Friday Afternoon

Please pray for Cindy Knight Edwards, a young wife and mother, who will have heart surgery Monday.


Greg Corkern will be hospitalized a while longer. The doctors have determined he had a major heart attack.



Wanzie Williams’ surgery went well. She will be going to rehab when she leaves the hospital.



Kathy Jo Thompson (Amite)

Still at home, haven’t been able to get around much. I still need mom to help me up and down and to walk sometimes. The pain gets better each day but now it is begining to be a different pain. When I move certain ways I get this shooting pain all over and it paralyzes me for a few seconds. It hurts! I know that this to shall pass says my mother but when your going through it, it doesn’t seem like it. I alternate my activities during the day from standing, sitting, and lying because if I stay in one position for too long it starts to hurt, but boy does that ice still work! ha

I wanted to update earlier but our computer takes forever and didn’t really have the patience. Mrs. Sandra Satterwater (Anglin is her maiden name) passed away on Wednesday around 2 pm. Her preacher called us and said that she was doing fine and then all of a sudden her blood pressure starting dropping and they couldn’t get it to come back up. We are so very sad for the family but know that she is in a better place and no longer hurting. Please keep her family in your prayers as they go through their time of loss.

On a lighter note, I’m still struggling with this one class. I will decide today if I take the final or if I am going to get an incomplete and just finish what I haven’t taken during the summer. I just don’t understand why teachers can be so not caring. I understand that I need to take the test to pass the class but I just had a tumor removed from my spine and am probably have to go back in two months and have more removed from my body. I haven’t even thought about studying and looking at a book cause I am in pain all the time. But anyways, God has his plans I’m trying not to worry and wait on him to guide me!

~KJ


Don Denton (Former music minister at FBC, Indepencence)

Don’s doctor came in this morning. The spot they found in the pelvic area will not be biopsied. There is not a lymph node in that area.

They will not do the PET Scan today, they will do a Spect Scan today. A SPECT Scan detects functional abnormalities in the brain. It looks for blood flow through the arteries and veins and can detects tumors as well.

I am not sure why they decided not to do the PET Scan at this point.

Don’s headaches are moch less painful these days, since they did the lumbar puncture. It was theraputic in that way. We are really thankful for that.

It has rained off and on the past several days. And we will have more rain this weekend.

Of course we will wait through the weekend. The neurosurgeon will be in somtime today or this weekend. I spoke to him yesterday. He will go over details of this brain biopsy when he comes to see us.

Joshua is a trooper. Here we are again, at another hospital, different city, away from home and he is pretty amazing. He is away from his friends and of course everything is new here.

He has his melts downs which is normal. I continue to educate myself with grief for children as much as possible.

I did not sleep last night. Too much on my mind with respect to questions for the doctors. Otherwise I have been getting really good sleep and feel pretty good in that way these days.

Our pets are being boarded at the VET. I thought we would be back home by now. One day I will be more realistic about that. I have my own denial too.

Well, keep you all posted as we hear.

Friday

“Dear children,

let us stop just saying we love each other;

let us really show it by our actions.”

~1 John 3:18 NLT~




Mrs. Frances Bell is in rehab here in Kentwood. Continue to remember her in your prayers.


Keandra Hookfin, a young college graduate and mother, was in an accident and now has a broken neck. Pray for her and her family as they make adjustjments to accommodate her present condition.


Don Denton

Don is still considered stable. He had the Galian Scan today and they found a “spot” in his pelvic area. Tomorrow “Friday” they will do a PET Scan on Don looking for other places to “light up”. If they find what they are looking for they will do a biopsy somewhere else other than the brain.

This biopsy will happen on Monday. So one way or the other depending on what they find tomorrow there will be a biopsy on Monday.

He is still not able to eat. He is taking fluids. There are problems with keepin an IV in him. His vessels are not working as well as they would like them to.

He is still very dizzy, nauseated and just feels really bad.

He sleeps allot and just does not feel well.

Josh and I have been keeping busy exploring St.Louis. We found a great park called Turtle Park. He just loves it.

Well, it looks like we will have answers tomorrow in the definite direction.

My head is swimming at times. I continue to hold to the hope that this will be treatable.

Pray for Don’s body that it will not shut down. Pray that he will be able to endure another weekend.

This feels really bad right now, but at the same time, we are so ready to have answers.

Tomorrow will be an important day.

Pray for my precious ones. Thank you our dear friends and family.

Diane

Glenda Russum Kennedy Gallagher
(January 31, 1959 – April 30, 2009)

Glenda Russum Kennedy Gallagher

She always knew life was a gift and was a friend that everyone wishes they had.

Glenda Russum Kennedy Gallagher was born January 31, 1959 and passed away April 30, 2009 at her home in Amite. Glenda was 50, a native of Hazelhurst, MS and a resident of Amite. She was the daughter of Glenn Russum, Picayune, MS and the late Qujett Russum.

She is survived by 2 daughters, Captain Britney Kennedy, El Paso, Texas and Ann Blythe Kennedy, Amite; 2 sisters, Glennell and husband Danny Lumkin, Seminary, Mississippi, Gaylia and husband Steve Calimag, Cross, South Carolina.

