Steve McNair's son, Brett Favre's nephew, and the Mt.Olive Pirates

What do all of these have in common? All are playing in the Mississippi High School Football State Championship games this week!

My hometown Pirates will play in Class 1A on Thursday night. The last time Mt. Olive won State was in 1989, when former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was our quarterback. I rememeber that game like it was yesterday! If you don't know about Steve, let me introduce you to the one who put a town of 1000 on the map when he took the Tennessee Titans to the 2000 Super Bowl. He later played for the Baltimore Ravens. Steve retired a few years ago and his life was taken suddenly in a shooting on July 4 of this year. We remember Steve and the "hometown boy" he remained, never forgetting his roots. Steve's oldest brother, Fred, is one of the Mt. Olive coaches.

Steve's oldest son, Steve Jr, now plays ball at Oak Grove High School, near Hattiesburg, less than an hour from Mt. Olive. Oak Grove plays in the Class 6A championship on Saturday. Seems that Steve Jr is quite the ball player like his dad!

NFL quarterback Brett Favre is from South Mississippi and his nephew is playing for St. Stanislaus on the Gulf Coast, in the Class 5A championship game. Just in case you don't know, Brett was the Green Bay Packers' QB for many years and is now with the Minnesota Vikings.

Mississippi is very proud of our star atheletes!

Will be awesome if Mt. Olive, Oak Grove, and St. Stanislaus win State!

GO PIRATES GO!

Prayer for a Vehicle

Wasn't I just looking for a car in '07?! This is not something I really want to be doing...again...but I must.

My 2000 Ford Taurus gets me where I need to go and got me across the country, but I have had to put way too much money into that thing and now it has a coolant leak, but not a leak that you can see, i.e no puddle on the ground, so that means it's leaking into the engine! uh, that's not good! It's more than likely this coolant leak that is causing me to have no heat! I need heat in Calgary. I can't afford to put any more money into this car, as I have pretty much spent what I paid for it.

Please pray with me as I search for just the vehicle for me. Because I drove an SUV for 6 years, it's still "in" me, so I would love to have another SUV...but in reality, I probably can't find one in my price range, but who knows. I need something reliable, low maintenance, preferably low mileage, definitely automatic, all-wheel drive or 4X4 for the Calgary winters, and something good on gas. Though I have been to some car lots on Sunday afternoons and looked at things on-line, I must admit that I am a bit nervous in going to a dealership or even dealing with a private sale. I just want to make the right decision and not get taken advantage of. Pray that I have wisdom in finding the right vehicle! In the meantime, please pray that my car will continue to run. I don't want to be hasty in buying a car, yet I need to get something soon.

Thanks for praying!

Remembering Mom Karen

 

To think that it was a year ago today that we celebrated the life of a precious soul on this earth, Mrs. Karen Harris. During the summer of 1998, while I was serving at Royal Heights Baptist Church near Vancouver, I became very close to the Harris family. They took me in as one of their own. It wasn't very long until Mrs. Karen became Mom Karen to me. She would usually sign cards and emails to me 'from your North Delta Mom' (they live in Delta, a suburb of Vancouver) and I became 'your Mississippi daugther'.

Mom Karen had the gift of making anyone feel special. She took such good care of me each time I visited the family.

In August of last year, she was diagnosed with cancer in her sinus cavity. In less than 2 months, on October 18, she was gone. I couldn't believe it and I think there are still days that it's surreal for me. I've made 3 trips to the Harris home since Mom Karen was called Home and it sure was wierd not having her at the house. I am so thankful to have known her and that a part of her will always be with me in so many different ways, including her daughter, Becky, being one of my best friends. Mom Karen loved Anne of Green Gables and the Maritimes. I'm so glad that I got to experience what she loved so much.

The entire Harris family are so very special and my life has been enriched by knowing each of them.

In the collage are just a few pictures of my favorites with her. The top left one was the last time I saw her. It just so happened that God allowed them to visit PEI the summer of 07. I'm so thankful for that lunch and visit we got to have. The middle one was from her son's Matt (Amber)'s wedding in April.

Being Thankful

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Canada yesterday. Even though I've been in Canada for over 8 years now, it still seems wierd to celebrate Thanksgiving in October! But hey, being American, I get to celebrate it somehow next month too!!

With it being the Thanksgiving season, I've been thinking about what I am thankful for. My last few blog entries have been about the difficult times lately, so I thought it was time to be a bit more positive.

