Santa Barbara is on Fire Again! -UPDATE

The evacuations have been lifted now for all but a few areas. My sister was in the warning area so had to pack up on Friday. The evacuations came within 8 miles of them.

She said:

"Fortunately, God stopped the sundowners and we were spared. Thanks for the prayers....all 35,000 evacuees appreciate them!"

Here are pictures from the latest fire in Santa Barbara. My sister and her family live in Goleta, which is just next door and it is now moving that way. She has friends, who have been evacuated, at her house. 18,000 people have been evacuated at this point. Please keep this situation in your prayers....the residents, the firefighters, my sister!

Here is a link to their local station: http://www.keyt.com/

Christian Sympathy-Update

To the family and friends of Joy Albea,

who went home to the Lord Tuesday, May 5, 2009.

The family will receive guests from 4 - 6 p.m, Friday, May 8, 2009,

at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Anniston.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Joy Albea will be at

Vernon Baptist Church in Collinsville at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2009,

with Pastor Charles Woodfin officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to

Vernon Baptist Church 835 County Road 39, Collinsville, Ala. 35961

Update on Baby James Lake

Here is an update on Baby James Lake (Aunt Bett’s hubby’s grand-nephew). You may recall, I requested prayer for him and his family quite some time ago.

Hi Everyone,James turns two today! It's amazing, and throughout this day we cannot help but be reminded of our worries that he might not even be with us, back in August of this year. As James becomes two, it feels imperative to give thanks to the many blessings, support and love you family all brought us during his illness in August, and throughout his recovery to present. From our departure from Maine for Children's--leaving the older dynamic duo pair with Mom, Sam and Em and their visits to Children's; to Em B's continual correspondence from China, to Cybil and Jen and Chris taking over in Newton as well as visits at Children's, to Carol and Jim taking over for a (very...!) long time after that as well as Children's visits, and all the continued support, correspondence and love from the Lake family, to Dad and Janna helping here in the aftermath with continual love and hope throughout, and the many long trying talks with Luke in CA, with Grammy and Gramps in MD, and so many prayers with Mar and family throughout. Special special thankyous to aunt Em who spent nearly a week bunking with and spelling us at Children's 9East. James did it, and we made it through because of all of you--and the incredible state James is in is proof! It seems hard to believe that we were worried James might not walk again--many thoughts were racing about how to handicap our home and car coming home from the hospital. Memories of breaking down to Cybil and Jen after coming home from Children's for a shower, about never being able to buy James his first pair of shoes come to mind. And look at where he is!James continues with 6-10 therapies a week, many coming into the home, and involving physical, occupational and speech therapy. We continue to face challenges about next steps regarding possible interventions, preventions, etc with the therapists and neurologists, but that 'James essence' rules over all else and this little guy is all about second chances and the love, affection and kisses he showers us all with daily simply exudes this fact...Thank you for the wonderful blessing you all have been in our lives, and in the life of this little miraculous boy. We cannot thank you enough. On this wonderful day please know how you are loved and so appreciated.
Love,
Baby James and the family.

Letter From Your Father

Father's Love LetterAn Intimate Message From God To You.

My Child,You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being.Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish youwith all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I lovedthat I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father.Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad

Almighty God

Tonya

Tonya is supposed to come home after supper today. I guess the tests they done did not show anything so the insurance company is kicking her out. She feels some better but I think it is because what ever she had run it's course and she seems to be getting better now. We will see how it goes. If something changes I will let you all know. Until next time, Brian

Tonya

Hey everyone,The doc came in about 3. He said the only thing he could find wrong was Tonya's potassium was a little low and he was going to give her some. He said unless something else turns up insurance is kicking her out tomorrow. I suppose all the other tests and cultures were negative but it still hasn't been 24 hours since the samples were taken. If something shows up with that then she may need to stay a little longer but as of now it is home tomorrow.

She has been moved to a private room 349. Her room phone is 235-8349. Her cell is 613-3486 if anyone would like to call. Until tomorrow, Brian

Tonya

As you can tell from the subject line, the only time I usually write about this is when Tonya is in the hospital. Well, she was put in the hospital yesterday due to dehydration. She has been suffering from a sore throat and sinus congestion, fever and body aches for over a week now. She thought it was only a sinus infection and the doc called her in some antibiotics. Five days later she still had a fever and began throwing up.

She went to the doctor yesterday and he said she was dehydrated and may have strep. He said even if she did have the flu it was viral and there wasn't a lot of treatment options there. He done a strep culture, urine culture and a flu swab to see if any of these are positive. We don't know anything yet. I will send you another email after the doc comes in.

The entire hospital is full right now so they had to place her in ICU because those were the only beds that were open. As soon as someone goes home she will be placed in a private room. Right now the only way to contact her is her cell phone 613-3486.

National Day of Prayer

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

II Chronicles 7:14

National Day of Prayer

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Noon

On the steps at Town Hall