Rudy, Kevin, Ed, Monty, Joe, Harlod and Pastor Allen Lee

The Men's Bible Study

The picture that you see above is the men that come out on Saturday morning (6:30am). Our main focus on this is to raise leaders in our church. These guys have been doing this for many years. The men that you see are not all of them. It is a funny thing about that. Some mornings we have 6 to 9 and other days 10 to 13. Well enough about them. The study that we are working on is called, Cross Cultural Missions. We have been talking about missions now for about 6 weeks. The reason I am telling you about this one subject is to show why I am here in the Bahamas. To be able to live and share my life with another cultural. I know we don’t think the Bahamas is another one, but it is. The way of life around is a lot differ than back in Florida. Remember this nation is only 33 years old. Not like the States 231 years old. They have come a long way but there is so much more for them to do. I have talked about the roads and the signs before. I know it is a small part but if you are driving along and there is no signal light working, they don’t use the stop and go way. Their plains are to just drive threw. Like I told you before about there stop signs, there is a yield sign inside of the stop sign. So full stop does not happen. Like I said before this is only a small diffence. So during our study I get a chance to hear what the men think of the things around here and then I get to put my two cent in. So the study is very much part of my life here. So please if you believe God is calling you out to mission field, remember the place you live is just has important to share the Gospel as any other country. Please keep the Bahamas in prayer; this next month is the time they will be doing their politics. This is an election year and it will be happening May 2. So please pray for peaceful and ordering time.
Hey if you every have questions about why I am here or you just want to know more about this place, PLEASE e mail me at, toms@alcbahamas.org
Thank you for your prayers and listening.

This was at the end when they were leaving for the day.

This was the 8 to 12 year olds, only

Easter Monday, FUN DAY

What a beautiful day to enjoy the outdoors. The people came and we serve them. There were a lot of them. I don’t have the count, to tell you how many. But we all had things to do. My main job was making sure all the stations had their supplies and if they were running low I would need to run out and buy some more. It ran so well that I was not ask, not even once to run and get more. The only running I needed to do was back and forth to the Camp for more Hamburg’s and hot dogs. Tony was doing was precooking them so the time on the grill would only be minute or two. Boy did we go through them. There was 600 to start and used about 450 of them. Not sure on the dogs.
The kids were the ones that got the most out of this day. By looking at the picture above you can see we had an Easter egg hunt. Micheol sent them out and they just ran as hard has they could to find some eggs. Everyone got a couple or more. The train ride was so good. You start out with Ashley telling you that we are going in a time zone change. We are now in 33Ad. Then a gorilla comes out and scared the kids a little. Down the road we run into a man named Peter. He gets on the train and tells us all about this man Jesus and how Peter and his friends were willing to be part of Jesus’ life, three and half years. Then they took Him away and put Him on the cross and now He is in the tomb. While riding along a Roman Guard came running up asking if we know where Jesus’ body is. Have we stolen it? We just rode by and saw for our own eyes He was gone. That only can mean one thing!!!!!. He has risen from the . May we all rejoice in knowing that? That train ride was our time to share about His time on this earth and to tell ALL He has raisin and rejoice in knowing that. It was really done right and I think most of them enjoyed it. I know I did. Have a great day. Bye for now.

Sorry but I had some trouble with putting my pictures in order.

This was our Sonrise service time.

Sonrise Easter 2007

Hey look at how clear it is.

Captain bruce and first mate, Billy?

