Pastor's Blog

Wow, where did April of 2010 get off to?  For that matter, where did January – April go?  If time goes by faster as you age, (and it seemingly does) Tena Hovel’s head must be spinning out of control!

Kevin Vice did a nice job of sharing at his Uncle Harold’s funeral service yesterday.  Lisa & I went grateful to get to attend.  We also went to visit her brother’s grave in Richton.  She reminded me of how peaceful it is there and how she wants to be buried there!  (I’m thinking – tell your next husband as I will precede her in death by about fifty years!)  Death stings!  I miss Michael and can’t help but wonder what his life would have been like as an adult.

I went over and checked out Phase III in the CAB last night – nice!  All of the sheetrock is in place and ready for the tape, mud, sanding, et cetera.  Again, we plan on moving to Phase IV on Monday, 5/10, with a 8:00AM work day.  This will be our senior adults/retired folks work day.  (Just wanted Mike Moreland to know when to plan his next visit to the dentist!)

Speaking of senior adults, we will recognize them in our 10:30AM service this Sunday, 5/2.  A complimentary meal at Catfish Pointe follows.

Our deacons will this Sunday, 5/2, at 4:00PM and the Finance Committee will meet at 5:00PM.  Baptismal candidates should meet at 5:15PM at a location TBA.

Bro. Benny McGath sent me an e-mail yesterday which blessed me as he mentioned some ministry possibilities.  Awesome stuff!  God is good and I am grateful!

It is just before 4:00AM and Lisa has mandated that I be back from Wal Mart with groceries in hand no later that 6:00AM!  I can make that happen if I don’t run into Pastor Bob Spicer!  If you know Pastor Bob, you know what I mean!  (He works at WM)  The rest of the day means tons of grass cutting – here and at my in laws.

It gets better – I get to attend the Broome family reunion in Richton tomorrow.  Actually, I don’t mind because it is for my mother-in-law.  If it were for my father-in-law, . . . . . . .   (Never been to a Clark family reunion)  By the way, Charles says his grass needs cutting because of the family reunion and he wants his place to look nice.  Hello, the reunion is in Richton which is 90 miles away!

We don’t do Turrentine family reunions and I won’t go into the details!  LOL!

I have made the move to a Mac exclusively.  Thanks Chris Taylor for the help.  Soy actually came last night and got my IP address corrected.  (I thought IP had closed several years ago)

Jason, I just call ’em like I see ’em!  JD, I vote for “McFish, Jr.” as the name.

Hope to see you folks in church this Sunday.  I pray that you will have a great weekend with Jesus!

The Lord blessed and we had a good day in our services yesterday.  I forgot to get a report on the morning service but I am sure it went well.  I appreciate Bro. Jerry filling in for me during that service.  My day ended with around 30 young adults at Soy & Deidra’s for Bible study.  That is a fun group.  We thank God for His continued blessings!

Miss Barbara Nevin will most likely be moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility either today or tomorrow.  She is doing well. 

Glenn Cooper, Sr. is doing well.  Carla says it is the best she has seen him look in some time.  He will be hospitalized for another day or two. 

John Meredith is still battling kidney stones and they now think he has one in his bladder. 

Faith Hovel continues to make improvements. 

The funeral service for Kevin Vice & Betty Neal’s uncle will take place in Richton, MS this afternoon.  Pray for Kevin as he shares during that service.

Keep praying for Pastor Mike Soesbe’s family.  They will have a time of visitation tomorrow night and a funeral service on Saturday in Foley.

Sammy Bowden will finish the electrical work necessary on Phase III for the sheetrock guys to move in this afternoon.  Those four rooms are looking good and will be more practical for teaching.  Again, I so appreciate all the folks who have helped with Phase III – Steve Morris came yesterday and did the clean up work – what a blessing! 

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

Pastor Mike Soesbe, 1st Baptist St. Elmo, passed from this life shortly before noon today.  Pray for his family!

Glenn Cooper, Sr. came through his surgery very well.  It was not as extensive as the doctors believed would be necessary and they do not believe there is a malignancy.  He will be hospitalized for several days.

Lois Kirschenman came home from the hospital yesterday.  She will begin radiation on Monday, 5/3.  Five days a week for four weeks and then they will evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.  She was in much better spirits yesterday morning when I visited with her and Mr. Earl.

Mary & Gracey Cook were discharged from the hospital yesterday too.  I did not realize that Gracey made her grand entrance into this world via a c-section.  She is a beautiful baby and James & Mary are very proud parents.

Miss Barbara Nevin was in discomfort yesterday but she seemed to be doing well.  She said the doctor told her she was coming home today but I will be surprised if that happens.

As far as I know, there has been no significant change in Jayne English’s situation.  Donnie Felps continues to recover at home.  Carla Kyser, Bill Abendroth, Miss Joyce Bosarge, Gage Hudson & Susan Quinn continue to battle their respective cancers.

Sharon Jardee & Ruby Gulley’s brother, John Gensler, has been diagnosed with cancer and is meeting with the doctor today in GA.  I think the girls have gone to be with their brother. 

Kevin Vice & Betty Carol Neal had an uncle to pass away over the weekend.  The visitation will take place tonight in Richton, MS, and the service will be held tomorrow afternoon.  Lord willing, Lisa & I will attend the service and then visit her brother’s grave. 

