“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Rend your heart and not your garments.

Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

~Joel 2:12-13~

Updates

Bobby Simpson is having long therapy times each day and progressing. Later, he will have outpatient therapy in Hammond and then in Greensburg. Pray for him and for Betty and other family members.
Tom Brister‘s second procedure went well. He is resting and trying to be still now. Thank you for praying for him.
Bessie Hayden is home. She seems to be doing okay in her battle with diabetes. Keep praying.
Several of our oldest friends are experiencing health concerns now. Please pray for sweet friends facing these problems and their family members.

Read the Bible

Deut. 29-30
Eccl. 3:1-8
John 1

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

Tuesday at 11 A.M. – “Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party at The Cafe

There will be no Bible study this week due to Easter, but the following Friday we will be studying Romans 3.

Some churches will have Easter musical presentations today. I hope you get to experience one of them.

Happy Palm Sunday. “Relive” the Easter week this week.

Anna Lee

“Come, let us return to the LORD.

He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.

After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.

~Hosea 6:1-2~

Pray for Tom Brister as he has another procedure to stop a brain bleed. His first procedure went well. Let’s pray the second one, today, does as well.

Please say special prayers for Mr. Phillip Harrell and his family, especially for “Miss” Annie Bell and for their children. Mr. Phillip is back in Stoney Point.

Continue to pray for Yvonne Birch as she recovers from her procedure in Covington.

Pray for the family of Gail M. Smith as they lay her to rest today and the family of Mr. I.W. Simmons as his services will be held in a few days. Pray for both their many friends too as well as the Line Creek community.

Read the Bible

Deut. 27-28
Ps. 26
Luke 24

Baptist Press always has interesting stories. I think this one offer all of us ideas for outreach and community involvement. I hope to see a local “Shorty” one day.

http://bpnews.net/50580/shorty-the-church-bus-an-unlikely-evangelism-tool

Pine Ridge United Methodist Church will have their monthly breakfast benefit Sunday at 8 A.M. You are invited to participate in a very worth cause.

FBC, Kentwood will present their Easter cantata tomorrow night at 6 P.M. You are invited to attend.

Several area churches and Inspiration Park will host Sunrise Services Easter morning. Check around and select the one you will attend.

The “young” ladies of FBC, Kentwood will have their monthly birthday party Tuesday at The Cafe at 11:00 A.M. in the extra dining room. Join us for this special time.

May you feel the presence of the Lord as you serve Him today.

Anna Lee

Friday

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

~Psalm 27:4~

Josiah Huckaby (Written by K.K.)

Update: So Josiah had a bit of a rough night/morning (I guess he partied too hard for World Down Syndrome Day yesterday). He spiked a fever & his heart was pretty high. They have gotten some cultures & started antibiotics to be safe. He was very restless when I got there this morning so they started a mild sedation drip to prevent a pulmonary hypertension crisis from stress. They will probably start to wean that tomorrow…he just needed some good rest so his body can bounce back from this little sickness. Also, we had a care conference today to discuss our plan for coming home. We were kind of caught off guard with some of the info we got today. So here is an abbreviated version of what is going on…they started trying to wean his steroids & Lasix (he never likes this by the way) which sent him taking steps backwards. After the doctors met today they decided that wasn’t the best idea. So he will go back to his normal doses on both of those meds & will be back on the hospital vent for a week or 2 while he gets back to where he was before they started messing with those meds. Then he will be put back on the home vent for an extended amount of time. This brought up the fact that they don’t anticipate us coming home soon like we originally thought. The IMCU doctor anticipates an extended stay for now because they don’t feel his lungs are stable enough for discharge & they want us to have plenty of “play” room on the vent for when he gets sick at home. So we are again back to just waiting with no estimated discharge date. We know we serve a mighty God and He can change this at any minute! We just continue to praise Him for how far He has brought Josiah and for the parents He is molding us into. To God be the glory!!!

Mr. I.W. Simmons passed away last night. Please be in prayer for his family.

