Ok, this madness must stop.  If the calendar doesn’t begin to fill, trust me when I say, I will call and book myself.  Something’s got to give!!  I’ve thought of just using the Parental Blocking capabilities on HGTV before Patty gets anymore ideas, but I’ve got to face it…she’s smarter than me and will easily get around that effort.  Oh well.  On the good side, the house is really taking shape with some much needed updates and this time at home has not been wasted.

When I haven’t been “leaping tall buildings in a single bound” (provided that’s what she has instructed me to do), I’ve spent time in my office working new music, ventriloquism and sermons.  It’s a lot for me to take in but maybe being the slow and steady tortoise will reap the desired results.  I just have to stay with it!

Patty will be heading into Yazoo City in a day or so to take her dad to his oncologist “follow-up” on Friday and observe him.  He’s still experiencing some weakness that we hope the physical therapy and B12 will take care of so we’ll see.  We would appreciate your prayers for her as she travels and for the appointment that God will give His peace.

Selfishly, I must ask you to lift up a prayer for my small “grey matter” as I continue learning/memorizing all this new stuff.  ha ha

Blessings,
John

Yesterday morning I had a good meeting with my pastor as we discussed everything from golf, health, theology, and the church.  I was blessed to be able to catch up (since I’m out so much) and share my heart of evangelism as the pastor shared his vision of the missional church.  Good to be on the same page since I am on staff, sort of.  It’s a very unique and not so common position, the Staff Evangelist.  A church has to have a vision of, and a conviction to take care of God’s man as he does a work that keeps him relatively “invisible” in his home church.  Out of sight, out of mind, is the danger in this type relationship, but Hillcrest has not fallen into that trap in the least.  Rather, the support we are given enables us to do the work all over the country and some other parts of the world.  I am so grateful for God’s leadership.

Patty checked in on her dad yesterday to find he had slipped and fallen in the shower.  Praise the Lord that he was just bruised and nothing worse.  We’ve been trying to get Life Alert for about a month and it finally came yesterday, late.  Not in time for the fall, but now it’s there so we feel much better now.  Patty plans on going into Yazoo City next week and checking up on everything as well as getting him to his oncologist follow-up on Friday, Feb. 1st.

Your prayers and support are such a gift of God to us and we thank you.  Please continue.

Blessings,
John

Its a great concept that would be good nation wide. A joint worship rally with youth aged kids from allover the association features a band with upbeat praise and worship then a featured guest whether it’s a illusionist or in this case a ventriloquist then a dinner break. After the break there is worship with the band and a guest preacher.

Following that time each church took their kids back to the individual churches where they will spend the night then tomorrow (Martin Luther King Day) they will go out on a mission previously set up by their leadership. A great weekend of worship and missions.

The services went well as I used 3 “friends” early and preached later. I was blessed to see the altar full at the invitation. Thank you Lord.

Tomorrow, I will give a devotion at one of the churches before they go work then we will head home, tired and blessed.

Patty’s dad is struggling a bit, still, with strength and balance. There are more trips in our future from Enterprise to Yazoo City. Thank you for all the prayers. Things could not have gone better and it’s such a blessing to see God work and be in the middle of it.

Blessings,
John

Well, it was a little difficult leaving Yazoo City today as it usually is when leaving our older parents. Patty’s dad is really weak but we are hoping with physical therapy beginning Monday as well as Life Alert setting up, that things will get a little better. We are beginning to discuss future options and would appreciate your prayers.

I will be singing in one church tomorrow morning then heading to the afternoon/evening event in Dyersburg. Tomorrow night I will be using ventriloquism in the first set of the evening then after the band leads in worship following supper, I will be praching to the kids. The leadership is looking for approximately 400 students, grades 7-12. Thanks, in advance, for the prayers.

Blessings,
John

I helped mom around the house today and did a little studying as I prepared for this weekend.  We will pull out tomorrow morning for Dyersburg, TN, and the big event on Sunday and Monday morning.

Patty took her dad to his oncologist for the next plan of action.  The Dr. said she thought that the severe pain “might” decrease as the chemo continues working its way out of his system.  Of course that word, “might” wasn’t what we wanted to hear as he’s been struggling quite a bit with the neuropathy.   Also, she is concerned about the apparent weakness in his legs.  She wants to set him up with physical therapy in hopes that this will strengthen him.  She told him, for the 3rd time how she didn’t think he should live by himself.  He’s done well but it does appear as tho decisions are a little closer down the road.  We appreciate your prayers with all this.