Glenda was preceded in death by her husband, William R. “Bill” Gallagher.

Glenda was a true caregiver working at Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center as a Registered Nurse for 20 years. She served as a trustee for Amite United Methodist Church, a past Junior Auxillary Member and served on the Advisory Board for PrimeCare Home Health.

A memorial service celebrating Glenda’s life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Amite, on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Brady Whitton officiating.

Glenda was a 15 year breast cancer survivor and she shared her spirit with others fighting cancer.

In lieu of flowers, family request donations may be made in Glenda’s honor to

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Texas Gulf Coast & Louisiana, 3340 Severn Avenue,Suite 350 Metairie, LA 70002 or

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Awareness Attn: Gift Management Services 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250 Dallas, TX 75244

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

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

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
WHAT SHOULD WE leave behind when we die…?
A faithful family.
We will leave a mourning family behind on that sad day, but will we leave a faithful one? Will each be on his or her way to heaven? We are not able to make decisions for them, but we will have a great influence on each, especially our children (Proverbs 22:6).
Sarah left a godly man to mourn (Genesis 23:2). Abraham left faithful sons behind (Genesis 18:19; 25:8). Zebedee and Salome gave the world James and John. Lois taught Eunice, who molded Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15).
If we would leave such a family, we must start NOW, because the years may come when they will not listen (Ecclesiastes 12:2). No greater legacy can be left than faith in God and faithfulness to His church. (Allen Webster)
“You are the light of the world…”
Matthew 5:14a
May this day be the best day of your week.
Anna Lee

Thursday Afternoon

Please pray for Erin Pezant’s little girl, Haley. She is 3-4 years old and is in ICU with E-Coli.

Thanks,

Cissy Cutrer

< she smiled. >
They’ve told us that there’s no way of knowing what Mom will be like once she is fully awake. They’ve told us that there’s no telling when she will be ready for rehab. They’ve told us that no one can predict when Mom will be ready for the tracheotomy

to be removed. They’ve told us that there’s no indication yet of whether Mom will have full function of her arms and legs.

But today, she smiled at me.

She had not done that up to now since the accident. I walked in this morning. She was awake. Her eyes opened a little wider as I walked around the bed and sat beside her. I touched her left shoulder and smiled at her and enthusiastically announced my arrival with a lively, “Hey!!!”

She opened her eyes wide, found mine, and smiled at me. It was a half smile. The left side of her face, springing to life half of an expression that we all have missed so much. I am not sure if it was a half smile due to what we’ll find out are long-term issues with the right side of her face, or if it was a half smile due to weakness and atrophy. But she smiled. And I lit up.

I probably talked her ear off for the next 20 minutes, I was so excited. She kept her eyes open for most of the time, occasionally closing them for a brief respite (either cause she needed it or hoping I would shut up).

Mom is progressing so much it seems. I know it is baby steps. And I know she could certainly have a setback any day (that’s what we are told). But each day so far this week, there has been something new.

Yesterday and today I called Dad while I was with Mom to let him talk to her over the speaker phone. She nodded at his questions, and I translated. She is opening her eyes wider than ever. She moved both right and left feet and toes. And today she turned her neck slightly to the right, which she has not done (not much now – but it was a definite effort that was followed by a grimace). Pretty awesome!!!

Oh yeah – I mentioned before that she is trying to mouth stuff from time to time. She did it to Sheila and Pattie today, too. She has mouthed “I love you, too” to me several times. Today, before I left to drive back over to Dad’s place, I told her what I was doing (heading over to check on Dad). Before I could tell her I love her, she mouthed “I love you.” It made my heart well up big time. I love my Mom.

Yesterday, when I showed her a piece of art of various flowers Caleb made from construction paper, she loved it. Her eyes widened, and she mouthed, “Very beautiful.”

I asked her physical therapy doctor this afternoon about Mom’s tracheotomy and therapy. When would she begin weaning off the trach and when would they get more aggressive with her therapy? She responded:

“It will fully depend upon your Mom being able to be fully awake for long periods of time. But, let me assure you, based on what I have seen in the past with other patients (she was an experienced doctor), your Mom is fully there mentally, and I believe she will recover well. She may end up with some disability in her left arm, but so far it’s too early to tell anything else.”

We’ll take it. Erik and I were talking last night, and we agreed – we are simply thankful to have Mom back to the point where we can at least talk with her.

Erik comes back in tomorrow. I can’t wait to see him. I know he is anxious to interact with Mom and Dad.

Dad has had a grueling but great day. When I arrived this morning, he was waking up. I had his Tall Decaf. He was grateful. He sat up to eat breakfast and sip his coffee. We slid him over to the potty chair. We slid him back over to the bed for a sponge bath. We got him dressed. We looked through some cards people have sent. And, the therapist walked in to get him.

He had three therapy sessions today! Wow!!! He said they really worked him hard. Good stuff. Erik and I told him he’s gonna be stronger when this is over than he was before the accident. I bet he will be like “Awnold” was in his prime before rehab is done.

