bills will mount and we may need a fund to take care of her in special ways for many years possibly. If this fund is not needed it will go towards a scholarship in their name. This is how Jason and I would suggest you help. Really God has blessed so much with all your support and we are overwhelmed by it even still, the 6th week.

Please continue to pray for them. Pray mom will speak, swallow, her swallowing study looked ok i was told, and move it move it, she’s got to move it move it. Pray the infection will be healed the one in her blood and the decubitus of her skin. Pray she will be able to find a way to travel to orlando and be accepted into the BIRC. Pray that dad will continue to be stronger and his bones would heal. Pray for strength for our families, that as our wives, who give so freely of themselves, that they will be filled with peace and strength as they take care of the kids and Jason and me. We are thankful for them and could not take care of our parents without them. Lastly pray for Jason and I as we continue to care for mom and dad and do all we are called to do in our real lives. As i said before we are still overwhelmed at the support, encouragement, and the people praying for us. It is unreal and it is what is working; supporting us and healing mom and dad. We can not thank you enough.

Have a great Lord’s Day! Be sure to give the day to Him!

Anna Lee

Friday Afternoon

I have been upped to 43 treatments from 38. I now have 8 down and 35 to go. going real good so far. Thanks for the prayers. Thanks Luther Ricks

Charles Flory “Charley” Kuss, Sr.
(April 19, 1925 – May 15, 2009)

U.S. Veteran Mr. Kuss went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, May 15, 2009 at 7:40 a.m. at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was a native of New Orleans, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 84 years. He was a U. S. Navy Pharmacist’s Mate Veteran of WWII and a deacon of First Baptist Church, Kentwood, LA. Visitation at First Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 9 a.m. on Saturday until religious services at 11:00AM Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Survived by wife, Kathryn Shaw Kuss, Kentwood, daughter, Bonnie Kelsey and husband, Mike, Amite, 2 sons, Charles F. Kuss, Jr. and wife, Betty, Rome, GA, Dr. Kit D. Kuss and wife, Charlotte, Valparaiso, FL, 8 grandchildren, Chris Kelsey & wife, Tracie , Cullman, AL, Brennan Kelsey & wife, Donna, Amite, Robyn Kelsey, Amite, Christian Kuss and wife, Tina, Rome, GA, Mary Kathryn Nichols & Justin, Ft. Collins, CO, Charles F. “Trey” Kuss, III, Rome, GA, Kristopher Kuss, Mobile, AL, Kelsey Kuss, Tallahassee, FL, 11 great-grandchildren, Zoe, Mike, & James Kelsey, Christian & Rosa Kathryn Kuss, Tyler, Justin, & Casey Proux, Kayla, Brennan, Jr., & Keegan Kelsey, 1 brother, Tom Kuss, Hammond. Preceded in death by parents, Joseph A. Kuss and Lydia Marie Flory Kuss, brother, Joseph Kuss, Jr. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Friday

“The Lord is far from the wicked,

but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”

~Proverbs 15:29~

Beth G. Lee sent this birth announcement and the Kentwood connections.

After over 24 hours of labor, Jeremy and Sarah Purvis are the proud parents of Kendra Nicole Purvis. She weighed 8 lbs 12 oz, 21.5 in long. Jeremy is currently Student Minister @ Hixson First Baptist Church, Hixson, Tennessee. The proud paternal grandparents are Rusty and Becky Purvis. Kendra’s Great-grandparents are the late Edsel and Mary Ann Graham and the late Dr. Ben Purvis.

Jimmy and Retia Dukes

We were late to the Zephyrs game Tuesday night. I forgot to mention it in yesterday’s post. I bring it back up, simply to share with you something Caleb said that meant a lot to me. I thought it would mean a lot to you.

This happened Tuesday night. We had ordered Dad’s supper after taking him for a walk, and Uncle Danny was going to pick it up. Both Caleb and I wanted to see Mom again before we went to the game. We were also hungry. Smoothie King sounded good. The Peanut Power Plus is always a good meal replacement. Or a good snack. Or a good dessert. It’s just plain good.

Anyway, we were turning into Smoothie King, and I told Caleb that we were going to be late for the game, but I really wanted to drive back over to see Mom before we went. Here was his response:

“That’s okay, Daddy. Moms are more important than games anyway.”

I love that kid.

Well, speaking of moms, yesterday afternoon (Wednesday), after I had posted the last post on Caring Bridge, Caleb and I went to see Mom. She was very interactive. I helped the nurse change her bed dressing, and then we just talked with her. Caleb and I tried to keep it to shake-the-head and nod-the-head questions or multiple choice. It was fun.

