The IARBC Family Praises and Prayers

Calvary Baptist Church is excited to have our new pastor. The church held an installation Service for Pastor Shannon Chickering Sunday, September 20th. Iowa State Representative, Joe Hayes preached both the morning and evening services focusing on the responsibilities of the church and the pastor. Many of the Chickering’s family and friends were able to attend, including Miriam’s parents from Shenandoah, Texas.

Pastor Chickering received his M. Div. from Pensacola Theological Seminary in 2006. He then taught at Calvary Baptist Church and School in Conroe, Texas. In November 2007, the Chickerings moved to Centerville, IA where Pastor Chickering served at Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church as the associate pastor. During the first week of July, Calvary Baptist Church called Pastor Chickering to come to Manning. Shannon and his wife Miriam have 4 children, Rebekah, Jonathan, Elijah, and Lily (who is coming in December).

Please pray for Pastor Rich VanHeukelum, of Walnut Ridge Baptist Church in Waterloo, as he has accepted the ministry of leading the Council of Ten and our Fellowship in implementing our Strategic Plan. Pastor Rich was the Chairman of our Strategic Planning Team and understands the process and people that led us in adopting this Plan. Please be much in prayer for our Lord’s clear leading and provisions in this vital phase of our Strategic Planning process.

The IARBC Strategic Plan can be found on the front page. You can read and download from there.

On Saturday, September 19, a council of 15 from 13 churches gathered at Calvary Baptist Church, Forest City, to examine Paul Avery for ordination. Paul and his wife, Joanna, are missionary appointees with BMM to Argentina. Calvary is their sending church. Pastor Miles Grismore moderated the session and Pastor Rick Fessel served as clerk. Testimonies were heard from Pastor Farrell regarding the candidate’s relationship with the sending church and mission agency, Baptist Mid-Missions, followed by Dr. James Maxwell III, Steven Moore, and John Woodford regarding the candidate’s character and testimony. At the end of Paul’s doctrinal defense the council unanimously recommended that the church proceed with the ordination. They also commended Paul for his gracious spirit, humble attitude, teachability, thorough preparation, and evidence of a God-honoring relationship with his wife, Joanna.

Sunday morning, September 20, Calvary Baptist Church proceeded to ordain Paul Avery to the Gospel ministry. The morning message challenged the candidate and the church to love God, His Word and His people. Pastor Farrell and the deacons then visualized the link and association between the church and Paul’s ministry by the symbolic laying on of hands and a prayer of dedication for Paul & Joanna. A fellowship dinner followed as the church family congratulated Paul on his ordination.

We have been remiss in getting a letter sent to THANK YOU for praying for Chuck as he submitted to elbow surgery on August 28 at May Clinic. The surgery to replace the broken part of the prosthesis that morning went well

Last week we met with Chuck’s oncologist and he plans to start chemo again on September 24. We also met with a radiation oncologist and he is preparing to start radiation in the rib area. These treatments will probably start this week and last for about ten days. Chuck has been having quite a bit of pain in that area.

We do want to thank each of you who have been praying so faithfully for us these past months. God has been so gracious to us during this time.

The ladies of Campus Baptist Church of Ames were great hosts for this year’s Ladies’ Retreat. Mrs. Tara Barthel, co-author of “Peacemaking Women – Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict”, was the speaker for the weekend, using God’s Word to teach us biblical solutions to conflict.

Thanks to over 550 ladies who joined in this special weekend of fellowship, activities and other ministries. Thank you also for offerings of over $3,900 which will help us tremendously toward implementing our Strategic Plan ministry goals.

Praise the Lord and special thanks to all of the men and women who gave so generously to the retreat offerings this year. You gave a total over $8,200.

Special thanks to Iowa Regular Baptist Camp Director Phil Betz and his entire staff for all that they did, again, to help make this such a wonderful weekend.

Please visit: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/pastorkent/journal regularly to know how to best praise the Lord with and pray to the Lord for Kent and his family. Kent is the Pastor of Hispanic ministries at Northridge Baptist in Des Moines.

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House will be held on October 26th at 4:30 P.M. and the Open House to continue to 7:00 P.M. at our Ankeny location, Neveln Center at 406 SW School Street, Room 206. Pray for many young women to take advantage of this help and support and for the Center's presence to be known throughout the school system and the town in general. God has wondrously provided many needed items and so many people have donated their services to make this a reality.

Dr. James Maxwell's (FBBC & TS President) mother, Helen Maxwell, went to be with the Lord early Monday morning. Visitation will be Wednesday 5-8 p.m. at Ankeny Funeral Home and the Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Ankeny Baptist Church. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery near Shellsburg, Ia. Memorials will go to the Faith Baptist Bible College Library. Please continue to pray for the family.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support. I received word that I will be starting my radiation treatments this Thursday, September 10. I will be having treatments 5 days a week for 7 weeks. Until this is done I will not be able to work. I preached on Sunday, but still I am having pain and get very fatigued. I was hoping to be feeling better by now. Please pray that the Lord would give me wisdom and strength to be able to return full time to the church. In addition I found out I will not be getting any disability payments or any more pay from my job a DMACC. Our clothes dryer broke down and we had to buy a new one. So pray for our financial needs.

I will not receive another paycheck until I go back to work in November. I know that the Lord will provide. As I was looking at Psalm 55:22 I thought about Isaiah 40:31. So I have God's promise to hold on to everyday. Keep Yvonne in prayer also as this has been extra burden for her. God bless you.

Kent Spencer

Pastor Ted Ertle is now home at the Maranatha Village in Florida. Their new address is 207 Timothy Rd., Sebring, FL, 38870 and their phone number is 210-896-3253. Pastor Ertle has dealt with 3 major complications during his recovery 1) leg infection, 2) congestive heart failure, and 3) blood clots in the lung. He has also lost the use of ¼ of his heart. Thank you for all who have been praying and please continue to do so.

Alpha Women's Center is very excited to announce that they have opened their Ankeny office on August 17th. It is located in the Neveln Center at 406 SW School Street, Room 206, 50023. They are open from 10 to 6 each Monday and Wednesday.

A ribbon cutting and Open House will be held on October 13th at 4:30 pm. Pray for many young women to take advantage of this help and support and for the Center's presence to be known throughout the school system and the town in general. God has wondrously provided many needed items and so many people have donated their services to make this a reality.

Please pray for the following brothers and sisters as they seek their next pastor:

ALGONA – Hillcrest Baptist
CORWITH – Grace Baptist
CRESTON – First Baptist
FAIRFIELD – Faith Baptist
FARMINGTON – First Baptist
FORT DODGE – Faith Baptist
HARLAN – Bethel Baptist
HUDSON – Faith Baptist
MOUNT PLEASANT – Calvary Baptist
NEW VIRGINIA – Grace Baptist
NORWALK – First Baptist
PELLA – Berean Baptist
ROCKFORD - Rockford Baptist
WALL LAKE – Wall Lake Baptist
WEST DES MOINES – Calvary Baptist

Pastor James Reynolds, Associate Pastor, Nevada, will undergo surgery Wednesday, August 12, 8:30 am at Mercy Ambulatory Care. He will have cartilage replacement in his left knee and will be on crutches for 10 weeks and be in therapy for 10 months. Please remember him, his family and church family in prayer for the many challenges ahead.

Pastor Ridley, Gretna, NE went home to be with his Lord on Saturday. Please be in prayer for his wife, Sheryl, all of their family and their church family.

Visitation with the family will be 6-8pm Wednesday at Roeder Mortuary Gretna Chapel. Graveside Service 10am Thursday at La Borde Cemetery in Gretna. Funeral services will be at 11am Thursday at Gretna Baptist Church, 20725 East Angus, Gretna, NE. Memorials will go to Gretna Baptist Church Building Fund or Baptist Church Planters of Elyria, Ohio.

Please be in prayer for the family of Mrs. Arlene Hakes, mother of Pastor Dennis Hakes, Walnut Park Baptist, Muscatine. Arlene went home to be with her Lord on August 5th.

Visitation will be Friday Evening, August 7th at Overton’s Funeral Home in Indianola, Iowa from 5 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be held Saturday, August 8th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Willow Creek Baptist Church at 720 Army Post Road, West Des Moines, IA.

The family would encourage, in lieu of flowers, that memorial contributions be directed to the Willow Creek Baptist Church in Des Moines, or the Bright Kavanagh Hospice House in Des Moines.

We rejoice with Calvary Baptist Church, Belmond and their new pastor. Pastor Troy Lohmeyer and wife Sylvia started their ministry the first of July.

We rejoice with First Baptist Church, Perry and their new pastor. Pastor Chris Tjapkes (pronounced chapkiss) and his wife, Susan, will begin their ministry September 13.

19 year old daughter of Pastor Kevin Subra, Northridge Baptist, Des Moines, has been diagnosed with a form of lung cancer in her left lung. She began chemo on Monday.

We would appreciate your prayers on her behalf for God’s will to be done in her body and in our lives for His glory.

As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:6-8)

Please continue to rejoice with Pastor Spencer in his great start on his recovery from 14 ½ hours of surgery. You can continue following his progress at:

, father of Pastor Tim Moore, LeClaire Baptist went home to be with the Lord, Sunday evening, July 19th. Please be in prayer for Peggy, his wife, and all the family that God would minister to their needs during these days of change.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 23, 2009, at Hamilton's near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 N.W. 60th Avenue in Des Moines with burial to follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, 508 NW 54th Street, off of North 6th Avenue. A visitation with family present will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at the funeral home.