I asked Dad about his thoughts on today. Here’s what he said:

“The thing that I liked most about this day is the thought that people are really paying attention to Mom. She is the one who needs that interaction, and I really am grateful for what people are doing. There was a woman who came by to see me, for instance, who left from here to go see Mom simply to go and sing to her. That really meant a lot to me.”

That is a direct quote from a man sitting in a wheelchair right now wearing hospital socks, “Justice League” pajama pants, a “Superman” T-Shirt, and a neck-collar. He is the epitomy of cool (in my opinion).

While sitting in his wheelchair today, and while I was over with Mom, Dad had a first. He rolled himself into the bathroom, tinkled in his tinkle jar (as we say since Dad has 8 grandkids below the age of 7), washed his hands, and rolled back into his room. He has been sitting up in his wheelchair or in therapy all but about 30 minutes today. Way to go Pop!!! I bet he will sleep well tonight.

Dad got to talk to the Orlando grandkids this afternoon, too, on the phone. He hopes to talk to Erik’s kids tonight.

We are going to go for a walk now. Well, I am gonna walk and Dad is gonna wheel. Then, I am going to head to grab some take-out for the both of us.

Let me know if you want anything…
-jason

Thursday

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

~Galatians 6:2~



Pray as the swine flu continues to spread. Pray for wisdon as decisions are made concerning preparations, closures, and treatment. Pray for each person to act responsibly so this problem does not get worse than it already is.

Pray for Wanzie Williams. She fell and injured her shoulder while in New York with family and will have surgery at Our Lady of the Lake this afternoon.


Also, pray for Tracy Williams who will have surgery at Tulane today.


Mrs. Lois Bridges passed on a request for prayer for a four year old who is in Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. Haley Melder, who is Bob Pezant’s great granddaughter, the granddaughter of Arnold and Gwen Pezant, and the daughter of Erin is undergoing tests to diagnose her problem.

Jimmy and Retia Dukes

the hospital hokey pokey
Jen and I were riding through Orlando a few years back, and we saw (in my opinion) the funniest bumper sticker in the history of bumper stickers (and bumpers, for that matter). It simply said:

“What if the hokey pokey IS what it’s all about?”

Fortunately for all of us, it ISn’t what it’s all about. But with Mom and Dad in two different locations now, it sure seems like it. I put one foot in and then take it right back out and turn myself around to cross the Huey P Long Bridge or the Crescent City Connection (whichever one looks clearer traffic-wise on Google Maps) to head to the other hospital. It’s fun! If you haven’t been on the Huey P lately and you are in need of growing in patience or getting over a fear of heights, I steadfastly and highly recommend it.

Enough of all that nonsense. How are Mom and Dad?

Well, I have to say I am super excited about the progress Mom seems to be making. I continue to remind myself that this will be a long road of recovery for Mom, but every little improvement seems like such a HUGE step when we’ve watched her endure the stillness of a coma.

Yesterday morning, after I posted the Caring Bridge post, I headed to see Mom. I was there for over two hours. During that time, she was awake for a sum total of over an hour!!! When I say awake, I mean eyes open and at least looking around. Still kind of in and out sleeping, but interactive.

I reminded her what was going on (why she is in the hospital). I assured that Dad is doing well. I told her about Erik and Erin and the boys. I told her about Jen and Caleb and the girls and me. I told her about people praying for her all over everywhere. I told her that she had been in a coma for 3 weeks. She got a little emotional at that – tearing up and sobbing / coughing a bit.

I began to ask her a series of various questions. Did she remember anything about the accident? She shook her head no. Did she remember listening to music while she was in a coma? She nodded yes. Did she remember me playing for her Caleb and Katey and Abby singing “My God Is So Big?” She nodded yes. Was she hurting anywhere? She shook her head no. Did she like my beard (I asked that again, because a few of my friends back in Orlando texted me yesterday teasing about whether Mom liked it or not)? She nodded YES – there you go guys! Did she remember my birthday? She nodded yes, but when I gave her some multiple choice, she didn’t get it. Today she did, though. She just needed to sleep on it.

If you didn’t notice in that last paragraph, I mentioned that Mom shook her head no. She had not done that yet to me. So that’s a first and a positive sign. Before I headed over to see Dad, I told her how much I loved her and was so proud of her for how well she was doing and how beautiful she was. She mouthed back, “I love you.”

Today, Mom had several treatments and tests and lots of visitors. She interacted with all of them in some way. A nod of the head. An attempt to mouth something. Open eyes looking around.

They did another CT today. There’s something going on there for them to do another one so close to the one they did Monday. I haven’t gotten the answer on it yet, but I will let you know when I do. I asked Erik to call, too. He understands all that stuff much better, obviously. Please keep praying.

Dad had a great day both yesterday and today. He is doing especially well as I type this. We were about to dive into some amazing dumplins when a friend called and said he was bringing us something. He is bringing us take-out from a local French restaurant. The special tonight is scallops. I am not eating that, but of course Dad is. I ordered butternut squash soup and some salmon.