We were about to go in order to get back over and take Dad some supper, so we closed our time with what has become our normal routine. We washed our hands thoroughly, and then leaned over Mom and told her how much we loved her. When we did, she looked straight at Caleb and mouthed, “Bye, I love you.”

Only thing is that this time she did more than mouth. She has been wearing that valve that is supposed to help her begin to get used to air going up through her vocal cords again. I told you she made some coughing noises through it, but no talking yet. Until last night. She didn’t just mouth “Bye, I love you.” She said it. Air was translated into speech and noise was shaped into words through the valve!!!

We were elated. I leaned down over her and said, “You just said that, Mom! Like, you really talked!!! Do it again! Do it again!!!”

She had a big half-smile and a proud look in her eye like, “Yeah. I did that.”

Caleb had a HUGE grin. We tried to get her to say more stuff. She really tried. She struggled to form words again, but she didn’t. We didn’t care. She “spoke.” We were thankful. It was awesome!!!

That was the great news. Now, the not-so-great news. The BIRC in Orlando won’t accept Mom until her infection resolves. We anticipated that. It is totally understandable. It just means we have to wait a bit longer to see when it resolves. The doctors have Mom on two different antibiotics, and their gut feeling is that within the next two weeks she should either be over it or show signs of being over it. Please pray it will be so. With Dad about to be shifted from in-patient rehab to out-patient rehab, being in Orlando would be best for him to have his own bed and his own bathroom and his own focus on being with Mom as we walk through this long journey together.

Don’t get me wrong. Being here has been amazing. The love poured out by family and friends here in New Orleans has been way beyond anything we could have ever imagined. Thank you so much to all of you from the Seminary and the surrounding church families. We can’t ever thank you enough. It has been such a joy to hear all of the stories from all of you of the many ways Mom and Dad touched your lives in their 30 plus years of being in this area. We’re not trying to rush away from this.

We are just trying to get Mom into a center that has been highly recommended to us that we believe will be the best for her health and recovery. In fact, we have in our church family in Orlando a young woman who has been through that very center and has recovered from a traumatic brain injury. She has been a huge encouragement to us, along with so many others. So, we are not trying to rush out of New Orleans. Just trying to get Mom toward her next step and the best care possible.

Besides, there is no Copeland’s or Praline Connection or an abundance of scallops (whatever they are) in Orlando. There is Mickey Mouse. Mom and Dad’s home. That brain center. Four of Mom and Dad’s grandkids. And my wife and kids. I miss them a lot. Mom and Dad do, too.

They miss time with Bill and Brenda. They miss eating out together and then chilling on the couch, laughing at some of those outlandish sit-coms Mom likes. Dad misses his shower head. It’s actually pretty cool – like a rain shower. Most importantly, they simply miss each other.

When we were trying to get Mom to talk, I asked her to tell me what she wanted me to tell Dad. She didn’t “speak” it, but she mouthed, “Tell him I love him.”

Dad could get discharged Monday. If he does, it will change a lot schedule-wise and need-wise. It will definitely be a positive, though, at least in one very significant way. Dad will get to see that woman who told me to tell him she loves him. Almost everyday if not everyday. That’d be special.

One thing I wanted to comment on and get some feedback from y’all. Many of you have left comments about the med-flight stuff for Mom. Erik and I really appreciate it. Here’s what we have found out from your comments and from some research over the last few weeks.

Angel Med-Flight is a free air-transportation service for patients who need high-quality medical care that they can’t get to easily. However, from what we understand, patients are required to be able to walk onto the plane and buckle themselves up. We were told by several sources that there is currently not a free flight service for patients who cannot get themselves on and off the plane without significant help. For example, Mom would need to be transported in a bed or stretcher. She would not be able to sit up that long and withstand the inertia of flying.

There are companies who offer this service and try to do so affordably. In fact, we are looking deeply into two options. The case worker from one of those companies is communicating with Mom’s case worker at the hospital, trying to get Mom and Dad’s insurance to pay for it. Also, we are working with an extended family member who has a friend in the med-flight industry. This is a promising situation, and they are offering the service at a fairly low cost. We are looking into both and trying to fully understand each option.

Please pray for us to have wisdom. And, pray for Mom to get remarkably better between now and when her infection resolves. That’s when she would be ready for the med-flight transfer to Orlando.

Thanks again to everyone who has been looking into this stuff with us and for us. It really means a lot. Please comment back with suggestions and helpful thoughts if you have them.

