That was what would have been on my sign, had I had need for one.  We are visiting with some dear friends in south Louisiana and came down early to do so.  I will have the service this Sunday but we wanted some time with them and to rest and renew after a very busy summer.  We will be fishing, Lord willing, the remainder of the week.  Today was a slow day in the gulf but we caught enough for supper, hallelujah!  Looking forward to that!

Patty’s dad seems well overall but is not feeling well.  Sounds like a contradiction but let me explain.  He is managing his blood sugar with an occasional insulin injection and maintaining his weight with an basic dose of a fluid pill.  So, those things are good.  His description basically goes like this… “I’m doing alright but just haven’t felt well today”.  This is an everyday conversation so we feel the new chemo drug is causing this.

Mom is still fighting pneumonia and is planning a return trip to the doc tomorrow, Lord willing.  So, there you have it.  We are on vacation but closely monitoring things in Yazoo City.  Thanks for the prayers!

John

Of course, the majority of you know this is Louisiana.  We are taking some time for ourselves after a very busy summer schedule and are going to visit some dear friends.  We’ll be taking some time to do a little fishing…actually, probably a lot of fishing as well as enjoy some fun fellowship doing little to nothing.  We will complete our time with them by leading the Sunday morning service on Sept. 1.  We are looking so forward to this time.

We are keeping a close eye on the parents in Yazoo and are scheduled to be in Yazoo City in about 2 1/2 weeks unless things change.

I’m not sure how much you will hear from me this next week so I will tell you now how much we love and appreciate your support and prayers!  I’ll be in touch should things warrant such.

Blessings,
John

I don’t know what it means, either, I just wanted to find a way to say the word, beckon.  ha ha

No, it’s because we are still on the road.  Yesterday was a special day.  We’ve been with Bro. Billy Causey on many occasions through the years helping him in various ministries throughout the church.  I’ve helped him in leadership banquets, choir appreciation programs, revivals, kids camps and one day Family Events such as yesterday.  He told me yesterday that he had gone over church records and figured out that in the time I did camps for him, there were 211 kids that came to Christ.  Quite a humbling and encouraging word for sure.

The evenings concert was a fun night for the church.  Billy told me that with some difficulties that many had been experiencing in the church, he really wanted me to focus on the humor side of everything.  So, 3/4 of the program included a lot of humor, some interactive material and some music.  The response was wonderful and seem to lift peoples spirits.  Bro. Billy himself is heavy these days.  His wife has brain cancer and has been put in hospice.  A dear friend of ours, we were blessed to be able to visit with her following the program last night.  She’s been a good friend for a long time.

Tonight will be a good opportunity as we lead in a simultaneous service.  It’s Kids Night at Country Wood Baptist Church in Byram, MS.  The church is having services and we’ll be in a different area of the church having a blowout!  Sure would appreciate your prayers.  The services have a tendency to go longer than “normal” Sunday worship services and I will have all ages of kids with me.  This generally prevents me from preaching to them and requires more music and ventriloquism.  With the ongoing vocal issues, this will prove to be a test so prayers are appreciated.

Patty’s dad seems to be tolerating the treatment pretty well.  He has gained some fluid weight that we are keeping an eye on but today, being 2 days after a treatment, the weight gain seems to have leveled and he is resting better.  This is a brand new drug so there are some side affects that are not known.

That’s about it.  We are looking forward to what God will do tonight!

John

Patty’s dad, Mr. Shurley, had his first infusion this morning.  It took awhile as there was a steroid administered first.  Of course, as a Type 2 Diabetic, the steroid introduces its own set of issues.  That being said, everything went well.  There was a port inserted because each treatment, we found out today, will be 2 hrs on back to back days.  Then a month off before the next 2 day application.  He will be taken back tomorrow morning for the second application.  Pray for God’s will.

Our plan, as of now, is to head out tomorrow afternoon for our Sunday/Monday events but all depends on these other things.

The ministry is going well…busy but well.  Thank you for your continued prayers.

Blessings,
John

Well, not exactly the best news today from the oncologist.  The tumor in Mr. Shurley’s neck has continued to grow and the side effect concerning his right arm that I’ve mentioned in the past and the doc agreed with us that that is, indeed, the case.  So, another plan of action.  He did not take a treatment of the previous drug, but will begin a new drug this Friday when he will go in for the first of several 2 hr. infusions.  This will be administered once a month.  As with all these drugs there are many potential side effects so please join us in praying for God’s will and plan.