Hey, I am in the writing mode

Well folks I pray that your Easter was a beautiful time to reflex on what He has been doing in your life. This morning we at the ALC had a chance to have our own Sonrise Service. It was a great time of worship and hearing our Pastor Chet teach on the power of the Son. He was using the sun that we have each and every day of our lives. He talked about how we could set a clock to the time it raise and sets. Just like our Lord Jesus Christ. He is there right on time. We think it is not fast enough or He is not listening to us. But He is always. The time is running out BUT He will show up and you will see some amazing things happen. The area that we were in is 1 Corinthians 15:1- 8. This area is about how there was 513 people that saw Jesus after He rose from the dead. Then just think how if it was a lie, to keep all of them on the same page. Saying yes Jesus rose and yes to all the other things that He did. Then be willing to dead for a LIE. I don’t think I would even do something like that. So by reading and studding His Word you can see and understand way we do what we do. It is all about Him and what He did for us. Please reflex on your lives and see ALL that He has blessed you with. Just enjoy your time on this earth and look forward in what is a head. Please folks, I am asking you ALL to look at your lives and PRAISE Him for all. Then look at how many times He has gotten you out of trouble or a thing you thought was the end. He does LIVE and He is right next you now. Thank Him for all and enjoy this day.

A Day On The High Seas

This last Saturday afternoon we, at the ALC had a chance to take a boat ride and just chill. Man we all needed and it was worth the time. We got at Harbor Dock and broad a ship called Bahamas’ Star. The Captain is named Bruce; he has been a captain now for 32 years. His crew’s names are Billy which is in this picture above, with Captain Bruce too. There is another crew member named Nick. Well we started out around 10:30am leaving the harbor by motor. Got out about ¼ mile and shut the engine down and put up the large sail. Man that was so neat to see and just riding on the wind was great. The peace and quite was something we all needed and really did enjoy. We got out about 6 miles and threw out the anchor and ate some lunch. Then some of us got brave and went into the chilly ocean. I was only in there for about 10 minutes. The rest of the staff went in and out all afternoon. Jumping and snorking. The water was clear and you could see how beautiful our Lord made the coral reefs. A couple of the staff went down and brought up some star fish. The rest of us just laid around on the top side and just enjoyed our time relaxing. Man I sure got burnt and a couple of the other did too. I know better, to use sun screen and get out from under the sun when you can. I just had such a good time of talking with him (Bruce) and his crew to hear all the wonderful things He (Christ) has been doing in this ministry. This is the web page that they gave me, so you can check it out yourself and see. www.7cscharters.com
I am so happy to be part of this ALC and staff seeing so many things that do happen around this island everyday. Please reflex on what He (Christ) did for you this Easter Sunday (2007 years ago) and just enjoy some quite time.

This is for the kids to climb on.

Tony doing his thing

Fixing the place up

These last couple of weeks we have had a chance to clean and just make this place look even better than before. By looking at the picture above, you can see a face lift that Tony is doing. It is not a face lift but a fresh coat of paint. Boy it really does look so much better. There are projects all over this campus, the boat that we received last year. It got a coat of paint too. Almost everything around here got some kind of work done to it. It is so good to have so many hands here to get these things done. Patmos has been such a blessing. Just think if any other place could get 20 students to work, clean and do what ever is needed. That to us is just so neat to see. Our Lord has been so good to us here. If you could just image all that needs to get done around here. I just want to say it is ALL His doing. Please keep the students in prayer. They have 6 more weeks to go. Then they are to go back to their homes or where ever God sends them. We are really praying for some to come back to help us out here. Only He knows who they are. May our Lord bless this Passion Week. HAPPY EASTER

A Night With The Single's

This last Saturday night we got together for a time of games and just fellowship. The sad part is only four (4) showed up and even one of them had to leave to get some work done at home. Folks I really would like to see this group get closer and willing to share their fellowship with us. Hey anyone from the Bahamas (here) is welcome to come and just let your hair down and spends time together.
Well this time we ended up eating some good food and watching a movie. The movie is called Second Hand Loin. Hey if you want to enjoy a great (clean) movie and walk away saying boy I am sure glad that I took the time to watch it. Please rent it and just enjoy some great entertament. I will not tell you about it but, at the end you will understand all that is going on.
Well our next time getting together with Singles will be the April 28th. Then in May we are planning to got to Harbor Island for an over night stay. I will write again this week on something else that is going on around here. May our Lord bless this Holy Week for you and all of your families.

