Well, it was a morning in the office as I caught up on things happening earlier this week while in Yazoo and polishing Sunday’s service as well as planning Wednesday’s. Following that I headed home and began taking down all the Christmas decorations. Patty went all out and it’s taking awhile but I figured I would take it one item at a time until it was all down.
I got the ornaments off the tree last night when I arrived home from Yazoo then today, put up the Santa collection I have as well as packed up the tree. Wreaths and garland will be on the agenda tomorrow.
Patty’s dad had a little episode with erratic heart rhythms yesterday but as only God can do, the Home Health nurse that ministered first to him during his last cancer battle then with Patty’s mom during her struggles last year “just decided” to stop by being in the neighborhood. Only God can do that. She enjoyed his company last year and while in the area decided to stop by and see how he was doing not even aware of the new battle. She checked him out and determined it was chemo related and that he would be fine and asked when his treatments were. When told they would be every Wed she told him she would be stopping by on Thursdays to check in on him. Really encouraged Patty as you can imagine.
Appreciate the continued prayers,
John

Well, I’ve arrived home after a quick trip to Yazoo City. We headed out on Monday to take Patty’s dad back home and to take him to his first oncologist appt on Tuesday. We got to Yazoo City Monday evening in time to rest about 45 min then head up to my mom and dads for our family Christmas dinner as the brothers and sister came in.
On Tuesday morning we pulled out of Yazoo City around 6:15 a.m. to get to Jackson in a very early appt the office had squeezed in. After consultation, the dr said they were going to treat with chemo only, at first, then radiation later if needed. The treatment began and we got back to Yazoo about 4 p.m. Exhausted, we got to bed early.
I got up this morning and headed home. Glad to be here but going to be different. Patty is staying with her dad this month while he undergoes his weekly treatments. From there…we’ll see. It’s where we are now, at this time in our lives, and God is in control.
We appreciate your prayers as we continue the ministries He has set before us.
John

Hi friends,
If you have been following us you know that we are in Jackson, MS, right now as we help Patty’s dad begin his second battle with Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
The Dr is beginning a series of 4 chemotherapy treatments today. Once a week Patty will drive him over from Yazoo City. She is planning on staying with him the month of Jan to monitor him. The Dr feels better under these conditions if Patty is there.
We are currently in the infusion unit waiting for our turn. Thanks for the prayers.
John

Hi friends. I pray you’ve had a wonderful time this Christmas. It’s been a really nice Christmas here as Patty brought her dad down and her brother drove in from Atlanta on Friday so we had our Christmas dinner then and opened gifts. Patty out did herself with the meal and we had a nice time of fellowship.
Saturday night there was a Christmas Eve service at the church then today we had one service at 10:45. Well attended too.
Tomorrow we will drive back to Yazoo City where I’ll have Christmas dinner with my side of the family then we will take Patty’s dad to his first cancer treatment on Tuesday.
I will return home on Wed and Patty will stay with her dad for a while.
We appreciate the prayers as we begin this journey.
John

Things have been really busy since the program ended on the 11th. We’ve had a “skeleton staff” in place with many going this week to visit family. I’ve been one of the skeletons. Wow, trying to line things up for Christmas Eve service and Christmas Day service and at the same time doing hospital visitation as well as several deaths in our church family have made this an exhausting time. Ha, I just thought things were going to slow down a bit after all the work we did with the special program but I was wrong.
After singing at a funeral this afternoon, I took the rest of the afternoon off just to chill a bit. I’ll go in tomorrow for about an hour or so in the morning then call it a day.
Patty and her dad arrived from Yazoo City yesterday and promptly headed off to Dothan today to Christmas shop. Not sure which one of those two has forgotten he is 90 years old. Wow, they make me tired.
I’m sure tomorrow will be a slower day for all concerned. Least I’m hoping so!
John

It was an incredible night of worship with the Hillcrest family tonight. The choir, orchestra, and tech all glorified the Lord with praise tonight and I am so grateful.
Our special guest, Chuck Sullivan, was just outstanding. Now, I am taking it a little slow the next few days doing only what’s necessary to keep things running.
Thank you so much for your prayers and Merry Christmas!
John

The Hillcrest Worship Choir turned in, yet again, a great presentation tonight with the 2nd of 3 performances of And He Shall Reign. It is a joy seeing this choir and orchestra worship through-out the evening and I am blessed to be a part of everything.
Tomorrow morning will be a great day of worship with Chuck Sullivan bringing two special music spots then some congregational worship before the pastor brings the Word.
Thank you for your continued prayers on our behalf.

Blessings,
John

Well, it’s finally here. The Christmas presentation, “And He Shall Reign” will be presented tomorrow night, Saturday and Sunday at 7:00. The choir, orchestra, and tech crews have been working so very hard and if anyone of these groups would have decided to “slack up” the whole thing just would not come off.
The support group around me just would not let things fail. I appreciate them so very much and look forward to seeing what God is going to do through it all.
If you are in the area, don’t forget. Fri-Sun, 7 p.m.
Blessings,
John

It’s been a relatively quiet day with a little Christmas decorating and football going on. And just a little Christmas music work which, by the way is the storm part of this blog.
Beginning tomorrow, it will be crazy. I will have my usual Sunday with an early rehearsal and 2 services. At 2:00 I have a tech run through with the music, then a retirement reception of one of my choir members. At 5:30 we have a staff Christmas party.
Then Monday….here we go. The lighting company comes in around noon and we have a 6:30 dress rehearsal with everyone. Tuesday will be another rehearsal with orchestra and tech crew. Then on Wednesday a regular mid week service but no rehearsal. On Thursday we’ll go through everything again, only no brass.
On Friday at 7:00, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:00. Whew!
Everything is coming together nicely. Sure would appreciate your prayers for all areas of the ministry. There are allergies, colds and the like affecting some of our folks then you have the “glitches” that come with all the tech work we’ll have going on so if you could lift a prayer for those things too that would be wonderful.
Finally, just the physical strength to handle this week and all it presents.
Blessings,
John