A special thanks goes to Lamar Mills & William Sessions along with Eddie from MAECO across the street as they repaired (welded) the merry go round on the playground yesterday.  Cooter had previously diagnosed the problem and these guys fixed it.  The folks across the street have always been very gracious and kind to us.

A group of men worked last night and got Phase III to the point of being ready for the sheetrock once Sammy does a little more electrical work.  I wasn’t in the CAB so I really don’t have any idea who was involved but I do appreciate their work.  (I am thinking Joey Guidry probably led the effort!)

Here is today’s need regarding Phase III – we simply need someone to do some clean up so the area will be ready for the sheetrock guys tomorrow.  Work an hour, thirty minutes, whatever and it will be greatly appreciated.

Janice Moreland came to Mike’s rescue because he didn’t show up for the work day on Monday.  Said he had a dentist appointment at 10:30AM.  The work began at 8:00AM and was over at 9:30AM.  Mike lives one minute away and the dentist office is 15 minutes away – I’m just saying!

We are on a regular schedule today.  I will most likely not be in the morning service but will, Lord willing, be present tonight.  I hope many members of the Friendship family will join us today.

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

Wow, God showed up and He blessed us in a special way the past two days.  We saw a good number of salvation decisions.  Some folks I knew, some I didn’t.  Pray for us as we seek to follow up with those who made decisions and connect those from other churches to their pastors/student ministers/et cetera. 

On that note, we will observe the ordinance of baptism this Sunday evening, 5/2, as a part of our evening service. 

Glenn Cooper’s dad, Glenn Cooper, Sr., will have surgery this morning.  Pray that this will correct the problems he has been experiencing. 

Barbara Nevin (Rob’s mother) came through surgery okay.  The doctor said it was more involved than he originally thought but that everything went well.  She will be hospitalized for several days.

I really don’t have an update on anyone else.  I did learn that Gracey Cook checked in at 8 pounds 1 ounce and was 21 inches long.  I am “assuming” that Mary & Gracey will come home today. 

Pastor Mike Soesbe, 1st St. Elmo, is still battling his cancer.  It appears his earthly life in near an end.  Pray for him, his wife, their children, and the church family. 

We received an e-mail from Michael & Linda Robertson of how God allowed them to arrive safely back into Siberia.  Really neat stuff to see the hand of God at work in their lives! 

I am still processing all that God did over these past two days.  I do believe it was a divine appointment.  I would love to see the Friendship family move to a higher level in our walk with God.  It can happen! 

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

Special thanks to Herbert Benefield, Bobby Broome, Larry Crawley, Andy Hamil, Danny Lewis, Carl Moulds, Gerald Poiroux & Tony Tripp for doing the demolition work for Phase III this morning.  (Sammy Bowden came by earlier and prepared the electrical outlets)  Take away Danny & Tony and the average age of that crew was 89 +/-!  LOL!  Seriously, those guys did an awesome job and made really quick work  of the task at hand and I greatly appreciate their spirit and work!  The Friendship family is blessed with some really great folks!   Thanks guys for a job very well done!

Where was Mike Moreland?  Great question!

Short & sweet as work day begins in 10 minutes.  Rob Nevin’s mother, Barbara, is in surgery now having her shoulder replaced. 

Lois Kirschenman remains hospitalized and is supposed to see the doctor around 8:00AM to discuss some treatment options.  She was fairly emotional this morning as we talked.  Tough decisions.

Bro. Kerry is with Rob and will eventually get over to visit with Mary, James, & Gracey. 

Great day yesterday with salvation decisions.  Attendance was awesome!  Don’t forget tonight’s service begins at 6:30PM.  Pray without ceasing!

I will try to give a more detailed update later today.  Glenn Cooper’s dad has surgery early in the morning. 

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

P.S. – Steph, you can thank me later!

Gracey Cook is here but that is all I know at this point.  Mary went to the hospital around 4:00AM today.  Lisa, Deidra, & I saw her around 2:00PM and she was thinking the baby would be born around 4:00PM.  Word I am receiving is that Gracey is here.  More details later!

We also visited Lois Kirschenman today.  She is in an ICU and will not be coming home tomorrow.  As a matter of fact, she is hoping to get out of the unit tomorrow.  She spoke very briefly of her options and doesn’t know at this point what the next step will be.

Donnie Felps was discharged from the hospital today.

Ken Freeman arrived safely via plane tonight and will be here for our 10:30AM service tomorrow.  Pray, attend, expect, pray!  Remember, the evening service begins at 5:00PM.

It is now 5:00PM and I am home.  The news from the doctor was not what was hoped for as they were not able to remove any of her lung.  The plan was to remove one third of her right lung but the doctor said that wasn’t possible.  He also said it is not possible to remove the entire right lung because, at her age, she cannot live without it. 

So, chemotherapy is an option but, prior to surgery, Lois did not want to go that route.  Obviously, she has awakened to know the results and potential options. 

Lois will be in the hospital at least until Sunday.  Keep praying!

It is just before 3:00PM and they have just taken Miss Lois into surgery.  They called and had her come in early today so they could start late?

I visited with Donnie Felps & Carla Kyser for a few minutes.  Donnie is doing good and should go home tomorrow.

By the way, my applause to Franklin Graham for his stand on Jesus being the only way to Heaven.