This afternoon will be fun. Dad’s facility gave us a pass again so that I can load him up in the Civic with Caleb and me and take him over to see Mom. I can’t wait!

He is in therapy right now. Two sessions were before lunch. Then a quick lunch. Then two more sessions. He will be tuckered out for sure. We are planning on making an afternoon and evening of it -seeing Mom, then grabbing supper with some family and friends before we bring him back.

Please pray for safety of travel and transfer in and out of the car as we go. Also, please pray that Mom would “say” something to Dad. That would rock the house!!!

By the way, Jen and I were talking last night on the phone about her day yesterday with the girls. She mentioned something that really grabbed me. I am sharing it with you in case it might encourage you, as well. I blogged about it on my blog. Even made a video about it for the girls. If you get a chance, click here to check it out. (http://jasoncdukes.wordpress.com/) Maybe enjoy the pictures, and then watch it again to especially listen to the words of the song. Please pass it on, also, to young women whom you think it might encourage.

I love and appreciate you. Post at you later.
-jason

KOMpray

http://www.imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=6686&LanguageID=1709

Be sure to notice the age of the last MK.

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

FOR THE FIRST time in your life, Western Oregon University’s Sara Tucholsky not only hit a home run in a game against Central Washington University, but she hit it over the fence…

She had passed first base and was on her way to second base when she collapsed. Something had happened to her knee and she couldn’t run. No one on her team could help her around the bases because if they touched her, she’d be out. That’s when her opponents from Central Washington picked her up and carried her around the bases and across the home plate. “My whole team was crying. It touched a lot of people,” says Tucholsky.

This devotional will be shared with co-workers who helped me with a big project at school yesterday. I know they touched me when they shouldered some of my “burden”!

Anna Lee

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Eugene N. Strong
(December 15, 1919 – May 12, 2009)

Eugene N. Strong

The picture was not available when I posted Mr. Strong’s obituary.

Thursday

“‘Teacher,’ he asked,

‘Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus answered, ”Love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

This is the greatest and the most important commandment.

The second most important commandment is like it: ‘

Love your neighbor as you love yourself.””

~Matthew 22:36-39 TEV~

It’s graduation time! Pray for the graduates as important decisions are made in their lives.

Mr. Walter Green Harper had heart surgery yesterday in Lacombe. Pray for him as he recovers and his family as they stay by his side.

Don Denton

Good news! Don will get to go home on Thursday. We have a good rapore with our neurologist. She really is doing everything to help Don. I like her ability to see the big picture for us.

So, Joshua and I will go home earlier and open up the house.

And we will settle in and start to celebrate Don coming home and then of course Joshua’s birthday.

Don home on Thursday and Joshua’s birthday Friday. Joshua’s party will actually be on Saturday. That is cutting it a little close don’t you think. Hey, it is what we prayed for that Don would be able to be home for this.

It means so much to Don to be home for this. WE have allot going on with doctor appointments next week. We are excited that this new drug may work. We will know within the next three weeks.

I will update soon.

Diane

Jimmy and Retia Dukes

It’s amazing what you celebrate when expectations transform into expectancy. It’s true in every relationship and every situation. I admit, that thought is not original to me. The author of The Shack communicated it during one of the conversations between Sarayu and Mack. The relational and circumstantial implications are significant, especially with regard to a very driven man, driving a walker, with a drive to walk again.

Expectancy to see Dad walking again leads to celebration, even when he walks only 286 feet. Expectation to walk two miles would allow someone to be disappointed with a fraction of a mile. Much like our normally inflated, selfish expectations of God and our spouses and friends and our circumstances. But oh to celebrate instead of being disappointed. To approach each relationship and circumstance with selflessness and expectancy. Expectant of what might happen in the next session. On the next date. As a result of the next resolved argument. When the next difficulty comes.

286 feet matter a lot more when there’s expectancy rather than expectation.

That’s how far Dad walked with his walker Monday afternoon. As Caleb declared that evening, “That’s a record, Pop!!!” And it was.

Dad only had one PT session yesterday (Tuesday). Caleb and Dad and I were picked up at 12:30 by the wheelchair van and taken to a Neurology appointment for Dad’s neck. Caleb really enjoyed the van ride, especially when it stopped, and he got to ride on the wheelchair ramp with Pop. When we got delivered back to Dad’s facility, the driver even let Caleb control the ramp with the push-buttons. Pretty cool.

