Praise God that my father-in-law Larry Lacy's triple-bypass surgery went well this morning. All three blockages are now clear and his heart is beating fine. He is now recovering in ICU. Thanks so much for your prayers! -- Randy Elster
My mom just called. My grandfather came out of surgery earlier this morning [Thursday 6/14] and they are keeping in him ICU overnight just as a precaution. My aunt has agreed to stay with my grandmother tonight so that Mom can come home. That's a miracle in itself but it gets better! The doctor said that his gaul bladder was the most toxic, diseased, and disgusting one that he had ever seen. He felt so confident that it was the source of the digestion problems that he didn't feel the need to do the second procedure to elongate his esophagus. When Mom saw him during the first visiting hour before lunch, he was on oxygen through a tube (not a ventilator) but doing well and feeling good, other than the expected soreness. They went to lunch and then back for the next visitation. This time he was sitting up and drinking apple juice!!!! Not only has it stayed down so far, he said that it didn't get "hung" and it actually tasted good! Praise the Lord!! This is the first time since before Christmas that he has actually been able to enjoy anything he has put in his mouth. It is still early but Mom sounded more optimistic than I have heard her in a long time. If he can actually start eating again, it might mean that he can regain enough strength to actually fight the cancer with some sort of treatment. I think it will do wonders for his will to live. Thank you all for your prayers so far. Please keep them up! -- Amy Phillips
I am just getting home from one of the most amazing nights I have ever experienced in ministry. The whole "Adventure Week" has been amazing with incredible workers - great kids and a super theme!! Marsha, Tricia, Tim, Terri & Lyndi put together a super experience for kids to hear about the "good news"!!! There were around 600 kids and 300+ workers who made the week happen and truly each one threw themselves into their role - it was an incredible sight!! Tonight [Thursday 6/14] we shared with the large elementary group the plan that God has laid out to find our way to heaven and over 100 children prayed to receive Christ and met with a staff member to record their decision!!! All of the hard work, all of the decorations (Anne Linch & her team) put up, all of the hours of cleaning by Robert & Steve, all of the lessons written & prepared, all of the time putting together packets & promotion.......all of it seemed like nothing when you looked up & saw a mob of kids taking a stand for the one who took a stand for them! Tonight 100 children left "ordinary living for an extraordinary life" through the transforming power of Jesus Christ!! My heart is so full & thankful right now I just had to let you all know!!! What a great God we serve and what an amazing church we serve in!!! Also - well over 100 workers stayed to turn the building around for Sunday!! What a great church!!! -- Mike Linch