On July 5th "Bob" Nemmers (father of Mike & Pat Nemmers) passed from this life of 87 years to God's eternal home. "Dad had confessed Christ as his personal Savior." He told Pat just days before his death that "with all his heart" he was trusting Christ ALONE for salvation. Having NINE children, THIRTY-FOUR grandchildren, and THIRTY-EIGHT great-grand-children, he was laid to rest by the Catholic Church. God opened the door for the gospel to go forth as Pat had opportunity to share at the "Vigil," (following the visitation) and as Mike shared at the funeral. Pray for on-going opportunities in the days ahead.

PS "He gives and takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord!" Job 1:21. The day of my dad's death, Bekah (our oldest daughter) gave birth to her fourth child, a son, Rowan Graham 'Robert'.

Please be in prayer for the families of Pastor Mike Nemmers, First Baptist, Grundy Center and Pastor Pat Nemmers, Saylorville Baptist, Des Moines with the death of their father, Bob Nemmers on July 5. We are rejoicing with them in Mr. Nemmer’s clear testimony of faith in Christ alone for his forgiveness and salvation.

We feel very blessed that God has been with us through some hard times, and is still with us as we know more hard times are coming. Our family is closer as a result of some serious trials that we are going through right now.

Our granddaughter Jadzia went through some extensive medical tests, and we have made some changes for her. She had her tonsils out in April, and is now growing. Her tonsils were obstructing her air way and causing her oxygen levels to drop, messing up her whole body. She is also very allergic to milk and dairy products. She is now doing great. God was with her. Xander, our grandson will also be getting his tonsils out soon.

My mom had some serious medical problems and was in the hospital for a while and in intensive care, but now is doing better. She has to be in a wheel chair or use a walker now. My dad has also had some medical problems and is undergoing some serious medical tests now.

In October, our daughter and her children moved in with us. She was expecting a child in June. Our oldest grandsom Landon told his mom that God had spoken to him, and told him that she was going to have another baby, and it was going to be a boy. She was surprised to find out he was right, she was pregnant. Her husband moved in with us also to go to school, and look for work. Our small house now holds eight people. May 29th, three and a half weeks early "Ronan Jesse Fullmer" came to us. We weren't quite ready for him yet, but God gave him to us early for a reason. He needed a lot of help. He had some serious problems that doctors weren't aware of until he was born. Right after birth he turned purple and started gurgling. Our daughter called the nurse in, and he was rushed out of the room and taken to the nursery to be put on oxygen. They took some x-rays to see what the problem was, and through these x-rays found out that his exophagus was not attached, and he had a hole in his heart. This was a result of a birth defect called "VACTERL" Association. Each letter stands for a different kind of malformation. Ronan has two of the malformations. He has "Esophageal Atresis", and the Cardiac defect, the hole in his heart. We are so thankful he didn't have all of the defects. The next day he had a four hour surgery to attach this esophagus. The whole in the heart should heal itself in time. He is on a sleep moniter for now. Further tests showed he has "Trisomy 21" a form of down-syndrome. We were surprised, because tests done during pregnancy were normal. It is not genetic, it just happens during conception. We soon realized how much God was in control of the whole situation. We know God brought Ronan to us early for a reason, and we feel so blessed that God chose our family to help him through life. God has a special plan for him. He was in intensive care until July 6th when he came home to us. On Wednesday he rolled over. He is very strong. Our daughter and son-in-law are doing great. Angela is such a great mother, and all of us are here for them. We are glad they live with us so we can all help each other, and especially Ronan. We live five minutes from the hospital. We have all been in the hospital there at least once. God put us in a perfect loation to meet our family's needs. Ronan is so cute, precious and tiny. I have been taking classes at DMACC where Kent works. I will be finishing them in September and getting my Child Development Associate. I would never have realized that in doing so for my job, I would also be doing it for my precious grandson"Ronan". God guides our every step.

Our next trial is yet to come, and is also a serious one, but God is already answering prayers on our behalf and preparing us for it. As most of you know, Kent has tumors on the side of his neck and face. He has had them for years, and has had five operations on them, only for them to come back again. He did not want to have any more surgery on them, for fear of destroying the facial nerve, and affecting his ability to speak. This would affect his ability to preach. This year he has had severe headaches and pain to the point he couldn't function. He went to the doctor, and was sent to some specialists in Iowa aCity. He spoke to an ENT, and a Neurologist. They feel it is time to tqke care of it once and for all, or they may become malignant, if they haven't already. His MRI showed they have spread behind his larynx, and are pushing on his brain. He will have to have them all removed and they will have to take out the facial nerve and do a nerve graph. It will take a year for the nerve graph to start working. He will be in the hospital for at least five days. He had his pre-op on the 7th, and he was told they will have to split his jaw and put screws in it. He will not be able to close his left eye, so will have to have a gold ball place in the back of it to help him not to go blind. He might end up in intensive care because of the extent of the surgery. There is still a chance they may be malignant. He is in God's care. His surgery will be July 15th in the Iowa City Hospital. I will be staying at a home of a family from Faith Baptist Church. Thanks! I was told his surgeons are some of the best in the Nation. While we were waiting to see Kent's ENT doctor for part of his pre-op we met a lady and her husband. They both testified that faith had brought them through the wife's breast cancer three times, and a severe brain tumor. We know what she was talking about, and testified that faith will help us through it too.

Thanks so much to family and friends and everyone out there for all of the encouragement we have received during these hard times. Please continue to pray for Kent, Ronan and our family as we go through these trials. God is in control. Our church people understand, and are praying for quick recovery, but if it is long term, there are preachers ready to step in and help. I have faith and peace that all will be okay no matter what happens. We will accept the outcome and go through this trial hand in hand. We want to come out as gold, and most of all, God be glorified. We want our testimony to be greater for Him. We know God will bless as He has in the past. We take a day at a time, but know that some days are harder than others. Proverbs 3:5 and 6 have been our life verses. When we chose them, we never realized how much God would use them over and over again. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

If you hae any questions, concerns or words of encouragement, please feel free to write orgive us a call.

Mr. Moore fell a couple weeks ago and fractured his hip. He has been in ICU since June 26th. The surgery went well but since then he is battling pneumonia, congestive heart failure and a blood clot along with healing from hip replacement. Thank you for your prayers. His breathing is still labored and his blood pressure erratic. Please pray for his strength physically and for my mom emotionally. Your prayers are appreciated!

Please be in prayer for Pastor Richard Johnson and his family at the home-going of his wife Beverly. The funeral was last Thursday at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church, Waterloo. She died after a 2-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Pastor Ertle underwent quadruple heart bypass Monday, July 13 in Tampa, Florida. Ted did very well through the surgery. Thanks to everyone for praying. Please continue to do so. These initial days are critical days of recovery.

Please be in prayer for the Reeves family from First Baptist in Creston. Dr. Reeves chaired the planning committee that has directed the Winter Couples Retreat for the past several years. Last February we prayed for Lynne’s recovery from a very aggressive cancer. In answer to our prayers, Lynne was promoted to glory on Monday morning, July 6. Her memorial services will be held on Thursday, July 9 at 10:30 am at First Baptist Church of Creston. The testimony of her faith in Christ has been incredibly effective over these past several months as she has used email, face book and other avenues of electronic communication to keep in touch with those who have heard of her battle with cancer. Pray for those from the community who will be attending the service. It is our prayer as a congregation that God will use it to draw men to Himself, bring glory to the Savior.

Thanks for your prayers! I got the pathology report today and they said the margins were clear. In laymen's terms...as I understand it, they got it all and with a margin. I see the Dr. on Thursday. This report results in great rejoicing. Our God was gracious in the outcome and I thank all our friends for their petitions to Him on my behalf. Thanks too, Joe, for your call the morning of surgery.
--
Gen Schmidt

is scheduled for quadruple heart bypass Monday, July 13 in Tampa, Florida. Please continue to rejoice in God’s special help for him already and pray that he and Rose may continue to enjoy the same, through the surgery and recovery.

Judy Merchant will undergo surgery on June 2nd for cervical Stenosis at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo. Additional symptoms recently developed that needed additional testing for the neurosurgeon to fully assess her medical needs. The family sincerely appreciates all the care and concern that has been expressed and prayers that have been offered on her behalf.

Please be in prayer for Chuck Nichols as he will be having extensive back surgery on Wednesday, 5-20-09 in Ames. He continues his long battle cancer. Brother Nichols served many years as a missionary in Brazil and later in the Baptist Mid-Missions home office. He is originally from Cumberland, Iowa.

I am deeply grateful to God for His gracious hand of healing in my body. The weeks following open heart surgery were filled with experiences that reshaped some of my values, strengthened my faith and rebuilt some of my convictions. I met with the heart surgeon on Monday, May 18th, and he has allowed me to return to work. That is, I can preach, teach, and mow grass (with restrictions, like using a riding mower only, and other limitations). Thank you all for praying, for your encouragement and for ways you personally cared for us during these last three months. I am eager to return to a regular ministry of ministering God’s Word as He opens doors. God bless you.

Dick and Gloria Dayton are rejoicing in the Lord's gracious intervention in their lives this past January with Dick's heart bypass surgery. Dick had noticed some slight discomfort when shoveling snow, and it turned out to be one blockage of 98 % and three of 80 %. The surgery was very successful, and the cardiologist has cleared Dick for full activity. The Daytons appreciate your prayers and support in this time, and are asking the Lord to use this experience to give them increased opportunities for ministry.

