Pray for holiday travelers as some are traveling home today.
Read the Bible Every Day
Yesterday. November 25
Ezekiel 34:1-36:12
Psalm 133:1-134:3
Proverbs 28:26-28
I Peter 4:12-5:14
Today, November 26
Ezekiel 36:13-37:28
Psalm 135:1-7
Proverbs 29:1-3
II Peter 1:1-21
Obituaries
I apologize for not posting TPL yesterday. My first cousin, Fran Widas Hebert, passed away at North Oaks during the night. I left early to go to her sister’s house in Roseland. Arrangements will be made Monday morning.
Today, I am thankful for cousins. I only had six on my mother’s side of the family and none on my daddy’s side of the family. I was the oldest. Of my six cousins, three lived in Roseland where I lived and three moved around as their daddy served in various churches. Three of my cousins are now deceased. Two live in Roseland and one in Texas. The last times I saw her was at funerals.
I realize how important cousins are as you grow up and as you grow old. I hope you still have some cousins too.
I’m thankful for my cousins. I hope you are thankful for your cousins too!
Today is a great day in America. It is a national holiday that recognizes how God has blessed us as a country, families, and individuals. Above all else, thank God for your blessings today.
Family, many family members are here filling to overflowing the house and the cabin. How blessed we are!
I will leave you with thoughts of God, our country, family and lots of family and personal blessings. Tell God how thankful you are all throughout the day.
Today is the day before Thanksgiving. Today, I am thankful for family. We have eight extra people now. Three more are coming today and two after that. Yes, we are blessed!
I pray David and I can always stand firm in our faith and set a good example for our family. I cannot think of anything that is better to leave behind us.
I pray you can also stand firm every day as you set an example for your family.
Read the Bible Every Day
November 27
Ezekiel 32:17-33:33
Psalm 132:13-18
Proverbs 23:23-25
I Peter 3:13-4:11
Obituary
Brandon Cord Hammons
July 19, 1966 – November 19, 2024
Brandon Cord Hammons, 58, resident of Independence, LA was called to his eternal home on November 19, 2024. Brandon was diagnosed with CJD on November 2, 2024 and spent his last days surrounded by friends and family. Brandon was born at 7th Ward Hospital in Hammond on July 19, 1966 to Jon Hammons and Camille Russell. He attended Oak Forest Academy and graduated 1984. During those 13 years of school he developed many lifetime friendships that we cherish today. After high school, he had a short stint in the navy where he visited over 32 countries. Brandon was always a people person and enjoyed working in sales before getting his Master Plumbing license and started his own company. Brandon will be remembered for his passion for God, family, friends, and animals; as well as, his eclectic taste in music, unique sense of style, love for his LSU Tigers and of course softball. Brandon was preceded in death by his grandfather, Haynie Phillips; his uncle, Howell Phillips; grandmother, Emma Phillips; paternal grandparents, Joe Lee and Uda Hammons; aunt, Billy Joe Ann Estess; and step-father, Lawrence “Pap” Russell. Brandon is survived by his father, Jon Hammons (Lou); his mother, Camille Russell; brothers, Hagen Hammons and Jason Lasseigne; wife, Tanya Hammons; 3 daughters, Cannan, Banner, and Gyvan Hammons; aunt, Elane Phillips; cousins, Scotch Phillips and Kandy Woods.
Brandon was 24 when he met his soulmate, Tanya, who was 19 and the two married in May of 1993. They were blessed to raise 3 beautiful daughters, Cannan Carr, Banner Bell, and Gyvan ‘Mille, who filled their lives with opportunities for more loving friendships through school, church, and sports. We will always remember his laugh, generosity, creative ideas, unique pet names and common sayings like Cool Man! and Geaux Tigers! He continues to give even in death by donating his brain to the CJD Foundation to further the research and awareness of this devastating disease.
