Pastor's Blog

Good Monday morning from GRACE Mountain.  Word came to me that the services at Friendship yesterday went well.  The attendance was down some which disappoints me but I am very thankful for those who attended.  A thank you goes to Bro. Abel and Bro. Jerry for preaching in my absence.

I watched our 8:00AM service on live stream.  Helped me gather some information.  Personally, I thought Bro. Abel’s message on the second coming was spot on!

Our bus attendance was good yesterday.  Praise the Lord! We had a group of our older children go for an outing yesterday afternoon.  Thank you to Dylan & Elizabeth Westbrook for making that happen.

Dale Ellerman will have back surgery tomorrow morning.  Pray for all to go well.

Anna Carol Bosarge was discharged from the hospital.  Praise the Lord!

I do not have an update on Matt Everett’s uncle but do ask that you keep praying.

The arrangements for Kendall Falana’s nephew remain incomplete.  He was involved in an out of town work related accident so it is taking some time to get things done.  Pray for the family!

I was privileged to preach at Iglesia JET yesterday morning.  I think that was the best attendance I have ever seen at that church.  We left the service and drove down the road to a local water park for a baptismal service where we worshipped with twenty folks who followed Jesus in believer’s baptism.  One of those twenty was our granddaughter, Lizzi, which was obviously a highlight for me personally and is the main reason Lisa and I made this trip.  I am thankful for Lizzi’s salvation and baptism!

Lisa and I spent an hour or so visiting with Paul Leytham yesterday afternoon.  It was a very nice visit!

I met with Soy & Deidra and Matt & Bonnie for a couple of hours last night.  We are trying to prepare for the Summer teams who will use the mission house.

Four meetings are on the schedule for me today.

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

First, I am praying for the folks in the Mobile area as the severe weather moves through this morning.  Praying that everyone is safe.

Coffee anyone?  Beans or ground?  The folks on the farm next to GRACE Mountain are literally roasting coffee today so you talk about fresh!  Remember, this is “coffee for a cause” as four dollars from each ten dollar bag of coffee will to Shining Light Abroad Ministries to help build houses for some extremely impoverished people.  These houses will be built by the older students from Colegio JET.  Lisa and I will be brining home ground coffee as that is what most people prefer.  If you want beans then you need to send me an email (pastor@friendshipfamily.net) no later than tomorrow (Sunday, 4/25) at noon.  That is true even if you only want a pound or two.

I want to give a shout out to Eddie Albritton as he has become my “go to” guy when it comes to getting me to the airport for these trips to Guatemala.  He took Lisa and me to the airport early this past Thursday and I am grateful.  Why does one of the deacons not take you to the airport?  Great question!  “They all with one consent began to make excuse!”  Just saying!  LOL!

Anna Carol Bosarge is in the hospital but will most likely be discharged at some point today.  Each test that has been done on her has come back good.  Praise the Lord!  Pray for Anna Carol.

Keep praying for Matt Everett’s paternal uncle.  Obviously, he remains in the hospital.

I do not know the arrangements for Kendall’s nephew.  I do know that we need to pray for this family during this most difficult time.

I am praying that Marie Brooks test went well yesterday.  Keep praying as she will see the doctor on Tuesday.

I can only assume that our soccer league games are cancelled today.  Contact Bro. Abel for the latest update.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Friendship family, please be faithful!

Buildings and Grounds Committee meets tomorrow afternoon at 5:00PM as does the Social Media Committee.

Sergeant Deidra kept me running all day yesterday.  Please do not tell her that I managed to get a hair cut during all of the running.  Late yesterday afternoon she was in La Torre buying items for food baskets.  A can fell and cut the big toe on her right foot.  Pretty nasty cut.  Pray for it to heal quickly.  She will be hobbling around for a few days but it will not keep her from barking orders!

We are going to build two houses today.  One is for the family living in the “plastic” house.  Matt Cain & I will lead that team while will lead a team building another house.

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

PS – Want freshly roasted coffee beans?  Email me like five minutes ago!

I received two prayer requests this morning but was not near my computer to post an entry.

Kendall Falana’s nephew was tragically killed in a work related accident yesterday.  This is Kendall’s sister’s son.  Pray for his wife and children as they walk through this valley.

Matt Everett’s paternal uncle has taken a turn for the worse.  They did a procedure this morning.  I have connected with Matt a couple of times but the calls keep getting dropped.  Pray for Matt’s uncle and his family.

Good morning from GRACE Mountain.  I apologize for not posting an entry yesterday but it was a full day of travel.  I “thought” Bibbi aka “BJ” was going to blog in my absence but it is obvious she did not.  Must have had a softball game to attend!

I do not do social media but I heard that Sonny & Jeanette welcomed a new grandchild into this world yesterday.  Nora Elise (?) Bates is the daughter of Wes & Rebekah Bates.  All is well and we are grateful to God for this new addition to the Bates family.  (By the way, this is the “good” Rebekah Bates – LOL!)