On Wednesday, May 13, Virginia Anderson, mother of Gloria Dayton and Patti Craighead, finished her earthly journey and entered our Lord's presence. Virginia had moved from her home in Missouri to live with Patti and Mike, and was attending Altoona Regular Baptist Church with Mike and Patti.

The visitation and funeral will be Monday, May 18th - visitation 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and funeral at 11:00 AM at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Home in Palmyra, MO.

, wife of Dr. David Nettleton, former FBBC President and pastor of Grandview Park Baptist Church, is living at Wesley Acres, 3520 Grand Ave., Room HC 249, Des Moines, IA 50312.

Judy was scheduled for surgery 4/28; however that has been cancelled pending the outcome of further testing the doctor feels are necessary. She will see the doctor again on May 11th to discuss the results of those tests.

From the very center of my repaired and healthy heart, thank you to all of you for your prayer support, encouraging words, visits, cards and thoughtfulness. I am grateful to you all beyond words.

I’m beginning my third week of re-hab, and slowly gaining strength and healing. I’m trying to regain enough health to be able to participate in some of the graduation exercises. I am anticipating the possibility of returning to a more normal life and to return to my preaching ministry in about another month, God willing.

I’m now including a new verse in my testimony, namely, Psalm 57:7. “My heart is fixed, my heart is fixed O God; I will sing and give praise”.

Special thanks to all of you, who prayed for, participated in, prepared for and gave toward our Annual Conference. It was a great time of fellowship and learning because God blessed all that you did in so many wonderful ways! Among other things it helped many of us look forward, with greater expectations, to God’s promised and prophesied blessings to and through His church and it gave us many practical ways to please Him, in His church, here and now. Please put April 12-14, 2010 on your calendar for next year’s Conference.

Please be in prayer for Amanda Standley, sister-in-law to Pastor Adam Standley, Hagerman Baptist, Waterloo.

Amanda is doing well and the doctors are pleased. If anyone would like to get on and follow Amanda's story, they could click on this link. http://caringbridge.org/visit/astand

Please continue to rejoice with and pray for Dr. Bob Domokos and his family. He was able to come home last Friday following four heart bypasses. He is recovering very well and is scheduled to start therapy this Friday. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and other encouragements. They mean so much to all of them.

Please rejoice with Pastor Ken McMillen, his wife Denise and their family. They are buying a very helpful house for them. It is fifteen minutes from their church, 25 minutes from his other work and has five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The closing date is May 30. Please continue to pray concerning the insurance settlement regarding their lost possessions.

Please be in prayer for Amanda Standley, sister-in-law to Pastor Adam Standley, Hagerman Baptist, Waterloo. Amanda was hit head on Monday morning by a semi truck in Creston and taken by Life Flight to Creighton University Hospital in Omaha. Amanda and her family are members of First Baptist Church in Creston. Please be in prayer for her, her husband Chris and their 2 children.

Amanda is in critical but stable condition. She has several broken bones and internal injuries. God solved problems that came up in the night. They don't want the bleeding to start up again. They don't want infection in the broken leg. She is stable. PTL! Continue praying for her family and the caregivers.

Dr. Bob had 4 heart by-passes done on Monday. According to the doctors everything went well and he is on schedule to be moved from ICU to a regular room. Please no visitors until Wednesday. Please continue in prayer for Dr. Bob and his family during his healing and recovery.

I am grateful for the privilege the Lord has given me to serve with you in the Iowa Association of Regular Baptist Churches. My entire life and ministry have been in churches who fellowship with this association. God has blessed me the past 19 years with the joy of serving as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant. The Calvary family has been a constant encouragement to me and my family and we are so very grateful.

Easter Sunday will be my last Sunday preaching at Calvary as their pastor. I will be moving to Toledo, Ohio to assume the duties of senior pastor at Emmanuel Baptist, beginning in May. Many of you know the mixed emotions we are experiencing at this time. We covet your prayers for us and for Calvary as they begin the process of seeking a senior pastor.

Please be in prayer for Amanda Standley, sister-in-law to Pastor Adam Standley, Hagerman Baptist, Waterloo. Amanda was hit head on this morning by a semi truck in Creston and taken by Life Flight to Creighton University Hospital in Omaha.

Amanda and her family are members of First Baptist Church in Creston. Please be in prayer for her, her husband Chris and their 2 children.

Associate Pastor of Hagerman Baptist, Waterloo are rejoicing in the safe arrival of Auna Grace. Auna was born March 6 weighing 6lbs. 8 ozs. She joins big sister Makenna.

To The IARBC Churches:
Thank you to all who have been praying for me during the past month. On February 25th following a low level heart attack, two stents were placed in my right coronary artery. I began therapy on March 4th. On March 25th I went in for what I thought was for placing a third stent in my left coronary artery. However, the blockage was significant and now by-pass surgery is necessary. On April 2nd I return to Lutheran Hospital for four days of monitoring, with surgery to take place on April 6th, probably triple by-pass. I now have the responsibility of putting into practice what I’ve always said I believe as it relates to God’s direction and care. There is no question that God is in control of our lives, and I desire this valuable experience to bring glory to God as He puts Proverbs 3:5,6 into flesh and blood in my life. Thank you for your prayer support for my wife and family during this time. Thank you for remembering me too.

Judy's appointment with the neurosurgeon on Thurs. 3/26 went well, however, surgery was not performed as hoped. Because of some of the symptoms she is displaying, further diagnostic testing must be done to guide the doctor in how he will perform the surgery. She will undergo testing of her vocal cords and esophagus and also have nerve conduction testing on 4/15. She will meet with the neurosurgeon on 4/23 and hopefully have surgery on 4/28. We are disappointed but know that God is protecting her from possible permanent loss of voice and it will also help the doctor know exactly how many discs must be removed. Keep praying!

Pastor’s vision in need of prayer
Pastor John Brown of Fruitland Baptist Church in Muscatine had eye surgery recently to prevent deterioration of his vision due to diabetes. He is having some complications and the previously scheduled surgery on the other eye has had to be postponed.

Judy Merchant, wife of Pastor Dan Merchant of Cedar Street Baptist Church in Tipton, is suffering from spinal stenosis of the cervical spine and is awaiting surgery. Injuries received in a diving accident in 1981 have caused slowly deteriorating disc problems and a recent MRI has revealed serious damage to 3 discs, causing pain in her neck and back and numbness in her arms. The Merchant's will be seeing a neurosurgeon in Waterloo on Thursday, March 26th to determine the best course of action for alleviating the problem. Please pray for wisdom concerning this possible delicate surgery.

An Update from Pastor Trent, Youth Pastor of Willow Creek Baptist Church, West Des Moines, and Lydia:

We received excellent news today!! Ruby had another round of scans on Thursday and they showed that her 3 and a half small spots on her liver were now reduced to 2!! The 2 remaining have also shrunk!! Dr. Alzein couldn't deny that God has been working in Ruby's chubby, little body. We are all very pleased, relieved, and thankful to our great God!! Being back in the hospital yesterday brought back a flood of memories from the "drama" of last spring. I realized that the results of the scans could be horrifying or awesome. I had a little emotional moment when they took Ruby in to get the CT scan. Normally, they allow the parents of a minor to accompany their child, but for some reason they didn't allow it yesterday. I just wasn't prepared for that and it made me uneasy. But, the peace of God passes all understanding. His Word and promises are the ultimate comfort, but it also comforted me to know that even if the results were not good, I still had all of your love and support to help bear the burden. I can't tell you all how much it means to know that in times of life's trials and uncertainties, we have the love of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to help bear the weight of sadness. All of your love and prayers have made this experience so much more "do-able." I am thanking God most of all today, but I am also indebted to all of you for your outpouring of love and concern.

First Baptist Church in Monroe is excited about our new “GenNext” pastor. Having left his job in Des Moines, Jason Burns began his full time position with the church January 1. Jason’s main duties will be working with the youth and young adults. Jason has felt God’s call on his life for some time and he is happy to be in full time ministry and a part of the work at First Baptist. He is continuing his Biblical studies while serving the church. Pastor Jack McCullough, who has been at First Baptist since July 2003, is looking forward to working with Jason, and seeing God’s continuing blessings at First Baptist.

Jason grew up in Prairie City and graduated from PCM. In 1997 he and Jenny Andrew (of Monroe) were married. They have 3 children: Sydney in third grade, Sage in kindergarten, and Shay is 20 months.

Sunday, February 1, was a special “commissioning” day for Jason. We invited all of Jason’s friends and family, as well as the community of Monroe to this special day.

Mrs. Pauline Askren, wife of Visitation Pastor Walden Askren of Walnut Park Baptist Church in Muscatine, had surgery on Friday, March 3rd and was able to come home from the hospital Sunday, March 15 th. Please continue to pray for them, as she is having some complications in her recovery.

Slater Baptist Church celebrated 40 Years of God's Faithfulness on Sunday, March 8, in commemoration of the first Sunday services held by the newly formed body of believers on March 9, 1969.

Speakers were Dr. John Hartog II, who along with his wife Martha were charter members of Slater Baptist Church; Dr. Paul Hartog, who served as part-time assistant pastor of youth and outreach from 1991-1994; and Dr. John Hartog III, who served as interim pastor for several months in 1994 -1995. Dr. Paul and Alne Hartog ministered in music, and Martha Hartog shared a testimony in tribute to the godly women of SBC.

