Sunday Afternoon Again

Janice Guy Raybourn

(March 3, 1941 – December 25, 2010)

A resident of Mt. Hermon, died at 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 25, 2010 at her home. She was born March 3, 1941 in East Fork and was 69 years of age. She was a member of Sunny Hill Baptist Church and was active at Line Creek Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Adren Raybourn; 2 sisters, Geneivia Buras and Dianne Wall, all of Mt. Hermon; She was like a mother and grandmother to numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Ruby Pierce Guy; 3 brothers, Donald, Wayne and Stanley Guy. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday and from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 28, 2010. Services conducted by Rev. Ken Irvin. Interment Line Creek Cemetery, Line Creek.

Sunday Afternoon

Mrs. Una Mae Zachary

January 26, 1924 – December 26, 2010

Mrs. Una Mae Zachary was born January 26, 1924 and passed away at 6:08 a.m., Sunday, December 26, 2010 at Landmark Nursing Home, Hammond. She was 86, a native and resident of Montpelier, a lifelong member of Montpelier United Methodist Church & a member of National Horticultural Society.

Mrs. Una Mae is survived by 2 daughters, Patricia Z. Hutchinson and husband Hutch, Springfield & Fay Zachary, Hammond; son, Danny Zachary, South Carolina; 8 grandchildren, David D’Angelo, Bekah McAllister, Michael Varnado, Benton “Duke” McNabb, Mary Louise Duhon, Davelyn Zachary, Desiree Zachary & Cali Zachary; 8 great-grandchildren, Erika D’Angelo, Hannah McAllister, Madeleine McAllister, Benton “Coty” McNabb, Andrew Duhon, Cassie Duhon, Zachary Davis & Dane Davis; a great great-gandson, Dakotah Yates.

Preceded in death by parents, Daniel Joseph and Ella Wren Grantham; husband, Erwin Prentiss Zachary; son, Darrell Zachary.

Visitation at Montpelier United Methodist Church from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Worship Service at 11:00 a.m. with Interment in Montpelier Cemetery.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Sunday

Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace,

goodwill toward men!

~Luke 2:14 (NKJV)~


“It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from –

if you want God and are ready to do as he says,

the door is open.”

~Acts 10:35 MSG~

Mr. and Mrs. Albert (Mattie) Bishop are hospitalized in Hood Memorial. Please keep them and their daughter, Sally, in your prayers.

Madyson Grace Watts

http://www.actionnews17.com/News/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5089/Loranger-family-gets-Christmas-wish-as-miracle-child-comes-home-following-accident-rehabilitation.aspx

Petey Harper

Graveside Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, December 26th at 2:30 p. m. at the Arcola – Roseland Cemetery with Rev. Brady Whitton officiating.

Friends and relatives are invited to the home of David and Keri Wickham immediately following the service for a memorial reception.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Children’s Videos

http://www.imb.org/main/downloads/page.asp?StoryID=8660&LanguageID=1709

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Christmas Eve

But the angel reassured them.

“Don’t be afraid!” he said.

