Notice I didn’t say; “Ready or Not”…I guess that goes without saying.  I’ve really been working so hard on my preparations and don’t feel I’m where I need to be but we know God will honor the efforts and work put forth.  We will spend tomorrow in final preparations for travel then load up and pull out first thing Friday morning.  I’m scheduled to move  my equipment into First Baptist Church, Yazoo City, Saturday morning.

Yes, that’s right.  First Baptist Church in Yazoo City, MS, is where I grew up and where dad pastored for 30 years.  I have the privilege of preaching that Sunday morning, June 2.  It will be a special day for sure.  Mom will be in attendance, Lord willing, as will Patty’s dad.

We are a bit heavy hearted at the moment.  Patty talked with her dad this afternoon and he has felt a lump in his throat reappearing.  This is where the lymphoma manifests itself in him.  He has already been on the schedule for his check up and that is Friday, June 7th.  We knew this, of course, and Patty had already planned on taking him to that appointment since we would be in Yazoo City already.  Please pray for God’s guidance and direction, His will and way, as we begin this leg of the journey.

Please keep our schedule handy.  The summer is a wonderful time of ministry and generally where we see the largest harvest because of the soft hearts we are dealing with in children.  We love and appreciate you!

Blessings,
John

We found things in Yazoo as we hoped.  Mr. Shurley is doing well and has really settled in to his new routine.  Patty and I have spent our time, thus far, doing lawn work and basic outdoor upkeep.

Tomorrow we will head on down to Brookhaven, ,MS, for the remainder of the weekend as we minister to the families of New Sight Baptist Church and the surrounding area.

We appreciate your prayers and are thankful for your support!

Blessings,
John

Nope, not headed home.  Just staying at home.  Patty has seen little to no improvement since last Monday.  She talked with the “on call” doctor on Friday but what he has suggested is being followed but nothing else to report right now.  It looks like we will continue to go with this line of treatment through the weekend before heading back to the doctor on Monday to perhaps to a vein study that they can do in the office.  Either that or will will try and get referred.

I am continuing preparing all the meals, running errands and such as well as doing the yard work and studying my VBS materials.  I am glad to be able to help in this way but hoping she can find an answer to all this soon.  We need her to be 100% in a couple of weeks when a very busy summer schedule begins.

Thanks for the continued prayers!

John

Hi friends.  What a few days it’s been thus far.  Here’s how we got to where we are right now.  Last Thursday Patty noticed that there were several veins beginning to show themselves on the lower part of both legs.  Things didn’t get better and she began getting more and more worried.  Any amount of consoling from me wasn’t quite good enough so she made an appointment this past Monday afternoon.  Bottom line….the dr has given her orders of bed rest/couch rest, whatever as long as she’s off her feet and they are propped up for 3 to 4 days.  The dr didn’t seem too alarmed but serious enough to give her this order and to tell her to donate a recent pair of shoes to the mission.  I guess so some other fashionista can find herself in the same place.  Geez.

Anyway, I am preparing the 3 meals a day, doing the housework, grocery shopping, as well as my VBS preparations and yard work.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to do it.   The good side is I’m sleeping really good each night.  ha ha   Of course this “homebound” thing is kinda hard.  Don’t need to get very far away right now.  Just as well….I have a summer full of stuff to prepare for.

The VBS prep is continuing and proceeding nicely.  I do place myself on a schedule to be as sharp as I can be and hope this summer’s events are no different.

Patty’s dad is doing really well with the home care and sitter.  Happy as a clam.  Funny though…things were a little quiet on Monday as things began with her dad never having been in this position.  A sitter, actually in his house with him?  Well, she is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.  She was on time, came in spoke, made a grocery list, ran to pick up some things.  At 12:30 he was sitting down to fried pork chops, corn, green beans, and cornbread.  GAME, SET, AND MATCH!!!  Yesterday was bar-b-que chicken and potato salad.  Patty and I are thinking of commuting to lunch!  Who would blame us!

We are home this weekend and maybe in a few days, things will be much better for Patty.

Praying so,
John

Pulling out first thing in the morning for Houston, MS.  I have the privilege of presenting a concert for the family.  Chickasaw Baptist Association is doing their first Family Rally and they have asked me to come in and use this ministry to lead.  First Baptist in Houston is hosting the event and everything begins at 6:30 tomorrow night.  I’m looking forward  to the presentation.  Should be a lot of fun.

Well, this week has been spent in preparation for this event and for VBS.  Lots of music for the old brain to pick up so I have to really press.  In a few days I will add the Bible stories and ventriloquism skits to the mix to really keep myself busy.  It’s all good and I’m busy.