The Lord gave us great attendance and sweet fellowship throughout the day. The annual Anniversary Offering that was given will enable us to accomplish several church-related and missions projects. We praise God for His goodness and continuing faithfulness to us!

Job 40:1-5 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

One of the things that has amazed us is the way that God has revealed His perfect wisdom in the circumstances of our lives. Time has begun to show us clearly that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”. (Romans 8:28). He is teaching us things, and giving us opportunities, and glorifying Himself in ways that could only happen with His sovereign hand working like it has.

4. We are very close to buying a house. It is not the one that we offered on two weeks ago. It is will suit our needs even better, and God’s Hand has been clearly in it. I will share more at another time.

1. Bonnie from VT who lost her house in a fire last Friday. My wife and I have a unique opportunity to minister to her at this time.

Thank you all for your prayers during the last months. You are playing a huge role in God changing us, leading us and bringing Glory to His Name through us. Please continue to take us to the throne of God.

Thank you very much for your continuous prayers, many encouragements and generous gifts to Pastor Ken and Denise McMillen and their family. They are waiting to hear the insurance settlement decision and from the owners of the house upon which they have made an offer. Ken started his full time job Monday, March 9, 2009. He also continues to pastor Wall Lake Baptist Church.

Dr. Domokos asked me to thank all of you for praying for him, encouraging him and supporting him at this time. He is recovering very well. He is involved in rehab three days each week and is attending some other specific classes. Dr. Bob is feeling much better and stronger and eagerly waiting for the day that the medical Doctor releases him to preach and teach. He will be having another evaluation procedure on his heart later this month.

Please rejoice with the Monticello Baptist Church family and Pastor Mike Salati and his family. Pastor Salati, wife Lori and their 3 children will be starting their ministry soon in Monticello. Pray for their home in Ogden, IA to sell soon.

1. Another Thank You
I cannot express to all of you in all the churches how much you have blessed our hearts with your prayers, your notes of encouragement and your gifts of love to us. It is still overwhelming to us, and now a full 6 weeks after the fire, it continues. I would like to especially thank Joe Hayes for his regular communication and challenges from the Word.

2. Our Challenge of Faith
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. (2 Chronicles 20:17)

And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. (2 Chronicles 20:20-21)

What amazing faith Jehoshaphat had as he went forth to battle with praise. It is our nature to try to solve our own problems, yet there are times when our efforts cannot bring answers, we can only wait on the hand of God to bring answers. These are the circumstances that the McMillen family finds itself in as you will see below.

3. Our Situation
As of tonight our family has done all that it can do to settle with our insurance company. We have inventoried, listed and priced the majority of our contents and have met with the insurance company this afternoon. For the first time in six weeks, we appear to be free of that huge responsibility. We now await their review of our work in order to reach a settlement. We are also seriously looking at a house that will meet our needs. It is about ten miles closer to Holstein (where Ken will be working) than our present place and only 17 miles away from Wall Lake. At this point, Lord willing, it is our plan to make an offer on the house this Thursday at noon. In addition to this, the flock and I here at Wall Lake are going to be seeking God's plan and, by God's grace follow His leading, as His sovereign hand is so clearly at work in our midst.

4. Our Prayer Requests
a. Pray that God would be glorified in our dealings with the Insurance company and the owners of the house we are considering.
b. Pray for our continued spiritual growth as a family. The circumstances are teaching us daily where we need to change and grow as individuals and as a family.
c. Pray that we would receive a fair settlement with the insurance company by next week.
d. Pray that our offer for the house would be accepted and we would be able to take possession by May.
e. Pray that our Lord and Master would give us, the Wall Lake church, wisdom as we seek to adjust our ministry to his will in the new circumstances.
f. Pray that in it all, we would walk by faith. Pray that we will keep our eyes ever on the Lord and His promises and not on the wind! (Matthew 14:30)

Continue to pray for Dr. Bob as he recovers at home from a heart attack and receiving a stint last week.

, IARBC Secretary, wife of Pastor Jeff Holub, Fellowship Baptist Church in Des Moines

Please be in prayer for Becky as she continues to heal from foot surgery. Her IARBC office hours have been adjusted during her recovery so please leave a phone message or e-mail to admin@iarbc.org if you need to contact the office and don’t get an answer.

Joe Hayes’ 90 year old mother fell last week and fractured her pelvis. She is recovering remarkably well and will have extensive and painful therapy.

Please be in prayer for Dr. Bob Domokos and family as he is in Lutheran Hospital following a level 1 heart attack which was caused by a blood clot. He has already had a stint put in. Pray for his recovery.

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

God has shown us the truth of this verse as he has further clarified our steps since the fire. We have had to adjust our expectations and desires to His clear direction as you will read below. He alone knows the end from the beginning, and we are confident that He delights in revealing to us His perfect plan that works all things for good!

1. Due to our church financial situation, we as a family, along with our church family had come to a decision that I (Pastor Ken) needed to find secular work in order for us to continue ministering together. God in His wisdom and provision has provided a fulltime job with a company called VT Industries in Holstein, Iowa. (http://www.vtindustries.com/doors/) It is located about 32 miles away. I worked for the company 12 years ago, so I am familiar with many of the people, procedures and the specific job I will be doing.

2. My start date is March 9th, so we are striving to have everything needed for our insurance company done by then so we can reach a settlement.

3. We still do not know our plan for rebuilding or relocating. That will have to wait as God reveals His plan, sometimes, one moment at a time.

4. We also have much to communicate on and work out the details of the ministry here as God has revealed this important step.

5. We have experienced some additional trials in the way of vehicle breakdowns. Our large family was at one point, down to one old pickup for transportation! God has met our needs and continues to amaze us with His amazing, omnipotent Hand extending provision and patience in all circumstances.

1. Strength and hope from His Word for each day.
2. His clear direction and provision through the job at VT.
3. His timely temporary provision for our transportation.
4. His coming permanent provision for our transportation needs.
5. Our growing confidence that He is working a perfect plan in our lives!

1. That we would finish the requirements to reach a full settlement with our insurance company by March 9th.
2. That God would give us here at Wall Lake and us the wisdom and direction needed in our ministry together.
3. That God would very soon clearly lead us concerning a permanent home (whether we build or find an existing home)
4. That God would give sustaining grace to meet each day. They will be very long and difficult as we push for March 9th.
5. Specific wisdom concerning purchasing a vehicle to drive the 30+ miles to VT every day.
6. The decisions we are making and directions we are taking are truly difficult. We cannot see the end, only the pathway just ahead of us. Our daily solace is that He makes no mistakes, and we are privileged to follow His leading. That being said, we as a family and as a church need your prayers now more than ever. Thank you for your concern, your prayer and your love.

Becky Holub, IARBC Secretary, wife of Pastor Jeff Holub, Fellowship Baptist Church in Des Moines

Please be in prayer for Becky as she heals from the corrective foot surgery she had on February 13.

Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. (Psalms 94:17-19)

This Psalm was my meditation this morning, and expresses the faithfulness of God that we are still enjoying every day. The feet can slip, but we can truly testify of the mercy of God that is always holding us up!

To all of the individuals and churches in the IARBC who have shown support in so many ways. All of you that have given financially, and other tangible ways have encouraged us more than we can ever express. Even greater than that is the reality that all over the state, you are holding us up on a regular basis in prayer to our omnipotent God. We are realizing more and more every day, the importance of your intercessory prayer.

We can never repay all of this kindness shown to us by so many. Our hope and prayer is that the lessons our King is teaching us about prayer and giving will bring Glory to Him by our ministering as we have been ministered to. Thank you all again.

1. God's Provision: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)
a. Continued provision uncountable little ways. Example: A believer driving by our house at the precise time we were standing outside, out of our ideas as to how to get our refrigerator inside the house. In 5 minutes, he was there with a hand cart, and in 10 minutes it was in place in our kitchen!
b. His continued blessing spiritually we seek His face.

2. God's Purposes: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James 1:2-3) Our circumstances are teaching us lessons (Not all easy ones) everyday that we could not learn apart from this particular pathway.

3. God's Plan: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:3-5) We know that God loves us and will work His perfect purpose in our lives. We praise Him that we can look forward with full expectation of His best, whatever that will be.

1. Pray the electrician finishes wiring needs soon, especially the dryer hookups.

2. The inventory of the house losses is going slower than we first thought. Pray for safety, endurance, speed and accuracy.

3. In the midst of it all, we have a family to teach, a church to lead, and our God to worship. Pray for proper priorities.

4. Pray for the ability to bear up in victory every day. It is now settling into a long distance race.

5. In addition, continue to pray that our hearts would be open to all that He wants to teach us in our circumstances.

When we finish with our inventory and settle with the insurance company, we will need help getting some of the things out of the house before it is bull dozed. We will let you know. Once again, thank all of you for your love and support.

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. (Psalms 89:1)

This Psalm expresses the desire of our heart as we reflect on the last two weeks. God in the midst of some of the most difficult days we have ever faced, has proven Himself faithful beyond anything we could ask or even think. Thank you all for your prayers and continued support for our family. I believe that the work that God is doing in our lives for His glory, is due in a large part to your faithfulness in prayer before our Lord and Master on our behalf. In addition to this, we would like to thank all of you for the financial gifts you are giving that is helping us put our lives back together.