If my memory serves me correctly, Marie Brooks will have a test today.  Pray for all to go well.

Keep praying for Angie Bentley.  It was good to see her in the service this past Sunday morning.

Keep praying for Miss Connie Hardy.  What a trooper!  She amazes me with her faithfulness to the church services.

Keep praying for Debbie Kendrick.  She too is a trooper and is so ready to get back into attending our services in person.

Keep praying for Sonny Bates as he recovers from his recent surgery.

I do not know the status of our soccer leagues for tomorrow.  It “appears” that the rain/storms may not be as severe as originally thought.  Bro. Abel has the details on the leagues.

I received a message yesterday morning that simply said, “the service last night was one of those you just had to be there to understand!”  Folks, that may have very well been the best Wednesday night service at Friendship in my thirty plus years of pastoring.  I am very grateful to each person who shared during the service. I often say “good stuff” but that was “GOD stuff!”

Our senior adults will be served a meal in the CAB following the 10:30AM service on Sunday, May 2.  We need to know how many of our seniors are going to be present for this meal.  Katelyn Johnson will coordinate this meal.  She does such a good job hosting events.  Senior adults, there will be a sign up list in this Sunday’s services.  We need to hear from you no later than this Wednesday, April 28.

A good day of traveling for Lisa and me yesterday.  Once we arrived on GRACE Mountain, I was able to see some of the older students.  Got to spend hours with Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey.  When Audrey is involved then one hour seems like four!  Just saying!

Well, Sergeant Deidra just came in and laid out my schedule for today – oh my!  Now, I am already six hours behind!

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

There will be a memorial service for Thomas Welch this morning from 10:00AM until 11:00AM.  This will be preceded by an hour of visitation with the family.  Please note there will not be a regular prayer/Bible study time this morning.  Jeff Holifield will be ministering the Word during the memorial service.  Pray for the Welch family.

Marie Brooks sent me an email last night telling me that she is living in constant pain because of an issue with her back.  She will have a MRI on Friday and then see the doctor on Tuesday.  Pray for Marie!

Both Bill & Debbie Kendrick sent me an email this week giving an update on Debbie.  She is now able to put full weight on her hip and will be good to go once she has received her vaccine shots.  Just an amazing situation and they are both giving God the glory.

Retired pastor, Lucky Teague, has suffered three strokes in recent months.  The most recent one has left him in really bad shape physically.  Pray for Pastor Lucky, his wife, Connie, their daughter and the rest of the family.  I have known Bro. Lucky for fifty plus years.

We will have our regular activities/classes/service tonight beginning at 6:30PM.

Dr. Rex Looney is now the worship leader and adult discipleship leader at First Baptist Hartselle, Alabama.  Congratulations to Dr. Rex!  Rex is one of the thirteen blog readers!

Lord willing, Lisa and I will leave early in the morning heading to Guatemala.  Pastor Adan and the Iglesia JET family have asked me to come baptize around twenty five folks this Sunday.  One of those twenty five is our granddaughter, Lizzi.  I had the privilege of being there when she prayed to receive Jesus as her personal Savior a few weeks ago and will now get to baptize her.  I am humbled and honored!

I will also get to help build the house for family presently living in the “plastic” house.  Great ministry opportunity.

My plate has been really full the first three days of this week and today will be a marathon day for me.  Pray for me to get everything done that I need to get done before leaving.  Thank you!

FYI, the Lord has blessed my feeble efforts when it comes to my garden.  I have a great stand of snap beans, corn (peaches & cream), squash (already blooming) and peppers.  More to be added later.

By the way, my wife has left me!  The past two nights have seen it be just Gina and me at the house.  Lisa now has a second home at Presley’s Outing.  (Man, I wish I would have bought a camper years ago!  Just saying!  LOL!)

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

What, a blog entry?  It is.  Please remember that my plans were to end this blog come March 31, 2021, but I wrote one basically daily all the way to April 13.  So, we are in bonus time now.

Nanette Fontenot sent word to me that her mother, Marie Brooks, has a cracked vertebrae in her back.  She will see a specialist today.  Pray for Marie.

Good day in our services yesterday.  Our attendance was up.  The Spirit was excellent.  God was glorified.  We praise Him!

Mark, Tina & Rachel Mast did a wonderful job in singing and sharing last night.  Good stuff!  It is always a blessing to have the Mast family with us.

Beautiful day today.  Praise the Lord!  I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

I posted the obit for Miss Catherine Leach in an earlier entry.  Pray for Elizabeth, Joe and the family.

Miss Lanell McConnell is schedule to have surgery tomorrow, 4/14.  Pray that all goes well.

