Pastor's Blog

Millie Spiller passed from this life and entered Heaven around 9:30AM today.  Her brother, Robert, was with her when she passed.  The arrangements are no where near completed as Millie’s son, Bobby, has to travel from Colorado.  I think we are looking at several days before anything i.e. visitation/service takes place.

Visited with Kevin Woods this morning.  He made the move yesterday and begins some rehab today.  Seems to be in pretty good spirits.

Also visited with Miss Exie Woods and Merwyn Gunter in the convalescent home.  Miss Exie seems to be doing good.  Merwyn was not feeling well at all.

Got another report on Bro. Alvin Tucker and he is not doing good.  He could be moved to another hospital but that decision has not been made at this point.

Visited with Millie three times yesterday and each time was basically a repeat of the previous time.  I spoke to a family member via the phone last night and there was no change.  I just spoke to the hospital operator and Millie is still a patient.  Keep praying!

Morris Dupont remains in ICU and his wife, Maxine, was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  I will visit them this morning.  I attempted to see Maxine yesterday but the hospital said she was not a patient.

Kevin Woods should have been moved to another hospital yesterday.  I plan on checking on him today.

Betty Carol Neal remains at home under hospice care.

Pray for Carla Kyser and the others who are battling cancer.

RL “the mayor” Pope is reportedly not doing well physically.  His sister-in-law, Martha, asks that we pray for him.

Just learned that Bro. Alvin Tucker is in the hospital.  Not sure all of the reasons but do know he is confused.  Pray for him.

Mark Vice flys out today headed to Uganda.  Pray for safety in travel and ease in connections.

Spent a couple of hours with Jason Husband (David & Kim French’s son, Rita’s boyfriend) yesterday as he heads back to Raleigh today.

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

It is shortly before 6:00AM and, according to the hospital operator, Millie continues to battle for life.  I came home around 1:00AM as it appeared to me that Millie would live through the night.  I am keenly aware that she could pass before I get back to the hospital this morning.  It definitely appears that she is actively passing from this life but Millie is a fighter.  Pray for her and her family.

Miss Gloria Whitmore will have eye surgery this morning.  She has a growth on one eye that has to be removed.

Morris Dupont remains hospitalized with pneumonia.  He is in ICU.

Pray for those who are battling cancer.

Kevin Woods should be moved from one hospital to another one today per my conversation with Jack Lastorka on Saturday.

Wow, we had a blessed day in our services yesterday.  What a joy to baptize five folks last night.  Our attendance was really strong in all three services.  God is good and we give Him the praise!

Mark Vice leaves for Uganda tomorrow to visit with Alisha.  They will return to the States later this month.

Jason Husband leaves for Raleigh, MS tomorrow.  He will return sooner than you think – LOL!  He and I are going somewhere today and you ladies do not need to know the details!

Rusty Suthoff, Ross Hatcher and I are pulling for Bama tonight!  (Something like that!)  Roll Tide!

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

It is around 8:45PM on Sunday night, 1/6, and I just received a phone call from Millie’s niece.  The doctor has called the family in as they do not think Millie will live much longer.  I am on my way to the hospital and will post an update whenever I return.  Pray for Millie and her family.

Millie Spiller was taken by ambulance to the hospital yesterday due to breathing difficulties.  She has been diagnosed with pneumonia.  She really needs our prayers.  Visited with Millie and she was doing “okay” all things considered.

As I was leaving the hospital, I saw Maxine Dupont.  Her husband, Morris, is in ICU with pneumonia.  Morris is 94 years old.  He was admitted yesterday.  Pray for him.

The doctor has determined that Melinda Spiller is not a candidate for the major surgery they were considering for her.  Too much for her to handle.  She is presently at her Aunt Helen’s house.

Carla Kyser is in a “so far, so good” mode regarding the new dosage of the treatment medication.

I assume Miss Carmen did well yesterday.  I will check on her later today on my way home from the hospital.  Miss Carmen is doing well.

Betty Carol Neal continues to need our prayer support.

Bro. Robbie Howard is at home but continues to struggle with the effects of the pneumonia from over a month ago.  Pray for him as sitting at home is not his cup of tea!

When you hear the sirens in GB today between 11:00AM and 2:00PM, do not worry.  They will be coming to the CAB to get me as I will officiate three of the Upward games.

OU did not think the Sooners could play against the SEC, did you?

Regular schedule tomorrow.  Deacons meet at 4:00PM.  Baptism and the Lord’s Supper in the 6:00PM service.

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

It is my understanding that Miss Carmen Reyer will have cataract surgery this morning.  Pray that all goes well.

Bill Unrue’s surgery went well.  Thank you for your prayers.  He will perhaps be discharged today.

Visited with Kevin Woods yesterday.  If things go as planned, he will be moved to another facility possibly today and eventually will be involved in rehab in that facility.

Melinda Spiller had been taken back for her procedure whenever I arrived at the hospital.  I do not have an update on the outcome of that procedure.