I have a new phone number 712-661-9940. Please use that if you desire to reach me.

In this update, I want to:
1. Share some blessing that God has bestowed.
2. Let you know our current goals and plans.
3. Communicate our prayer requests and needs.

1. An abiding sense of the comfort and help of the Holy Spirit as we face each new circumstance. At times we temporarily grope in the darkness, but any time we ask, He fulfills James 1, and gives wisdom and direction for the exact situation.

2. All of the prayers, encouragement, counsel, and tangible help from neighbors, friends, family, churches and all of you in the IARBC. One special blessing has been the timely and wise counsel from Joe Hayes during these days of decision. The water of the Word of God that he has shared, has been truly sweet and satisfying to my soul.

3. Our temporary home is now a "home"! In the space of 7 hours on Saturday we went from a shelter to a home! On Saturday at noon, we had no beds for the kids, no dressers, and no furniture (except table and chairs). By Saturday night, all my children had beds, dressers, and even decorations for the girls bedroom. We had a furnished living room (couches and chairs), complete with end tables, lamps and little things to make it comfortable. All because of God's blessing! (I will share the details of the way God worked in this at a later time)

4. The local family that opened up this home have been so gracious in working through some electrical wiring needs and concerns here. They are putting in a dryer hook up, and are even considering putting another bathroom in the basement to help accommodate our large family needs. All of this with willing hearts!

5. God is already opening doors in our new neighborhood to witness and build bridges with people we would never have met otherwise. Precious souls that by God's grace, will see Jesus through us.

7. God's Sovereign Hand of Fatherly Love. Even though it has been painful, the intensity of the circumstances has pressed us and stretched us in ways that we never knew possible. In every area of our lives, His hand is revealing areas in which we need to grow and change. What a merciful God we serve to care enough to mold such fragile, imperfect clay!

1. We will continue to strive to "normalize" our lives and ministry. The immediate goal here is the restoration of our homeschool.

2. We will be going through what remains of our home to inventory our losses for the insurance company. We want to be done with this in the next couple of weeks.

3. Once the above is done, we will then more clearly know our options concerning our future.

1. Confidence, patience and wisdom as we walk with the Lord one step at a time. There are many decisions that can only be made as God reveals his hand day by day.

2. Pray that God would continue to use us to be vessels for His glory to those around us.

4. Pray for the balance between normal life and ministry, and pursuing the things that are essential to rebuilding our lives and permanent home.

Any other needs we have are uncertain until we can make decisions concerning our permanent home.

Pastor Dick Dayton of Urbandale Baptist Church is rejoicing that God protected him form hear damage, provided successful triple bypass heart surgery and is giving him a very good time of regular therapy. He has been able to be back at church and is planning to start preaching some soon.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

I heard John Hartog III preach on these verses on Tuesday, January 20th. I would never have suspected that on the next Saturday afternoon, in a moment of time, the truth of these verses would be driven home to the hearts of my entire family with the loss of our home. God has truly sustained us and carried us in the past few days. He has truly given a moment by moment, abundance of grace that we hope and pray has been dramatically visible to all with whom we have had contact.

I would like to sum up some of the specific things that we have been able to rejoice in these difficult days.

1. I praise God that He spared my family.
2. I praise God for the love and support of my neighbors and community.
3. I praise God for the love and support from all of you in our sister churches in the IARBC.
4. I praise God for the opportunity to bring glory to Him as we interact with the community around us.
5. I praise God for His loving hand, in giving us this opportunity as individuals and as a family to change and grow as we walk moment by moment.

1. Through many of you and our community, we now have most of our clothing needs met.
2. As of tonight (January 26) we now have temporary housing in the area. It is a house in Auburn, 13 miles away from Wall Lake.
3. I believe that we will have no problem furnishing this house from local people that have offered to help.

1. We still have a lot to do to make this temporary home "home".
2. We need a temporary home for our goats and our horse.
3. We must inventory the remains of our possessions for insurance purposes.
4. We are seeking God's direction and plan for rebuilding. Pray we will walk in wisdom.
5. As that plan develops, we will need to furnish that house. We will clarify these needs at a later time.
6. God is challenging my heart with some specific ways to use these circumstances to bring Him glory. Please pray that I will simply follow His leading.

We have developed a website for the dual purpose of glorifying our Savior and communicating our needs to others. It will be updated periodically; It is www.mcmillennews.net. (This site is under construction)

Please pray for us that we would keep our eyes firmly fixed on our Master and not on the circumstances we are in.

Last Sunday a News crew from KTIV, Channel 4 in Sioux City attended the church service in Wall Lake and interviewed some of the church family. Following is the link to that story: http://www.ktiv.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=3375631

Tuesday morning, Pastor M.O. Burman was promoted to Glory peacefully in his sleep. This was about the same time of the day Mrs. Jean Burman passed away five weeks ago. We rejoice that he is with his Lord. Please be in prayer for the entire Burman family.

The funeral for our father, Merwin O. Burman, will be this Saturday, January 31st at First Baptist Church, 211 3rd St SW., Waverly IA 50677.

Viewing will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with the service at 1 p.m. Luncheon will be served following the graveside service.

Pastor M.O. Burman started 10 churches and rescued 12 churches in our fellowship throughout the Midwest, including Iowa.

, Wall Lake Baptist Church, his wife, Denise and their family are praising the Lord for His protection during the fire in their home last Saturday. Pastor gave us a some goals they strive for during the future days:

- They wish to lift up and honor our Savior – Jesus Christ through this with boldness and clarity

- To let our community know how much we love them and appreciate them and their outpouring of support for them

- That God would build the church of Jesus Christ in this community through the ruins of their home.

They will be looking for housing locally by the end of the week. At this point they are encouraged not to rebuild the old but possibly build new. Their clothing needs are being helped by many in their community. Pastor McMillen was interviewed by KCAU Television Station, Sioux City. The link below will allow you to reach the index then click on “Family of 12 without a Home”. http://www.kcautv.com/Global/category.asp?C=148352&nav=menu110_2_5

If you would like to help the McMillen family financially, you may send your gifts made out to: IARBC Philippian Providers and in the memo write Wall Lake Fire Project.

Mrs. Elnora Fleming, wife of Mr. Richard Fleming, retired teacher at FBBC and interim pastor in many of our Iowa churches, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning. A memorial service will be held at Ankeny Baptist Church on Friday, January 23rd at 2:00 pm. Please be in prayer for the entire Fleming family in the days ahead.

Pastor Ernie Schmidt, with the purchase of 9.39 acres of land on the NE corner of Ankeny Blvd. and 47th St. Be in prayer for this young congregation as they proceed with the future steps of paying for the land and erecting a building.

I just talked to Pastor Ken McMillen, who has been pastoring Wall Lake Baptist Church for 11 years.

Ken and his wife, Denise, lost their home in a fire this afternoon, Saturday, January 17, 2009. The upstairs was totally destroyed and the downstairs was ruined by water and smoke damage. Everyone is safe and none were injured. Praise our Great God!

They lost all of their clothes and everything else, such as furniture, toys, etc. for their entire family. They still have daughters at home who are 22, 13, and 6 years old and sons 18, 16, 14, 9, 8, 4 and 2 years of age.

You may contact Ken at P.O. Box 446, Wall Lake, IA 51466 or on his cell phone 712-830-3137

- Dr. Paul Hartog, Assistant Pastor at Maranatha Baptist Church in Grimes, is recovering well following knee surgery and significant complications. He has several weeks of therapy ahead and is back in the classroom at FBBC.

- Pastor Dick Dayton of Urbandale Baptist Church is recovering well at home following triple heart bypass surgery last week.

- Marty Hayes, wife of our State Rep, is recovering well at home following foot surgery last week.

Pastor Dick Dayton of Urbandale Baptist Church had urgent triple coronary bypass surgery yesterday, Tuesday, January 6, 2009. The surgery went very well; he is in the CCU in Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Please pray specifically for more effective pain control. You may contact his wife Gloria at 515-202-7113.

Marty, wife of IARBC State Rep Joe Hayes, will be having foot surgery this Friday. Please pray for her and her nurse, yours truly.

Mrs. Eunice McCool, mother of Mary Grismore, wife of Pastor Miles Grismore, Mason City, went to be with the Lord Thursday morning. She was also the mother of Gary McCool, Blair Ridge Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, and Larry McCool, Grandview Park Baptist Church, Des Moines. The funeral will be at First Baptist Church, Guthrie Center, Tuesday, 10:30 AM where Eunice was a member for many years. Visitation will be at the church Monday, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Please be in prayer for this family and God’s ministries to their needs and others during these days of change.

Ruby had a Cat Scan and an M-IBG scan yesterday. During her sedation, they also removed her Hickman line. It was so nice to bring home my beautiful Ruby without a cord sticking out of her chest...even though she was in a very drugged state. Dr. Alzein had wanted to get one more set of scans done before January so that our insurance would still fully cover everything, that is why we went back so soon. He called this afternoon and said that the spots on her liver have not grown at all!! They are still alive, but not doing anything thus far. He is fairly confident that they will either begin to shrink or go into a dormant state. This is exactly what his colleague in Chicago thought would happen!!!! She can stop taking all medicines and she doesn't have to go back to the clinic until late February/early March! I am so grateful for people praying for Dr. Alzein's decision-making skills. I am truly in amazement of our great and holy God. I am such a weak and lowly human and He has allowed me to go on this wonderful journey of drawing closer to Him in so many ways. In addition to this wonderful news...we received a very large financial gift by an anonymous fellow friend of Christ this week. I really feel like doing something crazy because I am so giddy right now...maybe go on a polar bear swim or something? Or maybe not...it's really, really cold outside and I don't want to end up in the hospital with pneumonia when we finally get to have some time off from frequenting the hospital (even though Blank Children's Hospital is the best hospital ever!) Trent, Clara, Ruby, and myself sincerely thank all of you for your prayers, care, and concern. Even if this had been bad news today...we would still be rejoicing, because our God loved us enough to send His Son to die for us so that we can have eternal life with Him in heaven. It just doesn't get any better than that!!

