Filed under: Personal
I want to tell everyone that I love you and I thank God that you are in my life. May the Lord bless you this day!
It has been awhile since I last updated. I really wish that I had been able to but I have been extremely on the go for the past few days. It started early last Friday when Steve Bridgers got extremely sick and was airlifted by helicopter to Emory in Atlanta. On Saturday, the entire family loaded up and drove to Brunswick and back for a dear friends wedding. I was so happy for my friend Allan Cox on Saturday. It was a beautiful wedding and I was thankful that I was able to come down. Allan and his parents Barbara and Louie were our family when we were in Brunswick. They were so much more than just friends and we absolutely love them! It was also great to see a lot of familiar faces from our days down there. We also had one on so pleasant experience at a Home Depot with someone who used to be our friend. I have never felt the rudeness and coldness like that from someone in my life. The crazy thing is that my family had been gone for over 2 years when the problem happened. It is crazy how bitter some people can let a situation make them. Oh well.
Now to Sunday- I knew that with musicians elsewhere, 2 in the hospital and many families celebrating Thanksgiving we were going to be shorthanded. It turned out really well, with Brian leading worship from an electric guitar. When everyone is back and out of the hospital we will have some kind of talent with our praise team and musicians come January. It will be amazing. I spoke on “In-laws or Outlaws.” There were a lot of laughs and also elbows being punched into sides.
I left immediately following service with Andrew and drove to Emory in Atlanta. We were able to spend some time with the Bridgers family before I had to head back to the community service. I was a little late (I will share that story later) but I enjoyed getting to see everyone.
I have so much more to share, but I have to meet with someone. I will share more later.
Filed under: Family
Last night on the way home Bethany hit her elbow on Anna’s car seat. She cried out in pain after the collision. She said, “Daddy why does it hurt so bad?” I responded to her, “Bethany it won’t hurt for long- you just hit your funny bone.” I told her that particular spot is called the funny bone and it really hurts when you hit it. I heard her whisper to Andrew a moment later, “It should be called the not so funny bone.”
If you have ever hit your funny bone, I think that you will be able to see her point.
Filed under: Church
The holiday season is fast upon us as a church and I feel like I am in a constant state of finalizing 2009, celebrating the season, finishing projects for the year, and also planning of focus for 2010. It is very exciting but also a little hectic.
We have accomplished so much as a church this year and we still have a few projects left to complete for it is over. There are some projects that I have made the decision to put on the back burner until the first of the year. The only reason that I have done so is because of time. The biggest project that has been put off is the addition to the playground.
We still have to finish the walk-in freezer, the nursery renovation, as well as finalize the church directory. These all take time and we are in a very busy season with activities and parties as well. There is much to do and we are moving full steam towards the New Year.
This is just a little update and I will probably post some pictures tomorrow of the freezer project. I hope to see you all tonight!
Filed under: Personal
Scott Harvell and his wife Laura are personal friends of Sarah and I. We have worked youth camps together for years now. He is literally in the fight of his life. I am going to give you the information off of Caring Bridge with the background story but I am also putting the lastest information that Laura has posted. I am doing all of this because I am asking you all to pray. I know that God has the ability to heal and I am standing in faith this morning asking for His healing touch on Scott. I hope that you will stand with me in faith.
Background Story
Scott Harvell is the Senior Pastor of Harvest Renewal Worship Center in Nicholls, GA. As many of you know, Pastor Scott battled cancer in 1995. God miraculously healed Scott. In March 0f 2008, Scott again was diagnosed Hodgkins Lymphoma. We first decided to pursue Natural medicines. After a few months of great sickness, and the beginnings of Renal Failure, we decided to pursue modern medicine with the treatment to chemo therapy. Treatment has been scheduled bi-weekly for 6 months. A total of 12 treatments of ABVD chemo! We are firm believers that “He was wounded for our transgressions and by His stripes Scott is HEALED!!
Latest update:
Monday, November 16, 2009 10:07 PM, EST
Today has been a MONDAY! Yesterday I was able to go home and be in church and visit with Anslie. I really know that Anslie is starting to understand that something is going on. She is very expressive when I get to see her. She seems to just hold onto me and lay her head on my shoulder. That really makes things tough! I miss her soooo much! She is such a sweetheart. I believe that God will restore the time that is being lost with her. Do you realize that we have almost missed this entire year with her. We got home in April, then Scott did rehab for about 6 weeks. I worked youth camps which I really enjoyed. So, we really didn’t get her back from my parents until August when she started school. I can’t even desribe the overwhelming emotions that go inside of me when I have to leave her, but when I have to leave Scott. It really is tough being away from her and then I wonder what is going on with Scott when I am away.
