Pastor's Blog

Mrs. Robin Martin Tait, 52 passed away from this life peacefully on Wednesday July 6, 2016 surrounded by her family, after a brave, strong fight to cancer. She was born on March 20, 1964 at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula, MS. She was a longtime resident of Jackson County, MS. She was a graduate of OLV and a 31 year employee at Ingalls Shipyard.

Her favorite times were spent on her back porch with her family and friends. It was especially nice for her if a thunderstorm was near. She also enjoyed flower gardening, golf-cart riding, and watching the birds and her pets. She was a witty, fun-loving adventurist who was made happiest by the simple things in life.

She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph T. Martin, her sister, Susie Mazingo, and her niece Becky Mazingo Richardson.

She is survived by her husband, Doug Tait of nearly 21 years, her daughters, Claire (Phillip) Turner, and Haley Tait, her sister Lynn Merrill (Bruce Kines), and her loving mother Harriet B. Martin, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family and close friends.

A visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Holder-Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, MS with a rosary recited at 8:00 PM.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:00 PM Sunday, July 10, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pascagoula, MS with Father Mike Kelleher officiating.

Interment will follow in Serene Memorial Gardens in Moss Point, MS.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading –  2 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 26

The visitation with Claire’s family will take place tomorrow night, 7/9, from 6:00 – 8:00PM at the Holder Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, MS.  The service will take place at noon on Sunday from the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pascagoula, MS.  Our Sunday School class will be providing a meal for Phillip and Claire Belle early next week.  Pray for Claire and her family.

Because of social media, you do not need me to tell you that the GRACE team arrived safe and sound in Guatemala yesterday afternoon.  We thank God for traveling mercies.  They will begin the ministry portion of their trip today.

David Bosarge is one of the participants on the trip and he would be greeted with the news that his mother, Miss Maxine, was diagnosed with leukemia yesterday afternoon.  Treatment options are being considered.

Visited with Sharon Jardee yesterday and she was doing good considering all of the surgeries she has been through in the  last couple of weeks.  Her attitude is extremely positive!

Visited with Vic Johnson in ICU.  They decided to wait until today to run the tests to determine the reason for his blood loss.  He was also in good spirits.

Bernard Suthoff saw the doctor yesterday and now has an appointment with a radiation oncologist.  He will have between twenty five to forty radiation treatments.  The doctor is encouraged that all will go well.

The events in Dallas last night are extremely disturbing to me.  Our country has gone crazy!  Lives matter regardless of the skin color.  Lives matter – even those still in the womb!  Where is the outrage over those lives being taken on a daily basis?  Our law enforcement officials are in a most difficult situation and certainly need our prayer support.

The yard is calling my name.  Garden is done with the exception of okra.  Was thinking of planting more corn but have pretty much talked myself out of that notion.  The grass is going so fast that I cannot keep up.  Rusty sent me a message yesterday saying that he is on day shift today but that he can help cut grass for maybe fifteen or twenty minutes once he gets home before he goes out for the night – are you serious!

Deidra keeps telling me how “wonderful” Soy is by his using the weed eater around the mission house in Guatemala.  Well, I hope he remains “wonderful” whenever he gets home as we have an unending supply of weed eating needs here.  I would love for her to get a picture as I have never seen Soy use a weed eater!

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.

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

Just received word that around 9:00PM last night, 7/6, Claire’s mother passed from this life.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for Claire and her family.

As you know, Zach Huhn is serving this Summer as a missionary in the state of Washington.  He left on June 10 and is scheduled to return home on August 10 which means this is basically the halfway point for Zach.  I hope that many of you have joined me in praying for Zach and now I am going to ask you to send him a letter, card, note, et cetera to let him know of your prayers and support.

His mailing address is Zach Huhn  18303 NE 191 Ct  Woodinville, WA 98077.  Thank you in advance for helping to encourage Zach.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading –   Jonah 1-4

Bro. Jerry and a team of twenty something folks will leave Mobile this morning heading to Guatemala for a GRACE Ministries mission trip.  Pray for them to enjoy safe travels and a productive trip.