Stephanie & Eric Dunkley have an uncle-in-law who was involved in a motorcycle accident last Saturday.  The visitation with the family took place last night at the Coden United Methodist Church and the funeral will take place this morning at 10:00AM.  Lisa and I visited with the family  last night – huge crowd and long line.  Pray for the family as they go through this valley today and beyond.

Visited with Martha Patrick yesterday afternoon and she thought her defibrillator had shocked her early yesterday morning.  According to the doctor, it did not.  All Martha knows is that something jolted her at 6:00AM – that is her story and she is sticking with it!

Attempted for the second consecutive day to visit our folks in the convalescent home but they were resting (asleep).  Will try again next week.

Another day of Upward tomorrow.  Also, our bus workers will be visiting.  Pray for these respective ministries.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday.  The deacons will meet at 4:00PM in my office.  Baptismal candidates meet at 5:30PM in the church office.  Lord’s Supper during the evening service.

The Dr. Jack Bailey family will all travel home from SC today.  Need a picture?  Think Beverly Hillbillies!

My brother, Eddie, travels back to China tomorrow.  He and Sue gave us a Hope’s cheesecake – awesome!  Plus, they gave us a Turrentine “coat of arms” plaque.

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

Sorry for the lateness of this post.  No excuses.  I am presently sitting in hospital waiting room with Miss Bea while waiting to pray with Bro. Bill before his surgery.  Pray that all goes well for him.

Marisa said last night that so far so good for Carla with the treatment but it will most likely be Saturday before she truly knows if the side effects are going to be as difficult as before.

Melinda Spiller should be having a test today.  I will visit her once I leave this hospital.  I will also visit Kevin Woods to get an update on his situation.

Talked to Kevin Vice last night about Betty Carol.  She is not doing well and certainly needs our prayer support.  She is staying with Pastor Rodney & Rhonda Coleman.  Pray for her!

My mama was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  It appears that her problem is related to blood pressure medication.  I appreciate your prayers and concern.

Watched much of the UF vs UL game last night.  So reminded me of the Bama vs Utah game several years ago.  Sam Schjott attended the game and came away disappointed.  I hope Sam is not planning on attending the Bama game Monday night.

Joe David & Lori Bailey will be traveling to SC today for a military graduation tomorrow.  Pray for their safety in travel.

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

We arrived home “safe and sound” around 6:00PM last night and my mother-in-law, Ann Clark, had a delicious home cooked meal waiting on us.  I do have the best mother-in-law in the world!  As for my father-in-law, Charles Clark, he was asking for a donation of $6.95 per person ($1 more with drink included) but he was “graciously” only suggesting $6.45 per child (ages 1 and under).  Wow!

We are on a regular schedule today with the 10:00AM service and the evening activities.  The ONLY exception is that we will NOT have the 8:00PM Bible study for young adults at our house.  Caryn, please help get this word out – thanks!  Why are we not having this service?  LSU lost and we are giving Rusty some time to recover!

Today, I will be checking on the various folks who have been on our prayer list plus visiting the convalescent home, Lord willing.  I will give updates in tomorrow’s post.

I do know that Bill Unrue will have a surgical procedure tomorrow.

My mama will have a two part (morning/afternoon) stress test today.  It appears she will be discharged from the hospital late this afternoon unless the test is not good.

You would think Stanford had just won the national championship game because they beat a six loss Big Ten team.  Are you serious?  (I do appreciate the fact that they beat Oregon earlier in the year!)

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

Happy New Year!  I am sitting in a Denver hotel room and have been reading without even noticing that the new year had come in here.  2013 is now ten minutes old in this part of the world.  (In about another twelve days, 2014 will be here!)

I was wrong!  (I will wait for a few minutes until you absorb the enormity of that statement!)  Bill Unrue did not have a heart cath yesterday morning but instead had a stress test – are those not the same?  The test was outpatient so he came home and should know the definitive results today or tomorrow.  (The initial results were good)  If everything is good, he will have surgery on Thursday.  Keep praying for Bill!

Betty Carol Neal will be going home (cousin’s house) under hospice care.

John Curl’s mother has been discharged from the hospital.

Carolyn Blaylock remains hospitalized.

Kevin Woods also remains hospitalized but has been off the ventilator for two days as of yesterday afternoon.

The doctors are now thinking that my mother does not have an issue with her heart but has been suffering mini strokes.  How many?  How long?  Unknown and not for certain about the prognosis at this point.  She remains hospitalized.

The church office is closed today but will reopen tomorrow, 1/2.  We are also on a regular schedule tomorrow morning/evening with one exception – we will not meet for our 8:00PM Bible study.  I need to give Lisa a little time to recover from this trip and her first day back at work.  So, those who normally attend that Bible study are asked to attend the 7:00PM service.  Thanks in advance for understanding.

Watched the second half of the LSU/Clemson game last night.  I know one sad Tiger (Rusty Suthoff) and two happy Tigers (Pastor Terry Rainey & Pastor Eddie Burdette).  Of course, the game that interests me takes place next Monday night, 1/7.

In closing, I want to say “thank you” to all seven of our readers during 2012.  Our 2013 has gotten off to a slower start (6 readers) since mama does not have internet access while in the hospital.

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