Mary is the wife of Pastor Jack McCullough and church secretary at First Baptist Church in Monroe. Her mother, Martha Eller, went home to be with the Lord this morning. She actively participated in many ministries in her home church, First Baptist, in Gilbert, South Carolina. The funeral service is expected to be this Saturday, Sunday or Monday. Please be in prayer for this family and God’s ministries to their needs and others during these days of change.

She and her husband, M.O. Burman, and their family started 10 churches and rescued 12 churches in our fellowship throughout the Midwest, including Iowa.

This morning, December 24th at 4 a.m. Mother was promoted to Glory. She had had surgery on her broken leg last Friday due to the extreme pain that she had been having since the fall, cellulitis and an ulcer/infection had set in and due to no circulation below the knee, the leg had been amputated 6" above the knee. She seemed to have come through surgery o.k. but Sunday at 1 a.m. we were called to the hospital. Monday all meds ceased as well as fluid intake and we just prayed that God would quickly take her home and this He did.

This afternoon, Dad was transferred to P. A. Peterson's Alzheimer's unit where he will receive more specialized care. He was oblivious to the move, unsettling him greatly but he was resting when we left after getting everything in order for him. David and Dick have been here with us and they have just left.

We are rejoicing with relief that Mother's pain is now over and she is with her Lord. She was a true and faithful servant for her Lord. We are grateful that she was our Mother and what a testimony and example she has left for us.

Due to the constant pain Mother has been having and skin breakage on the broken part of the leg, the orthopedic surgeon did x-rays yesterday and found more problems with the broken bones, ulceration area and infection into the bone area - with the only solution being to amputate the lower part of the right leg. She was taken from his office directly to the hospital. They have been giving her blood plasma throughout since last night in order to "thicken" up her blood. It was difficult signing the permission slip today for the surgery. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m.

We have told Mother that she has an infection in her leg and has to have surgery. She seems to understand this but we don't know. We will consider how to tell her the rest later as we need to keep the anxiety factor as low as possible with all of the confusion she is experiencing.

Dad is still not sleeping nights well so we are endeavoring to find a solution to that. He has not known me all week and does not even seem to realize that Mother is not there today. We have difficulty understanding him when he does try to speak. How we pray for a quiet heart for him.

M.O. and Jean arrived safely at their new home. Please be in prayer for them as they adjust to their new home. Also, today is their 71st anniversary.

Their address will be either our address: 6894 Fitzgerald Road, Rockford IL 61102 or Provena, 4405 Highcrest Road, Rockford IL 61107. The direct line to mother's room is 815 229-9568. I cannot guarantee that she will answer.

The IARBC wants you to be aware that one of our former Iowa pastor’s and his wife are planning to return to the state. Continental Baptist Mission has asked Ed & Cheryl Bunt to lead a church plant in Danville, Iowa. This church has been meeting for over a year and is one of the IARBC’s Next Town Evangelism Church Plants. The Bunts are visiting Iowa churches to inform them of this new ministry. They need 80% of their total support level to move to the Danville, IA, area to begin the work while raising the remainder of their support. They are at the 65% level now.

They are eager to meet with any churches or individuals who may have an interest in this opportunity. Thus far about 30 pastors have invited the Bunts for deputation and music ministry in their churches. You may contact them at:

Pastor Stephen and Ellen Moore (Horton Baptist, Waverly) and son Samuel welcome Benjamin David Moore. Benjamin was born Tuesday weighing 8 lbs. 14 oz. and 20 in. long.

James 1: 12 says, "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to hose who know and love Him." That is an appropriate verse for today's news. Dr. Alzein called today with the results of Ruby's M-IBG scan that she had yesterday. He said that the questionable spots on her liver were still showing signs of activity. There is no new activity anywhere else and he is feeling very confident about getting a favorable outcome. He is going to consult with one of his colleagues in Chicago to see if she has any insight to offer. Ruby most likely will be taking the chemo pill for 6 months (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off). These active cells could be ready to max out and not do anything anymore, but the only way to find that out would be to get a biopsy of them. Dr. Alzein would like to avoid doing that. We feel confident that God is granting Dr. Alzein wisdom with Ruby's situation. What's more important than statistics and protocols is that Trent and I stay fixed on Christ. Prayer is an interesting thing. The Bible tells us in Philippians to not worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Obviously, we have been praying that the Lord would heal Ruby completely and quickly. We have also prayed that God would give us peace, use this situation for His glory, and that we would grow to trust Him more. He is answering our prayers!! Our piddly, little human minds have no idea how magnificent and glorious God is!! I keep waiting for God to zap Ruby's cancer in a crazy, miraculous way. I was so anxious to get a clean bill of health for Ruby and crack open a bottle of sparkling apple cider tonight in celebration of a cancer free daughter. Actually, you know what my dear praying friends, I AM going to get some sparkling apple cider tonight and celebrate God's grace and goodness!! The faithful love of the Lord never, ever ends! My family and I have reason to celebrate because God has allowed a humongous trial into our lives that has drawn us super close to Him! God's mercies are new every single morning. Having to endure a trial like this has been wearing on me emotionally, mentally, and physically, but PRAISE GOD THAT HE LOVED ME ENOUGH TO SEND HIS SON TO DIE FOR MY ANXIETIES, WORRY, DISTRUST, ANGER, IMPATIENCE, AND FRUSTRATION!! No matter what happens to us in this life, we can rejoice because all that it's going to do is draw us closer to God and His precious Word. I am deeply aware of God's sustaining love today. He will not give any of us more than we can bear...and how great is it going to be when we can all hang out in heaven together with our Savior and not worry about health issues, money, the economy, or our new president. We really shouldn't be "worried" about any of that stuff now anyway…but, I realize the frailty of our humanity and our compelling desire to sin sucks us in from time to time. My desire is that God continues to be glorified and that all of the people who are reading this will be changed because of the love Jesus has for each of them. Please keep praying for our little Ruby, but also be looking for ways you can grow in Him daily.

I just had a very interesting conversation with one of Ruby's oncologists. She said that Dr. Alzein had personally spoken with Dr. Cohen in Chicago. She had much insight to offer on Ruby's current situation. She advised that Ruby just be observed for the next few months. She will have scans at the end of the year and she will have her blood and urine levels checked in 4 weeks. Ruby's primary tumor was considered a differentiated ganglio neuroblastoma, which means that it has the tendency to mature and just sit there and do nothing. The tumor that was removed from her adrenal gland in May was dissected into several parts and the biopsies on all parts showed a more non- aggressive type nature. The likelihood of the liver tumors being similar in genetic makeup is high. NOTHING is 100% in the cancer world and we are thankful for the time people spend researching all of the different paths cancer can take. The chemo. pill or more chemotherapy treatments will just be putting more toxins into her body that might not be necessary. The oncologist are wanting to take a more conservative approach and just have Ruby be observed for the next few years. If any of her liver spots begin to grow or spread, chemotherapy will immediately resume. The likelihood of this happening is slim. Some children who have neuroblastoma with intermediate risk, like Ruby, do just end up having small residual tumor left for the rest of their lives. These small tumors left on her liver are not affecting the function of her liver at all. This is all good news. It is a little unsettling not having all of the cancer zapped, but it is wonderful that the prognosis is looking very, very good. I am not naive in thinking that we are all done by any means, but God is allowing this all to take place for a SPECIFIC reason. All along our hope has been in Him and His plan. My ultimate comfort is knowing that God has our entire family specifically placed in this specific circumstance for a specific purpose. As humans, we crave total closure of trials that aren't the most pleasant. The road map of Ruby's health keeps unfolding and keeps changing, but God is our sustainer and the creator of everything on the face of this earth....I think He's got it all figured out. I am determined to not second guess what is happening and become a paranoid, crazy mamma. God has done such amazing things already, I sincerely am looking forward to seeing the rest that He will reveal to us. Love you all! Please, keep praying and keeping God at the forefront of what you do!

As of November 19, Mother will become a resident at Provena, a skilled nursing care facility with Dad joining her on November 21st. God's enabling grace reigns but it has been difficult to make the necessary decisions. God has provided so we are able to do this at this time.

Mother and Dad will celebrate their 71st anniversary on November 25th and we are grateful for their lives, the examples they have been to so many and the rich heritage that we have being their children. May God give us grace to walk through these days, being an encouragement to them and making wise decisions. My brothers and sisters have set up a schedule for one of them to be with us also through December 7th and this we are grateful for. We feel blessed to have this close working relationship between us in supporting each other and our parents.

Thank you for your interest and support through finances and prayer for our parents. The saddest part for me is that my dear Father no longer is able to remember the years of home missions ministry or even be able to complete John 3:16. Mother has been grieving over this within these past months as well. Our prayer is for a quiet heart for both of them as we love them through these days.