Please join us to honor Brandon with a celebration of his vibrant life on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Harvest World Outreach, 16509 Florida Blvd. Holden, LA 70744, from 10:00AM until memorial services at 11:00AM. As a reflection of Brandon’s love for LSU and awareness of CJD, the family asks attendees to leave the suit and tie at home and wear your purple and gold attire. We thank everyone for their fervent prayers of healing and although we don’t always understand, we trust that God will use this for something better. Brandon loved God and desired to be close to him. So love Big like B, spend time with friends and family, make memories, be someone’s biggest fan, learn more about Jesus, let your light shine so another life can be saved; and you will see him again. “For those who have trusted Christ, death has no sting.” 1 Corinthians 15:55
In lieu of flowers, the family thanks you for all the blessings already given through the GO Fund Me, church, and t-shirt orders. If you still wish to give please donate to the CJD foundation or the Harvest Ministry to continue spreading love in his honor. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
(My personal note:. Because I was a teacher from Roseland where the family was living at the time, I was asked to take Brandon and later, Hagan, to school each morning. I did this for several years. When the boys got older, I was one of their teachers. I have good memories of Brandon’s love for music and his gift for talking. I knew nothing about and big personality that reminded me frequently of his presence.)
Operation Christmas Child
Think about this. The cartons of shoeboxes for boys and girls have already arrived in Dallas and probably have been processed sending them on their long journey to boys and girls at a destination I do not yet know. Pray for the children who will receive the boxes and for their families that they may come to know and love God through the classes they will have the opportunity to attend to learn of Him.
Today, I am thankful to have completed another year of Operation Christmas Child and another year of serving as the local drop-0ff location for our area. I’m also thankful to say our children and grandchildren will be here soon. They will arrive today through Sunday and leave Sunday through Tuesday. I am blessed we will have everyone here for a portion of the coming week.
I hope you also have some special plans for celebrating Thanksgiving.
Take time to thank God for His blessings in, on, and through you and your family.
Services for Brandon Hammons from his brother, Hagan:
Saturday November 30
Harvest World Outreach
16509 Florida Blvd.
Holden, LA 70744
Visitation 10-11
Service 11-12:30
Food & fellowship following
This is not a formal event, rather All are encouraged to wear LSU FIGHTING TIGER COLORS
Thanks and see you all there
Read the Bible Every Day
November 26
Ezekiel 30:9-32:16
Psalm 132:6-12
Proverbs 28:19-22
I Peter 2:18-3:12
Life doesn’t have to be perfect for you to be thankful.
Good Morning. Let’s make today a great day/week for others. That means we might have to be purposeful to plan to do just that and not just expect it to happen.
Read the Bible Every Day
November 25
Ezekiel 28:1-30:8
Psalm 131:1-132:5
Proverbs 28:15-18
I Peter 1:22-2:17
OCC – Last Day for Drop-Off Locations
This morning, all drop off locations will be available for the final time in 2024. We will be available from 8:00-10:00 at FBC, Kentwood. Then, our last donations will be taken to Hammond, our collection center. When all of today’s boxes are taken to the collection centers, they are loaded on 18-wheelers for a ride to Dallas to one of eight processing centers. There, the boxes will have liquids and other non-shippables removed and boxes taped closed. The next step is to travel by boats, airplanes, trucks, cars, carts, hoseback, camelback, and or human backs, etc, to the next destination which has already been determined.
Each site knows when their boxes are to arrive and how many they will receive. A party has been planned and specific children have been invited. That determines which boxes go to which locations.
The children sing, listen to Bible stories, have light refreshments, etc. THEN, THEY ARE ALL GIVEN A BOX TO HOLD UNTIL EVERYONE GETS A BOX.
All the boxes are opened at the same time. Bibles and booklets in the local language are also distributed. The older children are invited to return for a series of Bible stories/lessons similar to Sunday School or VBS. That’s where a trained worker shares lessons about Jesus!