“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

~Luke 2:10 (NLT)~

Jason’s Story: Boston Results

We are now home and finally get to relax and spend time with family. Our appointment went really well in Boston. We are making a few changes to my diet. We are going to spread my meals out so that I get to eat 5 times a day. Hopefully that will help me eat my food. We are also getting some meals planned that have baby food vegetables and fruits. By doing this we hope to get me to eat some more fruits and vegetables. Right now I’m only eating apple sauce. We still haven’t noticed any change in my seizures. The neurologist want to give it another 2-3 months. If we don’t see any change we will stop the diet. I have been on it for about 2 month already. They said the diet just doesn’t work on some people. We are not giving up yet though. We will continue to try and pray that we can get these seizures down. I did go a little over a week without seizures at night but they came back a couple of nights ago. We got some more test results that they did back in October. The genetic test that we did came back normal. Now we are just waiting on the CDKL 5 genetic test to come back. We got the official results of my 3T MRI. While we were there they said everything looked normal. Well when the neurologist got together and studied it they found a POSSIBLE malformation in the left post lobe of my brain. They are not sure what this is because I’m so little. They want to repeat the 3T MRI sometime in April once my brain has grown some more. They are hoping it will be clearer then and then they will be able to determine what the are seeing. They also want me to go see an orthopedic for my feet. My toes turn down a little and they want us to get it checked out. While I was in Boston they did more blood work. My blood work showed that my CO2 level is low so they started me on PolyCitra to help regulate my CO2. They said this is common when babies are on the ketogenic diet and take topamax. My blood sugar was also a little low but nothing to be concerned about. So, so far all this diet has done is cause more problems. All you keto fans don’t get mad at me. I know you have to give it time but its been horrible for us. We are working on making it better. I am still on the new medicine Vimpat. It has not helped yet but my neurologist still want to give it some more time. So it looks like we have another failed medication. Here is the list of failed medicines:
1. klonopin
2. prednisolone
3. ACTH (2 rounds)- didn’t help seizures but helped EEG
4. keppra
5. topamax
6. trileptal
7. clobazam
8. vimpat
9. banzel
All of these helped at first and then stopped. I’m still on keppra, topamax, banzel, and vimpat. We are slowly getting rid of the ones that aren’t working. So I think I have updated you on everything. Please continue to pray for me. I keep thinking that we didn’t get our miracle in 2010 but the more I thought about it, I think we really did. I went from not being able to hold my head up to sitting up and being just as alert as a normal 15 month old. So no we didn’t get our seizure miracle but we came farther than anyone expected. I still believe we will get our seizure miracle one day. I’m leaving you with a picture of me trying to catch the snow at the airport in Boston. It was absolutely beautiful. Everyone have a great Christmas.

Frances Gay is working to get the proper coumadin levels.  Pray for her.

Continue your prayers for Ashlyn Neal and her family as they try to rest her brain and overcome the concussion.

Pray for Mr. Earl Dees.  Is is in CCU at OLOL after having surgery yesterday.

Billi Jo Eyer
(May 2, 1982 – December 23, 2010)

Billi Jo Eyer was born May 2, 1982 and passed away at 9:13 a.m., Thursday, December 23, 2010 at her residence. She was 28, a native of Independence and a resident of Amite.

Billi Jo is survived by 3 sons, Gregory Rowell, Albany, Bryce and Gaige Eyer both of Amite; mother, Connie Bennett and husband “TJ”, Amite; father, Billy Eyer, Roseland; sister, Suzanna Calhoun and husband Matt, Kentwood; half sister, Dawn Eyer, Baltimore, Maryland; step-sister, Marilyn Gayle Wright and husband, Chris, Loranger; step-brother, Tommy Bennett and wife Angela, Franklinton; grandmothers, Francis Hughes, Roseland and Dorothy Eggers, Roseland; numerous aunts, uncles and extended family.

Preceded in death by a half sister, Danielle Eyer; step-brother, Jason Bennett and grandfather, Chester Hughes.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Sunday, December 26, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Monday, December 27, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. David Cutrer officiating. Interment in Killian Chapel Cemetery, Amite, LA.

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

Bobby Clyde Cheek

(May 7, 1938 – December 23, 2010)

A resident of Pine Grove, he died on Thursday, December 23, 2010 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite. He was born May 7, 1938 in Midnight, MS and was 72 years of age. He worked for Rebel Sand and Gravel for 32 years. He is survived by, wife of 50 years, Georgia Mae Baker Cheek, Pine Grove; 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 Thompson, Fayetteville, NC, Blair Oliver Davis, Watson, Ashley Rutland, Baton Rouge; 3 great-grandchildren, Breeanna Thompson, Fayetteville, NC, Hannah Davis, Watson, and Konner Rutland, Watson; brother, Jimmy Cheeks and his wife, Cara Faye Cheeks, Denham Springs; numerous nieces and nephews including a special niece, Georgia Mae Papizan, Watson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Maudie Mae Sheffield Cheeks; sister, Marie Bankston; brother, Ernest Cheeks, Jr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 27, 2010. Services conducted by Rev. Danny Carter. Interment Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Pine Grove.

