“Miss” Avis Sullivan and Caleb Estay
Mama A is heading back to Louisiana. Her EKG showed something abnormal but she’ll get checked out when she gets home.
Alisha and I are going in for the C Section Monday at 8. I’ll be updating Facebook as soon as I can after the delivery.
(Landon Estay)
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
the power and the glory,
the victory and the majesty;
for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
and You are exalted as head over all.”
~1 Chronicles 29:11~
Pray for Mrs. Avis Sullivan. She had to go to the ER this morning. She will be kept a while for observation. Keep her in your prayers.
From James Rimes
Please remember Bert Newton of Roseland in your prayers. He is to have an angiogram done on Tuesday at North Oaks.
CaringBridge Sites:
Baptist Press
November 25, 2009
VIETNAM–Baptists celebrate 50 years in Vietnam with hugs, tears, laughter. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31767
VIETNAM–Bobby Welch returns to Vietnam, thankful for his wounds. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31768
WASHINGTON–STDs on the rise despite sex education. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31769
MINNESOTA–Lutheran body splitting after gay pastor vote. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31770
NEW YORK–It can begin with a sandwich. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31771
INDIA–FIRST-PERSON (Peggy Uppinghouse*): Thanksgiving turkey in India. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31772
KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (Stephen Wilson): Thanksgiving & adversity. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31773
LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Curt Iles): 2 teachers of gratitude. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31774
ARKANSAS–Raymond Coppenger dies at 100. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31775
GEORGIA–FIRST-PERSON (Michael Foust): A church as inspiring as its films. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31776
Davis Joseph Johnson, Sr.
(March 18, 1923 – November 25, 2009)
Davis Joseph Johnson, Sr. of Independence, LA passed away on November 25, 2009. Born March 18, 1923 to the late Omar and Melina Johnson, he was a lifelong resident of Independence. Preceded in death, along with his parents, was his wife of 53 years, Clementine R. Johnson, and 3 brothers, Routis, Russell, and Luther Johnson. He is survived by two sisters and one brother-in-law, Bertha J. Rochefort of New Orleans, and Joyce J. and Leon Chambers of Independence. Surviving also are a daughter and son-in-law, Sondra J. and Gary Perry of Amite, and 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Davis Jr. and Terri K. Johnson of Hammond, and Darren and Ann P. Johnson of Bayton, TX. His grandchildren are Melinda Giardina, Christopher Perry, Jeremy Johnson, Kassie Hamilton, Garrett Johnson and Logan Johnson. Also surviving him are 7 great-grandchildren and a special friend, Joan Sirchia. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as a cook under Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower in the European Theater Operation. He was a retired finish contractor for Joe E. Anzalone Contractors, warehouse manager of Leggett and Platt Mattress Company, and maintenance manager at Town and Country Mall. The family would like to extend special thanks to the Lallie Kemp Medical Center’s Emergency Room staff and the doctors and nurses in the I.C.U. Department for their outstanding care and dedicated attention given to their father and to them. Friends and relatives are invited to attend the service at McKneely Funeral Home in Amite from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2009. Services to be conducted by Rev. Mitch Williams and Rev. Charles Kirkfield. Burial will follow at Loranger Cemetery.
Ryan Edward Didone
(April 8, 1990 – November 22, 2009)
The picture of Ryan was not available when I posted his obituary. I thought some of you might like to see his picture.
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“So we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and individually members of one another.”
~Romans 12:5, NKJV~
Today is Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for. I’ll not list my blessing here, but you can think through some of your many blessings and thank God for each one.
Dr. Earl Council is home now, but will be admitted to a hospital soon for additional treatment. Please be in pray for Dr. Council, the doctors, and his family.
Larry Bankston got a good report at his post-op appointment. Thank God for the progress Larry has made.
Theresa Flores is doing well following her kidney transplant. She no longer needs dialysis. Thank God for the progress Theresa has made.
Robert Ricks, the Arcola one, has completed four weeks of treatment at M.D. Anderson. Some days the treatment has been hard, but Robert is “hanging in there”. Doctors are planning on about three more weeks of treatment before Robert comes home. Thank God for the quality treatment Robert has been receiving and his progress so far.
Mrs. Rena Cutrer continues to recover from a hip problem. Thank God for her improvement.