Each shoebox will impact an average of eight people! That means if you ship 100 shoeboxes, eight hundred people will hear about Jesus, have an opportunity to be saved, and then learn about having Jesus live in their hearts on a daily basis, just like in our lives.
That last paragraph is why shoeboxes are so important to me! The items we put in the shoeboxes are good, but having Jesus in their hearts is the greatest!
Prayer Focus
Let’s pray for the shoeboxes as they leave our area and make the journey to the children.
Announcement
FBC, Kentwood will not have church Wednesday night so families can be together. I do not know of scheduling plans for other churches. Be sure to check with your church about mid-week services.
OBITUARY
Willis Wendell Cox
September 16, 1940 – November 24, 2024
Willis Wendall Cox, 84, of Amite, passed from this life peacefully surrounded by his family, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital on November 24, 2024. Known as “Billy” to many. He was a man who believed in having a hard work ethic, integrity. He had a profound love and devotion to his family and faith. His loyalty to the LSU Tigers was unmatched. As such, he spent his final hours listening to his beloved Tigers claim a final victory for him. He was born September 16, 1940. Mr. Cox worked his entire life driving barges down the mighty Mississippi serving as deckhand, pilot, and ultimately captain before his retirement in 2001. Following his retirement, he traveled across the country in his motorcoach alongside his loving wife, Nelda. He visited many beautiful places but none so cherished as his lifelong residence. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Nelda Faye Grace Cox; two sisters, Joann Cox and Mary Joyce McAdams; daughter, Tonya Ainsworth Currier; Son and daughter-in-law, Edward Dwayne Ainsworth and Darlene; Son and daughter-in-law James Scott Ainsworth, and Peggy. Known as Pappy and Paw Paw, he is also survived by his 6 grandchildren Melissa Brooke Simon (Jeremiah), James “Scoot” Scott Ainsworth, Jr., Willis Edward Ainsworth (Tricia), Jessica Ainsworth Bennett (David), Charley Katherine Currier DeBlanc (Chris), and Samuel Trey Currier; 12 great grandchildren, Hunter and Beaux Simon; Camden and Sawyer Ainsworth; Jordan, Jaclyn, and Jarrod Ainsworth; Savannah, Mackenzie, and David Bennett; Judah and Gianna DeBlanc. He was preceded in death by his father, Willis Louis Cox; mother, Ozzie Walker Cox; and one brother, Truett Paul Cox; and brother-in-law, Ernest L. McAdams, Jr.; 2 great grandchildren Joliet and Kade Ainsworth. Friends will be received at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Interment will follow at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery, Amite, Louisiana. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and St. Tammany Parish Hospital Hospice Team of Covington for their professionalism, support, and compassionate care provided to Willis and extended to his family during his final days.
At this time, there is no obituary for Brandon Hammons.
Good morning to all of you. I hope you are having a great beginning to this Lord’s Day and are planning to attend church so you can study and worship Him.
Thankfulness-Day 24
I am thankful for each person of all ages who attends church with me, with you, and in all the other churches.
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s pray for those who lead us as we study God’s Word and for all those who study and worship with us.
Read the Bible Every Day
November 24
Ezzekiel 26:7-27:36
Psalm 130:1-8
Proverbs 28:12-14
I Peter 1:1-21
Operation Christmas Child
We only have two more days to collect shoeboxes from other churches.
Sunday -4:00-6:00
Monday – 8:00-10:00
From the drop-off churches, the shoeboxes will travel to their next location (Hammond for us) where they will be unloaded and then loaded into an 18-wheeler that will leave today to transport them to Dallas. There, they will be unloaded and prepared for shipping. Boxes will be counted and grouped before being sent on to their final destination where adults are trained and prepared to teach lessons about Jesus.
Isn’t it amazing? Those small boxes carry lots of love from us and also the love of God for them to experience. I am so blessed to have a part in this process.
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3 NIV
Prayer Focus
If you are a person who completed your work week yesterday, be thankful. You probably have Saturday and Sunday off. If you must still work today, be thankful that you have a job. Work well today. Work and earn your pay. Serve the Lord on His day!