Oscar one of the students

How pastor Chet is show the Patmao Students about the world

This week that has passed, the students were to be dressed like they do in the Muslim countries. So after Monday morning they were told to put on long sleeve shirts and leave on the clothes they had already been wearing. That morning it was chilly so most of them already had on sweat shirts and pants. So now they were to put on sheets and what ever we had to give them to wear. Even some were given blankets. So during this last week they had to wear these clothes, (grab) during the time of coming on the site and during class. The next step was, they could not have a shower during this week. Then on Wednesday they put peanut butter and oil on their heads. I know this sound mean or even cruel. But during the time not one person complained or said no way. They all made it through this time. So this just shows how your prayers are working for them. Friday afternoon they got showers and back to normal clothes. I really give them a lot of credit and the wiliness to push forward.
That Friday they were given a lamb to take care of. They are to feed them and be their shepherd. Each student received one and were told how and what to do with them. I had a chance to talk with a couple of the students about caring for the lambs. I just told them to love on them and pick them up and carry them. This way the lamb will know how much you care for them. Plus during this time they were given a book called – A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23. Written by Phillip Keller. I just finished reading it myself. It really is a good way to look at all the shepherds has to do. Just think about how our Lord is our Shepherd and all that He does to take care of us. Thank you for your time and I will be seeing you later on.

After a day of painting

Before

Land after clearing

Long time in coming

A while back I was telling about the Patmos Team going to Eluerthra. Their main vogue was to clear a lot of land. The land I talk about is Camp Bahamas’ Richard Albright received a while back. His plan for it is to have a camp for the kids on all of the islands to come there. This will expand areas for them to visit and even get a chance to hear the Word of God. I know Richard loves to share his heart and his vision with the entire world. This was a large job to take on. When they got there it was a full jungle. By looking at the picture above you can see how much they did get done. I know it was a blessing for Richard and his family. Then the Patmos Team went over to Spanish Wells and painted a house. That is the first picture you see. Before and after. Please keep these students in prayer. This last week they have been told that they all are living now in as Muslim state. This means all have to wear a Grab. That means no flesh is to be seen. I will keep you up dated on this challenge.

Remeber how we use to be, plus compation.

A man and his wife are awakened, at 3 o'clock in the morning by a loud pounding on the door. The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a push. Not a chance," says the husband, "it is 3 o'clock in the morning!" He slams the door and returns to bed.
"Who was that?" asked his wife. "Just some drunken guy asking for a push," he answers. Did you help him?" she asks. "No, I did not, it is 3 o'clock in the morning and it is pouring out there!" "Well, you have a short memory," says his wife. "Can't you remember about three months ago when we broke down, and those two guys helped I think you should help him, and you should be ashamed of yourself!" The man does as he is told, gets dressed, and goes out into the pounding rain. He calls out into the dark, "Hello, are you still there?" Yes" comes back the answer. "Do you still need a push?", calls out the husband. "Yes, please!" The reply came from out of the dark. "Where are you?" asks the husband.
"Over here on the swing!", replies the drunk.

Sunrise

 

Hello my friends.

It has been a while since I have written in this Blog. I have been receiving all kinds of neat things that I think you might all enjoy. That is why you have been seeing things that have been forward to me and I love to pass them on.
Okay the picture that is right above this log in. Is a sun rise on the day the Patmos team was sent to Eleuthera. This island is about 60 miles from here, Nassau. All of Patmos took this ferry; it is called the Eleuthera Express. It is our mail boat; it goes to each of the islands to give out the mail, from New Providence. (Nassau) This morning was a rough one for them. The reason they were woken at 4am and told to pack for a week. During the time of packing the leaders turned off the power in both cabins. So they were packing by feel. Then I was one of the drivers of the buses. So I need to be ready at 5am with the bus. The bus I drove had all of the supplies on it. They still didn’t know where they were going to. We drove to Potter’s Cay. It is an area where all of the fishing boats and other ferries come in and go.
They left there at 6:30am. It took them almost 5 hours to get to Eleuthera. Remember they call this ferry the EXPRESS. Is that funny or what?
They got there and what their main ministry was clean and clearing a part of land that Bahamas Camp has received for their, Camp Grounds. It was not a vacation; all worked their back ends off. They were there for 10 days and some of them got into the Poison Wood. It is like Poison Ivy. It takes 3 days to show up. So one day you start to etch and then you are in trouble. It doesn’t spread, but is sure is very etching. One of the girls’ Kim had it all over her body. Pastor Chet had her stay in the room where there was air conditioning. Even Pastor Chet came home with it all over him.
The next blog I will have some pictures of their trip.