Frances Hughes
Frances Eugenia Hughes, 65, born September 24, 1944 to Johnny and Floy Brumfield Hughes. She was a native of Roseland, Louisiana and lived in Denham Springs, Louisiana. She left this world on Monday, November 23, 2009.
She is survived by her brother, Wilton and wife, Sandra Hughes, Bolick, North Carolina; 4 sisters: Evelyn and husband, Steve Stevens, Athens, Texas; Viola and husband, Gene Cody, Watson; Isabel Eldridge, Baton Rouge; and Wanda Davis, Baton Rouge. Also 12 nieces and nephews, numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews, family and friends.
Preceded in death by parents, Johnny Elmer and Floy Brumfield Hughes and brother, Alton Glenn Hughes.
Visitation will be at Seale Funeral Home in Denham Springs Friday from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. with services at 11 A.M. Saturday followed by burial in Arcola.
FALLING ASLEEP
I heard recently about a college professor who had the mysterious habit of walking into the lecture hall each morning, removing a tennis ball from his jacket pocket. He would set it on the corner of the podium. After giving the lecture for the day, he would once again pick up the tennis ball, place it into his jacket pocket, and leave the room. No one ever understood why he did this, until one day. . . .
A student fell asleep during the lecture. The professor never missed a word of his lecture while he walked over to the podium, picked up the tennis ball and threw it, hitting the sleeping student squarely on the top of the head.
The next day, the professor walked into the room, reached into his jacket, removed a baseball. . . No one ever fell asleep in his class the rest of the semester!
I would imagine that many of us have had the experience of falling asleep at a time when we should have stayed awake — perhaps in a classroom or during a sermon. In the scriptures, poor Eutychus will forever be known for only one thing — falling asleep during a sermon and falling out the window!
For those of you who aren’t familiar with this Bible story (found in Acts 20:7-12), there was a young man by the name of Eutychus (a side note: ironically, his name means “fortunate”) who attended a worship service where the apostle Paul was speaking. No doubt, Eutychus was tired and perhaps his stomach was full. He found a spot near a window where he could get some fresh air because oil lamps lighted the room and the air would have been a bit stuffy. We’re told that Paul talked on and on until after midnight. Luke tells us that the young man fought sleep and gradually lost the battle. When he nodded off, he fell out of the third-story window. Fortunately, the story has a happy ending as he was raised back to life by Paul.
Those of us who are preachers are inclined to say that the moral of this story is that you should never fall asleep during a sermon (though I suspect others may say that the moral is that preachers shouldn’t preach so long — it can be dangerous!). But of even greater concern than falling asleep in our worship is the fact that we sometimes fall asleep in our walk with Christ. We grow weary, we lose our concentration, our mind drifts off to other things, and the result can be deadly!
The apostle Paul warns us: “Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.” (I Thess. 5:6).
Is your mind focused on God? Are you listening carefully to Him, submitting to His Spirit? If you’re growing weary, it’s time to wake up!
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
“Count your blessings.
Name them one by one,
Count your many blessings.
See what God has done.”
Anna Lee
“Then He said to His disciples,
‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest
to send out laborers into His harvest.’”
~Matthew 9:37-38~
Please continue to pray for Bro. Butch Reviere. He’s still waiting on addition tests and a timeline for what will be done in the future.
Mrs. Faye Price is in North Oaks. Pray for her and her family as they stay close to her side.
Mrs. Jeanette McGhee is home. Pray for her as she continues to heal.
INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
IMB
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Psalm 50:23, ESV).
Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, lifting prayers of thanksgiving to the Father for your faithful service in prayer.
As Christian workers reflect this Thanksgiving on the blessings of the past year, they will most certainly give thanks for all who have supported their continued service. Thank God for the sacrificial giving of many in churches that has allowed God’s Word to go forth continuously into the far reaches of the world, even during the global recession. Pray that both those who give and those who go to make His name known will truly delight in the honor and privilege.
Pray that genuine seekers will participate in the many Thanksgiving outreach activities that will occur this weekend, asking that through sharing about this American holiday, the gospel will also be presented and many will believe.
Many refugees live throughout the United States and will be invited to celebrate Thanksgiving with local Christians. As people from two cultures come together to share food from each culture, pray that these displaced peoples will clearly understand the spiritual significance of our holiday as a time to give thanks to God for His blessings on our nation and families.