The news delivered by neurology was not exactly what Dad was wanting to hear. One more month in the neck collar. Erik told me why last night. Dad’s records were sent to Erik’s clinic, and he got to look at the CT of Dad’s neck from when Dad was at University. Not good. Pretty much fractured the column in his neck. Like “why wasn’t Dad in a coma or battling paralysis” kind of fracture. For real. Erik wasn’t surprised they said one more month. I saw the XRay yesterday, and it made a lot of sense.

Speaking of XRays, they wanted him to do more of his neck while we were there, too. They will compare them with the ones later when he comes back for the follow-up.

We got back to his facility, and we found out they are expecting to discharge Dad Monday. We were a bit disappointed to hear that. See what expectation does to you. But, we are working on either changing that or making an alternate plan. We are working hard on getting Mom transferred to Orlando. Dad would obviously transfer, as well. We’ll see what the timing of all that is.

Speaking of Mom, she had a really busy day Tuesday. They used a lifting mechanism to safely lift her out of bed and into a special, reclining wheelchair. They wheeled her down to the PT room to enjoy the view and do some exercises. They asked her to do some leg kicks while sitting in the wheelchair. SHE DID TWO SETS OF FIVE!!! The therapists said she did really well. She started sweating a lot, and the nurse asked them to return her to bed. Mom didn’t want to, but she didn’t have much choice. She can’t put up a fight right yet. She doesn’t like to sweat anyway.

She is wearing the Passy Muir Valve full-time now. It partially redirects the air back up through her vocal cords, helping her to get ready to do that all the time. They put the order in for speech therapy, too. I will let you know how that goes. She still hasn’t “said” anything to us. She has been mouthing things, but not “saying” stuff.

She was super tired last night, asleep when we stopped by.

This morning, we got there early enough to see both her ortho doctor and her internal medicine doctor there at the hospital. The ortho doctor told Caleb and me that they would take off her arm cast today. He said she would wear a splint for a little while. The internal med doctor said she is getting better and better, small progressions, but better nonetheless. He is hopeful and wants neurology to give us an idea of the timeline for putting Mom’s skull piece back on her head. He agreed that she would transfer much more safely with it on than without it on. We will let you know.

The infectious disease doctor came by, too. He told me that Mom has an infection in her blood, her urine, and the stuff she is coughing up. Not cool. He did say, though, it is not MRSA. It is something like it, but not as bad – coagulate negative staph. Still sounds negative to me. I’d like to beat it with a staff, and whatever germ caused it. He assured me that the two drugs they are using to treat it should be effective.

The wound care specialist informed me that Mom’s bedsore on her head is getting better. They are not sure hair will grow there ever again. It is about 3 inches by 3 inches on the lower left backside of her head. I am thankful it is getting better. I would rather better with no hair than out-of-control infection.

The news on the bedsore on her bottom is not good. It is deep enough now to expose the bone. It has been excavated (not something you want done on your body, unless you are in Israel), and the wound care specialist began a vacuum treatment on it this morning. Supposed to be the utmost of care – the best thing they can do. She described the bedsore as stage 4. I was hoping that was 4 out of 444. It wasn’t. 4 out of 4. “Very serious,” she stated. Please pray that the vacuum treatment will promote rapid healing. She believes it will. We have been very impressed with the wound care specialist. She has taken great care of Mom.

Please pray for the technicians to be faithful to turn Mom at least every two hours as they have been instructed to. The wound care specialist does not believe they have been. Erik and I do not believe so, either. We have all called it to the staff’s attention. Please pray for the techs and nurses to make it a priority.

We have connected the case worker from Mom’s hospital with the brain center in Orlando, as well as with a MedFlight group. We may not go with that group, because a friend may have another group willing to help us. We are looking into it. It’s great that the case workers are in dialogue, though. It is the next step. Pray for them to have wisdom as they review all the files. Mom’s chart is now very large, so it will take some time for them to give us their answer. We are praying for favor for sure!

Mom and Dad both now have 7 inch digital frames in their rooms. We loaded 71 images of all eight grandkids and our families for them to enjoy five seconds at a time. They both seem to really appreciate it. It is fun to watch them scroll through. Lots of memories.

Caleb and I enjoyed the baseball game last night. The Zephyrs lost 9 to 7 to the Tacoma Rainiers. I am figuring they are from Washington state, or from some place here in Louisiana on the bayou that rains a lot. One of those. Great game, though. Caleb even got to meet Boudreaux, the Zephyrs mascot. And, the catcher threw him a ball coming back into the dugout at the end of a half-inning. He was super excited!