We are never alone

Each one of us has trials that no one else knows about.
Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's Rite of passage? His dad takes him into the Forest ... blindfolded ... and leaves him ....alone.
He is required to sit on a stump the whole night...and not take off the blindfold until the ray of sun shines through it. He is all by himself. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood.
The boy was terrified, could hear all kinds of noise.....beasts all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth and it shook his stump. But he sat stoically - never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could be a man.
Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he saw his father sitting on the stump next to him - at watch the entire night. We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting us. He is sitting on the stump beside us. All we have to do is reach out to Him.

The Woodpecker might have to go!

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark. .. One : Don't miss the boat. Two : Remember that we are all in the same boat. Three : Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark. Four : Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. Five : Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. Six : Build your future on high ground. Seven : For safety sake, travel in pairs. Eight : Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs. Nine : When you're stressed, float a while. Ten : Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting....
NOW, wasn't that nice? Pass it along and make someone else smile, too

I think you all will enjoy this one.

SENIOR VERSION OF JESUS LOVES ME
Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow.
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.
(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME... YES, JESUS LOVES ME...
YES, JESUS LOVES ME FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go.
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.
(CHORUS)
Though I am no longer young,
I have much which He's begun.
Let me serve Christ with a smile,
Go with others the extra mile.
(CHORUS)
When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."
(CHORUS)
When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.
(CHORUS)
I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.
If you think this is neat, please pass it on to all of your friends. If
you
do not pass it on, nothing bad will happen, but you will have missed an
opportunity to "Reach out and Touch" a friend or a loved one.
God Bless Us All !!!

I didn't wrte this, bit it is so good to pass on this kind of letters

United States Post Office

Our dog, Abbey, died Aug. 23, and the day after Abbey died, my 4-year-old,
Meredith, was SO upset. She wanted to write a letter to God so that God would
recognize Abbey in heaven. She told me what to write, and I did. Then she put
2 pictures of Abbey in the envelope. We addressed it to God in Heaven, put
two stamps on it (because, as she said, it could be a long way to heaven).

We put our return address on it, and I let her put it in the drop box at the
Post office that afternoon. She was absolutely sure that letter would get to
Heaven, and I wasn’t about to disillusion her.

So today is Labor Day. We took the kids to the museum in Austin, and when we
came home, there was a package wrapped in gold on our front porch. It was
addressed to Mer. So, she took it inside and opened it.

Inside was a book, When Your Pet Dies, by Mr. Rogers (Fred Rogers). On the
front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its envelope (opened). On
the opposite page was one of the pictures of Abbey taped on the page. On the
back page was the other picture of Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink
paper:

"Dear Mer,
"I know that you will be happy to find out that Abbey arrived safely and
soundly in heaven. Having the pictures you sent to me was a big help! I
recognized Abbey right away!

"You know, Mer, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me
(just like it stays in your heart) young and running and playing.
Abbey loved being your dog, you know. Since we don't need our bodies in
Heaven, I don’t have any pockets to keep things in-- so I am sending you your
beautiful letter back with the pictures--so that you will have this little
memory book to keep.

"One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope this little
book will help.

'Thank you for your beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it.
What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

"God blesses you every day and remember, I love you very much. By the way, I
am in heaven and everywhere there is love.

Signed,
God, and one of his special angels (who wrote this letter after God told HER
the words)."

How wonderful is that! I never knew there were angels working the post
office!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This as to be the most clever e mail.