It was a tough choice. One of our family friends who is an amazing cook brought us two containers of chicken and dumplins. Her dumplins are something special, I tell you. Really, really, really, really good. When the other friend called to tell me the special at the French place (that’s French for “place”) was scallops and he wanted to bring Dad some, I said go ahead. I know how amazing those dumplins are, and since they are in containers I refrigerated them for Dad to have for lunch tomorrow. That’ll be good and give him something culinarily exquisite to look forward to midday tomorrow after therapy.

Besides food, which is a big deal in New Orleans, Dad is really doing well. He is dressed today in a brand new New Orleans Hornets T-Shirt (to commemorate their 58 point loss and hopefully a win tonight) and a brand new pair of Mickey Mouse pajama pants (to commemorate missing Orlando – picture attached I caught while he was napping).

Therapy was tough on him this morning, but he is making progress. He told me his legs were really sore, which is a good thing. His wrist hurt a lot today. They will assess it in two weeks and then, more than likely, do surgery to repair it. The skin will be good and healed by that point.

Please keep praying for logistics to work out favorably. We are trusting the Lord on all that for sure and doing due diligence as needed (along with the help of Uncle Danny, our friend Don, and the Seminary leaders). We should know more in the coming week.

Well, Dad’s scallops just arrived. The dumplins are labeled and secure in the pantry fridge just down the hall. Gonna enjoy a meal with my Dad. Thanks Don and Joyce for a great supper and lunch, respectively. Very thankful that I am able to be here with Dad and enjoy this meal.

I really miss Jen and the kids. BIG TIME. I will fly home again Friday. Erik will be down this weekend. Looking forward to seeing him before I fly out.

Please, please pray for our close friend Becky and her Dad – Mr. Harry. He recovered from cancer a few years ago, but this past Sunday he let his family know the cancer was back. It seems to be far-reaching. He is getting a second opinion on what to do. You may remember Chris from an earlier post – the one who drove with me all night to New Orleans the night of the accident. Well, Mr. Harry is his father-in-law. Please pray for Mr. Harry and his wife Mrs. Dale and Chris and Becky and their three kids at this time. The effective prayer of the righteous accomplishes much, as James wrote. Your prayers would mean so much to them.

Looking forward to seeing how Mom interacts tomorrow. Looking forward to the drive between hospitals. I have more voice mails than I know what to do with, so I use that time to attempt to return them. They keep stacking up. Thanks for being patient with me on that stuff.

Very thankful for all of you. Very thankful. Post with you tomorrow.
-jason

Outlaws at sea, chaos ashore

Erich Bridges
Outlaws at sea, chaos ashore

Listen to an audio version of this post at
http://media1.imbresources.org/files/70/7023/7023-39678.mp3

Those pirates tormenting ships off the coast of Somalia are no isolated band of cutthroats on an otherwise placid horizon.

They represent what author William Langewiesche calls the “outlaw sea” — global coastlines and deep waters increasingly plagued by buccaneers, hijackers, drug runners, smugglers and terrorists.

In his 2004 book of the same name (“The Outlaw Sea: A World of Freedom, Chaos, and Crime,” North Point Press), Langewiesche explored the vast expanses of blue. It’s a place where hundreds of pirate attacks occur each year from Southeast Asia to the Caribbean, where thousands of unsafe, unregulated merchant ships sail the globe under so-called “flags of convenience” to mask their origins and owners. This region beyond nations, which covers three-quarters of the earth’s surface, is a “reminder of the world as it was before, but also quite possibly … a harbinger of a larger chaos to come,” Langewiesche observed.

What “larger chaos”? The Somali pirates reflect what’s happening on dry land: “Failed states” continue to threaten not only their own people but the peoples and nations around them.

Somalia is the poster child for “failed states.” It fragmented more than 20 years ago amid clan wars. No stable national government exists. The chaos has sent throngs of refugees fleeing into other countries, subjected those who stayed behind to terrible suffering at the hands of thugs and warlords — and attracted foreign terrorists looking for bases of operation.

There are worse things than bad government. Anarchy, for instance. Ask the Somalis. Ask the people who endure seemingly endless violence in parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan and other places.

Nuclear-armed Pakistan, in particular, teeters on the edge of instability as radical Islamists wield expanding influence. Its neighbor and longtime enemy, India, watches with growing alarm.

“As much as India fears Pakistan, it fears Pakistan’s collapse even more,” reports Robert D. Kaplan in The Atlantic magazine. “The threat of Islamic anarchy in the region is perfectly suited to the further consolidation of Hindu nationalism.” Hindu nationalism, in turn, increases extremism and violence against millions of Muslims and Christians in India.

Everything is connected in a globalized, essentially borderless world. The current global economic crisis proves that proposition beyond reasonable doubt. That’s why Christians in safe, quiet places should be concerned about “failed states” and chaotic areas within states. Not only do they destabilize whole regions and cause massive human suffering, they directly affect the church and the transmission of the Gospel.

Many unreached and unevangelized people live within unstable nations and regions. Reaching them with the message of God’s love becomes all the more difficult where chaos reigns. Missionaries who set out to work in such places often never reach their destination because of risks and barriers. If they do get there, they may find themselves targeted as easy prey. Or, they may be unable to minister effectively because of ongoing danger and disorder.