Here's my top things I'm thankful for:

~that Jesus didn't give up on me, that He saved me and I will spend eternity with Him
~how God provides for me and I have Him to turn to each and every day
~my precious family who I miss dearly
~friends all around this world
~my Canadian family who shows such love to me and makes me feel like part of theirs (there are a number of families that feel like my own)
~the churches God has allowed me to be a part of
~music that speaks to the soul
~clothes on my back, a car to drive (even if the heat isn't working right now, but it gets me around!), food in my cupboards, a roof over my head in the basement suite of a wonderful couple that I work with
~a wonderful job where I work with incredible people and get to interact with missionaries and help educate our churches about missions
~laughter
~smiles
~children
~and the fun things that life brings

As I communicated with some missionaries last week about stories for our International Missions Offering prayer guide, I told them that I am so thankful for how they give themselves away to advance the Kingdom of God! As I read more of their stories and get their prayer requests, I realize the sacrifices they are making in serving our Father.

What are you most thankful for?

I am so blessed! In the difficult times, may the blessings around us keep us going!

Prayer for my PEI friend, Cindy and her boys

I got word Friday night that my friend, Cindy, in PEI, lost her husband, John. He passed on Friday afternoon, a day after their 4th anniversary. John has been sick for awhile. I pray he knew the Lord and is all healed! Cindy has children from a previous marriage and 3 are still at home: twin boys who are 12, I think, and another son who is maybe 13. Please keep Cindy, Jeremiah, Elijah, Isaiah, and John's children in your prayers. The visitation is tomorrow night with the funeral on Tuesday.


I met Cindy and her precious boys the summer of 2007, when Seth, Freda, Kendall, and I were involved in ministry in Slemon Park, 45 minutes from Charlottetown. I only saw John a few times when I would visit Cindy and the boys. John was usually sleeping because he wasn't feeling well. Community Baptist has been seeking to plant a church in Slemon Park for many years. We feel that Cindy is the 'person of peace' or the Lydia in this area of Prince Edward Island where there is no CNBC church. Community was able to meet some practical needs for Cindy and her family and she and her boys were our faithful ones as we sought to have a weekly ministry in Slemon Park.

I have been able to keep in touch with Cindy since I moved away and was able to briefly chat with her via yahoo yesterday. Obviously, they are very sad and she feels lonely, heartbroken, and empty. She knows that she and the boys will get through this together. Please pray for God's strength and peace during this time.

I also ask you to pray for my friend Frances in North Carolina. She came with a team to PEI the summer of 07, as they did ministry in Slemon Park and another area. Frances' sister passed away suddenly last weekend. Frances is the oldest of eight with neither parent alive and another sister died in early 07, I think. Pray that Frances and her family knows God's peace in a powerful way.

(Frances is 2nd from left, standing)

from the words of Paul: "All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in suffering, you will also share God's comfort." (1 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT)

Love Happens

Have you seen 'Love Happens'? www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB4NxGvd4kI

I wasn't sure about going to see it because I hadn't read any reviews and the last thing I really needed was a chick flick and a movie that wasn't worth my money. Well, I can say that it wasn't too bad...I could have done without the language, but that's Hollywood for you. I am not one to recommend a movie when it uses the Lord's name in vain. Take the language and sexual references out and this movie might have an A+ in my book.

I thought 'Love Happens' was gonna be all about a man and woman who meet and fall in love when least expected. Sure, that was the gist of it, but the main character is an author who is now a celebrity because of his self-help book. His wife died and he wrote a book about his experience with dealing with grief. I'm not going to spoil the movie for you, in case you haven't seen it, but the title deals with much more than love between a man and a woman.

This movie has really got me thinking about how I deal with grief. Death has really hit home in the past 2+ years and I sometimes wonder if I have dealt with it all as I should be. We all deal with death differently and it's a process. I'm just thankful that I have God in my life, so I can somehow try to make sense of things.

If you haven't seen the movie and plan to, take your tissues. You'll need them!

It's been quite the month plus...

I wouldn't have thought I would have attended a second Celebration of Life Service in a month. This one was for the husband of a friend. Don passed away at the age of 62 from a massive heart attack over a week ago. It was so sudden, but he knew the Lord. His wife, Laurel, worked at the seminary while I was there and she was my former church's treasurer for a time. What a sweet lady! I didn't really know her husband, though I remembered him when seeing his picture. When I left the service on Saturday, I felt like I knew him a bit better. It was a beautiful testimony to Don's life and service to the Lord and love for his family and many passions he had in life. Please keep the Miller family in your prayers (daughter Jennifer, son Chris and his young family).