DORMITORY: When you rearrange the letters: DIRTY ROOM
PRESBYTERIAN: When you rearrange the letters: BEST IN PRAYER
ASTRONOMER: When you rearrange the letters: MOON STARER
DESPERATION: When you rearrange the letters: A ROPE ENDS IT
THE EYES: When you rearrange the letters: THEY SEE
GEORGE BUSH: When you rearrange the letters: HE BUGS GORE
THE MORSE CODE: When you rearrange the letters: HERE COME DOTS
SLOT MACHINES: When you rearrange the letters: CASH LOST IN ME
ANIMOSITY: When you rearrange the letters: IS NO AMITY
ELECTION RESULTS: When you rearrange the letters: LIES - LET'S RECOUNT
SNOOZE ALARMS: When you rearrange the letters: ALAS! NO MORE Z'S
A DECIMAL POINT: When you rearrange the letters: I'M A DOT IN PLACE
THE EARTHQUAKES: When you rearrange the letters: THAT QUEER SHAKE
ELEVEN PLUS TWO: When you rearrange the letters: TWELVE PLUS ONE
AND FOR THE GRAND FINALE:
MOTHER-IN-LAW:
When you rearrange the letters:
WOMAN HITLER

 

A Birthday Party With Out the Guy

It is so funny, we as a group of singles got together to have a time of fellowship. During this we all went over to Mark and Kim’s home. They served us steak and chicken plus. I was a great time just to relax and enjoy each others company. The problem I have is I was the only single guy there. There were 6 women and Mark and I. Which by now to can understand Mark is spoken for? Kim and he got married two years ago. So where I am going with this is. I was in the present of beautiful women and they are all single. So I really did enjoy the time. Near the end of the night Kim gave us all a small box of candy and there was a card on them. Mine was meekness, Mark’s was peace. So now you have to explain what your card meant to you. I looked at meekness and I could not think of me as meek. So I passed on that.
Okay now it was time to share a cake that was brought for a brother in Christ. It will be his birthday this next Thursday. He was supposing to come, so the cake was there and no guy to blow out the candles. You will see the person name on the cake above. We s ate most of it and I gave it to him the following morning at Men’s Bible Study. I ask him why didn’t he come? He told me that he went to the Friday study. No problem at all. It is so much fun to just get together and have fellowship. May your day be a blessing to others and may He shower you with His love.

A story we all need to read and pass on.

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed and placed in a holding cell.After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting Officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. "I noticed the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally...I assumed you had stolen the car."

 

 

Hello All

We have had some new addition to our family here. We have not given them names, that I know of. But it is so great to see new life come into this crazy world we live, I just look and see how our Savor is always blessing us here and how He does it.
The Patmos students are doing well and I have even seen some of them start to open up and just share their lives with us here. I am looking forward in seeing them this morning during devotions and tomorrow night at our church service. It is so good to see how He is doing all this each and every day. Please keep them in prayer and if you have anything you want to pass on to them, please feel free to e mail me. I am so glad to see that you guys have been reading this and sharing it with others. Thank you for that. I hope to hear from you.
My e mail address is toms@alcbahamas.org

 

 

 

 

Games that we played on Saturday Jan. 28

There are like 6 to 7 games we played this day. This was the last one for us. We were in all broken up in small groups. There were 6 teams. The object was to run over to the picnic table and eat a piece of apple pie with out using your hands. Then after that we had to run back and touch the next member of the team to run up and do the same thing. We came in second on that one. Now we have to run up to the picnic table and eat a banana and drink down a coke and run back and spin your head on the bat and then run back to the team and tag them. The three pictures are of Pastor Dan. You can see how far off we were to run back and touch our teams’ hand. We came in third in that one. Boy was I feeling sick after that. Pretty much most of us felt that same way. Then we got to eat diner then. That was a great day of fellowship and getting to know each others names and our strengths and weakness. Pastor Chet had us doing them all (games) I am so glad to be part of this group of college kids. The last picture you see is the shaving cream and how many cheese balls can you hold. Pastor Dan and I were partners. We won with 5 balls. You can even count them yourself. Well I hope all is well with you all out there and I would love to hear from you guys out in that strange world out there. Please e mail or just leave a note in the comments. I know you guys are checking this out and I pray it is a blessing for you to read all that our Lord is doing over here on this small island. Bahamas is a neat and wonderful place to come and visit or even move here and enjoy your time here. I sure have been having a BALL. Please pass this on to all of your friends and even family. I would love to hear from everyone out there. I need to get going now. Bye for now Tom, Phil 4:5-7