I thought Sharon Jardee was heading to a rehab facility.  Not so fast my friend!  She was taken back into surgery yesterday.  I think that is four surgical procedures for her in the last two weeks.  Word came to me last night via Miss Kittie that the doctor is pleased with the results of this surgery.

Coley Johnson’s dad, Vic, was taken to the hospital yesterday morning.  He lost three and one half liters of blood yesterday.  Obviously, they had to give him blood.  His blood pressure kept going too low as well.  Katelyn sent me a message last night saying that he was stable and they plan on doing tests today to determine the cause of the blood loss.

Basically no change in Claire Belle’s mother.  She did pass a swallowing test yesterday.  This is a day by day thing.

Lisa did a very nice job of feeding the folks at the 7:30PM Bible study last night.  Our daughter, Deidra, entered college around eighteen years ago.  You say, “so?”  We started this “college Bible study” around that time.  Do you realize how many meals Lisa has cooked during that time?  How many folks she has fed?  She has never complained even one time – amazing!  What a great hostess!

Alan Aldridge taught the Bible study last night.  I appreciate him doing so.

Wow, the NBA is shaping up to be totally different next season.  Let me know when June 2017 comes so I can begin to watch.  BTW, Jerry West is still the greatest player of all time!  Just saying!

Speaking of basketball, TNBA returns tonight.  This is for guys who were either in one of our Sunday morning services this past Sunday or a service yesterday/last night.  We have moved to Thursdays in order to allow our students to have the CAB on Sunday nights following the service.

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

Aaron Rhett Akridge entered this world yesterday.  He checked in at seven pounds and five ounces and is twenty and three quarters inches long.  Congratulations to his parents, Aaron & Taylor.  Special congratulations to Kevin & Tina Sprinkle as they are the very proud grandparents!

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading –  2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25

Sharon Jardee was in hopes of being moved to a rehab facility yesterday.  Not sure if that happened as there was much to be done with the social worker, et cetera.

Claire Belle’s mother continues to remain hospitalized with no significant change.  Obviously, she is a very sick lady.

Carla Kyser’s blood work came back good.  The doctor tweaked some meds.  Carla was upbeat.  Personally, I think she has “mental” issues but that is beside the point – LOL!  (I really do not think that but do not tell her!)

Regular schedule today – morning and evening.  We will have the 7:30PM Bible study with burgers, dogs, and the trimmings – please spread the word and get folks here.

Mission committee members – please meet with me tonight at 6:00PM in the 30-39 Sunday School room.  Thanks!

Deacons – meeting this Sunday, 7/10, at 4:00PM in the 30-39 Sunday School room.

Finance committee members – meeting this Sunday, 7/10, at 5:00PM in the church office.

Gina made her connection in Atlanta yesterday morning and then Tico Vargas picked her up at the Guatemala City airport.  I appreciate Tico doing this for us.  So, Lisa and I are experiencing the “empty nest” syndrome.

BTW, Durant to the Warriors?  Are you serious?  They are either going to be really good or just so so.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading –  2 Kings 12-13; 2 Chronicles 24

Greg Boutwell was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  I know he is glad to be home.

Sharon Jardee remains hospitalized.  I will be visiting her this morning.

Claire’s mother remains hospitalized too.  I will also be visiting her this morning.

Bernard Suthoff meets with his doctor this week.  I am not sure if his radiation treatments will begin this week or not.  Join me in praying for Bernard – what a good guy!

Carla Kyser will also see the doctor this week.  She was not feeling well Sunday which is why she was not in our services.  She did receive a full treatment last week.

I hope to make phone contact with Phil Sims today to get an update on his situation.  I know his Sunday School teacher, Jeff Holifield, has plans to visit with him.

I am very thankful to each person who attended our services and Sunday School this past Sunday!  We had a nice attendance!  Thank you for being faithful!

Today marks the forty eighth birthday of Lisa’s only brother, Michael.  Of course, he passed from this life and entered Heaven almost thirty years ago.  Cannot help but wonder “what if” in regards to if he were still living on this earth.