In contrast on November 26, Muslim pilgrims in Saudi Arabia will stand in earnest supplication and devotion, praying for Allah’s forgiveness, honoring their Day of Arafaat. On November 27, others will celebrate Eid al-Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice.” Their hearts strive through works to find acceptance with God.
* Please pray for Thanksgiving hosts, whether in the U.S. or overseas, as they share the love of Jesus this weekend–and consider opening your home to someone who has never experienced God’s love.
* Intercede for those who continue in allegiance to their faith of works, asking the Lord to break through the spiritual walls they have raised.
* Pray for God to reveal His salvation to those who seek righteousness and attend one of these intimate celebrations of thankfulness.
—
International Mission Board
3806 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
I just talked with Jennie. She said Rob Dixon just called to say they were able to take baby Sydney home. What a Thanksgiving they will have! What a blessing modern communication is! This update come to us via the Czech Republic!
“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.”
~Psalm 75:1~
Mrs. Della McDaniel got to leave the hospital last night and is now back in Kentwood. Continue to pray for her as she recovers.
Mrs. Jeanette McGhee came through her surgery well. Pray for her as she recovers.
Pray for Mrs. Rena Cutrer as she continues to recover from a broken hip.
Frances Hughes, originally from Roseland, was one of the first people I knew whose mother had passed away when she was young. Frances was also blind. I loved to go to her home as a child and visit. I remember taking vanilla wafers. Frances got around very well at her home. At church, she always immediately recognized my voice. Her daddy worked hard to take care of his family. The siblings all took good care of each other. Thankfully, there were a lot of sisters to help run the household. I’ll never forget this sweet family.
I found out this evening that Daddy’s sister, Frances passed away this afternoon around 3:40pm. They are suppose to make the final arrangements tomorrow; but it looks like Friday night visitation at Seale Funeral Home in Denham Springs and burial at Arcola on Saturday morning. Soon as I get the obituary I will send it to you. God bless.
Cheryl Hughes Green
Lawana Carter took both boys to the doctor yesterday. Mason got his best sinus report in 13 years. Adam has some fluid that will hopefully clear up. Thank God for Mason’s good report, but pray for Adam to get better.
Sydney Dixon – http://rockytoptiger.blogspot.com/2009/11/look-no-tubes.html
Larry Bankston fot a good report yesterday. He sees the cardiologist again in three months.
Pray for Rev. Butch Reviere as he sees his doctor again today.
CaringBridge Sites
Think about ten ways you are thankful. Focus on them throughout the day today. Thank you for praying today.
Anna Lee
Ryan Edward Didone
(April 8, 1990 – November 22, 2009)
Died at 10 a.m. on Sunday, November 22, 2009 near Kentwood, LA. He was a native of Baton Rouge, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 19 years. He was a graduate of Sumner High School, was a hard worker, loved to hunt and fish, and loved everyone he met. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA. Survived by mother, Jessica Didone David and her fiancee’, Rickey Pitre, Westwego, father, Robert McLean, Jr. And his wife, Debra, Kentwood, former step-father, Russell David, Jr., Summit, MS, sister, Rachel Budde, and her husband, Josh, Mt. Hermon, niece, Kaille-Lynn Budde, 3 step-sisters, Bridget Holst, Bangor, ME, Carrie Holst, Bangor, ME and Brooke Pitre, Westwego, 3 step-brothers, Gerald Holst, Kentwood, Chris Pitre, Kenner and David Gray, Kenner, grandparents, Barbara Didone, Kentwood and Paul and Annette Wheat, Summit, MS, great-grandparents, Ruby and Aubrey Stokes, Kentwood and Mavis Wheat, Summit, MS, numerous other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and family members. Preceded in death by grandparents, Eddie Didone and Robert and Sue McLean, great-grandparents, Kathleen Cameron, Jesse Didone and Frank Bedwell.
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Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn’t find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus. Impressed by their bold belief, he said, ‘Friend, I forgive your sins.’ ~Luke 5:18-20 (Msg)~ |
Sydney Dixon (Written by her mother, Jess)
She’s doing better! God is faithful and the prayers of many are being answered– the weaning of oxygen is going well so far and we’re hopeful that maybe the doctors will start talking about home tomorrow!