Marcus Hatcher sent me an update on infant Harvey Hatcher.  He remains in NICU but is no longer on oxygen.  So, he is making improvement.  Keep praying!

Debbie Kendrick sent me an email saying that she is doing good as she is now only dealing with the pain/discomfort from the actual surgery.  She misses being able to attend our church services in person.

Speaking of tough women, Rachel Haynes drove her bus yesterday and basically jumped right back into her normal routine.  Pretty amazing!

Speaking of maybe not so tough women, Dana is still struggling in her recovery from her surgery of last surgery.  Prayers appreciated.

Sonny Bates was in our evening service this past Sunday and it was good to see him.  Keep praying for a complete healing.

Pray the Guatemalan gentleman who flew in yesterday afternoon to begin the process of driving the vehicle purchased by Hands & Feet Ministries to Guatemala. Matt & Bonnie are ready to have their own means of transportation.  I am told it will take three days to get the vehicle to Chimaltenango.  (Sonny Bates, Gene Davis, Mac McGriff, Harold Morris, Stan Strickler, Larry Whitehurst, Larry Wilson and I were able to squeeze that three day trip into five and one half days back in 2000 – just saying!)

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

Special thanks to deacon Joey Bosarge for his help yesterday afternoon.  Where are Eddie Albritton and Joey Switzer when you need them?  (Asking for a friend!)

I am going to be forced to take a personal day today in order to make my garden a Santa Claus garden – hoe, hoe and hoe some more!  Plow too!  The weather forecasters are calling for rain basically for the rest of this week.  I may be able to do some mowing on Friday and/or Saturday but the ground will most likely be too wet to hoe or plow.

Bro. Jerry and Bro. Abel will be in the office today and available to assist with any needs.  Obviously, I am available in the event of an emergency.

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

Catherine Grace Lasker Leach, native of Whistler and longtime resident of Saraland passed away April 11, 2021. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. Her faith in God, kind heart, warm smile and love for her family were unsurpassed. She was 87 years old.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Leach, daughter Virginia (Ginny) Easterling, her parents, Lee and Katherine Alberta Lasker and brother, Ralph Holmes. She leaves to cherish her memory, a daughter, Elizabeth (Lee) Sessions and a son, Joe (Doris) Leach, her brother, Mark (Sybil) Lasker and her grandchildren; Dr. Amy (Stephen) McKay, William Sessions, Ryan Sessions, Jennifer (Michael) Green, Brian West, Brandy Taylor and Shane Easterling and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family and many, many wonderful friends.

Catherine was always the “Grandma with no rules”. If mom and dad said no, Grandma always said yes. If you had a problem, she had an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, great bits of wisdom to share, or a prayer for peace of mind no matter what time of the day or night you needed her. Her passing has left a huge hole in our hears but we are comforted knowing she is in heaven watching over us and guiding us still as we remember her daily.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the SAADS Hospice Car staff for their care of mom during her last days. Also, the family would like to than Stacy Dickens Sessions for her constant care of mom and to Jennifer Green for being there for not only mom but for all of us during her illness and passing. We know you wouldn’t have had it any other way and for this we love you and are truly blessed.

We also send our love and much gratitude to Ms. Tammy Duiett for not only the gentle, tender care she gave mom but also her love, devotion and friendship. You are truly an angel on earth.

Funeral services for Catherine will be from Radney Funeral Home in Saraland on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Saraland, AL.

Yesterday morning around 8:30AM, Miss Catherine Leach, was promoted from this life to Heaven.   The family will complete the arrangements today but it appears everything will take place this Thursday, 4/15, from Radney’s in Saraland.  The visitation will take place from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM service time.  Pray for Miss Catherine’s family.

Rachel Walton was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Gary showed a great commitment by coming to drive the bus before going to the hospital to be with Rachel.  Pray for Rachel to recover completely.

I do not have an update on infant Harvey Hatcher but do ask that you keep praying for him, his twin brother and their parents.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  Special thanks to Pastor Clint Landry for bringing the charge to the deacons last night.

The family whose house was shown at the end of last night’s service have now had their need met financially.  As a matter of fact, more than one family offered to meet the need.  Thank you and praise the Lord!

Our Guatemala coffee supply has been exhausted.  Thank you to each person who purchased coffee.  Thank you to my brother, Eddie, for selling a ton of it in North Alabama too.  A family in Guatemala is going to be super blessed because of folks in Alabama being used by the Lord.

This entry is late.  Why?  Yes.

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

Rachel Walton will have some tests performed today as the doctors try to locate the source of her problems.  Pray for Rachel.

Bro. Abel has called off all of our soccer matches scheduled for today due to the weather.  I am sure all of those involved are already aware of this fact.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

Deacon ordination for Brandon Baker & Joey Bosarge during our 6:00PM service tomorrow.

Meeting tomorrow afternoon at 5:00PM for students and parents regarding youth camp.

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