Patty’s dad is doing well and glad to be in his house.  Her brother will be pulling out sometime tomorrow and heading back to Atlanta.  Her dad will be by himself over the weekend but there’s always Life Alert and first thing Monday Home Health Physical Therapy will begin so “alone” might not seem so bad later.  ha ha

Sure appreciate your prayers and support as we do the work!

Blessings,
John

Well, it’s been quite a week in Gates and Dyersburg. Today I was outside Dyersburg, TN, in a little church, Beech Grove Baptist. I’m friends with the “permanent interim” pastor and wanted to hold over from my time at Gates Baptist to be with him and his sweet fellowship. There were 23 in attendance this morning and I found out that the church had never had anything “special” in their church. Hard to believe but it was a blessing to be with them.

Tonight the attendance more than doubled with more than 50 turning out as I used several friends and just had a good time laughing and challenging the group to be faithful in their service to Him. At this point I have to thank my supporters for their gifts that enable me to take on a ministry opportunity like this. Thank you!

On the Yazoo front, Patty drove there from Gatesfollowing the revival. On Thursday, she drove in and immediately began the preparations to get Mr. Shurley home from the swing bed/ rehab center. He’s doing very well and is really looking forward the “springing that joint”, ha ha.

The bathroom has been completely remodeled with the exception of the shower doors that will be installed in the next couple of days. Patty had a bit of a small panic the other day when she went into the house and the constuction company had removed all the protective plastic, cleaned up and were gone. Why panic? I’m glad you asked. The fine, powder like dust had made it’s way everywhere. Everywhere. As much as an inch layer on things as far away as the den and kitchen area at the other end of the house. She said it was unbelievable. She worked all day Saturday and all this afternoon doing everything from washing linens, vacuuming the matresses, dusting and wiping down furniture as well as “Swiffering” the walls and ceiling. She was a maniac and did an incredible job getting things ready for him.

I will leave TN in the morning to drive back to AL and home. It’s time to begin preparations for this summer’s VBS and the family rally this Saturday in MS. Thank you, again, for all the prayers as we fulfill His call.

Blessings!
John

Although we had no public movement at the invitation, the crowd was really good and there were more students there than they’ve had in quite sometime. I was concerned about the possible change in spirit because of the unchurched kids that might attend but God heard your prayers and blessed our efforts. The pastor told me that although we had not seen a great deal of movement, he was very much aware of several decisions that were a sign of revival all by themselves. Praise the Lord.

We ask for your prayers on Patty’s behalf tomorrow as she drives back to Yazoo City. She will tie up any loose ends at her dads house to make ready for his return home on Monday and I will remain here for a few more days where I will have Sunday services at Beech Grove Baptist Church outside Dyersburg.

Again, thank you for your prayers as we continue the work.

Blessings,
John

a sweet service but diminished crowd. We were blessed that several pastors from the Monday morning breakfast came tonight. I’m guessing the crowd was a bit intimidated! Glad I wasn’t alone! Haha. No, it was a good night with a sweet time of worship.

Tomorrow will be a somewhat busy day wrapping up the day with the closing service. We would appreciate your prayers as always. Wednesday night is typically a larger group of kids and youth and could be wonderful but also might stand to be a distraction as the church ministers to many kids that come from unchurhched homes so pray that the message will be clear and lives will be changed.

Blessings,
John

The pastors breakfast at the associational office was fun this morning. I just used a couple of “friends” to share a laugh and encourage them and their wives.

It was a small crowd present tonight but God moved throughout. There was as much movement as I’ve seen at this church in the years I’ve been coming and we thank the Lord for it. The pastor said the sermon was dead on to where many of his people are. I love it when God does that! I purposefully never ask the pastor for any inside info and when God ties it all in it’s really awesome!

Tomorrow is a slower day for me and il. Take some time to study and rest my voice, staying out of the pollen too, of course.

We appreciate your prayers as God continues working in the hearts and lives of everyone in attendance at Gates Baptist Church.

Blessings,
John

Services went really well today as we began the revival effort at Gates Baptist Church. Both services were well attended with a number of new faces, as far as I was concerned. I’ve been ministering to this church for a number of years now and the pastor is beginning his 2nd year here. He is seeing this new blood coming in, albeit slower than he would like but coming in nevertheless.

The Lord led me in my preparations to focus on the Christian responsibility of our calling to reach out beyond the church walls. I was unaware of the pastor’s recent emphasis on the same thing. I guess the church will think he gave me inside info. I love when God does that.

Tomorrow morning I am speaking at the associational Pastor’ Prayer Breakfast. Sure would appreciate the prayers.

Patty is with me and is in regular touch with her dad. He is doing well and looking forward to the 29th when, Lord willing, he will be moving back to his home.

Blessings,
John