My dear friend, John, got the results from his brain tumor on Thursday. Not the best news. It's in Stage 3 and is incurable (but we know God could work miracles). He will start 6 weeks of daily chemo and radiation in mid-October, with a 2 week break. Doctors said that 50% of patients have 3-5 years with some living to 10 years. We are praying for at least 10good years! John will turn 50 in December and says he will celebrate his 60th! John is self-employed and owns a commercial sheetmetal and plumbing business. He will eventually sell the business and will be semi-retired. John and his wife Debbie plan to travel! The family already had a trip planned to Mexico in a couple of weeks. The doctors said it was fine for him to go. Please keep John and the family in your prayers as they embark on this journey with cancer. Pray for John's continued healing from the surgery. Debbie is clinging to a verse that God showed her just days before John's surgery: Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." That's one we should all look to!
For those who don't know John, here's a face to put with the name:



I'm not sure what to really think of everything that's been happening. I'm just thankful that I have God to look to in these difficult times. I am realizing more and more how fragile life is and that each day is a precious gift from God. As my friend Jesse Morales said in July 2008, "If today was your last day on earth, how are you impacting this world for the Kingdom?" Definitely something I try to remember each day and do something!

We're not promised tomorrow, but we do know the One who holds tomorrow and we can hang on to His promises!! Sometimes, that's all we can do...

Update on John Eagleson

Thanks for praying for John. He had the majority of the tumor removed yesterday. A small portion wasn't removed because removal would affect his speech and motor skills. The family has had conflicting information given to them about what's going on with John, so that's frustrating. As it stands tonight, they still aren't sure if the tumor is cancerous, but radiation and chemo has been scheduled for later this week, if it is needed. He did have an MRI tonight, so hopefully they'll know something soon. As a result of pain and brain surgery, John is not himself. Please pray for his healing. We have to remember the John we know and not the effects of the tumor!
I was able to visit with John and Brandy at the hospital tonight. It was good to see them and just get a glimpse into what John and the family are facing. I went by the house and got to visit with the rest of the family while they were home for dinner. Their church has been providing meals for a week now! What a blessing! I'm glad I was able to visit with them and get more details on what's going on and not going on.
It was a hard afternoon for me after Jessica called and said they got news that the tumor is cancerous and he will begin radiation on Thursday, they'll see what stage the cancer is in and chemo may be needed. Woah...You know this is a possibility, but I didn't want to hear it. I went to the hospital and Brandy isn't seeming like they received that news today and she even made a comment about we don't know if it's benign or not, so until we know...I thought, "Either Jessica was wrong, I totally misunderstood, or Brandy doesn't know"! I was glad to get to the house and get the story straight. When I walked in Jessica said, "Mom, will you please tell Ellen what's really going on because we're all confused". Debbie cleared up some things for me...they are a bit frustrated, but what can you do.
Maybe God used today to prepare me even more for what could come. There's a reason for everything and as my dad said today, "Keep the faith"! That is what I am trying to do and reading all those stories in the Gospels of how Jesus healed so many!

Continue to pray for the family in this time as their whole world has changed overnight...

Prayer for Friends

Seems it's been quite the year or more for illnesses and deaths. I told my mom last night that I didn't want to hear about anybody else being sick or dieing. Sometimes it just seems to be too much, but doesn't it usually come like that, all at once? I'm just thankful that in these difficult times, I have the Lord in my life and can look to Him!
I just wanted to take this spot to ask you to intercede for friends. Some of you may know the ones I will mention. Whether you know them or not, I ask you to pray for them and their families. Intercessory prayer is so huge!

What's heavy on my heart tonight is that my dear friend, John Eagleson from Calgary, will have brain surgery tomorrow (Monday) morning at 7:30Mountain Time. Just over a week ago, John had a major seizure in the middle of the night. CT scan revealed a huge mass on the left side of his brain that has been growing for quite a few years. He really had no signs. Seems that the tumor is malignant, but until the doctors take the mass out and get it tested, we're not 100% what is going on. Please pray for John as he has surgery. Pray for his wife Debbie during this time. Ask for strength and peace for her. Pray for daughters Brandy, Jessica, and Amy---all under 30. Jessica is married to Dayton and they have 2 daughters, Athena and Kaylee. Pray for John's parents and siblings and a host of extended family and friends. Pray for John's recovery. Pray that all of us will remember that God is in control. The family has already seen God working in many ways and all are encouraged by that. The reality of everything just hits at times...
John and his family have made me feel like part of their family from the time I met them. We were at Mountain View Christian Fellowship together and they have had me at many family functions and have just 'loved on me' during my time in Calgary. John and his wife have been somewhat like surrogate parents to me, seeing that I am far from my own parents.