We will keep you informed and thank you for checking in.  By the way, if you’ve noticed the “scrambled” appearance of the site, my webmaster is working fervently redesigning the site.  It’s gonna be great and I appreciate that guy sooooo much!  Here’s a shout out, Johnny Boy!

Blessings
John

Thanks for the prayers, friends, cause everything went fine. The wind made things a bit difficult and when we ran into snow just as we headed west out of Montgomery, we just weren’t sure. However things began to let up and by the time we got into the areas that just this morning had accumulated 4″ or more, the snow had pretty much melted and the roads were clear. Thanks again.

Patty will be taking her dad to his oncologist tomorrow to line up the next phase of his lymphoma treatments. Pray for safety in travel and wisdom with the physician.

Blessings,
John

Ok gang, we need your prayers as we travel today. Snow everywhere on our route as we head to Yazoo City. 4″ and still snowing in Pearl, MS, right now. We are counting on temps rising to the point that once we get toward that area, the roads will be ok.

Gotta head out now so thanks for the prayers.

John

Patty talked with her dad this afternoon and this week seems to be getting off on a better foot than the last.  He was feeling pretty good although he didn’t try and get to church today.  The weather is a bit nasty there and he decided to lay low.  He has been a bit “gun shy” of getting out much since his fall last weekend.  Nevertheless, he seems to be doing pretty well.  If you will join us in prayer for his upcoming chemo treatment on Friday, we would appreciate it.  Having the 2 week delay in his treatment has really made a difference in how he functions from day to day.  We’ve seen his weight come down (from the fluid build up) and his neuropathy in his legs decrease although it hasn’t left.  Not sure we want to see all this increase.  So, thanks for the prayers.  For Dr wisdom and physical strength.

I am filling my days, currently, by preparing for the student conference I’m speaking in next Sunday and working on some new music.  Patty is still working on household stuff.  Lots to do.  Tomorrow afternoon we will head to the photography studio and get new publicity shots taken for the web site.  Looking forward to the updates.

Not much else to report now.  I’ll check back in later!
John

Patty talked with her dad tonight.  He didn’t sound too good.  She talks with him everyday at least once each day and that makes it easier to pick up on speech patterns and the like and tonights conversation will have some follow up.  In fact, the plan right now is to get in touch with the home health service first thing in the morning to get them to stop by and check on him.  Patty is considering heading in to Yazoo City in the next few days. We’ll see.  We would appreciate your prayers for clarity and the Lord’s will in it all.

Things at home are continuing to come together as we spend this time off the road to do some necessary maintenance and closet cleaning.  With the situation in Yazoo, we will press on here to get as much done as possible before she drives in.  I’ll stick around as I am filling in for our Worship Pastor on Wednesday night for the worship time and choir rehearsal.

Thanks for the prayers,
John

Let’s hope not although this is where we are right at the moment.  Last night Patty checked in with her dad as usual.  He then informed her that he had fallen outside while getting his garbage can off the street.  There was a slow steady rain and we are a little cloudy on details (he wasn’t exactly sure himself, I suppose) but somehow he fell.  Scraped a knee and some knuckles but everytime he attempted to get up he would try and brace on the trash can that would slowly roll away from him with the least bit of effort.  So, basically, he was stuck.  There in the driveway, dark, and raining. What a mess for anyone let alone someone of 91 years.

After  about 5 mins, he reports, a man and his son turned onto his street and saw him.  They stopped and helped him get to the house.  He seems fine today, albeit a bit sore, and we are very grateful.  We expect we’ll be seeing more of this as time continues.  We have been talking to him about an assistance service like Life Alert but until now he has been “on the fence” about it and we haven’t pressed it but that will be changing I assure you.  Sure would appreciate you joining us in prayers for this journey.

Here on the ministry home front, the work on the home, development in ministry and equipment adjustments continue on the docket.  Tomorrow, I will be doing equipment adjustments and repair making sure we’ll be ready to hit the road when the time comes.  Patty will continue the home stuff.

Thanks friends!
John