Believers living in chaotic places also are vulnerable to violence and persecution. However, like the early Christians who evangelized the known world amid a crumbling empire, they find many opportunities to minister to desperate people and guide them toward Christ, the only true source of peace.

People who flee chaos for freer, more peaceful areas often encounter the Gospel for the first time. Somali Muslims who might have faced instant martyrdom for seeking Christ in their homeland can learn about Him elsewhere.

More than 150,000 Somalis have streamed into the city of London as refugees and asylum seekers since the early 1990s. They remain clan-oriented, wary of outsiders and strongly Muslim. However, they are finding friends among London Christians who help them with education, finding jobs and recovering from the traumas they have experienced.

Farah,* a respected leader in London’s Somali community, has a close Christian friend. Farah hasn’t decided whether to follow Christ as Lord, but he believes all Somalis should have the right to understand and freely choose their own religious beliefs.

“This is a man of influence, a man of peace, a man who desires to see better days for his people” wherever they are, says his Christian friend. One day, Farah hopes to return to his homeland and help rebuild it.

One way or another, God reigns over all nations — even the failed ones.

(Reblogged from World View Conversation)
KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
I SAW THIS sign at a gas station while I was traveling…
It made me think about instances when I’ve had to deal with “gunky build-up” in my life. For me, gunky build-up occurs when I let less important stuff squeeze out the real priorities in my life. Maybe you’ve experienced it too:
. Sometimes I believe the lie that I can’t afford to take a break and rest. The reality is that I’m far less effective in my family and leadership roles when I’m tired and grumpy.
. Sometimes I believe the lie that I’ll spend quality time with my wife at the end of the day after everything else is done. The reality is that the last things on my priority list rarely get done.
. Sometimes I believe the lie that I’ll get to the next big projects after I knock out the more routine tasks. The reality is that there will always be other routine tasks to complete.
. Sometimes I believe the lie that the more I do, the more valuable I am to the team. The reality is that I’m not being effective if I’m busy doing the wrong things.
. Sometimes I believe the lie that the little problem I have isn’t jeopardizing my leadership. The reality is that most times everyone else is already being impacted by my little problem.
. Sometimes I believe the lie that I need to correct every false statement and negative comment. The reality is that many times those faint voices become a distraction when I draw attention and make them loud.
. Sometimes I believe the lie that goals will be accomplished without a plan if I’m just patient and faithful. The reality is that most goals worth pursuing require counsel and strategy and hard work and commitment.
. Sometimes I believe the lie that I need to jump at a good opportunity. The reality is that someone will always have a good opportunity for me to pursue, and many times those good opportunities squeeze out time and energy needed to fulfill a greater mission and calling.
Do you know that I’m talking about? Have you dealt with similar cases of gunky build-up? I’m still trying to learn how to deal with this, but along the way I’ve also learned some preventive maintenance that helps clean up my engine. Here are some things I’ve learned I need to do to “de-gunk” my life:
. Schedule my week in advance, including scheduling time to work on major projects.
. Prioritize time with my wife.
. Surround myself with friends who will push back when needed.
. Stay disciplined about my faith, my exercise, and my eating habits.
. Learn to say no.
. Decide in advance what I hope to accomplish.
So is it time for you to stop the gunky build-up in your life? Now is the time to do something about it. Don’t delay. (Tony Morgan)
“But one thing is needed…” (Luke 10:42).

“. . . I . . . do not cease to give thanks for you,
making mention of you in my prayers:
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory,
may give to you the spirit of wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of Him.”
~Ephesians 1:16-17~

Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

Stan and Bethany Simmons

Bethany is out of the hospital and resting at home. Please continue to pray for this couple as they look forward to a new baby this summer.



Kathy Jo Thompson

I’m home! We flew home on Monday around 2pm. The flight and the drive back home was horrible (PAIN!!!) but the wheelchair people at the airport were nice. Before we left Washington, Mom found a little pizza place in the airport and told me I had to eat, she was pulling rank. She bought me a slice and I don’t know if it was because I had been eating hospital food or that I was hungry but man tha was the BEST pizza I ever had. I was hurting so bad that when we got home I took a pain pill and went to bed. I woke up once to put more ice on my back and to take more medicine but slept til about 7am. It is good to be home! I can’t do much and I feel bad because the house is a wreck and mom is trying to clean it and keep up with me. It is stressful on her but I am very thankful. Dad is working, making money and he checks on me too!

Now I am dealing with my school and trying to get exams situated so I can graduate in May but I may have to finish in the summer. I can’t go very far with out my back hurting so I can’t exactly go to LSU and take my finals. Pray that God will take care of that because I only have two classes out of six left that say that I have to take the final in order to pass the class.

I get my staples out either today or tomorrow, just depends when the physician can see me. I am not sure if they will give me local anastesia or not but I hope so. Mom says oh you can do it there aint nothing to it. Um mom have you ever accidently stapled your finger, it kinda hurts and I have 27 of them. They aren’t like stitches, I’ve taken them out of football players before, there isn’t anything to it but staples are different.