Thankfulness
Today, I am thankful to do many things. I had a dear friend, Mrs. Anniebel Harrell, who told me that even though she could not do so many of the things she had gladly done for many years as she took care of her family, her yard, and her house, she could and did do something that was of great importance. She could PRAY! If I ever get limited like that and forget to be thankful, please, remind me! I hope I can still pray for my family, my church, my friends, etc.
Today is Day 23. What are you thankful for?
Operation Christmas Child
We only had one church to deliver shoeboxes yesterday, but we are thankful for them. Their boxes are in cartons and ready to place in the trailer Monday. That’s when we turn in the remailing shoeboxes for 2024.
Schedule for last days:
Saturday 10:00-Noon
Sunday 4:00-6:00
Monday. 8:00-10:00
(We have already sent a trailer load of cartons of boxes to Hammond. We always make two trips, with the second one being Monday Hopefully, it you are bringing items Monday, you will come early because we will be working to fill the trailer and complete all the paperwork before taking everything to Hammond.)
I’m thankful for the extra items that were turned in as FILLER and have already included that filler with filler from our church. (No church names are written on the boxes.) If you haven’t brought your boxes yet, pack up your excess items in plastic bags for us to send in as FILLER. I have purple “FILLER” labels ready for your items. We will accept your FILLER as long as we are working.
The FILLER will be used by the processing center in Dallas to add to boxes they needed to remove something from, such as toothpaste, that is not allowed or if the box was too full. Sometimes we purchase items that are too big, like a doll. If the processing center cannot use your filler, they will pass it on to another location, such as a hospital playroom for children who are patients. They will gladly put it to use.
Read the Bible Today
November 23
Ezekiel 24:6-26:6
Psalm 129:1-8
Proverbs 28:9-11
James 5:1-20
Obituary
Ouida Parker Dykes
March 23, 1936 – November 21, 2024
Ouida’s Obituary
Ouida Fay Parker Dykes, age 88, of Kentwood went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 21, 2024. She was born on March 23, 1936 to Rev. H.C. and Eunice Parker in Crosby, Mississippi.
Ouida moved to the East Fork community as a teenager when her father was called to pastor East Fork Baptist Church. She often shared her memory of sitting on the porch of the parsonage and telling her sister, “yall can stay here if you want to, but I’m not!” Turns out, she never left. She graduated from Spring Creek High School. Ouida met Charles N. Dykes Sr. when he returned from his military service in Germany, and (by his recollection) promptly declared “I am going to marry him”. They were married and built a little yellow brick house in East Fork – just next to the church that she had planned to leave as soon as she was able. Together, they had three children, eight grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Ouida was the school secretary (also, nurse, teacher’s therapist, sippy stand money counter, substitute teacher scheduler, and many other roles) at Spring Creek Elementary for 30 years. She was known for her kind and caring spirit – she took care of people. She took care of her family as well. She cooked countless meals in the kitchen of the little yellow brick house – with only a couple of minor fires. She fed Charles, her children, her siblings, lots of pastors and their families, and the grandchildren. Mawmaw Ouida was known for “rolling out” a pan of biscuits, spooning the bacon grease on top of the fried eggs, chicken fried steak, chicken and dumplings, roast with rice and gravy, crawfish etouffee, and ALL the cakes and pies. She loved the Lord, and it was evident by the way she loved people – a life well lived.
The visitation will be 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Sunday, November 24, 2024 at East Fork Baptist Church, Kentwood. Visitation will continue at the church on Monday, November 25, 2024, 9:00 a.m. until funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jay Avance officiating. The burial will be at East Fork Cemetery.