My friend Lori's letter of THANKS.

Hello, All my Dear Family and Friends,
(sorry for the length but each of you are so special to me, I want to let you feel my experience)
I am just getting on my email this morning (Sat). I came home from the hospital Thursday afternoon. I THANK EACH OF YOU for your LOVE, SUPPORT & PRAYERS!! I felt each one of them. I also greatly thank my Mom for everything she has done and is doing, including keeping everyone informed - a special thank you to Mary Lou as well for sending this to so many of you.
Dr. Porterfield felt the surgery was successful. Additionally, our prayers for my post-op nausea worked! I thank the Lord and praise Him for His mercy that He has heard all of our prayers and blessed me so abundantly through this stage of the process! The Lord sent wonderful RNs and CAs to care for me - all that I can remember were Believers in Christ. I had my Christian books on my bed and as they saw them it opened up great conversations about how mighty our Lord is in all situations. One of the RN's mother is a missionary - she, Susan Velez, and I prayed together, a CA who had me for several shifts teaches Bible Study at FAU with her Pastor and we had great Godly conversations. Even pre-op when I met the Anestsiologist, we shared that we were praying for him and he said, "we try, He guides." He had an intern and several of us prayed with both of them and a Surgical Nurse who would be in the operating room with me who shared that she is also a devout Christian. This was awesome support for me. I felt His presence all around me!
As most/all of you know, my next phase is Chemo (about 4.5 months) then radiation (7 weeks). With my cancer having spread into my lymph nodes, the Chemo is especially critical to my complete healing because its purpose is to attack and kill any cancer that may be floating elsewhere in my body. The Radiation treatment thereafter returns to my breast area to kill off any remnants that might be there from my mastectomy. I will know exactly what chemo regimen I will do at my Jan 29th meeting with my Oncologist, Dr. Vogel, who is very highly regarded in his field. Please continue to pray for Dr. Vogel to have the Lord's Wisdom for my particular case and me to have His wisdom and discernment in what Dr. Vogel advises. Please know, while I talk of these treatments, I know the Lord is the True Healer and it is in His Sovereignty that I will be healed.
As for me physically, I am very grateful as to how I feel considering I have had two surgeries (lumpectomy then mastectomy within 2 weeks - 1/4 then 1/16). I also praise God for the advancement of medicine. I now have two drains post surgery (possibly to be removed next Wed) and feel some pain, mainly in the drain area, but the pain medication has reduced that significantly. I felt high energy when I came home but found by the next morning that I need to limit my activity to ensure that I have enough quiet time and rest. I plan to try to work some next week based on my body - I work for Michael Dunford who is a true blessing from the Lord to me! As some of you know, when I start chemo, I will have low immunity so will have to limit interaction with my dear friends/family, especially anyone not 100% healthy so my interaction at that point will likely be more by email/phone or through my Mom. I will also be very tired and very likely nauseated for several days around my chemo infusions. I plan to work during that time.
As I've shared, I am taking one day at a time as Jesus tells us to do in His Living Word (Matt 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.") Interestingly, as I looked at my situation...where I'm at and where I still must walk with the Lord through this journey and the unanswered questions ... certainly not where I would have put myself, I said to the Lord, I know I am to be thankful for everything but it is hard right now to thank you for this ... and, the Lord laid on my heart Psalm 118:24 to help me "This is the day the Lord has made; We will be rejoice and be glad in it." I can be thankful for the beauty of the day and so many blessings within the trial - like all of you! Every morning I start my thoughts with these two verses, then remember many others like Psa 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God", Matt 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest..." Rom 8:28 tells us "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." He does not say we will like it or it will be pleasant but we can trust that all things are working together for His purpose and plan. Then I pray and find His strength. I know the Lord is in control - this is where my hope and peace comes from! I continue to persevere but only with His strength and try to remain open for the Lord to use me to spread His glory through this trial.
I THANK GOD DAILY FOR EACH ONE OF YOU! Your prayers have helped me keep my eyes focused on Him, helped me to stop my mind from wondering too far down the unhealthy paths of "what ifs." I ask humbly that you keep praying for me to have His strength and peace and for my complete healing if it be His Will. I thank each one of you for the calls, emails, hospital visits, gifts, all the different manners in which God has used you to bless me during this time. "Thank you" is not a big enough sentiment - many of you don't even know me but have received this through prayer chains and have lifted me up - what a blessing!!! I pray that God blesses each of you for your intercessory prayers! I send my love, my deep thank you from the bottom of my heart ... Love, Lori

