Jerry's Birthday

These pictures pretty much say it all. Thanks Kent and Shannon for letting us come to the party. We love you, Jerry!!!! We are grateful for you and your wonderful family!

Prayer request

Suzanne P asked for prayer for Barbara, the woman at church that signs for the deaf ministry. She is a breast cancer survivor who is having some symptoms of dizziness and nausea. The scan is to find the cause. Please pray for her.... no cancer ..... peace.... simple cause for the dizziness and nausea... thanks... meet you at the throne.

Gifts for Veterans

When you wrap your gifts for the veterans, make sure to put not only the vets name on the gift but yours also. It's their way of keeping track of who got who what, I guess. Mrs. Walton, who is in charge of the Gifts for Veterans Project ask me to remind you.
Great night at Suzanne's. Cider, pastry, and our first ever visit from a Shepherding Elder. Mike and Suzanne Hufnagel were sure easy to have as guests. Thanks for hosting the group Suzanne.
Have a blessed week everyone!

Suzanne's Baptism

Well, I hardly know what to say about Suzanne's baptism other than... To God be the Glory great things he has done.

First, Suzanne did a wonderful job of sharing on video about why she wanted to be baptized. That was beautiful, Suzanne. Then she stepped into the waters with Shelby by her side and gave us that amazing picture of our lives.... "buried with Him in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life." Thank you, Suzanne! Thank you, Lord! If that had been the only thing that happened it would have been a glorious day, BUT GOD... gave us more reasons to praise Him.

After a time of worship, Bill P asked if some in the congregation might want to share a testimony of how God had blessed them this year. Some did and then Jim Brown stood up to share. With tears streaming down his face and with his voice breaking he shared a little about Jeremy's stroke and Sloan's illness and about their healing and what a testimony this family (the Country Smiths) had been to him (and us) of holding on to God, etc. EMOTIONAL!!!! (Jim B, I am sure that I didn't adequately say what you said, but I was so overwhelmed with it all that I wish it were on tape.... so great!!!! a move of the Spirit for sure).

Oh, but that wasn't all that God had for us..... Jeremy got up next and stood tall (and handsome, I might add) and told some of his story in a calm but clear voice... the stroke, that he couldn't walk or talk (again I was in a sobbing state by now so I didn't hear it all), and how grateful He was to be there... How grateful he was to God!!! He thanked God for his mom and dad and for the community group for their prayers. Then sat down... and the congregation stood to their feet and clapped for Jeremy and for our GREAT GOD who in His great mercy brought Jeremy there to this place to share. To God be the glory in the church and in our Savior, Jesus Christ from generation to generation forever and ever. Amen!!

But that wasn't all..... then Jeremy got back up and hugged each of us tightly... moving down the row from Jim Brown all the way to Suzanne.... Amazing God!! What a morning of praise to Him!! If we were Israel we would have put memorial stones down as a reminder of His grace... ah, but we can write it in our book of 1000 gifts of grace, but, of course, this is a day that will live on in our memories. :-)

Love you all.... We are so grateful for each one of you and all that you add to our lives. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!!!!

GLORY TO GOD!!!!!

MUCH TO THANK HIM FOR!!!!
Jeremy took his drivers test and PASSED!!!! The results will be given to the doctor, and he should be on the road by himself soon. Praise the Name of the Lord.

Felicia has an 85% in Algebra!!! We serve a great God. To Him be the glory.

Nicholas is still working at PetCo!!!! Keep him working, Lord, and bring him to You.

Robyn and Randy's house sold..... and news tonight on the house they are buying.

Susan Bowden has her job at Asbury and one at Pulaski Academy.... more on that tonight.

Prayer time tonight... updates on other prayers... and some news from Suzanne (you may already know it).... and Mike and Suzanne Hufnagel will be there..... and a time to praise Him and pray together.
Can't wait to see you all!!

Funeral Time Change

Jane Anne's moms funeral has been changed to 12:00 noon Friday at Fellowship Chapel.

Praise... Susan Bowden

Talked to Susan Bowden this afternoon, and she said that she had an answer to prayer. She will be working at Pulaski Academy from 11:45AM to 5:30PM, M-F doing something that she called extended care... with first and second graders, I think ????Update.... forgot to mention that she will keep her other job in the morning at Asbury Methodist. :-) She will explain on Friday night, but couldn't wait to tell you that God has heard and answered our prayers!!! To Him be the glory! Great things He has done! Keep praying for her in this job and whatever God has ahead for her.