Belva Aime Robertson

May 28, 1939 – March 22, 2018

A resident of Amite passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg. She was born May 28, 1939, in Head of Island and was 78 years of age. She is survived by her 4 daughters, Kitty Newell and husband, Kevin, Kristy Cothern and husband, Dennis, Kelly Milton Quinn and husband, Greg, and Karley Cooper and husband, Aubrey Dale; son, Butch Robertson and wife, Paige; 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Ronald Aime and wife, Peggy; 2 sisters, Gloria Berthelot and husband, Howard, and Eva Mae Bourgeois and husband, Frankie. Preceded in death by husband, Tex Robertson; parents, Peter and Estelle Aime; and granddaughter, Amy Aline Newell. Visitation at Hillsdale Baptist Church from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2018. Services conducted by Dr. Danny R. Smith. Interment Hillsdale Cemetery, Hillsdale. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hillsdale Baptist Church. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible

Deut. 25-26
Eccl. 2: 18-26
Luke 23

Friday Morning Bible Study

Romans 2
10 A.M.
Fellowship Hall of FBC, Kentwood

“Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party

Tuesday, March 27th
11 A.M.
The Cafe, Kentwood
Honors ladies with March birthdays

Thank-you for reading and praying today.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

~2 Thessalonians 2:15~

Read the Bible

Deut 19-20
Ps. 34
Luke 20

Pray for Andy Taylor as he sings at his brother’s funeral this morning.

“Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party – A week from today at The Cafe

Let you light shine for Jesus today!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you,

if you have faith and do not doubt,

not only can you do what was done to the fig tree,

but also you can say to this mountain,

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’

and it will be done.

~Matthew 21:21~

Glen Magee‘s surgery is scheduled for 8 A.M. Friday. Please pray for him as he has by-pass heart surgery.

Aubrey McMillan called last night to ask for prayers as he faces heart surgery for 10 by-passes Tuesday at Our Lady of the Lake. Please pray.

Olivia Widas is at Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge where she will have her appendix removed this morning. Please pray for her surgery and her recovery.

Wayne Langley, husband of Glenda Cobb, has been very sick and was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. Please pray for Wayne and Glenda and the family.

Wilton Hughes is better and back at home. Thank-you for your prayers for Wilton and his family.

Rev. Bill Ichter is doing better. Thanks for your prayers for this wonderful man who has served God faithfully for many years. He worked with Rev. Billy Graham to some crusades in South America.

Read the Bible

Mark 13-15
Proverbs 25
Luke 3

Baptist Press – http://bpnews.net

A Bible study of the book of Romans will begin Friday of next week. Join us at FBC, Kenwood at 10 A.M.

The monthly birthday party is on the fourth Monday of each month at The Cafe. Make plans to attend in March. We had a good time yesterday.

I’m looking forward to working with the children as they learn about missions tonight.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.

~Galatians 5:22-23~

Today, I have three obituaries to share.

Justin Blaine Milton, Jr.

December 22, 1998 – February 24, 2018

On the sunny Saturday morning of February 24, 2018, Justin Blaine Milton Jr., of Hillsdale, LA left this earth for his eternal home in heaven. Blaine, a charming, strong, and handsome young man, sported a smile that radiated joy as his personality initiated laughter. Born December 22, 1998, he is the adored son of Jessica and Greg Dupepe of Hillsdale and Justin and Erin Milton of Greensburg. Blaine was the best brother to Brady, Court, Emma Kate, Luke, Roxie, and Chloe. He’s the grandson of Janet and Jimmy Meyer of Hammond, Danny and Robin Milton of Kentwood, Tommy and Judy Dupepe of Greensburg, and Otis and Jan Alford of Kentwood. Blaine’s biggest fans were his aunts, Jennie (Corey) Perkins, Bonnie (Brooks) Jordan, and Dana (Hunter) Bond and cousins, Kade and Kaul Perkins, Bennett and Blinn Jordan, Kirstie Bridges, and Kolby and Hunter Bond. Blaine leaves behind extended family and a multitude of friends who loved him dearly including a special aunt and uncle, Buster and Bonnie Thompson, first love Kaleigh Crawford and his best friend Davin Booty with whom he shared his Wilson family. Blaine was a 2017 graduate of ASC where he was a talented athlete, a member of Beta, and unanimously voted Most Handsome. Blaine took great pride in being the owner and caretaker of family land and growing his livestock herd as a self-proclaimed farmer.

