Our pastor's dear father passed away last Friday night. He had been in declining health for some time so his passing was not unexpected. Still, you are never prepared to lose a loved one or close friend. Elder Bro. Martin would have been 91 on his birthday which is this coming Saturday, October 17. He and my dear husband, Ed shared the same birthday. :-)

The children at church always called Bro. Martin the candy man because he always had candy in his pocket for them. He was a faithful saint of God and such an encouragement to anyone who knew him. He will be so missed!

Here is a picture of him and Ed at their birthday party last year, when he turned 90! :-)
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My older sister, Debbie, will be having open-heart surgery this Wednesday morning. She has a 97% blockage in a main artery. I am more than a little concerned because of the respiratory problems that she has. She has COPD and enphysema and is on oxygen all of the time. She just had a bout of pneumonia about three weeks ago. Her doctor did tell her that she could absolutely no longer smoke, under any circumtances and she hasn't, which is nothing short of a miracle. But she said that she is afraid to smoke now.

Please pray for her as she prepares for and undergoes this surgery. She is such a wonderful sister, mother and Nanny to her grandchildren.