You can view two pictures of Caleb at the game along with several pictures of Dad in therapy on my blog. Click here to see them.

Thanks for your continued prayers and letters and facebook messages and twitters and emails and so much more. We really, really appreciate your love and support.

I will post at you later.
-jason

Edna Strickland Hughes
(January 4, 1920 – May 13, 2009)

Died on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at her home during her sleep. She was a native of Pike County, MS and a resident of Greensburg, LA. Age 89 years. She was a homemaker and was active in genealogy. She loved her family and found “relatives” at every turn.

Visitation will be at Bluff Springs Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2009. Interment Bluff Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Magnolia, MS.

She is survived by her son and granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. C. Hughes.

Eugene N. Strong
(December 15, 1919 – May 12, 2009)

Died at 1:55 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg. He was a native of Roseland and a resident of Hillsdale. Age 89 years. He was a U. S. Navy Veteran of World War II and a member of Kedron Baptist Church. Visitation at Kedron Baptist Church, Amite, from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Thursday. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer. Interment Kedron Cemetery, Amite. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Ann Holcombe Brooks and husband, John, Jackson, Sonya Newcomb, Greensburg; 2 sons, Ronald Strong and wife, Faye, Albany and Michael Strong and wife, Penny, Amite; sister, Carrie Desplas, Metairie; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mable Sharkey Strong; daughter, Pam Easley; 2 infant sons, Claude Earl Strong and David Emmitt Strong; 2 grandsons, Scott Holcombe and Timothy Easley; parents, James Nelson Strong and Carrie Jackson Strong; brother, John H. Strong; 2 sisters, Laura S. Durnin and Margaret S. Marquette.

Baptist Press

May 13, 2009

WASHINGTON–White House responds to abstinence uproar. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30483

WASHINGTON–In personal letter, Obama says he wants to overturn ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30484

GEORGIA–God ‘responded’ for Rick Gage crusade. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30485

MISSOURI–Lay Renewal Weekends lift churches to higher level. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30486

TENNESSEE–RESOURCE: Couple recounts parenting ‘adventure.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30487

KANSAS–FIRST-PERSON (Phil Boatwright): A solution to block TV profanity? http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30488

===== Wednesday’s Thought For The Day (May 13, 2009) =====

SEEKING THE LOST

A golfer, playing a round by himself, is about to tee off, and a greasy little salesman runs up to him, and yells, “Wait! Before you tee off, I have something really amazing to show you!”

The golfer, annoyed, says, “What is it?”

“It’s a special golf ball,” says the salesman. “You can never lose it!”

“Whattaya mean,” scoffs the golfer, “you can never lose it? What if you hit it into the water?”

“No problem,” says the salesman. “It floats, and it detects where the shore is, and spins towards it.”

“Well, what if you hit it into the woods?”

“Easy,” says the salesman. “It emits a beeping sound, and you can find it with your eyes closed.”

“Okay,” says the golfer, impressed. “But what if your round goes late and it gets dark?”

“No problem, sir, this golf ball glows in the dark! I’m telling you, you can never lose this golf ball!”

The golfer buys it at once. “Just one question,” he says to the salesman. “Where did you get it?”

“I found it!”

Maybe someday someone will invent a golf ball that can never be lost, but until then we will all have to deal with losing things — golf balls, car keys, glasses, etc. We also have to deal with a lost humanity. I find it interesting that the one term Jesus used most often to describe those who are outside of Christ is the word “lost”.

In Luke 15, Jesus elaborated on this idea by telling three parables — the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost (prodigal) son. The point has often been made that those three parables demonstrate three different ways of being lost — through unintentional wandering (the sheep), through the negligence of someone else (the coin), or through willful disobedience (the son).

However, the point of those three parables is not so much about our lostness as they are about the fact that our God is willing to search for us and bring us back into a relationship with Him. If we will truly see the world around us as “lost”, it will change our perspective as well. Think about the last time you knew of a child that was missing. When a child is lost, we don’t ask what race the child is. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! We don’t ask the child’s economic status. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! We don’t ask what the child may or may not have done wrong. It doesn’t matter — the child is lost! All that matters is that we find that child and bring him/her home safely.

Seeing a world around us as “lost” will change the way we see them. The scribes and Pharisees looked at the tax collectors and sinners and saw terrible, ugly people. Jesus saw people who were lost. All that mattered to him was that he bring them home safely.

“For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Father, thank you for diligently searching for me and for bringing me home to you. Fill me with your love so that I may care enough to seek out those around me who are lost. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

“I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind, but now I see!”

Anna Lee