A young friend from my hometown and church was recently diagnosed with lupus and a blood disorder called ttp. I need to research more about both diseases. Mallory Batte will always hold a special place in my heart as I remember when she was born, watched her grow up, and when I served as children and youth minister at the church, she was part of my group. I believe I saw her come to know the Lord and be baptized! Mallory is not yet 23 and has been in the hospital for a few weeks now. Pray for complete healing of her body, that she can be released from the hospital soon, and that she'll have the strength she needs during this time. Pray for her parents Doyle and Kathy, and sister Miranda and her young family. Pray that this time will grow all of their faith!

I found out last night that Mr. Bob Allen from my hometown passed away last week after having a brain aneuresym (spelling?). His wife, Mrs. Gloria Allen, was my high school English teacher who ended up being a dear friend. He was one of our town pharmacists for many years. The Allens are incredibly gifted in music and used their gifts in many different ways. Pray for Mrs. Allen in the sudden loss of her husband. They didn't have any children. Pray that she and family and friends will take comfort in Jesus!

My dear friend, Jackie Rettig, phoned today. I was about to call her! She and her husband, Kevin, became wonderful friends of mine while in seminary. Kevin and I were in class together and Jackie managed our bookstore. Since he graduated, they moved to his hometown in Montana and are pastoring a church. They have a 4 year old daugther, Fiona. In the spring of 2008, Kevin was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (spelling?) that has basically 'eaten' up a lot of his spine. He has been undergoing extensive treatment with trips to Salt Lake City. They are back in Montana and Kevin is preaching again, after being in SLC for a few months. He is doing farely well, regaining his appetite and strength each day. His immune system is low, so they have to be careful with that. They will continue treatments at a local hospital. Pray for his healing and strength for the family. Kevin and Jackie are in their early forties. Pray that people will continue to see Christ in their lives and they can be a light to others.

Continue to pray for the Morales family (see posts below). Kathy and Emily are the ones at home now, with Emily at school each day. Pray for strength for Kathy as she adjust to not having her husband there. Pray for Emily as her dad is no longer there with her. I contine to be encouraged by the family's faith and how I see God at work in Jesse's passing. Reports are that folks became Christians at the service and I think God's at work in the life of our little church as new faces are there! We had a young man playing the drums today who was saved at the service! An elderly lady was there today who is the Morales' neighbor. She felt led after the celebration service for Jesse that God wanted her to help with the children at our church! Oh, how we see God working during this difficult time. It's in these things I see reason for Jesse's illness and death.


Some good news this week was that I found out that two friends are expecting babies!! Yippee!! I needed that good news!!! Pray for Erin and Heather and the little ones that God has created inside them!

In the midst of all this life stuff, God does remain faithful and He will give strength when it is needed most. His Word is full of those promises!

Celebrating the Life of a Faithful Servant

I attended the Celebration Service for Jesse this morning. It was a packed church with many family and friends present. I looked around the sanctuary and in the foyer afterwards and saw so many folks I knew who are a part of our church and convention family in some way. I knew that Jesse's service would be a church service. We worshipped the Lord today! Jesse would have only wanted it that way. It was a 2 hour service filled with music, testimonies, laughter, pictures, and the Gospel message. It was a sheer celebration of the life of a faithful servant (that's what was on the front of the printed program) and the Jesus that he served! This is what a funeral should be, especially for those who have accepted Jesus into their life. Yes, we are saddened because Jesse is no longer physically with us and we won't see him on this side of Heaven, a wife is left without her husband of 29 years and daughters are left without a father, and young grandchildren no longer have their Papa around...BUT, we rejoice that Jesse is with His Savior, completely healed of a terrible disease and that for those of us who are believers, it is not "goodbye"...only "see ya later"! The Gospel message was presented and folks had the opportunity to pray to become a Christian. Oh, how I pray those there who didn't know Jesus are now a child of His!
I couldn't help but think that I would want my service to be like Jesse's: celebrating the Savior I serve and what He's done in my life...and hoping that others can experience the Jesus that I have!

Prayer for the Morales family

Jesse is now healed and walking, talking, smiling, and maybe even dancing with his Savior! He battled ALS for over 18 months and was called Home on Monday. You may recall reading about him and his family when I posted in June about the ALS Run/Walk that I was taking part in. Thank you for your prayers during Jesse's illness.
I've already posted about Jesse, so I won't say much more about him. I will say that it was wonderful to see how God used Jesse's illness to bring people to faith in Christ! I can't wait to see what God will do even in his death!
Read about his journey by clicking on 'Jesse's Journey'.