Jane Anne's mom's funeral and Jeremy

Just a little update on Jane Anne's mom's funeral service. Finally found out that it is scheduled for 11AM on Friday in the chapel at Fellowship. There is a time to see her and the family at Roller Funeral Home on Chenal on Thursday night. I think that begins at 6:30PM, but the person that I spoke to at Fellowship wasn't sure of the time. Just wanted to give you that info if you wanted to come.

Also wanted to say that I talked to Sherry today, and Jeremy is doing great driving so she is very confident that he will pass tomorrow. Also he is doing well with the tests at UALR and has passed every one that he has taken which means that he has scored over 80% on all of them.... and I think she said that he has to take 6+ every time he is there. Don't forget to pray tomorrow at 2PM while he takes the driving test. The test (written and driving) may take 1-1/2 hours.

Grateful for you. See you Friday night at Suzanne's.

Jane Anne Smith's mom

Jane Anne Smith's mom went home to be with Jesus yesterday. She had been in a nursing home suffering with Alzheimer's for quite a few years. Please pray for Jane Anne and her family. Her final exit was a grand entrance into the presence of her Savior.

If you would like to call her or send her a note, this is her address and phone #.
Dr and Mrs. Doug Smith, 12 Hickory Pointe Cove, Little Rock, Ar 72223, Phone # 868-9116.

update on Lee Gibbons

An update on Lee Gibbons: Lee has been at UAMS and has been receiving dialysis treatments for his kidneys and they have been doing testing. At this point he has decided NOT to have cancer treatment nor removal of his kidney. He just wants to go home. His family is checking on hospice care and unless things change, will honor his request. They are trying to encourage him to continue with dialysis even if he does go home. Pray for God's will to be known to Lee and his family. Pray that God will minister to Lee with kindness and healing.

Community Group Meeting Friday night

Don't forget that we are meeting this Friday night, Nov 20th at Suzanne Patton's home at 7PM. Mike and Suzanne Hufnagel will be there to meet with us. Now that is a God thing, don't you think???

We have a 1000 grace gift reasons to praise Him :-) and lots to pray about. GOD WATCH!!!Felicia did so well on her algebra test. Glory!!! Nicholas is still working at Petco... watching and waiting with eager anticipation to what God will do in this situation. (Put a hedge around him, Lord, and bring him to Yourself). Jeremy is going to UALR three times a week, and also doing lots of PT, etc. God is continuing the miracle. Don't forget that he is taking the driving test on this Thursday, so pray for him. So much more... lots for us all to share on Friday night .

We look forward to seeing you there. He is worthy of all of our praise.

Praise God - Felicia's Algebra II

Friends.. had to share this with you since your prayers have been faithful: Felicia got a grade of 89 on her last Algebra II test !!! God is good.

Shepherding Elder

Mike Hufnagel, our shepherding elder, and his wife, Suzanne, will be attending our Nov 20th community group gathering at Suzanne Patton's home. SageWorks is promoting Arkansas Veteran's Home for our community group cause this Christmas. They would like us to adopt a veteran or two and get them gifts. Mike will probably share more with us on how this will work, ie. gifts needed, dollar amount, and where to drop off the gifts. Looking forward to the 20th.

New book on gratitude

I am reading Nancy Leigh DeMoss's new book, Choosing Gratitude. It is one that Linda recommended and it is challenging me to look at gratitude in a new light...as crucial to a Christian's life.

Jeffery Dean Update

I have just returned from Texas where I spoke nineteen times in various venues. Many of the students that I stood before were in public schools. As you know, I am limited in these venues in sharing the full gospel message. Though I left Texas heavy burdened fore each teen and their eternity, I returned to Nashville confident that God would connect the dots from their hearts to His and that they would catch a glimpse of His overwhelming love and grace. Will you pray for them? Please pray that each teen will:

Visit our website, blog, podcast, and Facebook and read more about what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Email or Facebook me with questions that open the door for me to present the gospel.
Be sensitive to the Spirit of God as He revels Himself to each teen.
Surrender all to Him!
Even now as I write this letter to you, my heart longs to see that each teen comes to a place of knowing Jesus Christ intimately. I know yours does as well. And, this is why your prayers are critical! Though Jeffrey Dean Ministries is often limited in our message within public schools, we unite prayerfully with you believing that God’s got it with each of these teens. And, we thank God for the platform He has given us to once again stand before students across this nation, stare into their very eyes, and speak truth into their lives.
Thank you for partnering with us as we entered every school, church, camp, conference center, and music festival this year. Because you prayerfully chose to stand along side of us, we stood boldly proclaiming the message that Jesus is the answer to it all! May God richly bless you this holiday season for your commitment to pray for this ministry.
Your friend in ministry,
Jeffrey

Please pray for Alicia Spillars

Friends, please pray for Alicia Spillars, wife of one of Donna's nephews in Georgia. At 43 years age, she has breast cancer and has double mastectomy surgery scheduled today. Please pray that the surgery will go well, that her follow up treatments will be minimal and that she have a quick and complete recovery. Thanks to you and to our gracious God.