Thinking inside the box

Lots of kids are homeschooled. Joseph Daniels is, too. But his schoolroom is a little different. Joseph goes to school in the very large box that his family used to ship their belongings to their new home in Kenya. With help from the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Joseph has a $20 chalkboard, a $25 desk and chair and $30 worth of art supplies.

For three or four hours every weekday, Joseph is taught by his mom. Her name is Sandra. She teaches Joseph how to add and subtract, and how to write. Sandra also helps him learn about the world outside his schoolroom box. With her, Joseph has learned about several countries and she’s taken him on fun field trips.

At an animal orphanage, Joseph saw baby elephants and a baby rhinoceros. Not far from his home, Joseph can see giraffes, warthogs and zebras. At night, he can hear the “whop,” “whop” sound the zebras make.

“That is the beauty of homeschooling,” Sandra says. “Everything we do teaches him something new. Like watching a cow eat grass, Joseph knows how the stomach works to process the food.”

Joseph’s dad helps him learn, too. One night they went outside to see the stars that make up the “Big Dipper.” During a day trip, Joseph helped his dad share vitamins and Bible stories with the Samburu people who live in Kenya.

International Missiona Board

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful,

Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.”

~Isaiah 9:6~

Stacey Scarle

Thanks for all the prayers they really worked. Stacey’s surgery went well and she did not have much pain or discomfort. We came home this afternoon with drains and a pain pump but still not too bad. The best news is that there did not appear to be any involvement in the lymph nodes! We find out for sure tomorrow. God is so good. I know that all the prayers made on Stacey’s behalf were heard. Thanks again to everyone.

Pray for Stacey as she waits for the lab results and continues to recover from surgery.

Ashlyn Neal will be seen be a concussion specialist today.  Please continue to pray for Ashlyn as she has ten days of “brain rest”.

Alan Smith’s Thought for the Day

The following story sounds like an “urban legend”, but it’s true:

Roy Collette and his brother-in-law exchanged the same pair of pants as a Christmas present for 25 years – and each time the package got harder to open.

It all started in 1964 when Collette received a pair of moleskin trousers from his brother-in-law, Larry Kunkel. Kunkel’s mother had given her son the pants the year before. He wore them a few times, but they froze stiff in cold weather and he didn’t like them. So he gave them to Collette. Collette didn’t like them either, so he wrapped them up and gave them back to Kunkel for Christmas the next year.

The friendly exchange continued each year until one year Collette twisted the pants tightly, stuffed them into a 3-foot-long, 1-inch wide tube. And so the game began. The next Christmas, Kunkel compressed the pants into a 7-inch square, wrapped them with wire and gave the “bale” to Collette. Not to be outdone, the next year Collette put the pants into a 2-foot-square crate filled with stones, nailed it shut, banded it with steel and gave the trusty trousers back to Kunkel.

The brothers agreed to end the caper if the trousers were damaged. But they were as careful as they were clever.

Kunkel had the pants mounted inside an insulated window that had a 20-year guarantee and shipped them off to Collette. Collette broke the glass, recovered the trousers, stuffed them into a 5-inch coffee can and soldered it shut. The can was put in a 5-gallon container filled with concrete and reinforcing rods and given to Kunkel the following Christmas.

Kunkel installed the pants in a 225-pound homemade steel ashtray made from 8-inch steel casings and etched Collette’s name on the side. In turn, Collette found a 600-pound safe and hauled it to Viracon Inc. where the shipping department decorated it with red and green stripes, put the pants inside and welded the safe shut. The safe was then shipped to Kunkel, who is the plant manager for Viracon’s outlet in Bensenville.