Blaine was greeted in heaven by his grandparents Herman and Noma Newell. “Hermie” made his way to heaven on February 22, 2001 and “Nokie” joined him on February 24, 2015. As Psalms 31:15 says, “my times are in your hands,” there is no coincidence in dates but rather they are a part of God’s master plan.

Dearest friends and brothers Brady Milton, Court Milton, Luke Milton, Brody Toler, Davin Booty, Stonewall Carrier, Jacob Cassel, Brennon Farace, Bodie Bridges, Bubba Creel, and Barrett Bridges will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be held at Hillsdale Baptist Church Tuesday, February 27th 6:00-9:00 pm and Wednesday, February 28th 9:00-11:00 am with service beginning at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to tiffanythomasmemorial.org in memory of Blaine Milton.

McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Georgia Mae Cheek

September 10, 1939 – February 24, 2018

A resident of Pine Grove passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at her home. She was born September 10, 1939 in Amite and was 78 years of age. She is survived by 3 daughters, Elizabeth “Ann” Cheek and her fiance’, Melvin Roe, Watson, Margaret Cheek Rutland and her husband, Robert W. Rutland, Pine Grove, and Barbara “Boo” Cheek Rutland and her husband, Roger Rutland, Pine Grove; 4 grandchildren, Kris Rutland, Watson, Samantha Ellzey, Montpelier, Blair Davis, Watson, Ashley Butler, Baton Rouge; 2 step-grandchildren, Karla Jordan, Laurel, MS and Rebecca Rutland, Smithdale, MS; 6 great-grandchildren, Breeanna Thompson, Montpelier, Hannah Davis, Watson, Konner Rutland, Watson, Marley Butler, Baton Rouge, Jackson Davis, Watson, and Korbin Rutland, Watson; sister, Geraldine Baker Sanchez, Watson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Bobby Clyde Cheek; parents, J. D. and Willie Mae Baker. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 2:00PM on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Services conducted by Rev. Paul Cantrell. Interment Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Pine Grove. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Paulette Humphrey Simmons

April 19, 1947 – February 26, 2018

A resident of Greensburg passed away on Monday, February 26, 2018 at St. Helena Nursing Home in Greensburg. She was born April 19, 1947 in Liverpool, LA and was 70 years of age. She is survived by her daughter, Mindy Simmons Carter and husband, Mitch; grandchildren, Brookley Simmons Bell and husband, Josh, Aliesa Warwick Gourgues and husband, Kyle, Sydni Lee Brown, and Dustin Ray Carter and wife, Hunter; great-grandchildren, Alexi Gourgues, Kallie Carter, Brogan Welch, and Elizabeth Bell; sisters, Loleta Anzalone and Linda Reeves and husband, Skeet; brother, Sylvester Humprey and wife, Shirley. Preceded in death by parents, Percy and Thelma Humphrey; son, Clif Simmons; daughter, Deana Warwick; granddaughter, Kallie Brown; fiancé, Glen Phillips; and her beloved dog, Princess. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018. Interment New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood. Special thanks to the staff of St. Helena Parish Nursing Home and Community Care Hospice. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

TODAY – “Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party

11 A..M. at The Cafe
Bring a friend.

Read the Bible

Numbers 10-12
Pssalm 25
Luke 2

Reach out and share God’s love today.

Anna Lee

Monday

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

~Hebrews 11:1~

Mr. John Alan Blackwell is in room 5416 at North Oaks to clear up a medicine issue. Please add him to your prayer list.

Wilton Hughes had a mild heart attack and is already improving. Please remember him in your prayers.

Mr. Lester Zachary. 92, had a mild stroke last week. He’s at the Amite Nursing Home.