She is proceeded in death by her husband of 57 years, Charles N. Dykes Sr.; parents Rev. H.C. and Eunice Knight Parker, and stepmother Ruby Parker; sisters, Doris Cabler, Eloise Lambert, Betty Bankston; brothers, H.C. Parker Jr., Harold Parker, and Charles Parker.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her children Charlotte Alford (Tim), Mindy Klinger (Michael), Charles N. Dykes Jr. (Rachel); grandchildren Jesse Alford (Molly), Jeremy Alford (Whitney), Carrie Dunn (Joe), Kyle King (Nikki), Kady King, Caleb Dykes (Jordan), Nicholas Dykes (Kristie), Ethan Dykes; 14 great grandchildren; sister, Patricia Rushing; and loving caregivers, Carolyn Romero, and Barbara Brown.
Pallbearers will be Jesse Alford, Jeremy Alford, Kyle King, Caleb Dykes, Nicholas Dykes, Ethan Dykes, and Eli Alford.
Don’t forget your Sunday School Lesson.
We are finishing up our study of Acts today. You will also need to pick up new literature for next Sunday.
Let’s pray for shoeboxes as they are collected across the country today. Pray for the packer, all those whose hands the shoeboxes go through, and for the recipient. We had a good day at the drop-off location at Kentwood yesterday. Pray for more shoeboxes to be delivered to us today and to many other locations. Thank God for the volunteers who have served in our drop-off center each.
Schedule for Drop-Off at FBC Kentwood
Today – 2-4 P.M.
Saturday – 10-12 Noon
Sunday 4-6 P.M.
Monday- 8-10 A.M.
Read the Bible Every Day
November 22
Ezekiel 23:1-24:5
Psalm 128:1-6
Proverbs 28:6-8
James 3:13-4:17
THANKFULNESS – Day 22
Today, I am thankful for pastors and volunteers from each church who deliver boxes to drop-off locations. Help me pray for those who serve in this important role for churches.
Scripture for Sunday’s Lesson
Acts 27:31-44
As you study, pray for your teacher and all the other teachers.
The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”
Today, I am thankful for those who purchase items for the schoboxes. They vary from individuals to families to classes. I am thnkful to each one.
OCC
We are thankful for those who come to help us move shoeboxes from cars to the building, pack them into the cartons, number them, and organize them for storage until they are moved into a trailer. Yesterday afternoon, we added a new thankfulness. Our men worked on a new church van and a new and larger church trailer to get a hitch installed so they can be used today. Then, they placed 57 large carton into the trailer and placing them “just right” for their next move to a conveyor belt in Hammond today. Thank you, men!
Today we will be collecting in the church fellowship hall from 10-12. All shoebox packers are invited to come during that time.
Prayer Focus for Today
Pray for cartons of shoeboxes as they make the journey to the collection site from various drop-off sites. May God watch over the drivers, vehicles, trailers, cartons, and individual boxes that have been filled.
Thank God for the churches, contributors, shoppers, packers, and delivers. Many people are involved in the wonderful and organized process. Thank God for each one.
As we get some cooler days, let’s pray for people whose homes are not warm in the winter. Pray they will find a way to improve their conditions. Pray we will be fast to help anyone who needs some help.
Be sure to scroll down into the black section and read some of those recent articles too.
OCC Collection Week
We had two OCC area leaders visit yesterday. No area churches came to drop-off their boxes. Today, Wednesday, we will be waiting from 4-6 P.M. for churches to bring shoeboxes.
I am thankful for the dedicated volunteers who gave of their time to wait for more boxes. I think they fit the description of someone who is “is available”.
CORRECTION
The papes hanging on doors at the church has the wrong time for Monday. We will follow our usual schedule and work from 8-10. The Samaritan’s Purse website is correct. If you are waiting until Monday to turn in your boxes, please bring them to us from 8-10 A.M. Our boxes will join with thousands of other boxes for the ride to Dallas for the processing center.
Death
With sadness, I report that Brandon Hammons passed away yesterday. Pray for Brandon’s parents, wife, and three daughters, as well as his brother. An obituary is not available yet.
The Prayer Link 
You must be logged in to post a comment.