One year, the pants were trucked back to Collette in a drab green, 3-foot cube that once was a 1974 Gremlin with 95,000 miles on it. A note attached to the 2,000-pound scrunched car advised Collette that the pants were inside the glove compartment. And so it went until 1989, when the pants were finally damaged in an attempt to encase them in 10,000 pounds of jagged glass. They have now been turned to ashes and sit in an urn on Kunkel’s mantle.

I imagine more than a few of you will receive some presents at Christmas that you don’t really want, and you would like to have the opportunity to ship them back. However, we can’t say that about the gifts that come from God.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17)

God’s gifts are as wonderful as they are bountiful. I hope that you’ve taken the time to thank him lately. May we especially give thanks for the blessing of God’s incarnation. Jesus came to be with us so that we might someday be with God — he was born into a world of sin to redeem us from the power of that sin. Praise God for His wonderful gift!

–Alan

Birds of a feather

Rural areas near Peddie, South Africa, are tough places to live, but it’s home to the Xhosa [KO-sah] people. Many of their houses have just one or two rooms. Outside, there’s plenty of heat and rocks. Even the dirt isn’t good enough for growing vegetables.

What could survive these conditions? Ostriches and IMB missionary Bob Morris. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering makes it possible for him to be on the field at about 8 cents per minute.

Ostriches can take the heat because they’re native to Africa. Bob Morris and Martin Fick, a farmer from Zimbabwe, work with ostriches while they’re still babies. South African farmers purchase the baby birds to raise and provide a source of income. Ostrich feathers, for example, are used to make feather dusters (just like the ones your mom cleans the house with) and lots of decorative items.

Every batch of ostrich babies is delivered to the farmers with a prayer. Bob and Martin show how the ostrich manure enriches the soil to help vegetables grow. Also, they and a few local folks train farmers, using Bible-based principles. They build relationships with the Xhosa farmers with a goal to plant churches among them. With more than 60 farmers being cared for and a couple hundred more on a waiting list, Bob, Martin and the birds are off to a good start.

International Mission Board

Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions

Get the birthday candles ready.  It almost time for Jesus’ birthday!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

[The star] went ahead of them

and stopped over the place where the child was. …

They entered the house

and saw the child with his mother, Mary ….

~Matthew 2:9,11 (NLT)~

Ashlyn Neal

Had a long convo with a “post consussion doctor” ( only 2 in the state; if u need info let me know) Ashlyn has an apt. Thurs. and we will know more. For now she is on complete “brain rest ” for a minimum of 10 day. Today : severe headaches, blurred vision, minimal confusion, poor short term memory. Thank you for continued prayers; she is breaking my heart today, but i know that GOD is way bigger than this.

Please pray with the family and friends of Ashlyn as they go through a time of “waiting” for Ashlyn.  Thank God, for their faith in Him!

Stacey Scarle’s surgery went well yesterday.  She should be able to go home today.  Keep praying for Stacey and her family as she goes through the recovery process.

Pray for me as I see Dr. Palo today to learn what needs to be done with my broken arm/shoulder.

There are several good articles at Baptist Press – Billy Graham, shoeboxes at NOBTS, Roma, etc.  I hope you have time to read several and to pray for the people/ministries they represent.

http://www.bpnews.net/

This is a Lottie Moon Christmas Offering story especially for children.  I hope you will take time to share it with your children, grandchildren, neighbors, kids at church, etc.  Related pictures can be found at http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=7892&LanguageID=1709

Business cards

When Rebecca Foster in Franklin, Tenn., wants to tell the world about God, she does it with paper and markers, buttons and spray paint.

Inspired by the Kids On Mission video story about the Johnson twins in Richmond, Ky., whose fudge raises funds for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Rebecca considered supporting the offering through tree-climbing lessons. Her mom, Susan, suggested that Rebecca might instead make her drawings into Christmas cards.

The 8-year-old’s passion for art has become a family business. While Rebecca’s father, Michael, gets the cards printed, Susan and their son, Nathan, 5, pitch in when needed. The cards come in packages of 10 and carry a $6 minimum donation price. In 2007, Rebecca’s cards netted $100 for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

More recently, Rebecca produced 800 cards and raised her giving total to nearly $500. At least one of her motivations came from learning through the Lottie Moon @ Work Web site that some missionaries in West Africa pay $12 a month to rent a hut.

