This past Sunday, 11-16, was a momentous one for our congregation. Laura Young Jones came and presented her testimony and it was awe inspiring!
Laura’s ordeal started in October of 2010 while in New Mexico on vacation. She had a heart problem, a serious one that the local hospital couldn’t manage. Laura was flown to Lubbock, Texas for treatment.
After surgery on her heart, the removal of a leg, kidney failure, and indeed almost dying from several causes, Laura rallied and got better. On 12-7 of 2010 she was released from the hospital to begin 11 months of rehabilitation.
Laura said she shook the hand of the physician in charge of her care and thanked him for saving her. The doctor told her “It was God that saved you.”
Laura said when she got home and was coming off the strong drugs she had been prescribed, she became mean, hateful, difficult, and drove away her friends. Laura was having a rough time adjusting to the changes in her body and health. Laura realized the old Laura was gone, never to return. She could not just put on a new, prosthetic leg and go back to her old life. And she was very bitter that her older brother, James Young, had died. James had been her confidant and sounding board.
Laura said she had hit the “rock bottom” one day and began listening to a recording of “How Great Thou Art,” she played it over and over. Then she went to the cemetery to her brother’s grave and yelled at him for leaving her when she needed him most. Next Laura drove out to James Fritts’ farm and parked. She needed to talk to God, and she needed to vent her feelings. Laura said she screamed and cried and prayed. Then she screamed, cried, and prayed some more. And lo and behold the pain and frustration began to fade and she was filled up to overflowing with a peace and joy she had never experienced. God answered her and she was finally, truly, healed and remains so today.
Laura said she drove home and listened to “How Great Thou Art,” some more.
Thanks to the friends and former school mates who came Sunday to support Laura. Many family members were present also, Laura’s mother, Elizabeth Young, her brother Dale Young, her daughter, granddaughter and grandson and a nephew. James Fritts was present along with his older brother and sister-in-law from Gorman.
Our bulletin said sing “I Need Thee Every Hour,” but of course we substituted “How Great Thou Art” and sang our hearts out.
Lisa Leatherwood was Worship Leader and Pat Beaty our musician. Pat sang “Grace that is Greater Our Sin” for the Offertory.
Pastor Ken Lunsford showed a short film about Operation Christmas Child. Juanita Duncan is encouraging everyone to put together some shoe box size gift boxes for children’s Christmas. Methodists, Baptists and Disciples of Christ are participating in this world-wide effort. Who says we can’t find something to agree on?
Pastor Ken presided at the graveside service of Rita Arms Bratton on Saturday, 11-15. Our sympathy goes out to her family and friends.
Don’t let someone be alone on Thanksgiving. Invite them over and feel good about it.
Laura’s ordeal started in October of 2010 while in New Mexico on vacation. She had a heart problem, a serious one that the local hospital couldn’t manage. Laura was flown to Lubbock, Texas for treatment.
After surgery on her heart, the removal of a leg, kidney failure, and indeed almost dying from several causes, Laura rallied and got better. On 12-7 of 2010 she was released from the hospital to begin 11 months of rehabilitation.
Laura said she shook the hand of the physician in charge of her care and thanked him for saving her. The doctor told her “It was God that saved you.”
Laura said when she got home and was coming off the strong drugs she had been prescribed, she became mean, hateful, difficult, and drove away her friends. Laura was having a rough time adjusting to the changes in her body and health. Laura realized the old Laura was gone, never to return. She could not just put on a new, prosthetic leg and go back to her old life. And she was very bitter that her older brother, James Young, had died. James had been her confidant and sounding board.
Laura said she had hit the “rock bottom” one day and began listening to a recording of “How Great Thou Art,” she played it over and over. Then she went to the cemetery to her brother’s grave and yelled at him for leaving her when she needed him most. Next Laura drove out to James Fritts’ farm and parked. She needed to talk to God, and she needed to vent her feelings. Laura said she screamed and cried and prayed. Then she screamed, cried, and prayed some more. And lo and behold the pain and frustration began to fade and she was filled up to overflowing with a peace and joy she had never experienced. God answered her and she was finally, truly, healed and remains so today.
Laura said she drove home and listened to “How Great Thou Art,” some more.
Thanks to the friends and former school mates who came Sunday to support Laura. Many family members were present also, Laura’s mother, Elizabeth Young, her brother Dale Young, her daughter, granddaughter and grandson and a nephew. James Fritts was present along with his older brother and sister-in-law from Gorman.
Our bulletin said sing “I Need Thee Every Hour,” but of course we substituted “How Great Thou Art” and sang our hearts out.
Lisa Leatherwood was Worship Leader and Pat Beaty our musician. Pat sang “Grace that is Greater Our Sin” for the Offertory.
Pastor Ken Lunsford showed a short film about Operation Christmas Child. Juanita Duncan is encouraging everyone to put together some shoe box size gift boxes for children’s Christmas. Methodists, Baptists and Disciples of Christ are participating in this world-wide effort. Who says we can’t find something to agree on?
Pastor Ken presided at the graveside service of Rita Arms Bratton on Saturday, 11-15. Our sympathy goes out to her family and friends.
Don’t let someone be alone on Thanksgiving. Invite them over and feel good about it.
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