Sawyer

 

I have been so busy posting on Facebook and going back and forth to the hospital that I have neglected my blog.  Most of you know that Sawyer Gage Cole was born November 3rd with several health problems.  He was born in Livingston Hospital but had to be transported to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital by an Angel.  The two large ambulances from Children’s are called “Guardian Angel” and Angel #2.”  Not sure which one he rode in, but am thankful for such.  He spent the remaining days in that hospital before getting to come home last Monday, Nov. 21st.  He had heart problems, intestine problems, oxygen problems and problems with his blood.  All of those have either been fixed or took care of themselves.  The intestines required surgery, which went very well.  He was able to take a bottle for the first time on the 12th.  Two bottles of pedialite??  and then a bottle of milk.  He has done well with that.  Also was now able to have a messy diaper.  They (and us) prayed for a dirty diaper.  He is doing well.  Sawyer was also diagnosed as having Down Syndrome.  We will not know the extent of that until he gets older, but we can deal with that.  Just so thankful to have grandson and his parents home (they live close to us).  Looking forward to time spent with “lil man.”  Continue to keep him in your prayers.  Until next time.

September

I realized that it had been a while since I last posted any message.  I know I have spent way too much time at the funeral home over the last five or six weeks.  Just received word this evening that a classmate from high school had passed away.  September is drawing to a close and fall is in the air.  When I reflect back over September, one of the things that a group of us put together last year was the run4don race.  This event was held on the 3rd Saturday in September, as it will be next year as well.  We had close to 400 runners and last count had raised almost $24,000.00.  Two records were set.  A 95-year-old lady finished the 3.1 miles, which was a record in the state of Tennessee and a 71-year-old set a record for his age group.  He has probably already broke that record by now.  This money goes to ALS research (40%) and scholarships for young people from Jackson/Smith County area (60%).  Do not know all the expenses yet, but we should have a good amount to distribute again this year.  Thanks to all those who support this effort in memory of Donald Chaffin, who passed away this past January after fighting the battle with ALS.

I hope you are enjoying the cooler weather and getting outside if possible to enjoy God’s creation.  Until next time…

Polishing the Pulpit

We are in day five of Polishing the Pulpit.  There have been many excellent lessons presented.  I believe they stated that there were over 2300 registered this year.  One of the things that I gain from this is the desire to go home and study God’s word more.  I have received many good ideas which I will pursue for lessons and teaching classes.  I am thankful for the opportunity to be here for the week.  Tonight we will have opportunity to have Tom Holland lead us in singing, listen to Dan Winkler and honor Bro.Robert Taylor.  Look forward to this evening.   Until next time…

Graduation

This past Saturday I participated in the Jordon Hackett Foundation 5K run/walk.  I decided the best thing was to walk, so Glen Reece and I walked the 3.1 miles in just under 49 minutes.  My shins were hurting, but we made it just fine.  There were a good number of runners and walkers there.  The money raised goes to a very good cause.  As soon as I finished the race I came home, showered, then Vickie, Olivia and I headed to Cookeville to meet Zac and Kristin and some of her family for a meal before Kristin graduated from Tennessee Tech.  We had a good meal at Logan’s and then made our way to graduation.  All went very well.  Kristin will be a school teacher as she has a degree in Early childhood Education.  We are proud of her and her accomplishments.  Oh, I almost forgot.  Then we had to go to Dairy Queen to get dessert before Kristin’s family (Herb, Herbert, Resa, Heather and Kate) headed back to Maryville.  Was a good day.  I hope all the mothers had a Happy Mother’s Day.  One more thing.  Vickie and I will be grandparents sometime toward the end of November.  Until next time.

Beautiful weather

It has been a beautiful few days here.  Last night Vickie and I drove around trying to get a good picture of the moon, but there was a haze around it.  We wanted to get it reflecting off the lake, but were unable to do so. May try again early in the morning.  When I went to town for a meeting today, the temperature on the car said 81 degrees.  Yesterday was a beautiful day as well.  The campground has opened up at Defeated Creek and will be open until the first week in November.  I am in my office tonight watching Karly take Brain Pop quizzes and three ladies in the house working on Bible school material.  We had a good camp meeting today in discussing things for JSCYC.  Thursday night we meet to talk about scholarships that the run4don will be giving out his year ($12,000.00). Deadline is March 31st. to apply.   Should be a good week.  Until next time.

