Pastor's Blog

The visitation and funeral service for Joshua Heacock will take place this Thursday, 7/12, from the auditorium of our church.  The visitation will begin at 11:00AM for the public with the service set to begin at 2:00PM.

The 20-29 Sunday School class (Josh’s class) will take care of feeding the family.  Those class members can contact Deidra for instructions.

Pray for Josh’s family as they walk through this dark valley.

This has been a difficult day for me in several ways with the worst of it being my receiving the news from Lisa this morning that Joshua Heacock passed away.  Josh was 21 years old (one month away from his 22nd birthday) and was an active member of our Sunday School class.  He always attended the 8:00AM worship service.  Folks, I am reeling on this one!

I was in the passport agency office in New Orleans when Lisa reached me with the news.  Then I find out that we did not have the proper documentation in order for Hien to receive her USA passport.  Levi Seymour was getting his too and that was going well.  The decision was made for me to head toward Grand Bay while Deidra headed toward Louisiana.  I am grateful for Deidra’s willingness to help me out!  I had one hour and forty five minutes to drive in the rain and get back for the next (and final) appointment for the day.  Got back with exactly about minus five minutes to spare.  Both passports were secured and now we hope Clara and crew do their job!  (Hien’s original certificate of naturalization is in that envelope and that cannot be lost!)

It continued to “rain on my parade” when I got home but I cannot share those details.  My heart was heavy as I visited with Josh’s aunt & uncle whom he lived with.

I am numb emotionally.  I am human.  I am honored to share at Joshua’s funeral but I so do not look forward to it!  All prayers are appreciated!

Marisa Felps’ father, Mr. Frank Boykin, was admitted to the hospital yesterday and then placed in ICU last night.  He has pneumonia and some other problems.

Rachael Jackson’s mother remains in the hospital as does Elizabeth Sessions’ sister, Ginny.  I hope to visit Betty Carol Neal this afternoon during the specified visitation period.  Edna’s brother continues to need our prayers.

There will be a baby shower for Bobby & Deidra Crawley this Sunday afternoon, 7/15, at the home of Lisa Bellknap.  I think it is from 2:00PM until 3:30PM.  I know it is either a boy or a girl.  The Friendship family is invited to attend this shower.  This will be Bobby & Deidra’s first child and it will also be Tyrone & Jodi’s first grandchild.  (Nanette Fontenot is helping host this shower and she has been hammering me to mention it – says I owe it to her since we used to be an item!)

Ronnie Cottingham will be our guest this Sunday, 7/15, in all three of our worship services.  The evening service will feature the music ministry of Ronnie.  I hope the Friendship family will be faithful to attend this service.

I am taking a couple of our young adults to New Orleans today in order for them to get their passports.  Pray that all goes well and that we can return home quickly.

Lisa took Lori and the twins shopping yesterday afternoon and was able to sneak off without them.  I sure hope the folks at the outlets were kind enough to give them a place to stay!  LOL!  (We enjoyed having JD and his family with us for a few days!)

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

We enjoyed a blessed day in our services yesterday.  The highlight of the day was to see Weston Holifield follow the Lord in believer’s baptism.  It was a blessing to have Linda Barker join the Friendship family by letter also.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory!  Our attendance was good in all three of our services and Becky Hatcher told me the 2:00PM service as good as well.  Thank you Jesus!

Edna Glover’s brother, Henry, remains near death but has such a strong will to live.  He had his wife take him for a ride this past week even though he is a very sick man.

Betty Carol Neal remains hospitalized and can only be visited at certain times.

Rachel Jackson’s mother had quadruple by-pass surgery this past week.  She was supposed to be moved from the CCU last night.  It is my understanding that she is doing well.

Morris told me that Diane is doing well although she probably tried to do too much on Saturday.

I appreciate those from the Friendship family who attended either the visitation or funeral service for Mr. Gussie Johnson this past weekend.  I know it was a blessing to Tommy and his family.

Joe David Bailey went home on Saturday afternoon but forgot to take his wife and children!  Said he did not realize it until he was too far up the road!  I sure hope he comes back soon because Lori is about to get on my last nerve!  LOL!

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

The funeral service for Mr. Gussie Johnson will take place today at 1:00PM from the Lighthouse of Hope Church on Argyle Road.  Burial will be in Oddfellows.  Pray for Tommy, Coley, and the entire Johnson family.

Darrell McMann had outpatient surgery yesterday morning.  He had been discharged before I got to the hospital so I assume everything went well.

Morgan Brannon remains hospitalized.  She will not be discharged until she can go twenty four hours with a fever.

Our anonymous patient was discharged yesterday too.  Joe David and I were headed that way when I got notice that she had gone home.

Betty Carol Neal is on the rehab floor in the hospital which means limited visitation.

My brother, Eddie, his wife, Sue, their daughter, Jamie, and her sons, Grayson & Jace, came for a visit yesterday afternoon.  It was good to see them especially since they brought bar-b-que with them!