I trust and pray that you had a good Fourth of July.  Lisa, Dana, Gina & I did.  We met family at Big Bob Gibson’s bar-b-que in Decatur on Sunday night.  Good food and even greater fellowship.  Spent some time with my parents yesterday morning, went to the Johnson Chapel cemetery, and then had a family gathering at noon.  We left Dana in Danville for the next couple of weeks.  Lisa, Gina and I left Hartselle in the afternoon arriving home last night.  Good day!

Took Gina to the Mobile airport this morning in order for her to head to Guatemala.  She is flying solo but is very confident in her ability to navigate the airport in Atlanta, customs in Guatemala City, et cetera.  I have confidence that she will do well.

We are back on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening which includes the 7:30PM Bible study.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading –  2 Kings 5-8

Regular schedule this morning – 8:00AM service; 9:15AM Sunday School & 10:30AM service.  I know it is a major holiday weekend but my prayer is that the members of the Friendship family in town will be faithful!

Visited Charles Suthoff in the convalescent facility yesterday afternoon.  He said that he is doing good but he really is not doing so well.  He has a great attitude though.  Not sure how much he is comprehending right now but his attitude is positive.

Visited Sharon Jardee in the hospital.  She was also in good spirits.  She was pretty confident that she will be moved to a rehab facility on Monday.  She has a pretty long road in front of her but she is aware of that and is prepared to travel it.

Visited Greg Boutwell in the hospital.  He too was very positive.  Understands his situation.  He “thinks” he will be discharged tomorrow.

Visited Claire Belle’s mother in the hospital.  She has not been sleeping well so she slept basically all day yesterday.

Greg told me that Phil Sims is having some physical challenges.  We need to pray for Phil.  He is such an integral part of the Friendship family and is greatly missed when he is not present.

The church office will be closed tomorrow as we celebrate the Fourth.

I have to give Charles credit.  He did much more than his share of mowing this weekend.  Rusty?  (Did you seriously ask that question?) Rusty lasted two weeks which was one week longer than I expected.  He is now tied with Soy for the Summer.  Each of them are content to allow the other to win this one!

As I wrote yesterday, Lisa, Dana, Gina and I have plans to travel to Rocky Ford, Alabama this afternoon.  Dana will stay there for a week or so while Lisa, Gina & I will return to Grand Bay at some point tomorrow.  Gina is scheduled to fly to Guatemala early Tuesday morning and will be there until August 4.

I seriously doubt that I will post an entry tomorrow.  I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus and a wonderful Fourth of July!

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Yesterday’s Bible reading – Obadiah; Psalms 82-83

Today’s Bible reading –  2 Kings 1-4

Sunday, July 3 – 2 Kings 5-8
Monday, July 4 – 2 Kings 9-11
Tuesday, July 5 – 2 Kings 12-13; 2 Chronicles 24
Wednesday, July 6 – 2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25
Thursday, July 7 – Jonah 1-4
Friday, July 8 – 2 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 26
Saturday, July 9 – Isaiah 1-4
Sunday, July 10 – Isaiah 5-8

Obviously, there was no blog entry by me yesterday, 7/1.  I left GRACE mountain around 9:00PM on Thursday night and did not get online during my entire time of traveling home.  My yesterday was full with the service for Michael Cumbie and when I got home getting online was not a priority.  So, I apologize for not posting yesterday.

Thank you to each person who attended the service for Michael and a special thanks to each person who helped with the feeding of the family after the service.  Carol Lucky coordinated that ministry and I am grateful.

Sharon Jardee had her replacement knee removed yesterday and a plastic one put in as a temporary fix.  This is due to an infection.  She will be in rehab before eventually receiving another metal knee.

Greg Boutwell was admitted to the hospital.

Claire Belle Turner’s mother is in the hospital too.

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning, 7/3.  However, there will be no services/activities tomorrow evening.  My prayer is that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend tomorrow’s services and Sunday School.  (Note, we will be on a regular schedule on Wednesday, 7/6)

My plate is full today with the yard, garden, hospital visits and getting ready for tomorrow.  God is good!

Lord willing, Lisa, Dana, Gina and I will travel to Rocky Ford, Alabama on Sunday afternoon in order to spend the 4th with family.  We have to return on the 4th as Gina will leave for Guatemala early on 7/5.

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