It was comic relief yesterday. Patty has been shopping for a new sofa and recliner for the better part of 2 years. For those of you that know Patty and her shopping style, you are not surprised by this. On Thursday she found what she wanted at SAMs in Dothan. So…we checked with the delivery service recommended by SAMs and they deliver almost anything. The operative word is ALMOST anything. Sofas and recliners are not on the list. Hahaha. Know what that means, right? I unloaded all my ministry equipment into my garage and measured my trailer, compared it with the dimensions of the furniture description, and drove over to pick up the furniture yesterday.

Note to self…the furniture out on the floor, arranged so beautifully, HAS ALREADY BEEN ASSEMBLED! Let the games begin.

I pulled into the loading area and the guys came wheeling out two really large boxes. Ruh-Ro Shaggy. Well, after a little effort and angling, the boxes were successively loaded and we headed home. Let the games begin.

I won’t bore you with anymore details but through prayer and perspiration, we got everything inside and assembled. Imagine seeing us carrying our old sofa out the front door and around the sidewalk to the garage. Nope, couldn’t take the shortest route through the kitchen because of obstacles. Whew! Pretty hilarious, actually. NOW!!

Patty’s dad had another treatment yesterday. He did not see the dr and although he is feeling a reduction in the tumor size in his throat, he won’t be tested and consulted by the dr for another few weeks. Our main concern is the fluid buildup measured by his weight. He weighs each day and this is a problem. He is taking meds to reduce that but he is 90 years old so balancing the meds is even more difficult. We would appreciate your prayers on this.

Take care, friends. I’m going to take some advil!

John

Hi friends,
We arrived home around 6 p.m. and are beat. We ran behind our intended schedule as Patty’s dad woke with another nosebleed. This is something that ended in the local E.R. last time so we were really observant and cautious to make sure things were covered and settled down before we pulled out. Patty is talking with him now and he seems fine. Praise the Lord!

We will spend some time this week doing house chores, both inside and out, and I’ll do some music rehearsal. Some things never change. Ha ha

We will be heading back to Yazoo, barring anything unforeseen, a week from Thursday to continue the ministry to parents and the local churches.

Blessings,
John

The concert went well and it was a sweet fellowship in Terry, MS. We had a nice crowd at Oak View Baptist Church tonight and it was a blessing to use 4 of my “friends”, play my horns and sing and the people were so responsive.

We will be heading home tomorrow. Pray for our travel and for Patty’s dad. There is a good deal of fluid build up and we are really trying to get that off. It’s a delicate balance between the chemo and other meds. We appreciate it!

Blessings,
John

Hi friends,
Well, Patty just got through with her dads appointment. His levels are good according to tests but the dr is concerned with his weight. I mentioned his fluid build up that’s been going on and this is what she ( Dr Tammy Young ) is concerned with so she upping his dosage of LASIK. She also said that he would continue his chemo injection once a week indefinitely. She expects to see changes in a few weeks. No doubt the chemo is moderate based on his 90 years of age.

I’m guessing that as of now, we will continue to make trips back and forth from Enterprise. God will direct and we will be obedient.

A while back I ask you to remember my friend, Craig, in LA. he had surgery to remove a tumor on his pituitary gland. He is not doing quite as well as they had hoped by this time. My pastor friend told me he visited yesterday and although he thinks Craig knew he was there, he wasn’t able to open his eyes or be responsive. There is still a drain tube on one side of his head but is hoping to have that removed today. I haven’t heard. The plan is to move him, Lord willing, to a regular room next week. Craig and his wife Jaclyn would appreciate your prayers.

I’ve been busy running a few errands and doing a little fixing up for mom and will minister in Terry, MS, on Sunday!

Blessings,
John

Got back home!  Whew!  Yard work knocked out and preparations have begun for the upcoming concert in MS.  We are excited that Patty’s dad seems to be tolerating his chemo so well.  We will be heading that way, again, on Thursday.  Patty will take him to his appointment on Friday.  It will be this visit where blood will be drawn and tested to see if the treatment is beginning the desired results then he will consult with the oncologist.  Another reason for Patty’s attendance.  Best to have some “extra ears” you know.

We appreciate your prayers as we juggle ministry on the road and ministry to parents.  We are blessed to do both and need God’s strength to fulfill His call.

Not much else now so I’ll check back in, barring anything unforeseen, when we arrive in Yazoo City on Thursday.

Blessings,
John

Mr. Shurley’s treatment went well today. It was a new concoction administered my an injection to the stomach. Patty said her dad described it as similar to the insulin injections he has taken the past. He did not see the oncologist today but the treatment has been set up for once a week as opposed to the original plan of twice a week. We are to expect fatigue in him but not sure if any other side effects will come. We will monitor him for a bit.

I’ve gotten mom taken care of for the time being with a number of calls and a little fix up work. Still don’t know an approximate departure but will know in time.