Pray for his wife, Kathy, a wonderful woman of God. We share a love for our Lord and children. We co-taught grades 1-6 in Sunday School in the spring and do great at bouncing off each other! I look forward to more teaching together. Pray for daughters Angela (Jordan and their young children Ethan and Mia), Christina (Frankie), Stephanie (Mike), and 14 year old Emily. They are all wonderful young women and men of faith. It's a joy to be in the same church with most of them. I have watched the girls lead us in worship on many Sundays, yet knowing they were having difficult days. I am so encouraged by their walk of faith.

Here are a few pictures from the ALS Walk/Run:





Visitation for Jesse is on Saturday, with the 'celebration service' on Monday. If you can, say extra prayers these days!

Also, please keep friends and church families in your prayers. Jesse and Kathy started a Filipino church, The Bridge, and then The Pathway Church( formerly Symons Valley), in Calgary. He is an alumni of our seminary, so their family has been a part of our convention work for many years.

On behalf of the family and friends, THANK YOU!

Reflecting on the past 8 years

I have now been in Canada 8 years! Wow, I can't believe it. If someone would have told me that I would move to Canada for seminary and end up staying, I probably would not have believed them...but, it was these two dear friends pictured with me who knew I would be here! I met Alisa D Taylor and Alisa Harrison Gillis while in college when I knew them as Alisa D and Harrison! We ended up being at Morrison Heights Baptist Church together and shared an apartment in Clinton from the fall of 2000 to summer 2001. It was during this time that God was dealing with me about Canada and I do recall the girls telling me that I would be in Canada. They knew how much I loved Canada from my summer in Vancouver in '98, as well as the mission trip to Cochrane while in Montana during summer '96. Canada never really left me. Once you get a bite of it, watch out! Taylor and Gillis, you girls knew, and how cool it was that you were able to come visit me when I first lived in Calgary and get a taste of my life here! I love y'all!

I've been thinking a lot about the past 8 years and the journey that God has taken me on and how He has been so faithful in so many ways. I could write a book on all I've seen Him do during my time in this wonderful country! My plan was to come for seminary and go back to Mississippi and be a children's minister in a church. I got hooked on mininstry in Calgary and specifically at Mountain View Christian Fellowship. It was an overall wonderful experience for me during those 5 years at
that little church. I made some incredible, life-long friends at seminary and MVCF. My life has been forever touched and changed. The staff and congregation of MVCF allowed a seminary intern and fresh-out-of-seminary grad to lead the children's ministry and grow together! What a joy to be a part of Meleah becoming a Christian, seeing God at work in lives, having the privilege to baptize Ben and Shay, lead in VBS, sports camp, block parties, MS mission trip for Katrina relief work, seeing my church back home come to MV 3 summers, help in church plants, and more! God has been so good...

Just a few highlights of sem and MV days/friends:











I left Calgary and MVCF in December '06 to take on a different adventure on the other side of Canada. I now know that one reason God allowed me to be in ministry in Atlantic Canada, a pioneer area for our convention work, was because He was preparing me for my current ministry with the CNBC. I now have a bit more taste of our work across Canada. The move to PEI gave me a much needed break from a city of 1 million people! God allowed me to meet some incredible people and again, make life-long friends, in Prince Edward Island, as I served at Community Baptist Church. He allowed me to be in ministry again with dear seminary and former staff members of MV, John and Erin Evans.
What a joy to be a part of VBS, sports camp, community outreach, church planting, convention meeting in PEI, children's lives and much more! God is so good!







In the eight years I've been away from my Southern home, the Cone family has grown by 3, or really 4, since my sister got married just over a month before my parents and I traveled up to Cochrane! Nathan is such a blessing to our family. Rosalyn will be 6 in a couple of weeks, Katie will be 4 in October, and Knox is 18 months. Wow! They are the joys of my life. Since maybe before Rosalyn was born, I have prayed that my sister's children will know who I am--seeing that I live so far away from them and time between visits can be long. God has answered that prayer! I'm not just a name or face! They are precious and though it's sometimes difficult being so far from my family, I'm thankful for modern technology!