Yesterday, we had some awesome services at HRWC. About 1:30 I got a phone call from Dr. Lorenz whom I haven’t spoken to about Scott since Thursday when he got his trache. He was just explaining to me that Scott is very very sick. He said that it would miraculous if Scott survived. He mentioned some things that were happening with Scott. Here is what we need to be praying specifically for:
There is a volume of oxygen that is being pumped into Scott’s lungs. With the scarring that is there and phnemonia, etc, Scott’s lungs are not spongey like ours they tend to get hard or stiff. This is called ARDS. As this tidal volume number decreases they know that less air is filling his lungs meaning that they are becoming stiffer. This is not a good thing. As of Saturday, his lungs had a volume of about 400 units. Yesterday and today it has been in the low 200s. There is not anything they can do for ARDS. So we need to see a miracle with these lungs. I can’t express that enough, we have GOT TO HAVE A MIRACLE! Scott has numerous issues but we need to see a break through here. Of course, I don’t know if I mentioned but Scott did have a positive swine flu test. This again, creates a multitude of problems, we definantly did not any additional problems. Swine flu is very hard those with already immuno compromised bodies. I was told tonight that eventually what this swine flu does is cause full-blown ARDS. (the stiffening of the lungs)
I believe that we are getting in position for God to perform an amazing work. I was also told tonight that Scott is the first confirmed swine flu case here at Candler. They have had a few suspected cases but his is the first confirmed. Is that not wild? I believe that we are definantly getting to the point that it will have to be a miracle and a HUGE one at that. The nurse tonight told me he had a new nickname for Scott: The Terminator!
Please continue to pray for me. I know you think that I am a strong person but I can feel that this roller coaster of emotions and the holidays approaching is really wearing on me. I am trying to my best to stay full of faith but some days it is really hard. I find myself thinking about what Anslie and me will do if something happens. I don’t even want to go there! But each day I can feel the attack on my faith. Today has been especially hard. I get the reports from the doctors and I sit for hours and stare at the machines, and I I know I just have to trust that God has this all under control. But it is so hard when it seems as though things are getting worse. What I see with my eyes does not add up to the miracle that I am anticipating. I guess we are getting to a complete impossibility, which God works with best. He’s a master at those situations.
If you have ever prayed, I ask to earnestly seek God’s face for us right now. We have got to have a miracle. The doctors are talking about making some changes to Scott’s ventilation (possibly switching to a different type ventilator). I just want to have peace and know that these changes are the best thing for him. God give them wisdom in everything they do.
I believe that HE is our miracle worker. And I also believe that He is ALWAYS on time.
Filed under: Church
What a weekend! This was a marathon of a weekend and I am admittedly tired today. Friday we began on moving the walk-in freezer to the church and finally finished the move on Saturday. In between, we had the visitation and funeral for Sister Dot Folsom. She was a blessed woman of faith who truly has left a great legacy of faith. I am so thankful for everyone who helped with the freezer project move. I thank God for you!
Yesterday was another long day. We had service yesterday morning with 213 in attendance and a whole bunch of regulars out. I spoke on “Sex, Lies, and Adultery.” I tried to communicate truths that will help us avoid the trap of temptation. It was the most nervous that I ever remember being before a service at New Life. God helped me through it and we had numerous people/couples raise their hands seeking prayer. We also had 3 people accept and rededicate their lives back to Christ!
Then yesterday afternoon we had the visitation for Sister Carlene (Tiny) O’Neill. The funeral followed at 3:00 and we had a wonderful turnout for the celebration of her life. She was a great woman who will be greatly missed at New Life. I still can’t believe that she is with the Lord. I am so happy for her, but sorrowful for our loss. Also special thanks to everyone who helped feed the family and stayed and cleaned up.
Finally, I have another long day today as we are going to try and pour a concrete slab for the walk-in freezer. Fun day and fun times are ahead! Also my diet is going really good as I hit a new low weight (this time haha) and have now lost 25 lbs. I promise that i will be updating the blog regular this week.
Filed under: Personal
As American’s we are so blessed to live in the land of the free. I am thankful to all of the Veterans who have served and continue to serve to protect our freedoms. God Bless You All!
Filed under: Church
We do a lot of good things at New Life. I feel that one of the areas that we have not done a very good job is at connecting people. I think that our senior adults, youth, and children do it fairly well. The young adult and middle aged people are something that I am working on for 2010. I am trying to wrap my mind around a good plan for connection. If you have any ideas leave me a comment or shoot me an email.
Filed under: Church
I feel really good about yesterday. I felt like my message really connected with so many people. I saw multiple people in the congregation weeping as I spoke the word of the Lord. We had 202 in attendance with still so many out. Can’t wait till everyone is healthy again 
. I spoke about the Biblical foundation of marriage. I stayed pretty much in Genesis and shared God’s plan for marriage. It was His design and He designed it for His glory.
It is going to be a great week and I can’t wait for next Sunday.
Yesterday something happened a few hours before service that really put me to the test. It was a test of my ability to trust our volunteers in a situation with someone who I value and highly respect. I have stated time and time again that we must always do what is right even if it hurts us in the process. I will not lie, this one is going to hurt me personally but the correct decision was made. Our volunteers followed the letter and spirit of the rule and when pushed to overlook it they didn’t budge. I came into the situation later and when confronted I backed my people.
I felt like yesterday we passed a trust test. One that I trusted my people and two in the fact that I stood up for them and that they know they can trust me to have their back.