We are enjoying Joe David, Lori, Ty & Josie.  I have enough information on Dr. Jack now to blackmail him for the rest of his life!

There was no letter written by me this week.  If that disappoints you, I am sorry.  If it does not disappoint you, I understand.  Just a FYI so those who receive it electronically will not wonder why they did not receive one.

Steve Nash to the Lakers?  I am not sure about that one!  I have never been a Nash fan.  Is Grant Hill next?  What then – Elgin Baylor & Gail Goodrich?  Joe David says the Lakers are now the favorites to win he 2005 NBA championship!

Hope you will have a great Friday with Jesus!

Lisa’s younger brother, Michael, would have turned 44 years old today which is pretty unbelievable.  As we were watching Dana, Gina, Soy & Joe David put on a fireworks show (I use that term very loosely), I could no help but remember how much Michael loved buying fireworks for his birthday.  Precious memories!

Pray for the Gussie Johnson family tonight as they gather for a time of visitation with each other and friends.  The funeral service takes place tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, Dana Taylor will be having surgery in the morning.

Betty Carol Neal was moved to a rehab floor yesterday.  Morgan Brannon remains hospitalized.

We enjoyed a very nice 4th at home – never left the property.  I picked some okra and then mowed until the lightning ran me inside.  The rain was refreshing.  I know it really hurt the watermelon festival but it sure is good to get rain.  Joe David, Lori, Ty & Josie arrived shortly after noon.  We had a good afternoon and evening.

The church office is open normal hours today.

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

Taken from the obituary in the the 7/4 paper:

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 6, 2012 at 1 PM from Lighthouse of Hope Church on Argyle Rd. Visitation will be Thursday at the church from 5-9 PM. Interment will be in Oddfellow Cemetery in Bayou La Batre.

Keep praying for the Johnson family during their time of sorrow.

I left the office around 10:30AM or so yesterday morning for a meeting and then went to the Mobile hospitals.  I arrived home around 10:00PM last night and was greeted with the news that Tommy Johnson’s father, Mr. Gussie Johnson, passed away.  I do not know any of the details or the arrangements but do ask that you pray for the Johnson family.  By the way, this is Coley’s grandfather and Coley lives with his grandparents so Mr. Johnson’s passing is very tough on Coley too.

Betty Carol Neal is recovering from her surgery.  Kevin & Rita tell me that she is doing good in the earliest stages of her recovery/therapy.

Morgan Brannon, Caroline Ford’s granddaughter, is in the hospital with an infection.  Her temperature spiked to 105 on Monday night.

The anonymous person I mentioned yesterday had surgery late yesterday afternoon and did well.  Could come home today or may be kept until tomorrow.

Larry Moss is in the hospital.  He has a blood clot from his thigh area all the way down his leg.  He will be in the hospital until they can get this cleared up.

I left Mobile last night just in time to go to a 4 Him concert in Semmes.  Judge Roy Moore spoke just prior to group singing.  4 Him did a very nice job of ministering through song.

The church office is closed today.  However, I am at home and available should an emergency arise.  Will be at home all weekend.  The church office will be open tomorrow, 7/5.

Joe David, Lori, Ty & Josie Bailey will arrive today for a visit.  The next two names on the Atlantic hurricane list are Ernesto and Florence.  Come Saturday afternoon, I may change them to Ty & Josie!  LOL!

I pray that your Independence Day is a blessed day!

Betty Carol’s surgery went well and she will begin physical therapy immediately.

Miss Vinnie’s son-in-law, Hugh, is in hopes that he will be discharged from the hospital today.  If so, he and Shirley will remain in Grand Bay for a few days before returning to Tennessee.  (Why would anyone intentionally go to Tennessee? LOL!)

Spoke to Tommy Johnson last night.  His dad had a rough day but was having a better evening.

We have a faithful church member who is supposed to have surgery this morning.  However, I do not know if I have the liberty to tell you that at this point.  This particular church member is “different” so I will not take any chances.

Jennings Brewer’s daughter called last night to tell me that Jennings is in ICU in a Waynesboro, MS hospital.  He will most likely be moved to a hospital in Meridian, MS and then most likely to a convalescent facility in Waynesboro.

I thought of Dr. Jack Bailey yesterday afternoon as I drove home from Mobile and the rain was pretty heavy.  I was delighted to get home and see that it had rained here too!  We thank God!

As I arrived home it was still raining and Soy was in the garden – I looked twice to make sure that I was seeing what I thought I was seeing.  I hollered and asked him what he was doing.  Here is a recap of our conversation:  Soy – I am watering my garden.  Me – why, it is raining!  Soy – because you told me it was important to water my garden everyday since it has been so hot.  Me – but it is raining!  Soy – but it is still pretty hot!  With that being said, I just closed the door and went inside.

You ask, which of your daughters is with child?  Either Daphne or Deidra.  Could it be both?

I hope your have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

P.S. – No services tomorrow and the church office is closed.  Happy 4th of July!

Lisa and I learned tonight that we will be grandparents again come late February of 2013!  We are blessed and excited!