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!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
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!
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!
Monday, June 8, 2009
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!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
"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!!
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!!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
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!
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