Pastor's Blog

Neal Holmes passed away this evening, 12/20, shortly after 6:00PM.  He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family.  Pray for Carolyn and the rest of the family.

It is about 9:45PM and I just returned from meeting with the Holmes family.  No arrangements have been solidified but the family is leaning toward a Saturday visitation and service.  Again, that is not definite.

As I mentioned in our service last night, we are going to need the members of the Friendship family to step up and help with the food for this family.  I will post the details once we know them along with a contact person and number.  Thank you in advance for your response!

We had a pretty good day in our services yesterday.  Our young adults who attend the late Bible study really enjoyed their Christmas fellowship.  God is good!

Tiffany & Peyton Fox came home from the hospital yesterday as did Pattie Suthoff.

Lindsey Vice’s surgery was quick and successful.  She should be discharged this morning (TJ thinks if he can get her out before the twenty four hours are up then he only has to pay for one day.  He is thinking the daily rate should be hotel like – say $99 or so per night)

Kevin Woods was in surgery all day yesterday.  I am told the surgery went well.  Keep praying for him.

I was called to the home of Neal Holmes yesterday afternoon as they thought he was passing.  He pulled through that episode but is very low physically.  Pray for Neal and his family.

Attempted to visit Betty Carol Neal yesterday afternoon but they busy doing something in her room.

Jerry Whitmore told me last night that Miss Gloria is going to have eye surgery in early January.

I remind the Friendship family that we are on a regular schedule this Sunday, 12/23, with the exception of no DT.  Also, remember the Christmas Eve service from 5:00 – 6:00PM.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

Lindsey Vice will have surgery this morning.  She has to be at the hospital at 7:00AM so I “assume” the surgery will begin around 9:00AM.  (TJ found that the second surgery on the schedule gets a larger discount!)  He has also asked me to drive them to the hospital since I can deduct the miles on my tax return and he cannot.

Melinda Spiller went to the hospital yesterday but came home in the afternoon.  She is scheduled to go back in the hospital in January.  Visited with Millie and she seemed to be doing okay.  Miss Kittie Camp was sitting with her while Melinda was at the hospital.  Is that a good Sunday School teacher or what?  Praise the Lord!

Pattie Suthoff was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon.  She has a fever and hives.  At this point, the doctors do not know the cause.  Lisa and I visited with her and Bernard late yesterday afternoon.  I told Pattie that it is not surprise that a person married to Bernard would have hives!

Visited with Neal & Carolyn Holmes yesterday afternoon.  He recognized me and spoke very little as he told me that he simply could not talk much.  He continues to weaken physically.

Kevin Woods did not have surgery yesterday.  Visited with Kerri & her parents in the waiting room.  Just appears that he got bumped so they plan on doing the procedure today.

Peyton Elizabeth Fox was born at 5:24PM on 12/17 and weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and was 20 inches long.  According to her parents, she looks just like Alivia!  Lisa and I visited with the Fox family yesterday afternoon and they were doing well.  Tiffany & Peyton should be discharged today.

Marisa Felps said the doctor has decided to keep Carla on the same treatment but at a lower dosage with a steroid added.  Pray that this will be the answer.

Did not visit with Betty Carol yesterday.  Pray that she can adjust to being on the rehab floor.

Visited with Miss Exie and Merwyn yesterday.  Could not find Miss Marie as she is always out and about.

We are on a regular schedule today/tonight.  The student ministry is having a Christmas fellowship.  Ditto for the 8:00PM Bible study group.  The adult choir is having rehearsal tonight as well.

By the way, Phil Sims is cooking taco soup for the students.  They will never know that he uses rabbit meat in his soups.  That Phil can come up with some recipes!

Hope to see many members of the Friendship family in our services today/tonight.

Mitchel & Tiffany Fox along with daughter, Alivia, welcomed Peyton Elizabeth into their family yesterday.  I was not at the hospital when Peyton was born so I do not know all of the particulars.  I will visit this morning and will post those later.  Congratulations to the Fox family!

I assume that Korie did well through her procedure yesterday.  Nanette is mad at me because I sent Chris to be with them during the surgery.  (I actually think she may have “staged” this procedure just so she could spend time with me?)

Attended the funeral service in Slocomb, AL for Annette Williams’ sister yesterday.  It was a good service but the committal service was held inside due to the rain.

Visited Kevin Woods (actually visited with Kerri and family in the ICU waiting room) yesterday.  The doctors took him off of the vent for four hours on Sunday.  A surgical procedure is planned for today.  He has a long road to complete recovery.

Visited Betty Carol Neal last night.  She has been moved to the rehab floor which does not make her a happy camper.  Pray for Betty Carol.

Lindsey Vice will be having surgery tomorrow morning as they will remove her tonsils.  (They were going to wait until next week but TJ found out the Christmas discount is not in effect after Christmas day!)

I caught the second half of the Jets game last night.  I am not a fan of the Jets so it did not bother me to see them eliminated from playoff contention.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

Tiffany Fox will be admitted to the hospital this morning and will then be induced to give birth at some point today.  Pray that everything goes well.