Praise and Prayer the Country Smiths and Jeremy's driving test Nov 19th

from J & L
great news from the Country Smiths.... Donna talked to Sherry, and Jeremy will have a driving test at Baptist Rehab on Nov 19th. If he passes the requirements, he will be driving again. That is a huge praise!!! It is also a call to prayer for Jeremy as he takes the test. God is doing amazing (that last amazing was for you, Donna) things in their lives. Are you on a God watch in your life? I know you are. He is moving in the big things and in the little things of our days. Let's give Him praise and thanks.

You are loved and appreciated...
His, linda and Jim
Donna also reported that Sherry and Jeremy had a GREAT time in Nashville last week.

Shepherding Elder

Mike Hufnagel, our shepherding elder, and his wife Suzanne would like to attend our next meeting. I told him we actually just met Monday night, an unusual time for us, but it was a time most of us could get together this week. I told him I would let him know when we set a date for our next meeting.

Community Group Review

What a great time we had last night with food, good conversation, and a wonderful prayer time. To Him be the glory. I thought it might be helpful to list some of the praises and the prayer requests so that we can lift them to the Lord all week. (I will get info to you on when and where Community Group will meet next)

Praises:
Dan Ludvigson's shoulder is much improved and he was released from PT (hmm... sounds like he was a hostage, doesn't it? But you know what I mean.
Jim and Susan are about to close on another house in their Grace subdivision... that makes 4. Praise His Name.
Kase won First prize in the Mid South State Fair in Memphis for a drawing. It came with a $100 prize. He is also doing well in school and in Wrestling.

Prayers:
Sherry and Jeremy are in Nashville this week to visit Jeff and Amy. Keep them in your prayers.... rest, relaxation, encouragement, fellowship, and freedom from pain for Jeremy.
Mel Ludvigson weaker and pain in foot... unsteady on feet. Pray also that he has enough strength to come home for Christmas. This is Dorothy's prayer and desire.
David Ludvigson... to AR Heart Hospital today for two places on his incision that are still infected.
Nicholas awaiting trial... That he would see his need for the only One who can set him free. That he would be kept from any more trouble and from friends that won't be good for him.
Robyn and Randy house inspection and closing go through without a hitch.
Susan Bowden complete healing from flu and a great job!!!
Jim and Susan.... house closing and a profit might be nice... right, Jim?? Praise for sustaining them with Your mighty and faithful provision this year. Prayer as they go forward with more houses.
Diana and Nathan Calhoun Diana's headaches would be healed.... Nathan would find a job ... Father, work a miracle in their lives.
Lee Gibbons and Jim Talbert (spelling) friends or Ernie... healing.... test results.... lift them up to the throne.
Our country..... Health Insurance .... etc...

Don't forget to give thanks to the Lord for He is good.... all the time.

Boxes of Love Food Drive and Prayer

They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
2 Corinthians 9:9
The Bible instructs us to love and care for those in need. This year Fellowship is participating in the Boxes of Love program to provide meals for families throughout Central Arkansas. We would like to give 1,000 families a box containing a holiday meal, a Bible the story of the Gospel and a personal message of hope.
Boxes will be delivered to families in mid-December for Christmas meals. Be sure to pray that the family who will receive your food box is encouraged and feels the love of Christ in a tangible way.
For more information: http://www.fellowshiponline.com/newsletter/index.php/1_news/boxes-of-love-food-drive

1000 gifts of grace.... and more

Linda and Jim, two of my 1000 gifts of grace. Thanks for allowing us to join in fellowship and prayer with friends and Jesus at your home. We are grateful for our group and for His presence.
Linda, thanks also for sharing the opportunity to become more "intentially grateful" (and the booklet to facilitate it). This will be a great preparation for Thanksgiving as we remember the source of our good and God's grace. It will not be possible to stop at 1000!!!! God is too good.

Community Group and prayer request

Community Group will meet at the City Smiths tomorrow night, November 2, at 6:15PM to have dinner together and then pray. Ya'll come!!!

Susan Bowden has been sick with the "regular" flu.... not the swine flu. She is feeling a little better, but let's keep her in our prayers for a quick and full recovery. Also, don't forget to pray that she finds a job soon. The right job, the right timing, and that it will bring glory and honor to His Name.