“For her that was something that was really concrete,” Susan said. “She could understand that two of her packages of cards would help a missionary live in Africa for a month and be able to tell others about Jesus.”

With cards that have traveled to Russia, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Iraq, Rebecca is building on a goal not all professional artists realize.

“Give the gift of Jesus to the whole world,” said Rebecca who, along with Susan, Michael and Nathan, attends ClearView Baptist Church in Franklin.

Jesus is the reason for the season!  Be sure He is the center of your celebration this week!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God

and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’”

~Luke 2:13-14, ESV~

Betty Allen continues to need our prayers.  She is back at Kentwood Manor.

Don’t forget to pray for Stacey Scarle as she has surgery this morning at 8:30.

Reaching Russia

“The devil is dead set against the Udmurt people hearing the Gospel message,” says IMB missionary Marc Hooks.

Marc works with unreached people groups in Russia. He plays many roles on the field: media producer, pastor, church planter, husband, father, friend. He’ll do what it takes to spread the Gospel, in spite of the difficulties.

Ministry to the Udmurts has been particularly difficult. On almost every trip, he and other Christian workers face problems like canceled flights, immigration barriers and other logistical problems. He has experienced the spiritual warfare that denies this unreached people group the chance to know the truth of Jesus Christ. “[On trips,] we go between euphoria and utter discouragement.”

Marc says it would be easy to give up and stop going to the Udmurts. But he also knows that God intends to continue the work He’s begun. “That pushes us to our knees. The Udmurts will only be saved by prayer.”

It costs about $850 a week to support Marc and other missionaries for one week. Will you pray? Will you give generously so that Christians can fight against the darkness in Russia and bring the light of Christ to the unreached?

Darell Ray Harper, 59, of Ladson, entered into eternal rest on Monday evening, December 13, 2010 at his residence. The relatives and friends of Mr. Darell “Pete” Ray Harper are invited to attend his Celebration of Life Service, 2:00 PM Saturday, December 18, 2010 at the James A. McAlister Chapel, 1620 Savannah Highway. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until the time of service. Mr. Harper was born on Friday, January 19, 1951 in Hammond Louisiana, to Vera Maxine Primes Harper and the late Walter Green Harper. He served in the National Guard from 1969 to 1973, after graduating from Amite High School. He was employed with Godwin Pumps in North Charleston for the past 13 years. Darell is survived by his companion and special friend, Gail Millikan of N. Charleston, SC; Mother, Maxine Harper of Roseland, LA; son, Brian Harper of Hanahan, SC; three daughters, Carolina Harper of Hanahan, SC, Kim Parent and husband David of Hammond, LA, and Gwen Pedelahore and husband Kenny of Livingston, LA; Three grandsons, Kade, Keegan, and Kamden Pedelahore; two step granddaughters, Amanda and Rebecca Parent of Hammond, LA; sister, Keri Wickham and husband David of Amite, LA; brother Walter “Bo” Harper and wife Linda of Amite, LA. He is also survived by three nephews, Justin Barrilleaux and his wife Amanda of Holden, LA, Blake Barrilleaux and his wife Traci of Columbia, SC, Kevin Harper of Amite, LA, and many extended family. The family would like to give a special thanks to Ricky Baxley, employees of Godwin Pumps, and Piedmont Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation, 1411 K Street, NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005, (800) 673-1290 or (202) 347-9675. Mr. Harper’s guest book may be signed at Jamesamcalister.com. Arrangements are by the JAMES A. MCALISTER FUNERAL HOME, (843) 766-1365

Graveside Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, December 26th at 2:30 p. m. at the Arcola – Roseland Cemetery with Rev. Brady Whitton officiating.

Friends and relatives are invited to the home of David and Keri Wickham immediately following the service for a memorial reception.

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

Be a blessing to others today.  Remind them of the real meaning of Christmas.

Anna Lee