Hi friends,

We thank you for your patience.  We know there are several of you, faithful partners in this ministry, that check in on this blog daily.  With the light travel schedule we’ve had this winter and spring, I’ve been hesitant to simply bore you to death with sheer repetition.  Nevertheless, thank you for your patience and understanding.

First a quick report on the ministry.  Last Sunday I had the opportunity to fill in for our Worship Pastor while he was away with our student choir.  I always enjoy leading worship with my home church family and this past Sunday was no different.  A great time of worship in which I’m grateful to share.  I’ve been spending this past week doing advance work for the revival meetings I have coming up in April.  The first will be the week of April 7th so it’s right around the corner.

Patty’s dad is doing pretty well and the therapists and care specialists are pleased with his progress.  She will be heading that way next Wednesday to handle some things before driving up to northeast MS to join me for the revival.  We appreciate your prayers for safe travel, focus, and continued healing.  Patty is fighting off a bit of infection herself and seems to be gaining ground pretty well.  Obviously, this must be non existent before she goes to Yazoo to see her dad.

Again, thank you for all your prayers.  We love and appreciate you!
John

It was amusing to say the least.  Our current life for sure.  This morning I had an early  program in Anniston, AL, so I headed up there yesterday afternoon to set up and be ready for the day.  In the meantime, Patty was driving back to Enterprise after spending that past week in Yazoo City  with her dad.

We talked via cell phones along the way and ended up timing it in such a way as to meet up in a shopping center parking lot.  So, as is this crazy life, we met within about 5 min of each other…spoke and gave a hug or two and said; “Well, be safe and we’ll see each other tomorrow.”  So, she headed south to home, I continued north.

The program went well and we had lots of fun.  120 senior adults at this Easter Banquet.  I arrived back home around 6 tonight and it’s good to have the house back to a semi state of normal.  Both of us in the same house, at the same time.  Patty’s still fighting a bit of a sinus infection and the pollen is not helping but she is feeling better.  Glad she started on the antibiotic so early.

Her dad is doing pretty well.  He is still responding to treatment although not anywhere near returning home but we are grateful for your prayers and what God is doing.

The next engagement is Sunday.  I’ll be filling in for our Worship Pastor at Hillcrest as he’s off at a revival meeting.  I always look forward to worshiping with the home folk!

Blessings,
John

It was a great visit with mom for a few days.  We finished up our visit down here with a day in Destin.  Mom hasn’t been back to Destin since she and dad use to vacation down there back in the 80’s.  Sure don’t have to tell you how overwhelmed she was at the growth.  We had a nice meal and a cruise around then called it a day.

Now it’s back to Yazoo City.  Patty will be checking in on her dad.  The fluid buildup is still an issue and so some doctors appointments are in the future as well as working on his taxes.  I’ll be working on my programs for the upcoming weeks.

We appreciate your prayers and support for continued strength and clarity of direction.

Blessings,
John

i made a turn around trip to Yazoo City yesterday and today to pick mom up and bring her to Enterprise for a few days. She and dad came down a year or so after we moved down and were never able to come back. She has been determined to get down since his death a year ago.

Well, spring break came to the Yazoo schools so my 82 yr old mother took advantage of 21 piano pupils on break and left town. Yes, 21 piano pupils. I can’t even begin to imagine 21 piano students. If there was ever an effective argument for the purgatory crowd, that would do it for me! Anyway, we took advantage of this time and she’s down for a few days. We will explore the next couple of days including some beach time. She has fond memories of going to the beach with dad so that will be fun.

Patty will be taking her back to Yazoo on Thursday whe she goes to check on Mr. Shurley. Even though he is still responding to physical therapy but is once again struggling with a little fluid gain and he’s tired. Tired of the fluid, tired of the nuropathy caused by past chemo treatments, and tired of the daily regiment that is his life right now. Pray for his spirit. Encouragement is needed. Patty will provide a great deal of that as most of you know.

Blessings my friends,
John

I was in the midst of my nightly call with mom last night when she said; “You know, it was this time last year” and I assured her, I was well aware.    I was preaching a Wednesday through Sunday revival meeting in AR when mom called on Thursday to tell me dad had suffered a stroke and was in the hospital.  Knowing the answer before I asked, I wondered if she might want me to leave the meeting and head on to Yazoo City.  She, of course, said no and requested that we come on after the meeting closed.  We were on our way home on Monday, March 5th, when I got the call that dad had “gone home”.

We got there as soon as we could to begin all the preparations of the service and all that goes on with that.  For me, it was more the business end of everything.  That was the way I helped mom most.  Dad had done the business of the house while mom just kept things going so she really was unaware, for the most part, of the business end of it all.

I’m thankful for the heritage and raising that’s been a part of my life.  I’ve always thought that dad and mom had peach trees for separate reasons.  Mom loved the fruit and from it came peach preserves, peach jelly, fresh cut peaches on oatmeal or cereal, or maybe just some slices with a little sugar.  Yum!  Dad, on the other hand, enjoyed the peach tree switches!  Owwwwww

Now that I think about it, there was pain involved in many home tasks.  There was always the brutal summers and push cutting a large yard while dad rode the side lot on the Snapper then there was our assistance, always needed, when it came time to rob the bee hive.  That’s another story for another time.  ha ha

In church before I ever remember being there, it was an inevitable thing for me to one day come to Christ.  I can still picture where I was sitting in that large tent at the area wide crusade that one summer.  I can picture dad’s followup with me as we sat in the bench swing on our swing set and he made sure I understood what God was wanting to do in my life.

Not always vocal in his praise to us kids, there was never a time when I wasn’t aware how proud he was of what God was doing in and though me.  Yes, I’m grateful for the example he was and the opportunity he gave me.

Continue your celebration, pop!  One day, more sooner than later, I’ll see you again!

Patty’s dad seems to be continuing a positive move toward his recovery.  He’s responding to the physical therapy and although he attempted to stand up from the shower chair this past week and found himself on the shower floor, it was a valuable and not very costly lesson.  Things just ended with a few scrapes (skin tears the nurses call them with geriatrics) and bruises and a commitment from him that he will not attempt that again.  Praise the Lord!  The call we received at 10:20 that night was one that you don’t really ever hope to get.  Patty’s brother was able to drive in to Yazoo City from Atlanta to spend a few days with him and check on him to give Patty a break.  We will head that way next Sunday, do a quick check, then bring mom back to Enterprise for a visit.  She’s been wanting to do that for years and has been unable to do so.  Patty will take mom back to Yazoo on Thursday the 14th and spend some time there with her dad at that time.

I’ll be spending this next week preparing for upcoming events.  I know I won’t be doing much of that the week mom is here.  The balance between work and parents is continuing so, as always, we thank you for your prayers.

Blessings,
John