Their address will be either our address:
6894 Fitzgerald Road, Rockford IL 61102
or
Provena, 4405 Highcrest Road, Rockford IL 61107

, Hispanic Pastor at First Baptist, Perry, and his family that he will be able to return to his tent making employment this December, following an extended time of unemployment due to heart surgery.

Whew, the last few days have been a whirlwind!! There was a mix up with the scheduling of Ruby's CT scan and her M-IBG scan. We were able to work most of the kinks out and Ruby had her CT scan yesterday. Dr. Alzein called me today and informed me of the results. The tumor site still remains clean. The longer that the tumor sight stays clean the better! Her liver is completely clean except for 3 and a half small spots. These "spots" could be just dead tissue or they could still be active cancer cells. She has a M-IBG scan scheduled for November 13. The M-IBG scan will be able to see if these "spots" are active or inactive. If they are inactive, Ruby will be done except for routine check ups. If the "spots" are active she will be taking a chemo. pill. The pill would hopefully mature and calcify what is left of the cancer cells. This was good news but not perfect news. I am being reminded that I need to let God be my God, not anxiety. Philippians 4: 6-7 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." I am reminded daily to keep a heavenly and eternal perspective on life. Some days are good and some days are downright cruddy. But I don't know His total and complete plan for all of this...I might never know. How comforting that I can count it all joy. Without trials, I wouldn't experience growing periods like this in my spiritual life. We need to thank God ALL of the time, not just when life is great. I am so thankful for a Godly and caring husband. I cannot tell you how much Trent has taught me and comforted me these past few months. God and His Word are my ultimate comfort, but having a Godly husband around that is also growing in God's truth is indescribable. I know this update might seem a little less perky than my usual ones, but I guess I don't feel like my perky self. I really, really was expecting this scan to show us that the cancer was done. I have to remember that the scan in 12 days could show that it is done, but if it's not, that's okay. Thank goodness God knows what is best...if I had to make all the decisions and be in charge of everybody's "perfect plans," I would definitely be in the loony bin by now!! God is sovereign and I have to keep trusting in Him.

Mother has completed one week in rehab. In the last 2 days, we have seen a clearing of the mind, understandable speech return, the ability to feed herself and her sweet smile returning with facial muscle control so much better. She began speech, physical and occupational therapy Monday and has slowly progressed. God is answering prayer.

She has an appt. on the 14th at the ER/cast room to have the splint cast replaced with a brace type cast if all goes according to plan as she was not able to have surgery to set the 2 broken bones in the lower right leg. At the same time, her pacemaker check will be done which is nearing the end of its' "life". We shall see what the readings are and then face the next step.

We take Dad in the late afternoon to see Mother, have the evening meal together but it all has been a struggle for him to "understand" why she is not able to come home. My sister was here the first week, my brother is here now and without their assistance, it would be a challenge. My husband is recovering from rotator cuff surgery that he had earlier this month so we are doubly grateful for the help the family has been able to provide.

Community Baptist Church held their two-year anniversary services on Sunday, October 12. A record number of attendees (128) were blessed by a solo, featuring hymns of praise, by Mrs. Cyndi (Shipp) Lister and challenged by a message from the life of Caleb by Pastor Schmidt. After a fellowship lunch, an afternoon service was held which included praise testimonies reflecting God’s blessings during the past two years.

His funeral will be at First Baptist in Waverly on Saturday at 11:00. Sheral pastored in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa. In Iowa, he pastored our church which use to be in Marble Rock and served most recently in Bloomfield. He retired several years ago and has been living in Waverly.

The Pillsbury Baptist Bible College Board of Trustees has announced that the college will cease academic activities on December 31, 2008. National economic conditions combined with deficits caused by declining enrollment have exhausted Pillsbury’s financial reserves, leaving the college without funds to complete the school year.

Please be much in prayer for the many students, faculty, administrators and other employees who are seeking our Lord’s leading for their future education and ministries.

I would much appreciate your prayers for my health. Following my heart attack on December 8, 2006, echocardiograms consistently showed my ejection fraction to be at 45%. The ejection fraction is the percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each heart beat. Typically healthy individuals would have an EF of 55%-65%. 45% was a problem, but a mild one. My last echo, however, showed that the fraction has lowered to 25%. This is a considerable concern. It will be addressed by optimizing my medications and continued maintenance of proper diet and exercise. I also need to be aware of my limitations and not do certain things.

On November 10, I will be seeing an electrophysiologist about implanting a cardioverter defibrillator in my chest which would shock the heart into appropriate rhythm should I go into fibrillation or cardiac arrest. It would also function as a pacemaker should my heart rate go too low. I do not have the symptoms of congestive heart failure, but I am obviously a good candidate for that. I had a heart catheterization (angiogram) to see if artery blockage could be responsible for the weakening of the heart. While I had some blockage, it was not to the extent to cause this. If it had been, then another stent could perhaps have been an answer and the EF would go back up.

My cardiologist tells me that when I had the heart attack, I suffered considerable damage (death) to portions of the heart muscle. The rest of the heart tried to compensate for the loss, but could only do that for a time until it tired out. That is where it is now. He says that there exists a very slight chance of improvement, and that what we are seeking is to not let the heart weaken further and to keep out of congestive heart failure. I do feel more tired, and also tire more quickly when doing certain things. Otherwise, though, I am not feeling bad.

My initial heart attack was caused by blockage in the left anterior descending artery (think Tim Russert), usually meaning quick death. The Lord spared my life from that, and He can overrule in any event or circumstance should He so will. Thank you for your prayers.

Thank you for praying for the room in the nursing home to become available! Louis and Bernice moved in Thursday and are doing great! They have Bernice’s lift chair and Louis’ favorite easy chair in there, so they are quite comfortable. The room is close to the dining hall, and you should hear them rave about the breakfast. When I visited them Saturday, Bernice told me how she had spent the afternoon helping to make popcorn balls. They can list quite a few people they know who are in there, so it looks like they are excited about the new ministry God has called them to.

Their new address is The Manning Plaza, Room 22, 410 Main Street, Manning, IA 51455. If you’d like to visit them, the room is in the first hall as you enter the nursing home—on the left and closest to the nurses’ station—or as they point out, closest to the dining hall.

I will still be checking their email, especially for prayer letters or messages that are sent to a group of people. However, if you would like to send them a specific message directly, email it to PlazaResident@mrhcia.com (case is necessary) and be sure to put "Louis and Bernice Miller" in the subject line. Each morning the Activities Director prints off these messages and delivers them to the residents’ rooms. She will even print off pictures for the residents.

Their daughters are both in town during this transition time. While they are here, the phone is still hooked up in the house. When they leave, the phone number will be transferred to the Millers’ room in the nursing home. (That number is 712-655-3456.)

Prayer requests: 1) Their house is now listed with a realtor. 2) Marylin and Peggy are sorting through things in the house. 3) An auction will be held in the spring. 4) Louis was able to be in all of our church services today, but the medical personnel did not think Bernice was steady enough yet to attend. Pray that she regains strength and stability so that she can come to church services.

This is to let you know that Mother fell about 8 a.m. this morning breaking the lower right leg. It appears that she turned from the kitchen sink and went down. I heard the fall and ran to check her out....we called 911 and they took over and transported her as she was in so much pain and we could not move her at all. Thankfully, Dad was still sleeping and did not have to observe it all. I was able to tell him before I left where Mother was going.

My sister Judy had just come in from IA yesterday for the week to assist with the folks as my husband had had rotator cuff surgery 2 weeks ago and is still recovering big time as the shoulder turned out to be very torn up, more than thought. My brother Don from TX called this afternoon and he will be coming this weekend to assist for several days.

Mother is in her hospital room at Rockford Memorial Hospital. We do not know how long she will be hospitalized as the surgeon has not seen her yet. She only had 5 morphine shots and that was not knocking the pain so they gave her a relaxant and she went right out as they were putting the splint cast on her until the swelling subsides.

went home to heaven early morning, Monday, October 20. She was 110 years old! She was the widowed wife of Harry Ketcham. Harry (or affectionately known as “Pop”) was a brother to Dr. Robert Ketcham, early father of the GARBC, and a National Representative of the GARBC. Harry was the pastor of Hagerman Baptist in Waterloo in the late 40’s through the mid 50’s. It was at that time that his first wife died, and he married Claudia, who had also been widowed.

Claudia was our oldest member, believe it or not. She was a charter member of Hagerman, which is 71 years old. She was born December 1, 1897, so she was nearly 111. Claudia lived at her daughter’s home in Waterloo. She had a terrific mind and wit about her. She had a very clear mind until about 6 months before her death. She loved to write poetry, and put them to the tunes of hymns.

I thought I should be giving an update on our situation here in Waverly. So many have done so much through prayer, giving, and labor. We are all so very grateful.

It will be quite a while until we are back using our basement. However, we figured out a way to start our Sunday School on September 14, and our children's and youth ministries on September 17 using our wings and balcony classrooms. We look forward to the day we can move back into our basement rooms!

All the stud work is done, the electrical conduit has been put in (an electrician in our church donated his labor), and we passed inspection to put up sheet rock. We were anticipating calling in volunteers for the wallboard, but a construction company offered to do the work at such a price we couldn't refuse it! They came in with a large crew, and working a 12 hour day almost completed hanging the rock. It has now just been finished, and yesterday passed inspection so that the taping and mudding can proceed. We have a lot of work yet to be done on the bathrooms, but we did get one functioning for this past Sunday.

