Actually we are in Georgetown, TN, about 45 minutes or so from Chattanooga.  Know where that is?  Ok, if I tell you we are 20 minutes from Ootelwah, TN?  How’s that?

No better, huh?  Well, we are out in the country.  It was just a bit of a rough start today.  We didn’t rest really well last night.  We are staying in a small RV that is hooked up to the church and last night was our first night in an RV.  The bed was comfortable but everything may take a little getting use to.  We are grateful for the Stansells that have graciously set everything up for us.

The first day of camp is generally a little rough getting started and this camp proved more of the same.  I’m always trying to make adjustments with music because, of course, with so many churches represented, music styles vary considerably and that makes it difficult to put a program together that the kids really get into and yet use a new song or two/three.

We would appreciate your continued prayers as we make adjustments and pray that the songs I sing will reach them.

Blessings,
John

Well, it’s time again. We had an uneventful trip through a few storms as we drove yesterday from Baton Rouge. Patty and I had a great there and look forward to hearing good things in the future from our friends there.

Last night we had dinner with my mom and her dad. We are pulling out this morning for Chattanooga as we begin another week of camp. I am not sure of the availablility of wireless Internet where we are headed so if you will, please pray for Meadowview Baptist Church in Georgetown, TN, and the 125 kids registered.

Blessings!
John

It was a wonderful day today as we saw 17 children make a decision for Christ. Obviously there will be some follow-up since so many here belong to a Catholic church. But we praise the Lord for every decision!

We will wrap things up tomorrow and drive to Yazoo City to layover to Saturday morning when we will head to Chattanooga, TN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS FOR TODAY!

Blessings,
John

Things went a great deal better today as I made some necessary adjustments in the worship order and the kids did well as well as things running smoother.

Today’s focus was on having a pure heart. The kids enjoyed both JJ and Sparky as well as some fun praise and worship.

From here, we are beginning our focus to a decision service on Thursday and would appreciate your prayers.

One other matter of prayer would be for Patty’s dad. Those of you following the blog for a while know that Patty’s dad has been through lymphoma and is now on a maintenance treatment of one dosage every 8 weeks. He believes he is feeling a lump reappearing and is scheduled for an exam tomorrow.

Just to keep you up!
John

Whew!  Yesterdays journey was an adventure to say the least.  Once we hit Interstate 10 out of Mobile, showers and thunderstorms became the norm.  Most of them were just a bit of a nuisance but it got really rough around Gulfport, MS,  when the traffic came to a halt and for the next 45 min.  or so it was a creeping, slow, existence as 3 lanes became one and we finally arrived upon a multi-car pileup.  As we got past that wreck, and it was bad, that one lane of traffic was directed to go from the extreme left lane, across to the extreme right because it was 200 yds down from that wreck where there was another multi-car pileup.  We got past that one and were once again directed to the far left lane because just another 150 yds there was yet another.

Everytime we face a travel day we always pray that the Lord will slow us down where we need to be slowed to protect us.  We asked you constantly to remember us as we travel and we thank you for every remembrance.

I’m sorry for the delay but this is the first time we’ve had internet service since we arrived.  Apparently on Saturday a really large storm moved through Baton Rouge and took out the internet service.

We began Kid’s Camp today and things went pretty well.  The kids are great and respectful but really young.  I’ve prepared for a “middle to older” group of kids like I do when I do preteen camps and with these younger ones it was a bit of a rough start.  Patty says I’m being a bit hard on myself and I guess you couldn’t tell it so much by the kids faces (they stuck with me pretty well) but I felt a bit off balance through out the service.  Pray that I can be effective and keep the kids attention not just in the music and ventriloquism but through the message as well.

Blessings!
John

Hi friends.  I pray you had a safe July 4th celebration.  I spent the majority of the day with my laptop and sermons for camp but did take some time at lunch for ribs.  There is a particular bar-b-que place in town that we enjoy and so we took advantage of it.  Hey, no clean up or heat of the grill and ALL of the benefits!

I got home to get right back to work.  It was a later night getting to sleep because of the fireworks but after a night’s rest I woke to see some of my American Flags used to decorate my yard had been stolen.  Boy, that really gets me, you know?  I would never have thought to do that while growing up…guess times have changed, haven’t they?

Today has been another like the others, you might say.  I’ve been in front of this computer since mid morning today and am just about through putting all the presentations together.  That will give me another day or so to begin final study on each message.  At first look, the July schedule is very, very busy, so we will appreciate your prayers.

Now gang, I know I say that a lot but we recognize what we have in the power of many praying for us and know that we could not be nearly as effective without them.  It will be a long road trip so we need prayers for God’s provision, safety, and vehicle reliability!

I’ll blog again on Saturday to give any updates before we pull out!

Blessings,
John

Sorry friends. I had one of our prayer warriors contact asking questions, saying they had been checking the blog with no posts.

Your prayers are important to us so thanks, Frances, for the little reminder! We arrived home last night, with little fanfare and stomachs weary of travel. Patty seems to be doing well but I’m still struggling a bit.

We immediately got busy this morning. The road trip that begins this weekend is one that will be a mont long so there is much to do to assure things are in order. I started on the yard work and spent the majority of the morning knocking that out while Patty began the household tasks and making a list for groceries. The cupboards are bare from leaving them that way 2 weeks ago when we left on the last trip.

It was good to see Patty’s dad and my mom and just get that “face to face” meeting for which there is little substitute. Both are doing well and we are so thankful and grateful for those of you lifting them up.

I’m now working on my worship services for the upcoming month where I will be leading in worship and speaking. Lots to do!

Again, thank you so much for following us on this journey!

Love you all,
John