The service today at Stowers Hill was really good. The music really focused on the name above all names and was a blessing. The message, based in Acts 5, asked one simple question. Everyone casts a shadow. How is yours received?

We will do the opening program at the fall festival at 5 p.m. then following all the activities, we will load and drive home.

My voice is somewhat weak but God is giving me what I need to get through. Thank you, in advance, for voicing a prayer in this area.

Blessings,
John

It was a good night and lots of fun. It was a special night at the Beallwood Baptist Church. In fact it’s a big weekend for them. A ladies conference and kids event tonight, a men’s wild game supper tomorrow night and special services on Sunday! So, it’s quite busy. I was brought in for tonight’s kids event only. We began at 6:15 and ran until 6:45. Pizza followed then at 7:10 I took over and went until 8:15. I’m beat but as I said, things went well and the kids seemed to have a good time.

Patty’s dad got a good report from his cardiologist followup. He also received another chemo treatment. We praise the Lord for it all and thank you for your prayers.

We will be spending the night here in Columbus, GA, then we will drive to Attalla, AL, and set up at Stowers Hill Baptist for Sunday services.

Pressing on!
John

We had a good 3 days with the Hillcrest kids. They were fun and respectful although we had some “1st timers” tonight that stretched us a bit. God never allowed us to get as far as an invitation because of the ages we had before us but it was a good 3 nights.

Patty drove home today. Her dads weit has returned to normal and things have settled in a somewhat so she took that opportunity to head this way. It was either that or somebody in that house was going to die! Funny, but she and her dad had pretty much had enough of each others pleasurable company. It happens you know. It’s all good and we rejoice in his health.

We will take tomorrow to rest a little then load up for a weekend trip, first to Columbus, GA, then on to Attalla, AL.

Thanks for the prayers as we continue the work!
John

We’ve had a good time with the kids as we have had our simultaneous services with grades 1-6. The crowds haven’t been great but they have been pretty good and the kids have participated and had fun. At least that’s what I’m hearing from some of the parents. I also entertained at the Coffee County Baptist Assoc. annual luncheon today. A double whammy! Oy is my voice beat! An extra prayer for strength would be appreciated.

The report from Yazoo City is that Patty’s dad is doing pretty well. His weight is dropping a bit more but he is still a little weak. Patty is still uncertain of her return. Could be later tomorrow or Thurs.

Thank you again for your continued prayers!
John

It was a good day at Salem Baptist Church today as we celebrated the church and the future God has directed. Things began early with a breakfast for kids at 9 a.m., breakfast for students and a breakfast for senior adults at 10. When the kids got finished around 9:35, I did a 45 min program of music and ventriloquism.

Ater the opening song and offering, I took the morning service. I was asked to be casual but challenging and I felt things went well. A groundbreaking ceremony for a new worship center followed the service. The pastor seemed pleased with everything.

Patty was able to join me as she drove from Yazoo City. Having just gotten her dad home on Friday from the hospital, she felt she needed to keep an eye on him a few more days but really wanted a day away. It was a good getaway for her. She headed back to Yazoo this afternoon as I drove home. She arrived in Yazoo to find her dad was beginning to retain fluid once again. We will see what the future holds. Thankful it’s all in Gods hands.

I will be going down to my home church tomorrow to set up my equipment for the kids revival services which are being held simulaneously with the adults. Pray that the message gets through and that lives are changed!

Blessings,
John

Hi friends,

Mr. Shurley was discharged today.  He’s the comeback kid, for sure.  The cardiologist is pleased with his numbers and the kidney doctor, a bit more restrained, is saying he believes he can go home and do some lasix with restricted liquid intake and do fine.  They’ve also given him a pill for his diabetes (he’s had type 2 for a couple of years since he began chemo) and it should be easier on his kidneys than the injection. He will go back in 2 weeks for a check up on his kidneys.  Now, it’s all about catching up on rest.  Patty is exhausted as caretakers often are and I’m praying she can get some rest tonight.  She plans, right now, to drive over to Lake, MS, tomorrow to join me.  We sure appreciate your prayers.

I will be heading out in the morning to Lake, MS, for a Sunday event.  I will be doing the kids Sunday School and morning worship service as they celebrate a new building program.  Following the service there will be a goundbreaking for the new building and dinner on the grounds.  Should Patty be able to join me, as planned, we will head back to Enterprise following lunch.

Thank you again for your prayers and support.  The last couple of years have been a bit difficult and I am thankful God is still on His Throne!