Korie Fontenot will be having outpatient surgery this morning.  This is related to her last softball accident (the one where she missed the ball!)

Annette Williams’ sister passed away in Slocomb, Alabama and that funeral service will take place this morning.  Pray for the family.

Lindsey Vice and Lyn Teasley were both discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Lindsey will confer with the doctor today about the possibility of having surgery later this week.

Visited with Neal & Carolyn Holmes after the service last night.  Neal’s condition has worsened since I last saw him on Thursday.  A feeding tube has been inserted.

Betty Carol Neal remains in the hospital.  Rita’s grandfather in Missouri did well through his surgery this past Friday.

Talked to Jack & Kerri Lastorka following the 10:30AM service yesterday.  They were going to attempt to remove Kevin from the vent yesterday.  I do not know how that went but will visit Kevin later today.

I do not have an up to date report on Melinda Spiller but will get one today.

I appreciate Tena, Rachel and the choirs ministering in our service last night.  It was a joy to have two folks join the Friendship family in the 10:30AM service yesterday.  God gives the increase!

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

From an e-mail sent by Kerri Lastorka:  Kevin is still in ICU and they are waiting for him to get strong enough to remove him from the vent. We have found that he has broken ribs on both sides, pelvis is broken on both sides, possible fracture to left shoulder. All of his labs and xrays are showing signs of improvements and healing with his spleen and kidney. They are decreasing his pain medications in order to prepare him to be off of the vent. As of now, he is doing most of the breathing on his own but they are concerned with pneumonia setting in if he isn\’t strong enough. He is alert and able to communicate with us through blinks and writing letters in our palms. He is still in traction and tentatively scheduled for surgery on his pelvis on Tuesday. Thank you everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers. We are blessed to have such a wonderful church family and group of prayer warriors…..God is good!!!

Lisa and I are back in Grand Bay.  I look forward to being joined by many members of the Friendship family in tomorrow’s services.  Blessings!

Just a reminder that our Sunday schedule is “normal” for tomorrow with the exception of no Discipleship Training.

Our children’s choir will present their Christmas musical during the evening service which begins at 6:00PM.  I hope that the members of the Friendship family will support these children as they have worked really hard preparing for this musical.

Keep praying for those who are on our prayer list.

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.

Karla Bosarge’s mother had a stent placed in her heart today.  She is recovering in the the hospital.

Lindsey Vice has been admitted to the hospital for various problems.  She needs to have her tonsils removed but I am told they will have to clear up the infection before doing that procedure.

Courtney Cavin was involved in a four vehicle auto accident late yesterday afternoon.  She was hit from behind by a man who was under the influence of alcohol.  She was taken to the hospital but released.  She suffered a concussion and is having bad headaches.  Her car was really damaged.

Lisa and I have been to Millbrook & Auburn, Alabama, Powder Spring, Georgia, Pell City, Alabama and are now in Birmingham.  We will travel to Hartselle tomorrow for breakfast with the family before heading home.

Karla Teasley Bosarge’s mother suffered a heart attack during the night and was admitted to a hospital for a heart cath.  Pray for her and the family.

Kerri Lastorka’s brother, Kevin, fell thirty feet through a skylight yesterday and is in serious condition in a local hospital.  He suffered multiple fractures.

Visited with Neal Holmes yesterday and they are most likely going to admit him to a hospital in order to insert a feeding tube.

Melinda Spiller is being moved from one hospital to another.  The biopsy results were inconclusive so they will do another test.  It appears surgery will follow but not exactly when that will take place.  Millie seemed to be doing a bit better.  Bobby is flying back to Colorado today so pray for his traveling safety.

Betty Carol Neal seemed to be okay as she remained in the ICU yesterday morning.

Lisa and I are making some out of town visits today/tomorrow including my parents.  We are visiting old people and had a delightful time with Bob (real old) and Terry (not old) Harvey last night.  We will see my parents and one of my aunts from Michigan today.  Lord willing, we will be home tomorrow afternoon.

The children’s choir Christmas musical takes place Sunday night beginning at 6:00PM.  We are on a regular schedule this Sunday except for no Discipleship Training.

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.

Betty Carol Neal’s surgery was successful regarding the amputation but there were some complications (drop in blood pressure) during the surgery which caused them to put her in ICU.  Pray for her physical recovery and for her emotional well being.

The results on Melinda Spiller’s biopsy came by inconclusive.  She will be moved to another hospital today in order to have a test in anticipation of the surgery taking place.   They were thinking she would come home in between hospitals but that now appears unlikely.

The doctor changed Millie’s pain medicine and it appears this is a move for the better.

Bill Kendrick’s mother is scheduled to be moved to a rehab facility either tomorrow or early next week.

Katie & Vivie Lou Erwin are scheduled to come home from the hospital today.

Tiffany Fox is scheduled to give birth on Monday.

Lindsey Vice is scheduled to have her tonsils removed one week from today.  Does she not know that a teacher should have surgery while school is in session?  (Actually, TJ found a doctor offering a “discounted” price as a Christmas special and took advantage of it.)

We had a good day/night in our services yesterday.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.