For whatever reason, God has placed me with the Canadian National Baptist Convention as missions ministry leader and SEND team assistant. It will soon be a year since being back in Alberta! I have the privilege of helping educate our churches across Canada about missions, coordinating our missions offering efforts, "rubbing shoulders" with our missionaries around the world (mainly via email), and working with an incredible group of people. I got my start in missions while in college. University ministries falls under the SEND division, so I somewhat feel like I've come full circle as I get to interact with our university ministry leaders in different ways. God is stretching me with having me in an office job from 8-4, 5 days a week, but I have enough variety in my job that I don't mind it. Though I'm not in children's ministry full-time, I have different opps with my position to still be a part of children's things through missions education. Of course, I am involved in children's ministry at my church, The Pathway Church in Calgary. I've been at the church for a few months now and am enjoying getting to know folks in this church plant of about 4 years or so. And yes, I am living back in Calgary, but not so much in the city as I used to live. I live on the outskirts of the city, in a subdivision that is only 20 minutes from Cochrane. As I drive to and from work each day, I get to see the city skyline and then drive down the big hill into Cochrane and then back up a hill to our office, just across the field from the seminary I graduated from, and get to look out the window at the town of Cochrane. Seeing both Calgary and Cochrane each day has me "claiming" these places for Christ!

I thank each of you for your support, love, encouragement, and prayers through these 8 years. It is not always "easy" to be here, but through your prayers and more, God shows me that He wants me here. Folks ask, "how long do you plan to be here?" I don't know...I just know God has called me here for this time of my life. It is a joy to serve Him!

Remembering my Precious Grandmother

Saturday, August 8, would have been my grandmother's 82nd birthday. "Murie" (mu-e) was the one who passed away on February 28. Since this was the first birthday that she was not on this earth with us, I thought of her so much. Mom and I chatted about that tonight. My sister was at my parents' place last week and went through a lot of my grandmother's things. They've set aside a pile for me, so I'm looking forward to seeing what else is there. I have a few "treasures" of my own that I already found!

Murie was one of the sweetest, Godliest ladies I knew. She, my sister, and I had a very special relationship because we were her only grandchildren. I have such fond memories of times together. It's still strange to think that I have no more grandparents on this side of Heaven. I take comfort in knowing that we will be reunited one day!

I remember when Murie started really getting sicker and wasn't able to do the things she used to and especially when she couldn't verbally communicate. That was probably the hardest of her illness. I recall one Christmas where she was all smiles, but you knew she wanted to say something and couldn't get it out. She, my sister, and Mom just stood there, hugging and crying, along with Murie. I was sitting, crying as well. Mom told Murie what a good mother Christy was and that it reminded Mom of her! It is in these times when reality sets in and you feel so helpless. At that time, Murie was able to still walk and do things for herself.
I remember times on the back porch swing with Murie, just sitting there. We always had great talks, but in the last few years, the visits without talks became even more special. I would often say my goodbyes and knew Murie wanted to say something...
It was precious to watch Murie with her great-grandaughters! She loved them so and would smile so big whenever she would see them. Did she even know who they were by the end of life? We don't know, but thankfully she got to meet her great-grandson!

Murie was one who never learned to drive! It was fun to take her places when I got my license! She grew up in the hills of East Tennessee, near Nashville, and that's where she and Grandaddy met. Mom told me that they married when Murie was still in high school (because they just couldn't wait), but no one knew they were married! They waited a bit to tell the family. What a hoot! Grandaddy, Murie, and Mom moved to the Mississippi Delta when Mom was 3, as Grandaddy could support a family better there. Tchula was where I have such fond memories as a young girl. Their house was right by a big lake, so we had fun feeding the turtles. Loved our times on the swingset, lemonade and cookies, and helping in the garden. It was Murie who introduced me to eggplant and oh, how she made some of the best pickles! She was a wonderful cook!
We had even more special times as she moved to Mt. Olive after Grandaddy died. She was able to rent a house right on Main Street, so she was in walking distance of church, stores, and our school. We would often walk to her house after school. She took care of me during and after a hospital stay in junior high as we had a similar condition. She came to our band performances and anything special at our church (she went to First Baptist in town and we were at Rock Hill, about 10 minutes out of town). She was always on the go! Murie made friends easily, loved gardening, birds, flower arranging, sewing, cooking, dancing, and teaching kids' Sunday School! We enjoyed writing letters to each other when the miles separated us. I treasure those letters even more now.

Her funeral was a celebration of her life, the Gospel was presented, and it would have been what she wanted. Her and Gene's pastor did a wonderful job of saying just what we needed to hear. Our family is so thankful for the people of Pearl Valley Church in Wesson. After ahe and Gene married in 94, they took her in and loved on her. During the service, Mom shared some things. It was beautiful. She shared from her heart, gave a bit of history of Murie because most there didn't know her prior to 94, and made it through! Dad was able to play Amazing Grace on his trombone. Murie loved to hear both of them play. Mom was able to play the piano for a couple of congregational songs. It was beautiful and I bet Murie was smiling that day! The pastor gave time for folks to share words of encouragement/stories about "Ms. Geneva". What a special time that was! We heard things from folks that we would have never known about Murie! The things that stand out the most are the stories that individuals had of things Murie did when she was getting sicker. The pastor's wife made a visit, Murie got out the cups for coffee because that is what Murie did when folks came over. She was great at hosting. Gene's grandson-in-law shared about how he was there taking a nap on the couch...Murie went and put a blanket over him. He didn't have the privilege of knowing Murie before she got sick. He said that if she did that nice of a gesture then, he can only imagine what she must have been like before!

