Dear Pastors, Churches, Family and Friends,
It is amazing and a little
frightening how quickly things can change. As Christians we are always warning
the world that we only have today but sometimes we forget that the same is just
as true for us. As of our last letter we were settling in for the winter and
looking forward to finding a meeting place to rent in Flagstaff for our church
services. LeeOra and I both had part time jobs that were more than making up
the slack in our personal finances and allowing us to begin to plan for a place
to rent as a meeting place. Now as of February both of us are no longer
employed and my health has forced a suspension of most plans.
LeeOra’s
job was with a small retail shop that has changed ownership and the new owners
intend to only employ family members so she is now out. In my case my heart has
begun causing problems again. After almost three years of the best health I
have had since my 20’s I came down sick in December and throughout January. In
February the sickness was gone but I was having problems breathing when
climbing stairs or when my body was under physical stress. By the middle of
February this had progressed to the point that I was no longer able to do my
job delivering bread at the local bakery without risking a blackout or car
accident. I turned in my resignation and apologies and with deep regret began
planning for a lot more rest and finding medical help.
After
consulting with my Pastor Larry Jones I was able to find some inexpensive
insurance and will be eligible for coverage after March 1st. In the
meantime I am taking it very easy so LeeOra doesn’t worry. I have no pain,
blackouts or fainting. I do have an irregular heartbeat with many skips, jumps
and flutters. My blood pressure is up and then down while my pulse has steadily
gone up. We are hoping and praying that once I get to see a cardiologist it
will be a simply matter of adjusting my medication, which until this year has
been very effective in controlling my heartbeat. In the meantime I am being
very careful and prayerfully asking the Lord for strength and direction.
I continue
to write and do Bible Studies online and once my heart is more stable will
restart our Sunday night Bible series at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Camp
Verde. I feel I could do the studies with no risk but since it is over 60 miles
from Flagstaff and the hospital here I thought it would be best to postpone the
series until I could be sure of the future.
Please
continue to pray for us, especially LeeOra as the anxiety about my heart is
hard on her. We have been reassured by many of our supporting churches and
pastors as well as our home church that in case of an emergency our needs would
be met and we take great consolation in this. It is our plan to rest and only
go to the ER if pain or fainting occurs. After March we hope to have good news
that I am under a qualified cardiologist’s care.
This
February 14th LeeOra and I will celebrate our 37th
wedding anniversary. The Lord has blessed abundantly throughout these years. We
have seen our 4 children grow and go out into the world to serve the Lord and
raise their own families. We now have 4 grandchildren and have the great joy of
know they are all being brought up in Christian homes under the love and
direction their godly parents. The vast majority of our years together have
been in service to the Lord and we are humbled to think we have been so
privileged to serve Him. It is our prayer that we can look forward to many more
years of service and seek the open doors of ministry that only He can open.
Thank
you all for your support and prayers. We are continually humbled by God’s
working through you on our behalf.
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