Pastor Chet (the teacher)

 

These are some of the students and the finished Barn

 

 

Patmos has started.

Well folks it has been almost 8 months since we talked about starting this boot camp. The students are here and they all know what they have signed up for, most of it. Sunday (22nd) was the kick off day. They were woken up (at 5 am), for a prayer walk, (around the Camp). Then at 7:15am., was time for some breakfast. At 8 am (all staff) plus, went up stairs (Barn) and Pastor Chet, welcomed all and he did a name game. This was, take your first name letter, T for me. Then put a word that begins with that T, before your name and after it. Example, Happy Heather Hops. Mine was Trying Tom’s Time. If you know me I am always trying to fix it and I am consner about time. So now the game begins, Heather started and every student had to remember everyone’s name and what they said. It was a great time to meet all of them, and remember their names. By Gods grace, Pastor Chet came to me and just asked me what my name was. It is so funny how during all this time I was really trying to remember what they all said. Then after that we had a time to reflect on the rules and why we are all here. That night Pastor Fidel, taught on Rev. 1:9, this is the area that John is taken to Patmos and why God did what He did. There are so many places that he went to, and used a lot of items that we all can understand. Example, tea bag, the only way to know what kind of tea is in there is, boiling the water and sticking it in. Most of the time God does this with us. No Lord I don’t want to do that or it is to hot. But when you put the bag in the water then you can enjoy the flavor. Another example nail and hammer, the nail cries out don’t hit me, but if you don’t hit him you can not make a great looking piece of future. It is the hand you need to look at. That is example God’s hand making something. So next time you feel the water getting hot or the way people hit you. That is God trying to shape, sand and mold you. Well I have talked enough now. See you later on.

STILL PRAYER NEEDED, Thank you so much.
To all of you prayer warriors:
Lori's surgery went well. The doctor said now we must pray for the chemo and radiation to do the job of killing any cancer cells anywhere so she will have a complete recovery. The oncologist will go over all options with her on Jan. 29. and chemo treatments will follow when the doctor determines she is ready. Her oncologist is Dr. Charles Vogel. Lori will follow this with seven weeks of radiation then follow up medication for several years. The treatments altogether will probably be about 25 weeks or more. Much to go through but we know she is not alone. God is with her.
Dr. Porterfield, her surgeon, said she can come home in a day or so depending how she feels. She was not sick after the operation or suffer a headache after surgery this time but did have pain. The nurse gave Lori some pain medicine soon after she got to her room and will have it for the next day or two. Her spirits are good and her faith strong. We were comforted with the support of many of you at the hospital and we thank ALL OF YOU EVERYWHERE you for your concern and prayers. God bless you all. Please, PLEASE, PLEASE keep up those prayers in faith for a complete recovery. She has a long way to go and the success of these treatments are vital.
Love and God's Blessings, Lori's Mom, Carol