My brother-in-law did a wonderful job with the graveside service in Tennessee. It had been such a long week, really weeks maybe years, for us, and we were glad to be with extended family. I don't remember everything that Nathan said, but I know his words comforted me and I kept thinking how blessed we are to have him in our lives! And how Murie's sisters, nieces, nephews, extended family, and some old friends were hearing the Gospel. We had great time of fellowship over lunch and staying in TN an extra day. Because they weren't around Murie when she was sick nor at the funeral, Mom shared with them some of the stories folks shared with us.

God has been so good to my family. I am blessed beyond measure. My life has been forever touched and changed as a result of my grandmother...both my grandmothers. I feel I am a better person because of both of them!

There is so much more I could write, as my heart is overflowing with memories, love, and gratitude. I just pray that I can leave even half the legacy that Murie did!

Prayer for my Extended Family

Mom called last night and told me she had news to share and didn't want to wait and tell me on my birthday, which is today. Uncle Orris, age 90, died yesterday after a terrible accident on the farm. (I'll get to that later.) He was married to one of my grandmother's sisters. Uncle Orris and Uncle Norris were twins who married my grandmother's twin sisters, Aunt Joyce and Aunt Loyce. These are the sisters of the grandmother who recently passed away.
These aunts and uncles are known as the Shaw Twins. After getting married, the twins lived in the same house and had 2 children each. The men raised Tennessee Walking Horses and were known around Nashville and surrounding areas. I have such fond memories of times at the farm. Uncle Norris passed away a few years ago and we thought Uncle Orris would not be around much longer. They were practically glued at the hip! Uncle Orris was at my grandmother's graveside service and I recall Mom, I think, telling me how much Uncle Orris loved my grandmother!

Uncle Orris was on the tractor, bush hogging behind the house when he hit the guide wire to the power pole. We think he died instantly due to being electrocuted. I pray he was electrocuted because the power pole fell on the tractor and fire erupted. His daughter, Susan, and Aunt Loyce and Joyce were in the kitchen. Susan saw the whole thing happening and could not do anything! Because of the fire, no one could get to him to even turn off the tractor. What a tragedy...and something that can't really be explained...

Uncle Orris really had no business being on a tractor at 90 years old, but he loved farming and knew there was work to be done. I knew he would die doing what he loved, but surely didn't expect such a tragedy. This goes to show that we never know how our life will end...and that we better be ready!

Please pray for the family. Both ladies have now lost their husbands, who they have spent over 60 years with! Aunt Joyce, his wife, is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, so who knows how this will affect her. Pray for children Jeff & his family, and Susan. Susan has had such difficulties in her life and I cannot imagine what she must be going through...after watching this tragedy take place and knowing you could do nothing. Pray for Randall and Barry and families, the sons of Aunt Loyce. Pray for the entire Shaw family and that through this tragedy, folks will look to God and take comfort in Him. Some of the family are Christians, but others are not.

Pray for my mom to know if she is to go to the funeral or wait until later to go and be with the family.

Thanks for your prayers!

Prayer for Convention 2009

To think that this time last year, we were welcoming Convention guests in PEI...and I was pretty sure I was headed back to Cochrane! To think that it's Convention time again!

We've been working hard the past few months and especially weeks to get things ready for this year's meeting. It's being held in Edmonton, just 3 hours north of here, so that is nice. It should be a great time of fellowship together.

CNBC annual meetings are not like normal annual convention meetings. Because our convention is so small (240 churches across the country), it's like a big family reunion filled with worship, some business, and great fun and fellowship! There's leadership seminars, community outreach events, and new this year is a ministry fair. The convention will end with the Global Missions Celebration that I have had a role in planning. I'm excited about seeing it all come together!

Please pray for us this week as we travel and hold the meeting. Many pastors and lay leaders will be in attendance with their families. Many may come weary and ready to "call it quits"...pray they are refreshed, renewed, and ready to keep going! Pray that we as staff will stay healthy and rested for the busy week ahead. Pray that we will hear from the Lord and be able to connect with folks from across the country! Pray that all in attendance will respond to whatever it is that God is wanting us to do!