Dad talked to Mr. David, Mrs. Sandra’s husband, this morning and he said that she gets a little better each day but she still has a long way to go. I called him today but didn’t get any answer, when I talk to him I will let people know. There is also a little boy by the name of Olsyn Davis that I want everyone to pray for. He is 2 months old and the doctors have done everything they can for him but say that he will not live. My aunt DC and uncle Will met them in a waffle house in Washington or Maryland and said that he looked really bad. He can’t keep anyhting down and his parents are a new young couple that is devistated. Please pray for these people.

Wednesday

“We love because He first loved us.”

~1 John 4:19 NIV~

Joyce Cole

I accessed “prayer for the elderly” and came up with your address. At any rate, my mother needs abundant prayer. She’s 81, recovery from a very recent mild stroke and she has become quite vulnerable to severe colds and congestion. Can you put Joyce Cole 81, on an official prayer list?

Don Denton

Don’s test results have come back from the CAT Scan and the lumbar puncture. They look normal. The cultures fromthe lumbar puncture they are still waiting on.

Don will have a test on Thursday of this week as well. The doctors have pushed back the biopsy until they get the results of this next test. This test will look for a disease called Sarcoid. It is very rare if found in the brain and spine. I believe they want to rule this disease out before doing the biopsy.

Don is still considered stable, although he is not able to eat any type of food. Lately the liquid supplements he is not keeping down either.

We have concerns about nutrition and malnurishment. I hope to talk with doctors tomorrow about that.

We are hoping to see results by Thursday and hopefully, they can do the biopsy by Friday so Don won’t have to wait through the weekend.

Although given our experience with “waiting” this could go into next week.

As I am not surprised, my two precious ones, my husband Don, well, he is tired of this. This has been a painfully, long road for him. He is pretty weary.

And then our little one Joshua is more than ever fearful of his daddy dying. He talks about it often. I would give anything in this world for these two to not have to suffer like this.

Please pray as you feel lead to pray for us. We are most needy these days. I find myself pretty vulnerable most of the time. Emotionally it has taken a toll on all of us.

I have heard some of you all say how strong I am. It is only by the grace of God. And when you love someone, like I loves the two men in my life,…Don and Josh….holding onto hope. Believing is where I have to stand. I believe in the God who says don’t quit asking. I believe in the God who still performs miracles.

I am not strong….I most of the time am a child myself asking God for help. I am pretty needy these days. But I am not ready to quit fighting in what I believe in.

I don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring for us. I pray that God will use the doctors to bring answers and treatment. I pray for peace in Don, Joshua, and my heart.

And I continue to ask God to restore Don’s health. I am asking for a miracle.

We are so very thankful for a most peaceful place for Joshua and I to rest our heads. It is truly a place of peace for us. We could not have imagined a more precious place to stay while we are here in St. Louis. It is a place that Joshua can feel safe too.

I will close for now. I will do my best to update you all tomorrow. The hospital computers don’t always work.

We pray for a new day of restored hope.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would ask Him, and He would give you living water” (John 4:10, HCSB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy, joining you in prayer for pure, living water.

During the month of April, the entire country of Myanmar celebrates Water Festival. Originally, it was a festival in which the people worshiped many different spirits. Later, it became a Buddhist festival where people throw water on each other to wash their sins away and celebrate the new year. Water Festival is a reminder that the Bhama people have no hope.

The 20 million Fulani people of West Africa are not celebrating a water festival but are traveling constantly, seeking water for their livestock. Through the centuries, their tireless search has dispersed the Fulani into some 18 African countries. Pray for the Fulani to discover the Living Water, who alone can quench their soul thirst.

Over the past several years in Guinea (also West Africa), with the help of many churches, many wells have been dug in Susu villages. These wells have been instrumental in opening doors to sharing the gospel. Pray for new wells that will be dug in the months of April and May. Ask that the people of these villages will open their hearts to learn of the Living Water as they enjoy the health and convenience of clean drinking water.

After multiple delays, the water well at the new church near Leogane, Haiti is finally finished and the pump is installed! Thank you for your faithful prayers and for generously giving to the IMB’s hunger and relief fund to make this possible.

* Please pray that these wells will be both a source of clean water and a source of living water for this community.

* Intercede for the believers to be bold in sharing their faith, the great hope they have in Jesus.