John

A friend came up to me tonight at prayer meeting and reminded me to post!  She said she really looks forward to keeping up with us and praying for us so I thought I might better get on this!

Mr. Shurley is doing pretty well.  A nice amount of fluid came off early but has slowed considerably.  The doctors are a bit concerned about his kidney function so they have decreased the drip and are keeping an eye on everything.  Don’t want to push the kidneys too hard.  He is in good spirits and other than being worn out, Patty is doing good.  When we moved to Enterprise in 2001, she left some really good friends.  As only God can orchestrate, she ran into one of the friends while on an errand the other day.  They are coming by, sharing a meal at times, and she told me this has been a real source of encouragement.   A text or call can mean a lot, can’t it?

At this time, I will continue here at the house preparing for this weekend and the kids revival next week.  I’ll be working with the kids of our church during the revival next week.  Pray for workers.  We need some volunteers each night and you know how that can be, especially if you have a really good team leading the adults.  We are praying for people to just give us one night.  Mon, Tues, or Wednesday…any or all!

Thanks for the prayers,
John

The Baptist Hospital that is…

When Mr. Shurley (Patty’s dad) got up this morning, he weighed in another 2 lbs heavier for a total of 17 lbs of fluid.  They went to his GP as planned and the doctor said he believed the problem to be more than he could do without hospitalizing him.  We had prayed for answers and Mr. Shurley had stated that if the GP’s recommendation wasn’t what he wanted to hear, he wanted Patty to take him to Jackson.  Well, while we agreed, we also didn’t want to get yet another doctor involved feeling like it would just add to confusion.  Our prayers were answered as the GP came up with the following plan.

He wanted Mr. Shurley to head to his cardiologist to have an exam to make sure it wasn’t his heart then admit him in the Baptist Hospital there in Jackson.  So, they went home, made a few calls, packed some things and headed over.  Patty was impressed with the time and effort the cardiologist took with her dad.  The doctor said that while he didn’t believe it was heart failure, he did believe that for some reason the heart was storing the extra fluid.  He wants to get rid of that fluid but said it was as important to him to find out why this is happening.  The doc is contacting Mr. Shurley’s oncologist and his kidney specialist to join up and work on this.

Throughout the day I have tried to do the work and planning for the upcoming weekend and next week but have been distracted with phone calls and my concerns toward Patty and her dad.  I will continue working as best as I can and she is confident in the quality of care they are receiving there.

We appreciate your prayers on every front!

Blessings,
John

The wedding went well. As you know, I played my horn but did you know I was also the MC for the reception. Yep…it was a different reception than I had been to. It was beautiful and was a “sit down” event. I introduced the wedding party and made individual announcements as needed. It was a beautiful, well done ceremony and we left the reception around 6:45 to get Patty ready for travel.

You guessed it. She got a call from Yazoo and will be going in to be with her dad. The fluid is just not coming off. He will be going back to the GP on Monday morning and she will be the second set of ears as options are discussed. As I said in an earlier post, I think, following his chemo treatment on Friday, the oncologist ordered an echocardiogram to find the fluid. The chest and lungs were perfectly clear. That’s good news. He seems to be holding the fluid in his mid section. The additional fluid weight is wearing him out so…
Pray for him and wisdom for the doctor, as well as Patty traveling alone. Not crazy about that one but I have much to prepare for as I have 6 different programs beginning next Sunday-Wednesday. Lots to work on.

Thanks friends,
John

The deed is done!  shhhhhhhhh, she might hear you.  I left the driveway for today and was determined to finish it.  I did.  The pinched nerve in my neck that I’ve been dealing with for weeks has paid the price I’m afraid, but I’ll take an anti-inflammatory and keep going.  Glad it’s done and things look so much better.  Thank you, Lord, for the strength and time to do the work.

We’ve had a difficult time with Mr. Shurley’s (Patty’s dad) fluid.  Boy, it just hasn’t released and has been very frustrating!  He has gotten with his general practitioner and has been prescribed a “super flusher” that we pray will produce great results. Please join us in this effort, will you?  He’ll take the first pill in the morning.

Speaking of “in the morning”…We will celebrate Patty’s birthday tomorrow by heading to the beach and having lunch at her favorite place, walking on the beach and doing a little shopping.  We don’t get to do this every year for her special day because of our travel schedule but when we are in town, that’s her choice.

Well, nothing else much to report.  I will keep you updated on Mr. Shurley and anything else that may come along!

Blessings,
John