If you are interested in experiencing our convention meeting, the sessions will be broadcast live on the internet and on our site for future viewing. Sessions will take place Tuesday evening from 7-9, Wednesday morning from 9-noon, Wednesday night from 7-9, and Thursday night from 7-9. We're on Mountain Time. Just visit our website from the Canadian National Baptist Convention link to find out more!

Thanks for praying!

Snow in June

Yep, this is what I woke up to Saturday morning! Crazy! I can now say that I've seen snow fall in June as it was a rain/snow mix on Friday and Saturday. I think July is the only month I've not seen snow and I DO NOT want to see it! Here's to life in Calgary...
These pictures were taken outside the home where I live. Debbie had recently planted the flowers. Many folks have done their planting and had to bring the flowers inside the past few nights or either cover them.
I hope spring arrives soon to stay!

"Jesse's Girls" Run/Walk for ALS, June 14

I will be participating in the Run/Walk for ALS this Sunday in Calgary, in honor of my friend and pastor Jesse Morales. I'll be walking with friends from my church, The Pathway Church, as we seek to raise $30,000 for this cause and the "Jesse's Girls" team!



Jesse was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease in May 2008. (You can read about his family's journey at www.jessemoralesjourney.blogspot.com or clicking on the "Jesse's ALS journey" from this page.) I was in shock when I heard the news. "Not Jesse, Lord? Not another person I know with this terrible disease?"

I guess I've known Jesse and his family since I moved to Canada in 2001. When I heard the news, I immediately thought of him and his wife, Kathy, and their 4 daughters (Angela, Christina, Stephanie, and Emily) and how this will change their lives forever. I also thought of the 3 individuals from Mississippi that the Lord called Home from this disease. For such a rare disease, not another one I know...

When I was in grade 12, Mrs. Donzie Winningham, our pastor's wife, battled the disease. She kept her smile to the end...just like Jesse is continuing to! Dr. Larry Kennedy, a former interim pastor, battled it after he was with us. I think he died shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit. He was a great man of God...just like Jesse! Bro. Freddie Womble, our former pastor, had to leave the mission field after 20+ years in Paraguay. God called him Home around Christmas, I think. He had such a sense of humor...just like Jesse!

It's often in these times, one asks "why?", yet God is teaching me that He uses so many things--the good and the bad--to show Himself and to bring others to His Son, Jesus. Jesse is an evangelist and doesn't miss out on an opportunity to share...even if he can't talk anymore! Caretakers and a cleaning lady have been saved! Nurses and doctors have heard about the one Jesse takes joy in! It's in these things that we can see the purpose in the difficult things of life.

Jesse remains faithful to come to church each Sunday, even if he's not really up to it. I am blessed to know he and his family.



Would you be able to support "Jesse's Girls" in this cause and help to find a cure and give assistance to patients and families? If so, you can donate online at www.als.ca/events/mysite.aspx?fid=2588. If you would like to make a pledge, let me know!

Please keep Jesse and the family in your prayers at this time.

On another note, June 14 would have been my Granny Cone's 98th birthday. She went to be with Jesus on January 25, 2008. I think I'll walk in Granny's honor, too. Though she didn't battle ALS, she wasn't able to walk for the last few years of her life due to the nerve endings "dieing" in her legs. How thankful I am that she is now walking with Jesus!!

Rosalyn's Soccer Game

I was able to be at Rosalyn's last soccer game while I was home. It's so funny to watch preschoolers play soccer. She's quite the little player! Their team won and I was able to get a shot of a point she scored! It was a warm Mississippi "winter" day. The last 2 pictures are Katie's attempt at taking pictures. Not too bad for a 3 year old. She loves taking pictures!

Aunt Ellen's Castle

My 3 year old niece, Katie, thinks I live in a castle in Canada! I bought this castle from Ikea a few years ago and used it with the kids at my former church. When I moved to PEI, I left it at my parents' place for the girls to play in. It's one of those play things that takes up a lot of room, so it's not kept out all the time...But when I am home, the girls get to play in it and have such fun. On most of my trips since Jan 07, I have put it together at my sister's place. I take it apart before I leave and it goes back to Pops and Nana's place. Because the girls only play in it when I am there, Katie has this idea that I live in a castle! It must have been my fall visit that caused her to think this because after I left, she was telling my sister about Aunt Ellen's castle. Isn't that just the cutest? I love the imaginations and thoughts of preschoolers! It was a lot of fun during this last trip to watch Knox play in it. You'll see the box in the picture that we used for a tunnel!