* Pray that the lost of Myanmar, West Africa and Haiti will realize that the only way to have their sins washed away is through the living water Christ alone can provide.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
HOW DO YOU build a “sanctuary” in your busy life; a place where you can meet with God…?
Build a “closet.”
Isaac’s closet was in a field (Genesis 24:63). Peter’s closet was on a housetop (Acts 10:9).
You must fashion your own.
It may mean leaving the kids with your spouse, while you sit out on the back porch with a cup of coffee and your Bible for fifteen minutes.
It may mean snatching a few minutes when your baby is taking his or her afternoon nap.
For those who have a long drive to work, your sanctuary may be in your car with a CD player. It may mean posting a passage of Scripture near your steering wheel, where you can meditate and pray about it during the time that you drive.
It may mean reading your Bible during your lunch break at work.
It may mean taking the first ten minutes to read and pray in your office each morning.
It may mean putting your tennis shoes on and going for a walk with your Bible in hand.
It may mean sitting in your garage or workshop with a CD player to listen to sermons.
It’s not what the sanctuary looks like or where it is that matters. It’s what you do there that makes it a meaningful place. The sanctuary does not provide rest. What takes place there in the desert is what refreshes the inner man. (Steve Farrar).
“But you, when you pray, go into your room,
and when you have shut your door,
pray to your Father who is in the secret place;
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Matthew 6:6
Have a wonderful day!
Anna Lee

Tuesday Evening


Joan Hagan called to ask for prayer for her brother-in-law, Greg Corkern, who had a heart attack this morning. Greg is in his 30’s. Greg is hospitalized in Mandeville where he had surgery this morning and was given a stent. He will have another surgery tomorrow and a third surgery some time after that. Please be in prayer for Greg, Sharon, and their family as they go through this time.


Joan also asked for prayer for her aunt, Elaine Bennett, who has become more homebound lately.

Tuesday Afternoon

Margaret Huber

Just wanted to let you know that I am home from the hospital and recuperating. I was found to have colon cancer but I will go Friday to St. Lukes Surgery Center to have a port put in and then I will go to Baton Rouge next week to see an Oncologist to start treatments. Keep me in your prayers and hopefully soon I will get over this and get back to work. GOD IS SO GOOD!
Lots of prayers have been answered already and I want to thank everyone from praying for me and my family, thank them for the food, phone calls, visits, flowers and gifts. Friends are so special.
Mrgaret Huber






Jimmy and Retia Dukes

Monday was a good day. I had flown back into town Sunday night in time to go and be with Dad for a while. We watched the Red Sox sweep the Yankees, which I didn’t like, and then we watched the highlights of the NASCAR race from Sunday. Caleb, Dad’s NASCAR-loving grandson, has influenced his grandfather and father to pay attention to the sport, especially Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. They didn’t fair as well as we would have like, but the Carl Edwards crash was dangerously entertaining. Dad seemed to enjoy the company and the highlights. I certainly appreciated seeing him again.

I had flown home for the weekend. Erik and Erin had driven down. They helped Mom and Dad settle into their new facilities. We are very pleased and very thankful with both so far. It is such a blessing not only to know my brother as brother, but also to know him as a best friend. And his sweet wife – we both over-married. Jen and I are thankful to be walking through all of this with them, and with all of you.

Monday morning began with “Westbank” traffic. I google-mapped my way to West Jefferson Hospital in Marrero. When I found Mom, she was asleep. Just so you know, she still is doing that more than anything – sleeping, resting, much like when she was in a coma. The difference, thankfully, now is that every now and then when you try to wake her, she actually wakes up. Sometimes for a minute or so. Sometimes for a little longer. I was with her for about 2 hours and 15 minutes yesterday morning. Sum total during that time we interacted approximately 20 minutes.

By “interacted” I mean she opened her eyes and looked into mine. Her expression, while still very much not her usual look, demonstrated that she recognized me, even with my new beard. I asked her if she liked it. She actually nodded. Between periodically slipping back off to sleep and intermittently returning to the conversation, Mom “conversed” (you might say) without saying a word. I tried to ask questions that only required a blink or a nod or a movement of the toes. She did move her toes on her right foot when I asked her to move her feet. Not her left foot. When I asked her to move her hands, she didn’t. Can’t do that yet. Hopefully soon. Hopefully she will again.

What killed me as her son and yet cause me to rejoice objectively all at the same time was when she was listening to Abby on the phone. Our two-year-old and Mom have spent a lot of time together. I called Jen while I was in the room with Mom just to give her an update. I asked Mom if she wanted to “talk” to Jen (that’s code for listen since she is not speaking yet). She nodded her head. Jen spoke to her over the speaker phone. Mom seemed to appreciate it, listening intently. Then I asked Mom if she wanted to “talk” to Abby. She nodded again. Abby got on the phone.

“Hey Ammaw…hey Ammaw!!! Is she derr? You derr Ammaw? I wuv you. Come over, ok!”

I told Jen I would call her back. Upon hearing Abby, Mom began to convulse, as though sobbing uncontrollably. She teared up. I supposed she was crying and gently stroked the left side of her shaved head and tried to calm her down. I told her I was sorry for making her sad. After she calmed, I asked her if that was okay that she “talked” to Abby. She nodded. I quit crying, too, and rejoiced inside that Mom had reacted emotionally like she did. She is still in there, even though her body is not responding yet like we hope it will.

Mom had a very busy day. Not only did she respond to some of the visitors who came and interacted with and sang over and prayed for her, but she also went through a series of procedures. The doctors at her new facility wanted to recheck everything. Mom had another CT on her head. Both arms were x-rayed. A new central IV line was placed. She had respiratory treatment several times during the day. They ordered her a special bed. Her staples were removed from the large incision on the right side of her head. They took blood and urine for cultures and brought “infection control” into the picture to monitor her. The therapists came and worked with her some with range-of-motion exercises. And she got a little morphine. She has had very little pain medicine this whole time since the accident. She has only been sedated for procedures. For her to need pain meds and to be sedated for them to place the central line was actually a positive sign of progression.

We are thankful. Test results on all that stuff should be communicated with us today, tomorrow, and Thursday. I will let you know.

Dad had a really good day. He woke up to breakfast in bed (he’s getting spoiled with that). He fed himself, although with his right hand since his left arm is still healing (he’s left-handed). He put on his “superhero” T-shirt that Erin got him over the weekend (he and mom both are superheroes to us). And the therapists came and got him for therapy.

They worked him hard, he said. For about an hour and a half. He was sore by the afternoon, but happy about it.

I got there to see him close to lunch, Decaf Tall in hand, after I had left Mom’s place. Some friends brought lunch, special for Dad. it was soooooooo good. Yummy country cooking. After lunch, we talked and visited for a while. He shifted back into bed for a nap. I headed to sip some coffee at Starbuck’s (just across the street from his place, which is pretty cool) and bring him back his afternoon latte.

When I returned, we slid him out of bed into his wheelchair, and I took him for a walk. Outside. He said the sun felt good. Clouds rolled in, and rain rhythmed on the tin roof of the awning under which he sat. He likes that a lot. And I so enjoyed seeing him relax and smile the way he did.

“That rain smells and sounds so good,” he said. It was refreshing, for the ground and for Dad.

He said he wanted La Madeleine for supper. Probably because it was in view across the street. But it has always been one of his and mom’s favorites. A “croque monsieur,”, which is a posh way to say ham sandwich. I called it in. I asked him if he wanted to sit there (wheels locked of course) while I went over and picked it up. I trusted him to be good.

He wasn’t.

It was no big deal in the end. I was only gone for like 5 minutes. But while I was acting as his French catering service, he was overcome with Napoleon-Like courage (although a bit taller even sitting down), unlocked his wheels (somehow), and began to wheel himself along the sidewalk with one hand. Thankfully it was level. I know where I get my sense of adventure from, I guess. He is such a determined, stubborn, impatient, gracious, fierce, tender man. I love him.

Two friends arrived and sat with him while he ate and conversed for a while afterward. I headed back over to be with Mom. No response this time. Still sedated from them putting in the central line. So I sat with her for a while and left to let her sleep.

Uncle Danny, who had so kindly given Erik and Erin Hornet’s playoff tickets on Saturday, was able to grab two for me. Dad heavily encouraged me to go. I thought it would be fun and a bit of an escape. I tried asked three friends here to go with me, but all three were busy with family plans. I got there about 7:30 just in time for pre-game announcements. I befriended the two guys sitting next to me. One of them actually had a friend who was starting a church in Orlando near where we did. Small world – crazy. Gonna check in on the guy he told me about when I get back to see if we can connect.

Anyway, right before the tip, someone grabbed me from behind. It was one of my youth ministers from high school growing up here! She and a friend were sitting right behind me and had an empty seat. That was a treat. Then, she introduced me to some people behind us whom she said had been praying for Mom and Dad since the accident. Their compassionate concern overwhelmed me.

I am amazed at all the people who are praying and caring. We can’t thank you enough.

Oh yeah – Hornets actually set a new NBA playoff record last night. I was so happy to be there! They got beat down by 58 points, tying the largest loss margin in playoff history. Great record to hold! Seriously, it was a blast. A great escape. Thanks Uncle Danny and Stan. I really appreciate it.

So, here’s hoping today goes well and all the tests come back showing progression. God has so shown Himself as near and active in all of this. Through all of your love and through awakening Mom and through healing Dad so rapidly.

Please keep praying. Dad is beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel with regard to his neck collar and not being able to walk. Mom has a very long road ahead. I pray that she will have complete ability to hold her grandchildren again. I pray that dang SUV didn’t steal that from her. I will be thankful, though, to simply see her do more than “talk” to Abby. I pray we will see Mom smile as she actually talks to Abby. I pray we will see Abby’s beautiful smile that mirrors Mom’s when she tells her face-to-face, “I wuv you, Ammaw.”

Can’t wait…

By the way – I think Erik is an amazing writer. I look forward to reading his next post. I love you, Bub.

OH YEAH – pretty amazing weekend home with my family. If you want to read a post and see a small video about my precious weekend with my family, http://jasoncdukes.wordpress.com/. Special visit to EPCOT. Awesome celebration of how “My God Is So Big” at worship gathering. Hope you enjoy it. Love y’all.


Be sure to go to Jason’s blog and watch the video and read the post.

Tuesday Addition

I forgot to include this:

Kolby Blake Simpson was born Friday at 6:01 p.m. and weighed 8 ½ pounds and was 21 ½ inches long. The son of Matthew and Celeste Simpson and grandson of Martha Simpson and the late Randy Simpson.

(I cannot post this picture, but will gladly forward it to those who request me do to so.)

Thank God for this baby born to a family suffering from a loss. May the baby give new meaning to life for the family!