Mary D. Genco

December 08, 1952 – February 24, 2018

Mary D. Genco officially received her angel wings at her death on February 24, 2018 but she earned them in her many years of delivery care and comfort to her patients as a nurse. Mary was born on December 8, 1952 in New Orleans to Frank and Claire duTreil. She was an LPN for many years and was Dr. Charles “Bo” Alford’s labor and delivery nurse for many years. She proudly became a Registered Nurse in 1995 and was the first teacher of the Tangipahoa Parish School System’s first CNA program at Amite High School in 1996. Se became a school nurse in 1998 and during Hurricane Katrina volunteered at Tangi Pines Nursing Center in Amite. She eventually became one of the Weekend Supervisors there also. Mary was a dedicated nurse who offered a great deal of care and comfort to her patients. No person was too poor, too old, too young, or too sick to receive her unrelenting compassion and care. Mary is survived by her husband, Charles V. Genco; her three children, Christy Lyn Morgan (Joel), Paul C. Genco, II (Megan), and Charly Lyn Genco (Nick); her precious grandchildren, Sophia JoAnn Morgan and Gunnar Cole Morgan; and her sister, Christina Davidson. Preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Claire duTreil. Mary died at Tangi Pines Nursing Center due to complications of Alzheimer’s surrounded by her family and was attended by many of the people who worked for her there many years earlier. The family would like to thank all of Mary’s sitters over the years, especially Betty Taylor who has been her friend since 1981 and helped raise her children and took care of her when she became ill. Also a special thanks to all of the staff and employees of Tangi Pines Nursing Center for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Louisiana Alzheimer’s Association, 3445 N. Causeway, Suite 902, Metairie, LA 70002. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church Hall, Amite, from 8:30AM until 11:30AM on Wednesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 12:00 Noon at St. Helena Catholic Church on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Services conducted by Fr. Mark Beard. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible

Reflect on God as Author
Catch up on reading if you got behind

Baptist Press – http://bpnews.net

“Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party – Tuesday at 11 A.M. at the Cafe

Hopefully, we will have a dry spell before the next rain.

Anna Lee

Saturday

I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.

~2 Timothy 4:7~

Josiah Huckaby

Update: Seems like little man has accomplished so much since my last update 2 1/2 weeks ago. The original plan was to start CPAP trials but they decided to just swap him completely to CPAP…he did amazing! He has been weaned off of all of his IV sedation and now we are working on weaning his oral sedation meds. Last Thursday (2/15/18), it was mentioned we could start discussing home planning! They decided they wanted to start trach collar trials this week, which is more like him getting regular oxygen without the extra support of the CPAP or vent. After our doctor talked to pulmonary, they both felt it would be safer to send Josiah home on a vent instead of pushing him to go home on a trach collar. He has a bad record of doing really well with changes at first but after some time he gets worn out and tanks. They were afraid we would get home with the trach collar and this would happen. So the decision was made to not do the trach collar trials and to go straight to a home vent (which will also help us get home a little faster)…they swapped him over to that yesterday afternoon. He has to be on the hospital issued home vent for 2 weeks with no changes (and his vent settings have to be at or below a certain number…he is very close and we only have 1 setting to work on as of right now) before they will swap him to the vent he will come home with. He will then have to be on our home vent for a certain amount of time before coming home. I’m actually a bit relieved that he will be coming home on the vent…this way he can take his time with the extra support he needs and we will work on weaning it from home. We are very excited about the progress he has made and the fact that “coming home” is actually a part of our vocabulary now…😉! Our prayer is that they will be able to find his “sweet spot” on the vent as quickly as possible and that he doesn’t get sick!!! He had a stomach bug over the weekend that we thought was going to set him back again but he did so well recovering from it. Also, we are now able to start our trach training as well…we are a bit nervous but definitely ready to jump in there and get this show on the road! And last thing, Josiah will be 1 in 2 weeks…so we are busy planning his hospital birthday party! YAY! He also has 2 teeth that have finally broken through and he’s weighing in at a whopping 21 lbs 4 oz now. Sorry for the long update, but there’s a lot of exciting things going on in the Huckaby house!!! To God be the glory!!!

Let’s keep praying for Job, K.K., and Josiah.

Mike Woodard is the brother of a friend. He got sick and was taken to the hospital yesterday with serious issues. His is at North Oaks in a step-down room. He is septic and needs our prayers.

This morning the the Ladies’ Brunch at Hillsdale Baptist Church at 10 A.M. We will learn about needs at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s home and how we can help.

If you have any partial skeins of yarn you will not be using, please leave them in the red basket at the main entrance to FBC, Kentwood. They will be used for Operation Christmas Child projects.

Tuesday, we will meet at 11 at The Cafe for lunch and to celebrate ladies who have had birthdays this new year. All ladies are invited to join us.