We are awaiting a construction crew to do what is necessary so that the elevator can be installed. This is rather exacting work that requires professionals. We are blessed, however, to be able to contract work through a general contractor who is part of our church. We will need to install a new boiler system, but again, we will be doing this through an AC/Furnace/Plumbing business owned by one of our people. With these more chilly mornings, it reminds us of our need to get to where we can have heat! We are very blessed to have these people. Even the elevator is coming to us at a much reduced cost because one of our members is the controller of the company and the owner has been very gracious.

Kitchen cupboards have been ordered. A man has offered to give to us whatever stools, sinks, etc. we will need! We are in the process now of taking out a $150,000 line of credit at the bank. As our people give and others outside our church do as well, we hope to keep our borrowing as low as possible. Our people are overwhelmed by the financial help which has come to us from all over the country. Some of the gifts are relatively small, but so heart-touching as VBS children have given their offerings to us! This causes such thanksgiving to well up inside us! Praise be to God!

Our progress is slow but sure. God has been providing, and we have a good spirit of unity among our people. May the testing of our faith produce patience, and may patience have its perfect work in our lives!

After the physical therapist & doctor evaluated Bernice’s condition, they didn’t feel that her balance was good enough for her to be sent home—even if home health came in to check on her. Since Louis can’t stay in the house without her, both of them will be going to the nursing home in Manning. They are both comfortable with this decision (and, in a sense, relieved).

Please pray for a double room to become available soon and for a smooth transition to be made. Their daughter Peggy is still here helping out and will stay as long as necessary.

Please e-mail or send cards to: louisbernicemiller1@netzero.net, or their home address: 121 2nd St., Manning, IA 51455. These messages and prayer letters are a bright spot in their day.

She was taken to the hospital Emergency Room, here in Ames, between 3:45 and 4:00 am Thursday morning (9/25) after I found her unable to move her arm and leg on the left side and her speech was slurred.

Tests have confirmed that she had a stroke and had had a heart attack. The heart attack was what produced the stroke. The upper chambers of her heart went into an irregular rhythm causing a blood clot to form in the heart. The clot was then conducted to her mid brain. The brain cells deprived of normal oxygen began to die and thus the paralysis. She has received excellent care from all the medical staff here.

I brought her home Wednesday afternoon, (10/01) after just 6 days. Praise the Lord. God did awesome things in just 6 days!! It doesn't even have to take Him but an instant, does it! It is His choice.

We saw our regular doctor (a believer), for the follow-up (10/3), after hospitalization. He expressed how God had intervened as the science pointed initially to a much less positive outlook. There are no visible residual indications of the stroke. For which we praise the Lord. He isn't finish with her here yet; many students are being introduced to the Savior.

She is going to be on physical therapy to restore her strength and dexterity, and on cardiac rehab to monitor and strengthen her heart, during her return to physical activity.

Thank you all, for your love, concern and for laying hold of God on our behalf, at this juncture in our lives. Your messages and phone calls have blessed and encouraged us.

eighth and final chemotherapy was today!! Dr. Alzein examined her before her treatment began and said that he could barely even feel her liver. That is a very, very good thing. He said that she looked the best he had ever seen her. He informed us that in 3 weeks she will be scanned again and that if her cells looked liked "happy" cells, she would end treatment and be closely observed for the next few years. If her cells looked a little "angry" she would have to take oral chemotherapy pills for 6 months (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off). He said he was very optimistic and that his gut feeling was that she will be done after the scans. I feel blessed that we can just rest in God's hands during this waiting period. There are still so many more things that could happen to us that could be "worse." For example: her cancer could have a high risk of returning, she could have reacted horribly to the treatments, she could have been in an unloving home, her tumor could have been overlooked by our pediatrician, she could have had years of treatments, or her tumor could've been too risky to operate on. The worst thing possible, however, would be if we didn't have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. There would be no point or purpose for this trial. There would be no growth or peace or protection. God is good. He makes no mistakes and He only does things that will help us grow in our walk with Him. We are continually singing His praises as He works in us and our daughter. All of your prayers have been answered as far as I am concerned. The Lord is getting all the glory and His faithfulness is prevailing every day of Ruby's life. Please keep praying and growing in your own spiritual walk, friends!! God wants to be included in every aspect of your life!!

is much improved. She has nearly complete use of her left hand, her smile is full and her speech is near normal. The neurologist is quite happy with her progress. The cardiologist wants to run more tests to see what may be causing the problem. Continue praying for God's healing and for strength for both of them. Bob and Virginia say "Thank you" for praying.

, Hispanic Pastor of First Baptist Church in Perry, is recovering well from his recent 5 by-pass heart surgery. He is also regaining his strength. Thank you for praying for him, his family and his other ministries. You may contact him at his address: 1402 W 8th St. Perry, IA 50220. You may also call him at home – 515.465.3979 or on his cell phone – 515.240.4718.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Special Prayer Requests

Virginia Cowley, wife of Robert (Bob) Cowley, EBM missionaries to international students at Iowa State University with Campus Baptist Church in Ames, was hospitalized this morning about 4 a.m. with symptoms of a stroke. She is affected on the left side. The doctor is also saying tests indicate she experienced a heart attack about 2 days ago. She will be having several tests run today (Thursday, Sept. 25).

She is in Mary Greeley Medical Center, Room 271, 1111 Duff Ave., Ames, IA 50010; phone: 515-239-2271. Bob's email address is rcowley at ebm.org.

I know you will join us in praying for Virginia and Bob during this time.

Thanks,
Rev. George Hatfield

Minister to International Students

Campus Baptist Church, Ames

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Rejoice with Burton Avenue Baptist Church in Waterloo with the recent call of their new pastor – Pastor Garry Moore.

Calvary Baptist, Belmond; Grace Baptist, Corwith; Calvary Baptist, Dysart; First Baptist, Farmington; Calvary Baptist, Greene; Bethel Baptist, Harlan; Grace Baptist, Harlan; Calvary Baptist, Manning; Monticello Baptist, Monticello; Berean Baptist, Pella; Rockford Baptist, Rockford; as they seek pastors.

Please continue to be in prayer for Mrs. Judi Sauser and her family. She is the wife of Pastor Bob Sauser, First Baptist Church, Creston. Judi’s Dad, Gordon A. Lewis went to be with the Lord recently.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

"Ruby's 3rd chemotherapy treatment went very well. The weekend went fast and Ruby did not have any negative reactions to the treatments. We went in today for a counts check. Everything looked great!! Her white cells are boosted enough to stop the Neupogen shots until after her fourth treatment. Dr. Alzein was pleasantly surprised that Ruby looked so good and wasn't sick at all. He actually noted that people were praying for her and that must be what is helping!!! Praise the Lord!! He told us we didn't "really" need to come back until her next chemotherapy treatment, but he knows I like to feel "safe," so he said that we could come back in on Friday just to make sure everything was still looking good. Ruby's next chemotherapy was due on the Fourth of July, but Dr. Alzein told us that he wanted us to just come in on Monday the 7th for the treatment so we could enjoy the weekend. That is such a nice blessing!! He said that we actually are a bit ahead of schedule since Ruby has never had to have her treatments delayed because of low blood counts. Three weeks after her fourth treatment, Ruby's status will be evaluated. She will be getting a series of scans and tests to see how things look. She will most likely be getting surgery and either 1, 2, or 4 more cycles. Dr. Alzein is still very optimistic. When he felt her liver today, he said that it felt smaller. I was ecstatic to hear that!!! I had to contain my excitement until I got to the car so I didn't look like a freak mom. God is with us now and He has been with us every step of the way. We are blessed that things are going well. His strength is being made perfect in our weakness. We never dreamed our little Ruby would be such a testimony of God's goodness. The continued prayers and support are definitely still needed. We are so humbled by people's generosity and concern for Miss Ruby. We are so undeserving of God's goodness and yet He still pours it out on us daily. We hope everyone that is praying is able to be encouraged by God's goodness to our family and in their own lives."

Job 5:9

He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

We recently shared how God is providing in special ways for the financial needs of our State Fellowship. Please rejoice with us in light of the fact that an individual recently sent a gift for $1000.00 for one of our ministries and another family let us know that they are including the Iowa Association of Regular Baptist Churches, Talents For Christ and The Sportsmen’s Adventure in their will.

Fellowship Baptist Church in Des Moines sits adjacent to one of the levees for the Des Moines River. The river is predicted to crest this week at a level that could swallow a portion of the church. Members are standing by ready to pack and move books, files and electronics. Sand bagging would be to no avail. Due to a ground water or waterworks related problem, a portion of the parking lot has already collapsed. A crew is currently working on that problem. If you would be available to help pack movable items, please contact 515-244-6767 and ask to be place on a call list. They will call you when needed.

Pastor Ben Epley, First Baptist Church, New Hartford, and Pastor Roger Crawford, our Council of 10 Next Towns Evangelism Chairman, thanks the 8 sister churches who came along side to help with the pick up from the tornado damage. The group of 20-25 volunteers was divided into 3 teams that assisted families in First Baptist Church in New Hartford who were affected and others who were in Parkersburg.

Please continue to pray for First Baptist Church as flood waters are now an issue. Pastor Epley and his family were evacuated from their home Monday, June 9, as were many others in New Hartford.