Beautiful Morning

As I look out my window this morning, the sky is a beautiful blue and we are supposed to be in the 50′s today. It is a wonderful change from all the cold and snow we have had over the last several weeks. Hopefully our attendance will improve.  Last night Vic and I went to the rodeo in Cookeville TN with Zac and Kristin.  My oldest son Zac and I have been going to the rodeo since he was a small child.  Last year we went to the rodeo in Cookeville and came home in a snow storm.  We did this one time when we lived in the Chattanooga area and it came a snow storm.  Memories are being made.  That is a tradition that we have kept for a number of years, similar to going to high school football games. Speaking of Zac, he was officially hired as the 5th. grade Science teacher at Jackson County Middle School this week. First assignment he received the next day was to be told he is also now the softball coach for the middle school  We will see how that works. Until next time…

Mixed Emotions

Today and yesterday were filled with mixed emotions.  Yesterday a dear friend and fellow preacher  departed this life.  All who knew him and were acquainted with the dreadful disease he was suffering with (ALS), knew that this day would come.  He fought a great fight and had such a positive attitude right up to the very end.  Friday I plan to attend his funeral.  Today I am getting ready to attend visitation for another person who passed away yesterday.  The mother of one of our deacons passed away after a struggle with cancer.  There was yet another lady who passed away yesterday that is related to several people who attend church with us.  Needless to say, the next few days are going to be very busy.  Pray for these families as they face the loss of a loved one and for the rest of us who have lost dear friends.

Fall Lectureship

This coming Sunday we will begin our Fall Lectureship with Randy Bybee speaking.  Sunday we will keep our normal times of 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM.  Monday through Wednesday we will meet at 7:00 PM.  We will be looking at compromises that are challenging the church today.  It should be a very interesting period of study.  If you live in the area, come and join us for this series of lessons.

This past weekend was busy for me.  I traveled to Hazard Kentucky to speak on a lectureship at Lothair. After lunch on Saturday, we had to hurry home for our annual hayride at the Russells.  Had a great crowd and great time.  Sunday afternoon the young people participated in Bible Bowl at Rome.  Good Sunday and looking forward to a good week.  Until next time…

Final days of Vacation

We returned home about 8:30 tonight.  After being in the car for ten hours and three hours at church, we were very tired.  Enjoyed our last full day at Myrtle Beach yesterday.  We headed home this morning about 7:30 our time.  My plan was to stop in Bishopville SC for church.  When I arrived, I discovered that two of my former classmates at ETSPM worked with that congregation (B.J and Clancey).  We had a good visit.  Worship services were two hours long.  It was interesting and a change from our traditional way of doing things in middle Tennessee.  Traffic moved along all the way home in contrast to what we had going to Myrtle Beach.  I am glad to be home in Defeated Creek.  Until next time.

B.J. Evelyn, Larry

Vacation continues

We have been at Myrtle Beach since Tuesday afternoon.  Yesterday (Thursday) we made a day trip to Wilmington NC. We went to Oak Island, then we went through Southport and spent several hours there.  It is a really neat place to walk around and visit.  We took a ferry across to Fort Fisher, then drove up through Kure Beach, Carolina Beach, then to Wilmington.  Spent  about an hour walking around Wilmington, then headed back to Myrtle Beach.  Today we have had a quiet day, playing in the ocean, floating in the lazy pool and now we are getting ready to go eat at the Sea Captain’s, which the folks at church Wednesday night recommended. We plan to spend some time in the lower part of Myrtle Beach this evening. A stroll on the Boardwalk is in order for the evening.  One more full day here and then we start back on Sunday after church.  Until next time.

Vic & Larry pier at Boardwalk

Sea Captain's Restaurant