Baptist Press – http://bpnews.net

Friday Morning Bible Study – We have one more week of Ezekiel. Then, we will begin Romans, The beginning of a new book is the perfect time to commit yourself to attending a Bible study.

Read the Bible

Numbers 4-6
Proverbs 24
Mark 16

Pray for the many families who have had deaths lately and for individuals who need to make a decision to allow Jesus in their hearts.

Anna Lee

Friday

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

~John 3:16~

A great report: Dee Dee B. Matthews, niece of Betty Simpson and Ora Lee Wilson, has shown good improvement. She still has a lot of issues, but is certainly better than she was right after the accident. Keep praying.

Yesterday, I was asked to request prayer for someone, but not to give a name. Today, I have been asked to report that Angela Headrick is the person who had a thyroid test that was inconclusive. Results from a more recent biopsy have not given results yet. In the meantime, you are asked to pray for Angela as she awaits the report.

Mrs. Bessie Hayden is still at home and waiting to go back to the hospital in a few weeks. Please pray for her diabetes related circulation problem.

Adrian Phillips is having a problem with another buildup of fluid. Pray medication will solve his problem.

Dorinda M. O’Brian

October 23, 1958 – February 14, 2018

Dorinda M. O’Brian, a resident of Slaughter, passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at Baton Rouge General. She was born October 23, 1958 in Lake Charles and was 59 years of age. She is survived by her daughter, Bertha O’Brian; 2 sons, Arnie “Ray” O’Brian, Jr. and wife, Rachel; and Teddy O’Brian and wife, Kelly; 5 grandchildren, Ethan, Lacey and Sidney O’Brian, and Makayla and Zaylee Feierabend; sister, Melissa Bordeln; and her brother, Tony Mustin. Preceded in death by her husband, Arnie “Ray” O’Brian, Sr.; parents, Harry and Dorothy Mustin; sisters, Cindy Mustin Buras Kauffman, Jenny Holden, and Crystal Buras; and her brothers, Kerry Buras and Eric Buras. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 AM until religious services at 11 AM Saturday, February 17, 2018. Services conducted by Rev. Marshall Wallace. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

The group at the cabin last night included two new guests as well as representation from eight different churches. We were so blessed by all present, the devotional shared by Bro. Darryl, and the wonderful music shared by James Rimes and Sherman Cutrer. Sherman has had some serious health issues and numerous (I think he said 13) surgeries since he was last at the cabin sharing with us. It was another great Third Thursday. Feel free to join us sometime.

The Friday Morning Bible Study will meet at 10:00 this morning in the fellowship hall of FBC, Kentwood.

Tomorrow morning at 9:00, we will meet in the fellowship hall to begin preparation of items for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. Everyone is invited to spend the morning with us. Working together on this project will help get us started on our collection process for the Christmas season deliveries around the world. Children, K-5, the age group of the Wednesday night missions class are especially encouraged to come. It is not too late to bring some of the items previously listed. They can be left in the red basket at the church or left in the fellowship hall TODAY.

Another group of Bibles were delivered to the church yesterday. Three calendars were brought to the cabin last night. These items will be used by inmates of the Tangipahoa Parish Jail. I will get these items to the group that ministers there on Thursday mornings. Thank-you for doing your part in helping to collect items. Pray for the many men and women there.

Read the Bible

Leviticus 13-15
Proverbs 20
Mark 9

The February “Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party will be on the 27th. Mark the date on your calendar.

God gives us opportunities to minister to others in many different ways.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“The LORD is my strength and my defense ;

he has become my salvation.

He is my God, and I will praise him,

my father’s God,

and I will exalt him.

~Exodus 15:2~

It seems like someone I know passes away every day!

Lydia Moore Hawkins

September 26, 1927 – January 30, 2018

Read the Bible

Exodus 23-24
Proverbs 13
Matthew 26

Baptist Press – http://bpnews.net

Children Missions Day

Saturday, February 17
9 A.M. – Noon
FBC, Kentwood
Children K-5th Grade

“Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party

Tuesday, February 27th
Celebrating February birthdays
The Cafe @ 11 A.M.

Bible Sunday

Completing Ezekiel soon
Fridays at 10 A.M.

Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee