July

Today is Monday, July 2. I don't know if I will finish this today so I am giving myself a time reference. It is a beautiful day...truly a gift from God....blue skies, birds singing, etc. Please pray for the people in Texas and Kansas that are having their homes and lives flooded right now.

This past week was quite a week. Al and I went to Memphis so that I could receive Medical Care. We went Sunday after church because I had a Monday morning appointment. On Monday morning we received a phone call from our Sunday School teacher that our friend, Dan Aycock, had begun bleeding from his hip surgery that he had a week ago. We were alarmed and began praying for him, his wife, and family. Within fifteen minutes we received another phone call that it was over. Dan was now with our Lord. Dan and Michelle are a wonderful couple whose love for each other and Christ can be visibly seen. Please pray for our friend Michelle as she goes through this new time learning to adjust to life without Dan. Their love was so evident, it was a blessing to all who know them. Dan's walk with our Lord was easily seen in the way he lived his life. Dan...we will miss you!

On the medical front, I do believe I received relief! God has blessed me with a wonderful 83 year old doctor. Dr. John Shea. He is a christian who developed a procedure that seems to relieve my ear and balance problems. I am now recovering and on phone restriction so that the pressure does not build up in my ear to quickly. Dr. Shea describes my condition to "glaucoma" of the ear. The pressure builds up and everything goes haywire. God has used Dr. Shea to give me hope that I can have a "normal" life. It may take repeated treatments and steroids but God already knows that. I feel like I have my life back!

Yesterday was our Pastor's last Sunday at our church. It was a wonderful day in the Lord. My compliments to the hostess committee. They served hundreds quickly and efficiently. The food was delicious. Our Worship Choir and Youth Choir sang beautifully. Bro. Jake used scripture from 1 Tim. 2.
First Timothy is one of three pastoral letters (including 2 Timothy and Titus) that the aging apostle Paul sent to those who would continue his work. Timothy was, in every way, Paul's spiritual son. Young but gifted, Timothy had been assigned to lead the church at Ephesus. Paul's letter, likely written about a.d. 62–66, counseled the young man on matters of church leadership—from proper worship, to qualifications for overseers (elders) and deacons, to advice on confronting false teaching and how to treat various individuals within a congregation. Paul charged Timothy to live a life beyond reproach, giving believers a standard to emulate.


2Ti 2:1
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 2:2
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
2Ti 2:3
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2Ti 2:4
No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer.
2Ti 2:5
Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
2Ti 2:6
The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
2Ti 2:7
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
2Ti 2:8
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,
2Ti 2:9
for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.
2Ti 2:10
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
2Ti 2:11
Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
2Ti 2:12
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
2Ti 2:13
if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.

2Ti 2:14
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
2Ti 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2Ti 2:16
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
2Ti 2:17
Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
2Ti 2:18
who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
2Ti 2:19
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
2Ti 2:20
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.
2Ti 2:21
If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
2Ti 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2Ti 2:23
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
2Ti 2:24
And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2Ti 2:25
Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
2Ti 2:26
and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Bro. Jake has been an awesome pastor and we know that God is going to continue to use him and his family for His work.

He concluded his sermon by reading the words from this old hymn:

He leadeth me, O bless'd thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since 'tis my God that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the victory's won,
E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Please pray for our church as we now will form a Pastor Search Committee that will help choose the next Pastor of our church. If you have any suggestions please email me or comment on this post. Al and I are praying that the right people will be voted onto this committee.

My Mom had some lab work come back that she still has some "spotty" malignancies on 7 remaining lymph nodes in her throat. She will begin Chemotherapy in Mobile tomorrow. Please continue to pray for her as she battles this disease. She has been seeing God at work.

My Sunshine is still battling her eczema. Pray for her as the heat only makes it worse. She is such a trooper though. She is not a complainer. I don't think she realizes that other people don't have to deal with skin problems.

Alanna and child seem to be doing well. We have a 3D ultrasound scheduled in August. How Cool!! We were able to see hair fuzz on the last ultrasound so I am anxious to see what we can see on this one. I have also heard that my babies room is painted and bedding is being picked out. I think Alanna is registered at Target and Babies R Us if you are interested in looking. I had forgotten how much babies need. There is some cute new stuff now that wasn't invented when I had babies though.

Please pray for our youth choir as they are at camp in Orlando. They are a wonderful group of young Christians.

Please feel free to comment and update me.