FFM Online Newsletter - November, 2008
November has been incredibly busy as we ministered in 10 churches and one Christmas Open House! The Lord changed our direction this month after Joseph broke his arm at the end of October. God was faithful to provide churches in which to minister nearer to home so that we could get good medical care for Joseph. We began the month at Liberty Baptist Church in Bowden, GA with Pastor Ken Bowman. This church is such a sweet encouragement and support for our family! That evening, we worshipped at Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Wedowee, AL with Pastor David Phillips. Then on Monday through Wednesday, we sang at a revival at Pine Ridge Baptist in Dallas, GA with Pastor C. L. Powers. There we were blessed by the dynamic preaching of Brother Doug Bearden. It was election week, and a good time to be gathered with God's people in His house! From there we went to Westside Baptist Church in Newnan, GA for their annual Jubilee. Pastor Melvin Payne is such a blessing to our family. We left GA for Myrtle, MS where we enjoyed the morning service at Enterprise Baptist Church with Pastor Tony Monk. That evening, we began a Bible Conference with Pastor Ronnie Barefield at Unity Baptist Church in Ripley, MS. Unity is a dynamic church that is on fire for the Lord, and the meeting there was a wonderful blessing to us! We drove home that Wednesday night so that we could have Joseph home to see the Orthopedic DR in Decatur on Thursday morning. That evening we were invited to carol at the Annual Christmas Open House in downtown Decatur. 'Tis the season!!
The next day we left for the long drive to Meadows of Dan, VA. There, Nancy spoke at Faith Baptist Church for their annual Women's Conference on Saturday and Rick preached Sunday morning and Sunday night. We enjoyed our stay in a log cabin and the Lord even provided the most snow we've seen this year! (About an inch!!) Pastor Mike Sutphin is such a godly man and great pastor. We were able to stay on Monday for the beginning of their Bible Conference before we left for Jamestown, NC and the Annual Jubilee at Midway Baptist Church. Pastor Charles Mustian is a friend to all and such a wonderful pastor! Our family then enjoyed two nights off before heading to Emory Heights Baptist Church in Harriman, TN for their 2nd Annual Jubilee Saturday. We were amazed last year to see how many folks turned out for this Jubilee on the Saturday before Thanksgiving!! We enjoyed the Sunday services at Emory Heights with Pastor Wayne Nelson before turning our sights for home!! The morning we were scheduled to go home, Nancy's 84 year old dad was taken by ambulance to the hospital with acute appendicitis. So we turned towards Louisville, KY as quickly as possible. Thankfully, the emergency surgery went well and despite respiratory failure and a heart attack, her dad is doing well and recovering quickly! We were so thankful to be able to be there with Nancy's family. Thanksgiving was a wonderful time of for us all as we considered how different it might have been had not the Lord given healing. We enjoyed Thanksgiving Day in Decatur with Rick's mom, sister and nephew, decorated the house for Christmas the next day, and then early Saturday morning we were headed to Ridgeway, VA. There we enjoyed services at Wayside Baptist Church with Pastor Bill Hicks.
We are so grateful for all that the Lord has done for us this month!! When things seem difficult, we look back at the mighty acts of God in our lives and we can't help but praise Him!! It is our prayer that each of you had a blessed Thanksgiving and that you know Christ in a personal way as Savior and Lord!