Thanks for the prayers!
John

Yep, I know this surprises you but FBC Hampton, AR, ministered to us this past week. We stayed in a very old home redone completely and formerly used as a Bed and Breakfast. We moved in and the church had stocked us up on all kind of things, then the owners came in and added some to everything. I lead in worship only (as opposed to preaching too) so this gave me an opportunity to sit back and be fed. Dr. Sonny Tucker from the AR Baptist Convention came in and preached to the church, and boy did he preach to the church. He really challenged the church in every service.

FBC is a unique church filled with wonderful servants. They reach out and minister to many who might, sadly enough, find themselves on the outside of many of our churches. This church also incorporates music from many styles often times within the same service. So…….they were very accepting of us and this ministry. Lots of blessings, for sure!

We traveled to Yazoo City today and now we enter a bit of the unknown. Patty will take her dad to Jackson tomorrow for a “new” treatment of his lymphoma. We will monitor him tomorrow evening and Saturday before determining when we will head back to Enterprise.

Thank you for your faithfulness in checking in with us and for praying for us!

Blessings,
John

We had an uneventful trip which is always good. Mom and Patty’s dad are doing pretty well. He has elected to try a new treatment for his lymphoma. I’ll give more on that as time goes along.

Let’s see, the word on my friend Craig is that his surgery did not go as well as they had hoped. They surgeons were unable to get as much of the tumor, by going through the sinuses, as they had hoped so they have begun a 3-4 hr surgery by opening his skull. We would appreciate your prayers.

We will spend the day tomorrow helping parents do things around the house the pull out Saturday morning. I’ll blog again once we get set up in Hampton, AR,on Saturday.

Blessings,
John

Ha ha, yep, juggling, unicycle, whatever it all seems a circus at times for sure.  But that’s this life, isn’t it?  Now that our parents are the age they are, our travel just has to include a trip to Yazoo City, if possible, everytime we’re out.  That’s some extra stuff on us but glad to have the opportunity.

Our worship pastor was out tonight at a Worship Conference this week so I led Wednesday night worship, choir rehearsal, and praise team rehearsal.  Patty is still feeling a bit under the weather so she stayed home and packed.  We will head out in the morning for the first leg of our trip to Hampton, AR.  We will drop by Yazoo City tomorrow evening and Friday, then drive on up to Hampton on Saturday where we will set up for revival services at First Baptist.

Patty’s dad had his followup on the P.E.T. scan from last week.  He has another tumor that has developed in the throat area that will be treated with 2 injections a week and after 2 weeks will be evaluated.  After talking with his oncologist, he is optimistic.  His first injection will be on Friday, September 14th.  So, we will drive from Hampton, AR, on Thursday following the meeting and stop by Yazoo City again so Patty can take him to his first injection.  We would like to see the effects, if any, this has on him personally.  Then, Lord willing, we will head back home on Saturday.

One final thing.  Please join me in prayer for a friend in LA.  A great trumpet player and someone I haven’t know a long time.  He was diagnosed with a brain tumor yesterday.  Following MRI and testing is being done but things don’t look good at all.  His name is Craig.  Pray for God’s will in his life as well as his wife Jaclyn.  Thanks!

Blessings,
John

I enjoyed sitting in the orchestra here at home today.  This is what I typically do when I’m home but because of our schedule, this is the first time I’ve had this opportunity since May.  With rehearsal at 8 a.m. it makes for an early day but it was nice and good to be back.

The bone spur in my neck is still there and still causing a bit of tingling in my left arm if I sit in a particular position.  I got an invitation to play golf with some friends yesterday morning and after thinking about it decided to go ahead and give it a try.  Treatment for this particular pinched nerve is first, a heavy anti-inflammatory and a steroid pack.  Second, an epidural followed by physical therapy.  I thought to myself, I will be going back to the doctor on Wednesday so why not give it a try.  Just possibly, all the movement of walking and a golf swing may act as physical therapy.  Well, it did actually seem to help a bit.  While I’m still dealing with some occasional tingling, things do seem better.  I’m still on the anti-inflammatory and will be still when I head back to the doctor on Wednesday.

Patty is improving each day.  She is still on some heavy meds herself but they seem to be doing the trick.  It’s so important that she take it easy this week because we will be leaving Thursday on our way to the revival meeting in Hampton, AR.

We will stop by Yazoo City on our way.  Patty’s dad’s lymphoma seems to have returned pretty significantly. While seeing the E.N.T. doctor to have the nosebleed packing removed, the doctor seemed much more interested in the new tumor in Mr. Shurley’s neck.  Pics were taken and sent to his oncologist and Mr. Shurley is scheduled for a consultation on Wednesday.  Obviously, I will know more at that time and will pass it on to you as soon as we hear.

Tomorrow we are having a staff cookout/gathering at the pastor’s home so the fellowship will be nice.

I’ll be in touch.  Thank you, as always, for checking in and for your prayers!
John