BIG PRAYER REQUEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is about Lori, she is a friend of mine from Calvary Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Hello, Dear Family & Friends,
I just received a call from Boca Raton Community Hospital. My surgery for a left breast mastectomy is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, January 16, at 11 a.m. I have to be there at 9:30 a.m. for prep. Again, I am so grateful for all of your prayers up until this point. I thank your from the depth of my heart for your continued prayers tomorrow (for Dr. Porterfield the breast surgeon, the Nurses, the Anestsiologist, and every one in the surgery room and who care for me that they may have the Lord's Hands and Wisdom in what they do; I was very sick after the surgery last time and prayful that the Anestsiologist can adjust what was done to help that be reduced; also, that I can be an excellent witness to all who meet me, and He gives me His strength for my body, soul and mind) and throughout my treatment. I am expected to stay at the hospital for two days (Wed/Thur), but that is largely determined by how I am doing.

Prayer request!!!!!!!!

Hello, All, This is a good friend of mine from Calvary Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

I just returned from my follow-up appointment from surgery. The breast surgeon, Dr. Porterfield, just received the pathology report. It was not good on two accounts ... One: It had 7 of my 15 lymph nodes removed as testing cancerous - the less the better so 7 is not great. Dr. Porterfield said, however, that he is treating women 10 years out who had more than 7 infected. The main impact this has is that my chemo will be more aggressive. Second: the satellite lesions they removed around the main tumor all came back cancerous - 4 of them. They are smaller but cannot be ignored. He said they are very close to the margin he cut out, and therefore, there could easily be others still there that the MRI did not pick up just outside the margin. Additionally, since I have this cluster, it means there is a good probability that I could have other clusters in that breast that are too small for the MRI to pick up. He had told me before surgery if these lesions were malignant that a mastectomy would likely be in order. This is what he said today. I have a call into my Oncologist to get his opinion, but it appears 90% that I will be going back for surgery next Tuesday (1/16/07) again at Boca Raton Community Hospital to now have a mastectomy.

Of course, this is not the news I wanted to hear or that the Doctor wanted to give me. However, the facts are the facts. I know my health is not a surprise to the Lord - just to me. I remain strong in my faith that He is in control. I had prayed before the appointment that the Lord would give me peace no matter the results. I know He was there with me because I was very calm and peaceful as the doctor gave me the news. I do not know the Lord's plan in all of this; I only know that I am called to trust that He will not give me more than I can handle and He will be with me through all of this. I am taking this one day at a time, Matt 6:34 says "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." The Lord does not promise us a life without trials on earth - He saves that for Heaven. I do not know the day the Lord will call me home to be with Him - it could be soon or in many years - I just need to keep my eyes on Him. As Eph 2:10 shares, "For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." I would greatly appreciate your continued prayers ... both for my complete healing if it be His Will and to stay steadfast in my walk with the Lord because I love Him and want to serve Him through this to help others...I greatly thank you again for ALL of your prayers up until this point and going forward.. I send my love to each of you, Lori

May today there be peace within you. May you trust your
God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
"I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when
our wings have trouble remembering how to fly,
Hope you are drinking from your saucer, I've never made a fortune,
and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow
and I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
Haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough
But I've got loving ones all around me,
and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.
So Lord, help me not to gripe,
about the tough rows I have hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
If God gives me strength and courage,
When the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough. And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

When I think of how many people in this world have it worse than I do, I realize just how blessed we really are. Don't be too busy, Share this inspiring message with friends and family, Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endure. Happy New Year!

GOOD MORNING
While you have your first cup of coffee,
set back and listen to some music and read about HELLO.
Have you ever thought what this word stands for? Read on..
Do you know that a simple "hello" can be a sweet one?
The word H E L L O means:
H =How are you?
E = Everything all right?
L = Like to hear from you
L = Love to see you soon!
O =Obviously, You are my friend...
So, HELLO!
It has made me smile every time I say hello since then
so send this message the people you care about.
This is from a friend of mine.