We are working out of Yazoo City right now as I help mom with several tasks and Patty helps her dad.  Tomorrow we will drive over to First Baptist Church, Starkville, MS, where I will do a church wide concert to kick off the fall programs.  Everything from kids choirs to adult Bible studies.  Should be a lot of fun!

We appreciate you remembering us during this time.  We know God is in control and without that we can’t imagine how difficult the balancing would be between life and ministry.

Blessings,
John

It was a somewhat difficult night tonight.  Things went fine but I was “running on ice” most of the evening.  Through nobody’s fault particularly, I prepared a program for a Kid’s Night.  As we arrived, I was surprised to see advertising in the foyer for “An Evening of Family Worship with John Yates and Friends”.  Well, there is a difference between a Family Worship Program and a Kids Program.  Then add to it that there were all ages there with a heavy dose of preschool and it all made for a rough night.  At least I thought so…Patty said it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought.  I pray that the seed planted will grow.

Sound check tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. as I contribute to the morning service and do a church wide concert in the evening.  It will be a long day but one of wonderful possibilities.  Also, an extra bonus is our friendship with the Pastor and his wife that began years ago.  We enjoy our time with them each opportunity we have.

On the Yazoo front.  Patty’s dad is not doing well.  We ask for your prayers as we are now seeing the beginning stages of  “trouble signs” that made themselves evident before he really started struggling last time he was being treated with chemo.  The dosage has been smaller, as I have stated, but the last couple of days he has been unable to lift his right arm above shoulder high.  When bent at the elbow, the elbow will not go parallel with the floor.  Does that make sense?  Anyway, this was one of the first signs last time and so an appointment has been made to have a face to face at his next chemo treatment this Tuesday.  Pray for him and pray for wisdom for Dr. Young.  She is a gifted and respected oncologist and we are praying that God will direct her in the best option of treatment.

Thanks for checking in.  Vocally, I’m still struggling but God is giving me what I need for each opportunity!

Blessings,
John

I know the word there is Golden but it’s been difficult to say the least.  It’s vocal rest…silence…aggravating…silence…My voice just hasn’t bounced back as it has in the past.  Very frustrating!  I know God is in control and I am grateful for that.  It seems like He gives me just what I need to give my presentation and not more.  This hasn’t been the case in the past and this longer recovery time isn’t what I’m used to as well.  Yesterday and today have been spent very, very quietly.  Of course the down side of this is I can’t rehearse.  The horn puts stress there also so it’s out.  Join us as we pray.  This upcoming week of ministry, beginning Saturday night will be a demanding one.  Thanks!

Patty’s dad is continuing to do well and we rejoice in that and appreciate your prayers on his behalf.

Blessings,
John

We had a nice day of ministry with Ephesus Baptist Church in Forest, MS.  It was the first Sunday in their Awesome August Series and I was asked to celebrate the Family.  Sunday morning I brought the morning message dealing with our personal walk with the Lord and applying the same things to help our homes and families but what God desires.  Sunday night was more of a worship service/concert with more music and ventriloquism.

I find myself, once again, on vocal rest.  God is giving me what I need when I need it but nothing extra.  I am very grateful although the frustration does raise its head once in a while.  Thank you, Lord, for the strength to fulfill the call.

The Yazoo update is good: Patty’s dad drove out to the country (about 15 miles from Yazoo City) for Rocky Springs Baptist Church’s Homecoming.  We had tried to work it out for Patty to be there to take him but that didn’t work.  Her brother Ken had tried to work it out to come in from Atlanta to attend but that didn’t happen either.  So, at 91 years old and feeling pretty good, he took off for the service and dinner on the ground and had a wonderful day.  We are so thankful for this time in his life and how God is answering our prayers for his care in our absence.

We appreciate you and your support and will stay in touch.  Our next time out?  This weekend.  We will drive to Yazoo City on Friday to check in with the folks then on to Southhaven, MS, where we will have a “Back to School” Weekend at Desoto Hills Baptist Church!

Until then,
John