Ryan Diddon
Just wanted to inform you about Ryan, he is the grandson Mr.Eddie Didone and Ms. Barbara Didone of Tangipahoa. From what I understand that a hunter found him this morning he killed himself. Which as I am sure you remember Mr. Eddie done the same thing a couple of years ago.
Just be in Prayer for the family they have had several tragic events in the past years.
Thanks
Stephanie McKenzie
Trisha Wilson, daughter-in-law of Robert and Ora Lee Wilson
Friends, just wanted to ask you to pray for a few evangelistic outreaches. We are hosting Abby Grace’s kindergarten class in our home on Thursday, December 3rd and Graham’s first grade class on the 4th. Both Christmas parties are right after school. We’ll decorate cookies, and then I will share the nativity from FamilyLife, What God Wants for Christmas. I plan to put a bit more of the Gospel in at the end as well. Please pray that kids will come and have a good time, for the Gospel to be clearly heard by all, that I will be filled with the Spirit, and any other thing you can think to pray!
Also, I am speaking at a few women’s outreaches/brunchesl. One is Tuesday evening, December 8th and the other is Saturday, December 12th. Again, please pray women will come and hear a clear presentation and that it will be in a very natural way and not weird or anything!
I appreciate your prayers so much!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
Tricia
Pray for Mrs. Jeanette McGhee as she has surgery about the middle of the day.
Mrs. Della McDaniel is doing better. She hopes to be home be the end of the week. Keep praying for her and her family.
IN THE ACADEMY award-nominated film Traffic, Michael Douglas plays the federal government’s newly appointed drug czar, charged with leading the country’s war on drugs…
In a sad irony, he is so caught up in his rising political career that he is blind to the fact that his own teenage daughter is a drug addict. Because of his wife’s own previous experimentation with drugs, she is able to see what her husband missed–the clear, unmistakable warning signs that her daughter was involved with drugs. When Douglas’ character finally realizes that his own daughter has become hooked on illegal drugs, his wife chastises him for not picking up on the warning signs earlier. The film’s audience feels Douglas’ mix of frustration, self-anger, and helplessness as he realizes that he “should have seen it coming.”
Illicit drug users aren’t the only ones who give warning signs. Research has shown that a wide variety of destructive social behaviors are preceded by visible early-warning signals. Many times, people whose spouses have been unfaithful to them say that, in hindsight, there were signs that something was amiss in the marriage. Similarly, young women suffering from eating disorders often drop clues to their behavior. And frequently those committing suicide will tip off their intentions ahead of time. Of course, not everyone in such situations exhibits the signs. And obviously, not everyone knows how to read the signs properly. But those who do are, more often than not, able to detect that something is wrong and successfully intervene either to prevent or minimize the negative behavior.
Might the same be true for those falling away from the faith? Do those abandoning the Lord telegraph their behavior ahead of time? These are important questions because, if there are some telltale signs that a fellow Christian is drifting away from the faith, keen-eyed believers might be able to act to prevent him or her from falling away. (Brian Simmons)
“Bear one another’s burdens,
and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
~Galatians 6:2~
Posted by Mike Benson
Take time to think of all the ways you are thankful to God. Enjoy a great week of expressing to God and others how thankful you are.
Anna Lee
Jess, Sydney’s mother, wrote this:
It’s hard to explain all that we’ve been through. As hard as it is to take my eyes off our girl for even a minute to sit at the foot of her bed and type, I want to write this out so everyone will understand what’s going on (as best I can explain it) and know how to pray with us.
How we ended up at Vanderbilt- the quick version
Thursday morning, before we were released from the hospital (from Sydney’s birth), the pediatrician thought she looked slightly jaundiced. It wasn’t serious enough to require any treatment at that time; he wanted us to follow up on Saturday morning though, just to be sure it wasn’t getting any worse. Saturday morning, the pediatrician, Dr. H, was satisfied with Syd’s color. However, he was concerned because she was breathing pretty rapidly and wasn’t responding appropriately to all the pokes and prods- rather than being agitated, she just laid there. He gave us instructions to go straight to the ER at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and told us they would be expecting us.
Vandy ER
Sydney was seen right away. By this time, her breathing seemed to be under control, but she was extremely lethargic. It had been four hours since her last feeding and she wouldn’t wake up to eat and wasn’t crying or fussy. All the doctors could tell us at that point was that something was causing her to behave that way and we needed to figure out what it was. It was a long day of waiting, crying, and praying. She had chest x-rays, abdomen x-rays, blood tests, urine cultures (after hours of trying to get urine out of her), and even an attempted spinal tap- 2 sticks were unsuccessful at withdrawing fluid. All the tests were coming back ok, but the doctors weren’t convinced that all was fine.
In the Infant Unit
She was finally admitted around 6 or 7 last night. Her blood-ox level had been good all day in the ER, but the nurse on the floor noticed it dropping shortly after we moved up. She was assessed by yet another doctor. It wasn’t long before they started “blow-by” oxygen, indirectly giving her concentrated amounts of O2. By 10 or 11, she was showing signs of needing more attention, and over the course of the next hour or so she ended up with 5 nurses/doctors standing over and around her bed trying to draw blood, start a new IV, get her blood pressure from all extremities. It was excrutiating for me and Rob, so we know it could only have been worse for her. Finally around 1am, they finished and were satisfied that they’d done all they could do until morning. By this time, we’ve been told her situation could be related to a viral infection, lung problem, heart defect, heart murmur, meningitis, and several other options I can’t even remember any more.
Overnight
Sydney had an EKG and a nasal cannula was started because the blow-by oxygen was no longer enough to keep her blood saturation up at a healthy level.
Sunday Morning
We’re waiting for a pediatric cardiologist to come up and do a heart echo. Sydney nursed a little bit, and then drank 2 oz. from a bottle (yay!). She blew her second IV early this morning, but Dr. H wants to hold off on a third IV if we can get her to keep drinking. He sat down with us and was very compassionate in explaining that while most pediatric cases are pretty clear, Syd’s obviously is not. He feels like he can rule out, at this point, a viral or lung issue or infection. He’s anxious to hear from the cardiologist, though, and believes that we may find the root of our girl’s problems. Dr. H is a believer, and he prayed with us before he left. He also shared that as he prayed yesterday morning, before he began his day and met us for the first time, God stirred his heart and told him that he needed to be on alert because he was going to see something important that day; he thinks God was preparing him to meet Sydney. She is indeed important to us.
**Updated Sunday Afternoon**
The cardiologist just left and her heart is “perfectly normal”. PRAISE THE LORD!!! He suspects bronchiole-itis (sp??). We’re back to waiting for the next step, but we’re so encouraged that it’s not a problem with her heart! Thank you Jesus!
As for us…
Rob and I are “ok”. I’m so thankful that he’s so strong; he’s been a rock while I’ve been a mess. On Tuesday, I thought labor and delivering a baby would be the hardest things I would ever do. I was so, so wrong. The hardest thing I’ve ever done is sat and watched my four day old baby be poked and prodded while she screamed with all her little lungs had. The hardest thing I’ve ever done is sat and watched my four day old baby be poked and prodded while she lay there and didn’t respond at all. My heart has been broken over and over again, and put back back together every time she’s opened her eyes and looked at us.
Really, we are ok. We have absolute faith and trust that God knows what is going on and He will continue to be faithful to heal our girl. It hasn’t been easy to believe, but it’s all we can do. We’ve been encouraged and strengthened by the calls, texts, and prayers of so many. Thank you for loving us and loving our baby enough to lift up her name. We look forward to the day we can take her home and send out pictures of a happy, healthy, thriving little girl.
How you can Pray for Us
– Pray for Sydney!! She’s been a trooper so far. Pray that she’ll continue to eat good without IV fluids, pray that she’ll sleep good when she’s not being messed with and that she’ll show her dissatisfaction when she’s agitated. Her cry has become a sweeter sound than we ever could have imagined. Pray for her pain to be minimal and healing to come quick
– Pray for the doctors, nurses, and specialists who are treating Syd and reviewing her case. Pray for wisdom for them to see what exactly is causing these problems and knowledge of how to treat it quickly
– Pray for Rob and I to continue to have strength and energy to endure the next few hours and possibly days. We came in as exhausted parents of a four-day-old baby and haven’t gotten much rest since. Pray for my milk to continue to flow so that it will be enough to sustain Syd nutritionally. Pray for our faith to grow in the midst of this trial
We love you and are grateful that we have a wide network of family and friends who we can call on for support- both physically and emotionally. Please keep praying and we’ll do our best to keep you updated.
The Prayer Link 
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